Hayato Hayama spoke first.
"Could you grab me a can of Coca-Cola? I still have club training this afternoon, and a little sugar now will help me survive practice."
Hina Ebina also raised her hand.
"Then bring me a bottle of lemon tea too~"
"So that's one Coke and two lemon teas," Ishikawa Hikaru said, turning to the two boys beside Hayama who hadn't spoken yet. "Do either of you want something?"
One looked hesitant, the other slightly skeptical, but only for a moment.
"Then bring me a Coke too."
"Same here, Coke."
Ishikawa nodded.
"Understood."
Then he left dramatically.
"Await my triumphant return, children!"
---
14. So, Will the Problem Child Meet a Hidden Mastermind and a Hidden Strategist?
Hachiman Hikigaya returned to the classroom just before the bell rang for fifth period.
What he saw nearly made him lose hope in humanity.
Ishikawa Hikaru was casually sitting in the empty seat beside Yumiko Miura, chatting happily with Miura and Hayama's group of normies.
"I heard from other authors that Dengeki Bunko has a terrifying method for dealing with authors who miss deadlines," Ishikawa said casually.
"They lock repeat offenders in a hotel room with nothing but a computer and pen and paper. The editor guards the door like a deity. You're not allowed out until the manuscript is finished."
Hayama laughed.
"That sounds terrifying. Does that really happen?"
—Terrifying is you people, Hachiman thought.
Weren't you all at each other's throats just a moment ago? I step out for a minute and now everyone's laughing together!?
"I wouldn't bet on whether it's true," Ishikawa replied with a smile.
"But if I missed my deadline and disappeared, and my editor barged into school to drag me away… I'd probably become an urban legend."
"After all, my editor is a beautiful woman. People would assume I was living off her."
—You might as well be.
"That would indeed be unfortunate."
Miura spoke with curiosity.
"I'm actually a bit curious. I haven't read many light novels, but aren't they usually kind of… lewd? Are some authors just perverted old men?"
"Some authors are just as perverted as their works," Ishikawa admitted. "But most of the ones I know are decent people."
"Here's an example. There's someone in the industry who debuted even younger than I did. Because of privacy, I can't say much, but she's a very young and very cute girl."
"Yet she writes extremely mature scenes."
"You would never connect the author with the work."
"Really!?" Ebina's eyes sparkled.
"Does she write BL!?"
"No."
Ebina's expression immediately dimmed.
"What a shame…"
Just then the bell rang.
Ishikawa waved.
"Let's talk again later."
As he turned around, he noticed Hachiman standing near the back door.
He walked over, patted Hachiman's shoulder, returned to his seat, and casually handed him a can of Coke from his desk drawer.
Hachiman blinked.
"How did you start talking to them?"
"Isn't it normal to talk?" Ishikawa said. "I'm not a chuunibyou like you."
Then he looked at Hachiman strangely.
"You didn't seriously think I only know how to joke around and act like an idiot, did you?"
Hachiman hesitated.
"…Is that true?"
"Of course it's fake, idiot Hikigaya."
"I'm mentally ill. I even have a doctor's certificate."
"When I wake up, I'll kill you and scatter your ashes."
Hachiman nodded.
"Yes… that sounds more like you."
"I thought the timeline had changed when I wasn't looking."
"You'll regret saying that when I wake up."
After delivering this threat, Ishikawa immediately put his head on the desk to sleep.
He planned to catch up on sleep now and write enough tonight to secure six months of freedom.
As for studying—
Forget it.
As a hit light-novel author, he had already achieved financial independence from his debut work.
He could even drop out like Yamada Yousei and become a full-time author.
Teachers had already visited his home during his first year because of frequent absences.
By now, everyone in school knew the rumors that he was a genius light-novel author.
Except for Shizuka Hiratsuka, none of the teachers wanted to antagonize someone with "social influence."
And besides—
Hiratsuka had already placed his seat next to the back door.
So while everyone else stood up and greeted the teacher, Ishikawa simply rested his head on the desk.
Half-asleep, he quietly analyzed everything that had happened earlier.
Most of the conflict between Miura and Yuigahama came from Miura wanting Yuigahama to publicly support her.
Because Miura liked Hayama.
And if Yuigahama supported her, Hayama might agree to go out for ice cream with them.
The problem was—
Hayama didn't like Miura.
When Ishikawa hinted about "supporting Miura's romance," Hayama clearly understood the implication.
But he pretended not to know.
He avoided the topic of girlfriends entirely.
Knowing Miura liked him, yet pretending ignorance.
From a pessimistic view—
That could make him a scumbag stringing her along.
But Hayama had also helped calm the situation earlier.
And he had stepped forward when Ishikawa approached Miura.
So perhaps he wasn't malicious.
Maybe there was some hidden story beneath his bright and perfect exterior.
Ebina might not be simple either.
When Hayama stepped in to calm things down, she immediately followed up with an outrageous fujoshi comment.
The tension instantly turned into humor.
That allowed Ishikawa to respond with jokes and control the atmosphere.
Though he hadn't planned it—
When he joked about liking Hayama, Miura immediately took the bait.
Despite her confident personality, Miura's inner feelings were surprisingly innocent.
Just mentioning Hayama was enough to hook her attention.
He hadn't expected that such a small Class F would hide so many hidden masterminds and strategists.
Life really did become more interesting the more people you met.
---
15. So, Will the Problem Child Seek Revenge at High Speed?
"Ishikawa!"
Hayama's voice woke him.
Ishikawa rubbed his eyes.
"What?"
"You sure sleep a lot," Miura said bluntly. "You've been asleep since fifth period. Are you a pig?"
"Pigs aren't as handsome as I am."
He noticed Yuigahama standing nearby.
"Good morning."
"G-good morning—"
She paused.
"Wait… it's afternoon now!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
"For a novelist," Ishikawa said while stretching, "the hard work is just beginning."
"If I don't submit manuscripts regularly, getting chased by my editor with a knife would be embarrassing."
Hayama smiled.
"We were going to invite you for ice cream after club activities."
"But you sound busy."
"Next time."
Ishikawa pulled out his phone.
"Want to exchange LINE contacts?"
Hayama nodded.
"I'll add you to our group chat."
"I also want to hear the story about you being called a genius pitcher by the baseball coach."
"You heard about that?"
"I was planning to lead the team to Koshien Stadium," Ishikawa shrugged.
"But my editor vetoed the idea."
"She said high-intensity training would destroy my arm."
"Then I couldn't write my manuscripts."
"So she ordered me not to join baseball practice until I finish the novel."
Ebina looked shocked.
"Editors manage things like that too?"
"Of course," Ishikawa said. "It's in the contract with Dengeki Bunko."
"That's why rumors exist about editors locking authors in dark rooms until they finish manuscripts."
Hayama laughed.
"That sounds rough."
"So I'll skip the ice cream this time," Ishikawa said.
"After I finish the novel, I'll treat everyone to KTV or BBQ."
"Going alone would be too pathetic."
Miura smirked.
"Delicate doesn't describe you."
"But if you're paying, we won't hold back."
"If you trick us, you'll swallow a thousand needles."
"How terrifying."
Hayama waved goodbye.
"I have club practice."
"See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
Soon the classroom emptied.
Ishikawa noticed Hachiman had already run away.
He smiled.
If Hachiman played like a beginner—
He couldn't blame Ishikawa for playing like an expert.
As he left school, Ishikawa opened LINE and messaged Hachiman's sister.
Komachi Hikigaya.
[Your brother secretly told me today that he has a crush on the Service Club president.]
[Yukino Yukinoshita.]
Moments later—
[Komachi: WHAT?!]
Ishikawa grinned.
"Hehehe."
Did Hachiman really think he could escape just by running away after school?
They were bound by fate after the accident that put them in the hospital together.
If Hachiman wanted to share happiness but not suffering—
Then Ishikawa would simply change the rules of the game.
"Another pleasant day."
Back home, he logged onto his computer.
[Didn't attend club today. Back early. Want to play games?]
[Minecraft / Street Fighter IV / FF14]
Reply came instantly.
[strongest beautiful girl light novelist: Minecraft! Log in!]
[Launching Minecraft!]
---
16. So, Will the Problem Child Create a Smart Toilet?
Morning.
Sleep in class.
Chat with normies at lunch.
Drag Hachiman to the restroom.
Sleep again.
Another day passed.
"Ishikawa."
Hayama woke him again.
"You really sleep well."
"Writing late at night must be exhausting."