"Really."
"Teacher Hoshinomiya is really like a child. I'll go call her—everyone, please wait a moment."
Ichinose smiled and quickly walked away, leaving everyone else behind with helpless smiles.
Hikigaya noticed it clearly.
It was a kind of helpless yet affectionate smile, like the one elders give to someone who never seems to improve.
This relationship felt a little off.
Even if compulsory education only goes up to junior high.
Wasn't this relationship reversed? It felt like they were the ones taking care of Teacher Hoshinomiya.
Soon,
Ichinose returned with Chie Hoshinomiya.
"Sorry, sorry~"
Chie Hoshinomiya clasped her hands together and blinked her pretty eyes. Class B could only forgive her helplessly—after all, they had no way of dealing with this teacher.
"Everyone."
Ichinose looked up at the sky and smiled. "Let's find a shady spot first before discussing what comes next. What do you think?"
With the scorching sun overhead,
this was indeed not a suitable place for discussion. The group followed Ichinose into the woods.
As they left,
Hikigaya glanced back toward Class D. Those people were still standing under the sun, chirping and arguing nonstop.
Sae Chabashira, who looked down on her own class, and Chie Hoshinomiya, who was on good terms with a teacher from another class.
This won't do.
There was too little information.
But regardless,
Teacher Hoshinomiya wouldn't go as far as betraying her class… right?
Otherwise, they might as well just admit defeat.
A loner trusted no one and always maintained a skeptical attitude.
Even teachers were no exception.
Soon,
Class B found a relatively wide clearing.
Ichinose and the others gathered into a circle once more. Hikigaya sat on a rock a few steps away to rest.
"Teacher."
Holding the manual, Ichinose asked, "Could you explain the 'Ownership' and 'Leader Card' mentioned here?"
"That~ that, let me see."
Hoshinomiya leaned in like a child, even holding Ichinose's wrist as she peered at the manual.
"Oh, this. I remember there are many spots on the island. If you occupy one, you gain exclusive usage rights. Each occupation also earns one special point. You just need to swipe the leader's keycard."
"But," Ichinose tilted her head, "Teacher, in that case, wouldn't we be able to farm points endlessly?"
Kanzaki and the others also looked doubtful.
"Let me check."
Hoshinomiya traced the manual with her finger. After a while, she frowned in confusion. "Huh? Why isn't it written here… Oh right! The ownership only lasts eight hours. It automatically expires after that, so be careful!"
Seems?
Is this person really a teacher? Teacher, I suggest you return to school for retraining.
Hikigaya stared boredly at the ground. The bushes nearby bore signs of being trampled—clearly, this island was not truly deserted.
He also recalled the rules he had just read:
Occupying a spot requires a special keycard.
Each occupation grants one point, and the occupied spot may be used freely.
Using a spot occupied by another class without permission incurs a 50-point penalty.
Only the leader may use the keycard.
The leader cannot be changed without a valid reason.
On the seventh and final day,
an exam will be held to guess the leaders of other classes.
Each correct guess plunders 50 points from the opposing class.
Conversely,
an incorrect guess results in a 50-point deduction, and all extra points earned from occupying spots during the exam will be wiped.
"Then, Teacher Hoshinomiya,"
Ichinose continued, "where will the daily roll call be conducted?"
"Don't worry—Teacher will follow you properly!"
Chie Hoshinomiya thumped her chest proudly. Please don't run off again like before…
Hikigaya seriously doubted this teacher, given her prior record.
"I see."
Ichinose nodded and turned to the class. "Let's decide on the leader first. Does anyone want to be the leader?"
"Obviously Honami-chan, right?"
"Yeah, I agree!"
Voices immediately rose in agreement.
"That won't work."
Kanzaki shook his head. "Although Ichinose's abilities are flawless, she's far too conspicuous. Other classes would guess her immediately."
"Exactly."
Ichinose nodded apologetically. "That's why I hope someone else can be the leader. Does anyone want to volunteer?"
Hikigaya turned his head away.
Who would want such a troublesome role?
No benefits, plenty of resentment if guessed correctly, and worst of all—you'd have to renew ownership every eight hours.
The most reasonable schedule would be
8:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 12:00 midnight.
Were they even planning to let people sleep?
It was all drawbacks and no advantages.
Only an idiot would do it.
"Then I'll do it."
The normie Shibata volunteered.
"No."
Watanabe frowned and shook his head. "Shibata and Kanzaki are too conspicuous, just like Ichinose. If there's no other choice, I can do it."
Well…
There were quite a few idiots in this class. Several more people volunteered.
Hikigaya accidentally made eye contact with Yuki Himeno, who had stepped back. She instantly glared at him.
Looks like there are only two normal people in this class…
"Wait, everyone—stop."
Ichinose intervened helplessly. Her gaze swept over the group before finally landing on him.
Don't pick me. Don't pick me. Don't pick me.
Hikigaya looked away, feeling like an elementary school student afraid of being called on.
Whether his prayer worked or the goddess of luck smiled upon him today—
"How about Chihiro being the leader?"
Ichinose turned gently to the other side.
"Eh?"
The girl named Chihiro—also called Shiro—turned pale, her voice barely audible. "B-but… I… I…"
"It's okay."
Ichinose stepped forward and patted her shoulder. "Even though you don't interact much with others, I know you're very sharp. We'll all support you. Would you like to try?"
"This…"
After a long pause, Shiro nodded firmly. "I'll try…"
To be honest,
Hikigaya also thought this was the right decision.
After all,
aside from being friends with Ichinose, Shiro was just as inconspicuous as he was.
Probably no one would guess she was the leader.
"To hide the leader, we'll need some cover when occupying spots."
Ichinose scanned the group. "How about this—Kanzaki, Hikigaya, and I will act as cover. What do you think?"
"No problem."
Kanzaki nodded seriously.
"Eh—wait!"
Hikigaya jumped up in panic. "Why me?!"
He was a man who could say no.
Otherwise,
wouldn't he end up losing sleep anyway?
Crawling out of bed at midnight every night was simply horrifying.
"Because,"
Ichinose explained with a smile,
"the cover needs people with different strengths and sharp observation skills."
"I'm fairly popular, Kanzaki is conventional but extremely capable…"
"And Hikigaya is inconspicuous, yet possesses the best observation skills in Class B."
"That was already proven at the start of school. Is there any problem with my judgment?"
"…That makes sense."
Instantly defeated.
As expected of Ichinose.
Truly an outstanding individual who thought everything through.
Unfortunately,
it seemed the goddess of luck was not on his side today.