Chapter 340: The Woman Who Can't Afford to Provoke Hikigaya
"Expulsion?!" "Eh? Expulsion again?"
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's words dragged the students of Class D, who had been immersed in beautiful fantasies, back to reality.
Chabashira Sae gave him a deep look, thinking to herself: This guy Ayanokouji... it seems he's already realized someone is targeting him.
"There is indeed a mechanism for expulsion."
"Ah?!"
"Why expulsion again!"
"What kind of bullsh*t rules are these...?"
After receiving Chabashira's affirmative answer, the members of Class D immediately became indignant and began cursing.
Hachiman's face remained emotionless; he had long expected this. Risk and opportunity coexist. For a major 310-point exam, how could there not be a penalty for the losers?
Chabashira didn't speak, waiting for the Class D students to finish their hysterical shouting before slowly opening her mouth.
"Have you yelled enough?
If you're done venting, then shut up and listen properly!"
Chabashira continued explaining with forced patience: "There is an important rule for this exam. Each class needs to select one person to act as the 'Event Commander' (Tower).
The Commander cannot directly participate in any competition events. Instead, they lead the other students in battle."
Everyone was confused: "Commander?"
"Literally. The Commander can issue instructions to all students participating in an event.
This includes personnel substitutions, auxiliary play, problem-solving, and so on.
Using Chess as an example again, the Commander can direct the player on where to move. This is easy to understand, right?"
It was essentially a proxy battle; the player vs. player matchup transformed into a Commander vs. Commander duel.
"When the class wins, the Commander receives an additional reward of 1 million Private Points.
The Commander of the losing side, however, will face the penalty of expulsion!"
So that was it. It was just as Hachiman had guessed.
Under normal circumstances, choosing Kushida Kikyo—who possessed a [Protection Point]—as the Commander would be the safest choice. But the people of Class D couldn't be judged by the logic of normal human beings.
Look, here it comes...
Upon hearing that the Commander bore the risk of expulsion, almost everyone in Class D recoiled. Immediately after, they turned ill-intentioned gazes toward the most unpopular students in the class.
To Hachiman's surprise, there weren't many eyes on him this time. Even if one or two looked, they immediately averted their gaze.
From the Valentine's chocolate incident, one could see how Hachiman was evaluated by the girls. Not to mention he was wearing glasses now, which instantly boosted the favorability of all the girls. Roughly speaking, he was equivalent to Hirata Yousuke during his peak popularity before his "darkening."
Hachiman truly hadn't expected that he, too, would become a "normie" collectively pursued by girls.
So the question was: who did the Class D students hate the most? The answer had already been provided by the previous [Class Poll]. The most annoying one, Shinohara Satsuki, had been expelled. So the next in line was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
Ayanokouji seemed to realize this as well and was silently thinking of a counter-strategy.
"You'd better decide on the Commander candidate as soon as possible," Chabashira said. "Because once the class matchups are chosen, the Commanders must go to draw lots.
If no one wants to do it, I will randomly appoint someone."
Chabashira said this, but her eyes fell on Ayanokouji. Ayanokouji himself remained expressionless as always; that "mannequin" face gave no hint of what he was thinking.
As the saying goes: Naturals counter Tsunderes, Tsunderes counter Idiots, and Idiots counter Schemers.
"I think Ayanokouji is the most suitable to be the Commander!"
The first to jump out was Okitani Kyosuke. In the last [Class Poll], he was third from the bottom in critical votes, right after Ayanokouji. Facing the crisis of expulsion, he decisively attacked Ayanokouji!
"Okitani! You're targeting Ayanokouji just to avoid being expelled yourself!" Hirata Yousuke's face was dark. Forcing a classmate toward expulsion was his biggest red line.
"N-No, that's not it... I'm saying this entirely for the benefit of the class!" Okitani Kyosuke argued righteously: "Being the Commander requires directing everyone in the events. The exam events will definitely include academics or sports. Isn't it common sense for someone skilled in both to be the Commander? As they say, with great power comes great responsibility..."
As he spoke, Okitani subconsciously looked at Hachiman. The rest of Class D did the same. Excellent academics and skilled in sports—Hachiman was indeed one of the best candidates for Commander. Furthermore, Hachiman possessed a massive amount of Private Points. Even if he failed, he could pay 20 million points to negate the expulsion penalty.
"Stop looking. I'm not doing it." Hachiman propped his chin on one hand, his eyes half-closed as if dozing off. None of this was his business. Why should he bear the risk of expulsion or losing a massive sum of points?
"Since Hikigaya is unwilling, there's nothing to be done." The Class D students didn't dare coerce him, and moral kidnapping was out of the question. With the "Great Demon King's" style of doing things, if they forced him to be Commander, he might intentionally give bad orders and wipe out the class in all seven events within minutes! The mere thought was terrifying!
Unable to do anything to Hachiman, the Class D students turned their spears back toward Ayanokouji.
"Ayanokouji, you intentionally hid your strength by controlling your scores in previous exams. Now is the time to show your true power!"
One had to admit, Okitani Kyosuke was slightly smarter than Shinohara Satsuki; at least he knew how to incite the crowd's emotions. Moreover, he was telling the truth—the fact that Ayanokouji hid his strength was both enviable and annoying!
"If the Commander fails, they will be expelled." Ayanokouji began to defend himself: "I want to ask everyone, is losing an excellent student really a good thing for Class D?"
Okitani continued his targeting: "You have strength but keep it hidden—that's not good for the class either!"
"At least during the Matching Exam, I didn't hide it, did I?" Ayanokouji had achieved a terrifying score—the overall top score across eight subjects—which truly blinded many people.
"Mannequin Boy, you only showed your face because I caught you by the tail, right?" Koenji Rokusuke mocked.
"That may be true, but in terms of both academics and athletics, isn't your comprehensive strength also very suitable for Commander?" Ayanokouji counterattacked, trying to grab him. "No matter how much you like to act out, under the constraints of this exam's rules, you'd have to direct the battle properly, wouldn't you?"
"Say what you want. I have no interest in playing house with you all." Koenji looked disdainful.
"If you won't accept it, I won't either." Ayanokouji used Koenji as an example, purely to find a suitable excuse to refuse the role.
"Ayanokouji, how can you be so selfish?" Okitani wouldn't give up, still trying moral kidnapping. "Do you have no sense of class honor!"
However, such cheap tricks obviously had no effect on a "Mannequin."
In the end, even by the time school ended in the afternoon, Class D had not decided on a Commander.
Chabashira arrived once more. Looking at the disorganized mess of Class D, she sighed helplessly. "It seems you still haven't been able to decide on a candidate.
In that case, we shall follow the school's rules."
Chabashira opened a projection on her phone, displaying a lottery interface. "This is a lottery system provided by the Acting Chairman, guaranteed to be fair and just."
'Provided by the Acting Chairman... Oh-ho!' Hachiman understood everything instantly.
A slight change appeared on Ayanokouji's silent face.
Chabashira pressed the random selection button. The names of all students in Class D scrolled rapidly across the screen. Everyone held their breath, praying their own name wouldn't appear.
"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
You have been selected by the random system as the Commander for Class D."
Chabashira suppressed a smile.
"..." Ayanokouji accepted the result as if it were fate. The students of Class D, meanwhile, were overjoyed, each of them breathing a sigh of relief.
On one hand, they hadn't been chosen themselves, so they didn't have to worry about expulsion. On the other hand, Ayanokouji's hidden strength was great; even if just for self-preservation, he would have to give it his all for the exam!
"Congratulations, Ayanokouji-kun.
The 'Big Boss' behind the scenes is finally making his debut. Give everyone a good shock!" Hachiman showed his schadenfreude without any concealment.
"Hikigaya, if you're willing to cooperate with me...
I would have some confidence in this exam." Ayanokouji looked at him with a face full of sincerity.
"Sure thing." Hachiman returned a sincere smile.
For the first time, Ayanokouji experienced what it felt like to be disgusted by someone. No wonder Hachiman hated "Mannequins" so much.
"Ayanokouji, come with me." Chabashira led the unlucky Ayanokouji out of the classroom. The two headed toward the multi-media room, one after the other.
"Chabashira-sensei, can the Commander give mandatory orders to students participating in events?"
"Oh? Settling into the Commander's role so quickly?"
"It's a fait accompli. I have no choice, do I?"
"What are you saying? It was a fair and just random selection... hehe!" Chabashira couldn't help but let out a sneer.
"Fine, since you understand, I won't beat around the bush.
The people above want to mess with you. As for the reason, I think you know it well yourself.
Someone with strength far exceeding that of an ordinary student like you must have quite a background."
Ayanokouji had no intention of revealing his personal information, pulling the topic back to his initial question: "You haven't answered me yet, Chabashira-sensei."
"Are you sure you want to ask such a stupid question?" Chabashira snorted but gave an explanation anyway: "The Commander can issue instructions. Whether the other person follows them depends on their own choice."
The reason was simple. If the Commander's orders were mandatory, the exam wouldn't reflect the individual abilities of the students; it would just become a 1v1 duel between class Commanders.
Ayanokouji's expression turned grim.
His popularity in Class D was so poor; if students intentionally refused to follow his directions during the exam, wouldn't he be finished?
"Management and communication are important skills for entering society.
Ayanokouji, good luck." Chabashira gave her final piece of advice.
They entered the multi-purpose media room. The students selected as Commanders from the other classes and their homeroom teachers were all present.
Class A: Sakayanagi Arisu Class B: Ichinose Honami Class C: Ryuen Kakeru
Unsurprisingly, all three were the leaders of their respective classes. Only Ayanokouji Kiyotaka seemed out of place. However, at this point, no one would look down on this "unknown small fry" again.
"Yo! Another unexpected guy has appeared." Kakeru Ryuen was the first to initiate a provocation.
"Sakayanagi-san and Ayanokouji-kun both lack [Protection Points]. Is it really okay?" Ichinose Honami asked softly. Only she would worry about students from other classes.
"No need to worry, Ichinose-san. I don't need a [Protection Point]." Sakayanagi Arisu's answer seemed calm, but it was essentially extremely arrogant. It was equivalent to telling everyone: "It's impossible for me to lose."
"I was chosen by force." Ayanokouji spoke the truth.
"Then you deserve it!" Ryuen mocked: "Hiding strength internally, colluding with other classes externally, and tricking girls into being your tools. No wonder Dead-Fish Eyes hates you so much!"
Ayanokouji was speechless.
"Alright~ since everyone is here, let's begin." Chie Hoshinomiya interrupted the four Commanders' conversation with a smile.
"We will now draw lots to choose the opposing classes.
The person who draws the red circle will obtain the right to choose."
Hoshinomiya produced a sealed lottery box and added one last thing: "Draw in the order of A, B, C, D."
'Why must there be an order?' Ayanokouji keenly sensed the issue. The other three also had flickering eyes, showing thoughtful expressions. But for now, none of them raised an objection, likely feeling that even if they did, it wouldn't matter. After all, the final right of interpretation for the exam lay with the school. If they said it was random, you had to accept it!
However, the result of the draw took Ayanokouji completely by surprise. Because none of the first three—A, B, and C—drew the card with the right to choose.
"The last draw. It seems there's no need to draw anymore." Hoshinomiya put away the box and announced unilaterally: "Congratulations, Ayanokouji-kun. Good luck indeed. You've obtained the right to choose the matchup."
'Is this really just good luck?' Did Tsukishiro not interfere with the draw? Or was this a deliberate move by the opponent to leave him a hand? Ayanokouji couldn't guess Tsukishiro's purpose for the time being.
For some reason, he suddenly thought of Hachiman.
'Could those eyes of his see through Tsukishiro's plan?'
"Choose, Ayanokouji-kun." Hoshinomiya maintained her smile throughout.
"For this exam, I choose to face off against Class C." Ayanokouji gave his answer quickly.
"My, what a boring man." Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes were cold; she had actually been looking forward to Ayanokouji. By entering the game as Commander without a [Protection Point], she would face expulsion if defeated. One could say this was a golden opportunity to deal a heavy blow to Class A!
As long as Ayanokouji held any ambition toward Class A, he definitely wouldn't let this chance to eliminate Sakayanagi pass.
In fact, Ayanokouji had considered choosing Class A to have Sakayanagi expelled. But before that, he had tested Hachiman in the classroom, asking if he would cooperate, and received a negative answer.
'Then what's the point of fighting...'
Whether it was Sakayanagi in Class A or Ichinose in Class B, both were closely connected to Hachiman. If he really faced them, Ayanokouji would have to constantly worry about Hachiman stabbing him in the back!
After thinking it over, he could only choose Ryuen in Class C as his opponent.
"Tch! It seems I'm being looked down upon!" Ryuen's face was icy; he was clearly very unhappy about being treated as weak by his opponent.
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