At five in the evening.
Everyone returned to the inn.
The boys lived in the guest rooms in the East Wing, while the girls lived in the Main Building. They were connected by a lobby in the middle, so moving between them wasn't difficult.
However.
Only girls were allowed free entry and exit to the boys' area; boys were prohibited from entering the girls' area.
The rooms were arranged from the lobby.
Starting from the first group, they were arranged in order toward the lobby.
Soon.
It was the tenth group's turn.
Taking the key, Hikigaya and the others arrived at the room.
It was a fairly spacious washitsu (Japanese-style room), consisting of 12 tatami mats.
A table and 4 cushions were placed in the center of the room, and a small table and two single-person sofas were placed by the window.
Just walking into the room.
Tokito Hiroya from Class C placed his travel bag on a cushion and sat down next to it. Sotomura Hidemichi also casually put down his travel bag and sat on the other side with a bit of restraint.
Restraint.
During skiing in the afternoon.
This guy was also a beginner, but he went straight to find his friends from Class D.
Hikigaya and Machida Koji respectively put their travel bags in the lockers.
In just this one scene.
One could see the difference between the two sides.
Although it wasn't a big deal, one could see the differences in living habits.
Hikigaya usually didn't care, but he wouldn't do things in public that might disgust people.
However.
As long as it wasn't too outrageous, boys didn't care that much.
Next.
Hikigaya's head started to ache.
Too many blunt opinions make one's head ache, and no opinions also make one's head ache.
Only now did he understand.
The importance of those loud guys; being able to liven up the atmosphere was indeed a rare ability.
The four people sitting here were all "silent gourds" (taciturn people).
Tokito Hiroya seemed to be a complete loner, and his face was somewhat cold. Sotomura Hidemichi also seemed to be restrained due to fear.
The only one likely to perform, Machida Koji, also seemed inclined to observe his performance.
As for Hikigaya.
Although he was very relaxed with Kamuro Masumi and the others.
But now.
He really couldn't do it.
Thinking about having to force himself to act cheerful and liven up the atmosphere made him feel a burst of embarrassment.
Simply put.
He couldn't get hyped at all.
However.
Strictly speaking, someone like Machida Koji.
Is the minority now, right?
There was no need to force a way to change the atmosphere; as long as they could successfully get through the school trip.
As a loner.
Everyone has their own way of making themselves happy.
As for whether Machida Koji was happy, that was none of his business; if he was uncomfortable, he would find a way himself.
"Space is limited."
Hikigaya looked at the room and said, "Let's decide where to sleep tonight first. Do you guys prefer sleeping on the inside or the outside?"
Washitsu.
Four sets of bedding are laid out together at night.
Even if someone gets up in the middle of the night for reasons like going to the bathroom, the position closer to the inside will not be disturbed.
Simply put.
The position closer to the inside is more advantageous.
Saying so.
Hikigaya turned his gaze toward Sotomura Hidemichi.
As a former loner, he understood the thoughts of people like Sotomura Hidemichi very well.
They are relatively self-deprecating.
Every time they see a "normie," they instinctively clear the way.
How should I say it.
He himself was now considered a "normie," so he must have some kind of pressure or something.
"Sotomura-kun, what kind of place do you prefer?"
"I'm fine with anything..."
It appeared.
The expected answer.
Feeling Hikigaya's sharp gaze, Sotomura Hidemichi managed to force a smile in response.
"I'm fine with either, too."
At this time, Tokito Hiroya leaned back in his chair and said nonchalantly.
Alright...
The few people sitting here were all loners, and the answers they gave were basically "whatever." Actually, Hikigaya was also "whatever."
Although sleeping on the inside is more advantageous.
But in other words.
The person sleeping on the outside won't disturb anyone even if they get up.
However.
Hikigaya understood now.
Responding casually like this is truly a bit difficult to manage.
A few loners gathered at one table; even if they wanted to cause conflict, they probably couldn't.
While thinking.
Hikigaya looked up at Machida Koji, only to see the other party shrug noncommittally, implying "whatever."
Unfortunately.
Hikigaya wasn't that naive.
This guy must be thinking of ways to trip him up again.
"Then I'll sleep on the inside."
"Um, I kind of want to sleep on the inside too."
Just as he spoke, Machida Koji said with a smile.
Undoubtedly, he wanted to test his ability to handle a crisis.
Unfortunately.
"Oh, then you sleep on the inside, I'll just sleep on the outermost side."
Hearing this.
Machida Koji's face stiffened, and the corner of his mouth followed with a twitch.
Dammit.
There's something wrong with this group.
How are they all this kind of people.
Now it's too late to regret it, otherwise it would only look like he was deliberately picking a fight.
"Then let's find the girls later to discuss tomorrow's affairs."
Hikigaya sat casually by the table and said:
"Since you've come to Hokkaido for a trip, you should have many places you want to go. Shall I call the girls over later, or shall we all go to the lobby to discuss?"
-looking.
Kamuro Masumi, Tsube Hitomi, Sakura Airi.
He believed the three would not refuse.
Only Ibuki Mio might be a bit of a problem.
But she also clearly understood the rule that the collective must act together.
If she wanted to duel Horikita Suzune, she had to discuss it with everyone to find an opportunity.
Presumably, Ibuki Mio wouldn't refuse either.
"Whatever..."
"Me too."
Hearing Tokito Hiroya's words, the little fat guy quickly followed suit and agreed.
Watching the scene before him, Hikigaya was truly frustrated.
If he were alone.
He could naturally be casual too.
But now.
Kamuro Masumi and the others would clearly take his lead; even if there were opinions, it would be the few of them discussing it among themselves.
Even if it were democratic.
They directly held four votes.
There was no doubt that Hikigaya held the dominant position in this group.
Only he could make the decisions.
As long as Hikigaya took the lead in opposing, even if others wanted to make decisions, they probably couldn't.
Presumably.
The others also felt troubled by such a group assignment.
In a group mainly composed of Class B, it was hard for others to have a voice, not to mention someone with an introverted personality like Sotomura.
Similarly.
The school trip.
It was clearly a golden opportunity to improve relations with the girls.
However.
Actually, two were Hikigaya's girlfriends, and another was very close to Hikigaya; only Ibuki Mio looked like she didn't want to contact anyone.
It was inevitable to feel a bit lost.
"Can you have the girls come over?"
Machida Koji asked with a smile.
But internally he was a bit confused.
At least in his eyes, Ibuki Mio was not the type to be easily dealt with.
"Should be no problem."
"Then I'll trouble you. Let the girls come over and try."
"No problem, I'll go tell Airi and the others in a bit."
Hikigaya nodded.
After all, it was internal group business; discussing it internally was at least better than discussing it in a public place.
"Before that, let's first unify on the places we want to go. We can go quite far by train or bus. What do you guys think?"
"Whatever..."
""
Dammit.
Hikigaya's expression didn't change, but he was a bit annoyed internally.
Although it's not bad that things are progressing smoothly, hearing the word "whatever" now was a bit infuriating.
Even if he wanted to integrate opinions.
He didn't even have the chance to integrate opinions.
I see.
This was his former self.
No wonder he wasn't popular.