Class B coach's bench.
"Amazing."
"Hikigaya, how on earth did you do it?"
"Why did you know Ike would break down?"
At this time.
Sumida and the others surrounded Hikigaya, the excitement on their faces beyond words.
Unexpectedly.
They actually managed to reach the second rotation of the batting lineup all at once.
"It's nothing, it's just that he's in that kind of environment."
Hikigaya turned his head to look at Class C opposite them, not knowing if they would understand that explanation.
Betrayers do not need to suffer corresponding punishments.
Absolute meritocracy.
Naturally weakened the constraints on betrayal.
The usual pulling of strings was by no means a meaningless operation.
As long as another option was provided.
Since it was to rise to Class A, since it was to avoid expulsion.
Why did they have to follow Horikita Suzune?
Whether one betrayed or not wasn't important.
As long as the thought of leaving this class was generated, their movements would naturally become sluggish and confused.
And such people.
Class C definitely had more than just Ike Kanji.
Hikigaya had only drawn out the fear in his heart, and being the last ranked in Class A, Ike Kanji felt it most strongly.
After Ike Kanji.
There would be the next one and countless others.
Being in the last position.
Ike Kanji would naturally think about working harder.
But talent was fixed; he was just an ordinary person.
Since the result had already happened.
Whether it was encouragement or criticism, neither could reduce Ike Kanji's fear of his companions.
So.
Everything they said sounded like idle talk from a bystander.
After all, the ones being expelled wouldn't be them.
"I don't get it..."
"Forget it, Hikigaya's methods are always hard to understand."
"With this, as long as we win the match, we can rise to Class A!"
By the end.
Everyone immediately showed a smile.
Ichinose and Himeno Yuki exchanged glances and simultaneously smiled as well.
Although they didn't know the battle situation between Class A and Class C yet.
But ten points!
There was no way they could have more than this.
"Hey..."
Hikigaya was somewhat speechless:
"The match isn't over yet; what comes next is the most important moment."
"Understood!"
"Don't worry, we won't be careless."
Shibata and Sumida patted their chests and laughed.
That was true.
Both were members of sports clubs.
They naturally knew that the closer it got to the final moment, the less they could afford to be careless.
In the second half of the inning.
Class C replaced their player as expected.
Makita Susumu took over Ike Kanji's position.
Though it was a name they hadn't heard of, his ability values were roughly equal to Ike Kanji's.
17 to 10.
2 outs, with Horikita Suzune on first base.
Gazing at Ayanokouji Kiyotaka below the stage, Hikigaya took a sharp breath of cold air.
Though Sudou and Makita were out.
Unexpectedly.
Ayanokouji actually hit a home run at such a critical moment.
Snatching three points in one go.
This guy.
Exceeding expectations time and again, he was simply a monster.
Next up was Kouenji Rokusuke.
Without any hesitation, Hikigaya directly ordered an intentional walk (four balls).
Fortunately.
The Class C batters couldn't form a connected line.
Even with a strong offensive, it would stop at people like Onodera Kayano.
Top of the ninth inning.
Shibata, Kanzaki, and Sumida performed steadily.
Only Yonezu Haruto seemed affected by the huge advantage and failed to hit a safe hit.
In the end, Ichinose directly got on base and scored another point.
It had to be said.
The fact that everyone in Class C moved to the infield indeed put quite a bit of pressure.
The offensive ended there.
18 to 10.
Next.
It was Class C's turn to attack.
0 outs; bases loaded.
It was the fourth batter, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's turn again.
As expected, it reached the ninth inning.
Even though his pitch count was much lower than Sudou's, Sumida's stamina still couldn't compare to the opponent's; 2 strikes and 4 balls allowed Sudou to successfully get on base.
A bases-loaded crisis.
Forget it.
It wasn't really a crisis.
A team that hadn't formed a batting lineup was nothing to fear.
Thinking of the previous home run, Hikigaya placed his glove on the outside without hesitation; so what if the opponent scored a few points.
"Ball."
"Hmm?"
Ayanokouji looked down and said expressionlessly:
"Are you planning to walk me? If you walk Horikita and Kouenji after this, you'll lose at least three points."
"Sorry, this is my fighting style."
Hikigaya said indifferently.
Even now, he didn't know Ayanokouji's full strength.
The home run from before might have been luck.
Regardless.
It was at least better than losing four points directly here.
He just needed to focus on dealing with the following three: Makita, Onodera, and Kushida Kikyou, and secure the victory decisively!
"Hmm..."
Ayanokouji didn't say anything more and turned to look at Sumida on the pitcher's mound.
This guy, surely he's not planning to hit?
Hikigaya was momentarily stunned, but still kept his glove positioned far from the left-hand batter's box.
Gazing at the high-speed ball that was clearly deviating from the strike zone.
Ayanokouji was expressionless; he suddenly let go with his left hand and gripped the end of the bat with his right, in a bizarre posture.
As if he were swinging a sword, he suddenly swung the bat.
Bang.
A crisp sound of the hit rang out.
The ball flew high and straight, leaving a beautiful arc in the air, before hitting the electronic scoreboard with a thud.
"Home run!"
"Holy crap, how on earth did he hit that?"
"I haven't even seen that on TV..."
The surrounding people were simply stunned; people from both coaches' benches stood up at the same time, and even Chairman Sakayanagi in the audience stood up as well.
Is this the strength of the Masterpiece?
Hikigaya's eyes twitched, and he was even more dumbfounded.
He had seen home runs.
But he had never seen a home run in this manner.
Even professional players wouldn't be this outrageous, right?
18:14
Hitting a home run even on a ball, and with such a distorted posture?
Was it luck?
Or strength?
Is this freaking cheating?
"A pity, your method is useless against me."
Ayanokouji threw down the bat and finished a full lap of the bases.
This wasn't a defeat.
Instead, he only allowed Class B to win by two or three points.
Any more.
He wouldn't allow it!
Avoiding battle was useless.
Wait until next time.
He would then serve as the true opponent.
Facing an absolutely insurmountable wall, what would Katsuragi, Hikigaya, and Ryuuen do?
On the other side.
Hikigaya's mouth twitched.
What is with this guy?
He's practically like a hero turning the tide; isn't he a bit too cool?
The implication.
The home run wasn't luck, but Ayanokouji's genuine strength.
If he wanted to.
Ayanokouji could do it!
Setting personality aside, with such strength, it was no wonder he could be called the Masterpiece.
In any case.
Now wasn't the time to think about those things.
Win the match first.
After dealing with Makita, Horikita Suzune getting on base, walking Kouenji, and dealing with Onodera and Kushida Kikyou.
Ultimately.
Class B won the match by a difference of 4 points.