Class B Classroom
Mid-December
The results of the special paired exam were finally posted on the classroom blackboard. As students trickled in and gathered in front of it, a quiet air of disappointment settled across Class B.
They had lost.
The margin was small, almost negligible on paper, but in the ruthless reality of this school's ranking system, even the slightest defeat meant a real consequence.
Class B had lost to Class A by just a few points—and as a result, they were penalized 100 class points.
Class C had fared no better, having been defeated by Class D. They too lost 100 points. The shifting balance of power among the four classes adjusted yet again:
Class A (led by Sakayanagi): 974 points
Class B (led by Ichinose): 716 points
Class C (led by Ryuuen): 592 points
Class D (led by Horikita Suzune): 209 points
It was a crushing blow.
After slowly closing the distance between them and Class A over the past several exams, Class B now found themselves pushed back yet again. Sakayanagi had widened the gap effortlessly, as if it had been all part of a grand plan.
At the back of the room, Hikigaya Hachiman lay face down on his desk, his head resting on his folded arms. From an outside perspective, it might look like he was simply napping or sulking. But in reality, he was thinking—overthinking, as always.
"There's no helping it," he muttered to himself. "Even if we work hard, results like this are inevitable. Everyone's working hard. That's just the bare minimum."
In a school where talent and intelligence were weaponized, effort alone wasn't enough. Especially when your opponents were already starting out from a better position.
Class A had the advantage in every way—resources, information, and ruthlessness. Ichinose's warm and trusting approach could only get them so far. It was admirable, sure, but maybe... not effective.
What worried Hikigaya more wasn't just the defeat.
It was the larger trend.
Class A had taken a commanding lead. The other classes were left to compete for the scraps, possibly falling into internal conflict over who would challenge them next. The unity they'd built within Class B could fracture.
There was one small comfort in all of this: there were no student expulsions in this round. Everyone got to stay.
That alone was worth being thankful for.
Still, it didn't change the harsh truth that Ichinose's way of doing things—nice, inclusive, idealistic—might not be enough anymore.
Maybe it was time for Class B to shift focus. Relying solely on class point progression and Ichinose's leadership wasn't sustainable. From here on, accumulating personal points might be a more viable route.
But really— Hikigaya sighed internally. Is getting to Class A even that important?
He turned his head and watched Ichinose and the others interact at the front of the class. Bright, hardworking, and full of hope: Kanzaki, Shibata, Menlai, Kobashi Yume, Okakura Asako, Hamaguchi Tetsuya...
Even Chihiro Shiraha was poking him from behind, perhaps trying to offer some misplaced encouragement.
All of them seemed to genuinely believe in their dream of getting to Class A. To them, it meant more than just status—it meant the possibility of achieving their future goals, landing prestigious jobs, living the ideal life.
But Hikigaya wasn't like them.
He remembered his own parents—coming home long after midnight, collapsing into bed without even changing clothes, their faces drawn with exhaustion. Since middle school, he had helped cook dinner, cleaned the house, and looked after his younger sister, Komachi.
They weren't poor—but they weren't well-off either. Just another working-class family navigating the chaos of modern life.
And in that reality, what did Class A even guarantee?
Entry into a top company?
Sure, but who's to say that wouldn't just make you another cog in the corporate machine? High salary jobs came with high expectations. Burnout, stress, health problems—it all came with the territory.
If chasing that dream meant becoming just another overworked adult... was it really worth it?
"I don't get it..." Hikigaya muttered again.
After school, as everyone was packing up, Ichinose suddenly raised her voice, her usual warm tone tinged with nervousness.
"Everyone... Can I ask for a moment of your time?"
The classroom quieted. Everyone turned toward her as she walked to the front and bowed deeply, her long hair falling forward.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault that we lost this exam!"
"No way!" Asako Okakura stood up immediately, waving her hands in protest. "Honami-chan, your grades were already excellent! If anyone's at fault, it's me. If I had just done a little better..."
"Yes, exactly!" Menlai, her cheeks puffed with guilt, hurried up to the front. "The failure of the class isn't on one person. We all share the blame! If only we pushed ourselves harder—"
"Ichinose doesn't need to take this on alone," added Shibata, crossing his arms with a frown. "As Kobashi said, this was a group effort. It's not fair to lay the blame on our leader."
Ichinose looked overwhelmed by their kindness. Kanzaki, ever the calm presence, finally stood up and addressed the room.
"It's true we lost, and that's frustrating. But it's just one defeat. There will be more exams. As long as we learn from this and improve, we'll get another chance."
Ichinose's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, a soft smile forming on her lips as Yume Kobashi, Asako, and others hugged her and offered gentle words of comfort. The warmth in the room was genuine, almost familial.
It reminded Hikigaya of that one moment on the cruise ship—when Ichinose had collapsed under the weight of her burdens and still smiled for everyone's sake.
"Tch..." Hikigaya scoffed, rubbing his temple.
Kanzaki was right, of course. The real reason for their loss was partly strategic—Class D had a traitor, and Ryuuen had exploited the exam's hidden rules. But that didn't change the fact that this was Class B's first real defeat.
Still, there was a major issue no one wanted to address.
This "everyone shares responsibility" mindset sounded noble—but it meant no real accountability. No structure of reward or punishment. No pressure that would push individuals to do better next time.
And more importantly, there was a fundamental mismatch between responsibility and authority.
Ichinose was the leader of Class B. If the class succeeded, she got the praise. If they failed, shouldn't the weight fall primarily on her shoulders?
But then again...
Ichinose had never wanted to be the leader. She had been chosen—pushed into that role because no one else stepped up. So blaming her felt wrong too.
In truth, the real problem was that no one else wanted to be a leader.
Being a class leader in this school was a powerful position—control over finances, recognition from faculty, influence over classmates. It could boost your reputation tremendously.
And yet, no one seemed eager to take it.
"Please, someone—anyone—just raise your hand and say you want to lead," Hikigaya thought bitterly. "I'll support you with everything I've got. Just let me stay out of the spotlight."
He knew himself too well.
If he ever ended up in charge, the class wouldn't just slide down to Class C—they'd probably drop to Class D in a matter of weeks.
His thoughts were interrupted as his eyes caught something strange.
Among the group hugging and comforting Ichinose, there was someone who clearly didn't belong—a woman in her twenties, wearing slightly more casual clothes than the students, crouched down next to Ichinose and patting her head.
Hoshinomiya Chie.
Their teacher.
"Seriously, what is wrong with her?" Hikigaya grimaced. "You're supposed to be an adult. Why are you acting like a classmate? Hugging students like that… Don't you feel any shame?"
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