Top of the eighth inning.
8:7.
0 outs; bases loaded.
Although he didn't hit it to Ike Kanji's spot, Yonezu Haruto also steadily hit a single.
Fourth batter, the ace Sumida.
The ball was like a flash of light; before Ike Kanji could even react, it landed precisely two meters behind him and bounced directly.
"I've got it!"
Ike Kanji shouted loudly.
The ball, which was already within his defensive range, was naturally his responsibility.
This time.
Ike Kanji had already thought things through clearly.
It's about thirty meters from second base to home plate, and the third-base runner Shibata is extremely fast.
With his ball control and arm strength.
It was completely insufficient to send the ball back to home plate.
The defensive range was only between first and third base; this was something that had already been agreed upon in advance.
Therefore.
Ike Kanji didn't hesitate; upon receiving the ball, he threw it forcefully toward third base.
However, his already unstable ball control, under high fighting spirit, resulted in using too much force.
With a bang.
The ball slid over Horikita Suzune's head at a height of 1 meter and smashed against the wall.
Picking up the ball.
Horikita Suzune held the ball in a throwing posture, but it was already too late to tag anyone out.
9:7.
The next batter Ichinose reached base directly, scoring another point.
10:7.
0 outs; bases loaded!
"Don't mind it, it's the same situation as before."
"Let's focus on the hitters behind!"
Sudo shouted loudly, and Hirata also comforted everyone.
That's right.
It was exactly the same situation as in the fourth inning.
Naturally, there was no need to care.
Originally, everyone's expectations for Ike Kanji weren't high; it's just that this wild throw was a bit depressing.
It's just the same as the situation in the fourth inning.
Only one point was scored.
Since they had already experienced this crisis once, there was nothing to care about.
Just focus on the next one.
The only difference.
Was that the mindset was completely different from before!
At this moment.
Ike Kanji froze on the spot.
Hearing others say not to mind it, he finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
This was undeniably his mistake.
Thinking about it carefully, although several previous times it was hard to judge whose mistake it was, he also bore a part of the responsibility.
Thinking of this.
Hikigaya's words couldn't help but echo in his mind.
It's fine if nothing happens.
If something does happen, he will undeniably be the next expellee, and this time his performance was completely counterproductive.
Considering this.
Ike Kanji became even more terrified.
Such a wonderful school, and he has a girlfriend.
He definitely doesn't want to be expelled like this.
What am I doing? Pull yourself together.
Ike Kanji slapped his cheeks with both hands to make himself sober up a bit.
The performance in this game will inevitably become part of his future evaluation.
He must perform well.
But the more he thought this way, the more he overexerted himself in action.
Soon.
Hikigaya was struck out by Sudo in 5 pitches.
A sacrifice bunt is useless in a bases-loaded situation; rather than risking a double or triple play with a random swing, it's better to leave the offensive to those behind.
Next batter.
Beppu Ryouta.
The ball flew toward Ike Kanji again, but Beppu's hitting ability was not as good as the others.
Whether it would be a hit was a bit subtle.
Ike Kanji intercepted the ball with just a step across the base.
A golden opportunity!
Should he stay in place to surely get one out, or pass to first or third to get a double play?
With such a wonderful opportunity, of course, it's a double play!
Ike Kanji threw it suddenly, however, the ball passed two meters above Miyake Akito's head.
A massive wild throw!
11:7
"Don't mind it."
"Guh..."
Ike Kanji's vision went dark; he only felt the world was spinning.
Not until this moment.
Did he finally realize that he was just a piece of trash.
Things he couldn't do were things he simply couldn't do.
Ordinary people should just let it go like Hikigaya and only do what is within their power.
The more one is desperate to perform, the worse the results often are.
Several consecutive mistakes.
Even though the people around him said not to mind, how could Ike Kanji not mind?
The one who will be expelled is himself.
Once a person starts thinking on the bad side.
They will unconsciously think of all the bad memories in their mind.
Ike Kanji had truly recognized.
He was just a piece of trash.
With today's performance, it's fine when nothing is wrong, but when something happens, the one expelled will inevitably be him.
Thinking of this.
Ike Kanji was even more terrified, yet unable to act.
He was just an ordinary person; acting again would only result in a disaster like before, making his evaluation even lower.
His heart was completely in chaos.
Things he could originally do also began to become impossible.
Next batter, Moriyama Takuya.
12:7.
Ike Kanji's movements became even stiffer.
Sudo had poor eyesight and couldn't capture high-speed flying balls; Horikita Suzune had poor arm strength and posed no threat; Ike Kanji was already completely in chaos.
The infield was essentially defenseless; as long as the ball could be hit, it would be a point.
1 out, still bases loaded.
"Ike, what are you doing? Pull yourself together."
Watching his friend's performance be so unbearable, Sudo also became a bit impatient.
The wind was slowly changing direction.
Originally, they had planned for Hirata, Miyake, and others to share more of Ike Kanji's workload, but it shouldn't be this unbearable.
Who could possibly carry this?
However.
It was useless.
Whether it was encouragement or condemnation.
Ike Kanji could no longer hear anything; the noisy arena around him seemed to suddenly fall silent.
Sudo is so lucky.
No matter what, he has excellent physical fitness and athletic nerves, and he has a good relationship with Horikita.
It's not him being expelled, so he can say it so easily.
There's no difference from the gloating Hikigaya.
When a person starts to doubt someone, every word they say feels problematic.
Next batter, Watanabe Norihito.
13:7.
Ike Kanji had completely become the breakthrough point.
Even if a ball flew past his hand, there would be that trace of hesitation—worrying he wouldn't do it well, worrying it would lower his evaluation.
The lineup returned to the first batter, Shibata Sou!
Class B coach's bench.
"Great, it's Shibata's turn again."
"Amazing, Hikigaya, how did you actually do it?"
"No, that's not important for now. Class C should also be requesting a timeout; let's try to get a few more points before they can adjust their mindset."
"No need to care."
Hikigaya looked at the dazed Ike Kanji on the field, shook his head and said:
"I didn't do anything, and this shouldn't be the end yet."
This was also the truth.
He only gave Ike Kanji a delusion that "I can do it too," drew out the fear in Ike Kanji's heart, and gave a choice of other possibilities.
The rest entirely depended on Ike Kanji himself.
And.
This definitely wasn't the end.
Bottom-out elimination system?
That kind of thing is only effective when there are enough benefits and no other choices.
Otherwise.
Superficial unity.
Collapses at a single touch.
Cutting off the person with the lowest value in the class will eventually carry a price...