Hikigaya was messing with his mentality; Ike Kanji also knew this and was somewhat on guard against it.
After all, as early as the start of the match.
Horikita Suzune and the others had repeatedly warned him not to engage in psychological warfare with Hikigaya.
Therefore.
Ike Kanji shook his head and quickly cast these distractions to the back of his mind, taking his stance and preparing to swing.
Even if he didn't expect to hit it, he still had to swing.
However.
To think he would use psychological warfare against an insignificant person like him.
Should one say Hikigaya was cautious?
It felt a bit wrong.
It felt like Hikigaya was just chatting casually; he should be inherently wicked and just wanting to have fun at his expense.
He really didn't know how such a person could be popular with girls.
Thinking of this.
Ike Kanji was suddenly a bit jealous again.
But these things were clearly irrelevant to the match.
By now, the seventh inning.
It showed that Ike Kanji didn't care much about the match anymore; anyway, he would just swing randomly and leave the field, nothing more.
Wanting to use psychological warfare against him.
Simply laughable.
However.
Hikigaya shot an unnoticeable glance at Ike.
If even he himself had given up, then how could that work? Expanding the score still depended on Ike's efforts.
Right down the middle, four-seam fastball!
Hikigaya set his glove, and Sumida immediately frowned and shook his head.
Only.
This time Hikigaya was a bit insistent.
"Time out."
Hikigaya walked to Sumida once more.
After all, Sumida was the ace and a baseball veteran; pitchers also had a strange pride, and it was normal to have objections.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing..."
Sumida covered half of his face with his glove and lowered his voice:
"Ike has been aiming for the center and swinging randomly. Although his hitting ability is average, the probability of a fastball right down the middle being hit out is very high. It should be better to switch to a breaking ball, right?"
"Indeed so."
Hikigaya nodded and said: "I just want him to hit it out."
"Eh? Why? If it continues like this, the bases will be loaded, and the next batter, Horikita, will score directly, right?"
"Well, even if they score, it doesn't matter. It's hard to explain in just a sentence or two. Just leave it to me with confidence."
Hikigaya lowered his voice and glanced back at Ike Kanji, suddenly revealing a mocking smile.
Bastard.
Ike Kanji cursed inwardly.
Although it was inevitable for his strength to be looked down upon, having his self-esteem trampled on like this naturally made him feel frustrated.
"Um, okay."
Sumida nodded with some doubt.
Although he didn't know what Hikigaya intended to do, since Hikigaya was already prepared to lose points, he couldn't say much more.
Bang.
A crisp sound of the ball being hit rang out.
The ball flew straight past Sumida.
It had to be said.
This hit was truly terrible; it could have been intercepted with just a slight reach of the hand.
Even if he was holding back.
Ike Kanji's hitting ability was still poor.
However.
Thinking of Hikigaya's words, Sumida hesitated for a brief moment and let it go, allowing the ball to fly directly toward second base.
Yet.
Even before that.
"Nani? Great!"
Even the hitter himself, Ike Kanji, was somewhat stunned; he hadn't expected to actually hit it.
Immediately.
Ike Kanji's eyes lit up, and he used all his strength to run toward first base. Hirata and Miyake were also forced to run to the next base.
"Hmm?"
In the coach's bench.
The people of Class C suddenly erupted in excitement.
The next batter, Horikita Suzune, also stood up instantly.
There's still a chance!
As long as Ike can reach the base, it would be 2 outs with bases loaded. Her direct right to reach base would not only score points directly.
The batter after that was Koenji Rokusuke, who had gradually mastered the knack and possessed decent hitting ability!
Although they didn't know why Koenji was taking action.
Let's just accept it with expectations.
This is.
The chance to overtake!
"Eh? Really?"
"Ike, go for it! Everything depends on you!"
Hearing the surrounding cheers, Ike Kanji's eyes sparkled.
At this moment.
He felt his condition was better than ever before.
His body felt light; he was running faster than usual.
It can be done!
Today, he can do it!
"Safe!"
With the umpire's declaration, Ike Kanji successfully stepped on the base. Miyake Akito and Hirata also successfully arrived at second and third base.
2 outs, bases loaded.
The next batter is Horikita Suzune, who has the direct right to reach base.
8:6.
2 outs, still bases loaded.
Koenji successfully hit a base hit, and then easily took care of Onodera Kayano.
The game ended this inning with a score of 8:7.
"Sumida, don't mind it."
Walking off the field, Shibata, Kanzaki, and others offered comfort.
After all, in their eyes, this was Sumida's mistake; if he had caught it, none of this would have happened.
"It's not Sumida's fault."
Hikigaya quickly explained: "I was the one who told him to do it."
"Eh, why?"
"It's nothing. Let's just follow the plan for the rest."
A smile appeared at the corner of Hikigaya's mouth as he turned to look at the Class C coach's bench opposite them, where they were high-fiving in celebration.
On the other side.
"Awesome."
"I didn't expect you to be so amazing, Ike."
"Thanks to your performance, we caught up by two points! Now we have a chance to overtake!"
Sudo and the others gave thumbs up, and Horikita Suzune also showed a sincere smile.
Although Ayanokouji had a mistake this inning, Ike Kanji's contribution was undeniably significant.
This single hit.
Directly closed the gap by two points for them.
7:8.
Finally, the chance to overtake had arrived.
"It's nothing, just good luck."
Feeling the surrounding gazes, Ike Kanji rubbed his nose awkwardly.
He felt happy when praised.
He felt unwilling and angry when looked down upon.
When expected of, he would also think about how to respond to those expectations.
Despite some minor flaws.
Ike Kanji was just an ordinary person.
Such a person.
Is very simple and shallow.
Just like Hasebe Haruka.
Shallow people are not bad; they are just easily influenced by their surroundings and easily exploited by those with intentions.
Without a clear self-awareness.
They just feel this side makes sense and that side also makes sense—just ordinary people going with the flow.
Looking at the Class C members who were gradually showing smiles, Hikigaya also followed with a smile.
Losing points.
Was naturally for the sake of scoring more points.
Just giving a little sweetness can make Ike jump for joy like this.
"Everyone, let's go."
Sudo suddenly pounded his glove, full of fighting spirit.
"A rare opportunity, let's show those guys what we're made of!"
"That's right."
"And with this chance, let's all move up to Class B together!"
"Oh!"
Everyone was in high spirits.
On the other side.
Class B coach's bench.
"The rest is up to you all."
Hikigaya said with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.
Just how vulnerable is a superficial unity...