Chapter 156: Kamuro vs. Sakura
[Kitō: "They actually pushed us to this point… Isn't this abnormal?"]
[Machida: "Yeah. They're just Class C, yet they keep holding the advantage. Something doesn't add up."]
[Kamuro sighed. Having to choose between the back of the hand and the palm of the hand, both flesh, was uncomfortable.]
[Yahiko: "Class C doesn't even have that many outstanding students. How did it become like this?"]
[Katsuragi shook his head helplessly. "It seems you still haven't understood the situation."]
[Everyone turned their eyes to Katsuragi, but he didn't continue. Instead, he looked at Sakayanagi.]
[Sakayanagi nodded slightly with a polite smile and addressed all of Class A: "I've said since long ago that Hikigaya is someone with frightening influence."]
["Perhaps back then none of you believed me. Even I, just watching the recordings, didn't fully believe it. But… now he's disproving all of us with results."]
[Katsuragi nodded. Kamuro sighed. The others still looked confused.]
[Sakayanagi didn't lose patience. She maintained her calm smile. "A simple question: if we were facing Horikita's class from the beginning of the school year, how high would our chances of winning be?"]
[Complete victory, this thought flashed instantly across every Class A student's mind.]
[And in the next moment, they all understood what Sakayanagi meant. Everything clicked into place.]
[There had been no intense battles, yet Class C had reached this stage purely by strategic selection and maximizing strengths. The reason was simple, Hikigaya had perfectly showcased the abilities of every single one of them.]
[At enrollment, they were nothing but defective goods full of loopholes. But now, things were different. Sudō, Kushida, Sakura, Hirata… all their weaknesses had turned into strengths. And all of that stemmed from Hikigaya.]
[Many people had changed without realizing it: Sudō's temper, Kushida's self, Hirata's past, Sakura's timidity, Yukimura's rigidity, Karuizawa's brokenness, Matsushita's concealment… All of them had transformed under Hikigaya's influence.]
[There were many more: Ryūen, Ichinose, leaders in their own classes, had also been influenced in different ways. Katsuragi too, changed by a strength that radiated subconsciously.]
[This was why Ryūen and Ichinose both tried to recruit him from the very start. Unfortunately, back then, he didn't care about class promotion. In truth, he was growing along the way, developing people he cared about, things he couldn't ignore. Growth is always mutual.]
[All of Class A felt goosebumps. Sakayanagi didn't seem surprised by the situation, but the others were trembling as the realization hit them.]
[Only two semesters had passed. There was still one more before the first year ended. Class C had already changed this much. After one year? After three? Would Class A still be able to stop them?]
[All of this originated from one person… just one.]
[That was why this battle seemed so effortless, because long before anyone noticed, Class C had already changed beyond anyone's imagination.]
[Hearing all of this, Horikita couldn't calm her heart. The Class A she longed for so badly was now just one match away from being defeated.]
[Horikita: "We… really overcame Class A? Is this real?"]
[Even Horikita felt like she was dreaming, no, unable to believe it.]
[Hirata: "Yes. With Hikigaya, we really may become different. But… it's fine. As spectators who've been healed by him, we should also transform."]
[Ike: "A future like this… I really admire it. I bet no one's uninterested in beating Class A."]
[Sakura: "Beating Class A…"]
[Kushida gave a faint, cold smile. "If the chance comes, I'd like to experience it myself."]
[Karuizawa: "Hey, hey, hey! The match isn't even over yet, why are you all so excited?!"]
[Kōenji had been scratching the back of his head the whole time, but now he spoke calmly: "No… it's already over."]
Yes, it was already over.
---
Sixth Match: Flash Mental Arithmetic
Required number of participants: 1 people
Time Limit: 30 minutes
Rules: Calculate answers mentally, with emphasis on correctness and speed.
Commander Role: Granted one chance to change the answer to any question
If they wanted to finish the match, this was the moment.
With almost no hesitation, Hikigaya wrote down Kōenji's name. Sakayanagi had no remaining substitutes, she could only choose between Kamuro or Katsuragi.
In the end, she chose Katsuragi. Although she trusted Kamuro more personally, Katsuragi's scores were far superior. And besides… no matter who she chose, they wouldn't beat Kōenji.
Because that guy was like her, born a genius.
The Flash Mental Arithmetic rules were simple: within the time limit, several multi-digit numbers would flash on screen, and the player had to write down their total sum. The initial level was 1-digit numbers, 3 numbers, 5 seconds.
For example, the first level showed 6, 9, 1. The answer, of course, was 16.
As the levels increased, the digit count and number count rose while the time decreased.
Naturally, the early problems were elementary-school level. Both players wrote down the answers instantly.
Kōenji maintained his usual expression, calm and composed, hands behind his head, without an ounce of pressure.
As the difficulty rose, someone like Ike had already given up thinking. Instead, he asked in confusion:
"When did Kōenji start helping our class, anyway?"
Hirata shook his head. "You're wrong. He isn't helping the class."
Shinohara: "Then why is he participating? From what I know of him, he'd either skip or just hand in a blank sheet. The Special Test, sure, maybe he thought it was troublesome. But what about the sports festival? And now?"
Hirata's gaze went to the screen. Hikigaya's face appeared there in full view.
"He's doing it for one person."
The words stunned many, but Kushida, Sakura, Karuizawa, Sudō, and others who'd been saved by Hikigaya immediately understood.
Inside the exam hall, Hikigaya didn't plan to intervene. Kōenji confidently wrote the answer for Level 8.
At this point, even Class A couldn't keep up. Most top-tier students were already clueless by Level 6. Yet these two had reached Level 8.
Level 9… began.
3-digit numbers, 15 numbers, 2.5 seconds.
Seeing the prompt, Hoshinomiya's breath caught.
"Is this even something a human can answer?"
Everyone had this same thought.
Sakayanagi didn't smile or speak. Hikigaya was the same. Both focused entirely on the screen.
Hikigaya's math ability had improved, yes, but compared to someone like Sakayanagi, he still couldn't match her. Even he couldn't solve the ninth question.
Sakayanagi, however, seemed to have reached her answer.
Katsuragi shook his head helplessly. As Class A's former leader, he too fell at this stage.
Seeing this, Sakayanagi knew the match was decided.
She calmly stated the answer aloud, consuming Class A's only intervention chance.
Meanwhile Kōenji still looked completely relaxed.
Both advanced to Level 10, the final round.
Class A students were so nervous they couldn't breathe. They no longer expected Katsuragi to answer correctly, he had already hit his limit. Now they prayed for Kōenji to answer wrong.
As long as he got it wrong, both sides would stay at Level 9, and a comeback would still be possible.
Level 10: 3-digit numbers, 15 numbers, 1.6 seconds.
(The Japanese mental-calculation world record from 2016.)
As the digits flashed by, everyone felt despair. They appeared and vanished in a single blink, most couldn't even read them before they disappeared.
Could a human truly answer this?
Sakayanagi looked like she had solved it, but she couldn't pass the answer along. Katsuragi guessed randomly.
Naturally, wrong.
Hikigaya also failed to calculate the world-record problem. For him, this was a normal result, if he had solved it, that would've been terrifying.
If Sakayanagi wanted to prove that inborn talent surpasses acquired effort, today's match alone likely answered that already.
As Hikigaya thought this, the thinking time ended. Kōenji, completely calm, arms crossed, eyes closed, wrote down his answer.
Everyone stared at the paper.
"Correct."
The simple notification marked Class A's defeat. The students lowered their heads. Who would've thought they would lose so easily, Class A, supposedly the top class, had been thoroughly defeated by Class C.
Meanwhile, Class C leapt into the air. Regardless of past conflicts, everyone hugged each other tightly. Karuizawa's eyes were full of tears, she couldn't suppress her emotions at all.
Just as Hikigaya had said before, this wasn't his victory. It was the victory of the entire class.
Because of those words, many students willingly allowed themselves to become sacrifices.
Because of those words, the top students knew how rare opportunities were, and fought to seize them.
This victory truly belonged to every student of Class C.
All of them were shouting Kōenji's name. In the exam hall, Kōenji simply smiled and left without lingering, leaving a deep impression on both Sensei, Hoshinomiya and Sakagami.
The former Class D, now Class C, could no longer be viewed with the eyes of the past.
Horikita, Hirata, Kushida, Yukimura, Wang Meiyu, Ichinose, Matsushita Chiaki, Kōenji, absolute combat strength.
Ike, experienced in camping.
Sakura, the sole first-year student council member.
Sotomura Hideo, the electronic expert.
Karuizawa, the information broker.
Sudō, the athletic powerhouse.
Akito, the kyūdō prodigy.
…
Hikigaya, just a background character.
With such a Class C, who dared underestimate them?
They had waited far too long for this victory. And now that it arrived, they were consumed by emotion, unable to pull themselves out of it.
Hikigaya also let out a calm breath, the pressure of serving as Commander finally released at this moment. And of course, the doubts classmates previously had about him were also completely shattered here.
[In the class group chat, Horikita's class had likewise fallen into celebration. Nearly all the students clenched their fists and swung their arms in excitement.]
[Sotomura: "Wait, what the hell? Hahahaha! How did we win this smoothly?"]
[Ike: "Yeah, I thought Class A would have some hidden trump card. Turns out… maybe beating them isn't impossible after all."]
[Hirata: "It's great that we could defeat Class A in the video, but I hope that one day, we can defeat them for real."]
[Sudō: "Hey Hirata, that's the wrong attitude. It's not about hoping, we have to beat them!"]
[…]
[Ichinose: "Hikigaya-kun really is an amazing person."]
[Hikigaya: "Finally someone compliments me without beating around the bush. But too bad, the me in the video already said this victory was because of everyone's efforts."]
[Kanzaki: "Anyone with eyes can see you're the core of that class. Honestly, without you, they never would've progressed this far this fast. At the very least… no way within one year."]
[Katsuragi: "On that point, I agree."]
[Ryūen: "Relax. That brat's always like that. And honestly, he probably understands better than any of us what he actually did."]
[Sakayanagi smiled. Seeing Hikigaya like this, she couldn't help feeling something.]
[Turns out, proving your argument and defeating someone could indeed happen simultaneously.]
[Hikigaya had proven that.]
---
Sakayanagi smiled, not a trace of pain from defeat on her face, and said, "Congratulations, little Hiki."
Hikigaya: "When you say it like that… I feel weird."
Sakayanagi revealed a mischievous grin, "It's a heartfelt blessing. For me, this result was expected."
Hikigaya: "Being able to calmly accept your own defeat is also a form of strength."
Sakayanagi: "What a sharp tongue. But for the final match, I won't lose."
Hikigaya: "If you don't want your class falling behind, then come at me. The current Class C isn't so easy to defeat anymore."
---
Seventh Match: International Chess
Required number of participants: 1 person
Time Limit: 1 hour (overtime considered a loss)
Rules: Based on standard international chess rules, with no time extensions after the 40th turn.
Commander Role: Can provide instructions within the given 30-minute time limit.
Although the road to this match had bumps, although the outcome was already decided, although she knew Hikigaya's chess level was completely amateur… Sakayanagi had been looking forward to this match for a long time.
Not for victory's sake, she needed to prove something.
Sakayanagi's chess ability had always been top-tier. Even against professionals, she didn't fall behind. Yet someone like her had to "prove" something to a boy who barely even knew how to play chess.
To others, that seemed ridiculous.
But Sakayanagi wanted to prove this with an overwhelming victory: While some things can be changed or improved, there are things that can never be closed by effort alone.
Otherwise, what would be the meaning of genius?
Sakayanagi absolutely would not allow this point to be denied by the boy in front of her.
She would use her full strength and crush Hikigaya completely.
Hikigaya: "Since it's the last match, let's go."
Sakayanagi: "Be careful, little Hiki."
---
In the chess match venue, Kamuro and Sakura sat across from each other. Neither had touched chess for very long. Kamuro had only undergone a week of emergency training.
As for Sakura, she had casually practiced with Tachibana in the student council.
Originally, the plan was: depending on the event drawn, Kōenji would be used as the final trump card. But since Kōenji already secured victory for Class C, Sakura was sent in instead, yet she didn't seem nervous at all.
Even someone who had once been so timid could now sit alone in this large hall. After all, behind her stood Hikigaya.
Facing Sakura, Kamuro's eyes looked conflicted.
Sakura had treated her kindly. On the uninhabited island exam, she had taken care of her multiple times. Yet Kamuro had done that to her.
Sakura Airi truly was an understanding and gentle girl.
But Kamuro had no regrets. If she hadn't done that, she absolutely wouldn't know how to face this "love rival" now.
No matter the past, right now, they stood on the same starting line.
…Though Sakura still didn't know about any of this.
She smiled politely and extended her hand, speaking gently: "Kamuro-san, long time no see. To think I'd meet you as an opponent.'"
Through one semester of growth, Sakura's entire aura had changed, so much that Kamuro felt surprised. The elegant, composed atmosphere she gave off now was real.
Kamuro also stood up politely, shaking Sakura's hand.
She didn't smile. Instead, her tone turned serious: "Not just now. I've always seen you as my rival. So… be careful."
Sakura immediately understood, but only replied with a calm smile.
The two weren't exactly close, but not strangers either. Everyone assumed this would be the most relaxed match, but as soon as the two sat down, a surge of killing intent shot from them, almost matching the earlier basketball game.
They both wanted to win this match.
That thought filled both of their minds.
Ike: "Uh… something's wrong. We already won, right? Normally Class A should have no fighting spirit left. So why… Why does she look like she wants to eat Sakura?"
Kushida, who knew the truth, remained silent. She had no right to judge Kamuro, but once the exam ended, she would have to confront Hikigaya about this.
Karuizawa spread her hands helplessly, not knowing what to say.
Ichinose looked a bit worried, but her eyes stayed glued to Hikigaya's screen.
Sudō, answering Ike's question, shrugged and said with a wry smile: "They're not fighting because of chess. Two people who barely know the game don't get that fired up."
Shinohara: "Then why? You're saying they… have some kind of grudge?"
Hirata: "Is this Class A's fighting spirit? Even now…?"
Sato: "Maybe they want to reduce the loss and win at least this match."
Sudō continued chuckling bitterly: "It's a shame. If it wasn't these two facing each other, there wouldn't be this kind of entertainment value."
Sotomura: "Sudō, stop being cryptic! No one understands what's happening."
Not just Class C, even Class A students gathered around, confused.
It was the last exam anyway; there were no strategies left to hide.
Sudō finally explained: "Alright, listen. These two… are both chasing Hikigaya. And… They're kinda friends, kinda love rivals. Yeah. Something like that."
Silence.
Complete silence across both Class A and Class C.
Sudō didn't even know if he was correct, but… everyone behind him believed it instantly.
The idea that these two girls were showing this much killing intent because of Hikigaya…Yeah. This wasn't a normal match anymore.
This was… a battlefield of romance.
In the Commander, Hikigaya suddenly sneezed.
"Who's talking bad about me…"
(End of this chapter