Chapter 127: Koenji's Past
The 100-meter dash continued smoothly, aside from Koenji's absence causing a minor hiccup. It didn't stop.
Soon, it was the seventh group. With Hirata as the star, Hikigaya was the sacrificial pawn to avoid point deductions.
The pressure was mostly on Hirata to take first.
Hikigaya was nervous, it was his first school sports festival, under everyone's watchful eyes.
But he quickly adjusted. He wasn't noteworthy; in others' eyes, he was just a background character.
No need to be nervous.
"Go, Hachiman!"
From the stands, Sakura Airi shed her usual shyness, shouting encouragement.
Idiot, that's a lot of pressure…
At the gun, Hikigaya started his first event. The others ran with full effort. Too focused to notice them, he unleashed Class B's training results.
To everyone's shock, Hirata took first by a slim margin, and Hikigaya secured second.
Sudo, watching, paused mid-drink.
"Wait, what just happened…?"
Kushida, speechless, stammered, "This guy… almost matched Hirata. That's not something he should be able to do."
Horikita, arms crossed, said proudly, "Looks like Class B's training worked. He's not instinctively cutting corners anymore."
Sakura: "So amazing… really amazing. What's Hachiman feeling right now?"
Karuizawa, dismissive: "What else? He probably knew he was this good and is secretly gloating."
In truth, Hikigaya only realized his impressive rank after Hirata said, "Hikigaya, you're great at running too."
He didn't think it was his strength. If someone like him could place this high, other classes must have used sacrificial strategies.
With Hirata present, they avoided their aces, and he just got lucky.
[Chat Room…]
[Ibuki Mio: "How does this guy have no desire to show off? Even if we used a sacrificial strategy, second place isn't that easy."]
[Kinoshita Minori, frowning, annoyed: "And he almost beat Hirata. Is he really that clueless?"]
[Shiina Hiyori found it odd. Hikigaya's observation skills were remarkable, piecing together truths from tiny clues. But when it came to himself, he explained it away with excuses.]
[Ryuen Kakeru: "Gotta say, he's a monster. A bit of training, and he achieves unthinkable results. As for what you said, it's just his deep-seated inferiority. He's improved, but he still doubts praise. That's why I can't break him."]
[Ibuki, irritated by his success: "This guy's so annoying. He shocks me everywhere he goes."]
[Ichinose Honami, innocently: "Kanzaki-kun, if you trained like that for weeks, could you improve this much?"]
[Kanzaki shook his head. "No way. The closer you are to your limit, the harder it is to improve. That's true for everyone. I've nearly maxed out my athletic ability. Unless I'm aiming to be an athlete, the effort isn't worth the return."]
[Ichinose: "Oh, I see. But Hikigaya-kun trained a few weeks and got these results. Doesn't that mean he's got athletic talent?"]
[Kanzaki nodded, agreeing, but added, "He's not suited to be an athlete. You've seen it, his inferiority is deep-rooted. An athlete's biggest taboo is self-doubt."]
[Ichinose nodded vaguely, turning back to the video.]
[Yukinoshita Yukino's jaw dropped, as if seeing a new Hikigaya.]
[Yuigahama Yui, excited: "Hikki, can you really run that fast?"]
[Hikigaya: "No way. Even in that focused state, I barely kept up with Hirata. It just means I lack talent, just forced training and some luck."]
[Hayama Hayato, smiling: "But entering that state is your unique talent."]
[Miura Yumiko: "I didn't know your athletic talent was this strong. Kinda scary."]
[Isshiki Iroha, grinning: "Senpai, you're amazing."]
[Hikigaya felt a devilish whisper and instinctively leaned away, toward Yukinoshita. Their proximity, skin touching, made her flinch, then blush.]
["Hikigaya-kun, don't underestimate yourself too much."]
["Y-Yes…"]
[Their ambiguous closeness went uncommented by the Service Club.]
After the boys' 100-meter dash, they returned to their seats. Hikigaya planned to find Koenji, and Sudo, the boys' team captain, wanted to join but was stopped by Hirata.
"Let him go alone. It might yield unexpected results."
Sudo: "Yeah… I'd probably just mess it up."
Hikigaya left the stands for the secluded shed.
Inside, Koenji was admiring himself in a mirror. Hikigaya gently pushed open the door.
"You're here."
"I've always been the class errand boy. Guess I'm used to it."
"Such a cold joke."
Koenji's expression stayed serene, his gaze fixed on the mirror until Hikigaya arrived.
Koenji: "So, are you here for the class or yourself?"
Hikigaya: "I'd like to hear your side first."
Koenji didn't dodge, combing his hair before continuing.
"If it's for the class, my 'physical discomfort' is a big issue. I'd have to skip all events."
He paused. Hikigaya's expression didn't change.
Smiling, Koenji went on, "If it's a personal talk about cooperation, this minor ailment doesn't matter."
Hikigaya, with a self-deprecating smirk: "Didn't expect you to dislike the class this much."
Koenji: "Not quite dislike. Like the old you, I just don't see a reason to help them or an opponent worth facing."
Hikigaya: "What about Horikita Manabu?"
Koenji smiled faintly. "No one in this school is my match, not even the student council president."
Hikigaya didn't doubt it. Koenji's abilities were unreal, his island exam tree-swinging still felt surreal.
Before Hikigaya could respond, Koenji continued.
"Hikigaya-boy, I've helped you many times, even when you used me."
"I know."
"Don't you wonder why?"
"I can't think of anything in me worth your pursuit."
Koenji shook his head, checked his hair in the mirror, and continued.
"Freedom is what one must always chase. That's why I'm here."
"My family runs businesses. Officials, enterprises, everything's within reach. Many people envy me as I was born with a golden spoon."
His words, enviable to all, carried no pride.
Many fought to reach Class A for a good job post-graduation, but Koenji already had that.
He had no reason to help the class and wouldn't.
If someone offered 20 million points to join another class, he'd refuse without hesitation, he didn't need them.
Hikigaya quipped helplessly, "So, you're here for freedom, unbound by rules."
"Of course, that kind of life has always been my dream. The darkness of politics is too ugly, so I wanted to escape it."
"While I'm not one to judge, if those struggling out there heard you, they'd probably riot."
Koenji Rokusuke spread his hands, indifferent.
Yeah, why would he care? He never minded others' opinions.
Koenji continued, "Your presence changed my perspective on all this."
Hikigaya Hachiman: "Me? I haven't done anything."
Koenji smiled faintly. "You've changed so many people without realizing it. I never paid attention to you before, but your dim yet unextinguishable light caught my eye."
"This school is a microcosm of politics, designed by the principal to ensure that those who survive here can thrive in the real political world. That's why Class A students become officials."
Hikigaya had noticed this early on. It wasn't hard to see. The school valued ability, cooperation, and intricate thinking. It seemed restrictive, yet the school didn't tightly control it.
For the first time, Koenji gave a helpless, bitter smile.
"If I can't escape my family, I'll end up in politics. By then, I won't be able to cast everything aside like I do now."
Seeing Koenji's expression, Hikigaya's heart stirred. Even the carefree Koenji had an untouchable vulnerability.
This school was just a small political arena, representing only oneself. In the real world, you represented your family too.
Though Koenji disliked that world, he'd have to walk that path for his family.
Hikigaya: "I take back what I said. Everyone's life has its own struggles."
Koenji waved it off, reverting to his easygoing demeanor.
"If I dragged you into politics, would you change others, or would they change you?"
Hikigaya: "I don't think I have the skills to reach that level."
Koenji: "If you rise to Class A, it proves you do. In my eyes, you already have it."
Hikigaya understood. Koenji wanted him to change the corrupt political world he despised.
But…
How could he? One person couldn't alter such entrenched systems.
Koenji's idea was pure idealism. Hikigaya felt he'd just end up as some official's assistant, toiling day after day until death.
Koenji knew the difficulty but believed success could reshape Japan. Hikigaya could go down in history, as could Koenji for guiding him.
Koenji picked up his mirror, praising his beauty again.
"I've never pinned hopes on others, it's unthinkable for me. People see me as selfish, and I agree. But your presence sparked this idea."
"That's why you wonder why I help you. No need to wonder. You have what I need. I'm not foolish. Everything in this school is a low-cost investment for me. Success or failure, it's just three years."
Hikigaya felt Koenji's resolute heart. His past was likely tougher, bound as the next family head from birth, unlike Hikigaya, who had Komachi.
"How about it? Willing to help me?"
"I still don't think I can change what you're talking about. Even this school's beyond me."
"Then treat it as madness. Courage is meaningless, only sheer madness breaks the deadlock."
Seeing Hikigaya hesitate, Koenji continued, "I won't force you. Keep walking this path for three years. After that, help me once, even if it's not ideal. How's that?"
Hikigaya smirked. "Sounds like a tempting offer."
Koenji: "I told you on the island, I look forward to our next collaboration, a long-term one."
I see…
Without this sports festival, Hikigaya would never have seen this side of the arrogant Koenji.
"I can't promise now, but if I can, I'll help. That's the most I can commit to."
Koenji didn't press. He knew Hikigaya didn't lie.
"That's enough, Hikigaya-boy."
"Now, for sports festival help, transfer me 20,000 personal points. I've been spending a lot lately."
Koenji's sudden shift made Hikigaya doubt if this was the same guy discussing family matters seconds ago.
Checking his phone, Hikigaya saw nearly 300,000 points accumulated over months.
He didn't hesitate. If Koenji helped, 20,000 points was a small price for the class.
After confirming the transfer, Koenji stood from the shed's corner, stretching lazily.
"It has been a while since I joined something like this. I wonder if they'll ban me next year."
Hikigaya was speechless but couldn't deny Koenji's strength.
"One more thing I'm curious about."
Koenji: "Oh? What's so interesting?"
"How'd you end up in Class D? With your athletic and academic skills, you're an Class A monster."
Koenji thought briefly, then said something Hikigaya would never forget:
"I was too arrogant in the entrance interview, so the interviewer gave me a random score."
That random score landed him in Class D.
Hikigaya was at a loss for words.
Do they even know the guy they scored randomly is an uncontrollable monster?
With Koenji's issue resolved, they returned to the stands. Seeing them, Hirata Yosuke and Sudo Ken relaxed, exchanging smiles.
As expected, Hikigaya never let them down.
Meanwhile, Sakura Airi, fresh from her race, rushed to Hikigaya, panting.
"Hachi-Hachi-Hachi… Hachiman, did you see me run?"
"Uh, sorry, Airi, I had something to handle…"
Her face showed fleeting disappointment, caught by the perceptive Hikigaya.
"It's fine, Hachiman! I got a good rank!"
She said it was fine, but her disappointment lingered.
From her sweat, heavy breathing, and usual physical ability, Hikigaya gauged her effort.
He gently took her hand, making her tremble.
Blushing, she lowered her head, speechless.
Hikigaya, head down, apologized for breaking his promise.
"You worked hard…"
"Whether it's academics, sports, class duties, or student council, you've started moving forward on your own."
For some reason, tears of grievance slid down her cheeks.
Her voice, choked with sobs, said, "But… I wanted you to see…"
"It's my fault for not keeping my word. I'm sorry…"
Sakura suddenly hugged him, their heartbeats aligning. Silent tears fell, dripping to the ground.
"Idiot, don't say sorry."
She forced a smile, nestling like a kitten, savoring her brief warmth.
As if everything had calmed, her smile grew brighter. Hikigaya couldn't read her heart.
For now, he let her hold him. Her pressures were never less than his. Despite lacking talent, she stood before him through sheer effort.
She'd vowed to keep her promises, to become his capable assistant one day.
(End of this chapter)