Keyaki Mall, Karaoke.
The people of Class B were fighting over the microphones.
Hikigaya sat on the sofa feeling somewhat exhausted.
Although he had gone back to the dorm to wash up, his body still felt a wave of fatigue; it would probably be sore tomorrow.
Beside him were Ichinose and Kanzaki, who must have felt just as exhausted as he did.
In contrast.
The guys from the sports clubs were really something.
"Is that person really a teacher..."
Hikigaya looked at the scene before him with some speechlessness; Hoshinomiya was dragging Sakura Airi and the others to sing Karaoke on the stage.
"Sensei has always been like that."
"But, it doesn't feel bad."
Kanzaki's brow was still furrowed as he turned to the main topic.
"Hikigaya, what do you think of Ayanokouji's last ball? Was it luck, or his true strength?"
"Who knows."
Hikigaya sighed while drinking cola.
"However, it's probably better to imagine it as his strength."
"Is that so..."
Kanzaki was still obsessed with the special exam from earlier.
Although they won the match and rose to Class A, he couldn't be as straightforwardly happy as Sumida and the others.
It couldn't be helped.
That ball from Ayanokouji was too startling and had left quite a shock on Kanzaki.
Setting aside study ability.
Such hitting ability and physical fitness.
In items that tested stamina, it broke through the concept of being unsolvable.
This matter definitely couldn't be hidden.
Once this information was known, capable people would likely start considering how to guard against Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
"Although I probably shouldn't need to say it... but."
Kanzaki said solemnly: "Hikigaya, even if we rise to Class A, we can't be careless because of it."
"Of course, I know that."
Hikigaya nodded.
Rising to Class A didn't represent the end; only the class that was in Class A upon graduation was the winner.
But.
Being Class A had some benefits.
Profit.
The brand effect between different school years, as well as obtaining more Private Points every month, were practical benefits.
This exam had an additional expenditure of nearly five hundred thousand to buy proxy-answer chances; it would take just one month to break even.
Just then.
Hoshinomiya Chie walked over, followed by Sakura Airi and the others who were somewhat excited.
"Don't be so serious, just relax properly for now."
Hoshinomiya forced her way into a seat, her face full of smiles as she put her arms around Ichinose and Hikigaya's shoulders.
Rising to Class A.
This teacher seemed extremely happy.
No.
It should be that Chabashira Sae falling back to Class D was what made her so happy.
"Sensei."
Kanzaki asked with some concern: "Do you know what Ryuuen and the others did in this exam? Why did Class A lose?"
"Although I heard Ryuuen did some small foul tricks, it seems it was just a normal match."
Hoshinomiya Chie was not stingy with information.
But.
Since this matter wouldn't be hard to find out with a little inquiry, it wouldn't be a violation.
"But just now Ryuuen and the others didn't seem very happy?"
"Honestly, Sensei doesn't know everything either."
While coming to Karaoke to celebrate.
They happened to run into Ryuuen's group, who were currently in Class C.
They were likely there to celebrate as well.
Except Ishizaki and the others looked very excited, whereas Ryuuen did not; instead, he looked quite solemn.
As for the reason.
Hikigaya had a rough guess.
But during the match.
Several cameras were set up outside the field.
With such strict supervision.
The risk of playing small tricks was extreme.
The current campus environment was no longer suitable for Ryuuen's methods.
If he wanted to continue his previous ways.
Ryuuen would have to rack his brains to come up with even more subtle tricks.
Or start taking the straight path of studying hard.
It was just that it was already the third year, so it might be a bit late.
On the contrary.
From the contact on the phone just now, Kamuro Masumi's response despite the defeat was quite composed.
Part of the reason was that she didn't care much about the position of Class A, but it could also represent the overall view of Class A to some extent.
It should be the composure brought by the massive amount of Private Points the class possessed.
Besides Ayanokouji.
Katsuragi also needed to be highly guarded against.
As the only class that didn't choose Protection Points in the Unanimous Voting Exam, Class A had reaped the biggest benefit since the Student Council reform.
Although Katsuragi had already lost the only Protection Point.
But Class A.
As long as they weren't idiots who messed around spending Private Points.
It wouldn't be surprising if they had sixty million Private Points now.
Based on living habits since the first year, it might even reach eighty million or more.
With such high Private Points.
Even an idiot could at least get one or two wins, or cause the opponent to lose once or twice.
Therefore.
Even if they fell to Class B.
Katsuragi and the others weren't panicked in the slightest.
In the entire second year, the only one who felt panicked was actually Ryuuen's class, which had just achieved victory.
Having said that.
Class C was currently only about 400 Class Points away from Class A.
Depending on the situation.
Maybe just one exam.
And it wouldn't be strange to jump directly to Class A.
The plunder battles with high rewards meant that not a single class could relax.
"Rather than that, Honami, let's sing a song together."
"Eh, I really can't do anything with Sensei."
Ichinose was somewhat helpless and followed Hoshinomiya back to the stage.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei is really something, completely different from previous teachers."
Sakura Airi leaned on the sofa somewhat tiredly.
Just now, being dragged to the stage by Hoshinomiya to sing really made her feel quite embarrassed.
"Don't look at her like that, she's also a good teacher."
"Hmm, Hoshinomiya-sensei is really amazing, I feel like she's like an older sister."
Hikigaya couldn't help but laugh.
They really did get along like sisters, and Hoshinomiya was caring for everyone in her own way.
"Speaking of which."
Hikigaya turned to Sakura Airi and lowered his voice:
"Airi, do you remember the thing I told you before?"
"Eh?"
Sakura Airi quickly reacted: "You mean the thing about joining the class, right? I still remember."
"Hmm."
Hikigaya nodded: "After the spring break is over, I'll have to trouble you to help with the next special exam."
"Hmm."
Sakura Airi nodded forcefully.
It was truly incredible.
Even though she had just changed to a different class, meeting old familiar faces again felt like meeting strangers, and she didn't know how to greet them.
This must be the sensitive heart of adolescence.
Wanting to communicate with people from Class D again indeed required courage.
Forget it.
When the time comes, I'll just have Ichinose help her out.
Turning his head.
Hikigaya inadvertently locked eyes with Hoshinomiya Chie on the stage; under the orange lights, Hoshinomiya's face looked a bit flushed.
Speaking of which.
There was also a promise...
Although it was a one-sided promise from Hoshinomiya Chie. (😋)