Chapter 259: This is a Battle of Wits Between Girls
To summarize everything in one sentence: the final special exam requires students to prepare for their own and their partner's studies while simultaneously balancing the conceptualization and creation of exam questions for an opposing class. For Class D, which is teeming with academic underachievers, both tasks are remarkably daunting.
"One final addition: decide which class you wish to nominate for attack as soon as possible. If your choice overlaps with another class's, the target will be decided by drawing lots.
Once a designation is confirmed, no changes of any form will be accepted. Please consider carefully before making your choice.
...That is all. Homeroom is adjourned."
After explaining all the rules of the special exam, Chabashira Sae announced the end of school.
"Matching exams, setting questions, and then there's offense and defense..."
Sudo Ken scratched his head with a bewildered look: "It feels so complicated, my brain isn't big enough for this!"
Although his exam scores had improved, his IQ hadn't grown much. The others were even worse off; the vast majority of Class D was in a state of only half-understanding.
"Hirata-kun, let's hold a strategy meeting.
By the way, please be sure to call Ayanokouji over."
Horikita Suzune proactively took action.
"Understood."
Hirata Yousuke first responded, then asked with a feigned air of indifference: "Just for the record, why are we calling Ayanokouji-kun?"
According to previous strategy meetings, discussions were usually held between the three core members: Horikita Suzune, Hirata Yousuke, and Kushida Kikyou.
"Are you playing dumb?
Or rather, are you treating everyone else as fools?"
Horikita Suzune retorted with an unfriendly tone, then directed a cold gaze at a certain someone sitting silently nearby: "At this stage, if you still want to hide in the background and stay out of it, I won't allow such a thing!"
Under Hikigaya's reminder, she had long been secretly observing Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
Whether it was his clumsy disguise of scoring exactly 50 in every subject, or his blockbuster performance in the sports festival relay where he almost outran Horikita Manabu—both were sufficient evidence that Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was hiding his personal strength.
Moreover, the fact that Ayanokouji had repeatedly used Manabe Shiho to cause trouble for Class C further proved his "battle of wits" capabilities.
It was just that his methods were too dirty and shameful.
Despite being exposed to his face, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka wasn't embarrassed; he maintained his usual poker face.
"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka!"
Horikita Suzune's gaze turned cold.
"While I don't quite understand what Horikita-san is saying, as long as it's for the sake of the class, I am very willing to contribute."
His acting—the Oscars are missing a trophy for him! Knowing he couldn't stay out of it, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka decided to drag one more person down with him.
"Speaking of which, Hikigaya is coming too, right?
As everyone knows, his mind is very flexible, and he has a wide social circle with 'close female friends' in every class."
This "fake person's" ability to talk nonsense with a straight face was getting more and more advanced.
"As everyone knows, I have no interest in class competition. Tell me, what reason do I have to participate in some strategy meeting?"
Hikigaya countered with narrowed dead-fish eyes.
"To spend time with Horikita-san?"
"..."
"Kushida-san would be very happy too, right?"
"..."
Hikigaya was instantly rendered silent.
This guy was truly despicable! He was actually using the "drive the tiger to swallow the wolf" strategy!!
Although Horikita Suzune didn't say anything, her gaze was fixed intently on him.
"My~ what interesting things are you all talking about?"
Kushida Kikyo approached upon hearing the sound, blinking her large, curious eyes.
'You clearly heard everything just now, didn't you?'
Pressed between two "tigresses," Hikigaya could only choose to follow his heart.
"Actually, I can love the class too."
.
.
.
That afternoon, at a certain cafe.
Hirata Yousuke and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka sat together on one side of a booth with tacit understanding. Honestly, the design of this booth was quite unreasonable. It was a bit loose for two people, but a bit cramped for three.
"Suzune, Kikyo, you two sit down first.
I'll go find someone to bring an extra chair..."
Before Hikigaya could finish, he was pushed into the innermost part of the booth by Kushida Kikyou.
"Oh, don't go to so much trouble."
"We'll just squeeze in together."
As she spoke, Kushida Kikyo took the lead and sat down right next to Hikigaya.
"..."
Horikita Suzune stood frozen in place.
"Horikita-san, won't you sit?"
Kushida raised her eyes and gave the other a sunny smile.
Horikita Suzune sat down without a word, positioning herself sideways and leaving more than half a person's worth of space. Kushida Kikyo's smile stiffened. Under the watchful eyes of the group, she couldn't blatantly press up against Hikigaya, so she had to shift toward the space Horikita had left.
"Horikita-san, you're so considerate." Kushida Kikyo said with a "kind" face.
"Don't mention it."
The corners of Horikita Suzune's lips curled up imperceptibly.
"Is this the battle of wits between girls?" Ayanokouji Kiyotaka commented with a straight face.
"If you're going to roast us, please provide a slightly different expression." Hikigaya's mouth twitched.
"Understood. I'll try to do that." Ayanokouji Kiyotaka mimicked him by twisting the corner of his mouth.
"Don't copy me; your character design doesn't suit me at all." Hikigaya retorted irritably.
"Alright, let's end the small talk here."
"Let's return to today's theme and discuss the plan for the final special exam," Hirata Yousuke said in a heavy voice.
Hikigaya had zero interest in this, focusing on fiddling with his coffee and adding white sugar with a spoon.
Kushida Kikyo, appearing to understand his habits well, proactively poured half of her own sugar into his cup.
Horikita Suzune, on the other hand, simply pushed her entire sugar packet over; she preferred drinking pure black coffee without sugar.
Hirata Yousuke's eyelid twitched. He pretended not to see and continued: "The primary task at hand is to confirm which class we will designate for attack.
Personally, I believe we should lock our target on Class C!
What does everyone think?"
Whether from the perspective of "befriending the distant and attacking the near" or based on the overall academic level of the classes, Class C was undoubtedly the most suitable opponent.
"I agree."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka offered a rare word of support, adding: "Given the leadership style of Class C, they certainly won't let this opportunity for revenge pass. Rather than waiting for them to attack us, it's better to take preemptive measures."
In the team events of the sports festival, Class C had failed against Class D multiple times.
As a man who seeks revenge for even the smallest grievance, Ryuen Kakeru would eight or nine times out of ten also designate Class D for attack!
In that case, both sides would be attacking and defending against each other.
At least they wouldn't have to worry about interference from other classes.
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