".."
Hikigaya was somewhat helpless.
In any case, the power of decision lay in the hands of the school; it still depended on the school's decision.
"Then what will the school do?"
"Hmm..."
Chairman Sakayanagi crossed his hands, his face serious.
"The school will respect the students' autonomy from beginning to end, avoiding interference in matters between students as much as possible, but if a life might be lost, that is naturally a different story, do you understand?"
"I see..."
Hikigaya lowered his gaze to the floor.
The implication.
The school didn't want to intervene in matters between students either.
After all, the fact that such a result occurred was entirely due to the students' own choices and abilities. Whether it counted as bullying was hard to define.
There were also not a few people who used bullying as an excuse to pose as victims.
But if there was a possibility that a life might be lost.
The school naturally would not sit by and do nothing.
However.
At this stage.
The matter of Class D was no longer a problem that could be solved by individual ability.
Even for the school.
There might not be a particularly good method.
Even if they mandatorily required the entire grade to stop talking about related topics.
Making those who violated the rule get expelled immediately.
Freedom of speech.
Is the right of every person, at least on the surface.
Not to mention whether this was fair to others.
Even if strong measures were taken.
The prejudice, ridicule, and cold violence of others toward Class D would not stop because of it.
That was why Chairman Sakayanagi would hint at him like this.
But.
Even so, Hikigaya was powerless. The only person who had a way was Sakura Airi.
As long as Sakura Airi forgave Class D in a public setting and exchanged a few friendly words with people from Class D.
Although it still couldn't change the status quo.
It could, however, provide a release valve for the people of Class D, providing them with a means of counterattack so that their spirits wouldn't collapse because of it.
For example, excuses like "the victim themselves hasn't said anything, what right do you have?", "the victim themselves hasn't said anything, what are you pretending to be?", "you're just standing on the moral high ground, judging a gentleman with the heart of a small person," and so on.
Just this much.
Could make the people of Class D feel much more comfortable inside.
After all, he had the best relationship with Sakura Airi. Chairman Sakayanagi probably found it inappropriate to demand Sakura Airi from the school's standpoint.
He hoped he would go and persuade Sakura Airi to forgive the people of Class D and show it in public.
This was likely the only and least impactful solution.
This wasn't difficult.
Hikigaya knew very well.
Sakura didn't harbor much resentment toward Class D, which meant it was incredibly easy. He believed Sakura would agree very easily.
He wasn't even needed.
As long as someone from Class D came to apologize proactively, Sakura Airi would probably let it go.
The problem was.
This would undoubtedly lower the evaluation of Sakura Airi, making her look particularly easy to bully.
Kindness and weakness were only a thin line apart.
Being able to easily forgive a whole class that abandoned her would give people an impression of being weak and easy to bully.
Well.
Forget it.
It wasn't some major matter either, and whether it would happen wasn't certain.
They would just stand by Sakura Airi's side when the time came.
Persuading Sakura wasn't difficult.
The problem was letting Sakura Airi solve Class D's problem. Hikigaya was a bit reluctant; wouldn't all the previous work have been for nothing?
Regarding the agreement with Horikita Manabu.
What could be done had already been done; any thoughts were Horikita Suzune's own business.
But.
Spent so much money and wasted so much energy.
In the end, he had to wipe Class D's ass himself?
He wasn't exactly feeling suppressed, but Hikigaya just felt something was off no matter how he thought about it, as if he owed Class D something...
At least some benefits had to be exchanged.
Hikigaya looked up and focused on Chairman Sakayanagi, pretending to be a bit hesitant.
"What's wrong?"
"Since that's the case, I have a slight idea that might be worth a try."
Hikigaya didn't finish his sentence. There was no need to be too explicit about things they both knew. He just proposed:
"It's just that the school needs to agree to two conditions."
Chairman Sakayanagi's expression was cold, but he was quite satisfied internally.
After all.
The key person was Sakura Airi. If Hikigaya was stubborn.
If he insisted on using this method to completely crush Class D, it was only a matter of time. Chairman Sakayanagi indeed didn't have any particularly good way to respond.
At most, he could only mandatorily make the school's people shut up.
Not allow further talk.
Whether that would solve the problem was uncertain, and it would damage the school's fairness.
Fortunately, Hikigaya did not do so.
Compromise and concession are required courses for a politician; boring self-esteem is just a stumbling block on the road to progress.
Knowing how to use compromise to exchange for benefits favorable to oneself.
That is the way of a smart person.
He was just still too green.
"Are you negotiating conditions with me?"
Chairman Sakayanagi's gaze was sharp, his voice cold, with a tone that made one feel a chill.
Whether it was a smart compromise or weakness toward him as a father-in-law or chairman, he naturally needed to distinguish.
What's more.
From the standpoint of a father-in-law.
Letting this guy know in advance that the world is not so simple was also not bad.
"Of course not."
Hikigaya forced a smile.
He felt this father-in-law's face changed faster than flipping a book.
He then took a deep breath and said:
"Although I don't know how the school will solve it, my idea should be able to minimize the impact, and it should have a certain educational significance. If it doesn't work, then forget it..."
If it doesn't work, so be it.
Let the school solve it themselves.
In any case, he definitely wouldn't go help persuade Sakura Airi.
The school forcefully intervening would be like a deus ex machina.
Making his efforts over the last half-year or so go down the drain. If he didn't get some benefits for Class B, that wouldn't do.
"Hmm..."
Chairman Sakayanagi's glasses reflected light as he remained silent for a moment.
"Tell me about it first."
"Let me design two special exams. Although there might be some oversights given a student's ability, I'll leave that part to the teachers to help with."
"Hmm? You should know..."
"Yes, I know."
Without waiting for Chairman Sakayanagi to finish, Hikigaya showed a thief-like smile and said:
"I guarantee it will be absolutely fair so that no one can find a fault!"
No matter what kind of exam it was, or who designed it, or whether it was biased toward a certain class, maintaining surface-level fairness was the school's bottom line.
"Hmm..."
Chairman Sakayanagi pondered for a moment.
Clearly, Hikigaya wasn't weak and didn't lack understanding; he just had a sense of propriety.
"As long as fairness can be guaranteed, there's no problem. What kind of exam do you want to design?"
"First, an exam just like the unanimous voting exam. At least let me design the questions, and then..."
A smile appeared at the corner of Hikigaya's mouth.
He explained his ideas in detail to Chairman Sakayanagi before turning to leave the conference room.
As he left, Chairman Sakayanagi spoke:
"If you're really concerned, you can go to the hospital to see Nagumo, but it's best if you don't see him right now."
"Oh."
Hikigaya nodded and turned to leave.
Let him prove it.
How fake the so-called fairness is.
What kind of lie the so-called strength is.