Just as he picked up his pen.
Hikigaya felt this was an opportunity.
If it were these three, as long as he didn't speak ill of Ichinose, Mako Asakura and the others would likely answer him.
"Um..."
Hikigaya looked down at his notebook and said: "Can I ask a few questions?"
"Of course."
The response came from Yume Kobashi, who smiled sweetly and said:
"And Hikigaya-kun, you don't have to be so formal. You can just call me by my name. Calling me Yume or Yume-chan is fine."
"Yeah, we're already members of the same group."
Mako Asakura nodded with a smile: "It's also a bit strange to keep using our last names. You can call me Mako-chan just like Honami-chan and the others do~"
Click.
A strange sound rang out.
Yuki Himeno's small hand holding the ballpoint pen suddenly tightened. These two were being a bit too enthusiastic.
Even she and Hikigaya hadn't addressed each other by their names yet.
But due to her introverted and submissive persona, it was hard for her to start using his name.
Just then.
"As for Yuki, you can just call her Yuki-chan, right?"
Yume Kobashi looked at Yuki Himeno and smiled.
"I... I don't mind."
Yuki Himeno nodded nonchalantly, secretly delighted that Yume Kobashi was so helpful.
"Then for Hikigaya-kun, how about 'Hikki'?"
The girls consulted each other and quickly nodded in agreement.
Uh...
Does no one come to ask for his opinion?
Hikigaya was somewhat speechless.
He had long known that these guys didn't listen to others, and he didn't take it to heart, but hadn't the topic drifted away again?
"Hikki, is there something you don't understand?"
Only Mako Asakura still cared about his studies, her delicate body leaning forward toward his notebook.
"Ah, no."
Hikigaya hurriedly explained with some embarrassment: "When the Student Council changed terms earlier, I think I saw Ichinose in the Student Council. What's that about?"
Although Horikita Manabu had rejected her before, now that Nagumo Miyabi had taken over—and since Ichinose had always wanted to join—it wasn't particularly strange.
Still.
He felt asking directly was a bit awkward.
Hikigaya decided to pick a topic as a lead-in first.
Though he hadn't thought much of it at first, he was now extremely puzzled by Ichinose's actions.
Even though Ichinose said she wanted to lead everyone to Class A, he couldn't understand what she was trying to do at all.
From the deserted island exam until now.
One could say Ichinose led everyone through the exams fairly and honorably, but from another perspective, it could be said she had no plan whatsoever.
In every exam.
Ichinose could see the key points, yet she never proposed any strategy.
She just told everyone to work hard!
Hikigaya really didn't know if she couldn't think of anything or if she felt it wasn't necessary.
Relying only on effort—in other words, they had no other way left except to work hard.
Therefore.
He wanted to know what Ichinose was thinking.
It wasn't that he wanted to change anything, but if Ichinose and the others intended to just drift along and slack off.
Since the boss was slacking.
Hikigaya felt that as subordinates, everyone could just slack off together.
There was nothing to be embarrassed about.
If the boss was slacking while making those below work hard, Hikigaya wasn't willing to do that.
"Because Honami-chan has already joined the Student Council."
"Wasn't she rejected before?"
"Well, it's President Nagumo now. I heard President Nagumo is someone who focuses more on individual ability, and he even plans to remove the limit on the number of members. As long as you have enough strength and the will, anyone can join."
"I see..."
The blonde guy didn't matter; Hikigaya didn't care much and got straight to the point.
"Then how did Ichinose become the class rep?"
"Eh? Hikki didn't know?"
"Ah..."
Hikigaya defended himself awkwardly: "Because I'm usually busy, I rarely have time to check the group chat."
At least within the class.
He had never heard of such a big decision regarding class leadership.
Unlike ordinary schools, this school didn't have official positions like class reps or group leaders.
"I see."
Mako Asakura never seemed to doubt whether the other person was lying.
"Since not having a class rep causes a lot of inconvenience, I recommended Honami-chan to be the class rep in the group."
Uh...
So the culprit was actually you...
"What about the others? Do they not have any thoughts?"
Hikigaya asked, feeling somewhat puzzled.
Holding power certainly had benefits, but power also meant responsibility.
Unfortunately.
Responsibility was a terrifying thing; most ordinary people would avoid taking it.
"And then, we all agreed."
Yume Kobashi tapped her chin with her finger: "Besides, in Class B, there's no one more suited to be class rep than Honami-chan."
"True..."
Hikigaya couldn't help but nod.
There was no one in Class B better suited for leadership than Ichinose.
Whether it was Kanzaki or Shibata.
Kanzaki's ability was indeed decent, but he wasn't good at communication, and his thoughts were always reflected in his attitude.
To put it simply, he lacked sophistication and his emotional management was deficient.
Even if every word he said was correct, if he didn't have high-level communication skills like Ichinose, it would only make things harder for people to accept.
Honest advice is hard on the ears—that is human nature.
Working under a leader like Kanzaki would likely only feel oppressive.
Just like before.
Hikigaya didn't know where he had offended Kanzaki; he seemed quite kind at the start of school, but by the deserted island, his attitude didn't seem so good.
Over the last few days, Kanzaki's attitude seemed to have turned friendly again.
It was simply bizarre.
Since they were both adolescent boys and didn't have much of a relationship, Hikigaya hadn't taken it to heart.
He just felt Kanzaki would eventually have a mental breakdown...
As for the pure-hearted Shibata.
He seemed even more naive than Ichinose.
Despite liking Ichinose, he arbitrarily treated Hikigaya as a rival.
Not only did pure-hearted Shibata respect Ichinose, but he also held absolutely no hostility toward his "enemy," which was excessively excellent.
But on the other hand.
It showed Shibata was too kind, and people who are too kind aren't suited to be leaders.
And Ichinose...
Having been forced into the leadership position by others, it seemed she couldn't be blamed for carrying everyone's expectations.
Expecting things from someone without permission, then being disappointed without permission.
It was honestly a bit disgusting.
Hikigaya couldn't help but think of the figure he saw on the cruise ship; Ichinose must be working desperately hard.
However, the current Ichinose.
Indeed lacked the qualities of a qualified leader.
She had strength, but having been pushed onto the stage, she hadn't developed the resolve to be a leader.
It was likely the same as her wanting to join the Student Council.
Ichinose was willing to sacrifice for the class and wanted to contribute, but she probably didn't realize how special this school was.
Then it really couldn't be blamed on her.
She hadn't slacked off.
It was just that Ichinose's methods made Hikigaya a bit suspicious.
Relying on Ichinose might not be reliable.
From now on, while avoiding bringing trouble to the class, he should try to focus on saving up 20 million personal points.
Taking responsibility for one's own affairs.
That was only natural.
5:00 PM.
Club time came to an end.
Looking at the blank exercise book in front of him, he hadn't written a single question...
Yume Kobashi and the others had been chatting incessantly.
Three women really do make a theater.
The ancients did not deceive me.
As expected, studying alone is more efficient.
Several people left the club.
Hikigaya locked the door and put away the keys.
"By the way."
Yume Kobashi clapped her small hands, her eyes lighting up: "To celebrate the establishment of the Hikigaya Group, why don't we go sit at Palette for a bit?"
"No thanks, I have something to do."
Hikigaya refused immediately.
Refusing any invitation first was the inherent behavior pattern of a loner.
This must be the endless cycle of parties Yuki Himeno mentioned.
Terrifying.
Yume Kobashi was likely one of the main culprits.
But that seemed to be a gathering for girls; Kobashi probably only invited him out of courtesy.
If the other party invited him out of social etiquette but he actually agreed to go, they would surely smile bitterly and say "Oh, you're actually coming," which would be quite uncomfortable.
"Eh?"
Unfortunately, Yume Kobashi didn't give up; instead, she looked puzzled:
"But we should celebrate the group's founding no matter what, and it's still early. Does Hikki have something going on?"
"Um, could you please not call me Hikki?"
Even though it had become a set thing, Hikigaya still felt a bit embarrassed.
Skipping the last name and going straight from the first name to a nickname on the first meeting—no matter how you thought about it, it felt wrong.
"Then Hachi? Hatchi-chi?"
"Let's stick with Hikki..."
Although she seemed warm on the surface, Yume Kobashi's attitude was surprisingly firm, leaving Hikigaya helpless.
"Then let's go, to Palette~"
"No, I really don't need to go."
Beside them, Yuki Himeno had a playful look on her face. There was no way Hikigaya would accept such an invitation.
She knew very well.
How hard it was to pull Hikigaya out; you couldn't pamper this guy, you had to use a more forceful approach.
Sensing the puzzled gazes of several people, Hikigaya had a flash of inspiration and quickly explained:
"Right, right, that's it. It's already this time, I have to go back and cook."
"Eh?"
Mako Asakura said with surprise: "So Hikki cooks for himself? That's impressive."
"Yeah, since I'm living alone now, I have to rely on myself for everything. It's just how it is."
Hearing this.
Hikigaya nodded repeatedly, feeling confident.
Anyway, instant noodles are a type of cuisine, and his noodles are super delicious!
"Eh!?"
Yume Kobashi said with regret: "It's a rare chance, so why don't we just eat out together?"
"No, we shouldn't waste personal points."
"Just once."
"Indulging oneself is not a good thing."
"Ugh..."
"Hmph."
Hikigaya had figured out the way to deal with them; as long as he used absolute logic, Yume Kobashi couldn't argue back.
"Alright, then let's find another chance to go together next time."
"Yeah, next time for sure."
Hikigaya raised his hand and turned to leave.
If it were before.
He would have certainly believed Yume Kobashi invited him out of social etiquette.
But now.
Hikigaya couldn't be sure.
Regardless, he truly disliked such noisy gatherings.
"Wait, let's walk back together."
Yume Kobashi, Mako Asakura, and Yuki Himeno quickly followed, walking on both sides of Hikigaya.
"Um..."
Hikigaya looked at the three beauties flanking him, feeling truly uncomfortable:
"You guys can go do your own thing..."
The situation was completely different from middle school.
Why did the girls in this class always like to crowd around like this? Were they being too enthusiastic? Was their relationship really that good?
"But,"
Yume Kobashi laughed: "If Hikki isn't there, we can't celebrate."
"That's right."
Mako Asakura nodded in agreement: "In that case, for our next celebration, should we prepare something properly?"
"That sounds great~"
Yume Kobashi's eyes lit up: "Should we make some handmade dishes~"
"Sure!"
Mako Asakura said excitedly: "I want to try Hikki's cooking too."
"Sure..."
Himeno glanced at Hikigaya and let out a mean-spirited laugh.
She could bet that an otaku like Hikigaya probably couldn't cook; otherwise, he wouldn't need to go out occasionally to improve his meals.
Now he'll know fear!
Let him experience the power of Ichinose's group!
Hikigaya's face immediately stiffened.
How did it turn out like this?
This was completely different from what he expected.
One lie requires countless more to cover it up. Before, no one cared; now, someone was taking it seriously.
But making him cook...
Yet if he told the truth, this celebratory dinner wouldn't be easy to refuse.
Forget it for now.
Anyway, get back to the dorm first; if there's a next time, he'll apologize properly.