My elite romantic comedy is wrong, as I expected.

VOL 3 Chapter 3 Fast Moves

We've already started the test I can't waste more than a minute, call me paranoid or whatever. But I have to make quick moves.

We are all gathered in silence, maybe they are waiting for me to speak.

Hachiman: Horikita please pass me the map.

Without hesitation he passes me the map.

Horikita: Sure, which place do you think is more suitable?

Hachiman: No idea.

My answer leaves her dumbfounded, but the truth is I have no idea about locations, however my intention is another one.

Hachiman: Koenji, please come.

Koenji: Well, well Hachi-boy it looks like you started off on the wrong foot.

Hachiman: That's my style, Koenji please let you take care of what I told you, but first please find the river.

He passed him the map and I tell him.

Koenji: Make the perfect existence work early, you are really exploitative.

Hachiman: There is no one better for the job, no one can match perfection in person.

Koenji:Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, you're right Hachi-boy.

Satisfy this guy's ego a little, all my classmates have their jaws hanging open, if he were a cartoon most likely his jaws would reach all the way to the floor. But it's no time to be stunned.

Hachiman: Ken.

I call out to him in a firm voice.

Ken: Y-yes?!

Taken by surprise he stutters a little.

Hachiman: I want you to please follow Koenji, he will lead us to the river, but then he will do other things, so I want you to follow him and then lead us to that place.

Ken: Okay!

I seem to have lit a flame quickly.

Koenji: I'm telling you now, red-headed-kun, I'm not going to slow down for someone ordinary.

Ken: You bastard.

Hachiman: That's why I want you to go Ken, you have the best fitness among us, so you won't lose sight of Koenji.

I quickly intercede I don't want silly arguments right now.

Ken:......... I understand.

Hachiman: Very well, go, we will be waiting for you here.

With that the two set off, step one completed. Still dealing with the class.
I turn to them, the shock is still present, multiple questions form in their heads.
But I repeat I don't have time for explanations, I will give them after I have everything organized.

Hachiman: Alright, I think it's time for us to talk, someone has something to say.

Horikita is the first to raise her hand.

Horikita: Why the river?

Hachiman: Maybe we can solve the water problem, if we are near a source of it, it's a bet I'll take.

Horikita: I understand.

Hachiman: Does anyone else want to speak?

Shinohara raises his hand.

Hachiman: You have the word, Shinohara-san.

Shinohara: Thank you, Hikigaya -kun, I want to ask again about whether we can solve the toilet problem.

Ike: Are you still on that? The best option is to save the points, we don't know when we will need them.

Satou: You don't understand because you are a boy, but it's very uncomfortable for us.

Yukimura: Even so Ike has a point, we should keep in mind that the points are limited and can't be replenished, we don't know in what situation we will need them.

Shinohara: We know, but we think it's a staple item.

Yukimura: Above food and water?
We're not going to get anywhere this way, so I'm going to step in.

Hachiman: I understand the position of both sides.

I gather everyone's attention to me.

Hachiman: But my opinion is that we should buy the portable toilet.

Yukimura: May I hear the reason?

Hachiman: Of course, the dissatisfaction shown by the girls may hurt us, not only in the test but also personally. If we don't buy the toilet, most likely more than one of them will hold their needs, which may lead to health problems, they say that we have to save points, I agree but if it puts my classmates in danger we should not be stingy, because if they get sick most likely they will have to drop out of the test. And it can be more than one person. Which may lead to us losing points, in conclusion it's a balance between benefits and costs, if the comfort of the girls helps us avoid precarious scenarios then we can work better as a team.

Yukimura: I see, I hadn't considered that. You're right, I didn't see it from that point of view.

I nod softly. The girls look at me relieved, this time I turn to them.

Hachiman: and you girls, this is the only time I'm going to bend my arm, now we have to worry about the food and the camp, I hope you will work as a team to make everything go well.

Shinohara: We will, Hikigaya-kun.

Satou: Yes, Hikigaya-kun.

And they were placed in agreement, I guess they are happy with the purchase of the portable toilet.

Now to worry about the food.

Hachiman: Alright, now may I ask, does anyone have any knowledge about camping or being outdoors?

The confusion among everyone is palpable, looking for who knows anything. That's when Ike raises his hand.

Ike: I have quite a bit of knowledge from when I was going camping with my family.

I look at him and he looks back at me, we exchange glances, there is no hesitation or doubt, I see him more determined to be useful, well that's a good thing.

Hachiman: Okay, we will rely on your knowledge. And I think the last point we will deal with for now is who is going to be the leader.

They put on thoughtful expressions, they seem to be maturing, they are no longer the guys who think about the easiest option.

Horikita: If you allow me, I want to say a few things.

Hachiman: Go ahead, I'm listening.

Horikita: The leader should be you, Hirata-kun, Kushida-san, Karuizawa-san, and I are the obvious choice, so it's out of the question for us to be the leader. And I think you've kept under the radar of the classes, everyone thinks the class is led by us.

Unfortunately you are right, in the original Horikita was chosen as leader because of her low profile and high ability, the classes didn't know her well, but this time she was already declared as one of the leaders, so it's a no no no that she is chosen as leader. Popular people are also out of the question. As for the people who have the low profile, they would be a viable option, however it is very difficult to make them work the way I want them to.

So yes, Although I hated the idea I should be the leader, being the leader allows me to have the flow of the test scenario plus I can move easier alone.

Hachiman: Is there anyone who thinks otherwise?

I'm met with silence from everyone, so it's basically a unanimous decision.

Hachiman: Alright, I'll be the leader, so I'll set some conditions, I'm not going to take no for an answer.

I know I have kept a low profile, even if I am the leader it doesn't mean I am going to reveal myself yet, the leader for this test should be unexpected so it is no surprise that I would have been chosen, I will still place conditions for security reasons.

Hachiman: Wherever we are going to set up our camp, we must be careful we don't know when we can be watched, so I want to be treated as if I were just another partner, this is to keep my status hidden, if there are important decisions Horikita is the only one allowed to transmit the message, but on the outside Horikita, Kikyo and Yousuke are the ones in charge of decision making, of course if a decision leads to spend points, we will discuss it between all of us. Ike will be our guide in foraging, he will help us decide which foods are fit for consumption.

I think that's all for the moment.
When he finished speaking a Ken appears among the branches all sweaty and panting heavily.

Ken: *gasps* here you are...........*gasps* I already know the direction towards the river.

Hachiman: Just in time, I think we'd better start moving.

I find no opposition, I start to follow Ken, while everyone keeps pace with us. I'm next to Ken, at a safe distance from the rest.

Ken: Hey, Hachiman, you're acting strange lately.

Hachiman: I know.

Ken: Aren't you going to tell?

Hachiman: It's kind of complicated.

Ken: Maybe it's not right, but Akito told us about an event you were at.

Ah, I see, if Akito was a delinquent he will definitely know that nickname. I was a fool to think he had a place to come back to. My tone is neutral just like his, it seems as if we are talking about trivial things, and the volume is quite low, at least they would have to come closer to hear what we are talking about.

Hachiman: I see, I will understand if you want me not to approach you anymore.

Ken: *sigh* Hachiman you are smart, but you are also sometimes very dumb. What I mean is that we are going to wait to hear it from your mouth. That's what we all decided together.

Hachiman: Are you sure it's okay? It's harder to talk about than you think.

Ken: You know Hachiman, I think I already told you, I was an outcast too, I had no friends, everyone avoided me because of my looks, I even thought this school was the same way. Until I met you, you didn't hesitate to help me and put up with my temper, I am very grateful to you and the group, so this time let us support you, I will listen to you, and not only me, Airi, Haruka, Akito and Kiyotaka, will also do it. No matter what they say we are your friends.

Ha, for this guy to lecture me is because the situation is quite serious, but I'm a little relieved that at least they're not pressuring me to talk and are willing to listen to me.

Hachiman: You know Ken, I never thought I'd hear anything sound cool from your mouth. Or maybe you're sick? You should take care of yourself, I don't want to have to throw you out as soon as we start the test.

Ken: Tch, that venomous tongue of yours never changes, I guess you're okay, if you have the strength to make your snide remarks.

I've been rather foolish to isolate myself, I think it's an automatic defense reaction I've developed through my years of being a loner. Well I'll have time to think about that, for the moment let's get on with leading the class.