After scouting the combat power of each class.
Everyone left separately. Kanzaki and Shibata prepared to return to the playground to exercise, while Hikigaya and Ichinose remained sitting on the bench.
"What should we do..."
Ichinose scratched her hair with a bit of a headache and said: "I thought Koenji was unconventional and wouldn't participate in the Sports Festival like last year. I didn't expect him to train so seriously. As expected, doing it like last year won't work, will it?"
Indeed.
"Yeah..."
Hikigaya nodded, his face showing a bit of helplessness.
Both of them were very clear that the version had changed now.
Compared to team cooperation, more emphasis was now placed on individual strength. Participating in competitions based on interest like last year definitely wouldn't work.
Even with cooperation from Class A.
But the reality was.
Even if Class A and Class B were added together, they probably weren't enough to beat Class D.
The gap in top-level combat power was simply too disparate.
Furthermore.
Horikita Suzune and Ryuuen Kakeru weren't idiots either.
In the last deserted island exam, the cooperative relationship between Class A and Class B had clearly been exposed. The two of them probably wouldn't just watch.
Like attracts like.
Good people will be attracted to each other.
Bad people have no choice but to be forced to cooperate.
Horikita Suzune and Ryuuen Kakeru still had the possibility of cooperation. Although a cooperative relationship bound by interests is fragile, it is still cooperation.
Looking at Ichinose's distressed expression, Hikigaya suddenly realized.
He was the class leader now, and also Ichinose's boyfriend.
He couldn't show a weak side.
Anyone could complain, but he couldn't complain anymore. Otherwise, it would not only affect the people around him but also greatly affect the class morale.
"However."
A smile appeared at the corner of Hikigaya's mouth as he stroked Ichinose's small head. The hair tickled his hand, but she seemed to enjoy the feeling very much.
"There will always be some way, right?"
"It's true."
Feeling Hikigaya's palm, Ichinose's face turned red.
Although she initially had some doubts about Sakayanagi's words, she also liked Hikigaya's occasionally strong expression like this now.
Otherwise.
Waiting for Hikigaya to proactively stroke her head.
That would probably be an impossible thing forever, and Ichinose was also embarrassed to speak up.
Since she was Hikigaya's woman, she must also show her best side and not let Hikigaya worry too much and affect his performance.
"Anyway, there's still some time before the Sports Festival. There will always be some way."
"Mm."
As he spoke.
Hikigaya pinched his chin and began to ponder.
Although for some reason, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had never shown any intention of taking action, so let's put him aside for now.
As for Hirata Yosuke.
Shibata could barely handle him, so he could also be put aside for now.
What remained.
Was Koenji, Sudo, Horikita Suzune, Ibuki Mio, and Kushida Kikyo. It would be best if Kitou and the others could also be considered.
Although they were in a cooperative relationship with Class A.
It would still be best for Class B to take first and Class A second.
As for Albert, he was just burly and good at fighting; he wasn't good at sports.
Clearing his thoughts.
Hikigaya suddenly felt it was very simple.
As long as he could handle these two guys, Koenji and Sudo.
There was no other way.
These two guys were simply too perverted.
Any one of them was not someone others could deal with. Last year, it was because Sudo left halfway that Shibata was able to get the MVP.
As for the others.
Although they couldn't compare to Horikita Suzune and the others, in terms of comprehensive strength, Class B wouldn't lose.
The remaining question was—
How to handle these two people.
"Honami."
Hikigaya frowned and asked somewhat puzzledly: "Why do you think Koenji would suddenly start putting in effort for the class?"
"Hmm..."
Hearing this, Ichinose also lowered her head in thought:
"Maybe because it's almost the third year, Koenji also realizes he can't continue like this?"
"Hmm..."
Hikigaya frowned.
Should he say that Ichinose's thinking was too positive?
He played enough so he started working hard?
No matter how he thought about it, he didn't feel that Koenji was the kind of person with a sense of collective honor; he felt Koenji was more for himself.
Otherwise.
He wouldn't have caused such trouble for Class D in the past, right?
After all, Koenji's usual unconventional behavior would undoubtedly affect class points; he should have restrained himself somewhat.
Could it be that he was attracted by the Class Transfer Ticket?
But his performance in the deserted island exam also didn't make sense; it was truly a bit incomprehensible what Koenji wanted to do.
"Or, is it that Horikita-san gained Koenji's recognition?"
Ichinose proposed a second possibility.
"I really hope that's not the case..."
Hikigaya shook his head bitterly.
He had to admit.
This possibility was high.
There was no other way.
Who told Koenji to also be a member of Class D.
It wasn't prejudice either; although Class D also had people like Sakura Airi and Hasebe Haruka who were gentle and kind.
But they actually had their own problems too.
If Koenji recognized Horikita Suzune, it undoubtedly meant he and Horikita Suzune were the same kind of people.
Hikigaya truly didn't think he had the ability to persuade people like Horikita Suzune.
"Forget it."
"I won't be able to figure anything out just by thinking here."
"Better find an opportunity to get in touch with Koenji and the others."
Hikigaya took a deep breath and said with some helplessness.
Dealing with someone like Koenji was bound to be a troublesome matter.
"Then what is Hikki planning to do?"
"Hmm?"
Hikigaya pinched his chin and pondered.
It would be best not to let Horikita Suzune know that the current leader of Class B was him, so as to catch the others off guard.
"Let's call Kanzaki; the three of us should go together. I'll have to trouble you then."
"Understood."
Fortunately.
Ichinose's strength was not weak either—no, it should be said that Ichinose was stronger than him in socializing; she definitely wouldn't be led by the nose.
The next day.
Hikigaya felt.
It would be best not to let Horikita Suzune know about this matter.
At least.
Until the matter was settled, try to avoid contact between Horikita Suzune and Koenji.
However.
Koenji's action patterns were ethereal.
No one knew how he would act next.
Furthermore.
During the cruise treasure hunt game last time, according to Nanase Tsubasa, Koenji's insight was also extraordinary.
Hikigaya didn't have much confidence in his own tracking ability either.
If Koenji found out someone was following him, it would be bad if he developed unpleasant thoughts that affected the negotiation.
Fortunately.
He was no longer acting alone.
Keyaki Mall was not very large.
As long as it was a normal life, one would eventually run into him.
Hikigaya just gave a simple instruction in the group chat, and someone soon responded that Koenji was found at the Palette Cafe.
The power of a group is convenient.
Soon.
The three of them arrived at the Palette Cafe, and Koenji, who was sitting in the hall, immediately caught the three people's eyes.
"Whew."
Hikigaya took a deep breath and followed Ichinose up.
I really don't want to deal with an inexplicable person like Koenji.