"And even if I joined Ichinose's class, it would still be useless."
"Because at that point, the competition would no longer be about students from two classes growing through rivalry, but a game between the class representatives of both sides."
"So the students of both classes would not receive sufficient training. That would not be a good thing in terms of the school's original intention of developing its students," Hachiman said.
Sakayanagi nodded, seemingly acknowledging his argument, but then she added,
"Things may indeed turn out as Hachiman imagines. However, Hachiman, you really are brimming with confidence that Ichinose's class could still win after you joined them."
"In other words, you've underestimated me quite severely," Sakayanagi said.
"I'm not denying you. Rather, I can say with certainty that even an Ichinose class like that would have a guaranteed path to victory," Hachiman said.
"What?"
Sakayanagi seemed intrigued.
"Pay twenty million points and buy you, Sakayanagi Arisu, over."
"..." Hachiman.
"..." Sakayanagi.
The conversation seemed to have abruptly wandered into a dead end.
Because Sakayanagi believed Class A could win by buying Hachiman Hikigaya, while Hachiman Hikigaya believed Ichinose's class could still be saved by buying Sakayanagi Arisu.
It was absolutely hilarious.
Their ideas had overlapped unexpectedly.
"Hehe—"
Sakayanagi Arisu laughed.
"Should I say we were of one mind, or that we both realized we couldn't keep fighting each other forever?" Sakayanagi Arisu said. "I understand what you mean now. Then our walk back together ends here."
"Are you going to walk alone from here?" Hachiman said.
The two of them were currently walking from the Shopping Street toward the dormitories, and they had already covered half the distance.
"Yes, Hachiman, please go back first."
"I'd like to be alone for a while," Sakayanagi said, lightly brushing the ends of her