"That's it."
Ichinose thought for a moment, then nodded. "It really has no impact."
No matter how you looked at it, the two sides were in a cooperative relationship.
Hikigaya's deal with Horikita Suzune wouldn't affect Class B in any way.
"What are you planning to do, Ichinose?"
Hikigaya turned to look at her, his gaze fixed on her pretty face. "As long as the leader is changed at the last moment, we can 100% avoid being guessed by other classes."
"But..."
Ichinose glanced back at Kaneda. Given the distance, he definitely wouldn't be able to hear their conversation.
She sighed helplessly. "The leader of our class has already been decided, and no one in Class B is sick."
"Ha?"
Hikigaya was slightly surprised. "At this point, can't we just have someone pretend to be sick?"
Even if Kaneda couldn't hear them, Hikigaya remained vigilant. Both he and Ichinose had a tacit understanding—they referred to Chihiro Shiraha simply as "her."
Faking an illness was easy.
"That won't work."
Ichinose's expression turned serious. "I'm not opposed to using certain strategies in exams, like lying, but this is a school that values fairness. If we do something dishonest, it could leave a bad impression on Class B."
She folded her arms. "Besides, as long as we face the exam with dignity, we'll be fine. There's no need to waste our points."
Well... no way around it.
Class B students were all excellent, upstanding individuals. They wouldn't even consider lying to a teacher.
"Alright."
Why are these people so righteous? Hikigaya sighed. "So Ichinose, have you never taken a sick day or been late before?"
"Not me..."
Ichinose froze for a moment. Her expression darkened slightly, but she quickly forced a smile. "Anyway, let's focus on work. Let's go deliver some water together."
"Ah... oh."
Hikigaya nodded.
It seemed like Ichinose had something she didn't want to talk about. But just as she never pried into his past, he wouldn't dig into hers.
Afternoon
Sweat dripped from Ichinose's forehead as she stayed by the boiler, diligently helping with the work.
From time to time, she poured cold drinking water into plastic bottles or tossed firewood into the fire. Her long, pink-blond hair was soaked in sweat.
Hikigaya was also working steadily by her side.
But there was something odd about this.
Ichinose is the leader of Class B. Shouldn't she be coordinating things instead of staying here?
"Sorry."
After pouring water into a bottle, Ichinose whispered, "I originally thought you picked this job because you wanted to take it easy... but I didn't expect it to be this hard."
"Well..."
Hikigaya choked on his words.
She hit the nail on the head—he really had planned to slack off.
But the words "boiling water" were deceptive.
It sounded easy at first.
The reality?
In this scorching summer heat—where temperatures reached over 40 degrees—standing next to a burning fire from morning till night was pure hell.
Class D had assigned three people to rotate shifts, which made sense. Though Hikigaya suspected that was mostly because none of them could sit still for too long.
Still, this was the job he chose, and he had no complaints.
Next time, though?
I am never falling for this trap again.
Ichinose, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind.
"Take a break."
Hikigaya suggested, "I can handle it alone."
"No."
Ichinose shook her head firmly. "I've experienced it now—this isn't a one-person job. Even if I can't stay here the whole time, I'll find someone to help you later."
Hikigaya was momentarily stunned.
She's only helping out so she can understand the workload? Just so she won't let me overwork myself?
What the hell.
Hikigaya felt a sudden wave of emotion. He really didn't dislike the way Ichinose handled things.
But...
"No need."
Hikigaya hesitated. "I'm used to working alone, and the workload isn't unbearable."
He didn't like working with others.
If he had to choose, he'd rather just do everything himself.
As for Ichinose?
She was convinced she couldn't stay here for long.
The more important issue was that if they suddenly reassigned people now, it could cause complaints or inconvenience others.
That was unacceptable.
If they really wanted to help, they should've assigned more people from the beginning.
"Alright."
Ichinose thought for a moment. "Then I'll have someone come help during the morning and evening rush hours. The rest is up to you."
She turned to leave, satisfied with the arrangement.
"Thanks..."
Hikigaya muttered only after she had walked away.
Ichinose was truly a kind and thoughtful leader.
Working under someone like her didn't feel too bad.
Nightfall
Class B gathered around, enjoying their dinner and chatting cheerfully.
Hikigaya sat quietly next to the boiler.
It was like an oven here, but he had no choice.
At night, it was too dark to work far from the fire. Besides, he had nowhere else to go.
As for joining the lively group?
Yeah, no thanks.
He'd probably die of embarrassment the moment he tried.
"Uh... I'm looking for Hikigaya. Is he here?"
A familiar voice rang out.
"Ah, over here!"
Hikigaya raised his arm. He immediately recognized the speaker—Huko, the flying fish-haired psycho.
He must be delivering MAX coffee.
Hikigaya set down his fish soup and walked toward the voice.
When he saw Ayanokouji holding a six-pack of MAX coffee, he looked like an angel descending from the heavens.
Hikigaya couldn't help but quicken his pace.
"I got the iced ones. That's fine, right?"
Ayanokouji, ever expressionless, handed over the drinks.
"Perfect."
Hikigaya accepted them with absolute joy.
MAX coffee is great no matter how you drink it!
"Thanks."
Ayanokouji suddenly spoke as Hikigaya took the coffee.
"Huh?"
Hikigaya blinked. "What are you thanking me for?"
He finally looked at Ayanokouji properly.
Wait a second.
His dead fish eyes… are higher than mine?!
Unacceptable.
How could another loner have even more dead eyes than him? What kind of school was this?!
"No, I meant about Horikita."
Ayanokouji remained calm.
"Oh, that."
Hikigaya scratched his head. "It's not a big deal..."
Ayanokouji studied him silently.
"Anyway."
Ayanokouji continued, "Thanks for helping Horikita."
"No need."
Hikigaya shook his head. "It was just a fair trade."
"Still..."
Ayanokouji watched him closely. "Aren't you worried Class D might surpass Class B?"
"We're in a cooperative relationship right now, aren't we?"
Hikigaya shrugged. "Besides, Ichinose is the leader of Class B. That's her problem to worry about, not mine."
Ayanokouji nodded. "Fair enough. Then, one last thing—don't tell Class D about the coffee. Horikita just happened to buy it."
"Got it."
Hikigaya nodded absentmindedly.
Not like he knew anyone in Class D anyway.
Ayanokouji glanced at Hikigaya's back as he walked away.
Another person worth keeping an eye on.
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