Chapter 215: Diverging Opinions, Refusing Cooperation!
"Please do not have any expectations of me."
If I were to speak the truth, I'd probably get lectured by Ichinose Honami again.
"I will do my best..."
Hikigaya gave a perfunctory reply.
"Mhm~ I believe in you, Hikigaya-kun!"
Ichinose Honami placed both hands on Hikigaya's shoulders, her slender eyes curving into a smile full of sincerity.
'Wait? You actually believed me just because I said it!'
It really makes one worry that this girl will be easily tricked by someone in the future.
Also, you're too close...
Don't you know how strong your "universal gravitation" is?
If one isn't careful, it's very easy to get sucked in...
Hikigaya kept his eyes straight, doing his best to keep his gaze level, locking his sight onto her forehead.
"Ehh~ why won't Hikigaya-kun look me in the eye? Is there something on my forehead?"
Ichinose Honami puffed out her cheeks.
"No."
Hikigaya denied it.
"Liar, you won't even look at me!"
Ichinose Honami wore a look of grievance.
Forced by necessity, Hikigaya had no choice but to shift his gaze to her face.
'Sigh...'
Wait!
His line of sight was warped again!
Stomp!
Stomp!
Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyo stepped out at the same time, forcefully treading on his left and right feet respectively!
"Pervert!"
"Hachiman, where exactly are you looking?"
'This isn't my fault!'
According to Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, light follows a curved path when passing a massive celestial body. In other words, Hikigaya intended to look at her face, but his gaze unconsciously fell toward her massive chest.
"This is a normal physical phenomenon."
Hikigaya spoke with a straight face, sounding perfectly justified.
"How is that normal?"
"Humph! This is clearly just a sophisticated excuse!"
'Good grief!'
The two of them, who were clearly arch-enemies, had actually reached a tacit agreement at this moment.
"By the way, let's get back to talking about the specific cooperation between Class A and Class D."
Hikigaya changed the subject.
"Pupu~ has Hikigaya-kun finally found some motivation?"
Ichinose Honami chuckled.
'This girl... she's got a bit of a mischievous streak!'
However, just as they were discussing the details of the cooperation, a discordant voice came from the other side.
"I'm sorry, Kanzaki-kun. For this sports festival, our Class D does not plan to cooperate with Class A."
The one who said this was Hirata Yousuke.
"Eh?!"
The surrounding crowd looked on in shock. No one expected anyone to refuse cooperation, especially not the person known as the "Mr. Nice Guy," Hirata Yousuke.
"Wait a minute, Hirata! What do you mean by that?"
Horikita Suzune was the first to step forward and question him.
"Exactly what I said."
Hirata Yousuke was expressionlessly firm.
"Um, could it be that Hirata-kun is confident in achieving good results in the sports festival without cooperating?"
Kushida Kikyo blinked her eyes, seemingly asking calmly.
However, Hikigaya knew that this woman was probably already screaming curses in her heart!
"Not at all," Hirata Yousuke replied without hesitation.
"Then why refuse our Class A's cooperation? I think we are being very sincere."
Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji expressed their confusion as well.
"The core reason is that there is a clear divergence in the goals for victory between our two classes."
Hirata Yousuke pointed out the key issue: "Your Class A's goal is to take the top three spots in as many events as possible."
"That is true."
Ichinose Honami did not deny it. Although they were currently in Class A, their class points hadn't opened a gap with Classes B and C; they could be overtaken at any time.
"Whereas our Class D's goal is to avoid falling into the bottom rankings of the events as much as possible," Hirata Yousuke said deeply.
"Is there... a difference?"
The Class D students looked at each other, still not quite grasping the core of the issue.
"Those who rank in the bottom ten overall will face a point deduction in the next midterm exam."
Horikita Suzune couldn't help but massage her forehead.
"Ah?"
"Point deduction?!"
"Oh right!"
"This is a major crisis!"
The Class D crowd finally understood. In contrast, the Class A students appeared much more relaxed.
The reason was that their average academic ability was quite good. Even if they ranked low in the sports festival and faced a deduction in the written exam, they wouldn't face the risk of failing. The danger was much lower for them.
Simply put, it was the composure of elite students.
"Since the goals of the two classes are different, the prerequisite for cooperation no longer exists."
Hirata Yousuke's meaning was clear.
Class A pursued rankings, requiring "strong-strong" pairings.
Class D sought a safety net, requiring "strong-weak" pairings.
"But if we do that, Class D's comprehensive class score will be at the bottom, and we'll lose—er..."
Kushida Kikyo paused.
According to the rules, the class that ranks last in comprehensive scores loses 200 points. For Classes A, B, and C, this would be a devastating blow. Only Class D had nothing left to lose...
"So you're saying we're going to completely give up on this exam again?"
Horikita Suzune clenched her fists. For her, the only person in class with upward mobility, the idea of surrendering before the fight even started was unacceptable!
"Regrettably, Horikita. Compared to leading the class upward, I care more about the integrity of the collective. I don't want to lose any more classmates!"
Hirata Yousuke's tone was categorical.
"..."
Most of the Class D students were deeply moved by Hirata's "protect everyone" speech! Hirata was still the same Hirata who put everyone at the center!
Even though his style of acting had become very forceful, he still won the support of the majority! The Class A students, listening in, had nothing to say. At least on the point of "for the sake of the collective," it didn't conflict with their values.
"Hah! Hah! Hah! Hah!"
Koenji Rokusuke suddenly laughed, the mockery on his face completely undisguised.
"I thought the change in 'Sunshine Boy's' temperament would bring about some great transformation. Now I see you are indeed a boring person!!"
His evaluation was biting.
"Koenji, what would you, who cares nothing for the class, know?"
Hirata Yousuke retorted coldly.
"You think you can protect everyone this way? Utterly laughable!"
Koenji Rokusuke continued his taunting.
"Why can't I!!"
Hirata Yousuke seemed to have a sensitive nerve touched; his emotions became exceptionally agitated.
"With your IQ, you couldn't possibly have failed to realize this point. Unless you're just pretending to be asleep!"
Koenji Rokusuke's sharp gaze pierced through him, and then he suddenly shifted the topic: "Fish-eye boy, why don't you be the one to shatter his naive fantasies!"
'No, you guys can talk all you want, why do you have to drag me into this!'
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