Chapter 19: As Expected of Class D
Another week passed. At first, everyone followed the agreement diligently, but after a week, Class D's flaws began to show.
With no one enforcing rules, some students secretly checked their phones.
'As long as no one sees, it's fine.'
Everyone harbored this mindset, continuing with their own activities.
Although most people were still behaving well, seeing others pick up their phones again sparked a competitive urge, and they too began doing their own things.
'I didn't think of this at all…'
The problem wasn't just here. The most difficult issue was Sudo. Even after learning the school's rules, he hadn't changed one bit.
Afterward, Hirata Yosuke tried talking to him multiple times, but each time, he was met with either intimidation or comments like, "It's not like my deductions alone matter. As long as you all attend class properly, it's fine." It was the epitome of selfish individualism.
With half a month left until the points were distributed, the class's situation was far from stable.
[Ike: "Man, I really want to slap myself. Why did I keep messing up and costing the class points even after knowing the truth?"]
[Yukimura: "You won't learn unless you've truly experienced it."]
[Sudo: "I really didn't realize I used to be such an unreasonable jerk…"]
[Horikita Suzune: "Though you're still not exactly reasonable now, I have to admit… you're much better than you were back then."]
[Kushida Kikyo: "So, no matter what, our Class D is doomed to have zero points at the start of the semester?"]
[Anyone with eyes could see that if things continued like this, it wouldn't be long before the video replayed the scene from their first month—a day they could never forget.]
[Learning the harsh truth and being told they'd receive no points the next month, forced to survive on the school's relief meals and supplies—it was a struggle to get through that month.]
[And now, the same thing was about to happen again.]
[Ryūen: "As expected of Class D. No matter how many times you restart, you're still a bunch of losers, hahaha!"]
[Ryūen's mockery sank Class D's spirits even lower. In a way, Hikigaya's appearance had altered the original timeline, but that was the extent of it.]
Hikigaya naturally noticed this as well. Without a doubt, his efforts had been completely in vain. If things continued like this, by the first of next month, the class's points would surely be rated at zero.
Watching everyone smugly playing on their phones or reading manga, Hikigaya could only let out a helpless sigh.
Chabashira-sensei remained the same, still turning a blind eye.
To truly change this class, the current approach was clearly not enough…
A few more days passed, and the classroom atmosphere reverted to how it was during the first week of school. Even though Hirata constantly reminded the class about the point issue, after hearing it so many times, they merely responded with perfunctory smiles, saying, "We'll be careful," only to pick up their gaming consoles and manga two classes later.
Hirata Yosuke shook his head helplessly. He felt he had failed the task Hikigaya entrusted him with and even blamed himself.
Kushida Kikyo also occasionally casts worried glances his way. Though Hikigaya noticed, he always turned his head, pretending not to see.
Horikita Suzune: "It seems that even though you found the school's hidden rules, it's been useless. You can't change this class after all."
Hikigaya: "Before getting hurt, overestimating oneself is a human flaw. Everyone is the same in that regard. Just like you, no matter how much you want to reach Class A, it's just a fantasy."
Horikita Suzune was momentarily stunned. In the past few weeks, aside from casual exchanges with the boy, they hadn't talked much. The most they'd spoken was that day at the convenience store buying supplies.
"How did you figure that out?"
Horikita's voice was cold, clearly displeased at being seen through.
"I finally remembered. At the opening ceremony in the gym, the student council president was also named Horikita, wasn't he? If I recall correctly, he's from Class 3-A. After figuring out the A, B, C, D class ranking system, combined with your choice of cheap supplies at the convenience store and your unsurprised expression when Hirata revealed the information that day, I could roughly guess."
"Wanting to catch up to your brother—I can understand that feeling."
The girl hadn't expected the boy to see through her to this extent. Despite their limited interactions, he had analyzed her intentions through mere observation and minimal information.
At this moment, she didn't know how to retort. Finally, she stammered out:"You're wrong about one thing. My brother never told me any of the school's rules."
Her words were clearly meant to convey that she wasn't some useless person relying on her brother.
Of course, Hikigaya, who had a sister himself, didn't dislike this desire to follow an older sibling.
Ugh… damn Horikita, making me think of my adorable Komachi again.
The black-haired girl calmed herself and fixed her gaze on Hikigaya.
This was the first time she'd turned to talk to him properly.
"So, since you know I want to reach Class A…"
"Impossible. With a class like this, there's no way to compete with Sakayanagi's Class A. Forget Class A—even Classes B and C are far out of reach."
Before Horikita could finish, Hikigaya cut her off.
He had some understanding of the leaders of Classes A, B, and C, even if it was just from brief encounters. But that was enough.
In terms of overall strength and leadership, Class D was far behind. So that kind of ambition was better abandoned sooner rather than later.
"Even so, I'll find a way to reach Class A."
Hikigaya glanced at Horikita Suzune, who spoke with utmost seriousness, looking like the heroine of a passionate youth drama.
"Do whatever you want… But I also hate having my points deducted completely."
(End of this chapter)