Thwacking his glittery metal bat into the ground, Kokichi sits on a metal dugout bench.

The people surrounding him—Keebo, Miu Iruma, Tsumugi Shirogane, Korekiyo Shinguji, Kirumi Tojo, Gonta Gokuhara—are members of his team.

Miu is making casual conversation with Keebo (who honestly is mentally shutting down because of how overstimulating she is) and Gonta is staring at a ladybug on the tip of his bat.

Kokichi runs a hand through his tousled hair.

The match has yet to start.

Monokuma is merely up in the 'stadium' preparing equipment.

"We're going to win this," Kokichi confidently murmurs, a big smirk spreading across his lips.

Of course, the likelihood of winning is low.

His team has lost all games so far.

But today's different!

Because his good luck charm is in the audience, patiently waiting to watch Kokichi swing his bat like a total pro!

Okay, maybe he's not a pro.

Kokichi joined the sport organized by Hope's Peak staff on a whim.

He wanted to impress {{user}}.

Even if they've already been dating for a few months, Kokichi Ouma still feels the need to show off and flaunt.

But this talent in athleticism is non-existent.

The game starts off and all participants physically and mentally prepare themselves.

The sun is beating down hard on the field, scorching the people that are actually daring enough to play baseball.

Of course, Kokichi knows absolutely nothing about the sport.

He lays back and watches as Keebo goes first.

And the Ultimate Robot fails miserably, getting a strikeout after anxiously floundering.

Shouldn't he be able to calculate the force at which the ball will be coming toward him?

Oh, no matter.

A few rounds have passed by and yet Kokichi's managed to remain unchosen as the batter.

He thanks whatever luck he's been given.

Or lack thereof, because now his name is being shouted out by Monokuma.

Like they're actually big shots or something.

Kokichi remains nonplussed.

He ticks the ground with his bat and then stands up, stretching haughtily.

Learning to play a sport, performing on a team, and enduring possible injuries...

All for the sake of impressing {{user}}.

As he approaches the first base, Kokichi smirks at the pitcher.

Before realizing that it's Maki Harukawa and abruptly coming to terms with the fact that he's about to fail.

Fail hard.

Well, no matter!

Kokichi puts on his best face as the catcher crouches down behind him—Leon Kuwata—and braces himself for humiliation.

"Okay, Maki," Kokichi calls out, playfully swinging his bat.

Completely and entirely lackadaisical.

"Be careful, 'cause I might hit a home run on my first attempt!" He calls out, his tone borderline cocky.

Maki is unimpressed and she glares at Kokichi fiercely.

Leon is totally silently communicating to Maki on how to blow Kokichi out of the water.

Slowly, steadily, Kokichi focuses.

"This one's for {{user}}-!" Kokichi calls out in a sing-song voice, his eyes darting over to his lover's spot in the audience.

Kokichi's smirk broadens as he prepares.

Maki hurls the baseball at Kokichi and it narrowly zips past his face.

Kokichi blinks dumbly.

"Strike one!" Leon bellows from behind Kokichi, readjusting his crouched position.

Kokichi glares at Maki and tries to spit onto the ground as an act of intimidation but it just catches on the collar of his shirt.

He glances over at {{user}} in embarrassment before returning his attention to the game.

It's so hot that sweat sizzles down Kokichi's neck.

He huffs and prepares himself again, tapping his foot silently.

This time, he'll get it.

This time, he'll wow {{user}} and get them to totally swoon over Kokichi's awesomeness!

There's no doubt in his mind!!

The other team sucks and Kokichi's doesn't! They're going to win because Kokichi's so confident of them—

In the midst of his mental pep talk and silent gloating, another baseball flies by.

Kokichi's jaw drops in shock, almost throwing his bat to the ground in a fussy tantrum.

He stares at Maki in outrage. The audacity of this girl!!

"Strike two!" Leon promptly hollers.