Feeling a slight pull on his sleeve, Mori Shinra glanced to the side and saw the girl's pale face.
Yukinoshita Yukino inherently disliked crowded places, so her reaction was understandable.
Right now, nearly a hundred elementary school students were gathered together.
They were all wearing their own clothes, a multitude of colors squeezed together, looking like a canvas splashed with a paint bucket.
Just looking at it was enough to cause a headache.
And everyone was talking.
The characteristic high-pitched voices of children vibrated against everyone's eardrums.
Aside from Hiratsuka Shizuka, who had expected this situation, all the other Sobu High students who had come along were stunned by the scene.
Even Mori Shinra had to temporarily limit his Emotion Perception to only a few specific people, rather than everyone within range as he had before.
Fortunately, this noisy situation did not last long.
A middle-aged man, dressed as a teacher, stood in front of the group of students.
He didn't speak, nor did he make any move to stop the chaos.
He simply raised his wrist and stared at his watch.
After a few minutes, the elementary schoolers at the front, noticing the abnormality, quieted down first.
This silence then began to spread, until finally, the entire venue became quiet.
Only then did the middle-aged teacher slowly speak, "Very good. It took you all a total of three minutes to quiet down."
Ugh. It seems that no matter the school or region, teachers always pull this move before giving a lecture.
If he follows this up with "You are the worst class I've ever taught," the sense of déjà vu will be even stronger.
Mori Shinra could understand this tactic.
To make managing them easier, a show of dominance is always necessary before the activity begins.
Only by establishing authority can one manage this horde of little demons.
As was tradition, the middle-aged teacher first gave a speech about the significance of this event, then introduced the specific activities, and finally, divided them into groups.
Volunteers like Mori Shinra and the others would not be assigned to a specific group.
Instead, they would act as bricks, to be moved wherever they were needed.
To put it in simpler terms, they were like NPCs in a starter village, providing guidance to these fledgling heroes to prevent them from straying off the path and becoming little demons.
Unsurprisingly, the first to get into character was Hayama.
The popular clique behind him also began to try and interact with the elementary schoolers.
Perhaps because Hayama had a very kind face, most of the elementary schoolers were willing to give him some face.
Miura Yumiko's side attracted more girls, while Tobe, conversely, attracted boys.
Ebina, wearing her glasses, also quickly gathered a small following.
On the other hand, the Service Club... wasn't entirely without success.
Kawasaki Saki was surprisingly popular with the elementary schoolers.
The light-blue-haired girl showed astonishing patience and warmth when facing the children, completely shattering everyone's original perception of her.
Who would have thought that Kawasaki Saki, who never gave anyone the time of day in class, had this side to her?
"Kawasaki-san seems really good with kids, doesn't she?" Yuigahama whispered to Yukinoshita.
"It's because I have younger siblings to take care of at home." Kawasaki Saki, without turning her head, answered Yuigahama's question.
Yuigahama's expression stiffened.
She hadn't expected Kawasaki Saki to reply.
She suddenly felt like she had been caught talking about someone behind their back.
Fortunately, Kawasaki Saki clearly had no intention of pursuing the matter.
She just said to the two girls still standing frozen, "Aren't you two going to say hello?"
"I... I don't really like standing in front of so many people," Yukinoshita refused.
Because being too conspicuous in elementary school had caused her a lot of suffering, Yukinoshita now preferred to keep a low profile.
She avoided doing anything that would attract attention if she could.
"Just let me be in charge of logistics."
Yukinoshita thought for a moment and finally confirmed her role: a logistics staff member, contributing silently in the background.
Yuigahama, on the other hand, had no such psychological burden.
Whether it was building a rapport with the elementary schoolers or handling logistics like Yukinoshita, she was fine with either.
Now that Kawasaki Saki had extended an invitation (not really), Yuigahama happily joined in and started mingling with the children.
"You're not going?" Hikigaya looked at Mori Shinra.
Mori Shinra scratched his cheek with a slightly 'shy' look and replied with a straight face, "I'm also a bit shy around strangers."
"You just don't want to babysit!" Hikigaya saw through Mori Shinra's true intentions at a glance.
"Aren't you thinking the same thing?" Mori Shinra felt that the pot shouldn't call the kettle black.
We all know what the other is about!
In summary, the Service Club's current situation was: Kawasaki Saki, Hikigaya Komachi, Yuigahama Yui, and Totsuka Saika were in the 'child-minding group'.
The remaining members—Hikigaya Hachiman, Mori Shinra, and Yukinoshita Yukino—were classified as the 'logistics group', responsible for providing support to the child-minding group.
The popular clique on the other side didn't have such a clear division of labor.
Everyone wore multiple hats, both looking after children and solving logistical problems.
Perhaps this is a demonstration of 'to each according to his ability'.
Grouping was done by numbers, with five to six people per group.
The teachers didn't assign the groups, but rather let the children decide for themselves.
Perhaps the students had already decided on their groups before coming to the event.
After the teacher gave the order, the groups were formed quickly.
Barring any surprises, the students would be acting in these groups for the next few days.
"How nice. They formed groups so quickly, and no one was left out. Compared to middle school and high school, elementary school is practically the Garden of Eden," Hikigaya couldn't help but praise.
Mori Shinra glanced at Yukinoshita and replied with only two words.
"Hard to say."
Because after the grouping, the teachers would give a lecture on safety knowledge for the upcoming activities, they weren't needed for the time being.
The high schoolers gathered together, and just like the elementary schoolers, they clearly split into three factions.
The first, naturally, was the popular clique with Hayama at its core.
Even if Miura Yumiko's body was with Cao but her heart was with Han, she had no intention of leaving the group for now.
The second was the Service Club group, led by Yukinoshita.
Its iron-clad members were Hikigaya and Kawasaki Saki, both of whom were the main force against the popular clique.
Finally, there was the neutral group, which maintained good relations with both sides.
Its members were Mori Shinra, Hikigaya Komachi, Yuigahama Yui, and Totsuka Saika.
In terms of numbers... it seems pretty even?
Tobe, completely lacking in social awareness, was clearly oblivious to the subtle, three-way standoff, and was still foolishly lamenting the passage of time.
"Man, time flies. Seeing these young kids, I feel like we high schoolers are already in the 'uncle' category."
Hikigaya seized the opening in his words and used the opportunity to attack.
"If we're uncles, then isn't Ms. Hiratsuka an old hag?"
"BAM!"
Hikigaya, OUT!
It's been a long day~
Looking at Hikigaya curled up on the ground like a maggot, Tobe immediately shivered and gave a French military salute, "That's not what I meant! Ms. Hiratsuka, please don't misunderstand!"
"But when I was in elementary school, I also thought high schoolers seemed like adults."
Totsuka Saika was a gentle person and wouldn't let a companion's words fall flat.
"Komachi also thinks high schoolers are like adults. Except for my brother."
Hikigaya, lying on the ground, trembled.
An additional attack from his own sister.
The damage from that sentence was even greater than Ms. Hiratsuka's fist.
Mori Shinra felt that Komachi was wrong, and retorted, "Hikigaya is the one who's most like an adult, isn't he? He's always complaining, loves to lie, and occasionally does some pretty despicable things..."
"Yes, and he likes to think he's smart," Yukinoshita added at the perfect moment.
Yuigahama had a kind heart and couldn't bear to see someone slandered like this, so she tried to help, "Adults aren't that sad, are they?"
Hikigaya was now lying motionless on the ground.
Mostly dead.
In the end, it was the little angel who came to his rescue.
Saika said, "Although I haven't seen what Hachiman is like at home, he's always calm and composed at school. He seems very much like an adult!"
"To... Totsuka..."
If you ask why Hikigaya's eyes are always brimming with tears, it's because his love for Totsuka Saika runs deep.
Loyalty!
Perhaps seeing that the chat's atmosphere was pretty good, Hayama tried to bridge the gap between the popular clique and the Service Club.
He spoke up, "So Komachi is Hikitani's younger sister. I was just thinking, if she were Totsuka's or Mori's sister, it wouldn't look right at all."
Mori Shinra glanced at this "nice guy" and retorted, "So Komachi looks like Hachiman?"
"..."
"Don't just go silent!" Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't help but snap.
"Komachi-chan, hello. I'm Hayama Hayato, one of Hikigaya Hachiman's classmates. It's nice to meet you."
"Ah, thank you for always taking care of my brother. It's nice to meet you." Hikigaya Komachi, after snapping back to reality, first bowed, then quickly moved to shield Mori Shinra.
If there was anyone here who could counter Hayama, Komachi's first choice was Mori Shinra.
"Don't change the subject! So you can say my name correctly? Also, stay away from my sister!" Hikigaya seemed to be triggered.
He rattled off a long string of complaints.
That last part, 'stay away from my sister', it was unclear if it was directed at Mori Shinra or Hayama.
Most likely both?
Sensing the atmosphere was a bit off, Hayama did not continue the conversation.
At this point, Miura Yumiko was finally able to get a word in.
"What should we be doing now?" The question was likely directed at Hayama, but Yumiko's gaze was on Mori Shinra.
Wait, what's with this picture?
Hikigaya thought he must be overthinking it. Why would Miura ask Mori Shinra for his opinion? They weren't even close...
"I'll go ask Ms. Hiratsuka," Hayama said, taking the initiative as the leader.
Not long after Hayama left, Miura Yumiko was thinking about how to talk to Mori Shinra without attracting the attention of the other members of the popular clique.
Before she could speak, Ebina appeared behind her.
"You seem to be quite interested in Mori Shinra..."
Miura Yumiko: !!!
I haven't even said anything! H-how did you know?
Ebina pushed up her glasses with her middle finger.
The lenses reflected a strange light in the sun.
"As I thought, you've sensed it too... The clash between Mori Shinra-kun and Hayama-kun, fighting for Hikitani-kun's love... Hiss... (sharp inhale) They disregard their bonds as classmates. Unfortunately, in the end, because of family (referring to Komachi), Hikitani-kun still chose Mori Shinra-kun, causing Hayama-kun to withdraw in defeat. (long sigh)"
Miura Yumiko's expression was a bit dazed.
By the time she realized what Ebina was saying, it was too late.
Wait, what on earth is this?
At this moment, she couldn't be bothered with talking to Mori Shinra.
What she had to do now was drag Ebina away and try to forget the mind-blowing speech she had just given.
Kawasaki Saki had the same idea as Miura Yumiko.
Because Ebina hadn't been trying to be quiet, Kawasaki Saki had also heard everything.
The thought that Ebina was her temporary roommate made Kawasaki Saki feel like her world was collapsing.
To avoid her ears hearing any more things they shouldn't, Kawasaki Saki moved far away from Ebina.
She looked at Miura Yumiko next to Ebina, and for the first time, felt the desire to talk to her.
Kawasaki Saki wanted to ask if Miura Yumiko would be willing to switch rooms with her.
It wasn't that Ebina was bad, but that Yuigahama Yui was a more cost-effective choice.
Soon, Hayama returned, with Hiratsuka Shizuka in tow.
"What you need to do next is help prepare lunch, and then distribute it to the children at the orienteering finish line. I'll drive ahead with the bento boxes and drinks," Hiratsuka Shizuka explained the task.
Mori Shinra raised his hand. "Can I ride with you?"
Note the detail. Mori Shinra only used 'I'. He knew that with the car full of food and drinks, it wouldn't be able to take that many people.
Therefore, Mori Shinra's request was not high. Just taking him along was enough. As for the rest... enjoy your exercise.
"Of course. If you can keep up."
Great. So I have to run to keep up?
Hiratsuka Shizuka had no intention of taking anyone from the start.
As the saying goes, inequality is worse than scarcity. Besides, it's not a bad thing for young people to get some exercise.
...Why am I saying 'young people' again? So unlucky.
After glaring fiercely at Hikigaya, Hiratsuka Shizuka coolly got in the car, lit a Seven Stars, and, like a seasoned driver, gave a two-fingered salute.
She left them with one last line, "Remember to get there before the kids," and drove away.
The group was left looking at each other, momentarily unsure of what to do.
The elementary schoolers had already set off.
There was no more time for them to waste.
Yukinoshita was the first to act, striding towards the orienteering finish line... if she was heading in the right direction.
Mori Shinra saw this and quickly took a few steps to walk beside her.
He said in a low voice, "You're going the wrong way. That's back to our dorms."
"I... I know that, of course. I just... forgot something..."