Hikigaya doesn't want to be a force of strength

I still need more preparation.

"Due to my relationship with Sakayanagi, I cannot tell you the specifics." Hikigaya looked at Ichinose and Kanzaki, "I can only tell you the conclusion, which is that I am now following Sakayanagi's orders, and I am now planning to tell you the identity of the leader of Class A."

"This……"

"You should know that Class A is showing signs of division right now?"

Facing Ichinose Honami who still had doubts, Hikigaya slowly spoke: "The Sakayanagi faction led by Sakayanagi Arisu and the Katsuragi faction led by Katsuragi Kōhei are now clearly in conflict within Class A."

"I've heard about this." Kanzaki Ryuji nodded. "From someone I know in Class A, I learned that Katsuragi Kōhei and Sakayanagi Arisu have different philosophies, and that they even had factional conflicts. This time on the uninhabited island, the Katsuragi faction gained the upper hand because Sakayanagi Arisu gave up participating in the exam, causing the Sakayanagi faction to go into full defensive mode."

"I see. Sakayanagi Arisu-san knew that she would be at a disadvantage in the exam on the uninhabited island, so she sought help from Hikigaya-san."

When Ichinose heard what Kanzaki said, he suddenly understood.

Kanzaki also believed Ichinose's conclusion because he had indeed heard rumors that Hikigaya and Sakayanagi appeared in the library together.

The most important thing is that these clues were summed up by themselves, without any prompts or inducements from anyone. Hikigaya even only talked about his relationship with Sakayanagi Arisu throughout the whole process.

This made Class B infinitely believe Hikigaya's words.

After all, people always believe what they want to believe.

In other words, humans are more willing to believe what they actively learn than what others tell them...

This is also the reason why excellent salespeople often proactively provide customers with a variety of choices, but generally do not explain the product performance in detail.

Only by allowing customers to understand the "truth" themselves will they be more certain that what they witness is real.

The most brilliant thing about Hikigaya's scam was that he didn't cheat at all. He simply laid the 'facts' in front of Class B and waited for them to discover them.

Eventually they came to a conclusion that they had deliberately made them come to.

Even the cautious Kanzaki Ryuji was gradually losing his suspicion of Hikigaya.

But Kanzaki still spoke cautiously: "However, we still can't completely trust you, Hikigaya-san."

"Kanzaki-san?"

Ichinose looked at his deputy in confusion.

Kanzaki Ryuji put his hand in front of Ichinose and turned to look at Hikigaya, "Now that I know about your relationship with Sakayanagi Arisu, I need to be more vigilant against you. No one knows if this is Sakayanagi's plan to drag us, Class B, into this."

"I understand your wariness."

Hikigaya nodded silently.

Kanzaki Ryuji's reaction was within his calculations.

What he said just now only solved the source of his information and made Ichinose and the others believe that there was no conflict of position between themselves and Class B.

However, Hikigaya did not address the risks Class B took in this matter.

Class B is the most united class in the entire first grade. This unity comes from Ichinose Hoba's excellent and outstanding personal abilities, which allows everyone in the class to trust her unconditionally.

Secondly, Class B is not a group of purely optimistic people. There are also outstanding people like Ryuji Kanzaki who are wary of the outside world and have pessimistic thoughts.

Looking at the above points, it is not difficult to judge the behavior style of this class, which is absolute conservatism.

They will not do anything beyond risk control, and they don't want unknown actions to affect the unity of the class.

Therefore, Class B can allow Ichinose to cooperate with people from other classes at will, but they will not easily believe the information from Hikigaya.

After all, if you choose to use Hikigaya's information.

Once failed, it will be a huge blow to the entire class.

This is the common way of thinking among large and established companies, that is, not taking any risky actions and only making choices where the risks can be controlled.

Then, it is very clear what you need to do.

"..."

Hikigaya suddenly fell silent, causing Ichinose and Kanzaki to look a little confused.

Ichinose instinctively thought that Hikigaya was disappointed with Class B, and quickly said, "I'm sorry, Hikigaya-san, Kanzaki-san is often too cautious. I've criticized him for being suspicious of others before, but he is the vice-president of our class after all, so..."

“This kind of thinking is actually quite good.”

"Eh?"

"In fact, no matter what Class B does, they will most likely not be able to beat Class A in the end. If you think in this way, you can make some conservative choices and save more personal points to make your future life better."

"Hikigaya-san?"

Ichinose noticed the change in Hikigaya's attitude and looked confused.

Kanzaki Ryuji spoke directly: "Are you mocking our class for doing something wrong?"

"No, I'm just stating the facts. After all, you guys definitely can't beat Class A, right?" Hikigaya said with a smile, "Even when Arisu Sakayanagi wasn't around, you guys couldn't see any chance of winning. If she returns to Class A and even gives them advice, what hope do you have of winning?"

"..."

Hikigaya's overly sharp words made Ichinose and Kanzaki's eyebrows twitch.

Both of them vaguely sensed Hikigaya's purpose, but were unconsciously led by the other's words and felt extremely depressed.

Hikigaya then continued:

"When Class A was on the cruise ship, they had already found the best location on the island. Katsuragi Kohei memorized the environment of the uninhabited island and occupied no less than five bases on the first day."

"Varied……"

"They seem to have reached a private cooperation with other classes. Although the details are still just speculation, the number of points that Class A can obtain is far more exaggerated than you think."

"That Katsuragi actually..."

Hikigaya told all the clues he could find, whether true or false, with the goal of igniting the flame of Class B.

If Class B is originally a group of conservative old-fashioned people, then in order to make them make risky decisions, they must understand the necessity of taking risks and realize how difficult it is to defeat Class A. Relying solely on conservative operations will only make the gap bigger and bigger!

"This is even when the Sakayanagi faction has been obstructing the development of the Katsuragi faction. The Katsuragi faction has already unknowingly gained such a huge advantage. Once the Sakayanagi faction is defeated and completely submits to the Katsuragi faction, your Class B will have no chance of winning against Class A."

"You should be able to believe that I am not exaggerating."

Although in fact it is just alarmist.

Hikigaya's words were simple, but they were changing Class B's perception little by little.

If Karuizawa and Kushida saw it, they would definitely feel very familiar.

Chapter 273: How can you possibly become Class A with such naive ideas?

"..."

Hikigaya's inflammatory words penetrated deeply into the hearts of the two students in Class B.

At this moment, Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji both fell silent. They squatted on the spot and made tiny sounds that were not sure whether they were sighs or groans.

There's no way around it, Hikigaya was telling the truth from beginning to end.

Although he spoke selectively in order to achieve his own goals, no one could expose the conclusions he came to.

Hikigaya even dared to say with certainty that Class B would never be a match for Class A, even if this class exerted its abilities to the fullest.

Because this conservative approach can only maintain stability but not move forward.

If the positions of Class B and Class A were swapped, it might be a good strategy for Class B, which is in a high position, to always take this safe approach. However, when it is at a disadvantage and the gap is huge, the result of maintaining stability is to further widen the gap.

As an expert in risk assessment, Hikigaya does not recommend people to adopt a zero-risk strategy in all circumstances.

Because zero risk also means low returns, if the gap does exist, it will be difficult to completely catch up with the gap with this safe approach.

Seeing that Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji were both persuaded by him and didn't say a word, he took advantage of the situation and pursued them:

"Sakayanagi did not participate in the exam on the uninhabited island, and was even willing to help your class B. You may think that this is a conspiracy of that Sakayanagi, and it is part of her strategy, but even so, it does not mean that you cannot try to use Sakayanagi's strategy."

"In fact, now that Class A is in such a serious state of internal strife, it is the best time for Class B to surpass Class A. If they can't even seize such a good opportunity now, when Class A completely solves its internal problems and unites as a whole, Class B's hope of surpassing Class A will be even slimmer."

"..."

Having said that, Ichinose and Kanzaki did not respond.

Hikigaya still refused to stop.

"Are you willing to miss such a good opportunity?"

'Snapped'.

A drop of morning dew fell from a branch in the B squad camp, collided with the ground, and echoed clearly throughout the scene.

Hikigaya's voice followed closely.

"It is impossible for Class B to surpass Class A and become a top class. With your own qualities, it is impossible to defeat Class A with a conservative strategy. If you don't adopt some high-risk strategies, how can you become a top class?"

Hikigaya said this, staring at Ichinose's face.

"Risks and benefits coexist. If you don't have the heart to become Class A from the beginning, then my words are in vain. You don't have to care too much. But if you have even a little goal of becoming Class A in your heart..."

"...Yes, of course."

Hearing Ichinose's murmur, Hikigaya smiled and said, "Then give it a try. After all, this is the option with the lowest risk. Even if you lose, the Sakayanagi faction will lose with you. What's more, if you lose, you will be able to see my true face and eliminate a dangerous person. Why not do it?"

Hikigaya used words that belittled himself to provoke Ichinose.

The pink-haired girl quickly retorted, "No, I don't think you're that kind of person, Hikigaya-san!"

"I'm sorry, but I am that kind of person." Hikigaya waved his hand and said calmly, "Everything I just said was just to achieve my goal. I was deliberately provoking you and arousing your desire to surpass Class A. But I think if you don't have this desire, you won't be provoked by me."

"I deliberately dug this pit for you, just for myself. As for what choice you will make, it is entirely up to you. Will you choose to give up, or choose to use the stage I set for you to try to surpass Class A, Ichinose, what choice will you make?"

Hikigaya didn't want to deceive Ichinose, nor did he want to deceive Class B, so he made his words completely clear.

But this was also his strategy.

If surpassing Class A is truly a desire from the bottom of Ichinose's heart, if Ichinose Honami is really as incredibly gentle as she appears to be—

Hikigaya is risking everything, betting everything on Ichinose Honami's integrity and self-esteem!

"The leader of Class A is Totsuka Yahiko. I can almost guarantee the authenticity of this news. If you are willing to believe me, fill in this name on the leader form after the exam."

After Hikigaya finished what he wanted to say, he turned his head silently.

He had no intention of staying here any longer.

But at this moment, Ichinose suddenly said, "Wait a minute, Hikigaya-san."

"what happened?"

"I, I will believe you."

"This……"

Although Hikigaya guessed that Class B would believe his words after the previous round of induction, it was still a bit unexpected for him that Ichinose expressed his trust in him so directly.

What he didn't expect was that Kanzaki Ryuji, who he thought would jump out to stop him, actually spoke with a look of relief:

"Before, seeing how much Ichinose trusted you, I thought she was a little too careless, but now it seems that you, Hikigaya, are indeed someone that people can trust."

"Uh, huh?"

How do you know that someone like me is trustworthy?

I just completely misled you...

"Is that so?" As for Kanzaki Ryuji's attitude, Ichinose said with a smug look on his face, "Hikigaya-san could have deceived us into attacking Class A, but he told us everything. How can we betray his trust?!"

"..."

Is there something wrong with this development?

Hikigaya had originally prepared himself to be completely disliked by Class B and to sever all ties with them after this conversation.

But he never expected that Ichinose would still show such trust after the conversation.

So is this class too friendly?

For a moment, Hikigaya had the illusion that he had sold a crutch to a person with normal legs and feet, and after forcibly charging him a fee, the other person said "thank you" with a smile on his face.

My conscience is vaguely uneasy.

"By the way, Hikigaya-san, do you want to stay for lunch?" Ichinose asked excitedly, "Our class found a lot of fruits nearby. We can fill our stomachs just by eating fruits!"