0 out, bases loaded.
As long as a double play or triple play can be avoided and the offensive sustained, it doesn't matter even if he gets out here.
Although Hikiagaya's hitting ability was indeed not great.
During this time.
In order to train until he could steadily catch Sumida's balls and to catch up on catcher knowledge, Hikiagaya had already exhausted all his energy.
The only thing he was sure of was a bunt, which obviously wasn't applicable in the current situation; it would be bad if it led directly to a triple play.
Therefore.
Hikiagaya didn't intend to swing the bat, but he wouldn't do nothing either; at the very least, he would continue to mess with Sudo's mindset.
While pondering.
Hikiagaya held the handle with one hand and the barrel with the other.
Openly assuming a bunting posture.
Tch, actually daring to look down on me.
Sudo's face was unpleasant.
In his eyes.
Hikiagaya was just a despicable person with no ability, who only knew how to play small tricks and had no self-respect.
He only knew how to use such despicable playstyles.
He didn't even dare to have a direct confrontation.
Only.
This was indeed the best way to lead to victory.
Seeing Sudo take his pitching stance, Hikiagaya instantly raised the bat.
"Ball!"
Continue being irritable.
Hikiagaya's lips curled into a smile as he continued to tease Sudo with the bunting posture.
Though his hitting ability was indeed not great.
But having watched Sumida pitch for so long, he could distinguish whether the opponent's posture was good or bad.
It was very obvious that Sudo was using too much force.
Hikiagaya looked down at Ayanokouji.
The only slightly puzzling thing was.
Now, it clearly should be necessary to comfort Sudo, yet Ayanokouji, that guy, actually did nothing, totally not knowing what he was thinking.
Forget it.
As long as Ayanokouji doesn't act, then it can be seen as a good thing.
Sudo clearly had a problem with his mindset.
As long as this continues.
Replacing him would only be a matter of time.
Hikiagaya continued to tease Sudo with bunting movements.
Finally.
"1 strike, 4-ball walk."
Bang.
Hearing the announcement from the class advisor Mashima, Hikiagaya dropped the bat, a smile appearing at the corners of his mouth as he jogged to first base; Yonezu Haruto gained another point.
3:0.
0 out, bases loaded.
Soon.
The next batter, Beppu Ryota.
"Ball."
1 strike, 2 balls.
Ayanokouji held the ball in his glove with a flat expression.
There was no problem with the ball speed.
It was consistently maintained at around 150KM, but it was obvious that Sudo was using too much force.
It had reached the limit.
He originally wanted to see if Sudo could regulate himself; now it seemed it would be somewhat difficult.
Continuing like this.
Would be a situation of infinite 4-ball walks, constantly letting Class B score.
And then it would once again be the turn of the first batter, Shibata.
"Timeout."
Ayanokouji requested a timeout and walked up to Sudo.
"Sudo, you're using too much force; my hand is almost becoming numb from the vibration."
It was naturally a lie.
It was just that he needed to shift Sudo's attention right now.
"Oh, sorry."
Sudo quickly reacted, surveying the surroundings with a somewhat dark face.
"I know, I should be calm now, it's just that under this situation I really can't calm down; if it goes on like this it will be bad."
Knowing it in his heart, yet unable to do it?
Sudo hadn't become more docile; rather, he had learned to restrain his temper.
Baseball is not like basketball.
Basketball can rely on momentum to suppress the opponent, while a pitcher needs a calm head even more.
However.
Sudo would be so irritable.
Because he had subconsciously taken the responsibility upon himself.
Being the team's ace, he had to perform well.
Fact was indeed so.
If Sudo was lost, this team would probably not even be worth mentioning.
"It will indeed be very bad."
Ayanokouji nodded, surveying the three people on the bases without rebuffing.
"If it continues, it wouldn't be strange to have seven or eight points taken away."
Hearing this.
Sudo's face became even uglier.
"But it's not like there's no way."
"Eh? What way?"
"As long as you calm down, it'll be fine."
"But..."
"Don't worry, just let them get a few points first; Hirata and Miyake have also roughly gotten used to Sumida's balls, we just need to pull it back when it's our turn to attack."
"But, if the score gap is too large..."
"It's fine."
Ayanokouji said expressionlessly:
"Actually, you could trust your companions more."
"But... that wouldn't work, right."
Sudo glanced at Horikita Suzune and Ike Kanji, as well as Onodera and the others behind him; they clearly weren't very reliable.
It wasn't that he looked down on them, but a rational judgment.
Precisely because of this.
Sudo felt the weight of responsibility was heavy.
"That's not the case; Hirata and Miyake are both companions worth trusting, and then there's me..."
He originally wanted to say it wasn't enough, but hearing the last few words, Sudo was suddenly stunned for a moment.
Yes.
Even if others weren't good enough, there was still Ayanokouji.
Others might not know.
Sudo knew very well how strong Ayanokouji's ability as a catcher was.
"And..."
Ayanokouji said with a flat expression: "The power is strong, no need to be too worried, be prepared to lose points, you can completely use force to forcefully suppress the opponent."
"...Got it."
Sudo took a deep breath and nodded.
Yes.
There are still companions worth trusting.
At first base.
Hikiagaya stepped on first base.
He glanced at Miyake Akito next to him, then turned to look at the scoreboard.
2 strikes, 2 balls.
Sudo seemed to have regained his composure; obviously Ayanokouji had said something.
It didn't matter much.
There was just a 3-point lead, and the other side had called timeout twice in a row.
How did it turn out like this?
I feel like a villain about to be defeated in a baseball anime...
The team that fell into a disadvantage found back their companion consciousness.
And then began to counterattack?
How could that be...
Although Hikiagaya felt it was impossible, the situation was a bit subtle.
Both strikes were fouls; Sudo had already thrown 8 balls in a row, constantly tangling with Beppu Ryota.
By right.
Beppu Ryota's hitting ability was not weak.
But there was indeed some gap compared to Shibata and the others; he couldn't stably control the direction to hit back Sudo's high-speed balls.
They were always fouls.
He was completely suppressed by Sudo's power.
After all, having not touched the ball or hit a base hit, Hikiagaya didn't quite understand how Sudo's high-speed balls really were.
But they should be very heavy...
Forget it.
Constantly wasting Sudo's stamina like this is also a harvest.
Hikiagaya looked at Miyake Akito, tentatively distancing himself from the base, while staying alert for Sudo and Ayanokouji's movements.
Although hitting ability was inferior to Beppu Ryota and others.
But after such a long time of training.
Speed-wise he was superior to the last three batters.
On the other side.
With a bang sound.
Feeling the sensation of the ball colliding with the bat, Beppu Ryota thought things were going to be bad.
As expected.
The baseball hit the ground in front of him hard and bounced up, flying toward Sudo.
Helplessly.
Beppu Ryota threw down the bat and forced a start.
As long as Sudo's movement was slightly slower, it would at most be 1 out.
There was still a chance.
However.
Just at this moment.
A figure flashed past from behind.