Chapter 36: Sudo Gives His Approval
Hikigaya sighed helplessly. Convincing this guy would probably require some stronger arguments.
[At the same time, watching the video, Sudo felt a bit incredulous.]
[If Ayanokōji was in Hikigaya place, he would probably end up liking Horikita Suzune without fail. But… in this video, he doesn't feel anything for her at all… Is this a changed world line?! Or… maybe it just hasn't reached that point yet.]
[If he had to pinpoint when he started liking Horikita, it was definitely when she went out of her way to help him every time he got into trouble. Back then, his temper kept causing weird issues.]
[Thinking about it now, Sudo felt a bit embarrassed. He'd troubled Horikita so much. So, in this video, would he end up liking her like before?]
[Ayanokōji was also watching the video, silently memorizing every change and comparing them. Having come from the White Room, he could recall the past perfectly, so no memory was ever forgotten.]
[The other students watching didn't feel much about this scene. After all, they were probably all focused on studying to avoid failing midterms or finals and getting expelled. Ordinary Class D students were already giving it their all.]
Sudo looked at Hikigaya helplessly. This guy had made a decision for him without asking, which was hardly brotherly behavior. Plus… making him join that scary robot's study group?
To salvage his good image in Sudo's mind, Hikigaya started spouting nonsense.
"Look, Sudo, you came to this school to become a pro athlete, right?"
Sudo nodded.
"Well, this school's resources are all concentrated in the upper classes. To get those resources, you don't have to study, but Class D needs to rise to Class A or B, right?"
Sudo nodded again.
"And right now, you're at the bottom of the class in grades. The most important thing is to stay in this school and slowly climb up to get those resources, right?"
Sudo nodded, somewhat agreeing.
"So, not getting expelled is crucial. If you get expelled, you'll have nothing. At the very least, you need to raise your grades to a stable passing level."
Sudo's eyes lit up as he nodded enthusiastically.
"Then, as long as you don't get expelled, and with Horikita's goal of reaching Class A, you'll eventually get tons of points and resources while becoming a pro athlete. Plus, your academics will be better than other pro athletes. At that point… do I need to say more?"
Sudo grabbed Hikigaya's hands, nodding excitedly.
"You're so right! I can't think of a single reason not to join this study group. For the sake of becoming a pro athlete, I'll face that scary robot demon."
Hikigaya gave a satisfied look. His nonsense had completely fooled him. Too easy.
Of course, it wasn't entirely nonsense. Sudo did have the physical potential to become a pro athlete, and raising his grades while aligning with Horikita's goals was a win-win. It wasn't an impossible dream.
"By the way, I've never heard about your dream, Hikigaya. Why'd you come to this school?"
"Dream? I don't have anything lofty like that. If I had to say, it's to be a househusband. As for why I'm here, I was forced to come."
"Ohhh, I get it. Forced by your family, right? What's a househusband? Never heard of it."
"Ignorance is scary. A househusband embodies the modern man's virtues of loving family and diligence. Simply put, it's not much different from a housewife."
"A shut-in."
"Hey, that's an insult."
Seeing Hikigaya's serious expression, Sudo let out a relieved laugh. Honestly, since arriving at this school, aside from basketball, Hikigaya was the only one who made him feel so at ease.
This guy was smart—Sudo knew that well. Though he himself wasn't bright, being around Hikigaya came with no pressure. So…
That's why he was willing to call Hikigaya his brother. After all, he'd witnessed and misunderstood Hikigaya's "terrible" actions. That self-sacrificing vibe felt like when he sacrificed for the team in basketball or when the team sacrificed for him.
Honestly, he didn't dislike it.
"Alright, I'll join Horikita's study group, but on one condition—you're coming with me. Your grades aren't bright either, right?"
"If I get kicked out of this school someday, you might be next."
Sudo grinned at Hikigaya. If he had to go through with this, he was dragging his brother down with him.
Hikigaya sighed helplessly. Looks like he couldn't escape this time.
But Sudo was right—he couldn't just be a bystander. If he wanted to live comfortably in this school, he had to raise his grades to a relatively stable level.
The day passed quickly. Hikigaya wasn't sure how Kushida got his phone number, but since she sent him a message, she clearly had some tricks up her sleeve.
With Kushida's help, Yamauchi and Ike agreed readily. But upon learning it was Horikita's study group, they added a condition: they wanted Kushida to join and help teach.
Of course, Hikigaya couldn't guarantee that. Horikita seemed very resistant to Kushida for some reason, and though he didn't know why, he had a bad feeling about it.
If that was the case, he'd have to talk it over with Horikita tomorrow.
Hikigaya lay on his bed, ending an exhausting day.
The next morning, Hikigaya arrived at his desk as usual. As always, he was the invisible one in the class, unnoticed by anyone.
'What's up with this terrifying glare?'
'Hey, if you keep staring at me like that, I won't dare talk to you.'
Yes, from the moment he stepped into the classroom, Horikita Suzune was looking at him with a death stare…
( End of this chapter )