At the F8 area task location.
Having just arrived at this riddle task, Amikura Mako went to register, while Shiranami Chihiro took the tablets of the three to charge.
The three had a clear division of labor.
As for Hikigaya, he was mainly responsible for clearing the path for the two of them.
Looking around at the figures, Hikigaya spotted Horikita Suzune standing alone to one side, preparing for the exam. It seemed this girl was still taking the exam alone without forming a group with anyone.
This point truly made Hikigaya a bit puzzled.
He clearly felt that Horikita Suzune had become more well-rounded; logically speaking, it wouldn't be surprising for her to aim for the top three with companions.
Given Horikita Suzune's personality, not forming a team with others to aim for the class points of the top three, but instead taking the exam alone, likely meant there was something in her heart even more important than class points.
Thinking of various things in his mind, Hikigaya didn't go forward to greet Horikita Suzune; after all, he and Horikita Suzune were merely acquaintances who had met a few times.
And the gazes of people around were full of disdain, as if they were looking at a plague god.
Hikigaya felt that, to avoid causing trouble for others, unless necessary, it was better not to talk to anyone.
Soon, as the task began, Hikigaya walked over to the charging location to meet with Amikura Mako and the others.
The field of the riddle was simultaneously announced on the tablet.
[Field ——————— Anime Complete.]
[Question 1: Which of the following is the title of the 13th episode of the TV anime "Mobile Suit Gundam"?]
Goodbye, Gundam.
Burn, Gundam.
Cry out, Gundam.
Tears of Gundam.
"Uh…"
Amikura Mako was suddenly a bit dumbfounded, and Horikita Suzune on the other side couldn't help but let out a startled sound.
"What is this."
The people around were also somewhat stunned.
Never expected that it would be this kind of question.
Feeling the gazes of Amikura Mako and Shiranami Chihiro, Hikigaya was also a bit embarrassed.
This was indeed somewhat unexpected.
He thought it would be some kind of riddle, but it turned out to be a question in the field of anime; he heard that the items for this exam included all kinds of abilities, but anime was still too ridiculous.
Although Hikigaya often watched anime, he wasn't so much of a shut-in that he would memorize the name of every single episode.
However, this wasn't very difficult either.
At least the 13th episode in most seasonal anime was already the grand finale.
Hikigaya was clear on this point.
Mobile Suit Gundam was clearly a mecha-type anime; most of these anime were basically themed around passion, and then sold merchandise and toys to children.
In that case, the answer was simple.
In a passionate mecha anime's finale, Hikigaya unhesitatingly chose the second one.
[Correct Answer: 2. Burn, Gundam!]
See.
Very simple.
One didn't need to be overly proficient; as long as one had a slight understanding of a field, one could similarly deduce the correct answer.
Hikigaya flashed a slightly proud smile at the two.
Clearly he guessed right—no, he deduced it correctly.
Immediately after, Question 2 appeared.
[Question 2: Which of the following is the person who sang the theme song for the TV anime "Escape from the Undersea Chicken"?]
Looking at the second question, Hikigaya felt some disgust.
Damn it, since it's a task in the field of anime, please give me some questions about Pretty Cure; he could definitely answer those correctly.
Soon, the riddle task ended.
The Hikigaya group obtained second place and got five points.
"That's great, Hikigaya."
Amikura Mako looked at Hikigaya with some admiration; she didn't expect him to be so good at riddles.
Even in a field that ordinary people had completely no contact with, he could still guess correctly.
He was truly amazing.
"So amazing, Hikigaya."
Shiranami Chihiro was even a bit excited. "We can also consider other tasks; this way we might be able to squeeze into the top 70%."
Their choices were actually very few.
Tasks involving physical ability didn't need to be considered, and lifestyle-type tasks could basically be given up; the only ones they could actually participate in were academic tests.
And whether it was Hikigaya or Amikura Mako, their academic levels were only upper-middle; whether they could obtain points also depended on a bit of luck.
The more choices they had, the greater the chance of ranking higher.
"No, it was only second place."
Turning his head to look at the first-place Sudō Ken, Ike Kanji, and the others, Hikigaya felt a bit angry.
He hadn't expected Class D to have such hardcore otakus; it was truly beyond expectations.
If it were about Pretty Cure.
He wouldn't have lost!
Thinking of this.
Hikigaya felt somewhat unwilling...
Anime cannot lack Pretty Cure, just as the West cannot lack Jerusalem.
Trash school.
They actually didn't even know this, causing him to miss out on first place for nothing.
"It's already very impressive. This way, we can get 2L of drinking water."
Amakura Asako, who had retrieved the prize, smiled indifferently.
Only then did the group start moving, heading toward designated area 19.
Walking in front of the two, Hikigaya let out a faint sigh, feeling quite helpless.
There was nothing to be done.
That's just how he was.
He knew a little bit about everything, yet didn't know much about anything; when encountering a professional in a specific field, he could only face defeat.
However.
Second place was enough.
Just as they left the task point.
Watching Horikita Suzune moving toward area 19 as well, Hikigaya was somewhat surprised; they seemed to have the same itinerary.
"How unexpected."
Horikita Suzune walked up to them, looking at Hikigaya with a cold expression and saying: "I didn't expect you to actually take second place. Do you know a lot about animation?"
"I guess so."
Hearing this, Hikigaya was slightly stunned and nodded: "Is there something you need?"
"No, I just happened to be passing by and came over to say hello. I won't disturb you further."
Saying that.
Horikita Suzune quickened her pace and soon disappeared from the sight of Hikigaya and the others.
There were still benefits to being in a solo group.
One could move freely according to their physical condition, whereas they still had to coordinate with Shirami Chihiro's speed.
People who dare to take the exam solo.
Are indeed powerful individuals.
Their scores were probably not as high as Horikita Suzune's alone.
There was no need to force a comparison with such people.
Hikigaya quickly followed the path where Horikita Suzune had gone; following behind a strong person could also save some physical energy.
"Class D."
Amikura mako, following behind, said with some confusion: "It seems there are many people taking the exam alone."
"Yeah."
Hikigaya couldn't help but nod, a trace of worry in his eyes.
For this exam.
Second-year Class D had the highest number of solo examinees in the whole school.
If it were just a matter of being unsociable, it would be fine, but if it were out of confidence in their own strength, that would be truly terrifying.
Moreover.
There was also Sudō, who had integrated into the collective.
Is there something wrong with the class placements at this school?