After school, at the Wool Club.
"Um..."
Looking at the three girls before him, Hikigaya was a bit confused.
"Why are you here? What about Ichinose's side?"
"Eh?"
asakura mako, sitting opposite him, was puzzled: "Honami-chan is still at the student council. Hikki, did you forget?"
"Indeed..."
Hikigaya nodded awkwardly.
Now Ichinose had student council work to do in addition to the exam; no wonder Asakura and the others were coming so frequently.
"Right."
Yume Kobashi asked curiously: "Hikki, what event do you plan to participate in for this exam?"
"I'll probably just participate in the National Language (Japanese) test."
Hikigaya responded casually.
Aside from Japanese, he really couldn't think of anything he was good at. Although English was fine, Class B didn't lack students who were good at English.
He would probably be the main force for Japanese.
Then he would act as a substitute for the English and History tests.
Ichinose had already sent word back that Class B's opponent this time would be Class C.
With Ichinose's ability, dealing with a Kaneda would be easy.
There probably wouldn't be a need for him to appear.
"Eh?"
Yume Kobashi said with a tone of disappointment:
"Isn't that too much of a waste? I feel like no matter what event you participate in, Hikki, you could think of a way to win."
"Yeah."
Asakura also nodded in agreement:
"If I were Honami, I would definitely put Hikki in the class's main events!"
Dream.
Strictly speaking.
It was only a few points difference anyway.
Class B wasn't lacking people good at Japanese either.
Putting an ace like Hikigaya in Class C's main event might maximize their advantage.
Yuki Himeno, on the side, had a resentful look.
Ever since the rumors about Ichinose started, she felt that the way Yume Kobashi and Asako Okakura looked at Hikigaya was a bit off.
Maybe they hadn't even noticed it themselves.
There was nothing that could be done about it; even she hadn't expected Hikigaya to be so outstanding.
However.
Yuki Himeno wasn't very worried either.
She knew better than anyone how twisted Hikigaya's personality was.
Whether it was Yume Kobashi, Asakura, or Airi Sakura from Class D, trying to win over Hikigaya was like a dream.
"Um..."
Wait.
Come.
Hikigaya was a bit helpless and quickly explained: "At most, I just have some small cleverness. Don't hold excessively high expectations for me."
This was probably Ichinose's feeling too.
Being trusted by this group of cute people.
It indeed didn't feel bad.
But it was truly a bit of a headache.
But Hikigaya knew his own strength.
Just like this event selection exam.
Aside from Japanese, he basically had nothing he was good at.
Being held to such high expectations was indeed a headache, and in the end, he would only let them down.
"Really, Hikki is doing it again~"
Pity.
Yume Kobashi and the others didn't listen.
The admiration in their eyes didn't decrease one bit.
Asakura even had a smile on her lips; he was always so steady, modest, and reassuring, completely different from ordinary high school students.
The several of them chatted until the club time ended.
"Is it over already?~"
Yume Kobashi looked at the time with some helplessness; she clearly wanted to chat more with everyone. She said with some reluctance:
"Then let's go back together."
"No, I still have some things to do."
"Eh? Do you need our help?"
"No, it's about the exam. Ichinose seems to have some things she wants to say to me."
"I see. Then we'll head back first~"
"Oh!"
Saying that.
Hikigaya locked the club door, raised a hand, and turned to leave.
He hadn't forgotten.
Ichinose had asked to meet him behind the teaching building after club time ended.
But to be honest.
Facing this kind of exam, Hikigaya really couldn't offer any more effective opinions.
Strictly speaking.
With Class C as the opponent, Class B already held all the advantages in academic ability. At most, they just needed to utilize Shibata's individual physical strength.
It didn't seem to make much difference; he could only let Ichinose down.
The most important thing was.
Aside from Shibata, he knew nothing about the other people in the class, let alone what they were good at.
He really couldn't offer any effective opinions.
...
On the other side.
As the club time ended, the student council also finished its day's work.
"Honami."
Miyabi Nagumo sat in the main seat, a bright but fake smile on his face as he watched Ichinose packing her things:
"You seem a bit absent-minded today. Is something on your mind? Or is it about the first-year special exam?"
"Eh? Something like that, I suppose."
Ichinose's face turned red with some embarrassment. She then put on her shoulder bag, bowed slightly, and said:
"Then I'll head back for today. President Nagumo, see you tomorrow."
"Mm, good work!"
Miyabi Nagumo nodded with a smile, watching Ichinose leave the student council room with a light step.
"Ichinose's opponent this time seems to be Class C."
A boy also walked up to Miyabi Nagumo and asked with some confusion: "She shouldn't be too worried, right?"
"Who knows..."
Miyabi Nagumo leaned back in his executive chair and sighed:
"A person as earnest and kind as Ichinose is truly rare. She would have made a good toy; what a pity."
"President Nagumo."
That boy frowned with some displeasure: "I think as the student council president, saying such things is a bit inappropriate, don't you think?"
"Haha."
Miyabi Nagumo laughed dismissively: "Kiriyama, don't worry about small things. Since it's lost, it's lost. I'm not a bad person who would steal others' favorites."
"...But."
Miyabi Nagumo sat up.
He rested his elbows on the table, interlaced his fingers, and said with a smile on his lips:
"I really didn't expect Class B to pass that unreasonable exam in such a way. It seems Hikigaya-kun really exceeds my expectations."
"Kiriyama, who do you think is stronger, Hikigaya or Ayanokouji?"
"Hm?"
Kiriyama frowned: "I can understand Hikigaya; that method was indeed unexpected. But why does Ayanokouji's name come up?"
"I see. If you don't know, then forget it..."
"And."
Kiriyama watched the president before him with some displeasure: "No matter which of them is stronger, that's a first-year matter. As a senior, you should avoid interfering too much in the juniors' exams."
"You're quite strict."
Miyabi Nagumo laughed dismissively: "I like that defiant look of yours. I really hope you can bring me some different expectations too, Kiriyama."
"Sigh."
Kiriyama said with a flat expression: "I really hope you can restrain that exuberant competitiveness of yours a bit, President."
"Yeah."
"Manabu Horikita is about to graduate. I really hope some different strong people can bring me new fun." Miyabi Nagumo suddenly became somewhat melancholy, yet he showed no intention of restraining himself.
Whether it was Ayanokouji or Hikigaya.
The weak never have the power to choose.
Wanting to live a peaceful life?
That's not up to them!
...
On the other side.
After leaving the student council room.
Ichinose quickly hurried her pace to leave the teaching building; she had an appointment to meet Hikigaya.
Thinking of this.
Ichinose's steps were light, and her heart was pounding.
She knew very well.
If there wasn't a suitable reason, it would probably be hard for Hikigaya to agree to a private meeting; he would more likely want to return to the dorms.
She had just used the special exam as an excuse yesterday.
However.
She was undoubtedly in love with Hikigaya!
As she approached the back of the school building.
Ichinose took a deep breath and quickly stopped. She pulled out a small mirror to tidy her hair and quickly touched up her perfume, and a smile instinctively appeared on her lips.
Ichinose held her hand over her heart.
She could no longer suppress this emotion that was about to burst out.
Since she liked him!
She naturally had to say it out loud properly!