After making sure everyone in the class was present, Hirata raised the question.
They needed a leader to claim the campsite, so choosing one was their top priority.
"Does anyone want to volunteer to be the leader? Or we could nominate each other," Hirata asked with a smile.
"I... I think if we have to choose someone, wouldn't Hirata be a good fit?"
A timid girl with her hair in twin tails raised her hand with a slight tremble and voiced her opinion.
Chiba Yu knew a little about her. Her name was Wang Meiyu, an international student from China.
She was somewhat withdrawn, but apparently her academic ability ranked near the top of the class. She was the kind of person who didn't stand out much.
Still, Chiba was impressed that she'd spoken up at a time like this.
But he quietly shook his head at her suggestion.
There was no need to mention Hirata's reputation in class, but someone so outstanding and attention-grabbing didn't fit the role of "leader" in this situation.
"I agree!"
"Me too. If it's Hirata, he'll definitely lead us to victory in this exam!"
"No, I disagree!"
As soon as those words were spoken, the students turned their attention to the person who'd objected—Yukimura Teruhiko.
People didn't like to step outside their comfort zones to think. At that moment, Chiba understood the saying more deeply than ever.
Faced with the confused looks and stares, Yukimura adjusted his glasses and calmly began to explain.
"Sorry, Hirata. I don't mean to say there's anything wrong with you. Quite the opposite. You're so outstanding that you're exactly the wrong person to be our leader."
"I think he might be right. I may not be the best fit," Hirata said. He wasn't angry at being rejected; he just smiled gently, understandingly.
"What's the problem?" Wang Meiyu and the others asked, confused.
"I also think Hirata isn't suited to be the leader."
The students had been restless already, but when they heard this from Karuizawa Kei, who should have been Hirata's strongest supporter, they were dumbfounded. One after another, they said they didn't understand.
Chiba was relieved that someone had noticed the problem, and impressed by Karuizawa's insight.
So she wasn't actually clueless after all...
If Karuizawa heard him say that, there was a good chance he'd end up at the bottom of the sea before the exam was even over.
In response to the class's doubts, Yukimura explained seriously, "I'm not denying that Hirata is outstanding. Quite the opposite. The way he acts every day makes it easy for students from other classes to assume that he's Class D's leader."
"There won't be just a few people who think that. If we run into some lunatic who likes taking big risks for a small chance of success, just think about how badly our class could be hurt."
"Secondly, and more importantly, the class leader and the actual leader are two different things. The former is required for this exam, so we need to choose carefully."
"In that case, why don't we pick someone who doesn't stand out much and doesn't usually get involved in class matters?"
For some reason, the moment Karuizawa said that, Chiba felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, as though all the malice in the world had turned its attention toward him.
While Chiba was still caught up in that feeling, he suddenly realized that everyone around him was staring at him.
"...What are you all looking at me for?" Chiba looked back at them helplessly, his gaze tinged with despair.
"Come to think of it, aside from Ayanokoji, Chiba seems to be the only one with such a low profile in class."
"I think so too!"
"Oh, right. If you don't count grades, students from other classes probably wouldn't pay Chiba any attention."
Hey, you over there, the person I don't know. I don't think I've ever done anything to you, so what exactly are you trying to say?!
Also, could you please not decide the outcome so easily? Did any of you ask what I thought? This is obviously the kind of job that'll work me to death. If I had a choice, I really wouldn't want it...
Just as Chiba was about to despair, the situation took a turn.
"Um, I don't think Chiba would be a bad choice, but there've been some rumors going around lately..."
An angel! Chiba had never thought of Kushida Kikyo as such a saintly person. At that moment, he felt that the people outside their class who called her an angel had remarkable foresight.
But speaking of which, what rumor had Kushida just mentioned? How had he not heard about it?
"What rumor?"
"Oh, right. I'd forgotten about that. In that case, I guess we really do need to choose someone else."
"Yeah, yeah. After all, people might figure it out if the candidate is connected to someone famous in the class."
"Isn't that right, Karuizawa?"
As she said this, Mori Nene nudged Karuizawa beside her with her elbow, wearing a mischievous grin.
"W-What are you talking about?! I already told you, there's really nothing between him and me—"
"Mm-hmm, we know. So, does anyone have any other recommendations?" Matsushita cut in, her expression clearly teasing, though her words were perfunctory.
When it seemed like everyone else had actually started considering other candidates, Chiba could only stare wide-eyed. He even glanced in surprise at Karuizawa, whose face had turned red, only for her to glare back at him with puffed-up cheeks.
Hirata watched quietly, unable to hide his amusement.
"Besides, I think the leader should be someone with a strong sense of responsibility, don't you?" Kushida continued.
But Chiba picked out the key message in her words: Isn't she basically saying I don't have a sense of responsibility? He could only say, You read me perfectly.
"I think the person who meets both of these conditions is..." Kushida looked toward Horikita, who stood nearby with her arms folded. "Horikita. What do you all think?"
"I agree."
"I agree too!"
Under Hirata's and the others' expectant gazes, Horikita closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she slowly opened them.
"I understand. I accept."