Chapter 80: Horikita: Let Me Be Your Little Sister
Class 1-D Final Exam Results:
Yukimura Teruhiko: 100
Wang Mei-Yui: 100
Kōenji Rokusuke: 100
Horikita Suzune: 98
Hirata Yōsuke: 96
Kushida Kikyō: 90
Hikigaya Hachiman: 90
…
Sudō Ken: 76
Sakura Airi: 75
Miyake Akito: 70
…
Ike Kanji: 42
Yamauchi Haruki: 40
This time, the passing score just happened to be exactly 40, allowing the two at the bottom to breathe a sigh of relief.
Once again, they narrowly avoided anyone being expelled, but that didn't mean no one would be expelled in the next exam. Yamauchi and Ike were increasingly aware of this.
If they kept up these grades, they'd eventually face expulsion.
Class D's students were seeing their grades soar. Though Yamauchi and Ike were improving, their pace was too slow, and they'd be left behind sooner or later.
Looking at the grade sheet, Horikita gave a satisfied smile.
Then she turned to look at the boy's face.
"I didn't expect your grades to be among the top in the class. You didn't use some weird cheating method, did you?"
"Are you an idiot? It's just a bit of luck."
"Oh?"
Horikita Suzune flashed a meaningful smile and snatched Hikigaya's phone from his hand.
"Hey, hey, snooping on someone's privacy isn't exactly lawless in this school, Horikita."
"I'm just checking how you improved your science scores so quickly."
In this school, final rankings were based on overall scores, which depended on each subject's individual results.
Horikita Suzune opened his phone screen without hesitation and checked his science grades.
"8… 83?"
"Don't act so shocked. Your scores should be higher than mine, so what's there to be surprised about?"
Hikigaya was genuinely scared. Talking with this girl always drew the class's attention.
Being stared at like that wasn't exactly a good thing for Hikigaya.
"Hikigaya, if you cheated, confess now, and the school might give you a fair punishment. If they find out, you're…"
"I'm telling you, you idiot, I didn't cheat. And 83 isn't even that hard for this exam's difficulty."
Hikigaya didn't want to hear her nagging anymore. She was acting like she was dead-set on him having cheated.
"But… but during the midterms, you were in the single digits! Even Sudō-kun was in the double digits starting with a 2. You… you… are you a genius?"
"While that sounds nice, I'm no genius. I just… studied hard for a bit."
This wasn't a lie. From the first day of school, Hikigaya had been paying close attention to his overall grades. Knowing science was his weak subject, he'd gone to the library to borrow science books, which led to that series of events.
"Even if you studied hard… it shouldn't be this much. Wait, wait, let me see your humanities scores."
"Fine… whatever…"
"100? 100!"
"I'm telling you, don't yell so loud, idiot. Didn't Kōenji and those guys get perfect scores too? And in all five subjects! One subject isn't worth freaking out over."
She froze completely. Maybe Hikigaya was right—100 wasn't rare in this class. Even Horikita herself had two subjects with perfect scores.
But…
Compared to his midterm performance, this was just too big a gap, so big that Horikita Suzune couldn't believe it was achievable through effort alone.
"So you deliberately scored low last time."
"Not exactly deliberately. After all, everyone tanked their scores for Sudō-kun."
"Your science is good?"
"Compared to you, the word 'good' doesn't even apply."
It was impossible to see how many secrets this guy was still hiding. But now, she realized that the flaws Hikigaya showed might just be what he wanted to show.
Honestly, after calming down, Horikita Suzune felt like she'd been completely played by this guy for an entire semester.
Hikigaya could sense the resentful look in Horikita Suzune's eyes, but he didn't know how to explain it to her.
He couldn't exactly say, Before I transmigrated, I was a science loser with zero points, but after a semester of studying, I climbed to the upper middle of the class. That kind of crazy talk wouldn't be believed by many.
Since explaining wouldn't work, it was better not to explain at all.
[Yuihama said excitedly: "Hikki, Hikki, I believe you! How did your science scores shoot up like that? Is there some secret trick?"]
[Hikigaya was speechless, even more so after she heard his inner thoughts.]
[Miura: "But seriously, Hikigaya, how did you improve your grades so much so fast? It's insane. What did you score before?"]
["Zero." Yukinoshita and Yuihama said in unison.]
[Miura: "Oh, okay, that's… wait, zero?! That's even crazier than what the video said! Teach me!"]
[Hikigaya: "Idiot, it's just that their exam questions aren't as hard as our school's. And the so-called secret is just studying hard alone."]
[Yuihama, hearing this unsatisfying answer, whined: "Hikki, I've been studying hard too, but I don't know why my grades won't go up. My grades were decent in middle school!"]
[Speaking of middle school, Hikigaya's grades were pretty good too. In fact, everyone here, all the students at Sobu High, had good middle school grades—that's how they got in.]
[But middle school and high school are a turning point. After falling behind in the first two weeks of classes, his science grades plummeted, and he knew it well. To pull them back up required a hundred times the effort.]
[There's no such thing as a secret trick.]
[Yukinoshita agreed with Hikigaya, giving Yuihama a faint smile: "Yuihama-san, I think if you want to improve your grades, studying alone in your room is the way to go. As for a secret, there is one—throw your phone out of the room."]
[That's harsh…]
[Hearing this method, Yuihama gave an awkward smile, scratching her bun: "Hahaha, Yukinon, I'd die without my phone, hahaha. It's fine, I'll just stick with my current grades. I'm not aiming for university anyway."]
[Talk about quick surrender…]
[Yukinoshita didn't say much about others' choices. After all, even among classmates, many had good grades but didn't plan to attend university. Life's choices are never limited to one path.]
[Hikigaya: "Anyway, I'm definitely not the genius you guys are making me out to be. I got these grades through matching effort, that's all."]
[Hayama: "I have to agree with Hikigaya on this one. Miura, if you want to improve your grades, you need to keep working hard too."]
[Hayama's words were, as always, gentle, like a shining light in Miura's eyes.]
[Miura nodded. She hadn't decided her future path yet—university or not, she'd never really thought about it. After all, she was Miura Yumiko, the bold blonde who made decisions on a whim.]
[Confidently, Miura Yumiko still looked forward to the future.]
[In Class 1-D, Yamauchi and Ike clung to each other tightly, tears nearly falling.]
[Ike: "Waaah, Yamauchi, we survived another close call!"]
[Yamauchi hugged him even tighter, shouting: "Yeah, yeah, even in the video, we haven't been expelled. It's not easy!"]
[Sudō: "How long are you two gonna keep hugging? You've got no shame."]
[Yamauchi: "You've got some nerve talking. Your grades aren't that great either, but in the video, it's like you're on steroids. That's not even the real Sudō!"]
[Sudō crossed his arms, mimicking Horikita's pose from who-knows-where: "I think that version of me is pretty good. Fulfilling."]
[Yamauchi and Ike hugged each other even tighter, crying harder.]
[Kōenji: "Congrats, monkeys, you didn't get expelled again. But I believe it's only a matter of time."]
[Hirata: "Alright, alright, even passing the exam in the video is good news. We should be happy."]
[Yukimura: "Yes, instead of this, we should think about what'll happen in the upcoming deserted island special exam in the video."]
[Hearing Yukimura's words, everyone grew interested. After all, the deserted island exam was their first special exam, and those seven days were unforgettable.]
Hikigaya finally took back his phone, and the moment he did, it pinged, as if someone had timed a message perfectly.
'Sakura?'
Opening the message, Hikigaya saw the excited text.
"I improved! Hachiman!"
"Congrats." Hikigaya replied.
"Thank you." Another message came through his phone.
"I didn't help you with anything. This is the result of your own efforts, nothing to do with me, so no need to thank me." Hikigaya clumsily typed out his response using the 26-key method.
A slight change appeared on Sakura's cheeks. Even without looking directly at her face, he could sense her gentleness: "Even so, it's just a thank you."
If it weren't for his help that day, his guidance and support, Sakura Airi would never have taken off her glasses and reached this point.
Now, she was still an online idol, a student council member, and a rising star in Class 1-D.
However, unlike before, she no longer posted those kinds of photos on social platforms. Instead, she shared simple, unfiltered photos of her daily life, documenting her experiences. Sakura thought this would make her lose fans, but in reality, her fanbase grew significantly. Though people knew her online, they deeply appreciated her love for life.
In her first semester at Advanced Nurturing High School, Sakura Airi's transformation was undeniable.
From being alone, she had not only improved her knowledge and grades but also made friends like Hasebe, gained a fanbase, earned opportunities through the student council, and…
Her eternal number one, Hikigaya Hachiman.
The moment she saw her grades, Sakura Airi finally let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps this was her first step toward a brand-new life, and she would continue to grow in the future.
'What a stubborn girl. But, well, it's not bad.'
Her changes had nothing to do with him, at least that's what Hikigaya thought. He had only done what he felt was right. But since things had turned out this way, he wasn't opposed to it.
Compared to Sakura Airi, Sudō was far more boisterous. He strode up to Hikigaya's desk with his phone in hand, throwing his massive arm around Hikigaya's shoulder.
"See that? My grades!"
"Even if you didn't do that, I could still see them."
"It just feels like this makes us seem closer, you know?"
Saying this, Sudō deliberately tightened his arm around Hikigaya's neck.
"Hey, idiot… I can't breathe."
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Laughing loudly, he loosened his grip on Hikigaya's neck.
"How's the basketball club going?"
Hikigaya changed the topic, seizing the initiative.
"Of course, everything's great. I'll probably have a ton of games during the summer break. That's been my goal all along."
"After you and Horikita helped me deal with Ishizaki and those guys, no one's come looking for trouble anymore. And of course, I won't go picking fights either."
Hikigaya nodded. He couldn't control where others' futures led, but seeing this guy who always called him "bro" stick to his dreams made him happy for Sudō.
"Anyway, I still have to thank you for back then. If it weren't for you and Horikita, I might've left this school and the basketball club."
"I didn't do much. It was all Horikita's effort."
Hearing Hikigaya's familiar response, Sudō laughed heartily, as if he'd expected him to say that. Clutching his stomach, he said: "Haha, there it is again! You should know that kind of talk doesn't work on me. I don't get people's hearts or big philosophies, but… I get you, bro."
Sudō Ken's words left Hikigaya stunned for a second or two.
'You get me?'
'What arrogant, cocky, self-important words. But… he's not wrong.'
'At least in this moment, you've seen right through me. How did that happen?'
Hikigaya didn't think he was that close to Sudō. His understanding of him was only surface-level. But Sudō's perspective on him was completely different.
Though he was a brash and arrogant guy, he hadn't said anything wrong.
Pandering to others, keeping up appearances, maintaining contact, matching their topics—having to do all that to sustain a friendship wasn't friendship at all. If something that tedious was called youth, Hikigaya didn't need it. Acting happy through such shallow interactions was just self-satisfaction. It was deceit, an evil worth spitting on.
But between him and Sudō, there was none of that "evil."
Could it really be called friendship?
Whether they could call each other by first names wasn't important. What mattered was whether the genuine thing Hikigaya had been chasing was standing before him now.
Maybe not yet.
Because he still didn't know enough about the boy in front of him.
So, not yet.
But that day probably wasn't far off.
For the first time in his life, Hikigaya Hachiman felt this strange sensation.
So, he returned a smile.
Feeling the sincerity in Hikigaya's smile, Sudō Ken scratched his hair, a bit embarrassed, and said: "You're really something, man…"
As the two chatted, Horikita suddenly cut in: "Why are you thanking him and not me? I helped you a lot too, Sudō-kun. It's not good to play favorites."
Horikita stood with her arms crossed, still in her usual haughty demeanor.
Even if her personality had softened, that attitude would probably never change. That was just Horikita Suzune.
Sudō: "C'mon, Horikita-san, I was getting to you!"
Horikita pointed at Hikigaya: "So I come after this guy? I don't accept that."
Is Horikita-san getting competitive over something weird?
Hikigaya and Sudō exchanged a glance, giving a faint smile in response to the somewhat unreasonable Horikita.
"Ding dong…"
The entire class's phones went off at the same time.
Kushida: "It's a notification from the school…"
Hirata: "Let me see. Looks like the new class rankings are out."
Hearing their words, everyone in the class pulled out their phones, eager to check the new class standings.
Only Kōenji, still leisurely combing his blonde hair in front of a mirror, took his time to check his phone after confirming his beauty.
Ike: "Huh? Why are there only three classes?"
Yamauchi: "Are you an idiot? We're tied with Class C."
Hirata nodded and said: "Although Class C's overall scores are higher than ours, they lost three students, so their points took a hit."
Kushida: "So, we're basically Class C now?"
Sudō: "Uh, Class C Number Two? Sounds kinda weird."
Hirata smiled and shook his head slightly.
"Until we surpass Ryūen's class, we're still Class D. Even if we're tied, we're Class D. But I believe that day won't be far off."
Hikigaya opened his phone, and the class scores appeared before his eyes.
Class A: 940 CP
Class B: 680 CP
Class C: 230 CP
Class D: 230 CP
As Hirata said, until they surpassed Class C, they were still Class D. That wouldn't change.
Horikita took a deep breath, finally dropping her earlier tantrum: "We've finally reached this point… Brother."
Hikigaya undoubtedly heard Horikita's murmur, and she seemed to realize he'd caught it, her face turning slightly red with embarrassment.
"Forget what I just said."
"It's not a big deal. Just a brother complex. I have a little sister too, so I get it."
"What, your sister has a brother complex? No way."
"Of course not."
"Oh, I see. So you're the one with the sister complex. Your sister's Komachi, right?"
"How do you even know that?"
In Hikigaya's mind, he hadn't mentioned his sister to anyone.
"Because your self-introduction on the first day of school was so memorable, I couldn't help but remember it, and it stuck with me."
A monster. Did the Horikita family have a knack for remembering weird details?
"But since you're a sister complex guy, this makes things easy."
"What are you up to?"
Horikita said proudly: "This school is a closed environment, meaning you won't see your sister for three years. Even if you see her after three years, time might make you grow distant, right?"
"That makes sense, but could you not casually say such terrifying things?"
"So, I'm also a little sister. If you beg me, I might just give you some sisterly care."
Horikita seemed brimming with confidence, as if she'd already tamed this sister-complex guy.
But hearing her plan, Hikigaya only felt like he'd been played.
Damn it, she was trying to replace the bond he had with Komachi. His connection with Komachi wasn't something that could be so easily substituted.
"No way."
"Hm? …Huh?"
Horikita froze, like a horse that had broken free of its reins, completely at a loss.
In that moment, the sting of rejection and the taste of failure slowly crept into her heart, turning her face bright red.
"Any sister other than Komachi won't move me. That's worth major points in my book."
"Hi-ki-ga-ya."
She'd been completely played. Her earlier confidence vanished in an instant.
All that remained in Horikita Suzune was the innate rationality of the Horikita family, and her anger, like a laser, was directed entirely at Hikigaya Hachiman…
(End of this chapter)