Most high school students try to find someone who understands them—not specifically boys or girls. Even though mutual understanding is somewhat of a selfish idea and very difficult to truly achieve in reality, there's always something close to it.
Any attempt to get closer to Sudou ends in chaos, mainly because of his deeply rooted belief that the people around him see him as inferior. I don't know what circumstances made him this way, but I do know that this is what he believes.
I already told Yukinoshita, Horikita, and even Hirata that I would handle Sudou's situation, but it won't be that easy.
It's hard to find someone who can understand him so easily, or someone Sudou would accept help from without any issues. But at the very least, I can provide someone who shares his interests.
The last time I saw Sudou with the basketball club members, he looked like a completely different person from the rough student who causes trouble in class. I think the main reason is that he feels a sense of belonging, or because they understand him due to having something in common. They also don't see him as a failing student, but as an important player on the team.
So all we need to do is find someone suitable among them and convince him to help Sudou and push him forward.
This task didn't take long. Thanks to my position in the student council and President Horikita's help, I found a third-year student from class A-3 with high grades who is also a member of the basketball club. Since he's a classmate of the president, he knows him well. He said he's easy to talk to and likes helping younger students. The president even offered to help and said he could talk to him personally to make things easier, but I refused. If I'm going to ask for help for Sudou, I'll do it myself.
I was standing in the hallway in front of the third-year classrooms in the morning before classes started. It's hard to stand calmly here, especially with the looks from older students, but I've already gotten used to it. Sitting in the same room as the president and Tachibana-senpai is harder than standing here.
Several students passed by me heading to their classrooms. I stood to the side, watching their faces until my target appeared. He was taller than his peers, with a solid build. From where I stood, I could tell he was strong, and from the way he wore his uniform, you could tell he was the right person. All that remained was to talk to him.
I moved straight toward him before he entered the classroom. I had to seize this opportunity—it might be hard to find him alone and free like this throughout the day.
"Good morning…" I raised my hand slightly to greet him.
He turned toward me slowly and seemed surprised. It's not normal to see a first-year student here approaching you.
"…Uh, good morning." He tried to respond politely, then turned to stand directly in front of me. "Is something wrong?"
I think we can talk here in the hallway—no problem, nothing private. So I adjusted my stance and stood facing him.
"Senpai… actually, I want to ask you for something."
He raised his eyebrow slightly, as if surprised by my words.
"Go ahead…" he gestured for me to continue.
No backing out… all I have to do is ask for help. At least I can do that.
"Do you know Sudou Ken from the basketball club?"
He nodded slowly, scratching his cheek.
"Yeah, Sudou's my teammate…"
Of course he knows him. I just wanted to make sure—this makes things easier.
"Uh… Sudou is my classmate, and he's at risk of expulsion because of his grades. He also refuses help from everyone. If you could help him as his teammate…" I think this is the easiest way for me to help him. I have my own issues with studying, so I can't help him personally, and he refuses to join study groups. This is my only option.
"…If you want, I can pay you for this." I had already thought about this before coming here—maybe I'd have to give up some of my personal points.
The upperclassman fell silent and stood still, as if carefully considering my offer.
"Why do you want to help him?" He put his hand in his pocket, waiting for my answer.
"Isn't that obvious…? I don't want my classmate to get expelled." That should be a sufficient reason, at least.
It's fine if he refuses… I'll just find another solution. Since I said I'd handle Sudou's issue, I have to take responsibility until the end.
After thinking carefully, he slowly nodded.
"Alright, I'll do it…"
His acceptance saves a lot of effort. I guess it's time to pay.
I reached into my pocket to take out my phone, but he raised his hand to stop me.
What?
"I'll do it without any points… Sudou is really talented. I don't want him to get expelled. Maybe after I graduate, he could become the club captain." He seemed willing to help without any compensation.
I froze, staring at him. Does he really care about Sudou that much?
"Th-thank you very much." I bowed my head slightly to show my gratitude.
"No need. If my help can prevent a student from being expelled, that's enough." A sincere smile appeared on his face. As I expected, people at the president's level are the ones who truly understand the weight of expulsion.
Having a classmate disappear like that isn't something normal.
"Anyway, goodbye—I need to get to class…" He waved quickly and hurried into his classroom.
What a contrast. The class sees Sudou as a burden with no future, while his club sees him as a valuable talent with a bright future.
There are people who truly care about him, which is why he feels a sense of belonging, and his behavior is different around them.
If a person has a place they truly belong to, can that change them?
A stupid smile appeared on my face—I couldn't stop it. Maybe because I succeeded in my task.
"Hikigaya Hachiman, stop smiling like that in the hallway." A girl's voice from beside me startled me, making me jump.
I looked to my left. A girl with short purple hair was standing there, carrying her bag on her shoulder. It looked like she was heading to her classroom as well.
"Tachibana-senpai, you startled me… also, smiling isn't a bad thing…" I tried to protest. She should reconsider her behavior a bit and treat her younger colleague better.
"Smiling by yourself is creepy… also, you represent the student council now—control your behavior." Tachibana-senpai walked away as if she didn't want to talk much and quickly entered her classroom.
Why is she always annoyed with me…?
Is it because of my eyes?
I really feel like I don't belong in the student council.