The look on Horikita’s face said, “But what does that tell us?”
“If you can narrow down who your opponents will be, you can then at least try to find their weak points. Now, this is nothing more than an example scenario, but let’s assume that the person you just named, Hatsukawa, has a strong crush on Miyake Akito. If that were the case, then if we intentionally chose Miyake with that in mind, then we might make Hatsukawa unable to make decisions like normal,” I replied.
“So you’re talking about ‘chemistry’ then?” asked Horikita.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m talking about,” I replied.
“But I can’t imagine that chemistry would affect the outcome of the exam so much as to easily determine a winner, and—”
“I didn’t say that it’d be particularly easy,” I cut her off. “When it’s difficult to make a breakthrough, first, try to change your point of view. After that, you can decide whether you think it’s a good or bad idea.”
I needed to make sure that Horikita knew that some things can quickly come into view just by slightly changing where you stood.
“I will keep that in mind,” said Horikita.
Her words were straightforward and accepting, but she must not have liked something about that, as she had a somewhat disapproving look in her eyes.
“You seem to have a lot of thoughts on the matter, so I’m going to ask you a question. You mentioned me, Hirata-kun, and Kushida-san. Do you think that we three would be good representatives?” asked Horikita.
“That is something that you, Horikita, as the linchpin and person worthy of leading the class, have to think about yourself,” I replied.
“I was thinking that first, I’d listen to what those around me have to say. That’s why we’re talking now,” said Horikita.
The way she said that sounded a bit roundabout and pompous, like she was trying to make a show of her wit. In that case, I guess I’d give her an answer.
“The representatives for the class will have a definite one-on-one structure. Meaning it is better to choose students who can fight as individuals rather than the type of student who can demonstrate their abilities when they’re with multiple people. In addition, we would want to exclude students who specialize in physical abilities, like Sudou and Onodera. Yousuke and Kushida are capable even in a group, but they’re skilled enough to be flexibly adaptable even on their own. I would say that they are safe choices,” I told her.
“That’s an uninteresting answer. It’s like something you’d find written in a textbook. I’d like a little more individuality,” said Horikita.
“You already have a plan in mind without even relying on my input, don’t you?” I asked.
We had until the end of Sunday to determine the representatives. If she hadn’t narrowed down the candidates by now, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
“Well, somewhat. That said, there aren’t many people that seem like they can be entrusted with this responsibility. My opinion is almost the same as yours. It’s inevitable that Hirata-kun and Kushida-san would be the first-choice candidates. However, we can’t honestly say that they are the best choices,” said Horikita.
“Okay then, what would you say is the best lineup?” I asked.
At my question, she directed a gloomy gaze at me.
“If you, Ayanokouji-kun, along with Kouenji-kun, would accept the position, I would just leave it to you,” said Horikita.
Horikita’s vision for the lineup of three representatives: Horikita, Ayanokouji, and Kouenji. Huh. It was true that if the wishes of the people selected weren’t a factor, then that lineup might’ve been ideal.
“Even if I put aside the matter of you for a moment, I can’t help but find myself thinking, ‘If only Kouenji-kun would honestly accept the task,’ in times like these,” said Horikita.
“Yeah, if he were to take things seriously, coupled with his wild intuition, I’m sure he’d blow through the competition,” I replied.
“Yes, absolutely,” said Horikita, agreeing vehemently.
It might’ve even been possible for him to enter the competition as the vanguard and take out the others, going all the way up to general. Of course, if he was nominated against his will, there was a substantial risk that he would let himself be defeated without even putting up a fight. If anything, that was the only way I could see it unfolding.
“But I know better than to hope for that,” Horikita said. “Regarding the matter of Kouenji-kun, I’ve already admitted that I’ll just be watching him quietly until graduation. It isn’t realistic for me to even request that he be a representative, unless he comes out and volunteers for it himself.”
It sounded like the odds were so slim that Horikita wasn’t even going to try to talk to him. That was the right move on her part though, and she shouldn’t be carelessly hopeful in her recruitment calls. After all, it was Kouenji, and it wouldn’t be unusual for him to say that something like that was a breach of contract and then make unreasonable demands.
“Even if it’s impossible to go with him, I would feel comfortable leaving it to you, if you would accept, but…” said Horikita.
She shot a fleeting glance over at me, as if she were consulting an oracle.
“Do you think that I would accept?” I asked.
“I don’t, no,” she replied.
“You don’t think so, huh? Actually, if you wanted me to, I wouldn’t mind accepting the role, though.”
“Yes, I figured as much. After all, I knew it’s not something that you’d say yes so easi—huh?” blinked Horikita.
Horikita was about to finish her statement, but then she froze, with her mouth hanging open.
“What did you just say?” she asked.
“I just said that I’d be willing to accept, if that’s what you want, Horikita,” I told her.
Even though I repeated myself, her mouth still kept opening and closing silently, as though her brain hadn’t processed the information yet.
“R-really? You’re not joking?” she asked.
“I don’t make jokes that aren’t funny. It’d be too much of a hassle if you took a lie like that seriously,” I answered.