Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e - Volume 20.5 - Chapter Ep4

E.4

By leaving the escorting to Hashimoto, I learned something new.

No matter how novel the proposal, it wouldn't be realized unless the participants agreed.

Hashimoto made several suggestions besides karaoke, but Kamuro shot them all down.

In the end, all Kamuro agreed on was a chat at a café.

It was the only plan left for a group that had ran out of things to do.

“Is this really okay, Kamuro-chan? We've invited these two rare guests.”

“Then why don't you go without me? I've already told you several times.”

During Hashimoto's proposals’ ceaseless rejections, Kamuro indeed stated numerous times that they could go without her.

“There's no way we can exclude you.”

“I think this is nice too. It's rather calming, and I like it.”

“Wow, Shiina-chan is such a good girl, and cute too.”

Hashimoto seemed to be fond of Shiina as he quickly took a seat next to her.

On the other hand, I sat down next to Kitō.

“I have to say, Ayanokōji, you're quite something too. Normally, people get nervous sitting next to Kitō.”

“I already know he's a good guy.”

Is it the experience from the school trip that's helping? It even feels somewhat comforting.

“I agree with you, Ayanokōji-kun. Kitō-kun doesn't seem like a bad person.”

“Where exactly are your eyes then?”

“It's true. These two are some rare specimens.”

“Really?”

Hiyori looked intently at Kitō to confirm it.

Following her gaze, Kitō stared back at Hiyori, but it didn't seem to make her nervous.

In fact, he couldn't stand her gaze and looked away.

“He's a good guy after all.”

“That's a misunderstanding. I’m not a good person.”

His eyes darted to me, almost as if he wanted to glare and make sure I didn't get the wrong idea.

“Don't misunderstand,” he stressed with his own words.

“Well, Ayanokōji, it's about time you tell us.”

So far, Hashimoto had been acting carefree, but now he rested his elbow on the table and tilted his arm, holding his cup like a microphone.

Kamuro, who had been slouching while looking elsewhere, straightened up at those words.

The reason they approached us was to ask me something.

I assumed that much, but what did he want to know?

“...So, do you plan to ditch Karuizawa and switch to Shiina? Since you're playing with Shiina, it must mean something like that, right? Huh?”

Like a reporter grilling a celebrity, Hashimoto aggressively pushed his cup closer. Kamuro stopped his reaching arm.

“Hashimoto.”

“Huh? What's up, Kamuro-chan? I'm going to ask him everything right now—”

“If you're just going to beat around the bush, I'll get straight to the point.”

She strongly implied that she didn't want to continue with this troublesome small talk.

“You're scary, Kamuro-chan, but that's also what's appealing about you— Ouch!”

Suddenly, Hashimoto groaned in pain, his face contorted in agony. Panicking, he crouched down and held his leg. It seemed he'd been kicked under the table.

“That was merciless...!”

“It was an accident.”

Without any concern, Kamuro looked away and responded. After enduring the pain for a while, Hashimoto brought up the topic.

“We, or rather, Class A, is really curious about you.”

“Why?”

“Don't you know? You're good at studying, seem to be athletic, and you're quite popular with Ichinose. You can even talk to Ryūen without fear. On top of all that, you seem to be on good terms with the princess—that's not normal.”

During winter break alone, a large number of people witnessed my relationships with those around me.

Considering Hashimoto's questioning and the previous investigation, it seemed reasonable.

“The reason for the rise to Class B and the true leader behind Horikita's efforts—it's you, right?”

Kamuro and Kitō ceased movement, and only their gazes turned toward me. Considering Kamuro's actions and words, this situation mustn’t have been a coincidence. 

Although Hashimoto's actions seemed spontaneous, it was probably calculated in advance.

Drawn by the seeds I had sown, rumors circulated from reconnaissance, speculation, and information. Regardless if it was true or not, the rumors circulated this way, revealing new details.

I anticipated having to deal with this line of questioning, but I thought it would be brought up in the future. If so, from now on, let's provide water to the seeds.

“The true leader, huh? What if that were true?”

Hashimoto whistled and said, “I thought you'd either quickly play dumb or deny it, but you're admitting it?”

“I'm not admitting anything. I'm just curious as to what you'd do if it were true.”

“That's something we'll find out after we have confirmation.”

“Confirmation, huh? Well, then maybe it's better if I admit to being the true leader, as you’ve hoped, Hashimoto.”

As I responded, Hashimoto lowered his raised smile and gave a bitter one instead.

“That's a difficult answer.”

Hashimoto's questioning likely expected one of these reactions: to be flustered at hitting the mark, to confidently admit it, or to firmly deny it.

He must have been confident that doubt would turn into conviction with any of these reactions.

In that case, taking an ambiguous stance would be more difficult for Hashimoto to handle.

I neither confirmed nor denied it. Rather, I was in a position where I didn't mind admitting it if I had to.

By doing so, it was difficult to ascertain any certainty.

In fact, right now, I was gradually distancing myself from Horikita's shadow.

If I decided on my own that I was the true leader and acted on that belief, I would trip up in future battles.

“What do you think, Kamuro-chan?”

“Almost certain, but not quite.”

“How about you, Kitō?”

Unlike Kamuro, who answered immediately, Kitō didn't say anything. Despite that, he didn't take his eyes off me.

“I might need to correct myself. Saying that you're the true leader might be an exaggeration, but I have no doubt that you’re the hidden driving force behind leading your class to Class B.”

“It's up to you and Class A to make a judgment, Hashimoto.”

“Shiina-chan, what do you think about Ayanokōji?”

“Me?”

“Yes, I'd like to hear your opinion on this matter as well.”

“Hashimoto-kun, I wonder what you want from this conversation.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

“Keeping track of Ayanokōji-kun's existence—and what you plan to do in the future.”

“...You hit the nail on the head.”

From that single comment, Hashimoto—who was originally only concerned about her appearances—seemed to have reassessed Shiina.

“What do you mean, Hashimoto?”

Hashimoto remained silent as Kamuro asked, not understanding the meaning behind Shiina's inquiry.

“A little while ago, Kamuro and I were talking about how to graduate from Class A. The most solid way is to build up 20 million for yourself, but that’s not easy. Moreover, relying on new systems like the class transfer ticket isn't feasible since their validity is too short.”

“That's true.”

“It's important to keep an eye on classes that seem to be winning. If you flatter them, they might pick you up. But even if you just do one or two favors for a class, will they pay you 20 million to back you up?”

“Of course not, unless you have a really strict contract.”

“That's right. So how do you think we should increase our chances of graduating from Class A? Cooperate with our classmates? Knock down our rivals? No, that's not it.”

“Steal strong opponents from other classes, right?”

Before Hashimoto could answer, Hiyori muttered the conclusion.

“Wow, you’re on point.”

Ignoring the flattering Hashimoto, Kamuro and Kitō's gazes met. Their unconscious behavior showed that they had realized how mentally quick Shiina Hiyori was.

There were countless students with high academic abilities in the OAA.

However, whether they were capable in areas other than academics could only be seen through interacting with them.

“Even if you can't accumulate 20 million points yourself, the collective will of the class can reach that goal. Like how Ryūen-kun lured Katsuragi-kun, if Class A also recruits excellent personnel from other classes, Class A would be stronger, and we could also weaken the power of our rivals.”

Hashimoto, who generously applauded, elaborated on how it was the right answer.

“Show us, Ayanokōji. If you prove your strength to us in Class A, we'll use our class points to recruit you. That way, you'll be in a better position than you are now, right?”

Hashimoto's offer was tempting, but couldn't be completely dismissed as a lie.

However, there were several reasons why I couldn't judge it to be true.

“Headhunting, huh? But do you really think Sakayanagi will welcome Ayanokōji?”

With that, Kamuro confirmed that Sakayanagi probably wouldn’t be welcoming.

“I understand that you have your own ideas about the princess, but I think there's a chance.”

“On what grounds?”

“I could share my thoughts, but first, let's see what Ayanokōji thinks.”

Instead of answering Kamuro's question, Hashimoto checked my thoughts.

“If she’s going to pull me into Class A, it's more than a great proposal.”

“That's what I mean. If Class A is inviting you, would you accept? Even if it's just hypothetical, let's hear it.”

“I'd positively consider it if I was offered an invitation to Class A.”

As I showed signs of accepting the invitation, Hashimoto assumingly pulled back.

“Okay, no problem with confirming your intentions. Then we can move on to the next stage.”

As the conversation continued, Hashimoto laughed more happily than anyone else in the room. However, one of his classmates stood up, pulling her chair out.

“I won't be involved in your rampage, so see you later.”

“Ah, hey, Kamuro-chan, are you leaving?”

“You won't listen to anything I say, right?”

“If you're talking about the promise the other day, I'm sorry.”

Although he hurriedly tried to stop her, Kamuro quickly left the café.

“Aah… Was it a bit too much?”

When he checked with the quietly observing Kitō, he silently nodded in agreement.

“I'll call her back, so just wait a moment.”

Scratching his head, Hashimoto hurriedly chased after Kamuro.

“You all are interesting people. It's really fun.”

Hiyori, who had been watching, narrowed her eyes and smiled.

“...Really?”

Kitō, who never expected her to have fun, retorted.

After Hashimoto brought back a sullen Kamuro, the focus shifted to some small talk rather than returning to me.

Hiyori didn’t particularly stand out, rather, she participated in the conversation. And with Hashimoto's support, the enjoyable time continued.