Relying on Ryuen and the others...
The "Pole Tipping" competition was easily won; next was the girls' ball-tossing competition.
Ichinose and the others, who trained frequently, achieved overwhelming excellence, followed by the upperclassmen's competitions.
Hikigaya sat on a folding chair, watching everyone congratulate each other.
Yet no one mentioned what had happened during the Pole Tipping competition.
This time, Class B and Class C both belonged to the White Team.
Since Ryuen had secured an easy victory, they likely planned to turn a blind eye to Ryuen's actions.
It wasn't hard to understand; it was perfectly normal.
However, Hikigaya still felt that as a "corporate drone" of Class B, it was better to report matters to the leadership; what to decide was Ichinose's business.
Thinking of this...
"Ichinose." Hikigaya walked lightly up behind Ichinose.
"Ah?" Ichinose turned around, looking at Hikigaya somewhat helplessly. "Hikigaya, this way of starting a conversation makes people nervous. It's better not to do that, okay?"
"Ah... oh..."
Hikigaya was a bit embarrassed. After all, there were always many people around them; talking directly felt a bit shameful, so he only knew how to use this method.
"Then, Ichinose, do you have a moment?"
"Sure."
Ichinose said a few simple words to Mako Amakura and the others, then went to a corner of the Class B camp with Hikigaya.
"Why is Hikigaya looking for me?"
"Did you watch the pole-pushing competition just now?"
"I saw it," Ichinose nodded with a sweet smile. "It looked like a quite intense competition, but thanks to Ryuen and the others, we were able to win so easily."
"Intense, huh..."
Hikigaya muttered: "Actually, I saw Ryuen and the others beating—or rather, stomping—Sudo from Class D."
"Hmm?"
Ichinose's brow furrowed, and she lowered her head in thought. She pursed her lips and said with a complex expression: "As expected, Ryuen still used some dishonorable means. So, what does Hikigaya want to do?"
"Eh? Me?"
Hikigaya was instantly stunned. Don't push the problem onto me; you're the Class B leader.
"I won't do anything..." Hikigaya said indifferently.
If anything, it was thanks to Ryuen and his group's performance that the White Team won; he also leaned toward doing nothing.
After all, anyone who doesn't take an advantage is a fool.
But if there were any disadvantages, he'd definitely appeal fiercely and berate the school's unfairness.
"I knew Hikigaya would say that..." Ichinose nodded and smiled. "Then, what if I asked Hikigaya to testify for Class D? What do you think?"
"Fine." Hikigaya also nodded indifferently.
The two classes were in a cooperative relationship. Although he wasn't familiar with Class D, he had no particular objection.
In any case, the decision-maker was Ichinose; he only needed to fulfill his duty and not cause trouble for Class B, leaving everything else to the leaders.
"Alright."
"Then while the seniors are still competing, Hikigaya, come with me for a bit. How about it?"
"Sure."
The two turned and left the Class B camp.
Hikigaya walked beside Ichinose and said indifferently: "Are we going to help Class D?"
"Not exactly."
Ichinose looked at Hikigaya beside her and smiled: "The victim in this matter is Sudo-kun from Class D; the decision naturally lies with Class D."
"Mm." Hikigaya nodded in agreement.
This was fundamentally a matter between Class D and Class C; Class B was merely a bystander. One could only say—as expected of Ichinose.
If it were him, since he was the one benefiting, he'd definitely act as if nothing had happened.
"However, Class D hasn't had any commotion yet, so they probably don't intend to appeal to the school..." Hikigaya said as he looked at the Class D camp. Sudo, Hirata, and others were arguing with a large blond guy.
He didn't recognize this blond guy.
The guy was just sitting elegantly in a chair looking at a mirror; he had a muscular build and looked like the type who was very good at sports.
But in the previous competitions, Hikigaya remembered that he hadn't seen this person participate at all.
Looking at the guy's behavior, it didn't seem like he was injured or sick.
Could it be that he just skipped?
Does he not plan to participate in the Sports Festival?
Hikigaya could only marvel at how impressive it was; Class D was truly full of all kinds of talents.
Anyway, it was all Class D's business and had nothing to do with him.
"It seems so." Ichinose also looked over and nodded. "But let's tell them our stance first."
With that, the two arrived at the Class D camp. Hirata, the blond-haired guy, took the initiative to welcome them and asked in confusion: "Ichinose-san, I wonder what brings you here?"
"Hirata-kun." Ichinose stepped aside to introduce Hikigaya: "Time is limited, so I'll make it short."
"This is Hachiman Hikigaya from our class. According to him, he saw Ryuen and others maliciously stomping on Sudo-kun during the Pole Tipping competition just now."
Hirata looked at Hikigaya, and his cheerful face suddenly stiffened.
"No, that's not the case. Maybe you were mistaken just now, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Huh?"
Hikigaya was instantly dumbfounded. We're here to help, for goodness' sake; what's with this attitude?
"No, Hirata-kun, you might have misunderstood." Ichinose quickly began to explain: "If Class D needs it, we can testify for you."
"Eh?"
Only then did Hirata breathe a sigh of relief and ask in confusion: "But Class B and Class D are both on the White Team right now, aren't they? If we appeal, the school might cancel the results of the Pole Tipping competition. Ichinose-san, why are you helping us?"
"While that's true," Ichinose shook her head, "we can't turn a blind eye to Ryuen's petty tricks. How can we comfortably accept a victory won by such despicable means?"
"When the time comes, I hope Class D will request a rematch. We will definitely win again using our true strength!"
Hikigaya felt like he was being scolded.
Sorry, but he was exactly the type of person who wanted to accept things with a clear conscience.
"As expected of Ichinose."
Hirata shook his head in self-deprecation, saying with a hint of bitterness:
"We appreciate your kindness, but we don't want to make a big deal out of this incident, so we won't appeal to the school. The White Team winning the Pole-Toppling competition was also due to Ryuen's methods; Ichinose-san, you and your class should just accept the victory calmly."
"Huh?"
Hikigaya was confused again. What was wrong with this guy?
Class D was bullied by Ryuen using such despicable means, yet they were going to swallow their pride?
Fine then.
Hikigaya truly couldn't understand the thoughts of people like Hirata or Ryuen.
Since the victim himself accepted it, and it didn't involve him, Hikigaya decided it was better to stay out of trouble and didn't plan to say anything more.
"I see."
Ichinose looked at Sudo, who was fuming in Class D, and nodded:
"Alright then. Hirata-kun, if you need anything, you can find us anytime. Hikigaya is also willing to testify for you. Besides, I'm going to go remind Ryuen-kun later; I hope he won't use these despicable methods again."
"Is that so? Thank you so much, Ichinose-san."
"Then we'll be going now."
Ichinose nodded and turned to leave, with Hikigaya following behind her.
Until they had walked a certain distance away.
"Are we still going to Class C?"
"Yes."
Ichinose glanced at the upperclassmen girls currently competing and said: "There should be enough time, let's hurry."
"Alright."
The two picked up their pace.
Following behind Ichinose, Hikigaya was truly puzzled.
In a short while, they arrived at the Class C camp.
"Ichinose, and Hikigaya?"
Ryuen appeared before them, while his lackeys seemed to be resting in the camp.
His sharp gaze fell on Hikigaya, and he said with some curiosity:
"This combination is quite rare. Ichinose, I believe I said I refused to cooperate this time. What are you doing at Class C?"
"Ryuen-kun."
Ichinose had a smile on her face, but her tone was slightly serious:
"You used improper violent means against Class D's Sudo-kun in the Pole-Toppling competition. I want to advise you that it's best not to use such petty tricks again."
"Hmm?"
Ryuen frowned and glanced at Hikigaya: "I really don't understand, Ichinose. First of all, we didn't use the violent means you're talking about, and even if we did, what does it have to do with you?"
"Don't plan on admitting it?"
Ichinose smiled indifferently: "It just so happens that Hikigaya from our class saw you trampling on Sudo-kun. If needed, he will assist Class D by testifying."
If an appeal was made to the school.
Those from Class C would inevitably be disqualified, and depending on the severity of Sudo's injuries, they might even face suspension.
Ryuen became even more confused:
"If—and I'm saying if—what you say is true, then it was just an accidental step. Furthermore, there's something else I don't understand."
"What does this have to do with Class B? We are both part of the White Team and shared the victory in the Pole-Toppling competition. Wouldn't it be better for Class B to just enjoy the fruits of victory in peace?"
Hmm.
Perhaps because their thinking was somewhat similar, Hikigaya almost wanted to give Ryuen a thumbs up.
What the hell did this have to do with Class B?
Since Ryuen liked to play dirty tricks, why couldn't they just follow behind and take advantage of it?
"That's not it, Ryuen-kun."
Ichinose shook her head and said: "Just as you said, we are part of the White Team this time. If your careless little tricks end up affecting Class B, that would be bad. This matter naturally concerns Class B."
Hmm...
Hikigaya pondered. If it were him, he would probably take advantage of Ryuen and then sell him out once the truth came to light.
Feeding off both Class C and Class D was indeed not very honorable.
But Ichinose's consideration also made sense and was upright; since she decided this, there was nothing wrong with it.
"Ichinose, you really are a pushover."
Ryuen gave a mocking laugh, and after a moment, said disdainfully:
"How about this: if our Class C's actions cause dissatisfaction from the school, all of Class B's losses will be borne by Class C. Does that solve the problem?"
"Hmm?"
Ichinose hesitated slightly.
There should be no complaints about such a proposal, yet Ichinose still seemed somewhat unwilling.
"Rest assured."
Ryuen sneered and said disdainfully: "Our Class C's goal is also to win the competition. These are just necessary means; we won't do anything excessive to those idiots."
"Is that so."
Only then did Ichinose nod and say: "Fine. In that case, Ryuen-kun, you'd better think carefully. If Class D needs evidence, we will testify. You should realize how much weight that testimony would hold, considering we are on the same White Team."
"How terrifying..."
Ryuen waved his hand sarcastically and returned to his camp without saying anything more.
Hikigaya couldn't help but feel that Ryuen seemed to understand Ichinose better than he did.
After all, it couldn't be helped; although they were in the same class, his contact with Ichinose was very limited.
Strictly speaking, except for Himeno Yuki, his contact with everyone in Class B was minimal—even less than people from other classes.
"Let's go."
Hikigaya followed Ichinose as she turned to leave, his eyes fixed on her slender back. For some reason, her figure felt so frail.
He didn't just fail to understand Ryuen and Hirata; Hikigaya felt he completely failed to understand Ichinose as well.
Although Class D and Class B were in a cooperative relationship, it was only for this time.
Class B and Class C were both on the White Team—that should be the real cooperative relationship.
However, Ichinose still wanted to assist Class D, which is why she used this warning to limit Ryuen's actions.
Strictly speaking, this wasn't about assisting Class D.
Rather, it was about preventing anyone from getting hurt due to Ryuen's methods.
Hikigaya watched Ichinose's back.
He originally thought she was just a rare, truly kind person, but now it seemed she was exactly what Ryuen and the others called her.
Ichinose was a total "nice guy," almost leaning towards being a "Holy Mother" (overly altruistic).
Only that could explain her action of warning Class C.
But was being a "Holy Mother" a bad thing?
In just a few days, Ichinose had gained the support of everyone in Class B, and it was said she was widely trusted throughout the school.
Such leadership was unparalleled.
However, Hikigaya couldn't help but wonder if such a personality could really lead Class B to Class A.
On second thought, he decided to forget it.
Whether Ichinose had the ability to reach Class A wasn't something someone of his level could judge.
Moreover, even if Class B couldn't reach Class A, Hikigaya would slowly aim for those twenty million personal points anyway.