Chapter 132: I, Hikigaya, Corrupted a Good Kid
After being reluctantly dragged by Horikita to join the academic effort, Hikigaya's life changed drastically. Not only could he no longer return to his room to rest after class, but he also had to supervise others' studying.
Though he'd said he wouldn't teach, Horikita assigned him an interesting role: monitoring study groups and creating impossibly difficult questions based on their progress. Wasn't that just making things harder for himself?
However, after diligently doing so on the first day, he quickly found a way to slack off.
He'd pretend to supervise, wander around, and then sneak into the library to read a book.
As Horikita's plan formed study groups, Hikigaya felt like an outsider, unable to fit in.
Of course, some clueless students asked him questions, but he'd deflect them to Horikita.
Once you taste slacking, there's no going back.
For now, the study sessions were going well.
But…
When their opponent was revealed, the class sank into despair. Their opponent was Class A, the biggest gap. Any class facing them would feel hopeless.
Why Class A? It came down to the vote. Classes A, B, and C all chose Ryuen Kakeru's Class D as their target, while Ryuen picked Class B. Naturally, the remaining two classes, A and C, became opponents.
Ike Kanji: "It's Class A… what do we do?!"
Yamauchi Haruki: "We're done for… Against Class A, I can't see any way to win."
Hikigaya couldn't think of a way to beat Class A either, but these two were too dumb. Such talk crushed the class's morale.
Everyone realized Class C had too few top students. Most were mid- or low-tier, making it nearly impossible to counter Class A's onslaught.
Hirata Yosuke: "Don't panic. If we prepare well and make our questions tricky enough, beating Class A isn't impossible."
Horikita: "Exactly. We can't lose our composure. We've beaten Class A before, and it's not impossible now. Our study sessions must continue, we need to beat Class A and ensure no one gets expelled."
Their words slightly eased the class's mood, but for Hikigaya, always calm, it meant nothing.
Class C had no chance against Class A.
Even so, he couldn't change anything, and he knew it best.
Thus, the study sessions continued for days.
Hikigaya saw Shiina Hiyori in the library almost daily. As Class D's brain, she was, as Ryuen said, handling their affairs. Likely, she was also in charge of their questions against Class B.
In a way, as Class C's question-setter, he was like her.
But he hadn't started on the questions.
Approaching her, Shiina seemed to have noticed him already, speaking first when he neared, "Hikigaya-kun, are you tired?"
Puzzled, he asked, "Why do you ask?"
"Your eyes… they look like they can't stay open. Like… dead fish eyes."
Is this girl genuinely clueless or faking it? That's a personal attack.
"It's natural…"
"You were born that tired?"
"No, I mean my eyes are naturally like this."
"Oh, of course. My eyes are natural too. Only two."
What, like you could have one?
Her innocence shattered his worldview. Did Ryuen really trust her with the critical task of setting questions? Wasn't he worried she'd make questions anyone could answer?
But Hikigaya dismissed the thought. As a question-setter himself, his might be even more childish.
People often overestimate themselves, only to be crushed.
Watching the girl focused on her questions, an idea struck him.
"Shiina-san, can I see your class's questions?"
She looked up, her pure gaze sizing him up. "Hikigaya-kun, are you a bad person?"
"Uh, probably not."
He figured that, in his years of life, he hadn't contributed much to society but hadn't harmed it either.
Just an ordinary guy.
Shiina clutched her questions, hiding them behind her with a deliberately fierce, yet cute, expression. "Ryuen-kun said anyone trying to peek at our questions is a bad person."
"Uh…"
Hikigaya's mind raced for a normal excuse to prove he wasn't bad.
Finally…
"I'm actually our class's question-setter. We're not enemies, so I just want to see your questions for reference."
Her fierce look softened slightly, replaced by suspicion. "Really?"
"Really…"
"You're lying."
"Okay…"
What terrifying perception. Am I usually this annoying?
Shiina focused her gaze, then, surprisingly, smiled. "I can tell you don't mean harm, Hikigaya-kun. If it's just for reference, it's fine."
"Huh?!"
Her sudden shift shocked him. Wouldn't she get swindled easily? How did someone so pure, kind, and cute end up in this school?
He was dead wrong.
No one could deceive Shiina. Her ability to read micro-expressions and detect lies rivaled his own.
Without hesitation, she pulled out her painstakingly crafted questions. "Ryuen-kun said we've lost seven classmates, so we can't lose this exam."
Hikigaya saw the dense notes and detailed explanations. She sat here daily for these questions, and he'd seen her efforts so easily.
Guilt surged. After a quick glance, he returned them. "Impressive."
"Didn't you learn anything, Hikigaya-kun?"
Unable to deceive her further, he admitted, "I just wanted a peek."
"I knew that."
"Then why?"
"Ryuen-kun said you're trustworthy and might help us."
"I doubt he thinks that highly of me. Helping you guys…"
"Can't you?"
Damn her charm…
Hikigaya sighed. Having seen her questions, he couldn't just leave.
Her questions were tough but not unsolvable. Horikita, Ichinose, or Sakayanagi Arisu could likely create similar ones.
But… were these questions meaningful?
To crush a class mentally, targeting their subconscious was best, especially during tests.
"Shiina-san, what's Class B's biggest trait?"
"Unity."
"To break them, you don't need impossible questions but something else."
Shiina thought briefly and concluded, "Hikigaya-kun, you mean questions about the downsides of unity, team splits, or class conflicts, right?"
I feel like I've corrupted a good girl…
Hikigaya nodded. It was the best way to dismantle Class B. One conflict could fracture their unity from within.
Once that idea seeped into their minds, they'd lose their greatest weapon.
Hikigaya planned to target Class A similarly. They'd once been split between conservatives and radicals, but now Sakayanagi dominated. It likely wouldn't work.
Shiina dove back into question-setting, surrounded by books. Hikigaya sighed at her effort, feeling guilty for teaching her such a dirty trick.
Maybe, as she said, he was a bad person.
Confirming she understood, he left. She waved happily as he did.
Days later, Hikigaya began crafting questions for Class A, to be approved by Horikita and Hirata. He went all out, targeting Class A specifically.
First question: On the conflict between conservatives and radicals.
Second question: On the core arguments and actions of conservatives.
Third question: On the radicals' development and major historical failures.
Fourth question: Analyze the flaws of conservatives and radicals, and determine which is more feasible…
It could be said that Hikigaya Hachiman's vast knowledge in the humanities was being utilized to its fullest at this moment. If Class A saw these questions, they'd probably curse out loud.
Of course…
[Chat Room…]
[Katsuragi Kohei: "This guy really knows us too well. For a high-achieving class like ours, these questions are indeed difficult and hard to answer, potentially splitting the class unconsciously."]
[Kamuro Masumi: "I've suspected for a while, is this guy studying psychology? How does he know our weak points so clearly?"]
[Hashimoto Masayoshi clenched his fists, glaring at the video in frustration. "This guy only uses sneaky, cunning questions. Too bad they're useless against our Princess, right?"]
[Sakayanagi Arisu smiled faintly. "If this were us at the start of school, these questions would indeed fracture Class A. But now, with me fully in control, they won't cause much upheaval. Still, as Hikigaya said, these questions are far more effective than regular ones."]
[Kito Hayato was speechless. "Forget Kamuro being in Class A, I'm supposed to be his mentor, and he's this ruthless."]
[Meanwhile, students from other classes shook their heads upon seeing the questions, thinking Hikigaya was too harsh, exploiting the chance to set questions to toy with the lofty Class A.]
[Ryuen Kakeru: "It's good to know how cruel society can be, but I'm starting to regret letting Shiina get close to Hikigaya. I don't regret much, but this was a mistake…"]
[Ibuki Mio: "How didn't I notice this guy's knack for psychology? Or has he been hiding this talent?"]
[Kaneda Satoru: "Anyway… good thing we didn't pick them as opponents. Losing's fine, but this kind of impact lingers, deeply rooted."]
[Kanzaki Ryuji: "That Hikigaya guy…"]
[Ichinose Honami, after a helpless chuckle, said with a strained expression, "Can't be helped. We're not allies… and Class D will eventually find our weaknesses."]
[Shiranami Chihiro: "But this is too much… just too much…"]
[Ichinose seemed preoccupied with Ryuen's rumor, not responding to Shiranami.]
[Shinohara Satsuki: "This guy's probably giving Class A a headache already."]
[Sudo Ken: "It's a bit unethical, but… it's indescribable."]
[Horikita Suzune sighed helplessly. "I don't know if giving him the question-setting task was the right call…"]
[Kushida Kikyo: "Anyway, this guy's scary side seems to go beyond what we know…"]
[Karuizawa Kei, delighted, laughed as other classes fell into this mess. "What's wrong with that? Isn't it just proof of Hikigaya's smartness?"]
[Yukinoshita Yukino rubbed her temple, unsure what to say.]
[Isshiki Iroha: "Senpai, these dirty tricks are like when you pressured me into becoming student council president."]
[Hikigaya: "Hey, don't slander me! I suggested you for president, but you made the final call."]
[Yuigahama Yui: "Hikki… you'll cause trouble for others like this."]
[Yukinoshita, surprisingly, said, "But it's not necessarily bad. In a mini-political arena like this, such strategies are normal. And… this might just be the start. Darker things will come."]
[Everyone was shocked Yukinoshita thought this way, but only Hayama Hayato and Hikigaya understood. As the daughter of official parents, Yukinoshita Yukino grew up in an environment no less cutthroat than the video's.]
[Yukinoshita Haruno felt the same. Seeing Hikigaya like this excited her, as if the thrill stirred her heart.]
At the student council, Vice President Nagumo Miyabi seemed to be waiting for someone.
After Horikita Manabu left, he sat in the center, as if the room was his.
"One day, it'll all be mine."
Knock knock…
"Come in…"
The door opened slowly, and a red-haired boy strolled in, hands in pockets, exuding confidence.
"Ryuen…"
"Cut the crap. Get to the point."
"Hahaha, you first-years are interesting."
Ryuen didn't respond, casually taking a seat, showing no regard for Nagumo.
"I know your recent target, Class 1-B, right?"
"No nonsense."
"I'll help you. How's that?"
"Oh? The great Vice President Nagumo Miyabi interested in a lower-year class? It doesn't suit your taste."
"Interested? I'm not into Class 1-B. I'm interested in Ichinose Honami herself."
"Oh? I hear the student council's full of beauties. Ichinose's great, but not that great…"
"Enough!"
Nagumo's roar cut Ryuen off. Instead of showing respect, Ryuen eyed him like he'd found something amusing.
Nagumo seemed to recall something unpleasant. He'd long been interested in Class 1-C's Sakura Airi. Her idol-like face and stunning figure would be a prize if she were his plaything.
But…
That girl acted like she had a master, only open to Tachibana Akane and Horikita Manabu, rejecting everyone else. As vice president, he was powerless.
So, he turned to Ichinose. Her figure rivaled Sakura's, and her angelic personality was a bonus.
Plus…
Unlike Sakura, Ichinose had a unique vulnerability, boosting Nagumo's confidence.
"I can help you crush Class B. Make them never recover."
"I don't think I need your help."
"You will."
"Oh?"
Nagumo said smugly, "Your year's impressive. Class D surpassed Class C, unheard of before. And… your class has the only expulsions, seven students."
Ryuen's expression hardened, eyeing the blond. "So?"
"So, the school will hold an expulsion exam, harsher than other years. Every class will lose someone. With seven already gone, can you handle another? Or have you picked who's next?"
Ryuen feigned indifference. "Tch, it's just a chance to weed out the weak!"
Nagumo didn't rush, trying to pierce him with a stare. "Ryuen, your enemies and classmates might see you as heartless, but I know you're the most loyal. Whenever possible, you'd pay any price to save your classmates. Too bad they're too dumb."
Ryuen paused, then said, "So?"
Nagumo: "Help me, and I'll help you crush Class B. Plus… before the expulsion exam, I'll give you 20 million personal points, enough to save someone from expulsion. Your class can't scrape that together."
Ryuen's fists clenched. He'd never been cornered like this, but now… he, Ryuen, might have to serve someone else.
Could he accept another expulsion from his class?
If so, it'd have to be him.
Nagumo stood, ready to leave. "Relax, you've got time. Think it over until the expulsion exam."
With that, he left without looking back, leaving Ryuen alone in the student council room.
(End of this chapter)