I know what you mean. I wonder if that beating scene was meant to have a more light atmosphere of girls harmlessly slapping a dude, but with the baseball club and everything it took a turn that made it feel more like one of those scenes where mafia is beating the shit out of somebody. Still, the guy was so creepy and pitiful that I didn't mind. He had it coming.

I also agree on the lack of Kazuma - Ayano interaction: This series just doesn't feel itself without it. But on the other hand, we had the indirect kiss Ayano purposefully did. It's not like she's usually at all honest with her own feelings.

Much too early to say anything about the mystery girl yet. But perhaps she's someone from the times when Kazuma had just run away from the fire clan. It would make sense that whoever helped (other otherwise interacted with) him back then could have had the greatest impact as he probably didn't have such a thick skin yet.