Chapter 069: The Class D Girls' Gathering, Monarch Meets Monarch! / Perhaps He Can Be Trusted!
In the first-year girls' dormitory, inside Kushida Kikyo's room.
Kushida had always been the most popular girl in her grade; both boys and girls were on good terms with her. Even Karuizawa Kei, who was generally unpopular among the boys, maintained a decent relationship with Kushida.
After everyone had arrived, Kushida—determined to prevent Horikita Suzune from leaking her unspeakable secrets—invited Horikita, Karuizawa, and Sakura (who had helped find the others) into her room.
The door closed with a firm thud.
Kushida first looked at Karuizawa, the blonde girl with a high ponytail.
Objectively speaking, she was quite a cute girl. With her slightly wavy blonde hair and a blue hair tie, even Kushida had to admit that, in terms of pure looks, this girl might be cuter than herself—perhaps the only one who could challenge Class A's Sakayanagi Arisu for the title of "Cutest in the Grade."
However, Karuizawa usually acted aggressive and didn't seem to care about social graces. She had a terrible attitude toward boys; she once got into a kicking match with a boy over a dropped eraser.
Consequently, her popularity among the male students was nearly dead last.
But she had the capital to ignore them: she led a "gyaru" clique consisting of herself, Shinohara Satsuki, Matsushita Chiaki, and Sato Maya. Regardless of the boys, she had her own circle.
Yet, Kushida's people-reading skills told her that someone in that clique was a "fake" gyaru. Small groups huddled together to survive; Kushida wasn't part of that circle, so she usually kept her mouth shut.
'But Horikita Suzune!
You damn woman! How could you tell her secret to Karuizawa and Sakura? This is a death sentence!'
Despite her inner turmoil, Kushida maintained her hostess persona. A strained smile played on her lips.
"I only have juice, is that okay? I have grape and orange."
She gestured for them to sit at her small table and brought out the drinks.
"I... orange juice is fine for me," Sakura Airi said timidly. When she looked up and caught Karuizawa's eye across the table, she let out a small "Eek!" and immediately lowered her head.
Kushida noted that Sakura seemed terrified of Karuizawa.
Sakura was naturally introverted, a loner who loved photography. After Hikigaya helped her catch the clerk who was harassing her, leading to the man's firing, Sakura had opened up slightly.
Lately, she had even occasionally asked Kushida about her relationship with Hikigaya.
That was a loaded question.
One doesn't ask about people they aren't interested in. Sakura clearly had feelings for Hikigaya.
Kushida found it strange; Hikigaya was the type of person you had to spend a long time with to appreciate, as initial contact usually left a bad impression.
Then it clicked.
Perhaps... no, definitely. Sakura could also hear Hikigaya's inner voice.
The thought that not just Horikita and Ichinose, but now even Sakura could hear him, filled Kushida with dissatisfaction. She had thought this "supernatural phenomenon" was unique to her. Instead, everyone had it. And because her secrets were broadcast through Hikigaya's thoughts to these girls, her true face was effectively exposed.
"Me? Do you have Coke?" Karuizawa asked.
"No, just juice," Kushida shook her head.
"Grape, then," Karuizawa said instantly.
"I'll just have warm water," Horikita Suzune added.
Kushida realized why she disliked Horikita. Others would "go with the flow" to maintain politeness, but Horikita was consistently herself, seemingly unaware of how to be socially courteous. Luckily, she did have warm water.
Once the drinks were served, the four sat at the four sides of the table.
"First, let me state why I've gathered you here," Horikita said, cutting straight to the point.
"I want to control Class D to acquire points through special exams. I want to gather 20 million points.
I need your help," she added.
This was the reason for the meeting. Horikita's lack of social skills was why she was in Class D. She realized she couldn't do everything alone, especially now that she had an ally in
Hikigaya. She didn't want to be the one dragging him down; if she did, she'd always just be the "worthless sister." If she could supplement her weaknesses with the people in this room, her strength would finally match the standards of Classes A and B.
"You know the current state of Class D—we have zero points. This morning and afternoon, the second and third years were locked in a clash over leaked exam questions. Our Class D wasn't involved in any of it."
"You say that as if the other first-year classes were," Karuizawa remarked.
"Speaking of which, Horikita, are you serious about 20 million points? That's a massive sum."
"It is achievable," Horikita said, pulling out a point card.
"This was given to me by Hikigaya Hachiman of Class B. It contains 500,000 points. Our class will participate in the next Student Council election. If we agree to sell him our votes, these 500,000 points are ours. He has already paid upfront."
"There's... 500,000 points?" Karuizawa scanned it with her phone, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Not just the card; my phone has 300,000 points as well." Horikita opened her student ID app, showing a balance of 404,555 points.
"You have that much? When we were all trying to borrow money at the start of the month, you didn't say a word," Karuizawa said, somewhat annoyed.
"I have no obligation to lend to people who spend recklessly," Horikita replied.
"Also, Karuizawa, you still owe Kushida 2,000 points, don't you?"
"Ah... yeah, I'll pay her back if I have the points," Karuizawa said dismissively.
"Sorry, Kushida-chan."
'Kushida-chan?'
Kushida was surprised. Horikita had claimed Karuizawa and Sakura knew her secret, so she couldn't refuse them. But Karuizawa's reaction was so calm.
Knowing Kushida's true nature, she could still call her "Kushida-chan"? Perhaps she was like Hikigaya—someone who could treat her as an equal despite knowing the truth.
"Gathering 20 million isn't impossible if we work as a class unit," Horikita said.
"I've formed an alliance with Hikigaya Hachiman. In special exams, we will cooperate. We control Class D and work with him; we get the points, and he gets the class points."
"But that..." Karuizawa frowned slightly.
"That sounds like we're selling out Class D to him..."
"You might actually be clever," Horikita looked at her.
"You were his first choice for the people I should recruit."
"Oh?" Karuizawa tilted her head, trying to recall who Hikigaya Hachiman was. A Class B representative. Unlike their chaotic Class D, Class B had a clear leader. A boy with dead-fish eyes? She didn't think she knew him. How did he know her? Her middle school principal had assured her she was the only one from her school recommended here; no one should know her.
"He knows all of our secrets," Horikita said first.
"I followed my brilliant brother to this school, but despite my confidence, I was placed in Class D—the 'defect' class. To my brother, I am a disgrace. I don't want to admit it, but I won't try to climb the ranks with Class D as it is. That's why I'm choosing to gather 20 million points to transfer."
"Wait, Horikita, who is your brother?" Karuizawa asked, sensing something big.
"The representative of Class 3-A," Horikita replied.
"Oh," Karuizawa nodded. "Who is the Class 3-A rep... wait a minute!" She nearly jumped up.
"It can't be... the Student Council President?!"
"I recall the President's name is also Horikita..."
"That is indeed my brother," Horikita said.
"I have told you my secret."
Kushida had heard this through Hikigaya's heart, but hearing it from Horikita was still a shock.
'You're so lucky, Horikita Suzune, having a brother like that.'
Unlike her own parents, who locked her up after her class collapsed, thinking she was mentally ill.
Kushida understood now. Horikita wasn't confessing out of trust; she was dragging them all into the same boat.
These four were about to become a group that shared everything. Kushida felt indignant, but she couldn't stop it.
"And Kushida's secret," Horikita continued, "is that she went to the same middle school as me. She leaked the secrets of her classmates, causing the entire class to break down, and she received disciplinary action. I imagine that's on her record, which is why someone as talented as her was placed in Class D."
"What...?" Karuizawa's expression turned to one of pure shock.
Sakura Airi looked at Kushida with fear, too stunned to speak.
Kushida realized then: Horikita hadn't told them beforehand. She was revealing it now, right in front of them.
'Horikita Suzune, you are truly the worst!'
Kushida didn't know what face to make—cold, or her usual smile? Neither felt right.
"Though the consequences were severe, she might not have been entirely wrong, as she only exposed the hidden sides of everyone," Horikita added.
"Everything she said was the truth."
'Should I thank you for the explanation, then?'
Kushida thought bitterly.
Karuizawa and Sakura were still reeling. Kushida realized that her destructive side was hard for people to accept. Karuizawa hadn't been "treating her as an equal" earlier; she simply hadn't known. She had walked right into Horikita's trap. Now was the real test for Karuizawa and Sakura.
"D-Do I have to say my secret too?" Sakura Airi asked weakly.
"Yes. Although you are an addition and I don't see how you can help much yet, I decided to include you," Horikita said. Her social skills were truly on par with the coldest of individuals.
"If... if it's to help..." Sakura said with effort, "I want to help."
"I... was actually a 'gravure' model in middle school," Sakura said haltingly. "I thought it was fun at first, but then I grew to love photography... and sometimes I take selfies of myself."
"Oh. So Sakura-san, you're actually very pretty?" Karuizawa asked, trying to shift the heavy atmosphere away from Kushida's revelation. But her "gyaru" gaze was still oppressive to Sakura.
"N-Not really..." Sakura stammered.
"So that's it," Kushida said.
"When Ichinose and Hikigaya asked me to set up a meeting with Sakura, I thought he was just interested in her, but it seems he knew about her past. He also knew a clerk at the mall was targeting her. We met as a group of four, but split up halfway through. I went to the electronics store with Hikigaya."
Kushida spoke quickly. Her secret was out, and while she doubted they could accept her, she wanted to regain some ground.
"I... I know," Sakura Airi said, her fist clenched.
"At... at that time, I suddenly heard Hi-Hikigaya-kun's inner voice. Then I saw the news that the clerk was fired. I know he h-helped me."
Kushida understood instantly.
'So that's why you're interested in him.'
Then, the bigger realization hit her.
'Everyone can hear his damn inner voice?!
God dammit, Hikigaya! I thought he was special because he knew my past and still treated me normally, but it turns out every girl I know can hear him?'
Kushida's heart burned with indignation.
"Kushida-san? Kushida-san!" Karuizawa's voice cut through.
"Ah... what is it?" Kushida's voice instantly turned sweet again.
"Your expression just now... it was a bit dark," Karuizawa noted.
"So... are you all just spilling your pasts?"
"Yes," Horikita said. "And Karuizawa..."
Horikita hesitated. She knew from Hikigaya that Karuizawa had been severely bullied in middle school and nearly died. It was a trauma that likely left deep scars. Her gyaru persona was just a defense mechanism. Should she really expose this?
"Wait, what are you all saying? You can hear this Class B guy's thoughts?" Karuizawa asked curiously.
"You can't?" Kushida asked, surprised.
Karuizawa had never actually met Hikigaya Hachiman. She had seen him from a distance on the way to class, but they had never spoken face-to-face.
But looking at them... Horikita was the President's sister, Kushida had destroyed a class, and Sakura was an idol... none of these were things people just said out loud. If they could hear his thoughts, and he knew their pasts...
Karuizawa felt a chill.
"Does that mean... hearing his thoughts... you also know things about me?" Karuizawa tried to sound lighthearted, but her voice trembled at the end. She was visibly uneasy.
"Yes," Horikita nodded after a moment.
"However, whether you speak of your experience is your choice. I won't say it. But Hikigaya told me I could recruit you, and that he could give you protection."
The moment she heard "protection," Karuizawa's face turned visibly pale.
The words were meant to be comforting, but to her, they were a confirmation: he knew everything. He knew the past she never wanted brought to light.
"C-Can I not say it?" Karuizawa asked.
"I'll cooperate with whatever you need."
"Of course..." Kushida started. She felt that if everyone else's secrets were out, why should Karuizawa be special? But she saw how truly terrified Karuizawa looked.
Despite her own issues, Kushida generally treated her "friends" well as long as they didn't cross her. If Karuizawa was in pain, she shouldn't push.
But her own secret was out! Why should Karuizawa get a pass? She felt conflicted—annoyed, yet sympathetic.
"I suggest you say it," Horikita said after thinking.
"Since we can hear his thoughts, even if you don't say it, someone else might find out eventually. If we are honest now, we can form a group that stands and falls together. Without a common goal of profit, only this shared burden can bind us."
"If... if it's hard to say—" Sakura added, remembering her own shame about being a model.
"I..." Karuizawa hesitated.
"Hikigaya said he would support you," Horikita continued.
"I already know your past. He knows too. But he wants me to team up with you and support you."
Karuizawa tried to recall the face of the Class B boy she'd only glimpsed. She had a way out—she was playing the gyaru and it was working. She just needed to maintain her status and rely on Hirata's help.
But as she was about to speak, Horikita added: "Relying on Hirata is useless. Hirata will protect everyone equally; he won't prioritize you. It's like Kushida's situation. Kushida is excellent, but her past is on record, so she was put in Class D. The more 'perfect' someone seems, the bigger their flaw. I don't suggest you trust Hirata completely."
Horikita recalled Hikigaya saying Class D was full of problem children—highly capable in some areas but with massive flaws that the school couldn't ignore.
If Hirata was so perfect, why was he in Class D?
Karuizawa froze.
'She's right. Why is Hirata in Class D? Is his past... even worse than mine?'
She bit her lip.
"So everyone in class is a 'defective product'?" Kushida finally understood why Chabashira-sensei had called them that at the start of the month.
"Defective... product," Sakura muttered. She didn't mind the term; she felt she wasn't good at anything anyway.
"What did Hikigaya say to you?" Karuizawa asked.
"Do you want me to say it?" Horikita asked.
Karuizawa had come to this school for a fresh start. She thought she had succeeded. But Horikita's words made her feel precarious.
"If we have pasts we don't want to look back on, we really can start over here," Kushida said. "Middle school is over. I want to start over. You're the same, aren't you, Karuizawa? If nothing changes, how can you truly start again?"
Kushida wasn't denying her own past. But it sounded like she was baiting Karuizawa to reveal hers so they would all be tethered by their secrets. After all, Kushida was still doing the same things she did in middle school—she hadn't changed at all.
But what about Karuizawa?
Her lips parted. Her left hand gripped her skirt tightly.
She came here for a new beginning, but she was weak and had no one to lean on. Hirata was a risk. Perhaps she could only trust this group.
Could this mutual-aid group Horikita was forming really work? Everyone could hear this Hikigaya guy's thoughts, and he knew everything.
Their secrets weren't secrets.
Maybe... maybe she could try to trust him. She had no other choice. She had nothing left to lose.
"My middle school... was terrible. For three whole years, I was bullied—" Karuizawa finally chose to find a place to belong.
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