Chapter 20: The Only Way
"What are you going to do?"
"Who knows? After all, I'm not a genius."
The boy didn't answer the girl's question directly. For him, there was only one path left to solve Class D's problems.
Yet, if he did this, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama would surely be saddened.
Even though they weren't part of this world, he still remembered what the two of them said to him after his confession that day.
Being perceptive, he understood clearly just how much this approach would hurt them.
But right now, he had no other choice.
"If those two were here, they'd definitely give me another lecture."
With that thought, Hikigaya let out a faint smile.
---
Inside the Service Club, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama listened to Hikigaya's inner voice and lowered their heads in brief silence. After a while—
Yukinoshita raised her gaze. "So, you knew…"
Yuigahama pouted slightly. "You clearly know what to do, but you're so cunning."
Hikigaya scratched his head awkwardly. "After all, this is the most effective method…"
His eyes avoided theirs as he spoke.
The two girls exchanged a glance, and then smiled softly—like the cold distance between them had vanished for that moment.
Isshiki Iroha: "As expected, Senpai, you're clever. Just dishonest and awkward."
Ebina: "Mmm~ That's right! He was the same when Hayama-kun was around."
Hikigaya: "That's slander! I never did anything of the sort! If it were Ayaka, sure—but Hayama? Forget it."
At this, Hayama only gave him a gentle smile.
---
Back in the classroom, Hikigaya sat at his desk. As the bell rang, Chabashira-sensei arrived at the podium and began the lesson with textbook in hand.
Students trickled in late from the back door, clearly having stretched their break.
Looking around, Hikigaya observed the room. Though quiet on the surface, most students weren't focused on class. Outside of a few—Kushida, Hirata, Sudo, Sakura, and Horikita—everyone else was lost in their own world.
Varied. Scattered. Disconnected.
"The leaders of Class A, B, and C… This school really is bizarre. Strange teachers, strange students, strange rules. It's confusing."
He thought further:
"A leader is only a leader in name. Whether tyrant, angel, or genius, if the foundation is weak, chaos follows. There's only one thing that can truly unite people who can't even be called a group—
The enemy."
Horikita, Hirata, Kushida, even Sudo—they all had the potential to be leaders. But compared to Classes A, B, and C, Class D was the weakest.
So, what if he created a common enemy? That way, they could unite against it.
No one would be truly hurt, and they could even gain points. Efficient, effective.
Yes… this was the only way.
---
The class was already halfway through. Everyone had returned to their seats, though still absorbed in their own distractions. Perfect timing.
Hikigaya pulled his phone from his pocket, set it openly on the desk, and leaned his chin on one hand. He began fiddling with it, even playing a video.
The sound wasn't loud, but in the silence of the room, every student heard it.
Instantly, the most inconspicuous boy in the corner became the center of attention. Even Chabashira-sensei lowered her book, her gaze sharp on him.
Horikita whispered urgently, "Hey, what are you doing? Put it away… idiot!"
But Hikigaya ignored her and kept watching.
---
Haruno: "Here it comes. I've been waiting for this!"
Hiratsuka Shizuka: "So this is the only way…"
Yuigahama: "This is what Hikki does best—drawing all the hate onto himself and, in the end, changing everyone else."
Yukinoshita nodded quietly, though her eyes wavered. She wanted to help him, yet felt powerless.
I'm always relying on him. Saying I'm helping him is just a joke…
---
The classroom remained silent, except for the sound of the phone.
Chabashira finally spoke. "Hikigaya…"
"Chabashira-sensei—should I call you that?" he replied casually.
"Hikigaya!"
Horikita snapped at him, unable to hold back.
But Hikigaya still didn't stop.
"It looks like everyone's the same as me. We're all just defective products, flaws included. That goes for you too, Chabashira-sensei."
"Since we're all the same, why bother with empty gestures? Human nature is the hardest thing to change. Right now, you all know exactly what you're doing."
"Class D… really is nothing special."
At his words, Chabashira's lips curled into a chilling, twisted smile.
Sudo slammed his fist on the desk. "Are you looking for death?!"
"This isn't a boxing gym, gorilla," Hikigaya shot back.
"…What?"
For a moment, the room froze in dead silence—until Chabashira burst into thunderous laughter.