Returning to the class.
Hachiman didn't tell anyone about the exam to expel Ayanokouji.
Although the exam was issued in the name of the Student Council.
This was entirely a private matter between Acting Director Tsukishiro and Ayanokouji, clearly exceeding the scope of a school exam.
It was better not to get involved.
Furthermore.
If they knew about such an unreasonable exam.
With the general style of Class C, they would likely protest to the school or perhaps even stand on Ayanokouji's side.
Lunch break.
Ichinose activated her magnetic field.
Several tables were naturally pushed together, and a group of girls naturally gathered.
Watching the scene before him.
Hachiman, holding his bento box, was a bit dazed; in this case, maybe he could eat alone.
To be honest.
He actually preferred to go to his club alone to enjoy lunch, but as Ichinose's boyfriend, this was clearly inappropriate.
"Oh, Hikki, sit here in my spot."
Just then, his deskmate Tsube Hitomi stood up with a smile to give up her seat, taking her lunch box to sit next to Ando Sayo.
"Thanks."
Only then did Hachiman sit next to Ichinose and open his bento.
Lunch was also prepared by Ichinose last night: fried chicken strips, fried pork cutlets, octopus ham, broccoli, and so on.
One look and his appetite surged.
It wasn't inferior to the cafeteria's B-set at all.
However.
Hachiman was more concerned about the scene just now.
This was his first time formally coming into contact with Ichinose's social circle.
Truth be told.
For Ichinose to create such an atmosphere in the class.
To make the class so united and possess such terrifying cohesion.
While Ichinose's contribution was indispensable, it was also thanks to everyone in the class having a gentle heart.
Hachiman felt a surge of respect.
But.
Absolute fairness does not exist.
No matter what kind of group it is, someone will inevitably draw the short straw and end up taking on more work.
Over time.
No matter the group, some conflicts will inevitably arise.
Tsube Hitomi seemed to have taken on the role of the compromiser; whenever there was a problem, she was basically the first to back down.
For the class to become like this, her contribution was essential.
Only this way.
Could the class maintain this kind of balance.
Though.
He didn't know if she did it voluntarily or was influenced by the atmosphere.
"Waaa~"
Ando Sayo's eyes lit up, and she said with some excitement:
"As expected, Hikki's bento was also made by Honami-chan; it's exactly the same."
"I... I guess so."
Hachiman felt a bit embarrassed.
"Then..."
Ando Sayo, sitting opposite him, said playfully: "Hikki, can I have one of your chicken strips?"
"Eh?"
Hachiman was a bit stunned and said helplessly: "That's not okay, right?"
This was made for him by Ichinose; how could he let someone else eat his chicken strips.
Speaking of which.
Can the other person really call out his full name?
They had only spoken a few times, their relationship wasn't that good yet, how could she just ask him for chicken strips like that.
"Eh?"
Ando Sayo swayed her body and drawled out:
"I want to eat the chicken strips Honami-chan made, please?"
"I really can't do anything with you."
While Ando Sayo held her mouth open, Ichinose picked up a chicken strip from her own bento box and fed it to her.
"Then let's do it like before."
"Great, as expected, it's better to be like before."
Only then did Ando Sayo reveal a smile, and the others nearby also smiled as they placed their bento boxes in the middle of the table.
"Here, Hikki."
After placing a piece of tempura in Hachiman's bowl, Ando Sayo smiled.
"Although it's not as good as Honami-chan's, give my cooking a try too."
Hachiman was suddenly a bit dazed.
What was going on.
While it would make Hachiman feel bad if they were being cautious because of his presence, you guys putting the bentos in the middle like this...
Hachiman still felt very awkward.
They weren't just classmates anymore.
It was almost like they were one family.
The cohesion of the class seemed to exceed his imagination.
Ichinose is truly amazing.
Or is it that almost all the girls are like this?
"Thanks."
Hachiman said with a bit of embarrassment.
Only, it felt like Ichinose was somehow not quite in the right state.
After finishing lunch.
Hachiman was called outside by Ichinose.
"Um..."
Ichinose said with some hesitation: "I have something to ask you, could you please answer me seriously!"
"Oh, okay."
Hachiman couldn't help but feel nervous; could it be that Ichinose actually hated what just happened but found it inconvenient to say?
"Um..."
Ichinose pursed her lips and said with a complex expression: "Do you know that Yuki-chan likes you a lot?"
"Eh?"
Hachiman was startled, then spoke wordlessly: "That's impossible, right?"
"I see."
Ichinose nodded, then said helplessly:
"However, it seems this is true."
"Well, I think it's impossible. Could it be another rumor someone's spreading?"
Hachiman scratched his head, truly unable to believe it.
It was enough if Himeno Yuki didn't bully him.
Liking him?
You've got to be kidding.
He felt it was more likely that those who had a crush on Ichinose were jealous and wanted to use this method to break them up, and the key was that it also victimized Himeno Yuki.
It was truly despicable.
"Yume-chan told me."
Ichinose said with some helplessness: "It doesn't matter if you didn't know; actually, it seems Yuki-chan has liked you for a long time."
"Uh..."
Hachiman was suddenly dumbfounded.
If it was Kobashi Yume who said it, the probability of it being a rumor was extremely low.
Himeno Yuki liked him?
"Then..."
Hachiman said awkwardly: "Then the reason she took today off, could it be because of me?"
"Maybe, but putting that aside for now."
Ichinose opened her mouth, hesitated, and still asked:
"Hikki, what... do you think should be done?"
"What do you mean by what should be done?"
"Just... that is..."
Being so hesitant was really unlike Ichinose; after a long time, she asked in a tentative tone:
"If, I mean if, if Yuki-chan were to confess to you, what would you do?"
"I'd definitely refuse."
Hachiman said helplessly.
Even though Himeno Yuki took leave because of him.
He couldn't say he liked Himeno Yuki, and he certainly couldn't just abandon Ichinose now.
"That's good then..."
Ichinose couldn't help but sigh in relief.
She knew clearly.
Currently, Hachiman couldn't really say he liked her either.
However.
Ichinose would definitely work hard to make Hachiman fall in love with her.
If Hachiman liked Himeno Yuki, Ichinose really wouldn't know what to do.
This makes things much simpler!
"Hikki, sorry."
Ichinose said somewhat apologetically: "Could you eat dinner out first? I want to go see Yuki-chan after school."
"No problem..."
Hachiman nodded and said with some helplessness: "By the way, can you please not treat me like a baby."
"I'm not, these are things I should be doing, right?"
Ichinose rolled her beautiful eyes before flashing a smile again.
"The Student Council still has some things to do, so I'll be going first. Also, Hikki, don't be so tense; you can act more casually."
"I'm not tense..."
"You clearly are, even Sayo and the others could see it."
"Uh..."
Hachiman was slightly stunned.
Only then did he realize.
Ando Sayo and Tsube Hitomi probably saw his awkwardness.
That was why they proactively gave up their seat, acted spoiled while giving him food, and took the initiative to close the distance so he wouldn't be nervous.
Wasn't it supposed to be "beware of fire, theft, and your girlfriend's best friends"?
Why did they all seem like good people...
"Then I'm off."
"Oh."
Watching Ichinose's departing figure, Hachiman turned toward the classroom and saw Shibata, Kanzaki, and the others who had just finished eating.
Both sides froze for a moment.
Hachiman hesitated, truly not knowing how to speak.
Strictly speaking.
Shibata clearly liked Ichinose.
But this was a matter of mutual affection; the other party shouldn't have any room to intervene, and Hachiman didn't need to have any particular thoughts toward him.
But it still felt a bit awkward.
After a moment's hesitation.
Hachiman felt he still needed to make things clear with Shibata.
"Are you okay?"
Hachiman stepped forward and asked.
Young man, you should just give up; you have no chance.
"How could I be okay."
Shibata shook his head, clenched his fist, and gave him a light thump on the chest, saying somewhat bitterly:
"Although it feels a bit wrong for me to say this, I'm still going to say it: if you ever dare to treat Ichinose poorly, I won't let you off."
"Then you'll have no chance."
Hachiman couldn't help but smile.
It seemed that although Shibata found it hard to accept, he wasn't someone who couldn't face failure calmly.
"True enough."
Shibata let out a sigh and looked up at Hachiman.
"I've lost completely. But, you have to make Ichinose happy!"
"Don't worry."
Hachiman nodded seriously: "Although I can't guarantee anything, I will do my best."
"See you later then."
Shibata sighed and turned to walk into the classroom.
He knew.
When Hachiman says he'll "do his best," it means he'll do it even if it kills him.
Losing to someone like that.
It's not unfair.
He believed Hachiman would take responsibility to the very end.