Chapter 075: Please, Hikigaya-kun! I Beg You, Save Yamauchi-kun!
Hirata's behavior was undoubtedly an over-impulsive outburst. However, if he were to exchange himself to save Sudo and Yamauchi, the students of Class D were essentially unwilling. Because—
Such a thing was unacceptable.
"Chabashira-sensei, what do you think?" At this moment, Karuizawa tucked her phone into her desk, quickly stood up, and spoke. Because—
She was also very surprised.
Or rather, amidst her surprise, she actually felt a sense of relief. Initially, she had thought about telling Hirata about her past of being bullied, hoping to obtain his help.
But now?
Hirata had also "exploded."
And for people like Sudo and Yamauchi, no less. What was he trying to do?
Did he have no ability to think at all?
Did he not know that his own value was many times that of Sudo and Yamauchi? Or perhaps, did he also harbor some strange thoughts? Like Kushida, wanting to make many friends and then gaining a thrill from obtaining their secrets?
And Hirata, did he want to protect many people because protecting others made him feel secure?
However, even Kushida wouldn't choose to drop out herself, especially not for someone like Yamauchi. Hirata was indeed being a bit absurd.
At this moment, Karuizawa felt that Hirata's explosion might be even more terrifying than Kushida's. Of course, she was also glad—glad that Horikita had pulled her into their group, and that she had found a new pillar to lean on because of it.
Thinking this, Karuizawa took the initiative to stand up and join the conversation.
Because next, she, Horikita, Sakura, and Kushida would use the monthly special exams to perform certain maneuvers.
To do that, she had to be more prominent in class and occupy a certain level of authority. After all, one must gain a group of supporters for any exam-related strategy to be implemented.
"Chabashira-sensei, what is your view?"
Chabashira: "..."
How else could Chabashira view it? She was clearly unable to accept Hirata's act of self-sacrifice to exchange himself for Yamauchi and Sudo.
From the perspective of class interest, Hirata's value was definitely greater than Yamauchi's. Yamauchi, like Ike, was a drag on the class, so if he dropped out here, it would actually be beneficial for Class D.
But as a homeroom teacher, she obviously couldn't lead students to drop out based on such utilitarian thoughts.
Thinking this, Chabashira's gaze swept across the room. In her mind, there were still several "problem children" with decent data.
First was Matsushita Chiaki, whose past records were excellent. This student was highly evaluated in middle school, but her performance in the entrance written exam and interview was poor—likely she was hiding her true strength.
As for Horikita Suzune, because she was backed by the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu, Chabashira couldn't force her. She even felt that Manabu, as the Student Council President, might have collected 20 million points to arrange a proper place for his sister upon graduation. Thus, even if she wanted to force Horikita Suzune, she couldn't. She could only let nature take its course.
However, she could at least look at others.
From the monster-like Koenji, who possessed an appearance of natural freedom and didn't care at all about being assigned to Class D...
To Kushida, who was equal to Hirata in various aspects but had a highly destructive middle school record.
Looking at it this way, Matsushita was arguably the mildest among the "problem children." At least she was a normal person.
"Matsushita, what do you think?" she said.
Matsushita?
She meant Matsushita Chiaki.
"I... I certainly don't approve of Hirata-kun." Matsushita Chiaki was stunned for a moment at being called out, but she reacted quickly and immediately chose to support Hirata.
"Right, Kei!"
Matsushita Chiaki was part of Karuizawa's "Gyaru" group. She had just noticed that Karuizawa taking the initiative to address the teacher was an attempt to get Chabashira-sensei to stop Hirata's suicidal action.
Because she couldn't understand it at all.
Why would Hirata choose to drop out himself? To her, it was incomprehensible.
Was it because he felt Class D was too trashy and troublesome, so he wanted to run away?
Hirata constantly had to run around for the trivial matters of the students, so feeling tired seemed normal. Running away now, under the guise of protecting a classmate, would mean he'd have a good reputation even if he went to another school.
In Matsushita's eyes, this was indeed a decent plan.
Karuizawa: "..."
Karuizawa heard Matsushita call her name and felt a bit surprised that Matsushita had passed the buck back to her. However, she was indeed the leader of the Gyaru group, and everyone basically followed her lead.
So her opinion was indeed important.
If that was the case...
"Exactly. For Class D, no matter how you look at it, Hirata-kun is more valuable," Karuizawa said.
"I also don't approve of Hirata dropping out."
"Since you put it that way, I obviously don't approve either."
"Me too. There's no need for Hirata to sacrifice so much for the class—"
Sato Maya and Shinohara Satsuki, also from the Gyaru group, quickly raised their hands to support Karuizawa's proposal.
"Shut up, Karuizawa! What do you know about me? If you simply view people based on whether they are 'valuable,' then what value do you have? In my eyes, you aren't worth much more than Yamauchi!" Hirata suddenly snapped coldly.
Even though several students didn't support his withdrawal, he chose to refute Karuizawa alone.
'Wait? Is there something wrong with you?
I'm speaking up for you, and you yell at me!'
Karuizawa's eyes widened. She instantly felt that it was truly a good thing she hadn't chosen to seek help from Hirata initially.
As expected, Hikigaya from Class B was much more reliable!
Thinking this...
Even though she was on a call with Hikigaya, she knew she was leaking class information to him. Speaking into the phone would be too blatant, but she could choose to send a message. Since messages appear in the notification bar, he would be able to see her info.
With that thought, Karuizawa quickly edited a message.
[The situation in Class D is basically like this. Hirata wants to drop out for Yamauchi and Sudo. Although Horikita-san stopped him, he still acts like a changed person. In this situation, what should I do?] —By Karuizawa.
[I think many students will speak up for Hirata, so he probably won't be able to drop out. However, I got scolded by him instead. I feel like I spoke for nothing.] —By Karuizawa.
"If it were for my Class B, then Hirata dropping out here would indeed be the best option. But it's impossible for now. Hirata's position in Class D is the same as Kushida's. Can Kushida be easily expelled? Before her true face is exposed, someone will definitely save her. The same goes for Hirata." —By Hikigaya.
Hikigaya replied to Karuizawa very quickly.
It must be said that Karuizawa lived up to her reputation as a "useful tool" comparable to Sakayanagi's Kamuro Masumi in the original work. Even though they had just established a connection, Karuizawa was already incredibly proficient, knowing how to pass first-hand intelligence to him.
However.
Looking at his message, Karuizawa quickly sent another one.
[So should I support Hirata dropping out? Horikita-san said Hirata reported himself for cheating, but he can't save both Yamauchi and Sudo at the same time.]
"Wait," Hikigaya typed steadily.
"I am deducing that there is another person in your class who wants Class D to climb up. And he might be the greatest enemy of Class A—no, even my Class B.
I have a premonition that he is about to step forward."
"Karuizawa."
Karuizawa checked the message Hikigaya sent three times, but she was still a bit surprised.
Because—
[Uh, is our Class D really that impressive? Also, Class D is already so rotten; can it even be carried?]
"For that person, he carries a mission. So he must do it.
But this is just my speculation. If he steps forward because of this, then I can confirm he will join the war soon.
Because to lead Class D upward, Hirata's strength should be necessary. Hirata not only has strong comprehensive strength but can even maintain your class atmosphere. One can imagine Hirata's importance to Class D. As long as he is gone, Class D will descend into internal strife and soon become a 'tool class' for others." —By Hikigaya.
[I don't get it.]
"No need to move. Just wait for now."
[...Okay.]
Pouting slightly, Karuizawa waited.
Unlike Hikigaya, she felt Class D had already become so riddled with holes; what value was left? And if someone wanted to take such a Class D to the top, who was it? And if they were so powerful that even Hikigaya took them seriously, why didn't they stop Class D from losing so many points at the beginning?
Clearly, Horikita-san had already told everyone the truth back then.
She couldn't understand. But she was waiting for this person to appear.
"Sensei!" At this moment, an inconspicuous voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone looked over and found it was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, whose presence in class was very low.
"You said when we enrolled that points can buy anything, right? So, do grades also fall into the category of what can be bought?" Ayanokouji said.
"So, if we can buy 1 point for Sudo's math and 3 points for Yamauchi's physics, does that mean neither has to be expelled?
Even Hirata-kun can be saved," Ayanokouji added.
"And," Ayanokouji seemed slightly hesitant, but he still spoke up, "if we do this, does it mean our class has no expellees? So for this exam, can we obtain the additional 50-point evaluation reward?"
Oh?
Now, the students in the class immediately paid attention.
Because—
Ayanokouji's logic seemed... correct.
The two requirements to obtain the 100-point evaluation reward were: first, no one drops out; second, the average score of all subjects is higher than 60.
"A very creative proposal," Chabashira said, while glancing at Horikita Suzune, whose expression on the podium had instantly stiffened.
Based on her understanding of Horikita, Horikita being at the podium meant she had something to announce, but it was interrupted by Hirata's choice to report himself for cheating.
Horikita's stiff expression clearly indicated that this proposal might have been something she was already prepared to make.
Ayanokouji's proposal was indeed constructive. Not only could it resolve Hirata's withdrawal crisis, but it could even keep Yamauchi and Sudo.
Furthermore, the price involved paying points to buy exam scores. He then mentioned that if they bought scores for Yamauchi and Sudo, Class D would have no expellees, thus meeting the school's requirements. Wouldn't they then get the additional 50-point evaluation reward?
It could be said this was a plan that killed three birds with one stone.
"So, is this possible?" Others were also a bit dazed.
However, the meaning was clear: Hirata wouldn't have to drop out, and Class D's evaluation points could increase by 50. This meant everyone's living expenses for next month would increase by 5,000 points.
Adding the 30 points already obtained, they would have 8,000 points in living expenses next month. Although still not enough, it was at least usable. They wouldn't have to only eat the cheapest expired or near-expired, unpalatable mountain vegetable sets, unable even to go out and split the bill (AA) with students from other classes.
"There is indeed such a rule," Chabashira said. "However, the senseis won't proactively tell you. Many things require you to explore for yourselves."
In other words, Class D still had a chance.
"Then, how many points are needed?" At this time, Hirata Yousuke took the initiative to ask.
his manic expression had retracted, replaced by a look of slight urgency. However, this look was clearly not out of consideration for his own survival, but likely because he felt Yamauchi and Sudo could be saved.
Because as Horikita-san said, even if he reported himself for cheating, it could only prevent Sudo from being expelled; Yamauchi would still be out.
"100,000 points per test point.
If you buy the points needed for both to pass, you will need a total of 400,000 points."
"If we buy the written exam scores for Sudo and Yamauchi, can we be certain to obtain the 50-point evaluation reward?" Hirata continued to press.
"It cannot be determined, as there is no past case like this," Chabashira shook her head.
"It must be reported to the Chairman and decided by the Board. So, it's possible—"
"Then isn't that terrible?"
"And only 5,000 points will be issued next month."
The Class D students, who had just become excited by Ayanokouji's words, were instantly doused with cold water.
Their worry was that if they paid the money and didn't get the points, the class would still be stuck with a backstabber like Yamauchi and a hothead like Sudo.
What a nightmare!
But—
"Everyone, I hope everyone can lend a helping hand. This is not only related to the interests of all of us but is also a vital moment to protect our comrades.
My attitude just now was very bad; I apologize," Hirata said. "I truly hope no one will be expelled. If it comes to the worst, I am indeed willing to drop out myself. I didn't want you to have negative emotions, which is why I treated you so harshly."
In other words, was everything Hirata-kun did just an act?
He really intended to use himself to exchange for Yamauchi and Sudo.
"And it's not just Yamauchi or Sudo; no matter who it is, as long as there is a risk of expulsion, I will work hard to help. If necessary, I am willing to drop out."
Hirata Yousuke declared his "for everyone" mindset directly in class.
Because he knew very well what kind of people the students in this class were. A significant portion were short-sighted and selfish. Thus, trying to pool 400,000 points to save Yamauchi and Sudo would be very difficult.
He could only try his best to—borrow money.
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On the other side, Hikigaya also received the message from Karuizawa.
It said someone had indeed stood up to stop Hirata from dropping out and proposed buying points. And this person was the usually inconspicuous Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
[Hikigaya Hachiman: It seems my deduction was correct. He indeed accepted a mission from his father to blend into Class D, lead them to a reversal, and defeat Class A.]
[Karuizawa Kei: Oh, so this Ayanokouji is very powerful?]
'Is he powerful?'
In the original work, you fell for him quite easily. Clearly, it was him who brought Manabe and the others from Class C to bully you, recorded the whole scene, and yet you treated him like a savior.
One could say that if COTE were a romance novel, Sakura would be the easiest to conquer, Sakayanagi the second, and you, Karuizawa, would be the third.
The three of them are eccentric geniuses. Of course, if one could walk into Ichinose's heart, Ichinose-san would also develop a "love brain."
Hikigaya: "..."
Sigh.
Thinking of this, Hikigaya's mood was a bit complex. Isn't this a "smart battle" series? Why did the style suddenly feel wrong?
However, he also hoped to accumulate more experience interacting with girls to eventually conquer a rich woman who could support him and his sister in the future. So, perhaps the girls having "love brains" was actually beneficial to him.
After all.
Probably no girl would be kind enough to play a romance game with him.
Hikigaya could still remember in middle school, having feelings for Kaori in his class because she was the only one who exchanged numbers with him. In the end, he was just one of many people she exchanged numbers with, and when he confessed, she even said they had never spoken before—she was beyond surprised and awkward.
So that was the result of arbitrarily expecting, arbitrarily "conquering" oneself, arbitrarily confessing, and finally, the curtain falling arbitrarily.
Because of this, his middle school life was not perfect. Hikigaya felt that if he had entered Advanced Nurturing High School normally, he could have sat at a table with Class D; everyone had dark histories they couldn't speak of.
And Yukinoshita's level was undoubtedly many, many tiers higher than Kaori's. Trying to conquer Yukinoshita would be "hard mode."
Because one basically couldn't enter her heart.
Even if the time spent together increased, it would only increase to the level of being acquaintances.
Hikigaya thought to himself.
However—
Beep beep.
While Hikigaya was daydreaming, he suddenly found his phone had received three more messages.
[Class D plans to buy points to let Yamauchi and Sudo through. This was originally the plan I wanted to propose, but Ayanokouji beat me to it. However, he didn't mention the issue of distribution based on labor; I don't know what he's thinking. He clearly could have profited from this, but he didn't.] —By Horikita Suzune.
[Hirata-kun is going to find you to borrow money, to... to save Yamauchi and Sudo.] —By Sakura Airi.
[Hirata isn't dropping out anymore, but he's coming to borrow money from you. The class only raised 34,000 points.] —By Karuizawa.
Hmm.
Three people sent messages to report the news.
However.
Hikigaya suddenly noticed. Although it was a four-person group, three people had sent intelligence, yet you, Kushida-san, sent nothing.
Hikigaya began to wonder if his relationship with Kushida-san was actually that bad.
But being able to raise 34,000 points was indeed a testament to Hirata's ability.
However, it also showed the coldness of Class D.
Because Hikigaya had given Horikita 500,000 points ten days ago to buy Class D's votes, so every student in Class D had a share of 12,500 points.
Those points were naturally not enough to spend, but it had only been ten days. Considering Class D's desperate state, if they didn't save, they wouldn't have anything to spend next month. Thus, a portion of students should still have been able to squeeze out two or three thousand points. But Hirata only received 34,000 points in the end.
Essentially, most students only contributed 1,000 points.
And that wasn't the limit.
It was more likely that Yamauchi had exhausted everyone's goodwill today. Even with the excuse of potentially getting 50 evaluation points, people weren't very willing to lend money.
Whether the 50 points could be obtained was hard to say, but the fact that 400,000 points could save Sudo and Yamauchi was real.
But has Hirata charged over so quickly?
[Because Chabashira-sensei notified us that once the expulsion notice is issued, the expellee only has 2 hours to remain at school.]
[Members of the Student Council have already arrived at the door of Class D.] Karuizawa continued to send messages.
I see. Then it really is urgent.
"Hikigaya-kun!"
Hirata's voice already echoed from not far away. The Class B students looked over curiously and saw a light-green-haired boy from Class D running over rapidly.
His speed was only slightly slower than Class B's athletic freak Shibata, and on par with Kanzaki Ryuji.
"Hikigaya-kun!"
Noticing Hirata's unnatural state, Kanzaki quickly stood up. Shibata, who was sitting in front of Hikigaya and chatting with someone, also noticed Hirata's state and quickly stood up as well.
Kanzaki, Shibata, and Hirata were all in the soccer club, so the three were somewhat familiar.
But.
The Hirata right now felt wrong to them.
"Please lend me 366,000 points!" Hirata Yousuke said directly.
?
Borrow money?
Then they had to stop him.
Now, not only Kanzaki and Shibata, but other students of Class B also felt the abnormal atmosphere coming from Hirata and began to stand up to block him from entering the classroom.
"Let him come over." Hikigaya didn't expect Class B students to react so quickly. However, blocking Hirata at the classroom door wasn't appropriate.
"So, what is the matter?" Hikigaya didn't walk out alone; instead, he had them bring Hirata in.
Hirata came directly to the front of his seat.
Hikigaya's intention was quite obvious. He knew why Hirata had come to find him—to borrow points to save Sudo and Yamauchi.
Because of the 500,000 points given to Class D to buy votes earlier, it could basically be confirmed that if anyone in the first year had a large sum of points, it was him. Sudo and Yamauchi's expulsions had to be handled within 2 hours, so they couldn't find more people; they could only find the most hopeful, wealthiest person.
From this angle, Hirata did have some vision. Hikigaya-kun was indeed the wealthiest student at the moment, aside from third-year Class A's Horikita Manabu or Nagumo Miyabi From 2-A.
But.
Was Hirata willing to say such a thing as borrowing money directly in public? Did he have no tension, no sense of shame, no dignity?
"I hope you can lend me points." Hirata spoke directly in the classroom.
"Sudo-kun in my class is 1 point away from failing, and Yamauchi-kun is 3 points away. So, 400,000 points are needed," Hirata said at a rapid pace. "Right now, I've only raised 34,000 points. I must gather the rest in over an hour, otherwise, they will really be expelled. I truly cannot accept such a situation..."
?
It was clear that the current Hirata-kun was putting everything on the line.
But.
"Setting aside that we are still in a class competition, facing this kind of expulsion punishment... Wait, your Class D had expellees in this exam?"
Ichinose-san, being one of the "saints," finally understood Hirata's words.
Although the scores announced by Hoshinomiya-sensei showed that Class D performed poorly...
But.
She thought Class D just didn't reach the average of 60. After all, they had the old questions. To think expellees actually appeared... This was something she hadn't expected.
How could anyone fail when they had the exam questions and answers in advance? Did they not value this exam at all?
And.
It was so cruel. Just in the second month of enrollment, expellees appeared among the first years. And two at once.
As for Hirata's act of borrowing money, Class B understood it. Previously, when they were worried about Hikigaya-kun's math score of 9, everyone wanted to use the class funds to buy points for him.
However, now knowing the exam questions yet still failing and then using points to buy scores... she felt... Although if a Class B student failed, she would work hard, but for other classes... well.
She could probably only offer a bit of humanitarian aid.
"This is something that cannot be changed," Hirata said. "But right now, the two of them are facing the punishment of expulsion."
"Then you specifically came to find me. Why do you think I might lend you points?" Hikigaya said.
"You should know, I already gave your Class D 500,000 points ten days ago. Even with some spending, if you grit your teeth, you should have over 200,000 points left. Then, if we can agree to use the points you'll get next month to repay the debt, I feel borrowing money isn't entirely impossible."
In other words, Hikigaya-kun wasn't being entirely cold. Instead, he was discussing feasibility. That is—you, Hirata, or rather your Class D, do you possess the feasibility of repayment?
But.
Such a thing... Class D couldn't do.
Because.
Initially, he had wanted to borrow money from Chabashira-sensei and was rejected.
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