Chapter 22: Absolute Public Enemy
"In this school, competition never stops. Between classes, between students—you should be very aware of that by now."
Hikigaya nodded. He couldn't deny it. This place was nothing like the school he was familiar with. The so-called S-point rating system might look like a reward mechanism, but in truth it was a weapon—one that could trigger competition in grades and rankings at any time.
Though he'd only been enrolled for two weeks, he could already feel it: life in this school was never going to be as easy as it appeared.
Chabashira Sae continued.
"How many people do you think can understand you after what you did? If I hadn't pulled you out of there, you'd be getting shredded by your classmates right now. So tell me—can you still say those words as if nothing happened?"
Hikigaya admitted to himself that he couldn't. In fact, from that perspective, he owed the woman in front of him. She didn't give him the same sense of trust as Hiratsuka Shizuka, but she had just saved him.
"Once you're in this situation, you have no choice," she pressed. "As long as you promise to help me push Class D into Class A, I'll guarantee you won't suffer in the next three years. And… if you ever face expulsion again, I'll protect you with everything I've got."
She tilted her head, her eyes gleaming with meaning.
"This is a good offer, isn't it?"
Her gaze was a quiet knock against his heart. What could he actually gain if he boarded this ghost ship?
Unlimited points? Privileges? None of that interested him.
And if he "sold" himself to her, he'd basically be bound by contract to this teacher for three years. How was that any different from a deal with the devil?
Seeing his hesitation, Chabashira leaned in.
"Hikigaya, think. If I go back in there and reveal the truth about the hundred thousand points, no one will criticize you. In fact, you'd become popular. On the other hand, if you keep walking this path, you'll be forced out sooner or later."
Hikigaya clenched his fists. She had him cornered. He'd accounted for every variable—except her.
The woman in the black uniform… she wasn't simply playing her role as a teacher. She wanted to take complete control of her students.
So this is where I lose after all…
He sighed.
"I…—"
"Chabashira-sensei. You'd better think carefully."
The voice came from behind them.
A black-haired girl stood there, phone raised in her hand. On the screen, in glaring white letters, one word flashed: Recording.
Horikita Suzune.
The boy with sharp eyes hadn't noticed her arrival. Neither had Chabashira.
One of them had been pushed into desperation. The other had been intent on binding him at all costs.
Horikita's expression was calm, unwavering—even in front of a teacher.
"This device has captured your entire conversation. If you really want to climb to Class A, this recording could destroy your bond with your students in an instant."
Chabashira crossed her arms, studying Horikita as though she'd found something amusing.
"Is this really wise, Horikita? Didn't you come to this school for your brother's sake? If your dream is Class A, leaking that recording would cripple your own chances."
At her words, Hikigaya suddenly recalled the man who had spoken at the opening ceremony—the sharp eyes, the commanding presence.
As expected… they are siblings.
Horikita's hand trembled slightly. Chabashira caught the motion and smirked in amusement.
"But—"
"Hm?"
"Since Hikigaya has done this much for the class… then I will too."
"Oh?"
Hearing her resolve, Chabashira's smile vanished. She slipped back into her teacher's mask, as if the exchange had lost all meaning.
She turned, walking toward the shadowy corridor ahead.
"By the way," she said without looking back, "your actions today saved this year's Class D."
With that, she disappeared into the darkness.
Hikigaya exhaled. Once again, this school had proven it couldn't be judged with ordinary logic. If Horikita hadn't intervened, he really would have become Chabashira's pawn.
From now on, I can't afford to take anything lightly.
"Thank you… for earlier."
Horikita snapped, "What a disgusting thing to say! I didn't do it for you. I did it for Class D. We already know reaching Class A requires the entire class to work together. There's no reason for me to just sit and watch. After all, you're still a member of Class D."
Her gaze sharpened.
"Besides, the bigger problem is the class atmosphere. Right now, everyone's criticizing you. Even with Hirata and Kushida defending you, it's barely making a dent. You know what that means."
Hikigaya nodded. He knew it all too well. This wasn't the first time he'd taken all the hatred onto himself to create a world where no one else was hurt.
At least, from the results, his original goal was achieved. The class wasn't distracted anymore. No points had been deducted.
But for now, he needed to stay out of the spotlight.
"Anyway," he said quietly, "thank you."
"…I don't consider you a companion. Absolutely not!"
Her words were sharp, but Hikigaya only gave a faint smile before turning to follow Chabashira into the darkness.
Today, he needed rest more than anything.
What he didn't know was that, by tomorrow, his name would be on everyone's lips.
Thanks to the spreading whispers of his classmates, his reputation exploded throughout the school.
To the upperclassmen and the students of Classes A, B, and C—those already well-versed in the school's rules—the story was nothing surprising. They only smiled faintly as they heard it.
But they remembered the name clearly.
Hikigaya Hachiman.