The truth, which was not recorded even thirty-three years ago, was hidden in this copy of "Hyouka" published by the Classic Literature Club.
Because the student resistance at the time was too fierce, although the school administration finally made a compromise, they still suffered huge losses.
They needed the leader of this resistance movement to stand up. Only by sacrificing one person could the school end this farce gracefully.
Was Chitanda's uncle, Sekitani Jun, a hero to the students? The school's records stated so, but the reality was different.
He did not offer himself up voluntarily, but was chosen by drawing the short straw and was used by the other students as a sacrifice, a living offering.
Chitanda's uncle took all the responsibility, while the true masterminds behind the student resistance movement would never truly step forward.
In the cover painting of "Hyouka," a wolf in a flock of rabbits has caught a rabbit. And the other rabbits, who should have been its companions, closed their eyes and paid it no mind.
The wolf cruelly carried away the rabbit, and the fact that the flock of rabbits turned a blind eye was what truly showed the meaning of the book "Hyouka."
Uchiha Ryo pointed at "Hyouka" and said.
"It's just a boring word game. 'Hyouka' can be said in English as 'Ice cream,' and this English phrase can also be read as... 'I scream!'"
When Uchiha Ryo finished speaking, Chitanda Eru's eyes slowly widened, and at the same time, the corners of her eyes couldn't help but become moist. She finally remembered what her uncle had said to her back then....
[You must become strong. Don't be like 'Hyōka.' If you're always weak, one day you might not even be able to let out a cry of pain.]
Chitanda Eru's tears did not last long. Now that she knew everything that had happened, she also felt a sense of relief.
"Uchiha-kun, and Yukino! President Amakusa, I'm really... really grateful to everyone in the Classic Literature Club!"
Shirogane Miyuki, who was in the student council room, sneezed. He suddenly had a feeling that he had been forgotten....
With that, the Classic Literature Club's first request was perfectly resolved.
Chitanda Eru learned the truth. Yukinoshita Yukino achieved her goal of helping others. Amakusa Shino, as the president, finally had a proper club activity. Uchiha Ryo gained everyone's favor.
And that sunny and cheerful boy, Shirogane Miyuki, once again had the feeling that he had been abandoned....
"Uchiha-kun, it seems you were the winner in the end. So you can now order one person to do one thing."
Chitanda Eru thought of the bet Hiratsuka-sensei had proposed back then.
Uchiha Ryo, however, smiled and glanced at Yukinoshita Yukino, who immediately looked away the moment their eyes met.
"Well, I haven't thought of what to order yet, so I'll just save it for now."
Hayasaka Ai looked at the laughing and chatting members of the Classic Literature Club and suddenly raised her hand.
"Um, I want to join the club!"
"Of course you can! As the president, I warmly welcome you to join, Hayasaka-san!"
Amakusa Shino immediately took out an application form for Hayasaka Ai. After she signed it, she could just have Hayasaka give it to Hiratsuka-sensei.
The lunch break ended. With their own thoughts, the members of the Classic Literature Club returned to their classrooms.
Uchiha Ryo also noticed the sunny and cheerful Shirogane Miyuki lying on his desk, as if he had experienced something tragic at noon.
"What happened? Didn't you go to the student council meeting?"
Shirogane Miyuki gave a wry smile. "I don't know why, but President Nobunaga has been giving me all the tasks lately... He even has me handle the president's work for him. I'm so tired."
"Oh...."
Shirogane Miyuki sat up. "Damn it, don't you have any sympathy? I have to study ten hours a day now, work part-time, and on top of that, finish student council work! I feel like I'm going to die from overwork...."
What could he do? It wasn't him who joined the student council, Uchiha Ryo thought.
Uchiha Ryo: "After you die from overwork... I will raise your sister."
Shirogane Miyuki rolled his eyes. "Stop joking...."
At this moment, Yokoshima-sensei happened to walk in. After calling on all the boys in the class, she announced the schedule for this afternoon.
During the second P.E. class in the afternoon, the four first-year classes A, B, C, and D would organize a basketball game. Each class was required to send at least five boys.
Yokoshima-sensei cleared her throat.
"Hurry up, any boy who wants to participate, raise your hand."
"...."
"If no one raises their hand, I'm going to start calling names!"
"...."
Yokoshima-sensei sighed. "All the female students from the four classes will be cheerleaders and stand outside the court."
Male Classmate A: "Basketball? For the honor of our class, we are duty-bound!"
Male Classmate B: "Leave it to me, Sensei! I was born for basketball!"
Male Classmate C: "Although I'm in the music club, I'm good at singing, dancing, and basketball!"
Yokoshima nodded. "Is that all? Then let's add... Uchiha and Shirogane."
Shirogane Miyuki's face was filled with shock... and [Danger!]
.....
"Aren't you the number one student from Class B? Why are you playing basketball too?!"
Uchiha Ryo stood at the forefront as a forward. Opposite him was the team from Class C. Their forward was a student with a buzz cut, said to be named Kojima Souji, a guy who had become the ace of the Kendo club in his first year.
"Well, don't worry. I can play basketball too." Uchiha Ryo smiled, standing in front of his team.
"Kojima, don't underestimate him. I have a feeling this guy is not simple."
A sturdy-looking boy looked at Uchiha Ryo with great seriousness. "In any case, I won't go easy on any opponent!"
Kondo Sawa, the ace of the Judo club. It was said that he had defeated a third-year senior as soon as he arrived at the school and possessed monstrous strength!
Behind the two, a sunny, blonde-haired boy smiled. "Anyway, let's all do our best. This is just a performance match organized by the student council."
Hayama Hayato, the ace of the soccer club, and currently one of the most popular boys among the first-years.
Because Class C had three aces, no one seemed to have high hopes for Class B. Uchiha Ryo turned to look at his teammates....
The three male extras A, B, and C, who had been forced to join the game for the cheerleaders and only knew some of the rules of basketball. And Shirogane Miyuki, who knew nothing but how to throw the ball with force.
"Listen up. As soon as you get the ball, don't think about anything. Just pass it to me."
Uchiha Ryo didn't want to lose. Even in a performance match like this, he would take it seriously!
Kendo club ace? Judo club ace? Soccer club ace? You think you can dance with me?!