The school building.
Hachiman and Ichinose arrived at their new classroom.
In the new month, the class had already been fitted with the "2nd Year Class C" doorplate.
Although it was already expected, seeing the cruel truth before her eyes made Ichinose feel even more self-reproachful.
The current class points were:
Class A led by Katsuragi: 1058 points.
Class B led by Ryuen: 698 points.
Class C led by Ichinose: 673 points.
Class D led by Horikita: 218 points.
Compared to last year, they had only increased by a pitiful 23 class points, which was undoubtedly the smallest growth among all classes.
Ichinose couldn't help but feel regret.
Whether it was the VIP exam or the previous Event Selection Exam, it was always like this.
If she could have been more decisive, even if they couldn't rise to Class A, the situation certainly wouldn't be like it was now.
A gap of nearly four hundred points from Class A.
Although it wasn't time to give up yet, the gap was already making people a bit pessimistic.
"Um... how should I say this..." Hachiman quickly tried to comfort her. "We just need to keep working hard from now on".
"You're right".
Ichinose regained her smile and hugged Hachiman's arm as they walked into the classroom. As long as he was by her side, she felt like any difficulty could be overcome.
"Phew".
Hachiman also took a deep breath and stepped forward.
He felt his palms sweating a bit.
Speaking of which, he had just rejected Ichinose's confession a while ago.
He had said it so definitively, as if he would definitely not date Ichinose.
And now, he had started dating her just like that.
Did the face-slapping come this fast?.
It was truly embarrassing enough to make him want to find a hole to crawl into.
He didn't know what others would think.
It would be fine if they just looked down on him, but it would be bad if it affected Ichinose's evaluation.
Hachiman straightened his chest.
He managed a stiff smile and followed Ichinose into the classroom.
"Everyone, ya-ho~".
"Honami-chan, morn—".
The people from Class B turned to say hello, but before they could finish, their voices grew faint.
The gazes of Shibata and the others were drawn to Hachiman; Ichinose was intimately holding his arm.
Feeling everyone's stares, Hachiman also felt a bit awkward.
His attention was drawn to the classroom blackboard. The chalk blackboard from the first year had been replaced by an electronic screen.
It also displayed the seating chart for the new year.
Seriously, anyone... can someone please say something? This is really awkward.
"Everyone, what's wrong?" Ichinose asked with a face full of smiles.
It was natural for everyone to be surprised, right?.
For some reason, Ichinose really wanted to share her current joy with them.
At this moment, watching the scene, Amikura Mako and Kobashi Yume's pretty faces were stiff.
Shibata, on the side, was equally lost. Perhaps he had long guessed this day would come.
And Himeno Yuki's face was pale.
She watched the scene before her eyes in disbelief.
Impossible. This shouldn't be happening.
Didn't he just reject Ichinose last time?.
Furthermore, how could Hachiman accept someone's confession?.
However, the intimate scene before her was so piercing. Himeno Yuki suddenly felt an urge to go up and tear them apart.
Right at that moment, Kobashi Yume leaned over to her, putting her arm around Himeno's shoulder with a complex expression to comfort her.
On the other side....
"Honami-chan..." Shirami Chihiro was somewhat delighted.
She knew very well how much Ichinose liked Hachiman; now she only hoped Ichinose could be even happier.
"Are you two... dating now?".
"Yes".
Ichinose nodded generously.
"We started dating during spring break. Sorry I didn't show my face the past few days".
"No, no, no".
Shirano Chihiro shook her head repeatedly, becoming more excited.
"Honami-chan, as I thought, you were with Little Hikki all through spring break, so sneaky! I was a bit worried".
"Sorry for making everyone worry. I'll show up often from now on".
"Congratulations, Honami-chan".
As she spoke, several girls he wasn't familiar with gathered around.
The gazes of Shirano Chihiro and the others also landed on Hachiman, immediately making Hachiman's hair stand on end as he quickly straightened his back.
He was undergoing inspection by Ichinose's friends.
If he messed up, it might affect Ichinose's reputation.
But Hachiman really didn't know what to say, so he quickly nodded in response.
"As I thought, you're a good match".
Chihiro became even more excited. "I feel like leaving Honami-chan to Hikki will definitely be okay!".
"Honami isn't yours".
Hachiman accidentally retorted.
Dammit, Honami is mine. How can she be Shirami Chihiro's? Wait, that's not right either. It should be that I'm Ichinose's.
Crap. I think I said the wrong thing.
Hachiman felt a bit embarrassed and quickly added: "In short... I'll work hard".
"Heehee".
Shirami Chihiro and the others couldn't help but laugh. "As I thought, Hikki feels very reliable. Congratulations, Honami-chan, for finding such a good boyfriend...".
"Mm, I will cherish him well too".
Ichinose held Hachiman's arm, a bit embarrassed. "I will definitely work hard to become a woman worthy of Little Hikki".
"Honestly, you two are too humble, right?".
"Yeah, I feel like Honami and Hikki are really a good match together".
"I agree too. Hikki and Honami-chan are both people who especially consider the other. You will definitely be happy~".
"It's so nice. When can I get a boyfriend~".
"By the way, Little Hikki definitely has to treat us to a meal properly, otherwise I won't let you have Honami-chan~".
"No problem...".
A group of girls surrounded the two of them. Hearing everyone's blessings, the smile on Ichinose's face was a bit embarrassed, but her heart was even happier.
And Hachiman barely maintained the smile on his face.
Occasionally, when spoken to, he would nod in response.
This was what Ichinose usually faced. Being by Ichinose's side, the pressure was really high.
Hopefully it won't be too expensive?.
But the feeling of being blessed by others was indeed not bad.
On the other side....
Several boys walked over to Shibata's side. Kanzaki patted him on the shoulder.
"Let's go get something to eat after school. My treat".
"Sorry".
Shibata shook his head bitterly. "I'm not in the mood today".
"It's fine".
Kanzaki said helplessly. "You'll feel better after eating something. Forget it, I don't really understand either. Anyway, don't take it to heart too much".
"Yeah...".
Taking a look at Ichinose's brilliant smile in the crowd, and then at Hachiman beside her.
Shibata let out a sigh and said somewhat helplessly: "Although I felt it would turn out like this sooner or later, only now do I truly feel that they might really be a good match...".
Kanzaki patted his shoulder without saying much more.
Looking at Hachiman and the others, he also gave a sincere smile.
Whether it was Ichinose or Hachiman, they were both people who would rather sacrifice themselves for their companions.
The two were really a good match.
Fortunately, although Shibata had a bit of a childish temperament, he was also a very gentle person.
There shouldn't be any big issues.
Hachiman, being sandwiched among the girls, felt a bit awkward.
For some reason, he didn't see Kobashi Yume, Amikura Mako, or Himeno Yuki. He turned around to find the three of them sitting in their seats and not approaching—perhaps because there were too many people.
But it was still inevitably a bit disappointing.
He had gotten a girlfriend.
He had planned to treat everyone to a big meal after school; surely a couple of words of congratulations wouldn't hurt?.