The grouping was decided.
Hikigaya followed the Class A group to wait on the playground, only then learning the other person's name was Matoba Shinji.
Although Katsuragi was the nominal leader of the group, the person actually in command was Matoba Shinji.
To put it simply, Katsuragi was like a scapegoat.
Even if there were an accident, only Katsuragi would be expelled—provided he didn't drag anyone down with him.
"You really accept such unfair treatment," Hikigaya said as he walked to Katsuragi's side, following behind Class A. He was curious about what this man was thinking.
"It's not exactly unfair," Katsuragi said calmly. "After all, this is Sakayanagi's instruction. Since a leader must be chosen, no one is more suitable than me."
"It's a pity you ran into Sakayanagi." Hikigaya's lips curled into a smile, feeling a bit schadenfreude.
Clearly, Katsuragi still wanted to contribute to the class and lead them to Class A, even if he wasn't the leader himself.
This guy was truly a good person.
Unfortunately, he met a "scum woman" like Sakayanagi who ignored the class's interests and feelings; Katsuragi was being bullied to the core.
"How could that be?"
Katsuragi's expression remained flat. "Sakayanagi's strength is the real deal. While I have some dissatisfaction with her methods, if she can lead the class to graduate from Class A in her own way, there's nothing to complain about."
"Is that so?" Hikigaya nodded.
Truly a good person. He was probably wary of Hikigaya, thinking he was trying to sow discord.
Actually, Hikigaya had no such intention; he was just purely enjoying the drama.
"But," Hikigaya added, glancing sideways, "when the time comes, you could be discarded by Sakayanagi as cannon fodder or used to exchange for benefits, right?"
Just like this time.
Katsuragi was the cannon fodder; it felt like, given Sakayanagi's personality, she would absolutely be capable of trading him for Class Points.
Looking at his Class A companions ahead, Katsuragi fell silent for a moment.
"Even so, it doesn't matter."
"Is that right..."
Hikigaya also looked at Matoba and the others.
Clearly, Matoba Shinji and the others had no respect for Katsuragi; they were obviously members of the Sakayanagi faction.
One can only say, as expected of Katsuragi.
Whether it was Ryuen or Katsuragi, this might be their resolve as leaders.
However, Hikigaya really couldn't agree with it.
After all, rising to Class A related to the future lives of all thirty-nine people in the class; could one person's expulsion really compensate for the loss of those thirty-nine?
Ryuen and Katsuragi were perhaps too arrogant.
Did they think they alone possessed value matching the futures of thirty-nine people?
At least, Hikigaya didn't think he had that kind of value.
Meanwhile, the second and third-years had also finished their grouping; almost everyone was standing on the playground waiting.
This decisiveness was clearly not something the first-years could match.
On the playground, Matoba Shinji went forward to chat with the seniors as soon as they met. Hikigaya also spotted the figures of Horikita Manabu and Nagumo Miyabi.
However, whether it was Horikita Manabu or Nagumo Miyabi, they had nothing to do with him. Hikigaya didn't step forward; he just dutifully followed Class A.
Even if he wanted to act, now was not yet the time.
Though, come to think of it, if he could team up with these two "big shots," this exam would probably be a sure win.
...
A short while later, the last small group of first-years walked out of the gymnasium.
Nagumo Miyabi went up to meet them.
"I think there's still a little time. I didn't expect you to be so fast. I have a proposal for you first-years: why don't we form the large groups right now...?"
"President Nagumo, isn't that something to be decided tonight?"
"That was just the school being considerate because they didn't think we would coordinate the small groups so quickly. Since all the grades happen to have finished their groups, it would be more efficient to proceed directly, wouldn't it?"
Hmm?
Hearing this, Hikigaya's brows furrowed.
He had heard from the school before that in previous years, no students had ever dragged it out to the second day without deciding on large groups.
This exam had clearly been held many times.
Unless the school staff was a bunch of "salary thieves" who did nothing all day, such a mistake shouldn't happen.
While there was indeed no harm in doing it early, Nagumo Miyabi being so hurried must mean he had some objective.
"Is it alright, Horikita-senpai?"
"Yes. It would be more convenient for us that way too!"
"That's good then."
Nagumo Miyabi turned back to look at the first-years and smiled:
"How about it? Using a selection-like system doesn't seem very interesting. Six representatives from the first-year groups will play rock-paper-scissors to decide the order. In that order, you'll nominate second and third-year groups to complete the large group."
"It can be decided fairly and in a short amount of time."
The first-years had no objections either, and they soon sent out six elites to start rock-paper-scissors. The leader for this group was Matoba Shinji.
While it sounded fair, there was a massive trap within it.
Hikigaya looked at Nagumo Miyabi. He didn't know if this guy was doing it intentionally or unintentionally.
It was a trap that perhaps only someone like him, who was always all alone, could notice.
Just like in elementary school when the class organized games and picked teammates.
Hikigaya was forever the one picked last. He would hear things like, "It's Hikigaya again, he's totally useless."
What kind of mood would the group left for last be in?
They would definitely be extremely disgusted: Why am I the one picked last? Are your eyes blind?
And the first-year group doing the picking wouldn't feel good either; the second and third-year groups left over would surely be the "garbage" groups, leaving them with no choice.
A large group formed like this would naturally carry prejudice and estrangement, making the difficulty of good communication much higher than in other large groups.
Moreover, to be left until the end undoubtedly meant they were indeed the worst second and third-year small groups.
Their own strength was already poor, yet they had to bear an even more disadvantageous start.
There was simply no possibility of competing with other large groups.
In other words, the last place was already decided at this very moment. He just didn't know if Nagumo Miyabi was setting this trap intentionally.
However, Hikigaya didn't say much. After everyone finished rock-paper-scissors, Matoba Shinji won and gained the first pick.
He directly chose Horikita Manabu's third-year group and another group composed of second-year Class B students.
Seeing this, Hikigaya chose to keep his mouth shut.
If a rule was in his favor, he would keep playing; if it was against him, Hikigaya would resist with all his might.
With a "strong thigh" like Horikita Manabu present, it was clearly more advantageous for his side.
With Horikita Manabu, and the group that was about to be left until the end, they would surely not fall into last place!
This was doable, and very safe! Hikigaya didn't expect the situation to be so favorable to him; everything was moving in the direction he wanted.
...
Soon, Hikigaya felt something was slightly off.
Clearly, Nagumo Miyabi was the student council president; putting aside prejudice, he was obviously a super-strong "thigh," yet he was left until the third pick, forming a large group with Ayanokouji and the others.
Perhaps there was an issue with the composition of his small group. After all, Hikigaya didn't recognize a single one of Nagumo Miyabi's teammates.
Shortly after, the six large groups were formed.
"Horikita-senpai, what a coincidence!"
Nagumo Miyabi turned and walked up to Horikita Manabu, smiling: "We're in different large groups. Why don't we have a showdown?"
"Nagumo, how many times has this been? Give it a rest!"
A third-year Class A boy stared at him with dissatisfaction; it seemed to be that Fujimaki-senpai who had given Himegi Yuki an extra four hundred yen.
"Why?"
Nagumo Miyabi spread his hands, looking somewhat helpless. "In this school, it doesn't matter if you're a first-year or a third-year; it's not strange for anyone to declare war on anyone, is it? The rules don't forbid it."
"I'm talking about basic ethics," Fujimaki-senpai said with extreme dissatisfaction. "Even if it's not written, there are things in the world you can do and things you can't."
Mhm, mhm. Hikigaya was in total agreement.
If only those noisy guys could understand some manners, but the blonde-haired Nagumo Miyabi was clearly a guy without ethics.
"...I don't think so myself."
Nagumo Miyabi shook his head, not taking it to heart at all: "On the contrary, I hope that the students who only focus on competing within their own grade are the eyesores hindering the growth of the current student body."
Oh.
So that's how it is.
Hikigaya nodded.
He was clearly acting out of self-interest by forcing a competition with Horikita Manabu, yet he could somehow twist it to involve the entire school.
This guy is truly skilled at sophistry.
Then again, having such thoughts is mostly because he hasn't experienced the "beatings" of society yet, which makes him feel he is exceptionally superior.
He treats acting willfully and lacking morals as his own "strength."
Having listened to his "shitty old man" complain every day about how sinister society is, Hikigaya didn't think this was a good thing at all.
"Even if you've become the Student Council President, not everything is permitted. You should be aware that this is an abuse of authority."
"If you think so, then please, make me aware of it."
Nagumo Miyabi stood with his hands in his pockets, acting high and mighty: "Otherwise, should I take Senior Fujimaki as an opponent instead? You are technically the No. 2 of the third-year Class A, right?"
How annoying.
Being able to involve unrelated people without a second thought—what a truly self-centered guy.
Hikigaya chose to keep a respectful distance; he felt that Nagumo Miyabi would likely receive a harsh reality check once he entered society.
"What do you intend to use to decide the winner?"
Seeing Nagumo turn his target toward Fujimaki, Horikita Manabu finally stepped forward.
"How about we see which side can get more students expelled?"
"Stop joking around."
"Though I think that sounds quite interesting, let's set it aside for now. If you want me to make a serious proposal, let's see which group gets a higher average score?"
"I see. If that's the case, I can accept it."
Horikita Manabu said with a calm expression: "However, this will only be a personal competition between you and me. Don't involve anyone else."
As expected of a commander, bravely standing in front of his comrades.
Unfortunately.
This time, things won't go as you wish.
"Don't involve anyone else?"
Nagumo Miyabi rubbed his chin and said: "But I think dragging the opponent down is also a type of strategy."
"That is far from the essence of an exam. This exam only tests the unity of the group; it is absolutely not a competition to exploit the loopholes of the opponent's group or disrupt their exam."
How similar.
Horikita Manabu's values are truly upright. Hikigaya felt a bit embarrassed, feeling that his own way of thinking was actually closer to Nagumo's and Ryuuen's.
The playground had completely become the home turf for these two big shots.
"If you cannot accept the conditions I've stated, I don't intend to accept this challenge."
"Meaning, I can't attack Horikita-senpai's 'pieces' to win?"
"It's not limited to my group. I do not accept any methods that harm other students. The moment I realize you have interfered with others, this victory will be void."
Sigh.
Hikigaya was somewhat speechless.
He only just realized that the commander is also quite naive. To an immoral guy like Nagumo Miyabi, promises likely mean absolutely nothing.
In the eyes of such a person, "credit" is probably just another tool.