Chapter 061: Mean-Spirited; You and Sakayanagi Are Both Mean-Spirited!
"In other words—"
Horikita Suzune looked up abruptly. Her previously unfocused eyes gradually sharpened, becoming as clear as if a fog had been lifted. Even the paleness on her exquisite face faded significantly, and her tense fingertips slowly relaxed, no longer trembling. A sense of composure quickly returned to her.
To a certain extent, Horikita Suzune was very easy to read.
However, Hikigaya waited until he was sure her state was stable before adding, "These old questions have been passed down for years. Anyone could have obtained them. It's perfectly reasonable to treat them as 'review materials.'
And since it's a unspoken rule tolerated by the school, even if someone leaks them like this, it won't be investigated deeply—certainly not enough to prompt the teachers to rewrite the exam. So, for this third-year exam, they will most likely still use this paper."
And that was indeed the case.
Despite the noisy discussions and unconcealed surprise of the students swarming the teaching buildings, the Student Council's response was extremely swift. For instance, Secretary Katsuragi and Secretary Kito from Class 1-A were dispatched directly to clean up. Their task: treat those scattered [Review Materials] as trash and dispose of them.
However, it wasn't just these two first-year kouhais working; almost the entire membership of Class 1-A mobilized to take over the job.
Clearly, although Sakayanagi had acted on her own, if her attack succeeded and secured an entry ticket for the next Student Council Presidency for Class 1-A, they would be back on the same starting line as Class 1-B.
Therefore.
To some extent, this could be viewed not as Sakayanagi Arisu's solitary act of despotism, but as a collective operation by Class 1-A—one they were willing to carry out even at the cost of offending the entire third-year grade.
As expected.
For a divided collective, there is only one way to truly unite them: the presence of a surrounding external enemy.
Sakayanagi had deduced that Hikigaya had secured the candidacy for the next President, and Class A felt like the world was ending. That was why they were now so united.
After arranging for Katsuragi and the others to sweep up, Horikita Manabu summoned Sakayanagi Arisu alone. However, that was likely just a symbolic reprimand, reminding her not to involve too many students in her schemes.
It was only after this that Sakayanagi took out her phone and sent the meeting message to Hikigaya.
Indeed, a commotion of this level was still too small; it was far from enough to shake the school into changing the exam papers.
.
.
.
The third period in the morning was Class B's homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya-sensei's class.
Hikigaya leaned on his desk. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hoshinomiya walking into the classroom in her high heels. There was nothing unusual on her face; instead, there was a flash of interest in her eyes as if she were watching a show, a faint smile playing on her lips. Clearly, she had heard about the third-year situation.
To some extent, this teacher actually enjoyed events that brought "excitement" to the school.
Thinking this, Hikigaya suddenly noticed Hoshinomiya's gaze sweep toward him, lingering for a few seconds. She seemed a bit curious.
'Curious? What is she looking at me for? Does she think I did something so excessive?'
Hikigaya grumbled inwardly, his mouth twitching at the perceived injustice. He simply hoped the first, second, and third-year students would all pass the "old question" exam smoothly, get their satisfying 100 points, and enjoy the school's welfare.
Meanwhile, in Class C.
Sakagami-sensei, the homeroom teacher, stopped in his tracks as he entered. He noticed at a glance that every student was looking miserable, slumped over their desks and sighing, with no heart for the lecture. He had been a bit surprised when he received the news, but seeing the poor atmosphere, he thought for a moment.
He made a decision. Pushing up his glasses, he spoke: "The exam is coming up. Continue your own review."
The key was "continue your own review." He clearly knew about the leak, yet he acted as usual and specifically emphasized those four words. As the homeroom teacher, did he not know what Class C had been "reviewing" all month? This was a clear hint that the incident wouldn't cause waves and the school wouldn't change the papers.
With that, Class C had nothing to worry about! They might actually get a perfect 100-point reward this time, breaking their tragic streak of 0 points!
As for Class D...
Chabashira Sae stood behind the podium, arms crossed, her expression difficult to describe.
Almost every student in the school knew about the "old questions," but Class D seemed to have missed the memo entirely, still looking frantic.
"Chabashira-sensei, will failing really get us expelled?" a boy asked, his face full of anxiety.
"No, I don't want to be expelled..." the girls chimed in, their voices bordering on tears.
"Is there any way to avoid it? Help!"
"Um, can you give us a hint on what the big questions will cover?"
The moment class started, the room exploded. Chabashira was almost driven to a frustrated laugh by the panic of these idiots.
"Get your textbooks out." She slapped the podium, her voice cold.
"I'll be conducting a pop quiz. I'll pick three people, so be ready."
"Wha—!?"
"The exam is this month! Why are we doing pop quizzes now!?" The students wailed, their heads drooping in despair.
They only now realized how comfortable last month had been—the moment the bell rang, the teachers dismissed them regardless of the lesson, and classroom discipline was non-existent. But this month, pop quizzes were suddenly frequent, making it impossible to slack off.
"By the way, Chabashira-sensei." Hirata stood up and bowed slightly, his tone sincere. "If the class's passing score is too low, will it affect the expulsion ruling? I mean, if the normal passing line is around 30, but we can pull it down to 15-20, can those who just barely pass avoid expulsion?"
Hearing this, Chabashira tapped her finger on the edge of the podium. She understood within seconds.
He wanted to manipulate the scores. If failing meant expulsion, he wanted to suppress the class average so that even the academic dregs could reach the passing threshold. She hadn't expected Hirata to think of this; he truly cared for the class. However, Chabashira also knew Class D had been holding study sessions all month. Hirata suggesting score manipulation now meant the poor students weren't cooperating and the study sessions were failing. He was worried their grades were abysmal. In other words, while this class had a few promising "problem children," the number of members dragging them down was substantial.
"I refuse." Just then, Koenji Rokusuke raised his hand, his finger tapping the desk carelessly, his face wearing a natural arrogance.
"I have no intention of scoring low. That doesn't suit my style."
Back when the written exams were announced, Chabashira had posted everyone's entrance exam scores. Koenji was at the top, scoring 96 or 98 in every subject—a genuine genius.
"I also..." Yukimura Teruhiko, ranked third in academic ability, pushed up his glasses and stood up, his gaze firm.
"I intend to take the exam normally."
He understood Hirata's idea: the high-achievers score low while the low-achievers score high to level the average. But Yukimura knew that if he catered too much to the laggards, his own advantage would vanish. And if the test was easy, the laggards might score high anyway and not follow the agreement to stay low, potentially leaving him with a failing grade.
Failing meant expulsion! He wouldn't take such a loss.
"Heh—" Chabashira scanned the various expressions—disappointment, agreement, indifference.
Her gaze finally landed on Kushida in the front row. A few days ago, Kushida had seemed indifferent to the exam, a confident smile on her lips. Chabashira had even caught her and Horikita in the library, flipping through old textbooks. Clearly, Class D had obtained the "old questions."
But now, likely affected by the third-year leak, Kushida's face was slightly pale, her body slightly hunched. Clearly, her courage had vanished instantly. She had no intention of bringing out the old questions for the class now.
Chabashira mused: 'It was just a leak of review materials, not the actual exam papers. Is there a need to be this nervous?'
She didn't see Horikita... wait.
Chabashira noticed Horikita Suzune sitting quietly at her desk, her face very calm. Clearly, she didn't care at all about the morning's leak. Because that leak wouldn't affect the third year, nor the first year.
Kushida was still too young; she needed to learn from Horikita. But it was a pity.
Due to her conversation with the Student Council President, if she forced or tricked Horikita into dragging Class D upward, the President would surely intervene.
The loss would outweigh the gain. This class was truly terrible—worse than the two previous Class Ds she had taught. She was lost. Was there even any point in leading this class?
-
-
-
Regardless of what students in various classes and grades thought, the third-year commotion, while sparking discussion, didn't cause a massive ripple.
When lunch break arrived, Hikigaya set out to meet Sakayanagi. The location was the third-floor cafeteria.
With his current finances, he could easily afford the third-floor meals and had been eating there for a while. However, it was a bit of a shame; Sakayanagi Arisu used to eat there almost every day, but since she sent him the challenge, she hadn't returned. Hikigaya had eaten there several times without seeing her.
Later, Class B students told him she was now eating at the second-floor cafeteria.
He didn't expect to see her on the third floor again today. Specifically, he was "forcibly" brought there.
Rewind to six minutes ago.
Just as he reached the cafeteria entrance, he noticed many students' gazes converging in one direction, whispering. Following their eyes, he saw a tall girl standing at the door. Her beautiful purple hair draped over her shoulders, three small clips pinned to her bangs. Her hands hung naturally at her sides as she stood quietly, seemingly waiting for someone.
Being watched by so many strangers, the girl didn't flinch. She maintained a cold, detached posture as if the whispers had nothing to do with her.
'As expected of Sakayanagi's 'puppy,' Kamuro-san does have a way of drawing attention.
If I were standing there being stared at, I'd be squirming and looking for a hole to crawl into.
But with Kamuro waiting here, if she's here to intercept me for Sakayanagi, then Sakayanagi's personality really is transparent.
Having just achieved something, she can't wait to get some praise. She probably wants me to compliment her to satisfy her vanity.
Oh, Kamuro noticed me, but she didn't come over. Is she waiting for me to go to her? Should I pretend not to see her and go through the other entrance? Hmm, feels a bit mean-spirited... but I think I'm starting to understand Sakayanagi's love for teasing people.'
"People..." Kamuro thought.
Almost the instant Hikigaya's inner monologue ended, Kamuro's eyes fixed intensely on him.
Because she wasn't doing this voluntarily, okay!? And his evaluation of her was too much—'Puppy Kamuro'? She just had to follow Sakayanagi's orders.
And you, this guy, why are you being mean-spirited too? Don't learn from Sakayanagi!
Thinking this, Kamuro walked straight toward Hikigaya. Before his slightly stunned expression, she grabbed him and pulled him away forcefully.
Now, it wasn't just her who was conspicuous; even Hikigaya Hachiman was being watched by a massive number of students.
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting