Essential.
May 1st.
The exam has ended, and today is the day to announce the exam results.
On the day of the exam.
Hikigaya even once considered whether to get a zero.
To just drop out cleanly.
But this would not only involve Tsubaki Sakurako, it still wouldn't solve any problems, and the result wouldn't change.
Hikigaya still took the exam listlessly.
Today's last class.
Hoshinomiya Chie operated the buttons, and the LCD screen displayed the exam results.
First Place: Second Year Class A led by Katsuragi.
Second Place: Second Year Class C led by Ichinose.
Third Place: Second Year Class D led by Horikita Suzune.
Fourth Place: Second Year Class B led by Ryuen.
It was just an exam focused on making friends with the first-year students. Ryuen's class itself wasn't good at studying, so the exam results weren't that important.
What was important.
Was the class point results for each class after this exam.
Second Year Class A: 1108 points
Second Year Class B: 703 points
Second Year Class C: 698 points.
Second Year Class D: 228 points.
Although there was only a slight difference of five class points, they finally returned to the position of Class B!
"Great!"
"I thought we'd keep losing and wondered what would happen."
"But being able to return to Class B is truly great."
"Although there's still a gap from Class A, if we just work a bit harder next time, there will surely be a way."
"That's wonderful, Ichinose!"
There was a jubilant atmosphere in Class B, as Kobashi Yume, Amikura Mako, and others hugged Ichinose affectionately to celebrate.
Although it was only second place.
Returning to Class B was indeed something worth celebrating.
Hikigaya covered his forehead but couldn't feel happy no matter what.
He was very clear.
All of this was just Sakayanagi acting as a bridge in the middle.
He didn't know if she used private points or just used words to convince some people in First Year Class A.
In short.
This was all just so Sakayanagi could return to being the leader of Class A.
Part of her plan.
Thanks to Sakayanagi's help behind the scenes.
They indeed returned to the position of Class B.
However.
By the time the next exam arrived.
Sakayanagi would inevitably threaten Hikigaya to betray the class.
Betrayal might be inappropriate; it was just making Hikigaya hold his own class back, while simultaneously holding Class A back.
Making both classes experience a major defeat at the same time.
Sakayanagi would then have the chance to become the leader of Class A again and kick Katsuragi off the stage once more.
It was very clear.
This was a foreseeable future.
Sakayanagi wouldn't care about class interests, nor would she care about the pawn's thoughts; she would only act for her personal desires.
Hikigaya covered his cheeks, not knowing what to do.
Should he really betray the class?
If he listened to Sakayanagi this time, what would happen next time, and the time after that? He would be controlled by Sakayanagi until graduation.
Maybe by the time they graduated.
Sakayanagi would no longer care about a small character like him.
But.
Is this really okay?
PE class.
"Three thousand meters, ready, start!"
With a "bang" from the starting gun, Hikigaya rushed out of the track like crazy, quickly surpassing Watanabe, Hamaguchi, and the others.
He took first place in the boys' group with a slight advantage.
Hikigaya supported himself with his hands on his knees, panting heavily.
"Hikigaya."
Hamaguchi laughed and teased with rapid breath:
"Running like that, have you gone crazy? You didn't want to show off in front of Ichinose and the others, did you? Wanting them to see your cool side?"
"..."
Hikigaya squeezed out a forced smile and said: "No, I'm already in the second year, so it's about time I put in more effort. I'm going to go practice some more on my own."
As he spoke.
Hikigaya dragged his exhausted body and turned to leave.
After finishing the run, he did pull-ups, followed by sit-ups, frog jumps, and push-ups to complete the cycle.
During this period of time.
That was how it had been going.
It wasn't because of how much effort he was putting in.
It was just.
Hikigaya already didn't know how to face the class.
Exhausting himself to the point where his brain couldn't think at least made things a bit easier.
On the other side.
When it was time for a break.
Watching Hikigaya, who was still exercising.
Himeno Yuki and Ichinose huddled together, watching the distant Hikigaya with furrowed brows:
"Honami, don't you think Hikigaya-kun has been a bit strange lately? Why has he suddenly become so hardworking?"
"Has he?"
Ichinose also thought for a moment and said: "Didn't he say a while ago that when he reached the second year, he would start preparing for higher education and work hard?"
"While that's what he said, yes."
Himeno Yuki nodded.
With growth in age and thinking.
Indeed, many people started to study and exercise hard in their second year to prepare for higher education or future jobs.
Hikigaya had indeed said he would start working hard in the second year.
"But isn't this a bit too much effort?"
Himeno Yuki still felt something was off.
During this time.
Not just in PE class, but even after school.
Hikigaya always practiced until very late.
He didn't return to the dormitory until seven or eight in the evening.
Even after returning to the dormitory, Hikigaya would study hard until eleven or twelve at night.
Had he suddenly changed his personality?
The transition was surely a bit too fast, wasn't it?
For example, a while ago, Hikigaya would have preferred to stay in bed with them every day for a week.
Now, Hikigaya hasn't touched them much lately.
Only once or twice a week.
"That's also true..."
Hearing this, Ichinose couldn't help but furrow her brows as well.
Although Hikigaya seemed to have consulted with the PE teacher, putting in so much effort would also have an impact on his body, wouldn't it?
But every time they asked.
Hikigaya would brush it off with the excuse of working hard to get into Class A.
It felt.
Unknowingly.
There was a sense of distancing.
"Honami."
Himeno Yuki's expression wasn't very good as she said: "Do you think he's lost interest in us?"
"Eh?"
Ichinose was slightly stunned, then shook her head: "Probably not, Hikigaya-kun isn't that kind of person."
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"Well..."
Himeno Yuki also felt it didn't seem like it, then furrowed her brows again and said:
"Then it's an affair; that guy couldn't have another woman outside, could he?"
"That's even more impossible."
Ichinose rolled her eyes, feeling a bit speechless.
Himeno Yuki beside her was also a bit confused; at least Hikigaya didn't look like someone who would have an affair.
If someone had used the same method as her, then some rumors should have been heard more or less.
But lately.
No rumors were heard; everything was the same as usual.
Only Hikigaya was like he had been injected with chicken blood. Clearly, such a training method would inevitably lead to muscle soreness the next day.
But he still trained every day without stopping.
Even regardless of the wind or rain.
Does a person really have such strong self-discipline?
Changing just like that?
When he should be lazy, he does nothing; when he should work hard, he instantly becomes a different person?
Himeno Yuki still couldn't quite believe it.
Although Hikigaya's starting to change, work hard, and become stronger in ability was indeed not a bad thing.
But it still felt like something was off.