Chapter 37: Study Group
"Hikigaya-san, what's wrong with you?"
"Which aspect are you talking about? If it means getting those guys to join your study group, I've already exceeded my goal."
Horikita shook her head helplessly. She had just been spoken to by Yamauchi, and to make matters worse, she learned that Kushida Kikyo was also going to join their study session.
However, in the end, this couldn't be blamed on Hikigaya. He never said others couldn't participate.
"In short, only if I teach you can you achieve the highest efficiency."
"So, Kushida can come, but please leave all authority in the study session to me."
Hikigaya grew increasingly puzzled. Why did this girl hate Kushida so much? Could it be that something really happened between them?
No… it didn't seem like they even knew each other before. If it was just because she hated Kushida's hypocritical personality, then fine—he felt the same way. But was it really normal to be this hostile?
After thinking it over, Hikigaya simply shook his head.
"Since you say so, there's nothing I can do."
"What do you mean there's nothing you can do?"
"Since even the organizer feels she can't hold the study group, then those of us bad at studying will just have to fend for ourselves."
"Are you… not afraid of dropping out of school?"
Hikigaya turned his gaze toward the window, his tone filled with contempt.
"Don't forget, I can join another class. You probably don't know this, but the leaders of Class A and Class C have both promised to protect me. Even if they're bluffing, based on my current grades, I won't be expelled anytime soon."
Of course, Hikigaya didn't actually trust the one-sided words of Ichika or Ryuen, but the fact remained—he wasn't in immediate danger of expulsion.
And right now, that was enough to use as a weapon against Horikita.
Horikita, however, wasn't convinced.
"I don't care what happens to you. To be honest, I don't think you can change Class D by yourself. And as for whether weak students get expelled… I couldn't care less."
"You really don't care?"
Hikigaya's sharp words cut through her defenses.
"What if there's a rule that a class with even one expulsion can never reach Class A?"
Her body trembled ever so slightly.
It wasn't backed by proof, but the possibility alone struck at Horikita's core. If she couldn't reach Class A, then what was the point of coming here?
Unable to surpass her brother, unable to earn his pride… three wasted years.
But the school's rules were shrouded in mystery. From the first month alone, it was obvious this place couldn't be measured with normal logic.
"Are you… threatening me?"
"It's just tit for tat."
Being threatened wasn't pleasant, but for Hikigaya—someone without ambition or desire—the class's fate meant little.
For Horikita Suzune, however, she was shackled by far too many burdens. She couldn't afford to gamble her entire goal away before she understood the school's hidden systems.
After a long pause, she took a deep breath, as though conceding defeat.
"…You win."
"I'll allow Kushida to join. But I'll still take the lead in the study group. Even she has to follow my instructions. That's my bottom line."
Hikigaya knew there was no point forcing her any further. She had already conceded, and that was enough. The rest could be smoothed over with Kushida.
As he walked toward Kushida's desk, Horikita's thoughts wavered.
It seems… I really can't underestimate you.
Maybe Chabashira-sensei was right. You're a double-edged sword in this class—maybe even more dangerous than Koenji.
Koenji was undeniably talented, physically dominant, and his grades were near-perfect, but he only ever cared about himself. An absolute egoist. Another kind of double-edged sword.
If Class D wanted to climb to Class A, they had to unite—even just enough to avoid fracturing into dust. Horikita understood this. But she also knew how impossibly difficult it would be in reality.
Hikigaya. Koenji. Kushida. Each one impossible to control.
---
Elsewhere, Ayanokouji observed.
This was a world where he didn't exist. And yet… in this world, Horikita was growing stronger, faster.
Even he hadn't expected this outcome. The credit—whether good or bad—belonged entirely to Hikigaya.
Horikita, too, felt strange watching the version of herself in the video. She had always believed in her own strength. But now, she was relying on others.
Horikita Manabu had naturally noticed as well. Though it was only the beginning, he could no longer deny his sister's growth.
Without understanding the power of companions, Class A would forever remain out of reach. That was his conviction. In his eyes, Suzune's arrogance and isolation doomed her path.
But now things were different.
His gaze shifted to Hikigaya, his expression filled with approval.
This guy is able to change people without them even realizing it…
---
Hikigaya stopped in front of Kushida. Luckily, the classroom was mostly empty. Their exchange wouldn't become the center of attention.
"Horikita agreed. But she insists on taking the lead in the study group. You…"
"Mm-hmm!"
Before he could finish, Kushida's face lit up with pure joy.
"As long as Horikita agreed, she can say anything."
"…You're really persistent."
"In that case, I'll see you at the study session."
He turned to leave, but just as he did, Kushida reached out and grabbed his shoulder.
Perplexed, he looked back. She awkwardly held out a small folded note.
Taking it, Hikigaya returned to his seat.
He wasn't a stranger to receiving notes, but usually he was just the middleman passing them along.
This was the first time one had actually been meant for him.