Lunch break.
Watching everyone push their desks together and take out their bento boxes, Sakura Airi was simply dazed.
"Umm..."
After a moment of hesitation.
Sakura Airi tugged at Hikigaya's sleeve and lowered her voice.
"Hikki, are Yume-chan and the others always like this?"
"Always like this..."
"Eh?"
Hearing Hikigaya's voice, Kobashi Yume and the others noticed Sakura Airi's oddity, and Amikura Mako and the others reacted immediately.
"It seems Airi-chan hasn't prepared a bento; do you usually eat in the cafeteria?"
"Yes."
Sakura Airi's face turned red, but she still nodded: "Usually, I eat with Kaka in the cafeteria, I rarely cook for myself."
After a whole morning.
Everyone also knew that Sakura Airi had a good friend in Hasebe Haruka.
"Here, Airi."
At this time, Ichinose took out several bentos from her school bag and handed them to Hikigaya, Himeno, and Sakura Airi respectively.
"This is the portion prepared for you."
"Eeeeh!?"
Sakura Airi was greatly shocked: "There's a portion for me too?"
"Yeah, I usually prepare lunch for Hikki and Yuki-chan, so I also specifically prepared a portion for you."
Ichinose smiled indifferently, which immediately made the eyes of Kobashi Yume and others toward Sakura Airi look slightly different.
After all.
The three of them—Hikigaya and the others—were dating.
It was normal for Ichinose to prepare lunch for them.
Now,
She had even prepared Sakura Airi's lunch together?
It certainly felt a bit off, but Amikura Mako and the others didn't ask further.
Even if Hikigaya started dating Sakura Airi now.
Everyone wouldn't find it strange.
They had already gotten used to it.
"How... how much money?"
Sakura Airi quickly pulled out her phone, speaking with a face full of panic.
"No need."
"It's just preparing one more person's meal, it's not a big deal."
"Besides, Airi-chan is already our partner; there's no need to be so nervous."
"Oh..."
Sakura Airi responded weakly.
Partner, huh.
First meeting.
Although she had already made up her mind to face all difficulties properly.
But integrating into the class for the first time, she was truly somewhat unable to handle the enthusiasm of Kobashi Yume and the others.
In Class D.
She only stayed close to Hasebe Haruka and the others; her concept of the class was very hollow.
Until now.
Sakura Airi experienced the existence of a class for the first time.
Everyone is like family; it turns out a class can exist in this form.
Truly incredible.
After finishing lunch.
Hikigaya sat in his seat, somewhat understanding the feeling of being in a situation where one cannot act as one wishes.
Facing such a class.
Speaking bluntly shouldn't be a problem, but it might still cause some trouble.
Sometimes.
Taking a detour to do the same thing does have more benefits.
Thinking of this,
Hikigaya stood up and spoke.
"Honami, can you go buy a bottle of water with me? Does anyone else want anything to drink?"
"Oh, okay."
"Then trouble Hikki to bring me a bottle of black tea."
"Then I want lemon tea!"
"What about Airi?"
"I want MAX coffee..."
"Understood."
Everyone didn't notice anything wrong either; Hikigaya and Ichinose left the classroom and arrived at the vending machine downstairs.
Ichinose stood beside him, pulling a plastic bag open with both hands.
"Honami."
While putting the drinks into the plastic bag, Hikigaya said in a deep voice: "I have some things I want to talk to Tsube about alone first; can you tell me about her situation first?"
"Eh?"
Ichinose said with some confusion: "Hikki, is there something you need with Hitomi-chan?"
"No, I just simply want to understand her thoughts."
"Okay."
Ichinose didn't think much and nodded: "Hitomi-chan is very calm, she listens to others seriously, and she is very enthusiastic about helping everyone; she is a very good person."
"Is that so..."
Hikigaya nodded, not taking it all in.
Whenever any group does anything, there will inevitably be someone who draws the short straw.
Benefit!
Class B can be so harmonious.
Aside from Ichinose's leadership charm, Tsube Hitomi's contribution is indispensable.
At least in Hikigaya's eyes.
He could often see Tsube Hitomi undertaking the most arduous work that no one else wanted.
Even.
In the last uninhabited island exam.
He could see Tsube Hitomi forming a group with people from Class C.
Even if Tsube Hitomi didn't say anything, it was not certain if she had other thoughts in her heart.
In the past, he could not care.
But now, he inevitably had to consider everyone's thoughts.
"Hikki, is there a problem?"
Ichinose tilted her head in confusion....
"I'll tell you later; I'll go talk to her in a bit."
Hikigaya thought for a moment and shook his head.
It's probably hard to hear the truth in front of everyone; considering the other person's emotions, it's better to inquire separately.
"Got it."
Ichinose was also very relieved and returned to the main topic:
"Coincidentally, I also have some things I want to discuss with Hikki, although you said to act according to my wishes."
"But for this sports festival, I want to continue cooperating with Class A."
"Is that also okay?"
"Hmm?"
Hikigaya was stunned for a moment.
The situation this year is completely different from last year.
Last year, Ichinose let everyone participate in various events based on their interests.
And this year.
Ichinose has also grown somewhat.
At least she knew it was difficult to achieve victory in her past way.
In the last uninhabited island exam.
The cooperation with Class A also yielded results; it was normal to want to continue cooperating with Class A.
On the uninhabited island, the main consideration was how to avoid expulsion; being able to take third place was an unexpected joy.
Now.
Hikigaya finally discovered the problem.
There is a huge difference here.
Previously, Ichinose formulated strategies based on Class B's interests and emotions; now, her way of thinking leaned more toward chasing victory.
More realistic, more practical.
Ichinose is still as gentle as before, but she has clearly been influenced by this school.
This change was not sudden.
Instead, it was the subtle influence of the school.
Even Ichinose has changed; at least she is no longer as naive as when school started, and others are likely even more so.
As for whether this change is good or not.
Hikigaya wasn't very sure.
If it's for becoming an outstanding social elite.
It should be a good thing.
"No problem."
Hikigaya thought for a moment and nodded.
Individual events need not be mentioned; the events that can create the most gap in this sports festival are undoubtedly the group events that can be freely selected starting from the sixth item.
Cooperating with Class A indeed increases combat power.
Only.
Unlike Ichinose's approach.
By the third year, Katsuragi likely won't cooperate with Class B anymore.
Hikigaya wouldn't pin all his hopes on Katsuragi.