On the other side, in the Class B classroom.
Moments later, Ando Sayo and the others who participated in the fourth event, the Math Test, returned to the classroom. Everyone looked relieved.
They had won this match.
This brought the score to a tie at 2-2.
However, as of now, three of Class B's projects had already been chosen. Only the Japanese and English tests remained, while Class C still had four projects that hadn't appeared.
Sure enough.
"Karate."
"Number of people: Three. Required time: Ten minutes."
"Rules: Three minutes per match, direct strikes to the opponent are prohibited, follows elimination tournament rules."
"Commander: May restart any one match."
"Class B participants: Sumida Makoto, Watanabe Norihito, Yonezu Haruto."
On the podium, the proctor heartlessly read out the rules for the fifth project, immediately making everyone's expressions turn even worse.
Class B was full of "good kids" who didn't have much experience in fighting or brawling.
In contrast, Class C was basically composed of punks who fought and brawled regularly.
Although there were people like Shibata with developed motor nerves in the class, that was only in the area of sports.
Aside from the gap in experience, it would be difficult for them to cross their own mental hurdles even in a match; they would find it hard to give it their all. Plus, many people were feeling physically unwell.
The probability of winning was simply too low.
More importantly, the probability of selecting Class C's core project among the remaining two was extremely high.
With Ichinose gone, Class B would inevitably become shaken.
"Everyone."
At this time, Kanzaki stood up and said seriously:
"Ichinose is still fighting right now. No matter what the next project is, we must try our best to achieve victory."
The implication was that they were no longer considering winning the exam but were thinking about how to minimize their losses.
"Understood."
"I will definitely participate in the exam with all my strength."
"Try to secure at least one win."
The several people named quickly nodded and left the classroom with serious faces.
Although they didn't really want to participate in such a violent project, they had no choice since they were selected.
They didn't have the power to choose.
Sitting in his seat and watching the departing figures, Hikigaya realized that Watanabe's full name was Watanabe Norihito.
After seeing them leave the classroom, Hikigaya turned his gaze back to the people in the class.
Facing Class C, Class B had an overwhelming advantage in academics, generally creating a gap of over 200 points in every test.
But in terms of fighting and brawling, Class B was at an overwhelming disadvantage against Class C.
Furthermore, most of Class B's main forces had been completely wiped out; they were either slumped over their desks or running back and forth to the restroom.
Even if they just wanted to minimize losses and secure one more win, it would be as difficult as climbing to the heavens.
Simply impossible.
Even if they got lucky and drew a Class B core project, Hikigaya didn't think they had the energy to win the match.
They might even have trouble showing up for the match.
Hikigaya rested his chin on his hand and observed the few people in the classroom.
If they wanted to win, it wasn't that there was no chance.
Unfortunately, there was nothing to be done.
This was likely something only Ichinose herself could realize; sitting in the classroom indeed accomplished nothing.
After nearly thirty minutes, Watanabe and the others returned to the classroom with grim expressions.
They had obviously lost.
After all, there was no other way.
Although Class B had intensified their practice in karate and judo for a week after the core projects were announced, Hikigaya had naturally practiced as well.
But this kind of "cramming" practice was truly meaningless.
Unless one was exceptionally talented, it was impossible to win against Class C, who fought regularly.
"Sixth project: Judo!"
"Number of people: One. Time: Four minutes (maximum three matches, twelve minutes)."
"Rules: Follow general judo rules."
"Commander: May invalidate the match result and have the match restart."
Hearing this, Class B felt the world go dark.
It was another Class C project.
Furthermore, it was an absolute core project for a single participant, and specifically the one-on-one format that Class B was least skilled at.
However, the proctor's next sentence left everyone even more stunned.
"Venue: Gymnasium No. 1."
"Class B participant: Hikigaya Hachiman!"
"Wait a minute!"
Hikigaya stood up quickly, even more shocked: "That... teacher, is there a mistake?"
How could he be sent to a one-on-one judo match?
And against Class C, too.
Even without thinking, he knew the opponent would definitely be the big Black guy from Class C, Albert.
Although Albert seemed to prefer peace, he wasn't an idiot.
While he might not actually cause injury, at a critical moment, he would still follow Ryuen's orders and strike, at most just minding the force and hitting a bit lighter.
Hikigaya was confident he could be taken down by Albert with one hand!
The only thing he could participate in was the Japanese test.
"Confirmed without error."
"Class B participant: Hikigaya Hachiman."
The proctor picked up the specialized walkie-talkie, his gaze holding a faint trace of sympathy. With those thin arms and legs, he clearly wasn't a student who exercised regularly.
To be scheduled for judo... it was truly pitiful.
However, as a proctor, he was only responsible for relaying the message; he didn't force anything.
"If you don't go, it will be judged as a loss by default. Consider it yourself."
"Hiki..."
Kobashi Yume looked over with eyes full of expectation.
Was there some misunderstanding?
Did they not realize Class C's player would be Albert?
If the opponent were Kaneda, Hikigaya felt he could still put up a fight, or even dominate.
But Albert... forget it.
But if he didn't participate, it would be a loss by default.
Hikigaya walked to the podium, took the headset with a grim face, and left the classroom for Gymnasium No. 1.
"Ichinose," Hikigaya said somewhat speechlessly, "What's going on? How could I possibly beat Albert? And in three consecutive matches?"
"That, I'm sorry."
Through the headset, Ichinose's apologetic voice came through: "I accidentally clicked the wrong thing. Hiki, just forfeit."
Suddenly, Hikigaya was even more stunned.
Clicked the wrong thing?
And by clicking the wrong thing, she pitted him against Albert in judo?
Speaking of which, Ichinose couldn't be intentionally retaliating for him rejecting her confession, right?
No, no, no.
If Ichinose could do such a thing, the class wouldn't have ended up like this.
And forfeit? How could he forfeit?
There were seven projects in total.
Each project was worth 30 class points, and the school gave an additional 100 points to the winning class.
Right now the score was 2-3.
The probability of the next project also being a Class C project was extremely high.
If they couldn't get a single win, the exam might end with a score of 5-2.
At that point, they would lose 90 class points and fall directly to Class C.
No, wait.
Even if they won one match, the final score would be 4-3.
In an add-and-subtract situation, it was basically certain now that they would fall to Class C.
"In that case, there really is only one method."
Hikigaya quickly picked up his pace, gritted his teeth, and rushed toward Gymnasium No. 1.