Hearing his words.
Himeno Yuki was simply stunned.
Everyone in the school was worrying about moving up to Class A or working hard to save twenty million private points.
While the Hikigaya in front of her.
Had actually thought of a way to earn twenty million private points so easily.
And, he told her so easily.
"Hikigaya."
Himeno Yuki said in amazement: "Could it be that your brain is actually quite good?"
"I guess so."
Hikigaya was slightly proud.
The feeling of being praised wasn't bad; it's fine if you want to praise me more.
"Then why don't you lead the class together with Ichinose and the others?"
Himeno Yuki frowned, puzzled: "I feel like if you were there, our class's chances of moving up to A would be a bit higher."
"Just some cleverness."
Hikigaya was instantly knocked back to his original form; as proud as he was just now, he was just as embarrassed now: "I can't compare to Ichinose and Kanzaki at all."
Although he was proud verbally.
Hikigaya was very clear about his own level.
At most, he was just a bit stronger than a normal person.
In terms of academic grades, athletic performance, drive, communication skills, big-picture thinking, etc., he couldn't compare to Ichinose and the others.
"Hmm..."
Himeno Yuki looked Hikigaya up and down, even more puzzled: "I've been curious for a while now. Hikigaya, how do you see things?"
"What do you mean 'how do I see things'? Except for Katsuragi, I don't know anyone."
"It's just that it feels like you don't really care about moving up to Class A."
"I guess so."
Hikigaya said indifferently: "My dream is to become a househusband; Class A isn't very useful to me."
Actually.
It wasn't entirely so.
In his eyes.
Even if one moves up to A and gains the opportunity to choose their profession freely.
They just evolve from a normal corporate slave into a corporate slave for a large company.
Still a corporate slave.
In current Japan.
Even becoming a corporate slave requires one's full effort.
Might as well just accept one's fate.
Moreover, even if one uses the school's resources to enter a large enterprise with generous benefits, they will mostly likely stay at the grassroots level for their whole life.
Whether one can move up ultimately depends on their own ability.
What difference is there from being a corporate slave at a small company?
Therefore, he didn't have much thought about A. If he could move up by clinging to Ichinose's thighs, that would naturally be best; if not, so be it.
He just had to save money and work toward the twenty million goal.
If he saved enough, he would transfer to A.
If not, he would exchange this money for cash, which would also allow him to live a relaxed life for a few years.
"I see..."
Himeno Yuki massaged her forehead, somewhat helplessly: "The most I can accept is two people working together."
"Hmm, what do you mean?"
Hikigaya was slightly stunned.
"It's nothing."
Himeno Yuki quickly forced a smile and lowered her voice: "How about we just don't submit the report to the school?"
"Why?" Hikigaya was a bit confused: "With Horikita Manabu in office, I feel like the report will be easier to pass. If I don't submit it now, I feel like I won't have the chance later."
"Think about it."
Himeno Yuki secretly checked the surroundings and whispered: "We can use your method to secretly save forty million private points, and then we can graduate from Class A together."
"No way."
Hikigaya was a bit unwilling: "In that case, I'd have to come and set up a stall secretly every day after school. What's the difference between that and going to work? Absolutely not."
"And, this kind of thing can't last long; someone will find out sooner or later."
Even though it's school.
There's also free allowance.
Who would want to waste time working here? It's just too pathetic.
Speaking of which.
Looking at the pouting Himeno Yuki in front of him, Hikigaya was a bit confused:
"How did you find me?"
"Ha?"
Himeno Yuki also clearly knew this wasn't a long-term solution, saying speechlessly: "You don't think you're hiding well, do you?"
"Yeah."
Hikigaya nodded.
It wasn't that he was bragging.
He had already sold over a hundred books and hadn't been found out.
There must be something to it.
Putting on a decent-looking work uniform, these dead-fish eyes were no different from a corporate slave who had been over-exploited.
Even.
Some students spoke to him with a hint of respect in their tone.
They probably thought he was an elder.
However, even so, he was still discovered by Himeno Yuki; this guy's insight might be unexpectedly high.
"No way."
Himeno Yuki placed her snow-white little hand on her chest and waved it slightly left and right, with a bit of disdain:
"I saw you setting up a stall here from far away. It's seriously super conspicuous, okay?"
Speaking of which.
Himeno Yuki's face flushed as she added: "It's more like an eyesore than anything."
This guy.
Really is too much.
"Forget it."
Hikigaya turned to leave, while instructing: "Anyway, you should hurry back; just don't come and disturb me."
After all.
Himeno Yuki was also a member of the Volunteer Service Club.
If the Volunteer Service Club disbanded, this guy would have no shield to use to brush off Ichinose and the others.
The continued existence of the Volunteer Service Club was also beneficial for her.
"Wait."
Himeno Yuki suddenly grabbed Hikigaya's wrist, somewhat excitedly: "After all, I'm also a member of the Volunteer Service Club. I'll come and help too."
"Ha. Why?"
Hikigaya was a bit unwilling.
"What's with that look?"
Himeno Yuki was also a bit disdainful: "Part-time work. Middle school didn't allow part-time work, so I haven't tried it yet. I want to try and see what it feels like to have a part-time job."
"Is something wrong with your head?"
Hikigaya was a bit speechless.
There are actually people in the world who like working.
"Hmm? Say that again?"
Himeno Yuki's gaze instantly became sharp.
"Ah, no no, it's not that."
Hikigaya explained somewhat frantically: "If you were to sell books, that would be truly super conspicuous, wouldn't it?"
He was fine.
Though he didn't want to admit it, Himeno Yuki was indeed a full-fledged beauty.
He felt that if this guy started selling books, she would be recognized very quickly and then reported to the student council.
"Hmm..."
Himeno Yuki lowered her gaze, examining those grand parts and those long legs; she still had some self-awareness.
"True, it feels like that wouldn't work."
"Right?"
Hikigaya breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the place where Himeno Yuki was grabbing him. Speaking of which, when is this guy going to let go?
"I know."
Himeno Yuki let go of her little hand, clearly a bit excited.
"I'll also go buy a blue work uniform and an ID badge, and come sell books with you tomorrow!"
"No, that's not what I meant..."
Hikigaya hurried to explain; this guy obviously had no awareness of being a beauty.
"It's decided then."
"Hikigaya, remember to bring me a chair tomorrow too."
Speaking.
Himeno Yuki waved her hand and then dashed toward Keyaki Mall in a whirlwind.
It seemed.
She really wanted to experience a taste of working.
"This guy, really treating people like servants."
Hikigaya was a bit helpless.
If Ichinose was the big leader, then he felt Himeno Yuki would become the supervisor, and he would forever be at the bottom as a corporate slave.
He had absolutely no power to refuse. He felt that having this guy join would definitely ruin the business.
No choice.
Himeno Yuki found it hard to refuse Ichinose and the others' enthusiasm.
She would most likely still participate in training tomorrow and come set up the stall with him after school.
He could only come a bit earlier and try to sell as many as possible; otherwise, he felt these books would get stuck in his hands.
As expected, all business has risks...
Hikigaya instantly felt this path wouldn't work; being a househusband was more suitable for him after all.
The next day...
For the sports festival.
The school added many physical education classes.
Such as cavalry battles, obstacle courses, hurdles, three-legged races, group tug-of-war, and so on.
Hikigaya, Kanzaki, and Watanabe locked their arms together.
Acting as the horses.
The general on top was naturally the normie Shibata.
Extent.
Although he wouldn't usually train extra, Hikigaya would still train diligently in PE class; at least he had to reach a level where he wouldn't drag others down.
After the normie Shibata handsomely snatched the cloth from the opponent's head, the group split up to rest. Hikigaya silently left the playground and bought a can of MAX Coffee.
The stamina gap between him and Shibata and the others was just too far.
Though he hadn't reached the point where he couldn't keep up, it did indeed make him feel exhausted.
"Hikigaya~"
Shibata somehow followed him.
"Oh."
Hikigaya responded, sitting on the edge of a bench near a trash can, savoring the rich sweetness of the MAX Coffee.
"So tired."
Shibata bought a drink and for some reason sat down next to him again.
"..."
Hikigaya glanced at him.
This was obviously an attempt to strike up a conversation.
With this hesitant posture, it was likely about Ichinose again; the pure-hearted Shibata really is quite cute.
"Ichinose and I aren't dating."
Hikigaya gave him a disdainful look; this guy was still at the stage where he would blush when talking about a girl he likes.
Laughable.
He had already passed that stage in middle school.
Even if there are good women in this world, there are no women who can be summoned or dismissed at will; they are all troublesome creatures.
"Was I that obvious?"
Shibata's face turned red as expected, and he scratched his cheek somewhat awkwardly.
"I don't know."
Hikigaya said indifferently: "I don't know your usual behavior, but in class it feels like nothing special."
Shibata only acted this way in front of him, clearly seeing him as a rival.
Now that he thought back.
Shibata probably had this tendency back on the deserted island; it was just that he was a decent guy and didn't say much.
He was really overestimated.
How could Ichinose ever like someone like him?
That was purely self-indulgent sympathy, and he couldn't even refuse it.
"I see."
Shibata's face stiffened. He took a sip of black tea and nodded:
"What's important is Ichinose's view. I accidentally wanted to force my own thoughts on her..."
"Sorry, forget what I just said."
Speaking, Shibata stood up and looked at him with a bright smile.
"However, Hikigaya-kun, no matter who the opponent is, I won't give up easily. I will definitely take first place in the individual events this Sports Festival!"
"Oh, good luck."
Hikigaya lifted his MAX coffee, signaling for him to leave quickly.
How could he possibly compare to a normie like Shibata?
On the playground.
"Hikigaya."
"Are you still not used to it?"
Ichinose held his lower back, saying somewhat helplessly: "Continuing like this is just a waste of time. Hurry up and hold me tight."
"Oh."
With a stiff expression, Hikigaya pulled Ichinose into his arms.
As expected.
He still couldn't get used to the three-legged race training with Ichinose...