Chapter 83: The Tyrant's Drama
Most of the time, people are solitary beings.
Aside from the moments spent interacting with others, most of their time is used to dwell on past regrets or to anticipate the future.
No matter how the years change, how age progresses, or how the past or future unfolds, this unrelenting feeling in one's heart only grows stronger, until it becomes uncontrollable.
Even lying in bed or looking at a face that seems unchanged from ten years ago, the thoughts in one's mind remain the same, endlessly cycling.
Chabashira Sae, at this moment, sat alone on the cruise ship's deck. As the bitter tea touched her throat, her expression remained unchanged.
Every moment, she was thinking about what happened ten years ago.
But if she could go back to that time, would she change her decision?
She still couldn't reach a conclusion.
As the homeroom sensei of Class 1-D at Advanced Nurturing High School, Chabashira Sae always wore this cold expression, as if nothing could ignite her passion. Even in front of colleagues, she kept her distance.
What kind of secrets lay hidden beneath that cold facade?
"You came."
"There was no reason to refuse."
The boy appeared behind the woman in the uniform, but she didn't show the slightest hint of surprise, as if it was all part of her plan.
He sat down calmly, not touching the tea she offered.
"This is good stuff."
"Sorry, I'm not really into that kind of thing. Maybe I'm not old enough yet."
Feeling Chabashira Sae's sharp glare, the boy quickly retracted his words.
"So, what's your purpose in calling me here?"
"You must've realized by now that this luxury cruise isn't just a vacation."
Hikigaya nodded, saying nothing more.
The woman picked up a pack of cigarettes, lit one with ease, and said calmly: "Since I became Class D's homeroom sensei, Class D has never surpassed any other class. Maybe it's my fault, or maybe the overall quality of Class D's students is just too far behind the other classes."
"That's the cruel reality of this school. No matter how much I want to climb up, with such a massive gap in ability, that possibility becomes more and more elusive."
Hikigaya nodded, agreeing with Chabashira's words.
Effort might help, but most of the time, it's futile.
Effort can be a tool to comfort oneself after failure, but it also wears down one's resilience time and time again.
Repeatedly believing there's still hope, only to fall into failure again and again, and be criticized by others—it's better to accept failure from the start. For ten years, Chabashira Sae had lived in this cycle of self-doubt.
But this time…
Chabashira Sae took another drag of her cigarette, as if exhaling all her burdens with the smoke.
"You all, through your own efforts, have caught up to Class C's level."
Chabashira Sae had never given Class D any help. At some point, she became the most impersonal Sensei in the school, the one most distant from her students, as if no one could see through the secrets she carried. But only she knew.
What she carried were merely the scars of the past, wounds that wouldn't heal, and endless regrets from dashed hopes.
Hikigaya never looked at Chabashira Sae, keeping his gaze on the teacup: "Even so, that's their effort, not mine. It has nothing to do with me."
Chabashira Sae fixed her eyes on his, her sharp gaze seemingly capable of piercing through everything.
But at this moment, she couldn't see a trace of deceit in the boy.
In his heart, he genuinely believed none of this had anything to do with him. Even though he helped Sudō, helped Sakura, helped Class D, he still saw himself as just a bystander on the class's fringes, unchanged from the start.
Chabashira gave a faint smile, then shook her head lightly.
"If you'd been born ten years earlier, would things have been different?"
Hikigaya smiled too, recalling that his sensei had once said something similar.
"But even if I was born ten years earlier, I wouldn't marry you."
Feeling Chabashira's piercing glare, Hikigaya quickly dropped his playful expression.
"Even if you haven't realized it, you should've noticed—everyone around you is changing at an incredible pace because of you."
Hikigaya shook his head again, saying candidly: "No, it's not because of me. It's because they're already that exceptional. Their changes are just their own choices."
Perhaps arguing with this stubborn boy was pointless.
One day, everyone would see what would happen to the class without him, and he would realize what he had brought to this hopeless Class D.
No remarkable strength, only average-to-above-average in physical ability and academics, yet enough to make the leaders of Classes A, B, and C take notice.
"So, Sensei, you didn't call me here just to say this, right?"
Chabashira Sae crossed her arms, took a deep drag of her cigarette, and stubbed it out on the table until it was extinguished.
"Not bad. You've reached the same level as Class C, a place Class D has never reached in my teaching history. With people like Kōenji, Horikita, Hirata, and Kushida, I believe this Class D won't stay at the bottom forever."
"Maybe it's time for me to change too. Always being a bystander makes me jealous of those in the game."
Hikigaya was puzzled. What was the point of Chabashira-sensei's words?
"According to school rules, Senseis and students can't form cooperative relationships, but every homeroom sensei naturally favors their own class's students."
Though it went against school rules, as long as it wasn't discovered or too blatant, there was no issue. That was the unspoken rule of this school.
"Sensei, If you really want the class to rise higher, the best way is to integrate with the class, not stay like this."
Hikigaya couldn't stand listening anymore. It felt like she wanted to help but wasn't being entirely honest.
Chabashira Sae turned her head away, her expression unreadable.
After two seconds, she let out a faint smile: "One day, I'll integrate with this class too, but maybe not now."
"Do your best. Aim to surpass Class C. I'll consider your suggestion."
With a soft smile, Chabashira Sae walked away.
Until the end, Hikigaya Hachiman still didn't understand what she meant.
But it didn't matter anymore.
With only one day left before reaching the island, everyone had been resting well the past few days, avoiding excessive activities. It was only on this final day that Hikigaya saw Horikita Suzune on the deck.
"Horikita…"
"Hikigaya?"
"You don't look so good…"
Horikita seemed surprised that the boy noticed her condition and said frankly: "The past two days were worse, but thankfully, I'm mostly recovered now."
"That's good."
With the exam looming and her body feeling heavy, Horikita Suzune had stayed in her room to rest the past few days. After two days of recovery, she was much better.
Though her head still felt foggy at times, it was much improved, and her strength was gradually returning.
As dusk arrived, the sun's rays fell on their faces, and with the sea breeze blowing, their hair gently floated.
Hikigaya sat on a bench on the deck first. Perhaps because it was dinnertime, there were hardly any people around.
Horikita Suzune's gaze was as resolute as ever. Even without speaking, you could tell she was thinking, 'No matter what tomorrow's exam is, I'll win.'
Hikigaya never felt such competitive drive, but he could understand Horikita Suzune's mindset.
After all, no one wanted to fail. At least in this school, everyone was striving toward a single goal.
Horikita soon sat beside Hikigaya, asking softly: "Do you have any plans for this exam?"
"I'm not that impressive. Following your plans is my best strategy."
As the two talked, Class C's leader, Ryūen, along with the towering, nearly two-meter-tall Albert, slowly approached them.
Ryūen sat beside Hikigaya casually and said: "Using Sakura Airi to access the student council's surveillance, inciting Sudō Ken to self-harm to mislead the student council, then delivering a fatal blow with prepared evidence, leaving no room for escape."
"Finally, luring Ishizaki and the others to follow you after class, only to trap them with a pre-set plan, making yourself the victim. Ishizaki and his group were expelled, Class C lost 300 class points, and Class D suffered no losses. Well done, Hikigaya Hachiman."
There wasn't a trace of malice in Ryūen's expression, as if he was stating it all calmly, as if it had nothing to do with him, the tyrant.
Hikigaya wasn't intimidated by Ryūen and said softly: "Let's put it another way: being framed, gathering evidence, being followed, and narrowly escaping."
Ryūen: "Hahaha, nice, nice! I warned those idiots, but too bad—idiots are idiots."
"They didn't have to be expelled. Even with a 300-point deduction, we could've earned it back eventually. Such a shame…"
Hikigaya's words undoubtedly struck a nerve, but Ryūen didn't show it.
"So, you're admitting it was all part of your plan."
Ryūen's words were probing for information at every turn, but Hikigaya spread his hands, shaking his head calmly: "No, from start to finish, I was just a bystander. Whether it was Sudō or Sakura, I was merely an observer. No need to overthink it. It was only at the end that I was forced into the situation, and it turned out that way. I'm sorry about Ishizaki and the others' expulsion."
Though his expression showed no trace of apology, and in his heart, there wasn't the slightest bit of regret either. After all, he was the victim.
Ryūen gave a faint smile: "You're quite the twisted guy, Hikigaya. If everything was spontaneous, decided in the moment, then you're no different from a monster."
Hikigaya: "Thanks for the compliment, but I'm no monster. The real monster is someone else."
Recalling the silver-haired fairy from Class A, her ever-present calm smile, and her overwhelming presence, Hikigaya knew she was the true monster. Perhaps without realizing it, she could control someone's thoughts and actions, even making them lose themselves.
Ryūen stood up, hands in his pockets, exuding menace as he prepared to leave, but Horikita called out to him.
"Ryūen, in this exam, we'll win. After this, Class C's position will belong to us."
Ryūen seemed surprised that Horikita knew about this, but since the two were sitting here chatting, it wasn't that strange.
He dropped his surprised expression and slowly turned around.
"No, in this exam, you'll fall back to Class D, facing endless darkness and a hope you can never grasp."
Ryūen's words were outrageously arrogant. Perhaps he was always like this, never changing. If even a tyrant couldn't crush his prey, what kind of tyrant would he be?
Ryūen: "This time, you'll make a move, right?"
Hikigaya: "I'm not some big shot, so whether I act or not doesn't matter. But if it's a deserted island survival exam, you might want to watch out for Kōenji. I feel like that guy's still half-ape."
Ryūen made a dramatic gesture, as if licking the edge of a blade, and said calmly: "Don't worry. Anyone who stands in my way, I'll take care of."
"That's for the best."
Hikigaya's eyes lacked the fiery determination of Ryūen or Horikita. All he could do, from start to finish, was fulfill his own role—at least, that's how it seemed for now.
"I look forward to it."
"Ryūen!"
On the deck, a girl with short, deep blue hair suddenly called out his name, drawing the attention of both Hikigaya and Horikita. Only Ryūen seemed to have expected it.
"Ibuki, huh."
"I need to talk to you."
Ibuki swaggered up to the two men, both of whom towered over her by more than a head, her demeanor brimming with arrogance.
'Hey, did you learn that confidence from Horikita? I'd love to see you two go at it.'
For Ibuki to march straight up to these two, Hikigaya couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration, though his heart also skipped a beat. This girl named Ibuki approached so boldly.
Ryūen, far from resisting, casually pulled Ibuki into an embrace with his large hand, wearing a faint smile as he said: "Miss me?"
Ibuki's anger flared instantly—her acting was a perfect ten. At the same time, her slender hand forcefully pushed away Ryūen's sturdy arm as she shouted: "Get lost!"
Ibuki put distance between herself and Ryūen, her face still burning with anger, her words sparing no face.
"I've had enough of your antics, whether it's constantly trying to rope this guy in."
Ibuki pointed fiercely at Hikigaya, sending a chill down his spine.
"Or stubbornly letting Ishizaki and the others get expelled for nothing, costing our class 300 points. Now our class is on the same level as Class D. I can't stand you anymore!"
As Ibuki spoke, her rage seemed ready to burst, as if it could swallow Ryūen whole. It even seemed like she might lash out physically at any moment, and Horikita believed it.
So, Horikita simply looked away, no longer watching them. But Hikigaya Hachiman never took his eyes off the scene.
Horikita noticed Hikigaya's gaze fixed on the two and said softly: "Hikigaya, isn't it a bit rude to keep staring?"
Hikigaya responded in a barely audible voice: "This is quite the show, especially before the exam starts."
Horikita sighed helplessly at his eager expression, then downed her drink in one gulp.
At that moment, as Ibuki's harsh words flooded his ears, Ryūen responded with a magnanimous smile.
"Is that so? Fine, let's talk more in my room—just the two of us."
Perhaps unable to tolerate Ryūen's provocation any longer, Ibuki lunged forward and threw a punch. Though she was trained in martial arts, her strength as a woman was worlds apart from Ryūen's or Albert's.
Her fist stopped just an inch from Ryūen's face.
Albert's hand was in front of Ryūen, unmoved even a millimeter by Ibuki's full-force strike. And… Ryūen hadn't blinked once, as if he were the prey.
To suppress biological instincts to this degree, Ryūen was undeniably a formidable opponent. This was the absolute composure of a hunting dog fresh from the forest's slaughter.
Hikigaya took it all in, his expression remaining calm.
He knew he couldn't do what Ryūen did. If attacked, he'd instinctively retreat, defend, or blink.
But they were different.
Was this Ryūen's strength, or was it a carefully staged performance?
Ibuki's movement was completely halted by Albert, and she seemed a bit angry as she demanded: "Albert, do you really think this is okay?!"
Albert didn't respond. Ibuki retracted her fist, glaring fiercely at both of them.
"Looks like Ryūen's already tamed you."
Ryūen wore a dismissive expression, clearly uninterested in further entanglement with Ibuki, and slowly walked past Hikigaya and Horikita.
"Stop right there, Ryūen! I'm not done talking."
Ibuki's eyes blazed with infinite rage as she moved toward Ryūen, only to be stopped by Albert, who grabbed her by the neck and tossed her aside.
Though it was a light toss, the impact sent Ibuki crashing into a metal pole on the deck, creating a loud clang.
Horikita couldn't sit still anymore and rushed to Ibuki's side.
Hikigaya just watched. Only watched.
'This is interesting… but it's missing a bit of soul. Now's the time to test everything.'
"Ryūen."
Hikigaya's voice made Ryūen pause, surprising both Horikita and Ibuki.
'What is this guy up to?'
Ryūen turned around, slowly walking back to Hikigaya, a faint smile on his face.
"What's up, Hikigaya?"
Hikigaya didn't speak. He extended his fist, slowly moving it toward Ryūen's hand, chest, face…
One foot, one inch, one millimeter.
There was no speed, as if it were a deliberately slowed punch, leaving everyone puzzled.
What was he trying to do?
At the final millimeter, Hikigaya's fist suddenly accelerated. Albert couldn't make it back to Ryūen's side in time, and Ryūen, with his hands still in his pockets, had no chance to react.
In the end, Hikigaya's fist stopped just before Ryūen's eyelashes.
After a brief second, Ryūen didn't defend or retreat. His hands stayed in his pockets, and his smile never wavered.
But his eyes… they blinked involuntarily.
Hikigaya seemed to have gotten the answer he wanted and turned away.
"It's nothing."
After a moment of stiffness, Ryūen left with a smile.
Albert followed closely behind the tyrant, also leaving slowly.
They thought their plan had succeeded, unaware that the boy had already seen through their act.
Horikita: "Are you okay?"
Ibuki slapped away Horikita's outstretched hand, saying angrily: "Mind your own business, Class D."
Without further interaction, Ibuki got up and left slowly.
From start to finish, Hikigaya never left his chair.
Horikita returned to her seat, having seen Class C's display, and said calmly: "It looks like Class C will split soon. Even without our effort, they'll fall to Class D eventually."
Clearly, Horikita had been completely misled by Ryūen's staged performance. Indeed, if it weren't for that final moment, Hikigaya wouldn't have been sure whether it was real or fake.
But now, he had his answer.
If even a class like Class D could function, it was unlikely for a stronger class with a leader like Ryūen to fracture. Of course, it wasn't impossible—if…
If Ryūen, the leader, completely lost his tyrant's authority, Class C would collapse overnight, becoming the bottom-ranking class. But that depended on the tyrant losing.
(End of this chapter)