Chapter 59: The Truth Behind the Delayed Points
After parting with Ichinose, Hikigaya headed toward the student council.
Honestly, facing Horikita's brother made him a bit nervous. That guy's aura was completely different from any other first-year student.
Even so, Hikigaya had to make the trip.
In this school, information was key. From everything that had happened in the first two months, Hikigaya realized they were always at a disadvantage due to a lack of information.
Gathering information was critical before taking action.
Since he'd learned the first-year points were delayed, it was almost certain some dispute had arisen among the first-year classes. Because no conclusion had been reached, they couldn't easily deduct or add points, leading to the delay.
This was Hikigaya's deduction from the day's events, but the truth would only be clear once he reached the student council.
Knock, knock, knock…
Creak…
As the student council room's door opened, a purple-haired loli appeared before Hikigaya.
Tachibana: "Hello, what's the matter?"
Hikigaya: "Um… is Horikita Manabu here?"
Tachibana: "The president? Normally, he doesn't accept direct…"
"Let him in."
Just as the purple-haired loli spoke halfway, Horikita Manabu's voice came from behind the door.
Tachibana: "But… fine."
'What a bothersome formality… But is this loli really a third-year? Poor thing, exploited by capitalism so young.'
Perhaps sensing the boy's wild thoughts, the purple-haired loli shot Hikigaya a fierce glare. After receiving such a warning, he obediently followed her into the student council meeting room.
Horikita Manabu: "What brings you here?"
Hikigaya: "I'm just curious why you delayed the first-year points."
Horikita Manabu: "How do you know it was us? You don't know anything about how the student council works, do you? Let's hear it."
Horikita Manabu's eyes, peering through his glasses, seemed to see right through the boy.
'Hey, what, are you some kind of detective now?!'
Hikigaya: "Just a guess."
Horikita Manabu: "Oh? How far did you guess?"
Hikigaya: "For example, a dispute between two or more first-year classes, or maybe a statistical error, causing the entire point evaluation and reward system to completely stall."
Hearing the boy's words, both Horikita Manabu and the purple-haired loli standing behind the president visibly flinched.
Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses slightly.
"You're quite something. You're right, not a bad guess."
He extended a hand, as if asking the purple-haired loli for something.
But the purple-haired loli looked at the president with concern and said: "President, this is student council confidential information. It can't be shared."
"It's fine. He's involved, after all. He'll find out sooner or later."
Hearing the president's words, the purple-haired loli reluctantly handed over the document to him.
Horikita Manabu glanced at the contents of the paper before placing it on the desk.
"Take a look…"
"What's this…?"
"New trouble has arrived for your class."
Hikigaya picked up the document and examined it carefully.
'Class 1-C has filed a complaint against Class 1-D.'
'Including Ishizaki Daichi, three students were seriously injured by Class 1-D student Sudo Ken.'
'Complainant: Ishizaki Daichi, Class 1-C.'
'Requested punishment: Expel Ken Sudo and deduct points from Class D.'
Seeing the document, Hikigaya took a slow breath.
'I see… So that's why Sudo hasn't been bothering me lately.'
'But… this is just their one-sided claim. It hasn't reached the trial stage yet. Otherwise… After the point crisis at the start of school and the midterm expulsion crisis, another deduction of class points and student expulsion would deal a huge blow to Class D's newly built confidence.'
'Still, this matter will reach their ears eventually.'
'What will happen to Class D then?'
Hikigaya began to think, while Horikita Manabu, sitting across from him, simply watched the boy.
"What, are you going to play the savior again?"
Horikita Manabu's words made Hikigaya pause.
Indeed, he could completely ignore this.
But…
Just like before, he might need a reason to act.
In the past, he'd found excuses, pinning all the reasons on himself.
This time, he could use the same excuse as during the midterms to deceive himself into helping Sudo, but if he did that…
Wouldn't that mean he hadn't grown at all?
It was the same as when he needed Komachi to give him reasons to act. He'd be back at square one.
For Sudo? For the class? Or for some so-called justice?
Perhaps he really needed to rethink things carefully.
Just like when he helped Yukinoshita, acting without a reason would only cause trouble for others in the end.
Back then, she genuinely wanted to become student council president, but because of his manipulation, Isshiki took her place.
Those were mistakes he'd made, and now, he absolutely couldn't repeat them.
Horikita Manabu gave Hikigaya a serious look, noting his hesitant and wavering expression, and said softly: "I'm afraid you don't have much time to think. Tomorrow, this complaint will be announced to all first-years, and Class D will face another trust crisis."
"Even if you used that method to help Sudo Ken pass the midterms, your classmates likely already have various opinions about him. Once this matter blows up, Sudo will completely lose their trust."
Indeed, Horikita Manabu was absolutely right.
His strategy was just a temporary measure. For Sudo, he was practically a liability to the class now, and it was normal for others to have complaints.
During the first midterms, everyone might have tolerated or even given him a chance, but this time…
Sudo would become the target of the class's criticism, leading to a complete breakdown.
Class D would lose a talent with limitless potential.
Moreover, Hikigaya had no idea where to find an excuse to help him.
Sudo was now one step away from ruin.
(End of this chapter)