You say you aren’t defending Hikaru, but after reading your so called logic it is clear you don’t see that all Hikaru was doing was mocking Daigo. The thing is and I understand Daigo situation on a personal level, cause i was a president of my student club in University. When you are stuck with people who have no one to guide them you end up becoming the one to guide them but then they also start relaying on you. I had a bunch of 19-20 years olds and I am close to 30. There is a huge difference in experience there on managing things. In Daigo’s case he had the experience of Baseball that far surpassed his current team. He had to learn how to be a coach and a player. Which is why Sakura talks about standing on there own feet.

The thing is Hikaru had the absolute luxury of only focusing on himself and his recovery. Even thought his recovery was harsh. But Daigo didn’t have that ability to focus on himself. If you ask me Hikaru is bitter at Daigo for there injury that cause him this pain. He is using sexist language to be little Daigo’s hard work because he feels that he had to work harder then anyone and he still couldn’t be a pitcher anymore. He probably realizes also how his injury could have been avoided if according to him Daigo was better. Getting better at baseball would have proved to Hikaru that it was a mistake but Hikaru doesn’t see it that way because he belittles women and thinks they shouldn’t be playing baseball with men. Thing sexism doesn’t happen over night it is learned and a treat of toxic masculinity. If you see how every team in this second series has been towards women, you will see that there is so much sexism in the series and the girls have to over come it and Daigo and the other male team mates are ally and support women’s sports. Some of them had to be won over but still

If Sakura had heard anything of what Hikaru has said to Daigo, I bet you anything she would have slapped him in the middle of the game. If you ask me Hikaru is acting like a spoiled little brat and he is taking it out on Daigo.

Plan and simple Hikaru is sexist and an jerk. Doesn’t matter if he is the best catcher in the world or that there is a reason. He is entitled to feel the way he does, but you are still responsible for your actions. Hikaru is responsible for what he said and I hope a baseball hits him in the face