Keyaki Mall.
As it was close to the start of school, there weren't many students on the road, but there were still a few scattered here and there.
Watching Ichinose intimately holding a boy's arm, several people couldn't help but look on in shock.
"Isn't that the first-year Ichinose?".
"I've seen her in the Student Council. It should be her. Are those two... dating?".
"Who's the guy next to her?".
"Don't know".
"I don't know either, I have no impression of him".
After the class poll exam, for a period of time, Hachiman's name had spread as a topic among the upperclassmen.
But it was only limited to the realm of rumors.
After all, Hachiman basically lived a two-point line life between the school and the dormitory; not many had seen the man himself.
"By the way, why would Ichinose date someone like that?".
"He doesn't seem to have any special features".
"Yeah, at most he's just a bit handsome".
"It's truly hateful. A fine cabbage being gobbled up by a pig".
Several people spoke out in indignation.
The gazes directed at Hachiman were full of jealousy. If looks could kill, Hachiman might have been killed hundreds of times already.
However, what they said wasn't entirely false.
The average level of looks at this school was too high; there were too many handsome guys and beautiful girls, making it hard to stand out based on appearance alone.
The standard for judging a person was usually based on their evaluation in school or their friends.
And as for Hachiman Hikigaya, there was no impression.
If he were dating an ordinary girl, it might even garner a lot of blessings.
But the partner was Ichinose—someone who undeniably stood at the peak of the school, the most popular "school flower" of Advanced Nurturing High School. To think she was taken by such a plain-looking guy.
It was simply detestable.
However, perhaps because they didn't want to lower their evaluation in Ichinose's eyes, they kept their distance.
And their conversation wasn't loud.
It was just that those piercing gazes still made Hachiman feel like there were thorns in his back; he knew exactly what those people were thinking.
Without a doubt, he was currently undergoing a public inspection.
"What's wrong?" Ichinose tilted her head, a bit confused.
"Nothing, let's walk faster".
The two quickened their pace.
A moment later, a bright bald head appeared in their field of vision.
It was Katsuragi.
For Class A, it was probably rare to see him going to school at this specific time.
Unlike his usual solitary figure, Katsuragi was currently surrounded by several students.
Katsuragi was dealing with the people around him with a calm expression.
His steady posture was truly convincing.
Seeing this, Hachiman and Ichinose had no intention of going up to say hello.
However, one of the boys looked in their direction, his eyes instantly showing shock, and he then whispered a few words to Katsuragi.
Before Hachiman and the others could move forward, they saw Katsuragi say something and walk over alone.
"Morning".
Seeing Ichinose holding Hachiman's arm, Katsuragi said with a flat expression: "Are you two dating?".
"That's right".
"I guess so".
Ichinose smiled and nodded, while Hachiman felt a bit embarrassed.
Hey, is the dynamic here reversed? This is definitely going to make people look down on me.
"Saying congratulations might be a bit inappropriate," Katsuragi looked at the scene, and a smile couldn't help but appear at the corners of his mouth, "But you are a good match. If others find out about this, it will definitely be big news".
"Katsuragi-kun, thank you for your blessings".
Ichinose hugged Hachiman's arm, also a bit embarrassed. "I will definitely work hard to be worthy of Little Hikki".
"No, no, no, it should be me working hard to be worthy of you, right?".
Hachiman looked at Ichinose, dumbfounded.
What was this girl saying? If Ichinose kept working harder, how was he supposed to survive?.
"Heh".
Seeing this, Katsuragi couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Whether it was Hachiman or Ichinose, they were both people who prioritized the other; they really were a good match.
Hearing his laughter, Hachiman's face darkened.
"Is it okay for you to just run over here like this?".
The implication was: if you have something to say, say it. You couldn't have just come over to give blessings, right?.
"Yeah, let's talk while we walk".
Katsuragi straightened his posture and walked over to Hachiman's side, saying seriously: "I heard you lost to Ryuen in the Event Selection Exam. Can you tell me about it?".
Hachiman looked at Ichinose.
After all, Ichinose was the class leader, but there was no harm in telling him about something that had already happened.
"Mhm".
Ichinose nodded.
She briefly recounted their exam.
"As I thought," Katsuragi's expression became grave. "Although it shouldn't be my place to worry, you should still be careful of Ryuen in the future".
"What's this," Hachiman said speechlessly, "You seem very afraid of Ryuen".
"It's not to that extent," Katsuragi shook his head, his expression still full of wariness.
"It's just that I really don't want to be enemies with that guy. Ryuen is like a venomous snake; you never know when he will jump out and bite you. It's best to stay vigilant at all times".
"...".
Hachiman was speechless.
Normally, that would be considered being afraid, right? This guy Katsuragi was still being stubborn. He really didn't know what was so scary about Ryuen.
"Yes".
Ichinose also nodded seriously.
"We also plan to take this incident as a lesson. However, Katsuragi-kun, it's great to see you standing in the middle of a crowd again".
The underlying meaning was: Is Class A under your leadership now?.
Ichinose's strength wasn't weak; it was just that her temperament was a bit lacking.
Hachiman didn't interject much, but standing between the two of them felt a bit awkward.
"Yeah," Katsuragi breathed a sigh of relief from the bottom of his heart. "We passed safely this time. To be honest, if nothing unexpected happens, Class A is being led by me".
"I looked for you this time because I have something to tell you".
"Hmm?".
Not just Ichinose, but Hachiman was also curious.
"I want to cooperate with you," Katsuragi said with a serious face. "Let our two classes form an alliance to jointly deal with Ryuen, Horikita Suzune, and the others".
"Huh?" Ichinose tilted her head.
Now that they had dropped to Class C, it wasn't strange for Class A to want to cooperate with them.
"Even though we've dropped to Class C," Ichinose said seriously upon hearing the business matter, "The gap with Class B isn't large—only twenty points. I believe we can return to Class B soon".
"It doesn't matter," Katsuragi shook his head, his gaze grave. "I'm not looking for a short-term cooperation, but a long-term strategic alliance".
"Whether you rise to Class B or even Class A, it doesn't matter".
"I want to crush Ryuen and Horikita Suzune first. I want them to completely lose the chance to rise to Class A".
"When that time comes, our two classes can decide the winner".
"This strategic alliance will last for at least one year!".
"Huh?".
Looking at Katsuragi, Ichinose and Hachiman were stunned at the same time.
This guy. Such boldness.
Clearly, although he had been suppressed by Sakayanagi for a long time, during this period, Katsuragi had also seen the threat posed by Ryuen, Horikita Suzune, and the others.
In this past year, the class that had grown the fastest was undoubtedly Horikita Suzune's Class D.
If this continued, Horikita and the others might become formidable enemies.
Furthermore, Katsuragi might actually have a bit of "ophidiophobia" (fear of snakes).
He didn't even mind letting them rise to a higher class for now, as long as they could suppress the two most troublesome opponents first.
And it was a union of the strong: Class A and the original Class B.
This kind of alliance was much better than being a "nanny" for Class D.
If it weren't for a chaos-seeker like Sakayanagi, Katsuragi would undoubtedly be a very troublesome leader.
"This..." Ichinose couldn't help but look at Hachiman and said, "This kind of alliance seems more beneficial to our class. Is it really okay?".
"If you're worried," Katsuragi said calmly and with high spirits, "We can sign a contract. We won't be enemies in competitive exams and will assist each other in group exams. How about it?".
"However, I think your credit is trustworthy enough".
"Not at all," Ichinose shook her head and breathed a sigh of relief. "Katsuragi-kun is also a very trustworthy leader. Let's advance and retreat together!".
Being enemies with such a person was at least much more comfortable than being enemies with Ryuen or Horikita Suzune.
Even if they lost, they would probably be convinced.
There was no reason to refuse such a collaboration!.