Chapter 28: The Real Truth
There was no Hikigaya in Class D.
Chabashira Sae watched him leave hand-in-hand with Sakayanagi. The classroom buzzed with chatter, but she only sighed softly.
For years, she had longed for Class D to rise to Class A. Now, with this boy, the opportunity was right before her. If Hikigaya were to leave, it would be too late.
She knew full well—she couldn't control him. Not even Sakayanagi Arisu, with all her cunning, could. The only saving grace was that Hikigaya himself had no intention of abandoning Class D for now. As long as that remained true, there was still a chance for the class to bond with him.
This year's Class D was still weak and chaotic. But compared to past years, it held the greatest hope.
Bang, bang.
The bell rang to mark the end of class. By school rules, Chabashira wasn't the homeroom teacher in the traditional sense, just another staff member. Even if the students ignored her, there would be no punishment.
Fortunately, all eyes stayed fixed on her.
Although she hadn't revealed the school's unspoken rules before, the students didn't resent her. They knew: rules were rules.
But now—Chabashira had made up her mind. Whatever happened, she would keep Hikigaya here.
"You should all understand the rules of this school by now," she began. "As Ryuen said, both classes and points play irreplaceable roles."
"You came here for the promise of a 100% guarantee of admission and employment after graduation, right? I'm sorry to say, that's a lie. If you can't keep up, you'll be expelled. In the end, only the top two classes—A and B—receive real support. C and D are left behind."
"You could drift through three years of high school like that… but you'll graduate with nothing. On the other hand, making it to Class A or B, and earning massive points, will determine your life."
She had laid it all bare. As a teacher, this was the most she could do. If they still couldn't understand, they might as well leave now.
"My suggestion, as Class D's homeroom teacher, is this: keep Hikigaya Hachiman in Class D. He'll be vital in helping you rise to Class A. That's why Classes A and C are fighting over him."
The class buzzed. Yamauchi Haruki, looking confused, shot up.
"Wait, sensei—does that mean it's possible to transfer to another class? If so, I'll just switch to Class A by senior year!"
Chabashira's icy glare cut him down instantly.
"I told you at the start of the year—points can buy anything. Even class changes. But the cost is steep: about three-quarters of the entire class's points combined."
"!!!"
A collective gasp swept through the room.
"That's insane," Ike muttered. "Three-quarters of the points, just for one guy? He's just a marginal figure—"
Horikita Suzune fixed him with a withering stare. "Then why do you think they chose Hikigaya and not you?"
"…Maybe they just haven't seen my charm yet," Ike said weakly.
Sudo crossed his arms, frowning. "To pay such a ridiculous price, his value must be way higher than the points themselves. Otherwise, no way Class A would risk losing their advantage."
His calm reasoning startled more than a few people. Usually counted among Class D's "three idiots," Sudo's unexpected clarity made his classmates view him differently, if only for a moment.
Hirata Yosuke finally seemed to regain his usual composure. Smiling faintly, he rose to his feet.
"Everyone… let's apologize to Hikigaya. As Chabashira-sensei said, I don't want our class to fall apart in just a month. I hope we can all move forward together—without leaving anyone behind."
Kushida Kikyo jumped in eagerly. "I agree! We completely misunderstood him. Not only did he not hold a grudge, he even sacrificed himself for us again and again. We owe him a sincere apology."
With the class's two "faces" leading the way, more and more voices joined in. Even Sudo, usually rebellious, nodded begrudgingly. He remembered all too well the cruel words he'd thrown at Hikigaya.
Of course, not everyone was on board.
Matsushita Chiaki, Hasebe Haruka, Sakura Airi, and Koenji Rokusuke had never targeted Hikigaya in the first place. They saw no reason to apologize now.
Airi didn't mind, and Koenji, naturally, refused outright. Others stayed quiet, convinced they hadn't been wrong.
Even so, Class D was different now. Still fractured, yes—nowhere near the unity of Class B under Ichinose. But when Chabashira looked at her students, she couldn't help but smirk faintly.
Crossing her arms, she left the classroom.
"…Truly remarkable. Hikigaya Hachiman has reshaped Class D by himself."
"I wonder what he'll do next… This school is far more entertaining than any ordinary one."
For now, she would remain only a bystander.
---
Meanwhile, outside, Hikigaya slowed his pace ever so slightly as he walked beside Sakayanagi Arisu, still holding her delicate hand.
"…So considerate, Hikki."
"I told you, don't call me that. And I'm not gentle."
Sakayanagi's smile deepened. "It was charming, the way you noticed my inconvenient legs and slowed down for me."
"Anyone could notice that. Don't make it sound like a big deal."
Her playful smile didn't fade, though Hikigaya had long since realized she was teasing him.
"Then… shall we find somewhere to sit?" she asked, her tone suddenly innocent, as though this were nothing more than a simple date.