Weekend.
Hikigaya was resting his head on a soft pair of thighs, a pleasant scent constantly wafting into his nose.
Gently brushing the hair away from Hikigaya's ear, Ichinose lowered her head and inserted a feather stick into his ear, blowing gently.
"How is it? Does it feel good?"
"It feels good~"
Feeling the soft feather stroking inside his ear, with occasional weak air currents, Hikigaya's face was full of enjoyment.
Watching this.
Yuki Himeno, sitting on the edge of the bed, felt something was slightly off.
"Honami, don't pamper him too much."
Yuki Himeno said with furrowed brows.
Throughout this period.
She finally felt a trace of something wrong.
Whether in bed or in daily life.
It seemed Ichinose never refused any of Hikigaya's requests; as long as Hikigaya spoke, she would frankly accept.
Although Ichinose was inherently kind and rarely refused anyone in the class.
But as long as it was something wrong.
Ichinose would still try to reason with the person.
But Yuki Himeno had a feeling.
If Hikigaya made some unacceptable request, Ichinose might hesitate but then accept it anyway.
This was completely treating Hikigaya as the backbone.
It was the same in daily life.
Ichinose would help Hikigaya bathe almost every day, help him organize his room, help him cook, and help him change his shoes.
Although it might not be obvious in class.
But back in the dormitory.
Ichinose gave off the aura of a young wife, with everything centered around her husband.
Like the weak wives in TV dramas.
Even if she knew her husband was cheating.
Ichinose might silently endure it without limits.
To protect this family.
She felt that Ichinose might even run out to earn money herself to support her husband.
Himeno was speechless.
Although Hikigaya wouldn't do that, Ichinose was nearly pampering him to the heavens.
If it were anyone else.
Harmonious family life wouldn't be a bad thing.
But after all, it was Hikigaya.
This guy wouldn't move even if pushed, and would retreat if pulled.
If this continued.
It felt like Hikigaya would be pampered into a useless person by Ichinose.
"Eh?"
Ichinose looked up slightly and said somewhat embarrassedly:
"No. It's just that I also really want Hikki to feel comfortable. Every time I see Hikki like this, I feel very happy. Isn't it the same for you, Yuki?"
"Ugh..."
Yuki Himeno said uncomfortably: "Even though that's true, there should be a limit, right? Honami, you should be a bit more careful."
"It's fine, Hikki has a sense of proportion too."
Ichinose said indifferently.
Hearing their conversation, Hikigaya also got up indifferently and sat behind Ichinose.
"Then let me knead your shoulders instead."
"Eh, isn't that unnecessary?"
"Don't worry about it. It's indeed a bit embarrassing to always have Honami take care of me. Let it be me this time."
As he spoke.
Hikigaya kneaded Ichinose's fragrant shoulders; it seemed a bit of fatigue had made her muscles slightly stiff.
"It feels so good."
Ichinose also sat obediently in her position to enjoy it.
Watching this, Yuki Himeno furrowed her brows.
Alright.
With Hikigaya's sense of responsibility, it was indeed unlikely that he would be pampered into a useless person by Ichinose; in the end, he would mostly go out and attend school properly.
But something still felt wrong.
"Honami, let him knead you later. Hikki, come out with me for a moment."
As she spoke.
Yuki Himeno pulled Hikigaya toward the outside of the dorm room, and Hikigaya followed her helplessly.
The two went into the hallway.
"What on earth is it?"
Hikigaya said speechlessly: "Are you being a bit strange today?"
"Answer me honestly."
Yuki Himeno crossed her arms and said seriously:
"For this exam, do you truly think that forming ties with the first-years is the best way?"
"Yes."
Hikigaya nodded with some confusion.
Actually.
Aiming for the class points for first place in the exam.
Spending private points to team up with first-years with high academic ability.
That was also a method.
Since there would be corresponding exams in the future, mostly based on profit-driven relationships, there was nothing wrong with it, and Hikigaya was more inclined toward this.
But.
Building a relationship of equality with the first-years was also a good method, better than spending private points, and should be considered more of a "kingly" way.
Of course.
The premise was knowing how to utilize that relationship, otherwise it would be better to just trade with private points.
"That's good then."
Yuki Himeno finally breathed a sigh of relief, but her heart was still not at ease.
Actually.
It didn't matter how much Ichinose pampered Hikigaya.
After all.
Hikigaya had a strong sense of responsibility and knew what he should do.
But the problem was.
Hikigaya seemed to also pamper Ichinose.
That was the big problem.
Class C originally only had Hikigaya who dared to speak bluntly.
If Hikigaya pampered Ichinose too much, even he wouldn't be able to question Ichinose's methods.
That would be a real disaster.
It would be even more impossible for this class to rise to Class A.
However.
Yuki Himeno also found it hard to judge which method was better.
Every time, it felt like what Ichinose said made a lot of sense.
But up to now.
Although the class's grades weren't too bad, they actually weren't that good either, and were slowly declining.
In fact.
Yuki Himeno also felt that Hikigaya might be more reliable.
He was more likely to lead the class to Class A.
Unfortunately.
Hikigaya didn't want to be the class leader.
He didn't want to himself.
Naturally, others couldn't force him, and they didn't have any good solutions.
"Hey."
Yuki Himeno asked again:
"Would you consider becoming the class leader? I feel Ichinose and Kanzaki and the others would all be very supportive."
"No."
Hikigaya rolled his eyes.
As for the reason, it naturally didn't need to be said again.
He wasn't some masochist.
Even if the whole class asked him to, Hikigaya wouldn't accept; he was not suited for this position.
"I knew it. Let's go back."
Yuki Himeno rolled her eyes and took Hikigaya's arm as they returned to the dorm room.
Although Hikigaya felt more reliable.
Yuki Himeno herself also knew very well.
Hikigaya's personality truly wasn't suited for being a leader.
It was just like Suzune Horikita.
Someone with strength but no social skills, who cannot care for the emotions of others, can never truly become a leader.
But if Hikigaya were to become smooth and diplomatic like Suzune Horikita.
Yuki Himeno thought for a moment.
It felt like it would be far too difficult.
This guy completely refuses to move when pushed and retreats when hit. To want Hikigaya to make a hard effort to change.
It's simply too difficult!
Forget it.
As long as Hikigaya and Ichinose don't pamper each other.
As long as he can still frankly express views that are different.
As a strategist contributing to the class.
That is enough!
It remains to be seen if Hikigaya will have different insights for the next special exam.
"Then let's continue."
Just after returning to the bedroom.
Hikigaya sat behind Ichinose again to knead her shoulders.
Only.
Watching this, Yuki Himeno still had a bad feeling.