What is something that never diminishes no matter how much you do it?
Work.
Hikigaya Hachiman understood this truth all too well.
The drinkability of river water had been tested through heroic means—boil, cool, store, and repeat. This was now his daily routine. He filled plastic bottles with purified water, ensuring that the entire class stayed hydrated.
Each person was supposed to drink at least two liters of water daily. But in the scorching summer heat, coupled with intense physical activity, that amount could easily rise to 3.5 liters. Four liters was the safer bet.
With forty people in Class B, that meant close to half a ton of potable river water was needed every day. And when factoring in morning and evening washes, several tons of water had to be boiled.
It was relentless work.
And yet—why did the girls only express their opinions at times like these?
"I can't wash my face with cold water."
What did that even mean? Were they targeting him? It seemed like he had chosen the wrong job.
Wake up earlier than a rooster, sleep later than a dog, and work harder than an ox.
Fortunately, the fishing team often brought him buckets of river water, saving him multiple trips.
He even labeled each person's bottle thoughtfully to avoid unnecessary trouble. The last thing he needed was someone saying, "Did you give me Hikigaya's bottle on purpose? That's disgusting."
He would never be careless about something like that.
"Hikigaya, is the water ready yet?"
"I got it," he responded quickly, placing the filled bottles into his bag.
For the boys, he could just toss the bottles over. They probably wouldn't mind.
However, the girls' bottles required a more careful approach. Throwing them was out of the question—he didn't want to get beaten up.
If he accidentally hit someone, he would be the one who had to apologize and take responsibility.
Hikigaya entered the awning and neatly placed the bottles on the table.
"Thank you, Hikigaya-san~"
A girl with a cheerful voice smiled at him. If he remembered correctly, her name was Menlai.
"…Oh."
His mouth twitched.
He might have appreciated her gratitude—if she hadn't immediately pushed a few empty bottles in front of him.
Morning
Hikigaya sat beside the fire, waiting for the water to boil.
Then, three boys swaggered into the camp, each carrying snacks—Coca-Cola and potato chips.
Unbelievable.
These guys had actually spent their points on junk food instead of essential supplies.
If he had points to waste, he would have bought a can of MAX Coffee.
"Are you serious?"
"There are actually people taking this exam seriously?"
One of the boys pointed at him and sneered. "Look at that guy. His face is all black from the smoke, and he looks like an idiot. Isn't it too hot to sit next to the fire?"
"Stop talking. Maybe there's something wrong with his brain. Must've been bullied into doing this. How pitiful," another one added with a smirk.
Hikigaya frowned as he sipped his water.
Were they talking about him?
They couldn't be talking about him… right?
Sure, it was hot sitting near the fire. But this was his job. If someone drank half-boiled river water and got sick, it could force them to withdraw from the exam.
And that would be his responsibility.
Even something as simple as boiling water had to be done properly.
At that moment, he felt a hand press down on his shoulder.
He looked up—it was Ichinose Honami.
"Kondo-san," she said with a smile, addressing the leader of the boys. "What brings Class C to our camp?"
Wait a minute.
They were from another class?
For a second, he thought he had become the most hated person in Class B and nearly wanted to die.
But there was no need for Ichinose to keep pressing down on his shoulder.
Hikigaya had long since grown used to emotional and physical pain.
"It's nothing," Kondo scoffed, tossing his snack bag onto the ground. "I just wanted to see how miserable you guys are. Pretty entertaining."
Littering in the camp? That was an automatic twenty-point deduction.
But Class C clearly didn't care about the exam anymore.
Hikigaya sighed. Rude and inconsiderate. Classic Class C behavior.
"Damn, Kaneda, you're here too?" One of Kondo's companions sneered. "Didn't expect you to be getting along with Class B. How does it feel to be kicked out of Class C? How's the firewood moving gig?"
Kaneda, who had been quietly stacking firewood nearby, clenched his teeth but said nothing.
Being cast out from his own class must have been humiliating.
"Kondo-san."
Ichinose raised a hand, still smiling. "If Class C has already given up on the exam, could you do us a favor and leave? You're disturbing us."
Kanzaki and the other boys from Class B stepped forward, their faces cold.
"And Hikigaya."
Ichinose suddenly pulled out a handkerchief and leaned in, lightly dabbing his forehead.
"Huh?"
Hikigaya stiffened, instinctively leaning back.
There were so many people watching.
Letting her wipe his sweat was embarrassing, but outright rejecting her would be even worse.
It was a lose-lose situation.
Still, Ichinose's actions had the intended effect—keeping morale high.
Class B was united. A few provocations from Class C wouldn't change that.
"Tch."
Kondo clicked his tongue in irritation. He threw his half-finished Coke onto the ground. "You think we want to be here? We've seen enough of your pathetic struggle."
With that, he and his lackeys turned and left. But not before shooting Hikigaya a sharp glare.
Ichinose was one of the most popular girls in school.
Cheerful, beautiful, kind, and smart.
Even among the many attractive girls at school, she was undeniably at the top.
And Hikigaya… had just let her wipe his sweat.
The Class C guys must have been seething. Instead of causing trouble for Class B, they had only managed to give themselves a reason to hate him.
"It's done."
After they left, Hikigaya shook his head.
He understood Ichinose's intentions. That didn't mean he was okay with it.
The stares from the other boys in Class B were piercing.
Ichinose was too popular for something like this to go unnoticed.
"Eh?"
She blinked, then smiled again and pressed the handkerchief to his forehead once more. "Almost finished~ Just a little more."
No.
Ichinose-san, your comprehension skills seem to be failing you.
"It's okay. I'll do it myself."
Hikigaya quickly wiped his face with his sleeve. Ichinose simply giggled and waved her hand.
Meanwhile, Kanzaki and the others picked up the trash left behind by Class C.
It was a cheap trick.
One that wouldn't work.
All it really did was reinforce that Kaneda had been cast out of Class C.
Hikigaya noticed a few classmates quietly offering him words of encouragement.
It must have been rough.
But for now, the exam continued.
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