Keyaki Mall.
On the street.
"Katsuragi."
The three were preparing to return to the school; according to Katsuragi's guess, Ishigami Kyo was likely still at the school.
Hikigaya walked between the two, glancing toward the right:
"Is your relationship with that Ishigami very good?"
"I suppose so."
Katsuragi didn't hide it at all: "During the last cross-grade selection exam, we reached a cooperation with him."
"What kind of person is he?"
"If we're talking about the physical aspect, he's a bit frail, and he's not very good at socializing."
Saying this, Katsuragi frowned and glanced at Hikigaya.
"To put it bluntly, he might be somewhat similar to you. Don't worry too much; from my view, the probability of him agreeing is not low."
"I see."
Hikigaya nodded, but he didn't fully accept it.
"Honami, do you know that Ishigami-kun?"
"I've only met him a few times."
Ichinose nodded and, after thinking for a moment, explained:
"He gives the impression of someone who cares very much about his companions and is merciless toward enemies; if we state it directly, I also feel the possibility of Ishigami-kun agreeing is high."
"I see..."
Hikigaya nodded.
Birds of a feather flock together.
Being able to get the recognition of both Katsuragi and Ichinose at the same time, it could be roughly judged that Ishigami Kyo should be decent.
At the number one track and field ground.
Although the Sports Festival had already passed, there were still a few people maintaining their exercise; a figure with shoulder-length hair caught Hikigaya's attention.
First-year Class A: Ishigami Kyo.
Academic Ability: A+
Physical Ability: D-
Decision Making: B+
Social Contribution: D
Comprehensive Strength: B-
Looking at the OAA data, Hikigaya nodded.
It was indeed as Katsuragi and the others said; Ishigami's social skills seemed weak.
A physical ability evaluation of D-.
It showed that before entering school, Ishigami Kyo was not a person who was enthusiastic about exercising.
Yet now, near the Cultural Festival, he still maintained such exercise.
Clearly.
He had sensed the uniqueness of this school and was making up for his weakness in physical ability.
Quite self-disciplined.
Learn whatever is useful...
Hikigaya rubbed his chin.
It seemed Ishigami Kyo's way of thinking was completely different from ordinary people.
It wasn't about learning knowledge to arm oneself for exams, but judging what is useful to oneself and then learning it, and possessing considerable executive power.
If it were an ordinary school.
Ishigami Kyo would more likely just do some ordinary exercise to maintain normal health.
It was hard to judge whether this way of thinking was good or bad.
If it were at the start of the school year.
If Hikigaya had also maintained exercise like Ishigami Kyo.
Now, he might not be able to fight a top-tier contestant like Sudo, but arm-wrestling with Hirata should be possible.
It's just that Hikigaya felt.
That kind of effort didn't have much meaning.
Soon.
Wait until Ishigami Kyo slowed down and began to walk slowly; Hikigaya waited a moment and then walked up to him.
"Ishigami-kun, is it convenient to disturb you for a moment?"
"Long time no see, Ishigami-kun."
Katsuragi and Ichinose greeted him respectively, and Hikigaya also nodded to him as their eyes met.
"You seniors have been observing me for some time; is there something?"
Ishigami's breathing was slightly rapid, but his tone was extremely calm as he asked.
After all, Hikigaya and the others didn't hide, so it was normal to be noticed.
"This is Hikigaya from second-year Class B."
"I've heard a bit about him."
Ishigami turned toward Hikigaya and nodded: "So, is there something Senior Hikigaya is looking for me for?"
"I suppose so; to put it simply, we are here to pull votes for tomorrow's Student Council election."
Hikigaya nodded.
Since he was someone Katsuragi recognized, it was better to explain the pros and cons clearly.
After all.
They were in different grades.
There were no conflicts of interest between the two sides.
Soon, Hikigaya repeated the words he had just said to Katsuragi to Ishigami Kyo once again.
"I see, I have no particular objection."
Ishigami Kyo thought for a moment and nodded with a calm expression.
He didn't expect.
That he would actually accept it so easily.
It seemed that in Ishigami Kyo's eyes, protecting companions was more important than class points.
And.
Giving lower-tier classes a chance to rise to A.
Even if they are briefly overtaken by other classes, in the end, it still depends on each class's strength.
It was fair to all four classes.
"However."
Saying that, Ishigami Kyo changed the subject and looked at Hikigaya:
"Senior Hikigaya, no, Senior Katsuragi and Senior Ichinose might have some misunderstanding about me."
"It's just because my opinions are often accepted that I can be trusted by everyone; I am not the leader of first-year Class A."
"I will convey this matter to them, but as for whether they will cast their votes for Senior Ichinose, I don't guarantee that."
Really?
It seemed Ishigami Kyo did not view himself as a leader.
Hikigaya was a bit surprised.
"It's fine, this is already enough; thank you for your help."
"No need."
Ishigami Kyo said with a calm expression: "What I'm doing is just passing on a message; even if you didn't look for me, most of Class A would likely still cast their votes for Senior Ichinose."
"If there's nothing else, I'll head out first."
Saying that.
Ishigami Kyo then turned and left.
Hikigaya has his own considerations, and they have theirs as well.
The candidates have been basically determined.
If one absolutely had to choose between Ichinose Honami, Horikita Suzune, and Yagami Takuya.
Without a doubt, it would be Ichinose.
At least, Ishigami Kyo consistently maintained vigilance toward Yagami Takuya.
...
After the few parted ways.
Hikigaya and Ichinose were returning to the dormitory building.
Although it was just a leak, he hadn't expected things to go so unexpectedly smoothly.
Cooperating with people like Katsuragi and Ishigami Kyo.
It really was quite relaxed.
The most important thing was still the two's confidence in their own strength.
Even if they temporarily dropped out of Class A, their will was firm and they would not doubt their own strength.
At this time.
Ichinose was operating her phone, and Hikigaya poked his head over with some curiosity.
"Who are you chatting with?"
"Nanase-san and Tsubaki-san; I feel they should also be able to help."
Ichinose was still replying to messages and couldn't help but reflect:
"I used to always feel that it was fine to just participate in exams uprightly, but that really is a bit insufficient, isn't it?"
Although it was slow.
Ichinose had also changed to some extent.
Although she didn't understand what Hikigaya was doing, seeing him always looking very busy, Ichinose also reflected.
For academic exams, let everyone have study sessions; for physical tests, let everyone strengthen their exercise; she almost had no strategies to speak of.
Even the cooperation with Class A was proposed by Katsuragi himself.
Had she been too naive in the past?
"I suppose so."
Hikigaya nodded.
Although he felt there was no need to say much to Nanase Tsubasa and Tsubaki Sakurako—even without saying anything, they would certainly vote for Ichinose.
However.
Although he felt Ichinose was fine as she was, he would not interfere with Ichinose's change in any way.
Only support would suffice.