The Sports Festival ended.
At the same time as the closing ceremony, the school announced the results of the Sports Festival.
Unsurprisingly.
The Red Team, composed of Class A and Class D from the three grades, achieved victory.
Next were the rankings for each school year.
1st Place: 1st Year Class B.
2nd Place: 1st Year Class C.
3rd Place: 1st Year Class A.
4th Place: 1st Year Class D.
"We won..."
"But why do I feel a bit conflicted?"
Okakura Asako and the others looked at each other, revealing helpless smiles.
Class A ranked third overall and had 50 class points deducted.
point.
Although Class C was second, which resulted in no increase or decrease in the grade rankings, they were deducted 100 Class Points because the White Team lost.
Class D came in last and was directly deducted 100 Class Points.
Although Class B gained 50 points for finishing first, they were also deducted 100 points because the White Team lost, resulting in a net loss of 50 points.
The entire first-year grade had regressed.
It was hard to call it a victory.
"In any case."
"We have managed to widen the gap with Class C slightly, and the gap with Class A hasn't widened either."
"It's something worth celebrating."
Ichinose smiled to comfort everyone, and Chihiro Shiranami and the others also showed joyful smiles.
After this Sports Festival, the Class Points for each class were as follows:
Class A: 874 points.
Class B: 816 points.
Class C: 692 points.
Class D: 109 points.
Behind them, Hikigaya nodded.
It made sense.
If everyone regresses, it's the same as no one regressing.
They had also widened the gap with Class C again.
Weighing the pros and cons, it could be considered a tentatively good thing.
"And now for the MVPs of each grade: Year 3 Class A, Manabu Horikita; Year 2 Class A, Miyabi Nagumo; and Year 1 Class B, Sou Shibata!"
"The reward is 100,000 Private Points!"
The teacher in charge of the closing ceremony announced the results, and Year 1 Class B immediately erupted in joy.
"Shibata-kun! Congratulations!"
"As expected of Shibata, I knew you could take first place."
Many people surrounded Shibata, offering their congratulations.
However, Hikigaya glanced at him, feeling that Shibata only won so easily because Sudo's mentality had been shattered by Ryuuen.
But for now, it was better not to say anything annoying.
After all,
He wasn't close with the "pure-hearted" Shibata.
Hikigaya looked at the big screen, searching for his own name.
He had achieved two 2nd places and three 3rd places, and for the rest, he was mostly in 4th or 5th place; at least he hadn't fallen to last place.
He would get a reward of 9,000 Private Points.
After thinking for a moment.
Hikigaya felt it would be better to choose the written exam points.
After all.
Hikigaya's high school grades were not ideal.
Although he hadn't slacked off, he was always hovering around 50 or 60 points, and recently he had found math increasingly difficult.
Compared to less than 10,000 Private Points, the written exam scores were a safer bet.
"Ichinose."
The pure-hearted Shibata ran up to Ichinose and scratched his head a bit sheepishly:
"Can I call you by your first name from now on?"
Ho.
Hikigaya looked over gossipingly.
This was practically a confession.
Even though the pure-hearted Shibata was perfect in every way, Hikigaya felt that Ichinose wouldn't reject him, but she wouldn't agree either.
"Sure."
Before Shibata could get excited, Ichinose smiled and added:
"It's been so long and we're still using surnames, it is a bit strange. In fact, I've been hoping for a long time that everyone would call me Honami-chan."
"..."
Ho ho.
Hikigaya felt a bit of sympathy; this was basically a rejection.
Even someone as outstanding as Shibata was no different in Ichinose's eyes; they were all precious members of the class.
There was no distinction of above or below.
What a pity.
He really wondered.
What kind of man could actually become Ichinose's boyfriend!
"Is that so, thanks."
The pure-hearted Shibata scratched his head and smiled with a bit of a blush. It seemed that for him, this was enough for now.
What a simple, pure-hearted young man, but Ichinose had actually rejected him very clearly.
Pure-hearted Shibata was still too naive.
Hikigaya shook his head inwardly, picked up his folding chair, and got up to leave, preparing for his next job: tailing a beautiful girl.
Although tracking someone while carrying a folding chair was a bit strange.
But there was no other way.
After all, no one could help him, and he didn't want to trouble others.
"Oh."
Seeing Hikigaya just as he stood up, Ichinose hurriedly said, "Hikigaya, leave your chair here. I'll help you bring it back later. But don't forget the celebration party tomorrow."
"Uh..."
Feeling the confused gazes of the others, Hikigaya shrank his neck. He wanted to decline, but carrying a chair was indeed inconvenient. "Thanks."
Hikigaya placed the folding chair to the side, nodded in a voice as quiet as a mosquito, and turned to leave the camp.
Stop looking.
Didn't you see that pure-hearted Shibata-kun's shoulders have slumped?
How awkward.
Hikigaya quickly picked up his pace to leave the class.
Even though he rarely interacted with people in class, was it really necessary for these guys to care so much just because she was helping him carry a chair?
Soon.
Hikigaya spotted Suzune Horikita returning to the school building from Class D's area. He quickly used his "stealth skill" to trail behind her.
Though it sounded impressive.
He was just hanging back at a distance.
As for closing the distance, Hikigaya was quite good at it. Usually, Suzune Horikita might have noticed.
But for some reason.
He felt that Suzune Horikita was a bit absent-minded today.
Even when he got a bit closer, Suzune Horikita showed no reaction.
As expected, something was up.
Following Suzune Horikita to Class D, he saw her enter the classroom. Hikigaya then turned to the stairwell, climbed to the second floor, and leaned on the railing to observe the floor below.
As long as she left the classroom.
No matter where she went, she shouldn't be able to escape his sight, and few people would look up.
People from Class D gradually left the school.
Kushida, Hirata, Sudo, Ayanokouji, and the cute Airi-chan.
Occasionally, he could see a few familiar figures walking below, but none of them noticed his presence.
As time passed, fewer and fewer people passed by.
"Hmm?"
Just then.
Hikigaya's brow furrowed slightly as he saw Kikyo Kushida suddenly turn back. After a short wait, she left the classroom together with Suzune Horikita.
"What's going on?"
Hikigaya was momentarily baffled and followed them stealthily.
A few moments later.
He followed them to the corridor near the infirmary and found them meeting Kakeru Ryuuen. Hikigaya quickly hid around the corner.
The distance was a bit far, so he couldn't hear the conversation clearly.
However, that wasn't important.
His job was just to keep an eye on Suzune Horikita to prevent her from being harmed and to notify Manabu Horikita in time.
Only.
Hikigaya was a bit puzzled; why was Kikyo Kushida standing on Ryuuen's side, seemingly opposite Suzune Horikita?
Could Kikyo Kushida be the traitor of Class D?
But then what was the situation with Ayanokouji?
Could Class D have two traitors?
Forget it.
He couldn't figure it out.
Hikigaya decided to give up.
Anyway, it was between Class C and Class D and had nothing to do with him. Hikigaya didn't want to have too much contact with these troublesome figures.
His job was just to watch.
Finish the job, then clock out.
Hikigaya pulled out his phone and opened the camera mode, preparing to record the scene before him as proof of his work.
After a while, he saw Suzune Horikita lower her delicate body, bending her legs as if about to crouch down.
Looking at the scene on the screen, Hikigaya frowned.
Kneeling isn't a big deal in Japan.
If necessary, Hikigaya would perform a dogeza (prostrate) apology, but that was just because he didn't have much pride.
But Suzune Horikita was clearly an extremely proud woman.
She was actually going to lower herself and kneel to Kakeru Ryuuen?
She was clearly being threatened.
Hikigaya hesitated for a moment but chose not to make a move.
It was just kneeling; it wouldn't cause any physical harm. He would leave that for Manabu Horikita to handle himself.
Furthermore.
Hikigaya couldn't help but feel a little excited. Watching this proud person kneel to someone was actually quite satisfying.
It would do this self-important woman some good to suffer a setback.
However.
On the screen.
Before Suzune Horikita's knees touched the ground, she suddenly stood up again. Kakeru Ryuuen stared at his phone with a face that looked incredibly sour, as did Kikyo Kushida beside him.
What the hell.
Are you playing with me?
Hikigaya was speechless as he watched the three of them leave.
For some reason, Ryuuen's threat seemed to have failed, but that Kikyo Kushida could almost certainly be confirmed as the traitor of Class D.
Hikigaya put away his phone, intending to report his work to Manabu Horikita.
Just then.
"What are you doing?"
A flat, emotionless voice sounded from behind him
"Eh?"
Hikigaya was startled and quickly turned around.
At some point, that eerie Kiyotaka Ayanokouji had appeared behind him.
"Don't suddenly speak like that, I thought it was a ghost and almost died of fright."
Hikigaya breathed a sigh of relief. How does this guy walk without making any sound? Could he really be a ghost?
"Hmm, sorry. I was just curious, what are you doing here?"
Ayanokouji glanced at his phone, then at the departing Suzune Horikita and the others. "Secretly filming?"
As early as when he was walking down the stairs,
Through the reflection on the handrail, Ayanokouji had noticed someone was watching.
He originally thought someone was following him, but only after finishing his business did he realize it wasn't the case.
Leaving such an uncertain situation alone wasn't good.
So he doubled back to check.
"...I'm not!"
Hikigaya denied it immediately.
Feeling Ayanokouji's calm gaze, and having been caught red-handed, such an explanation probably wouldn't be accepted.
But then again.
He hadn't done anything wrong, so he had nothing to fear.
"It's work."
Hikigaya shook his head helplessly.
If it weren't for money, who would be willing to run around for a living.
"Work?"
Hearing this, Ayanokouji's gaze deepened.
The person in front of him, Hikigaya, had three targets of observation.
Suzune Horikita, Kikyo Kushida, and Kakeru Ryuuen.
People who could be related were none other than Manabu Horikita, or perhaps Ichinose, Sakayanagi, or Katsuragi, who were preparing for class struggles.
"It's hard to imagine Ichinose arranging for someone to do this kind of secret filming. Class D and Class B are still in a cooperative relationship. You couldn't be working for Sakayanagi, could you?"
Ayanokouji probed.
The image of that girl who knew his past flashed through his mind, forcing him to suspect the possibility that Sakayanagi had begun laying out her pieces in various classes.
"I'm not. Why would Sakayanagi's name even come up?"
Hikigaya was completely baffled.
Besides Sakayanagi herself, he didn't even know anyone else's name. How could the guy in front of him think he had anything to do with Sakayanagi?
"Hmm..."
Observing Hikigaya's reaction, Ayanokouji judged that he was likely there for Suzune Horikita.
Since it was work, it was mostly likely Manabu Horikita's arrangement.
There shouldn't be a problem.
"I should probably tell you."
Ayanokouji said expressionlessly: "During the uninhabited island test, Class A was using Private Points to win over people from other classes, so I felt it was possible you were working for Class A. It seems I was mistaken."
"Whatever. If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
I know that even if you don't tell me. Hikigaya nodded and turned to leave, feeling that this Ayanokouji had an eerily disgusting vibe.
But then again.
It had been over a semester.
In the cooperation between Class B and Class D, it was basically Class D getting all the benefits.
Class B.
Ichinose was clearly helping them, even taking the two classes' cooperation into account during exams, yet the people in Class D were wary of her everywhere.
Rationality told him this caution was necessary, and it was Ichinose's enthusiasm that was excessive.
But why did it feel like.
Class D was really being ungrateful.
He really didn't know why Ichinose insisted on cooperating with Class D.
Hikigaya left the school with his doubts and called Manabu Horikita to report his work.
"Si... President Horikita, the work is finished."
"..."
After a brief silence, Manabu Horikita's voice came through: "Were there any problems?"
"I suppose so."
Hikigaya said honestly: "Your sister was threatened and almost knelt to Ryuuen. It's just that for some reason, Ryuuen's threat seemed to fail in the end. I recorded a video; I'll send you a copy later."
"What does President Horikita plan to do?"
Hikigaya tempted him with ill intent.
His own sister was threatened to the point of almost giving up her dignity. If Manabu Horikita could use this video to take down Kakeru Ryuuen.
That would be truly great.
"Nothing."
After a moment of silence, Manabu Horikita's steady voice came: "Since this is the path she chose for herself, she needs to overcome it herself. All I can do is watch over her from the side."
"Hahaha."
"I see. Never mind then, I'm hanging up."
Hikigaya gave a couple of dry laughs and hung up.
Though it was expected, this guy was really an incompetent brother, or rather, this pair of siblings was just too awkward.
Maybe this is the way elite families educate their children.
It was a bit of a pity he couldn't provoke a conflict between Manabu Horikita and Kakeru Ryuuen.
Forget it.
Anyway, the job was done, and the rest had nothing to do with him.
Hikigaya planned to have a good celebration