Chapter 36: The Man Abandoned By the Goddess of Luck
"Really, Hoshinomiya-sensei is just like a child. I'll go call her; everyone, wait a moment." Ichinose smiled as she walked away briskly, leaving the group exchanging helpless glances and soft chuckles.
Hikigaya observed this dynamic keenly. The smiles the others wore were peculiar, almost like parents indulging a naughty child—tinged with exasperation but brimming with affection. It was a demeanor he'd only seen in elders dealing with wayward juniors.
Something about this relationship felt off. Even in a school setting, authority usually rested with the teachers, not the students.
Yet, this arrangement seemed... the opposite. It was as if the class was babysitting Teacher Hoshinomiya. Moments later, Ichinose returned, bringing Hoshinomiya Chie along.
"Sorry, sorry~" With clasped hands and a playful tilt of her head, Hoshinomiya blinked apologetically. Her charming antics softened Class B's collective exasperation—they had no choice but to forgive her.
"Everyone," Ichinose said, glancing upward. "How about we find some shade first? We can discuss the rest there." The blazing sun made it impossible to argue with her logic. The group followed her lead, heading toward the woods.
Before moving, Hikigaya took a moment to glance back at Class D. They were still arguing under the relentless sun. His gaze fell on Sae Chabashira, the Class D homeroom teacher, standing beside Hoshinomiya's friend. He couldn't help but wonder. Would Teacher Hoshinomiya betray Class B? No, it couldn't happen. That would be absurd.
And yet, Hikigaya couldn't dismiss the possibility. Suspicion clung to him like a shadow, extending even to the teachers. Once Class B found a wide clearing, they regrouped. Hikigaya, however, sat three steps away on a stone, watching from the periphery. As a loner, he needs to be cautious. And prepared for the worst.
"Sensei," Ichinose said, holding the manual, "can you explain how the possession rights and leadership cards work?"
"Let me see~" Hoshinomiya leaned in, clutching Ichinose's wrist like an overexcited child. "Oh, I remember now! The island has several strongholds. You can occupy them to gain exclusive rights and earn special points. Just use the leader's key card to activate them."
"But," Ichinose questioned, tilting her head, "couldn't someone just use the system to get unlimited points?"
Kanzaki and the others exchanged doubtful glances.
"Let me think..." Hoshinomiya flipped through the manual before pausing. "Ah, right! The possession rights only last eight hours. They reset automatically after that. Make sure to keep track of the time!"
Is this person really a teacher? Hikigaya thought. Maybe she should return to school herself.
Bored, he kicked at the ground. The crushed bushes around the area hinted that this was no uninhabited island. The rules he'd read earlier surfaced in his mind:
A key card is required to capture a stronghold.
Each capture earns one point, granting exclusive access to the base.
Unauthorized use of another class's stronghold results in a fifty-point penalty.
Only the leader can use the key card. The leader cannot be replaced without valid reasons.
On the seventh day, there would be an exam to guess the leaders of other classes.
A correct guess allowed one class to steal fifty points from the other.
An incorrect guess would deduct fifty points, and any points gained through the exam or stronghold captures would be nullified.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei," Ichinose asked again, "where will the daily roll call be held?"
"Don't worry!" Hoshinomiya puffed her chest with pride. "I'll stick with you this time—I won't run off again!"
Hikigaya barely suppressed a sigh. This is the same teacher with a record of just wandering to somewhere.
"Now then," Ichinose continued, "let's decide on the leader. Does anyone want to volunteer?"
"It should be Honami-chan, right?" someone suggested immediately.
"Yeah, I agree!" The chorus of agreement was immediate, but Kanzaki shook his head.
"While Ichinose is the best candidate, she's too obvious. Other classes would guess her in an instant."
"True." Ichinose nodded apologetically. "That's why I'd prefer someone else. Any volunteers?"
Hikigaya shifted uncomfortably. Who in their right mind would want such a troublesome role? The leader would have to wake up every eight hours to maintain the stronghold's possession. It was thankless and exhausting. Only a fool would volunteer.
"I'll do it," Shibata said confidently.
"No." Watanabe shook his head. "Shibata and Kanzaki are just as conspicuous as Ichinose. If no one else volunteers, I'll take the role."
Hikigaya looked around. Were these people serious? His gaze accidentally met Himeno's. She quickly glared and stepped back, mirroring his own reluctance. Maybe she's one of the few sane people here. Who would like to volunteer in a tiring position.
"Wait, everyone, wait," Ichinose said, halting the discussion. Her eyes scanned the group before settling on someone.
When their eyes met, Hikigaya looked away like a child who was afraid to be called by the teacher. Then Ichinose land to someone.
"How about you, Chihiro? Will you be our leader?"
"Eh?" The girl named Chihiro squeaked, her voice barely audible. "But... I... I..."
"It's fine." Ichinose stepped closer, her tone soothing. "You're smart, even if you don't speak up much. We'll all support you. Will you give it a try?"
After a moment of hesitation, Chihiro nodded. "I'll try..."
Hikigaya begrudgingly admitted this was a good decision. Chihiro was as inconspicuous as he was—a perfect cover. And everyone in Class B is satisfied with Ichinose reasoning.
"To protect the leader's identity," Ichinose suggested, "we'll need decoys at the strongholds. How about Kanzaki, Hikigaya, and me?"
"That's fine," Kanzaki said.
"Wait a second!" Hikigaya protested, standing abruptly. "Why me?" He can say no to her request but the way she looks at him with much expectation. So he just stares at her for a couple of minutes before she speaks again.
Ichinose smiled. "Because we need a diverse group with strong observational skills. Kanzaki is skilled but straightforward, I'm... noticeable, and you're discreet but exceptionally observant. It was proven since the start of the year."
"That makes sense, Hikigaya were counting on you" Kanzaki nodded. Some people in Class B might disagree but didn`t voice it out as there`s no way they can refute Ichinose and Kanzaki.
Her logic was irrefutable. So he reluctantly nodded to her, accepting his fate. No more lazing around and peaceful sleep for him. Lady Luck, Hikigaya thought with a sigh, has abandoned me again.