Hirata's Worries

Instead of going to Kyoto, I'd rather go to Hokkaido!

Upon learning the true destination, almost everyone cheered, except for Horikita, who genuinely wanted to go to Kyoto, who said the script shouldn't have been like this.

Ayanokoji, who was sitting next to Shuichi Kanda, looked around, then shrank back and remained silent.

Of course, his strange behavior did not escape the notice of Shuichi Kanda.

Since the Cultural Festival, this guy seems to have become more and more emotional, and in Shuichi Kanda, he's becoming more and more like a "person".

As for before, Shuichi Kanda felt that this guy was like a machine, a machine that would stop at nothing to achieve its goals.

There were no likes or dislikes before, but things are clearly different now.

Just now, when Chabashira-sensei announced that the travel destination was Hokkaido, this guy clearly showed a regretful expression.

As for Shuichi Kanda himself, it doesn't matter where he goes, since he's never been anywhere anyway.

Well, Ayanokoji should be about the same, but...

"So, why did you want to go to Kyoto?"

While the students were cheering, Shuichi Kanda quietly asked Ayanokoji about it.

"Well, because Kyoto has many temples and cultural heritage sites, which I'm more interested in."

You're really boring.

After Shuichi Kanda silently complained, the Chabashira-sensei on stage continued to explain about the school trip.

"Although this trip is called a school trip, it also has the purpose of educating you in terms of knowledge and learning. And I think you should be used to it by now. Our school is different from other high schools; even on school trips, there are many rules to follow."

The students calmed down slightly, then their expressions suddenly turned strange.

"We have no objection to that, but what if some Special Exam suddenly appears during the trip...?"

Upon hearing the student's words, Chabashira-sensei smiled, a smile that sent chills down the spines of those who saw it.

"Don't worry, there won't be Special Exam this time where you have to compete for Class Points."

Immediately, many students breathed a sigh of relief. Although their Class A was now leading the second-place Class A by a huge number of Class Points, the memory of being behind in the past was still unforgettable.

"Before I begin with the detailed explanation, let me first mention the itinerary for this five-day, four-night trip."

Educational Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Depart from school → Haneda Airport → New Chitose Airport → Arrive at ski resort, training session → Skiing → Transfer to hotel.

Day 2: Free time all day.

Day 3: Visit tourist attractions in downtown Sapporo → Head to the hotel.

Day 4: Free time all day (conditions apply).

Day 5: Embarking on the return journey.

The second day was a full day of free time, and although the fourth day also had some conditions, it seemed that free time was also possible.

So, it's okay to stay in a hotel all day?

"What? I was worried, but it turned out to be just a regular school trip!"

Almost all the students were very satisfied with this ordinary educational trip itinerary, and the response was exceptionally enthusiastic.

"It's okay to feel at ease, but you all seem to have immediately forgotten what I just said. This trip will guarantee free time, but there will also be quite a few tasks that students of Advanced Nurturing High School should complete."

The topic...

Many students swallowed nervously upon seeing Chabashira-sensei's deliberately sinister smile, and some asked him questions with some apprehension.

"For example, what will happen if it can't be completed?"

"Hehe, I can't tell you that for now, but you should be prepared. However, I can tell you about the theme of this school trip—know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle."

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle." This saying comes from Sun Tzu's Art of War. It means that only by understanding both yourself and your opponent can you be invincible and win every battle.

However, knowing yourself and your enemy?

"Knowing yourself is easy to understand, but what does 'knowing your enemy' mean? Does it mean competing with other classes?"

Chabashira-sensei immediately provided an answer to this question.

"Even if you are free to do whatever you want on the second day, you are still high school students. If you act alone, you will inevitably encounter trouble. So, generally speaking, school trips are organized into groups of several people."

But one thing that is significantly different from other schools is that they don't just group students with their own class; instead, they break up the entire grade and then group them into different groups.

"Huh? Huh? Huh? Well, the chances of being grouped with someone I don't get along with are actually quite high, right?"

The students, who were initially excited about Hokkaido, which they had never seen before, were suddenly brought back to reality.

As if to demonstrate this point, Chabashira-sensei began to explain in detail.

"That's right, it depends on interpersonal relationships and group assignments. It's also possible that almost everyone in the same group is meeting for the first time."

Indeed, in a typical school with a maximum of 160 students per grade, students should easily get to know and become friends with students from other classes, but this school's policy prevents this from happening.

After all, to put it bluntly, we're all fierce competitors, fighting to the death.

That was the case at the very beginning.

However, regarding this point, after Ryuen Class gave up the class rivalry, the interpersonal relationships in Class D improved a lot, and many students made friends from other classes.

"So the purpose of this school trip is to help you get rid of these shortcomings. Regardless of whether you are in another class or not, this is a great opportunity for you to get to know each other as students of this school and as individuals."

It felt like they were forcing us to make friends, just like last year's Training Camp Exam.

After that Training Camp Exam, the relationships between students in the same group almost all improved, to varying degrees.

Chapter 366 Hirata's worries

This five-day, four-night study trip may seem short, but it's actually quite long, and there are two days of free time. So, it's inevitable that members of the group will interact, and it's easy for them to naturally grow closer.

Of course, there's also the possibility that some people will absolutely refuse to communicate with others in their group. Even the school can't do anything about that; they can't force you to interact with others.

Shuichi Kanda wasn't worried about any problems from the Student Council in Class A, since everyone knew that Class A and Class D had a good relationship.

As for Class C, since they've been influenced by Ichinose since the beginning of their first year, their negotiation skills have improved dramatically, making them very capable, so there's no need to worry about them.

Therefore, if a problem does arise, it will definitely be Class B's fault, since of the three classes below, only they still want to rebuild the glory of the original Class A.

When it comes to three against one, the outcome will be immediately clear.

However, as Chabashira-sensei said, this school trip will not involve the competition for Class Points, so Shuichi Kanda estimates that Class B will not suffer any substantial losses.

"But I always feel... the thought of having to constantly consider others on educational trips makes it seem like I won't be able to fully enjoy myself!"

"Oh, that's easy. Just turn everyone else into our own people, right? Anyway, there won't be Special Exam this time."

"That seems... to make some sense."

"Besides, even if we worry about it ourselves, the school certainly won't change the rules because of it, right?"

Hearing this, Chabashira-sensei nodded. "That's right, the rules that have been decided will not be changed at the last minute."

During the five-day, four-night educational trip, the school will try its best to divide the students from each class into groups of eight, which can be assumed that each class will send one boy and one girl.

As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately raised their hand.

"Teacher, if what you just said is true, then the students in each of our second-grade classes are quite different."

That's right. In the second year, the class with the most students is Class A. Two students dropped out, but four new students were brought in, so there are currently forty-two students. Two boys dropped out, and three of the four new students are girls.

Therefore, at this time, there were only nineteen boys and twenty-three girls in Class A.

Class B has 38 students, 19 boys and 19 girls.

Class C also has an equal number of boys and girls, but the total number of students is forty, with twenty boys and twenty girls.

Class D has the fewest students, with only thirty-six, but the number of boys and girls is the same, eighteen each.

If we follow the grouping method Chabashira-sensei just described, after dividing the class into sixteen groups, the students in Class D will be divided, while Class A will have six extra students: one boy and five girls.

Class B has one boy and one girl remaining, and Class C has two boys and two girls remaining.

A total of twelve people.

"I know what you're worried about. At this point, there are a total of 156 second-year students. If we calculate using groups of eight, it won't be divisible, so we'll first establish eighteen groups of eight and two groups of six. The gender ratio will also be as fair as possible."

So, the last two groups of six consisted of two men and four women.

Hmm, the yin energy seems a bit too strong.

Unfortunately, all four students who dropped out were boys, so there was nothing that could be done about it.

"Of course, there is another possibility: first select eighteen groups of eight, then the remaining twelve people select one group of eight, and the last four people are assigned to other groups, making it a group of nine."

"Huh? Hasn't this been decided yet?"

The students were somewhat surprised, realizing from the two grouping methods mentioned by Chabashira-sensei that the school's preparations were not yet complete.

"You don't need to worry about that."

As Chabashira-sensei spoke, he continued to explain the rules for this session.

"On the first day of the trip, each class will take a bus from the school to Haneda Airport. Then the plane will land at New Chitose Airport, and you will be told which group you were assigned to at the airport."

Once divided into groups, participants should, in principle, stay in their groups until the final move back to school by bus.

Upon hearing this, the student couldn't help but ask, "So, that means we still have to work in groups during free time?"

"In principle, that's how it works. You must discuss and decide on the location together as a group, and then proceed as a group. If you can't decide on a location through discussion, you won't be allowed to leave the hotel."

Chabashira-sensei's affirmative answer caused many students in the class to groan in despair.

"However, it's fine not to be in a group at the hotel. Whether it's going to the public bath, relaxing in the lobby, or even dining, you're free to decide as long as it's within the designated time."

As for accommodation, it's natural that men and women are separated, which is something that should be more comprehensive.

Shuichi Kanda didn't really care about this; at worst, it would just mean four boys crammed into one room.

"I will be staying at the same hotel for all four nights. It is a very famous and impressive place to stay in Hokkaido."

I think you should be able to have a comfortable time without getting bored, and you can also take this opportunity to get to know the students in other classes."

"Furthermore, the grouping method this time will not be random, but will be based on the form you just filled out."

Shuichi Kanda pouted. "What's the point of saying this now? The forms have already been submitted, and they haven't even explained how the groups will be divided. It's impossible to manipulate the group assignments now."

"In addition, your mobile phones will still work normally during this trip, but you can only use them to contact classmates or teachers."

It's fine even if it's used to contact first- or third-year students who didn't participate in the trip; in case of an emergency, they can call the police or an ambulance.

However, contacting family members or people outside the school is prohibited, and the school will also manage call records. I don't need to elaborate on the consequences of violating this rule, do I?

Of course, it's just dropping out of school, right?

However, the school is far too lax in this regard; it's far too easy for students to contact the outside world if they really want to.

After all, even if your own phone doesn't work, you can borrow someone else's phone to contact your family.

Surely the school can't possibly send someone to track and monitor every single group?

After that, Chabashira-sensei talked about the school trip. It seemed quite ordinary, and many students didn't seem very interested in it. However, Shuichi Kanda and Ayanokoji listened very attentively, since neither of them had ever been to Hokkaido.

At noon, Shuichi Kanda usually ate lunch with Kamuro, but today Hirata Shuichi Kanda with him instead.

"I'm a little concerned about the group assignments. Even though I welcome the policy of getting along well with other classes, I always feel like something might happen later."

During the meal, Hirata expressed his unease.

"You mean after getting along well with other classes?"

Hirata nodded, then looked at Shuichi Kanda, as if wanting to get an answer from him.

Shuichi Kanda actually knew about this; it was roughly about getting students from different classes to get along, and then having a Special Exam everyone would work together to compete against each other.

This is probably the school's educational policy, and even Shuichi Kanda can't easily change it.

Because this school has been established for so many years, it naturally has its own way of operating.

If this operating model is disrupted rashly without a new one, the school's role will likely diminish over time.

As for education, Shuichi Kanda is not particularly skilled, so he won't casually interfere with the school's policies.

"What if, through this exam, we learn the reasons why some students in other classes absolutely have to graduate from Class A..."

"You mean, it will evoke sympathy?"

Hirata nodded.