If you're enjoying Hachiman's journey through the Elite Classroom, please consider supporting the story with your Power Stones!
Every vote helps the novel grow and reach more readers.
Thank you for your support! šš
ā ā ā
The written exam ended, and the results did not exceed expectations.
Although the 100 Class evaluation points were not many, they did not widen the gap with other Classes.
So, for the Class celebration that Hirata had mentioned earlier, Hachiman took action.
And then it became the current situation.
Everyone in the Class attended the celebration party the next day.
"Cheers!"
Such cheers could be heard.
Of course, since they were just students, even though they were in a karaoke room, the staff wouldn't provide alcohol to the students.
So, although they stacked up cup towers, they were filled with cola, Sprite, and other beverages.
Class C's celebration party was held at the largest karaoke establishment in the Shopping Street.
They booked a large private room.
Originally, some suggested going out for a meal together, and some had wanted to eat steak for a long time.
However, in the end, they still chose the karaoke place.
The reasoning was that they could sing, play, and also eat and drink.
Thus, it received the majority of votes, and this place was chosen.
[Beyond the sorrow]
[If I could truly reach it]
[I would no longer need warmth]
And now, someone was already singing.
And it was the boys singing.
Although it was a whole-Class activity, if one observed carefully, the boys... should finally realize that most of the girls in their Class are super pretty!
So, by showing off, do they have a chance to get a girlfriend?
Although I think this action is wishful thinking, one must remember that the boys previously made a big deal in Class about breast size rankings, which led to a large portion of the girls having a bad impression of the boys.
So, even if they performed, it wouldn't be very useful.
Rather, it would make people think they had ulterior motives.
However, it must be said that some people still had some talent.
Their singing wasn't bad at all.
Hachiman updated his evaluation of them.
But all in all, he still felt they were like children.
And now, Hikigaya also had another person who was like a child beside him.
"Actually, it's not so bad to blend in a little." Hikigaya said.
He was now sitting on a sofa to the side, with a black-haired, fox-eyed girl next to him, who, though present, seemed to be spaced out.
Perhaps because of the close proximity, he could clearly see the girl's black stockings, which, of moderate thickness, encased her shapely legs, possessing a strange attraction.
Of course.
This isn't to say Hikigaya was a leg fetishist.
It was just that at this distance, this was the only part of Horikita he could see.
Still, he was making an effort.
Even though Horikita Suzune had been dragged to this group activity, she still chose to stay by herself, not participating at all.
It was as if she had just come to check in.
"I'm already used to being alone." Horikita Suzune said.
Is that so?
"But being alone, while convenient, also means there are many things you can't do by yourself, right?" Hikigaya said.
"For example, if you want to practice tennis, how would you play without anyone to cooperate with you?"
This was a lie.
Because in Hachiman's dark past, there was an experience of playing tennis alone and even hitting a magic shot.
However, Horikita Suzune probably hadn't encountered such a thing.
"I think you shouldn't misunderstand the meanings of the words 'aloof' and 'arrogant'." Hachiman said.
Then, he immediately received a glare from the fox-eyed girl.
Because.
"..." Horikita's brother had said that phrase, so Horikita Suzune immediately looked over.
"I just feel likeā¦" But at this moment, a sweet female voice came.
"I just feel like Hikigaya and Horikita are very close."
"But why aren't you playing with everyone?"
Oh.
Kushida was here too.
But they really weren't speaking ill of Kushida.
She didn't need to pay so much attention to them.
However, Hachiman felt that Kushida probably came over on purpose.
Because she was cute and treated both boys and girls well, Kushida was everyone's Little Angel, and thus, many boys liked her and had good feelings for her.
Rather.
Many people regarded her as an ideal partner for future dating.
So, now was the time to show off, and even, hope to sing love songs with Kushida.
And for Kushida, such thingsā¦ were certainly annoying.
So Hachiman felt that Kushida was looking for an excuse to walk over and avoid the invitations from Ike and Yamauchi.
It seemed that Kushida actually disliked them quite a bit.
Although Hachiman knew Kushida's true nature, for her, who usually appeared like a Little Angel, to directly avoid Yamauchi and the others, this behavior was a bit too obvious.
In other words, in the real Kushida's heart, she really hated those two.
How pitiful.
However, Hachiman was still self-aware.
He was probably second on Kushida's list of disliked people.
First place, of course, was Horikita.
"Horikita hasn't had much experience attending these kinds of group gatherings." Hachiman said.
"Neither have I. So, we're out of place in such a situation."
"Oh, I seeā¦"
"But I think since we've come to such a lively place, it would be a bit of a waste not to do something."
"Because the cost of this celebration party needs to be split among everyone." Kushida said.
Yes.
Money doesn't grow on trees.
Although it was a celebration party, it was still an expense, and they didn't have things like Class funds, so the cost of this activity would be collected from everyone after the celebration party.
And then, naturally, as Kushida said, since they've come and spent money, isn't it too wasteful to just space out on the side?
"Actually, I also think that since we're here, it's a good choice to take this opportunity to blend into the group."
And at this moment, Hirata, who, similar to Kushida, acted as a cohesive agent in the Class, walked over.
"Horikita, Hikigaya, I truly hope you can seize this opportunity to get along well with everyone." Hirata, who was always gentle, was still gentle now.
He was looking at the two with expectant and encouraging eyes.
Uh.
In other words, Hirata had also noticed Hachiman and Horikita's unsociable behavior.
And then painstakingly hoped to make the two integrate into the Class.
But Hachiman didn't think such a thing was necessary.
Because, if one is strong enough, being alone is the norm.
However, he also admitted that he hadn't reached the requirements of a strong person.
But to casually "integrate" into a group that had already formed its circles was not a good thing either.
"Speaking of which."
Since it was Hirata's effort and good intentions, Hachiman didn't immediately refuse him, but decided to try to change the subject like Kushida.
"I didn't expect Kouenji to agree to attend such a celebration party."
Kouenji, Kouenji Rokusuke.
The top student in the Class, and also maxed out in athletic ability.
If Sudo's athletic ability was a cheat, then Kouenji's was similar toā¦ almost reaching the limits of human ability.
Extremely abnormal.
However, he was very fond of beauty and narcissistic, yet also appeared arrogant.
And Hachiman felt that Kouenji, who was excellent in all aspects, probably offended the interviewer with his arrogant attitude during the interview, and then was assigned to Class D.
"I think it's better to pay attention to him now." Hachiman said.
"Because he seems to want to order something very expensive to drink."
"Eh?"
Hirata was stunned, then quickly turned his head and indeed found a waiter standing beside Kouenji.
And the waiter was holding an ordering device, seemingly ready to operate it.
Uh.
Hirata had noticed before that Kouenji didn't care about private point.
In about half a month, he had spent the 100,000 point that the school gave to each student.
In other words, Kouenji didn't mind buying expensive things.
And it was the same now.
"Hmmā¦ this Sprite tastesā¦"
"I don't think it tastes very good. Bring me something expensive. This is too cheap, the taste is completely off." Kouenji said.
"Then, sir, is 30,000 per bottle acceptable?" The staff member recorded his request.
"30,000? That's quite cheap. Get me two more bottles." Kouenji said.
"..." Hirata.
It should be known that the cost of this celebration party was borne by everyone.
And in terms of ordering services, food, and drinks, a budget had already been made.
And now, if Kouenji continued to order things not in the budgetā¦ then the private point everyone had to split would increase.
It would cause dissatisfaction among the students in the Class.
Hirata did not want to see this situation.
So he quickly went to calm Kouenji.
ā¦
The celebration party lasted for 2 hours, and the final cost split was 6,000 point per student.
Looking at it, that was already two days' worth of meal money.
However, if it weren't for the bottle of Sprite Kouenji had already taken that couldn't be returned, the burden on each student would have been even less.
But from this perspective, Kouenji might come from a very good family.
He didn't even frown about money.
Very casual.
However, after the celebration party, Hachiman had another appointment.
And the people he was meeting were old acquaintances: Ichinose from Class B and Kanzaki Ryuji.
This time, Hachiman didn't bring Kushida or Horikita.
Because Ichinose had sent a message.
She didn't mention meeting Kushida or Horikita.
As a result, he thought Ichinose wanted to meet him alone, but as soon as Hachiman sat down at the cafe, he saw the cafe door open, and then a man and a woman walked in.
The boy was handsome, and the girl was beautiful.
It was the standard for Class B students.
And these two were acquaintances.
Besides Ichinose, Kanzaki had also come.
But.
"We've all seen the results of this exam." Kanzaki said.
"Hikigaya, thank you."
"This time, Class B owes you a favor."
Although Kanzaki was brought along, it seemed likeā¦ he was just giving himself away for free.
So, Hachiman looked at Ichinose.
Because Kanzaki's words meant that he already knew Hachiman had given them the exam papers.
And this private matter, did Ichinose leak it?
Previously, Ichinose Class was approached by Nagumo, the representative of Grade 2, who even tried to use irregular means to gain their favor.
And Ichinose and her Class were struggling with whether to accept.
As a result, Hikigaya provided assistance.
Then they didn't have to fall into the dilemma of whether the senior's offer was an olive branch or poison.
And this alone was enough for Ichinose and her Class to owe Hachiman a favor.
And now they owed another?
However, compared to Ichinose leaking the information, Hachiman felt that the leak was false.
What Ichinose truly wanted to do was to make Kanzaki understand that Hachiman had worked hard on this matter.
And before, they had contact with Nagumo, but they didn't reveal the information about the exam papers.
Yet Hachiman was willing to share the information with them.
This was equivalent to being even more noble.
Therefore, it made Kanzaki also feel guilty.
From this perspective, Ichinose was a good person, a great Little Angel.
However.
"Hikigaya." Ichinose suddenly said as they were about to leave.
"Can I take up some of your time?"
Hmm?
Ichinose, was there something else she needed to discuss with him privately?
So Hachiman followed Ichinose, and Ichinose also chose a good place.
Because she brought Hachiman to the ground floor of a special teaching building.
And this teaching building had no cameras, and even very few people came here.
It's just that.
What did Ichinose need to tell him privately?
Ichinose was now standing in the shadow of the side building.
She had beautiful rose-gold long hair, but the expression she was showing made it seem like she had something on her mind.
"I've already troubled you before."
"I even owe you a favor." Ichinose turned and said to Hachiman.
"But this time, I'm also very troubled."
"So."
"Can you help me, Hikigaya?" Ichinose said.
Saying this, she began to gaze at Hachiman with her moist eyes.
Perhaps due to the distance, although Ichinose was looking at Hachiman, when Hachiman looked at her, his first thought was that the lipstick she was wearing today was very pretty.
Her lips were moist and beautiful.
Of course.
This was not the time to be thinking about such things.
He could sense Ichinose's tension.
"If I can help, I might."
Although it was Ichinose's request, Hachiman didn't make a full commitment.
He used words like 'if' and 'might help'.
So.
What was it?
"Actuallyā¦"
But Ichinose said, seeming a bit conflicted.
Then, as if gathering her courage.
"If, Hikigaya, I were to confess to you hereā¦ thenā¦" Ichinose said.
Oh.
Hmm.
Hachiman nodded.
So what are you saying?
...
So what are you saying, Ichinose?
Hikigaya immediately looked at the girl with the beautiful rose-gold long hair.
The girls in this school had very high appearance, and by general standards, if you were to rank them, Sakayanagi might be the cutest in the entire school, and Karuizawa could take second place.
But if you were to distinguish by beauty, then Sakura and Horikita could stand at the top of the list.
It's just that.
Ichinose was also of the same caliber.
Rather, due to her personality, Ichinose Honami was perhaps the most popular girl in Grade 1.
And now, the most beautiful girl in the entire grade, the girl everyone called the Great Angel, was actually going to confess to him?
This kind of thingā¦
"It'll be over soon," Ichinose said. "Iā¦"
"I might be confessed to here!"
Hmm.
So that's how it is.
If you're going to be confessed to, then don't say things that cause misunderstandings.
Because coming to such a secluded place and then saying something similar to a confession, in an instant, Hikigaya felt his heart almost give out.
After all.
This was a confession from the prettiest girl in the school, whoā¦ would find it hard to resist.
Moreover, there were quite a few points.
He had helped Class B twice, and he had also helped her avoid the advances of Nagumo from Grade 2.
And if you consider the accumulation of goodwillā¦
It's all a lie.
Hachiman felt he almost wavered.
Gentle girls, as expected, are the easiest to misunderstand.
"So," Hachiman said.
"The reason you're looking for me isā¦ you don't want to accept the confession?"
It probably ended before it even began. Hikigaya's mind was incredibly clear now.
He quickly analyzed the reason Ichinose had invited him over.
She was pretty, had a good personality, was gentle, had many friends, and there should be quite a few people who liked her.
She should also be very experienced in being confessed to.
So she could skillfully refuse.
But she still needed someone to intervene.
In other words.
"Is it a confession that can't be refused?"
"Or is itā¦"
"Is the person confessing of a unique status?"
"Orā¦" Hachiman pondered.
"Although you want to refuse, you still want to maintain a friendship?"
"Nya!"
Ichinose let out an inexplicable sound of surprise.
"Hikigayaā¦"
"You really think a lot." she said.
"Actuallyā¦"
"This time's confession is indeed different."
Saying this.
She somewhat meekly pulled out a pink love letter.
It was called a love letter because its seal had a heart pattern.
It was also slightly decorated on the envelope.
Only the sour smell of love could make teenagers and young girls with abundant youthful hormones spend time doing such things.
"But I don't want to develop things with that person, and at the same time, the other party is very timid, so I want to refuse without hurting them."
Oh.
I see.
That is indeed very difficult.
It's just that you already have a lot of experience rejecting people, but now you still need to be so careful.
And when facing a boy, although you are gentle, you should also know that long pain is not as good as short pain.
"Is it Kanzaki?" Hachiman asked.
"Eh?" But Ichinose was surprised, seemingly not understanding why Kanzaki's name suddenly appeared.
Hachiman continued, "Thenā¦ is it a girl?"
"Eh?!"
But this time, Ichinose was truly surprised.
"W-why, why do you think it'sā¦ a girl?"
"If it were a boy, then you wouldn't be so troubled." Hachiman said.
"And although it's not good to say this, boys have stronger endurance. If they're rejected once, they'll be sad and disappointed, but it's not like they can't get over it."
Of course.
These inferences were false.
If his confession were rejected, Hachiman felt he'd just want to crawl into a hole.
And then he'd still have to see them every day, it would be hell.
So, he would never confess to anyone again.
Because.
Once a confession was made public, he might even be made fun of by the class.
He didn't want to experience that again.
"It's Chihiro, Chihiro Shiranam." Ichinose said.
"The girl I usually play with. I thought she saw me as an older sister, butā¦ yesterday she wrote me this letter."
"And she made an appointment to meet here and confess." Ichinose said.
Then she showed a troubled expression.
Clearly.
The flower has intentions, but the flowing water is heartless. Ichinose had no such feelings for Chihiro.
But they were friends, they usually played together, and it turned out the other person had such feelings for her.
However, Ichinose didn't want to hurt the other person.
He somewhat understood her distress.
"Wait a moment." Hachiman said.
Saying this, Hachiman pulled away from Ichinose.
Then he pulled up Horikita Suzune's contact information.
"Test you. Chihiro Shiranami from First Year Class B, do you have information on this student?" Hachiman quickly sent a message.
"ā¦"
But there was no reply from Horikita.
So, Hachiman sent the same message to Kushida.
And Kushida, perhaps being alone in her room at the moment, quickly replied.
Because her reply was unrestrained.
If she were with friends, she wouldn't be able to write such direct words.
And this was her reply:
[Chihiro? That girl who's often with Ichinose? She's timid like a little chick. But she's interesting, sometimes the way she looks at Ichinose is strange.]
Is that so.
Then Kushida, you're amazing.
You can even see that.
Orā¦ Kushida's public persona is similar to Ichinose's, like a little sun, so she's very popular.
If she can be popular with the opposite sex, she might also be liked by some of the same sex.
So, Kushida, you must have experienced it tooā¦ treating someone as a friend, only to find out they like you.
...
https://discord.gg/mjcCSyu7Yr
By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)