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Chapter 22: The Absolute Enemy
"In this school, competition is constant—between classes, between students. You know this better than anyone."
Hikigaya nodded. He couldn't deny it. This school was indeed different from the ones he knew. The so-called S-Point evaluation system, while a reward mechanism for students, was also a tool for sparking competition in rankings and status at any moment.
Though he'd only been enrolled for two weeks, he could feel that living in this school was far from as easy as it seemed.
Chabashira-sensei continued: "After what you just did, how many people will understand you? If I hadn't brought you out, you'd probably be torn apart by the class right now. So… can you still say those words so casually?"
Hikigaya admitted he couldn't. From that perspective, he had to thank the woman in front of him. Honestly, she didn't give him the same feeling as Hiratsuka Shizuka, but right now, she had indeed saved him.
"You're in the game, and you have no choice. If you agree to help me reach Class A, I promise you won't lose out over these three years. And… if you ever face the threat of expulsion again, I'll do everything I can to protect you."
"Not a bad deal, right? What do you say?"
Her meaningful gaze seemed to pound at the boy's heart. What would he gain by boarding this ghost ship?
Endless points? Or other privileges? Honestly, he didn't care for any of it.
Besides, if he sold himself to her, he'd be serving this sensei for three years. How was that any different from a deal with the devil?
Seeing Hikigaya still hesitating, Chabashira Sae continued: "Hikigaya, think about it. If I go back and explain the truth about the 100,000 points, you won't face any criticism. You could even become incredibly popular in the class. But if things continue like this, you'll eventually be pushed to the point of expulsion."
Hikigaya clenched his fists. This time, he had completely miscalculated. While Chabashira Sae wanted to reach Class A, she had no intention of helping him out of this mess and even wanted to control him.
He had accounted for every variable except this sensei in the black uniform. He hadn't expected her to go this far.
She was crazy enough to want complete control over her student.
Hikigaya let out a deep sigh. Despite everything he'd done, he had still lost.
"I'll—"
"Chabashira-sensei, you'd better think carefully."
From behind them, unnoticed until now, stood a black-haired girl.
Horikita Suzune held her phone high, the bright screen displaying the words "Recording in Progress" in bold.
The boy with such sharp observation skills hadn't noticed her presence, and neither had Chabashira.
One was nearly cornered into a dead end, while the other was desperate to claim Hikigaya for herself.
The black-haired girl's expression remained calm, even when facing a sensei.
"This contains your entire conversation. If your goal is to reach Class A, this recording could instantly destroy the bond between you and your students."
Chabashira, as if seeing something amusing, crossed her arms and faced Horikita Suzune.
"Is that really okay, Horikita? Didn't you come to this school to follow your brother? If you release this recording, it'll be a huge blow to your dream of reaching Class A."
Hikigaya, listening to their exchange, recalled the bespectacled man from the opening ceremony in the gym.
'As expected, they're family.'
Horikita seemed affected by sensei's words, her raised hand trembling slightly. Seeing this, Chabashira Sae flashed an amused smile.
"But…"
"Hm?"
"Since Hikigaya has gone this far for the class, I…"
"Is that so?"
Chabashira, no longer smiling, returned to her usual sensei demeanor, as if the answer was uninteresting.
She turned and walked toward the dark corridor ahead.
"By the way, your actions today saved this year's Class D."
With that, the woman stepped into the endless darkness.
Hikigaya realized once again that this school couldn't be judged by normal thinking. If Horikita hadn't helped him today, he might have truly become Chabashira's pawn.
He couldn't afford to let his guard down again.
"Just now… thank you."
Horikita: "What's that? Gross. I didn't do it for you—I did it for Class D. Since I know reaching Class A requires the whole class's effort, there's no reason to sit back and do nothing. You're part of Class D too, after all."
"And more importantly, it's not about me. The class's atmosphere is all about tearing you apart right now. Even though Hirata and Kushida are trying to speak up for you, it's just a drop in the bucket. You know that, don't you? After what you did."
Hikigaya nodded. He knew better than anyone. Drawing all the hatred onto himself to create a world where no one else got hurt—he'd done this before.
At least, in terms of results, he had achieved his initial goal: ensuring no one slacked off in class, preventing point deductions.
For now, though, he needed to lay low.
Hikigaya: "No matter what, thank you."
Horikita: "…Hmph… I'm not treating you like a teammate, absolutely not!"
Hearing the girl's response, Hikigaya gave a faint smile, then turned and walked into the same darkness as Chabashira.
Today, he really needed a good rest.
But he never would've imagined that his reputation had spread like wildfire throughout the school through his classmates' gossip.
Though some parts were exaggerated, the upperclassmen and students from Classes A, B, and C, who already knew the school's rules, simply smiled in response and etched his name into their minds.
Hikigaya Hachiman…
(End of this chapter)