September 1st.
The third semester began.
Karuizawa headed to school one step ahead.
Although there was the guarantee from Ichinose and the others, and Hikigaya also promised he would protect her.
The classes were different after all.
For the sake of her status in class and her own safety, Karuizawa still didn't want to expose this relationship.
Hikigaya only came to school with Ichinose, Sakayanagi, and the others.
...
2nd Year Class B.
"Good morning, everyone~"
As soon as he stepped into the classroom, Hikigaya gave a warm greeting.
"Morning..."
Amikura Mako and the others were just about to speak, but looking back at Ichinose and the two others, their attention was drawn to Hikigaya.
His face bore a somewhat awkward smile, his hairstyle seemed to have been specifically arranged by a barber, and the bangs on the left were slightly raised.
Like a "riajuu" (normie)?
"Hikki..."
Kobashi Yume was suddenly shocked: "You... your hair... what's going on with your hair?"
"Oh, this?"
Hikigaya twirled a corner of his bangs with his finger and joked: "How is it? Not bad, right? "
"Hmm..."
Several girls couldn't help but crowd around Hikigaya, sizing him up. Ando Sayo nodded and said:
"It looks quite suitable for you, but why did you suddenly think of doing your hair? It feels a bit unlike you."
"It's nothing."
Hikigaya smiled with full confidence: "I want to give my all to rise to Class A from now on. Think of it as a kind of determination."
"Pfft..."
Ando Sayo pressed the back of her hand to the corner of her mouth and laughed:
"Making a determination by cutting your hair—isn't that something only girls do? Hikki, why do you have such an idea?"
"Who knows, maybe I have a maiden's heart too."
Hikigaya raised his eyebrows and joked, which immediately caused the people around to widen their eyes.
It felt like he had completely changed into a different person.
In reality.
At this moment, Hikigaya's legs were also a bit weak.
Over the past half-month.
Not only was he required to do morning runs and study, but he also had to learn how to understand women from Ichinose and the others, and there was also training in psychology and dialogue.
Even the hairstyle.
Was one Sakayanagi took him to have cut by "Tony," although the style was chosen by Himeno Yuki.
It was truly embarrassing.
Hikigaya really wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Unfortunately.
Behind him was that little traitor, Himeno Yuki, who was watching him every moment.
If he didn't appear confident enough.
She would immediately report it to Sakayanagi. It felt like this person had almost been tamed by Sakayanagi.
...
2nd Year Class B.
Culture Festival Overview.
The first-place second-year students will be given 5,000 private points to be used only for culture festival preparations in each class, which can be freely utilized within this range.
(First-year students will get 5,500 points, and third-year students will get 4,500 points for initial expenses.)
Additional funding will be given based on social contributions such as student council service and activities in clubs.
(The details will be formally announced to each class once confirmed.)
Initial expenses and additional funding will not be reflected in the final turnover; therefore, if unused, they will be confiscated.
Classes from 1st to 4th place will receive 100 class points.
Classes from 5th to 8th place will receive 50 class points.
For classes from 9th to 12th place, there will be no change in class points.
On the podium.
Hoshinomiya Chie had cast off her usual laziness and was explaining the contents of the culture festival seriously, which in turn shocked the people of Class B.
They didn't expect.
That Hoshinomiya Chie would have such a serious side.
It wasn't strange, though.
In the last special exam on the deserted island.
Class D directly gained 300 class points, and was already only 200-plus points away from Class B.
Presumably.
Hoshinomiya Chie had felt a strong sense of crisis, which is why she took Chabashira Sae's "lower class overcoming upper class" behavior so seriously.
Compared to rising to Class A,
Hoshinomiya Chie wanted even more to keep Chabashira pinned down in Class D.
Two months of preparation time were given to the students.
After the sports festival ends in October, the culture festival will be prepared for November.
Moreover.
It was the first attempt in the history of Advanced Nurturing to hold a culture festival, and it was said many dignitaries would be invited.
Without needing to think much.
Hikigaya felt it surely had something to do with that Ayanokouji again.
...
The briefing ended.
"Food and beverage, haunted houses, mazes, cafes, concerts, plays—hmm, it feels like these are the usual items, right?"
On the podium.
Having received Hoshinomiya's permission.
Ichinose operated the tablet to list several common projects for culture festivals.
Then she turned to look at the students below.
"These should be some common projects for the Cultural Festival. What kind of shop do you all think would be better for us to prepare, or perhaps if you have other ideas, you can bring them up."
"What does Honami-chan think?"
"As for me."
Ichinose pondered for a moment, becoming a bit embarrassed.
"As for me, I'd rather like to open a dessert shop. Besides, when it comes to a Cultural Festival, one thinks of haunted houses and food; we should be able to expect the visiting adults to patronize us as well."
"Indeed, I also strongly agree with the catering category."
"Yeah, I remember Kobashi and the others are also very good at cooking; the cookies they make are super delicious. This should be considered our specialty, right?"
"Then how about a dessert shop?"
Unsurprisingly.
It was still Ichinose's one-woman show.
Up until now, the class had maintained its position as Class B, and everyone had no dissatisfaction with Ichinose's leadership.
"Hikki, what do you think?"
"I don't have any objections either."
Hikigaya nodded frankly.
Compared to fighting all over the place.
It was better to let the leader directly point out a direction and have everyone work together toward that goal.
The most important thing was.
The top eight can all obtain Class Points.
The reward for fourth place is the same as the Class Point reward for first place.
Therefore.
There was no need to obtain too high a rank. What was important was not what kind of shop was opened, but what kind of means would be used.
Since Ichinose chose a dessert shop.
Then just think about how to win based on that foundation.
"Well then, it's decided to be a dessert shop."
Ichinose smiled and nodded.
From her attitude, she didn't seem to view the Cultural Festival as a special exam.
Instead, just like last year's Sports Festival, she was more inclined to enjoy the Cultural Festival itself.
"Next."
Ichinose held a tablet and fell into thought: "It's regarding the location of the shop. Does everyone have any thoughts?"
"Should we still choose the main gate? That way there will be more tourists."
"But the rent for the main gate is ten thousand points; wouldn't that be a bit expensive? Also, the Cultural Festival is from ten in the morning to three in the afternoon. If they just entered the gate, their appetite might not be very high, right?"
"Then how about choosing the Special Building? The rent is also relatively cheaper, and by then it should be almost noon, right?"
A group of people chattered incessantly.
Hikigaya also pinched his chin, staring at the tablet in his hand.
For this Cultural Festival.
Students could rent shops at locations designated by the school.
Customers enter from the main gate, then enter the Special Building, and leave from the back.
The more foot traffic a location has, the more expensive the rent; the locations at the back even have free shops.
To be honest.
Hikigaya was not very good at money management and logistics.
But whether it was because of Sakayanagi's request or out of his own thoughts.
He still wanted to rise to Class A.