In
the end, the selection of representatives for the inter-school competition was
quite difficult.
In
any case, there are no theories or optimal solutions. In addition, everyone
wants to be represented by him/herself, and opinions differ widely based on
this criterion.
When
Lucille argues that the team's winning rate should be increased by prioritizing
generalists over specialists, Sayuki argues that the team should be organized
so that each student can pick up a win in his or her specialty.
Some
argued that the third-year students with more experience should be given
priority, while others suggested that the younger students should be given a
seat.
Fuwa,
for example, was rejected by everyone, suggesting that "it's too much
trouble, so let's have a selective match within the school", clearly
showing that he just wants to fight.
Nevertheless,
little by little, the direction of the team was settled.
The
reason is that everyone shared the same desire to win the competition, so there
was no side-tracking on that point.
**a
「Izumi-kun,
do you have any opinions?」
Yotsuba
said and looked at Chihiro.
All
eyes were on him.
Chihiro,
who was suddenly asked, was puzzled, but he felt better when he saw Yotsuba's
eyes and the color of expectation in him.
Still,
it is difficult to imagine what Yotsuba wants from Chihiro.
So,
Chihiro tries to organize what he can say and what he wants to say.
「Okay...
first of all, I definitely want to win the competition」
*Buzz*
Some
voices were raised - mainly on the public morals committee members' side.
They
were surprised that Chihiro, who looks quiet, used the word
"definitely". Indeed, Chihiro himself thinks that it does not suit
him.
However,
there is a reason to say so in this case.
It's
Fukami Kaito.
So,
he continues to speak, vaguely imagining the face of a man he has never met and
does not yet recognize.
「It
would be best if I could participate and win if possible. But winning is the priority,
so if we can't win, I wouldn't mind not being able to participate」
Now
several people gasp.
Amidst
them, there were those who listened quietly.
Maria,
Hana, and Kamishiro. Those who knew Chihiro relatively well waited for the rest
of the session without making a fuss.
「To
win, someone who is strong must come out」
「Servant...
no. Chihiro, what's your definition of a strong?」
「It's
whether they can contribute to winning. Looking at both range and expertise,
someone who can win easily―― I'm sure Lucille-senpai is a definite candidate」
「So,
it is me」
Lucille
blinked.
「Well,
I think you're right」
「Lou」
When
Lucille gave a blunt affirmation, Yotsuba chided her with a wry smile.
Lucille
laughed and went back to the topic.
「I
see. You may have a point」
Suddenly,
Lucille's expression becomes serious.
Her
eyes narrow, and the light behind them flickers fast. She seems to be thinking
about something, mobilizing her [Genius] ability.
The
others are silently watching the exchange between Chihiro and Lucille.
At
least, no one interferes with them in a meaningless way. They are expected and
trusted to that extent.
「Let
me ask you something. On top of that, what kind of team would Chihiro form?」
「...well,
of course...」
Chihiro
was also thinking about it.
He
went over the ideas that had been stirring in his head, and decided on the best
one in the shortest possible time. In doing so, he surprisingly came to a
conclusion quickly, but was this Chisato's power?
（Mmm...
maybe. I was thinking together with Nii-san just now）
It
seems that not only conversational consultation, but also multiple operations
are possible in the case of relatively complex thoughts such as these.
Really,
the coexistence of [Auxiliary Personality], Chihiro and Chisato has a
surprisingly wide range of applications.
「Kurohane-senpai,
Hazuki-senpai, Lucille-senpai, Mishuku-san, and Kamishiro-kun...」
Lucille,
who can combine versatility and expertise, is fixed.
Marika's
[Telepathy] is expected to be widely used even outside of her own role.
Considering that it can be used for secret strategy meetings and for giving
instructions during competition, she should be included in the list of
representatives.
Hana's
[Looting] allows her to borrow others' abilities. Thanks to this, she is quite
versatile, and in fact, her academic ability is also quite high. Combined with
her unforgiving and unreserved character, she is expected to play an active
role.
Yotsuba
probably has the best strength without any abilities. Although her [Lucky]
seems to be modest, and the image of relying on luck creates resistance, it is
very effective if it is considered that she can attract advantageous situations
without doing anything.
Kamishiro
plays a physical role. It is unlikely that there is not a single sport that
requires athletic ability among the five sports. However, since it is uncertain
whether it is sports, combat, or athletic, a stable flat [Physical Enhancement]
is the most reliable.
「What
do you think?」
「...hmm」
Lucille
ponders again.
Immediately
afterwards, a mumble escaped from her mouth, which may or may not be related to
the question, "Did Chihiro really remove himself?"
She
looked up in a few tens of seconds and asked the group.
**b
「Does
anyone have an opinion on what he just said?」
Several
people raised their hands and began to express their opinions again.
However,
from that point on, the discussion started to move visibly - or so it seemed to
Chihiro.
（It
might have been my imagination...）
（Hmm...
I wonder...）
Chihiro
ask himself (?) but could not get an answer.
After
about 30 minutes, a conclusion was reached.
Yotsuba
again declared the final member who summarized everyone's opinions.
「Hazuki-san,
Lou, Mishuku-san, Kamishiro-kun, and... Izumi-kun. Is there anyone who has any
objection?」
A
silence answered the question.
「Um...」
Chihiro
raised his hand.
He
had understood most of the discussion as he listened to it.
「Why
did I join?」
「Versatility」
Lucille
answered simply.
「In
other words, your ability number is quite appealing」
「My
abilities are rather limited in number, though」
「No,
of course not. For example, [Sleep Enhancement]」
The
number of events in the competition is five, but not necessarily in the form of
one person in each event.
In
the past, there was a case in which a five-on-five basketball game was one of
the events, and it was the first event.
In
other words, since there is a possibility that one person may compete in more
than one event, the ability to recover in a short period of time may be of use.
「Chisato-chan
may have a chance to compete」
『With
[Mind Reading], you'd probably be the strongest』
This
is Ayase and Marika's words.
Although
Chihiro thinks that the two of them have minimal intention to make fun of him,
it seems to be very narrow in its effective range.
「Everyone
agrees that you should be included, so just nod your head」
Chihiro
smiles at Lucille's implicit comment, trying not to let his eyes get watery.
「Yes.
Thank you very much, I will do my best」
* * *
