Yes.
However.
Thinking carefully about it.
If one could become the VIP and successfully remain undiscovered, they could obtain at least 500,000 private points.
That was simply too good.
With that much money, even Hikigaya couldn't help but feel a bit tempted.
This was just like a game of Werewolf—observing whether the opponent was lying felt like it would be his area of expertise.
After all, his hobby was observing human beings.
It really couldn't be more suitable.
"Hikigaya, Okakura."
Kanzaki looked at the materials in his hand, scrutinizing them several times before saying, "Do you two have any other questions?"
"No."
Hikigaya casually handed the materials back.
Since the exam was conducted in groups, it was actually quite simple.
If he were the VIP, he'd use his stealth skills to erase his presence; if he weren't the VIP, he'd just silently observe everyone else.
Aside from that, there were many other rules, such as prohibiting the theft of others' phones, prohibiting threats or intimidation, and prohibiting the copying or forwarding of emails.
Otherwise, the penalty would be expulsion.
Regardless, none of that had much to do with him.
"I don't have any either."
Asako Okakura also shook her head with a smile: "If I have any problems, I'll have to trouble you to tell me."
"Yeah, no problem."
The group returned the materials.
"That's it then."
Chabashira organized the documents and said: "Starting tomorrow, you will go to the school's designated room at 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM for discussions. On the day, there will be a sign with the group name on the door."
"When you meet for the first time, please make sure to introduce yourselves."
"In theory, leaving the room is not allowed during the exam period, so please use the restroom before attending."
"That is all."
Chabashira picked up her folder and got up to leave, then turned back as if remembering something:
"Also, for the sake of fairness, the school will strictly adjust the selection of VIPs. Regardless of who is chosen as the VIP or who is not, we will not accept any requests for changes. That is all."
With that, Chabashira opened the door and walked out of the room.
"Hmm."
Hikigaya also stood up to leave, only to hear Kanzaki's cold voice behind him:
"Hikigaya, we plan to go discuss the exam with Ichinose and the others. You come along too."
"Eh? Me?"
Hikigaya turned back, somewhat bewildered, and said: "It's useless for me to go. I'll leave the exam matters for you to handle yourselves. I'll follow your arrangements, and if there's news, I'll contact you. That's it."
With that, Hikigaya hurriedly turned and left.
Even if he went, he'd just be sitting on the sidelines; it felt meaningless.
More importantly, that Sae Chabashira had slipped away too quickly, and he still had questions to ask.
As soon as he stepped out of the room, he saw Chabashira's slender back rounding the corner and quickly gave chase.
"Chabashira-sensei."
Hikigaya called out hurriedly.
"Hmm."
Chabashira turned around, her cool, beautiful eyes glancing at him: "It's Hikigaya, right? What is it?"
"No," Hikigaya quickly explained, "I wanted to ask, what did you mean at the end when you said the school would 'strictly adjust' the VIPs? Is there a pattern to how the VIPs are chosen?"
If there's something you don't understand, ask the teacher first.
"..."
Only then did Chabashira straighten her posture, her curvaceous figure presented before him.
Chabashira crossed her arms, thought for a moment, and said with a cool gaze:
"Why didn't you ask in the room just now?"
It's because you slipped away too fast.
As soon as she finished speaking, she had dashed out of the room.
It made one suspect she was trying to slack off.
"No," Hikigaya gave a dry laugh, "I felt like you wouldn't answer anyway."
Since it concerned the VIPs and even the core of the exam, it was understandable that a teacher wouldn't answer frankly.
But it was worth a try.
Even a non-answer could be considered a type of answer.
At the very least, it would validate his thoughts.
"Heh..."
Chabashira crossed her arms and chuckled lightly: "I didn't expect Class B to have a man like you besides Ichinose. Chie's luck is still as good as ever."
As she spoke, Chabashira's tone shifted, her voice turning cold: "However, you guessed right. The explanation session has ended, and I have no obligation to answer your question."
"Furthermore, even if you ask Hoshinomiya this question, she won't be able to answer it either."
Won't be able to answer.
Hikigaya still leaned toward the idea that there was a pattern.
"Hi~ki~ga~ya~kun~"
Just then, a pair of soft small hands patted his shoulders, and Hoshinomiya peeked her smiling face out from beside his cheek:
"What are you chatting with Sae-chan about~"
Scary. So scary.
Hikigaya couldn't help but tense up.
He inexplicably felt that Hoshinomiya's subtext was: You actually dared to have a "date" with Sae Chabashira behind my back, you've got some nerve.
Speaking of which...
How did this woman walk without making a sound? Oh, there must be a corner behind her; that explains it.
"Nothing," Hikigaya quickly replied, "Chabashira-sensei was in charge of the explanation, so I was asking some questions about the exam."
"Is that so~"
Hoshinomiya rested her hands on his shoulders, hugging Hikigaya from behind, and looked at the Chabashira in front of her with a smile:
"Then did Sae-chan answer my kid's questions properly? As a teacher, you can't play favorites."
So close.
Feeling the softness behind him and the air filled with a fragrance mixed with a hint of alcohol, Hikigaya's face stiffened.
This teacher is way too outrageous.
Teacher, if you continue to be this careless, I might accidentally fall for you.
"Don't worry."
Watching this scene, Chabashira's expression was slightly confused. She knew this best friend of hers had never acted like this before.
Sure enough.
Was it this year's Class D that touched Chie Hoshinomiya's sensitive nerves?
Even though he had been careful enough, it seemed he still couldn't hide from Hoshinomiya's sixth sense.
"He asked about the specific meaning of 'strict adjustment.' Naturally, I wouldn't answer. It would be the same for anyone else."
"I see..."
Chie Hoshinomiya nodded in understanding and leaned into Hikigaya's ear, whispering with a smile:
"By the way, Hachiman-kun hasn't forgotten, right? As long as you can stop Class D from rising to Class A, I'll give Sae-chan to you~. A beautiful and dignified female teacher like Sae-chan—isn't it exciting just thinking about it?"
"Hmm?"
Hikigaya looked sideways, staring at Hoshinomiya's face in bewilderment.
He originally thought she was just joking, but she actually seemed serious. Even in front of Chabashira herself, she dared to say such things.
As long as he stops Class D from rising to Class A.
Chie Hoshinomiya would send Sae Chabashira to his bed, and he could even possess Chie Hoshinomiya herself.
Was she kidding?
Was this woman crazy?
Hikigaya couldn't help but look at Chabashira in front of him, only to see her beautiful face was also slightly stiff.
"Well?"
Chie Hoshinomiya moved behind Chabashira, pressing her fragrant shoulders, and said with a smile:
"After all, Sae-chan hasn't had a boyfriend for so many years; wouldn't that be a pity? You wouldn't refuse, would you? Right, Sae-chan?"
Although Chie Hoshinomiya maintained a sweet smile, to Hikigaya, it sounded like a devil's whisper in Chabashira's ear.
"Are you joking?"
Chabashira's face was stiff, and only then did she snap out of it and push her away:
"Class D never intended to rise to Class A in the first place. Are you planning to just let this guy have his way for nothing?"
With that, Chabashira straightened her business suit and walked away with a pace slightly faster than usual.
Hikigaya was even more stunned.
Why did it feel like this cold female teacher might actually agree?
What exactly was the relationship between these two?
"Hoshinomiya-sensei," Hikigaya said hesitantly, "You two are..."
"Eh?"
Watching Chabashira's retreating back, Chie Hoshinomiya said frostily and flatly:
"You don't need to know. In short, these are the prices Sae should pay."
Hikigaya calmed down instantly.
He felt that this was a taboo he was absolutely not allowed to understand.
Just then, Hoshinomiya returned to that sweet smile and quickly leaned to his ear, her breath like an orchid:
"I, for one, truly look forward to you taking both of us for yourself. So, do your best~"
Hikigaya's face turned beet red.
Although he felt he was quite good at dealing with older people, this teacher was just too far out there; he really didn't know how to handle her.
"Well," Hoshinomiya smiled and patted his shoulder, "Remember to discuss things with your classmates more. If you have any difficulties, the teacher will definitely try to provide assistance. Go on."
"Oh."
Hikigaya hurriedly turned and left as if he were escaping.
This teacher was just too terrifying. He had no idea what was going on in her head. He always felt like she had a double meaning.
"Phew."
Returning to the dormitory, Hikigaya finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Kanzaki, Shibata, and the others were likely discussing the exam with Ichinose and the rest, so they weren't in the room.
After hesitating for a moment, Hikigaya decided to send a message to Ichinose.
Hmm...
While replying to Kikyo Kushida was no problem, how should he open a conversation with Ichinose?
Ask "Are you there?"
Modern high schoolers in Sakurajima didn't seem to like that; one could even say they hated it.
And Ichinose was clearly busy discussing the exam.
Saying the intelligence directly might give the impression of being purely business-like and cold.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with giving up.
Maybe he should just send it tomorrow?
No, no.
Hikigaya quickly shook his head.
Information is time-sensitive. The exam starts tomorrow, so he had to give Ichinose some time to think.
Besides, someone as capable as Ichinose might have already discovered it.
Thinking of this, Hikigaya didn't hesitate anymore and directly clicked on the chat interface with Ichinose.
[Hachiman Hikigaya: Regarding the so-called "strict adjustment," the way VIPs are chosen seems to follow a specific pattern... probably.]
He only needed to be like a worker ant.
Just tell Ichinose what he knew.
Ichinose was the class leader; the one who needed to make decisions was naturally Ichinose.
Buzz.
A short while later, he received a reply from Ichinose as the phone suddenly vibrated.
Hikigaya was startled and almost dropped it.
Looking at the screen, he saw Ichinose's avatar along with the "Answer" and "Decline" buttons.
She actually called him directly via video.
What should he do?
After hesitating for a long time, Hikigaya chose to decline. He felt it was quite embarrassing.
[Honami Ichinose: Where did Hikigaya-kun get this information?]
[Hachiman Hikigaya: I just asked the teacher. Didn't get an accurate response, so it's just my speculation. Or Ichinose could ask others if all the explanation sessions had this same point. It should count as a hint.]
[Honami Ichinose: I understand. Can you take a call for a moment?]
No way.
Even if it killed him, he didn't want to take a video call in front of the whole class.
If his video call was placed in the middle of a group of living people, it would feel like he was the deceased.
After thinking about it, Hikigaya didn't dare reply.
It wasn't until half an hour later that Ichinose contacted him again.
[Honami Ichinose: We just discussed it. Although many people don't remember clearly, several groups did have this explanation. It should be a hint, just as Hikigaya-kun speculated.]
[Honami Ichinose: We probably won't find new clues until the VIPs are selected tomorrow. Does Hikigaya-kun have any other opinions?]
[Hachiman Hikigaya: No.]
*[Honami Ichinose: If there are any new clues in the future, I hope you'll contact me anytime. Goodnight, Hikigaya-kun? ( ^ ▽ ^ )]
I always feel...
Although I don't know why these girls always like to send strange symbols.
Ichinose's symbols are much cuter than Kushida's.