Chapter 19: Worthy of Being Class D
Another week passed like this. At first, everyone followed the agreement carefully, but soon the shortcomings of Class D began to surface.
Because there was no real supervision, some students still secretly pulled out their phones to check messages.
"As long as no one sees, it's fine."
With that mindset, everyone kept doing as they pleased.
Most students tried to stay disciplined, but the moment they saw others casually checking their phones, a little voice whispered in their heads—"Why shouldn't I?"
"I never thought of that…"
But the biggest problem wasn't with the phones. The hardest to deal with was Sudou. Even after knowing the school rules, he hadn't changed one bit.
Hirata Yosuke tried to reason with him countless times, but all he got were threats or lines like: "I don't care if points get deducted. As long as you guys study hard, we'll be fine."
That was the height of selfishness.
There was still half a month before the next point distribution, yet the class atmosphere was already shaky.
---
Ike groaned. "I really want to slap myself. Why'd I have to be such an idiot and lose points for the class even though I knew better?"
Yukimura adjusted his glasses. "If you don't experience it yourself, you never truly learn."
Sudou frowned. "…I didn't think I was that unreasonable."
Horikita Suzune cut in sharply. "You're still unreasonable. But compared to before, I'll admit—you've improved."
Kushida Kikyo's voice wavered with concern. "So, does this mean Class D is doomed to start every month with zero points no matter what?"
It was obvious to anyone paying attention: if things went on like this, history would repeat itself. The video had already shown them that day—their first day at school, when the truth was revealed and they were stripped of all bonus points. That day was etched into memory, and yet they were about to face it again.
Ryuen's laughter boomed across the room. "As expected of Class D! No matter what, you're still a bunch of losers. Hahaha!"
His mockery only deepened the gloom hanging over Class D. Hikigaya's presence had already shifted the original timeline slightly, but in the end, that was all it accomplished.
---
Hikigaya noticed the decline as well. His efforts were clearly in vain. At this rate, their points would definitely hit zero by the first of next month.
He watched classmates scroll through phones and flip through comics with smug carelessness, and could only sigh.
Chabashira Sae stood at the podium, as detached as ever, acting as though she saw nothing.
If we really want to change this class… what we're doing now isn't enough.
A few days later, the class atmosphere had fully regressed to what it was like a week after school began. Hirata still reminded everyone daily, but his words had become background noise. His classmates replied with perfunctory smiles and "We'll be careful" before immediately pulling out game consoles and manga the moment class ended.
Hirata could only shake his head helplessly. He felt guilty for failing the task Hikigaya had entrusted to him.
Kushida often glanced worriedly in Hikigaya's direction, but he always turned away and pretended not to notice.
Horikita Suzune finally broke the silence between them. "It seems that even though you discovered the school's hidden rules, it's useless. You can't change this class."
Hikigaya gave her a tired look. "Before anyone gets hurt, they always overestimate themselves. That's just human nature. Take your dream of reaching Class A, for example—it's nothing but a fantasy."
Horikita froze. They hadn't exchanged more than a few words since the day at the convenience store, but he had seen right through her.
"How did you know that?" Her tone was cold, and being read so easily clearly annoyed her.
"At the entrance ceremony, the student council president was also named Horikita. He's in Class 3-A. After seeing the class hierarchy, then noticing the cheap necessities you bought that day—and Hirata's complete lack of surprise when I mentioned it—I put it together." Hikigaya shrugged. "I get it. You want to catch up to your brother."
She hadn't expected such insight from him. With only scraps of information and a bit of observation, he had deduced everything.
"…You're wrong about one thing. My brother never told me about the rules here."
Her words were filled with pride—she wasn't just a younger sibling relying on him.
Of course, Hikigaya himself had a younger sister. He couldn't look down on sibling attachment.
Tch… damn Horikita. Now I'm thinking of Komachi again.
Suzune steadied herself, then looked at him seriously for the first time.
"Well, since you know I want to reach Class A—"
"That's impossible." Hikigaya cut her off without hesitation. "With this class? They'll never compete with Sakayanagi's Class A. Forget Class A— even B and C are out of reach."
He'd only met the other leaders briefly, but it was more than enough.
Horikita's eyes hardened. "Even so, I'll do whatever it takes to reach Class A."
Hikigaya glanced at her, taking in her determined expression. For a moment, she looked like the heroine of some cliché youth drama.
"…Whatever you say. But I also hate it when people deduct all my life points."