"Um..."
Hachiman scratched the back of his head, glancing at the girl in front of him, and said with some hesitation:
"Ichinose, this is a speculation—just a speculation, mind you. I can understand the confusion, but at that time, you weren't perhaps considering what would happen if Ryuen were to be expelled, were you?"
The order of the results for each match this time was.
A cycle of one loss and one win, until Ryuen achieved victory.
Only this way.
Could that bizarre troop deployment be explained.
Arranging for Kanzaki and several other students with average grades to participate in the Chemistry Test.
But.
This was ultimately only a theoretical possibility.
Hachiman himself felt it was somewhat impossible.
"Yes."
Seeing Ichinose purse her lips and nod bitterly, Hachiman's head began to ache even more.
Fine then.
Ichinose was still too kind.
Having been forced onto the stage by everyone, Ichinose didn't have the slightest awareness of being a leader.
In fact.
She didn't even reach the passing line for being a leader.
Seeing Ryuen, who had no protection points, become the commander, Ichinose was actually worrying about what would happen if the opponent was expelled.
Because of this.
She didn't want to lose, but didn't dare to win.
Each time she let Class C win first, and then thought of a way to win back. In the third round, she arranged Kanzaki with several students of average grades.
She made this kind of half-hearted, mediocre decision.
Probably.
Losing with a score of three to four.
Class B wouldn't lose too much, and Ryuen wouldn't have to be expelled.
This was likely the outcome Ichinose most hoped for in her subconscious.
Therefore.
Ichinose only felt self-reproach and guilt, without showing signs of despair.
After all.
To Ichinose.
Losing only thirty points was already the best outcome.
"Am I really so useless..."
Ichinose pressed her palm to her forehead and gave a bitter smile:
"I clearly should have given it my all, yet I was unable to make a decision. I'm surely unqualified as a leader, aren't I? Can I really continue like this?"
"Whew."
Hachiman took a deep breath and rubbed his throbbing temples.
Ichinose was forced onto the stage by everyone.
He couldn't be too harsh on her.
If one wants to criticize Ichinose, they need to provide a new plan, or someone must volunteer to serve as the leader.
Otherwise.
It's just talking big without taking any responsibility.
But Hachiman had no intention of being a leader, nor did he have that capability. Although he wanted to contribute to the class, he only did what he could.
Any more than that, he couldn't do.
"No."
"It hasn't reached such a bad state yet."
Hachiman pondered for a moment before nodding and continuing: "However, for example, the previous pairing exam—that kind of exam won't forcefully make someone withdraw. It relies entirely on individual effort."
"If you don't have the resolve to let others be expelled, then you must ensure you can win matches in those kinds of exams."
Kindness.
Is by no means a bad thing.
Escapism is also not shameful.
At least in Hachiman's eyes, that was the case.
Since she lacked the resolve to let others be expelled, then she should simply give up on those types of exams entirely.
And then strengthen the other side.
Win everything in exams like the uninhabited island, the VIP exam, and the pairing exam.
Although the margin for error would become very low and the difficulty would increase exponentially.
But it was indeed a way.
The problem was.
He felt this would also be quite difficult for Ichinose.
It was hard for Ichinose to ignore people in trouble.
If she didn't encounter them.
There might not be a problem.
But if she did.
Ichinose would most likely lend a helping hand.
Actually.
In Hachiman's opinion, they might as well just give up.
As long as they could have some pocket money every month, there was nothing wrong with that.
Unfortunately.
Whether it was Ichinose or the students of Class B, they didn't seem to want to give up on rising to Class A. Hachiman could also understand the importance of Class A to them.
This was a headache.
He could only think of other strategies within the limited conditions.
"I see."
Ichinose thought for a moment and said with some hesitation: "Would it be better to just make up my mind?"
"That depends on yourself."
Hachiman took a sip of his MAX coffee indifferently.
The one who needed to make the decision was always her.
"Um..."
Ichinose pursed her lips again.
She actually hoped Hachiman would scold her or criticize her more harshly, but Hachiman seemed to think it was better not to change.
Hesitating for a moment.
Ichinose looked up, her gaze solemn as she stared at Hachiman.
"Hiki, I want to hear the truth. Do you really think it's okay for me to go on like this?"
"This..."
Sensing Ichinose's serious gaze, Hachiman couldn't help but be stunned.
This seemed to be very important to her.
To tell the truth.
From the perspective of Class B, if Ichinose continued like this, it would only get harder and harder, and the choices would become fewer.
After all, Sakayanagi, Katsuragi, Ryuen, and Horikita Suzune.
None of them were weak.
The probability of Class B rising to A was simply too low.
However.
On the other hand.
Hachiman lowered his head and fell into deep thought.
He didn't wish for Ichinose to change; kindness wasn't a bad thing.
After all.
Hachiman knew very well.
The original intent of this school was to allow people to chase personal points, so that students could better adapt to society and become elites in society.
If she changed.
Ichinose would likely become just like that Horikita Suzune.
Becoming slick, becoming more selfish.
That was truly repulsive.
Therefore.
From a personal perspective.
Although Hachiman felt that Ichinose lacked the ability to serve as a leader.
He didn't want Ichinose to have any changes, nor did he want Kobashi Yume and the others to change, nor did he want Class B to change at all.
Of course.
He felt Himeno Yuki could change a bit.
She was either having a headache every day or was on the way to having a headache.
In fact, it really wasn't necessary.
Hachiman felt.
Even if Himeno Yuki revealed her true side, Class B's attitude towards her wouldn't change in the slightest; they might even be happier.
The best result.
Would be for Class B to graduate with the status of Class A while remaining unchanged.
"Well."
Hachiman scratched the back of his head and gave two dry laughs:
"At least, I think there's nothing wrong with this. However, it still depends on your own thoughts, Ichinose?"
However.
He couldn't make the decision for Ichinose.
After all, this could be a major life event related to Ichinose's entire life.
If she followed the school's precepts.
Ichinose would at least be a superior social elite.
But if she listened to him.
Ichinose would more likely become a loser just like him.
Therefore.
Hachiman couldn't guarantee anything, nor could he give advice.
"Is that so..."
Hearing this.
Looking at the somewhat evasive Hachiman before her, a brilliant smile appeared at the corners of Ichinose's mouth.
Even though Hachiman spoke very evasively and even pushed the question back.
But at least.
Hachiman also expressed his opinion.
He didn't want her to have any changes.
And Ichinose's thought was.
Listen to you!
That was enough.
Ichinose breathed a sigh of relief, her pretty face couldn't help but turn a bit red:
"There's one more thing."
"Last time, didn't Hikki say he wanted something genuine?"