The afternoon class wasn't any different from the morning one.
A teacher on the platform, chaos everywhere.
Even I couldn't focus; all I did was stare at the whiteboard with an empty gaze.
My mind couldn't stop thinking about what I had concluded.
Are my current thoughts correct?
I don't know.
After the class ended, the teacher left quickly as usual,
but this time there was an announcement over the speakers.
A female voice announced that there would be a club introduction event in the gym for those interested in joining, half an hour after classes ended.
Personally, I have no desire to join any clubs, nor do I want to attend another boring event.
No thanks.
The interested students quickly left,
and only a few remained.
Yukinoshita approached me.
"Hikigaya-kun, I'm going to attend this event. Will you go?"
"No, I'll pass. I'm not interested."
"Alright, about our conversation, let's postpone it until after the event."
I decided to share my thoughts about the system with her. I don't know if that's a good idea,
but I'll do it anyway.
"Okay… call me when you're done."
Yukinoshita nodded quickly and left the classroom.
I feel tired… is it because of overthinking?
I decided to reward myself with a cold can of Max Coffee.
Yeah, you don't need a reason to reward yourself.
Just enduring life gives you the right to reward yourself.
I left the school building and decided to put my bag in my room first.
The path seems empty…
Did all the students leave?
Should I go too?
No, I'm not interested. I don't want to get involved with any club again.
I think the problems this school will cause are enough for me.
And if anything important is announced, Yukinoshita will tell me.
×××
It took me about an hour to put my bag in my room,
because I decided to take a short nap.
In fact, it did its job—I regained my energy, more or less.
Even though my default state makes me look lazy,
I do have a bit of energy.
I headed to the same lake to get my drink.
A gentle evening breeze brushed against my face, moving the still surface of the lake.
I wonder if there are fish here.
Well, no time for that.
The real issue is: why would a school implement such a system between classes?
Is it to develop their skills through competition?
That seems logical.
But wait…
If attending this school and graduating from it means you can enter any job or university you want,
then the competition becomes meaningless.
I could just stay in Class D and build a new life after graduation.
But if only one class gets that advantage,
then the competition would have real value and appeal.
If Class A alone gets that privilege after graduation, wouldn't that make the school's advertisement a lie?
Well, all advertisements are lies—their only goal is to attract customers.
But nothing is worse than lying to middle school students.
Another problem is: on what basis are students classified?
If it's behavior, then Yukinoshita should be in Class A.
If it's academics, she should also be in Class A.
She even has achievements beyond her age.
Helping the student council and organizing a top-tier dance party…
I can understand my place in Class D—my behavior and academic path are modest,
and my level is average.
If we exclude Japanese and history, my level ranges from average to weak.
But Yukinoshita is the complete opposite—she excels both academically and physically,
a model student.
Is the division random, just to allow a chance for classes to move up?
But that wouldn't be fair at all.
If this class system is real…
Then I won't stop until this class rises to Class A.
I'm not sure I can do it,
but I'll try… at least for her.
Because it's my responsibility.
Whenever I think that my classmates might gain the privileges of Class A, I feel disappointed.
Do they even have the ability to lead society in the future?
I don't even know their names,
but all I know right now is that, in their current state, they deserve nothing but Class D.
Will they change? I don't know.
But people don't change that easily.
If it were easy, I wouldn't be who I am now.
I decided to stop thinking about it for now and enjoy my coffee and my novel.
There's nothing better than your favorite drink with a suitable novel.
I could spend my whole life on this routine.
×××
I was so absorbed in my novel that I didn't notice night had fallen.
That's enough for today.
I put my novel back in my pocket
and threw the empty can in the trash.
I stretched a little—my body ached from sitting.
I took out my phone and pressed the side button.
It was 7 o'clock, and I hadn't received any message from Yukinoshita.
I started to feel hungry.
I'll eat at the restaurant, then wait in my room.
Hmm… my neck feels itchy.
Is someone watching me?
I looked behind me and saw… Ayanokōji?
What is he doing here, still carrying his bag?
We exchanged silent glances, and it didn't seem like either of us would start.
He walked to the vending machine and began checking it.
Looks like he wants a drink.
Will he choose Max Coffee?
He stopped at a yellow machine, stared at it for a few seconds, then moved to the one next to it and took a regular black coffee.
Come on, why not try it?
He opened the can and walked to the railing, then stopped.
No matter how you look at him, he always wears the same expression… is that normal?
Whatever. I decided to leave; staying here would be awkward.
I put my phone in my jacket pocket and turned toward the path leading to the restaurant.
"Hikigaya."
I heard Ayanokōji call my name from behind.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to talk to you. Do you have some time?"
About what exactly?
I won't know if I leave, so I decided to stay as a sign of agreement.
"What do you think of this school?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well… the teachers, the allowance…"
Why is he asking?
Is he testing me?
"Is this some kind of test?"
I narrowed my eyes as I looked at him directly.
"No, just a simple question. Don't you think it's strange that a school provides us with free housing, an allowance, and lenient teachers?"
His point makes sense, but I decided to keep my thoughts to myself.
"Isn't that normal? A school that supports talented students would provide them with comfort and freedom, right?"
That's logical… but not in this case.
"I don't see myself as talented."
"Neither do I."
A sarcastic laugh slipped from my lips.
Everything I've done in my life so far didn't require any talent—it was just duty or something ordinary.
"Hey, Ayanokōji."
"Hmm?"
"If you want to test someone, don't ask a question like that directly. Blend it into a natural conversation."
"But…"
He tried to deny it quickly, but I raised my hand to stop him.
"Come on, your performance was bad. It was obvious you were trying to act normal."
I usually read between the lines, and most of the time it's just speculation,
but this time, I'm sure.
He's pretending.
Pretending to be a normal person.
"I still insist that it wasn't a test, but fine… it doesn't matter."
It seems he gave up and chose not to argue further.
Stubbornness runs in my veins—it's hard to convince me.
Maybe that's what makes me Hikigaya Hachiman.
But… I have a question too.
"Ayanokōji, I want to ask you something."
"What?"
"Why didn't you choose Max Coffee?"
"It didn't excite me. The color of the can."
What the… is he mocking the greatest design in history?
Should I punch him?