"Um..."
Hikigaya raised his arm and said with some difficulty: "Can I ask a question?"
As soon as he finished speaking, all 39 people in the class looked over.
Feeling so many gazes, Hikigaya felt an inexplicable pressure.
Is this what they call spiritual pressure (Reiatsu)?
Truly impressive.
He felt he could somewhat understand Himeko Yuki's feelings now.
If he had to face this level of spiritual pressure regularly, his soul would collapse and fall into a Hollow.
"Of course you can."
Ichinose showed a joyful smile: "Hikigaya-kun, do you have a question?"
"Why not choose to attack Class D?"
Hikigaya asked, enduring the pressure.
This exam was practically a free point giveaway. The gap in grades between the upper and lower classes was vast.
If no special methods were used, an upper class simply had to aim at a lower class, and the win rate would be nearly 100%.
You should always pick the low-hanging fruit (soft persimmons).
Hikigaya really couldn't think of a reason not to attack a lower class.
"Eh?"
Ichinose was slightly stunned and asked in confusion: "Did Hikigaya-kun forget? We are in a cooperative relationship with Class D."
"But..."
"I don't see any benefits from the cooperation with Class D. Why persist in it?"
Hikigaya frowned, asking the question that had troubled him for a long time.
At the beginning, he also felt there was nothing wrong with cooperation.
But as time went on, let alone benefits, it felt like Class D was mostly taking advantage of Class B.
Every time, Class B was assisting Class D, and during exams, they even had to consider the cooperative relationship between the two classes.
Hikigaya saw not a single benefit and felt no necessity for cooperation whatsoever.
"Hikigaya..."
Kobashi Yume said with some confusion: "Do you think cooperation can only start if there are benefits?"
Facing someone he wasn't familiar with, Hikigaya said awkwardly:
"At the very least, it should be an equal relationship to cooperate, right?"
With no benefits, they weren't Class D's nannies. Why should they still cooperate with them?
"Hmm."
Ichinose pondered for a moment and nodded: "It's not strange for Hikigaya-kun to have such thoughts. Classes indeed need to consider whether it's worth cooperating."
"But Class B's cooperation with Class D is mainly to prevent Class D from being won over by Class A. If that happens, Class B might face a situation where they are squeezed by the alliance of Classes A, C, and D."
That makes sense.
Although Hikigaya really didn't want to cooperate with Class D, he had to admit Ichinose had a point.
"Then what about Class C?"
Hikigaya changed the target.
Even if Class A chose to attack Class B to widen the gap, Class B could still secure half a victory.
Attack successfully, defense fails.
In the worst-case scenario, the class points would simply remain unchanged.
Moreover, Class B's academic performance was not bad.
By choosing to attack Class B, Class A would also have to bear the risk of defeat; this was something Class A needed to consider.
But by actively choosing to duel Class A, if they failed and lost 100 class points, Class B would fall into a predicament of competing with Class C and D, letting Class A run solo.
No matter how he thought about it, Hikigaya couldn't find a reason not to attack a lower class.
Furthermore, it wasn't even certain if Class A would attack Class B.
"The main reason for giving up on Class C~"
Ichinose explained seriously: "Is my judgment that this time, they will likely choose to attack Class B directly."
"Is that so? I don't think Katsuragi is that kind of person?"
Hikigaya was somewhat puzzled.
Based on his judgment, someone with Katsuragi's personality would likely also attack a lower class to secure half a victory first and then focus on defending to win.
For the academically excellent Class A, this was simply too easy.
"Hikigaya-kun might not know yet, but the leadership of Class A has changed to Sakayanagi. Her personality is completely different from Katsuragi's."
"Sakayanagi is more inclined to take the initiative to attack and expand the gap between Class A and other classes as much as possible."
"I... I see..."
Hikigaya was left speechless.
Having lost continuously since the start of school, it wasn't surprising that Katsuragi was ousted by Class A.
Although they hadn't spoken, just based on Sakayanagi's fake smile that showed zero regard for others' opinions, she would likely choose to attack Class B.
"Moreover, even if we could win by choosing to attack Class C, if Class C wins against Class D in their attack, the class points won't change."
"By then, if Class D turns to Class A because they see no hope, it will again evolve into a situation where Class B has to face a three-class pincer attack."
"So I think it's better to start a direct duel with Class A."
"As long as everyone works hard together, successfully defeating Class A will allow us to rise to Class A in one go!"
"Uh..."
Hikigaya was refuted.
It just didn't feel quite right.
Ichinose had clearly not failed to consider things; in fact, she had considered more than he had.
Perhaps it was just that their values were different.
Hikigaya preferred to make things easy for himself by picking on "soft persimmons," while Ichinose preferred to work hard to improve themselves and win the exam fairly.
If asked which was better, Hikigaya naturally felt his idea was better. There's nothing wrong with picking soft persimmons.
Like Ryuen and the others—giving up a peaceful life just to challenge some "strong" people just to satisfy their own vanity and desire to win.
However, the results stood with Ichinose.
After all, Class B was currently only one step away from Class A, and they had taken first place in the last Sports Festival.
Ichinose's strategy had produced tangible results.
"That's right."
"Hikigaya-kun, let's just listen to Honami-chan here."
"Exactly, the gap between us and Class A isn't that large. As long as we work hard together, we can definitely win against Class A."
Okakura Asako smiled to comfort Hikigaya, once again standing on Ichinose's side.
It was just that Hikigaya really didn't want to hear this.
Needing to rely on hard work to achieve it.
From another angle, it meant that other than hard work, they had no other options left.
Was Class B's strategy reduced to just "working hard"?
Wasn't this situation quite bad?
However, Class B was in second place, and the result was good.
Hikigaya felt helpless.
When school started, he still felt Ichinose was the best leader.
Regardless, Ichinose was much more pleasant than "fun-seekers" and "egomaniacs" like Ryuen Kakeru, Horikita Suzune, or Sakayanagi.
But now, Hikigaya felt that Katsuragi was actually the optimal leader.
Focusing on defense while attacking, being ruthless to competitors while caring for comrades.
It wasn't that there was anything wrong with Ichinose.
It was just that Hikigaya felt that working under Ichinose was like being bound by invisible shackles; he always felt inexplicably constrained.
However, in the Uninhabited Island exam and the Sports Festival, Ichinose had produced real results.
This made it very hard to argue back.
Forget it.
Thinking it over, Hikigaya decided to give up.
Anyway, Class B's current performance isn't bad, and they are only a step away from Class A. Why should he worry about this?
As a bottom-tier "corporate slave" (shachiku), as long as the salary is paid on time, it's fine.
How the company develops is a problem for the management talents to consider.
"In addition."
"Regarding the exam questions, I'd like to ask Hikigaya-kun to be responsible for creating the Japanese (National Language) questions. Math will be given to Kanzaki, Physics to Shibata..."
Wanting to create 400 exam questions in one month was indeed difficult. Ichinose quickly distributed the work to the appropriate people.
"Wait, wait."
Hikigaya said quickly: "Why me? And wouldn't it be better to just use the school's pre-made questions?"
"Why? Because Hikigaya-kun has always been second in the class for Japanese?"
Ichinose tilted her head, somewhat confused: "As for me, I'll be responsible for the English questions. Besides, didn't Ms. Hoshinomiya just say that the school's prepared questions are of low difficulty? It's better if we prepare them ourselves, right?"
"Yeah, Hikigaya-kun, you weren't dazing off in class, were you?"
"Really, Chihiro, I think you should remind him more often."
"Wu..."
Chihiro Shiranami peeked at Hikigaya, and her small face flushed.
Hearing the teasing from those around him, Hikigaya felt even more helpless.
Although part of it was wanting to slack off, it wasn't just about slacking off.
It's like asking Sanji and Zoro to compete in swordsmanship; one definitely won't beat the other.
Professional matters should be left to professionals.
Being able to solve questions doesn't mean you can create them.
Even if you let the world's richest man sell fried chicken, he wouldn't compare to those skilled veteran employees.
Even if the school thought their prepared questions were simple, they would at least be stronger than the rush-job questions made by a bunch of novices, right?
Hikigaya felt these people were underestimating what "work" actually involves.
However, this was just his groundless guess.
After a moment of hesitation, Hikigaya decided not to say anything; he felt saying it would be in vain.
The sad part was that the workload had increased again.
Question: How to quickly find a delicious ramen shop in a completely unfamiliar environment?
Answer: Just follow a middle-aged corporate slave!
By the way, if you're looking for an internet cafe, follow a middle-schooler with bad grades; if you're looking for pretty ladies, follow an old taxi driver.
After the strategy meeting, Hikigaya waited at the school gate, his eyes scanning the crowd leaving the school.
Perhaps because school had just let out, there were quite a few people.
Anyway, there wasn't much risk in this exam. The worst result would just be a defeat.
Hikigaya didn't take it too much to heart.
His life had been one loss after another anyway. Failing a few more times was nothing; he had long since gotten used to it.
Compared to the exam, delicious ramen was more important.
There must be a trial period before a shop officially opens. School staff should be quite aware of hidden shops.
Just then, a middle-aged man in a black suit walked out of the teaching building, carrying a briefcase—a classic corporate slave.
Hikigaya's gaze was indifferent; he looked like Teacher Mashima, who was responsible for explaining the rules during the Uninhabited Island exam.
Sakurajima's (Japan's) ramen is famous for being oily, large in portion, and delicious.
Replenishing energy was undoubtedly the best choice.
There is no corporate slave in the world who doesn't like ramen.
Without thinking much, Hikigaya followed behind Instructor Mashima at a distance of about ten meters, preparing to explore a new ramen shop.
That Instructor Mashima seemed to have a rather stiff personality and didn't seem very popular with students; even when he encountered students on the road, he only gave a nod of acknowledgement.
But no matter what, he was clearly much more reliable than Instructor Hoshinomiya. Hoshinomiya was useless for anything other than being pretty.
She was simply a "salary thief."
It was truly envia—
No, it was truly envied—also wrong.
It was truly contemptible.
Yes.
Being a salary thief is a shameful thing.
Hikigaya definitely didn't envy a teacher like that.
If Advanced Nurturing wasn't a closed school, he would want to be a teacher here after graduation, but he probably wouldn't be hired.
Hikigaya's mind wandered as he followed Instructor Mashima to the Keyaki Mall.
On the other side:
"Kamuro-san, do you feel it?"
Arisu Sakayanagi leaned on her cane, but a pleasant smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.
"Yeah, someone is following us."
Masumi Kamuro, who was beside her, looked back and spotted Hachiman Hikigaya, who had been hanging back behind them.