Chapter 44: Important Intelligence
"Let's conclude the discussion about the midterm exam here. Yukinoshita and I will distribute the exam paper to the Class A students afterward.
The main reason I called you out today is that someone got hold of important intelligence from a senpai yesterday."
Sakayanagi placed her coffee down and began to recount the latest information unhurriedly: "This summer break, all first-year students might be taken to an uninhabited island."
"Uninhabited island? I see. That's why that sensei said he wanted to teach us how to swim before summer," Yukinoshita thought for a few seconds and quickly recalled the words of the muscular teacher from before.
Hearing Sakayanagi and Yukinoshita, Kamuro suddenly turned to Hikigaya: "Hikigaya, keep the weekend after the midterm exam free."
"Why?" Hikigaya asked, perplexed.
"Why are you asking... You twisted your back during swimming class before, didn't you? Since you're not good at swimming, I'll properly coach you. Consider it repayment for the private points you shared with me."
"No, well, I've been attending swimming lessons properly, haven't I? Besides, I'm the type that is more efficient training alone, so I won't trouble you, Kamuro-san."
Recalling the embarrassing episode from swimming class, Hikigaya refused, a slight blush on his face.
"Good. It's settled then. I'll come find you then." Kamuro nodded, deciding on her own.
'Um, Kamuro-san? Are you actually listening to me?'
"Kamuro-san, you should be psychologically prepared. It's going to be very hard work training a frog like Hikigaya-kun, who rushes home right after school, you know?" Yukinoshita showed a look of concern, asking Kamuro softly.
Yukinoshita's tone was gentle, but the content of her words was quite harsh.
"Hey, Yukinoshita, how did you know my nickname from elementary school?" Hikigaya glared at Yukinoshita with his dead fish eyes, slightly annoyed.
"..." x3
Because Hikigaya had exposed his own embarrassing past, the people in the room suddenly fell silent, and the atmosphere became very awkward.
"Ahem, Sakayanagi-san, please continue with the intelligence," Hikigaya coughed lightly, being looked at with strange eyes by the three girls, and quickly changed the subject.
"Yes, here you go, Hikigaya-kun..." Sakayanagi picked up a cookie and handed it to Hikigaya as a gesture of comfort, then continued sharing the intelligence: "Where was I? First-year students will have a Special Exam on an uninhabited island. It is said that the class evaluation points available in this uninhabited island exam are substantial. Third-year Class A, led by President Horikita, created a gap with Third-year Class B because of this."
As Sakayanagi spoke, she pushed the plate of cookies toward Yukinoshita.
"Thank you... Sakayanagi-san, is there any information about the exam format?" Yukinoshita picked up a cookie and gently chewed it.
'Oh, oh, oh! It's rare to see Yukinoshita-san with puffed-out cheeks! It's like the heartwarming feeling of finally befriending a shy squirrel.'
Hikigaya couldn't help but stare intently. Then he was glared at fiercely by Yukinoshita.
"According to a third-year upperclassman, when she was a first-year student, one of the third-year's Special Exams was conducted on an uninhabited island.
All the third-year students were scrambled into groups, and they scored points by occupying key locations as a team."
"So, it's possible we'll have a similar exam format?" Kamuro asked, resting her chin on her hand.
"Yes. Since we don't know the conditions on the uninhabited island yet, we must be prepared for as many scenarios as possible." Yukinoshita took out her notebook and recorded the intelligence provided by Sakayanagi.
"Although I really want to participate in the exam with you, due to my physical condition, I'm forbidden from all exercises except gentle walking. I'll have to miss the uninhabited island exam," Sakayanagi's face showed an apologetic expression: "Hikigaya-kun, Yukinoshita-kun, which of you is willing to lead Class A to tackle the uninhabited island exam in my stead?"
"No, count me out. Barely anyone in the class even knows I exist," Hikigaya shook his head. "And even if I actually became the leader, my classmates wouldn't listen to me..."
Even though it had been almost a month and a half since school started, Hikigaya knew only a handful of his classmates.
Yukinoshita, however, contemplated for a moment before slowly saying: "Leading the class? I will consider it..."
Afterward, the group in the room analyzed and discussed the possible scenarios and issues that could arise on the uninhabited island while enjoying their snacks.
When Hikigaya and the others finished their discussion and walked out of the room to leave, they saw a large crowd pouring in through the entrance.
This group, consisting of both boys and girls, was cheerfully gathered around a serious-looking, black-haired handsome guy and the archangel Ichinose Honami, who had pink-gold hair.
It looked like a Class B student gathering. However, a twin-tailed girl, although she came with them, stood apart by herself, looking somewhat out of place.
Seemingly noticing the Class A students, Ichinose said a few words to her companions, and they headed toward the counter. Then, she walked over with the black-haired handsome guy beside her.
"Yukinoshita-san, Hikigaya-kun, Kamuro-san, long time no see! I didn't expect to run into you here. This must be Sakayanagi-san, right? Hello, I'm Ichinose Honami from first-year Class B, and this is my classmate, Kanzaki Ryuuji." Ichinose waved at the Class A students, her face radiating a friendly smile. She easily called out the names of everyone present and carefully introduced her companion, not missing anyone.
'There it is! Ichinose-san has activated her finishing move, the "Affable Aura"!
Allow me to explain. The "Affable Aura" is a passive skill only true normies can master. Its greatest feature is its ability to maintain a positive atmosphere around them, accommodating even those who are utterly unnoticeable.
Unlike those pretend normies who are constantly smiling, acting goofy, and just playing around, true normies genuinely live fulfilling lives. Therefore, they don't look down on others and are even kind to those who are always given the cold shoulder. The criteria for distinguishing between the two is: "Is their attitude towards Hikigaya Hachiman friendly?"
In conclusion, Ichinose-san is truly a kind person. If this were Hikigaya from middle school, he would probably have convinced himself that she liked him after just a week of contact.
Oh well, who cares about past embarrassments.'
Hikigaya nodded at Ichinose and Kanzaki: "Hello."
"Ichinose-san, it's been a while. Kanzaki-kun, hello." Yukinoshita offered Ichinose a faint smile, and Kamuro also nodded a greeting.
"You must be Ichinose-san and Kanzaki-kun, correct? Hello, I am Sakayanagi Arisu from first-year Class A. Please be kind to me," Sakayanagi introduced herself with a smile, her demeanor flawlessly elegant: "Ichinose-san, I've heard so much about you. Although we are not in the same class, Class A students often praise you for being helpful. As the representative of Class A, I sincerely thank you for assisting our classmates."
"Ehehe... Sakayanagi-san is giving me too much credit. I just happened to pass by and helped with a little something, it was nothing much..."
Hearing Sakayanagi's words, Ichinose smiled and waved her hand. Kanzaki, standing next to her, looked serious upon learning that Sakayanagi was the Class A representative.
"Ichinose-san, you've come out with so many people. Is there something you're planning to do? If so, we won't intrude," Sakayanagi asked with a light smile.
"The midterm exam is in half a month, after all. I was thinking of coming out with everyone in Class B to hold a study session, identifying weaknesses and improving our classmates' grades."
'I see. It seems the Class B students plan to study seriously for this midterm exam, although I don't know if the upperclassmen have interfered.'
"Ichinose-san is truly a good leader."
"I just did what I could. I really like my current class, so I hope we can all work hard and make progress together. Sakayanagi-san and Yukinoshita-san, what are your thoughts on this midterm exam?"
"Well..."
Listening to Sakayanagi, Yukinoshita, Ichinose, and Kanzaki exchange pleasantries and subtly probe each other, Hikigaya, knowing he wouldn't be able to leave anytime soon, quietly took a few steps back.
He then noticed the less-than-sociable twin-tailed girl from Class B had somehow appeared beside him.
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