Soon.
Hikigaya discovered.
There were more people in Class B who were good at playing baseball than expected.
"Good at" might be a bit inaccurate.
Although they weren't aces like Sumida, they had all played baseball, and there were quite a few who had consistently played in the same position.
"As it looks now."
Hikigaya turned to ask for Shibata's opinion.
"Our class has the most people who are good at baseball. The project is tentatively set as baseball. Shibata, what do you think?"
"Of course, I'll participate too. You guys can look forward to my performance."
Shibata was full of confidence, patting his chest as a guarantee.
Fellows with good athletic nerves can quickly master any sport they do.
What's more.
Shibata already knew baseball, it's just that he wasn't as good at it as soccer.
Hearing this.
Hikigaya also breathed a slight sigh of relief.
If it was a soccer project.
Shibata would inevitably have many brilliant performances and might even lead the class to victory single-handedly.
Although the possibility of that was very high.
But it wasn't impossible.
Despite clearly wanting to be active to become popular and get a girlfriend, Shibata could easily give up such an opportunity to show off.
This wasn't an easy thing to do.
Class B rarely calculated their own gains and losses.
Discarding one's own interests for the sake of the collective—this was true unity.
It might seem especially stupid to other classes, but Hikigaya liked such a class very much.
"Then the project is decided to be baseball. Although we don't know what privileges the leader has yet, since it's a privilege, it will surely be useful. Next is the candidate for leader."
"Does that even need to be said? Of course, Honami-chan will be the leader. Other than Honami, there shouldn't be any other candidates, right?"
"Yeah, only Honami has a Protection Point."
"Didn't Hoshinomiya-sensei also say that the Protection Point can be effective this time? Even if we lose, we don't have to face expulsion."
"But, thinking about what to do if we lose before the competition even starts? Is there some problem with that?"
Looking at the group of chattering people, Hikigaya was quite satisfied.
Hmm.
Perhaps it was because he wasn't popular enough.
Class B also started to speak their minds freely, unlike before when a one-sided situation would appear as soon as Ichinose spoke.
It had its pros and cons.
What was said also made a lot of sense.
Ichinose was the only one who had a Protection Point, so it was only natural that Ichinose should serve as the leader.
It was just: victory first.
Or: prioritizing the safety of companions.
The problem was.
If Ichinose served as the leader.
Would the same situation as last year happen, where Ichinose would do something half-hearted at every critical moment?
Hikigaya wasn't very clear about this point either.
"Honami, what do you think?"
"I..."
Hearing Hikigaya's words.
Ichinose opened her mouth, not knowing what to say.
Although she really wanted to say it was fine and she would be the leader, and that the competition would definitely not be like last year.
But as the environment changed.
Whether she could still guarantee such determination during the competition was uncertain.
It was just like making a resolution not to play with the phone before sleeping, but when the time came, one would still involuntarily pick up the phone.
Determination doesn't necessarily represent action.
However.
If she didn't do it, Hikigaya would definitely need to serve as the leader.
With Hikigaya's mindset, there would certainly be no problem.
But what if the match is lost.
Given Class B's existing private points.
Although they had saved up from the original 12 million to around 16 million over these few months, it was still far from 20 million.
It was definitely impossible to cancel the expulsion punishment.
Hikigaya, who had no Protection Point, would inevitably suffer expulsion.
Only this was absolutely unacceptable.
"Of course, leave the task of leader to me."
Ichinose stood up and promised, clutching her chest.
If the match was lost in the end.
This would be a betrayal to the class.
But the thought of Hikigaya being expelled was something Ichinose could not accept no matter what.
Although she couldn't necessarily guarantee anything, and couldn't guarantee whether she would drop the ball like last year, she would certainly do her best.
"Okay."
Hikigaya nodded.
Looking at Ichinose's eyes, he could roughly guess what she was thinking.
"However, there's no need to be in such a hurry. There are still two days to think it over slowly. During this time, if anyone has new ideas, or maybe feels they are most skilled in a project where they could win even while leading everyone, you can tell us."
"Yeah, then it's decided. I wonder what Class C's project will be."
Someone discussed softly.
No matter how it was decided, drawing one's own class's project would surely greatly increase the probability of victory.
...
On the other side.
2nd Year Class C.....
After Hirata's description.
Shibata had already left him far behind in soccer, so Class C quickly discarded the soccer project.
"Then our class's project is decided to be basketball. Sudou-kun, we'll have to rely on you for this. If our class's project is drawn, you will also need to help everyone train during this time. How about it?"
Gazing at Sudou Ken below the podium, Horikita Suzune asked in a cold voice.
Although Class D was good at many things—soccer, archery, games, and so on.
The project that could best utilize Class C's strengths—the individual strengths of Sudou, Ayanokouji, Hirata, and Kouenji—was indeed basketball.
"Of course, leave it to me."
Sudou patted his chest, a confident smile appearing at the corner of his mouth:
"With me here, as long as it's basketball, we'll absolutely win!"
"Okay."
Horikita Suzune nodded with satisfaction and turned to look at Kouenji.
"Kouenji, do you have any thoughts about serving as the leader?"
"Of course not."
"I thought so."
Horikita Suzune and Kouenji.
Class D currently had two people with Protection Points, but it was still difficult to command Kouenji.
"If the project is chosen, Kouenji, we should be able to look forward to your performance, right?"
"Lucky-girl, you haven't forgotten the agreement between us, have you?"
Kouenji said indifferently while playing with his bangs.
As long as he took first place in the deserted island exam, Horikita Suzune would guarantee that he could spend the rest of his school time leisurely, even if he didn't put in any effort.
However.
After saying that, Kouenji changed the subject:
"If an interesting project appears, perhaps I'll participate. You really are a lucky-girl."
"Let me just ask, what kind of project are you interested in?"
"That will depend on my mood that day."
"..."
Horikita Suzune secretly thought "as expected."
She didn't take it too much to heart either.
No one knew what Kouenji was thinking, but at least Kouenji seemed to have the intention to participate this time, which was already a rare step forward.
Kouenji, Ayanokouji, Sudou Ken, Hirata, Miyake Akito.
Thinking of this.
Horikita Suzune couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
No matter what the competition was.
This time, she must definitely defeat that detestable Hikigaya.
Make him stop looking down on her.