Chapter 179: Hiyori's True Feelings
[Horikita could not help but sigh with emotion. Watching the contents of the video, even she felt stirred.]
["Times really have changed. I never imagined that Class D, which everyone used to look down on, would reach this point."]
[Karuizawa: "Exactly. Back then, who would have dared to imagine other classes coming to us for an alliance? It would have been laughable, if they didn't just avoid us altogether."]
[Hirata: "Doesn't that prove how much our class has grown?"]
[Yukimura shook his head self-mockingly, then smiled faintly, "Unfortunately, if that were really the case, it would be wonderful. But everything stems from one person. People both inside and outside the class are unconsciously being changed by Hikigaya. Even someone like Ryuen is now completely different."]
[Horikita: "When you put it that way… it's true. Honestly, I don't think there's a second person who could change Ryuen into this state. Even if someone defeated him, he probably wouldn't accept it. The only one who could make him completely lose his temper like this is Hikigaya."]
[As a tyrant, Ryuen felt helpless. Who would have thought he would encounter a monster-level opponent right from the start? What was even more terrifying was that this person had completely seen through him without even fighting him directly. No scheme worked anymore.]
[Sudo: "If this keeps up, I seriously feel like my bro will eventually become the sole ruler of the first years. The key point is that he doesn't even want that position, but the leaders of the other three classes all listen to him anyway."]
[Ike: "When you say it like that, Sudo, you might be right. But unfortunately, this is Nagumo's era. Cross-grade battles are far more common, so…"]
[Hasebe: "No. That would only make the first years even more united. If it were just first-year battles, there would still be internal conflicts. But if the opponent is upperclassmen, like in this cultural festival exam, and the rewards for the top four are the same, there are even more reasons to cooperate."]
[Sakura: "But if that's the case, the other grades will probably unite as well. For example, the second years. With Nagumo around, they'll definitely join forces. And Third Year Class B, in order to surpass Third Year Class A, will probably borrow Nagumo's power too… when that happens…"]
[Horikita: "My brother… would probably be isolated."]
[Kushida: "There's no need to worry about Horikita Manabu. Even facing that many classes, he would still hold the advantage."]
[...]
Inside the café, Hikigaya sat with Ichinose and Sakura beside him, while Kanzaki, Hiyori, and Ryuen sat across from them.
The six stared at one another. The tension between Ryuen and Kanzaki felt as though it might spill over at any moment. Even with the harmless-looking Hiyori sitting between them, an oppressive aura continued to radiate.
Shiranami slowly returned from a distance, carrying a tray by herself. On it were seven cups of coffee.
She looked to the left, two girls and one guy.
Then to the right, two guys and one girl.
Both sides felt strange, so Shiranami decided to sit in the middle.
Ryuen took his coffee, leaned back against the sofa, spread his arms, and struck a posture as though he alone stood supreme. Then he continued,
"Hikigaya, have you thought it through? Our two classes join forces. We'll pay you twenty million private points, and we'll also give you Hiyori. Of course, I don't mean giving her to your class. She's a monster within our class. But adding one more member to your harem should be more than enough."
As he spoke, Ryuen pointed at Hiyori as if he were advertising a product, "Look at her. She's got decent looks, right? And she's so airheaded. She definitely won't fight for attention like the two next to you. How about it?"
Hiyori couldn't find the words to respond. She only blushed and quietly drank her coffee.
Ichinose and Sakura exchanged glances and smiled knowingly, as if they had thought of a certain pair of girls who loved to compete for attention.
Hikigaya knew this wasn't the time to speak, especially not to respond. He was terrible at this kind of conversation.
Shiranami immediately protested, sounding indignant: "You're way too sly. Hiyori hasn't even agreed yet. And Hikigaya already has Honami. He doesn't need any kind of harem."
Ryuen laughed: "Sly? Oh? Did you ask Hikigaya himself? Which ear of yours heard him say he isn't building a harem? Besides, even normally, there should be a first-come, first-served order, right? Isn't that so, Kanzaki?"
Kanzaki nodded, then suddenly realized he'd fallen into a trap and hurriedly shook his head: "Hikigaya, you should think carefully. Ever since ancient times, classes that cooperated with Ryuen never ended well. Either they got stabbed in the back, or…"
Before he could finish, Ryuen cut him off.
"Enough. That was ages ago. Sure, you can say I stab people in the back, but this guy here is a complete monster. Every move I make is fully under his control. Don't spout nonsense."
Hikigaya shook his head helplessly, turned his face at a forty-five-degree angle, and waved toward a distant table.
"I'm saying, Kamuro, if you're going to listen, then come over. Don't sit there alone."
Kamuro Masumi was wearing sunglasses. You really wouldn't have noticed her if you weren't looking carefully. In Hikigaya's eyes, wearing sunglasses indoors was practically screaming 'suspicious'.
She blushed and puffed out her cheeks, clearly unhappy about being exposed in public.
I-I'm not here for you! I'm waiting for someone!"
Hikigaya: "You don't have any friends in Class A. I don't think Sakayanagi would come here just to make you wait."
Kamuro walked over indignantly, but after being exposed like that, she had nothing to say.
Ryuen: "See? This guy really is that twisted."
Kanzaki: "When you put it that way… it really is true."
After Kamuro arrived, the atmosphere grew awkward. After all, she was a Class A student. This was essentially open eavesdropping on a meeting between three classes.
Hikigaya knew exactly what they were thinking, but it wasn't a big deal. As long as things were said openly, the situation would resolve quickly.
Ryuen: "Kamuro, don't tell me Class A wants to form an alliance too."
Kamuro shook her head. "I'm not here on behalf of Class A. I'm only here for myself."
Hiyori immediately realized it.
"Is it for Hikigaya-kun?"
Kamuro's expression instantly became animated. She waved her hands in a flustered, tsundere panic.
"W-Who said that!? It's not!"
Hiyori: "It obviously is…"
Kamuro: "Hey, Ryuen, what's with the girl you brought?"
Ryuen: "She's still young. She doesn't understand."
Hikigaya: "Don't worry. She won't report anything she hears to Class A. There's no need to hold back."
Hiyori: "Wow, Hikigaya-kun. Could it be that you even have a spy in Class A? That's amazing."
Shiranami: "Does Sakayanagi know about this? If she finds out, she might go crazy…"
Hikigaya: "Uh, it's not that exaggerated. As for Kamuro, this probably won't get past Sakayanagi."
Kamuro: "The princess isn't that stupid. If anything, she probably saw through it a long time ago."
Hikigaya: "After all, she is a monster."
Ichinose: "You really have no right to say that, Hikigaya-kun."
…
Kamuro's participation did not bring much trouble. The only thing that continued was the argument between the two classes, as though whoever managed to ally with Class B would secure final victory.
In the end, Hikigaya shook his head.
"It's not that I don't want to ally with you. From my perspective, this competition is precisely why I want to ally with you."
Kanzaki: "You…What do you mean?"
Hikigaya: "The first years. All four classes."
Shiranami: "You want to monopolize the top-four rewards?"
Ryuen: "That's ruthless. If you dare to do it, I'll follow you. Who do you think I am? you still dare to doubt me?"
Kamuro seemed thoughtful, then slowly spoke again. "The Princess said you would take the initiative to form an alliance with her. That's why she wasn't in such a hurry."
'Just as expected… a monster.'
Ichinose: "But… why?"
Everyone's gaze focused on Hikigaya.
Hikigaya lowered his head, but his eyes were firm and unwavering.
"This exam is anything but ordinary. In your eyes, it's just the first cross-grade exam. But in my eyes, this is a battle between Nagumo and me."
Hikigaya then explained everything that had just happened with Nagumo, including the wager. Aside from the reason he confronted Nagumo, he told them everything.
The moment she heard this, Kamuro stood up in disbelief.
"How… How is that possible? Sakura, why didn't you stop him just now?"
Sakura, who was usually gentle and calm, remained the same now. She simply held Hikigaya's hand lightly and said with conviction, "If he fails, then I fail too. When that happens, I'll leave school with him…"
Kamuro was left speechless. She had never imagined that a single exam, one without any expulsion penalty, something everyone saw as nothing more than a cultural festival to enjoy, would escalate to this extent.
Ichinose: "So that's why you refused their alliance. Hikigaya-kun, I believe I said this before. You really are… too kind."
If it were anyone else, they would seek help from others at all costs to win this competition, even if it meant exploiting everything available. But Hikigaya didn't want to drag unrelated people into this. If he failed, under Nagumo's rule, he would only end up burdening them.
Hiyori: "Hikigaya-kun, this doesn't seem like you. Why would you do something so reckless?"
Hikigaya lowered his head and laughed bitterly.
"I have my own principles and my own bottom line. Nagumo has already crossed that line. So whether he sees me as an opponent or not, I'll fight him. Next, I'll sign a real wager with him. If that happens… I'll only drag you all down."
Kamuro: "Now I finally understand why the Princess was so certain about this. Don't worry. With her authority in this school, she'll never let you be expelled so easily."
Hikigaya: "This is a battle between Nagumo and me. I don't want to pull any outsiders into it."
Kanzaki: "Hikigaya, you're too foolish. In this school, you might be the only one who thinks like this. I think Nagumo has already started using the student council and the power of the second years to unite against you and Horikita Manabu. When that happens…"
Ryuen: "Let me make this clear first. I already said it. As the tyrant Ryuen, how could I fear another king's rule? I'm telling you, Hikigaya, the conditions haven't changed. Twenty million points and Hiyori, as long as you let me join you."
Kanzaki took a deep breath, exchanged a look with Shiranami, then looked deeply at Ichinose.
"Hikigaya, Class C has finally gotten back on track. That wouldn't have been possible without your help. Compared to Ichinose's past leadership, the current Class C has truly broken free from its restraints, and that's all thanks to you. Our bond with Ichinose hasn't changed either. Even if we now deny her former gentle leadership, that doesn't mean we deny her as a person. So… as long as you're willing, we'll join you as well."
Shiranami: "I believe in your strength, Hikigaya-kun. With all four classes, we might really be able to sweep the top four!"
Ichinose was deeply moved, a tear sliding down her cheek. "Thank you, everyone…"
Shiranami lightly slapped Ichinose, clearly dissatisfied.
"Do friends really need to say thank you like that?!"
Hikigaya looked at everyone before him, but he still couldn't get past the barrier in his heart.
Ichinose seemed to notice his hesitation. She gently held onto Hikigaya's right arm and said, "Hikigaya-kun, it's time to take that step. Look, there are so many people in this school who trust you."
Hikigaya slowly raised his head and looked around at everyone with a resolute gaze.
"Then… I'll be counting on you all."
"I'll talk to Sakayanagi myself."
Kanzaki and Ryuen exchanged a surprisingly synchronized glance. Kanzaki spoke first.
"No matter what, we're all on the same boat now. No matter what happens, we have to keep this boat moving forward."
Ryuen: "Hikigaya, I've never submitted to anyone in my life, and this time with Nagumo will be no exception. So we're going to win, just as you planned. The first years will take the top four and give those second and third years a proper shock. Hahahahaha!"
After the discussion ended, Kanzaki and Shiranami left first. Ichinose also left shortly after, wanting to catch up with old friends. There was still time before the cultural festival, and they needed to plan carefully. Investigating the second years was absolutely essential.
This was a true fight to the death. There was no room for luck.
Ryuen and Hiyori also left. The moment they stepped out of the café, the gentle smile Hiyori had been wearing disappeared, replaced by a look of pain.
Even Ryuen was seeing this side of Hiyori for the first time. He wasn't panicked, but he was confused.
"Hiyori, are you feeling unwell?"
Hiyori nodded lightly.
"I don't know why. When I saw Ichinose-san holding Hikigaya-kun's arm, when I saw Sakura gently touching Hikigaya-kun's hand, and when I saw Kamuro-san arguing with him… I felt something strange in my chest. It was like my heart stopped beating. It hurt… it hurt so much."
She lowered her head, confused, pressing a hand against her chest. Her mood was extremely low.
Ryuen: "You… you're done for… completely done. I was joking, but you're serious."
Hiyori looked at him in confusion. "Ryuen-kun, do you know what's wrong with me?"
Instead of answering, Ryuen asked, "Did Hikigaya do anything to you? Do you have any shared memories?"
Hiyori shook her head and spoke softly, "There are no precious memories. During the VIP exam, he always came to help me. Later, when I met him in the library, he would put aside what he was doing to chat with me and answer my questions. Sometimes we discussed the contents of books together. After that… I started looking forward to running into him. Sometimes I couldn't even focus on reading. I was so happy whenever I saw him, but waiting was unbearably painful. And today, even though I met him, I couldn't feel happy at all. Ryuen-kun… can you tell me why?"
It was the first time Hiyori had spoken so much at once. While Ryuen was still thinking about how to stop her from overthinking, tears had already begun sliding uncontrollably down her cheeks. Her whole body started trembling, as if she might burst into tears right there on the street.
"Ryuen… Ryuen-kun, I'm really suffering… Why? Why is this happening?"
Ryuen had never been good at comforting others, and he knew even less about a young girl's feelings.
At first, he wanted Hiyori to suppress these emotions. After all, he couldn't let that guy have all the good things. But now… he understood clearly. If even Hiyori couldn't suppress it, then those feelings had already reached a point of no return.
Ryuen rolled up his sleeves and turned around, ready to head back into the café.
"It's fine. I'll drag that guy out and let you ask him face to face."
Hiyori immediately grabbed the corner of his clothes with her small hands and said in a choked voice,
"No… don't. I don't want to become a burden to him… I don't want to."
Ryuen froze completely. He turned back and looked at Hiyori, who was already crying uncontrollably.
Even he had never seen Hiyori like this. Even when she faced his tyranny, she had silently supported him without a word.
Something stirred deep inside Ryuen. The cruel and violent tyrant revealed an unexpectedly gentle side. He lightly patted Hiyori's shoulder and said softly,
"Let's go back. Get some good sleep."
"Sometimes love makes no sense at all. So… when you realize you're in love, make sure you hold onto it, Hiyori."
…
Inside the café, Kamuro sat on the left and Sakura on the right. Even though the cultural festival had only been announced today, preparations had to begin immediately. At the very least, they needed a rough idea of their project.
At that moment, a voice suddenly came from behind Hikigaya's sofa.
"Hey, what was your name again? Hikigaya? I'm pretty interested in you. Want to come sit with me for a bit?"
Hikigaya even wondered if he was hearing things.
Kamuro immediately turned around. What she saw was a beautiful girl with white hair, a slim waist, a full chest, and a tall figure. She was sitting alone behind them, as if she had been there the entire time. Hikigaya hadn't seen her when he arrived, and with his perception, someone appearing behind him without him noticing should have been impossible.
'This one… is a monster.'
In an instant, Hikigaya judged that she was no ordinary person. She had also clearly heard everything about their alliance.
Second Year Class B, Kiryuin Fuka made her appearance.
She sat with her legs crossed, wearing an arrogant expression.
"Since you're not coming over, then I'll come to you."
Without giving Hikigaya any chance to refuse, Kiryuin sat down beside him, in the seat Hiyori had just vacated, facing him directly.
"Surrounded on both sides, huh? You're living the dream."
Hikigaya was certain he had never seen her among the first years. Sakura reacted quickly, immediately pulling out her phone to gather information.
Drawing on her experience from half a year in the student council, within mere seconds, Kiryuin's data appeared.
OAA.
Name: Kiryuin Fuka
Academic Ability: A+
Physical Ability: A+
Adaptability: D
Social Contribution: C+
No matter the grade or class, these stats were terrifying. A true double-A in both academics and physical ability, and this might not even reflect her full strength.
Sakura: "So strong… and she's only in Class B."
Before anyone could react further, Kiryuin laughed loudly.
"I didn't come to this school just to graduate from Class A. For a well-rounded genius, success is guaranteed anywhere. I enrolled here because this place is different from ordinary schools. On one hand, this ridiculous points system is quite interesting. On the other hand, it's not so rigid and traditional."
(End of this chapter)