Dammit, Teacher, you set me up.
Hikigaya's gaze was resentful.
What do you mean "annoying"? That first part was completely unnecessary. But then again, the "amazing insight" part was even more unnecessary.
"Hikigaya."
Ichinose asked curiously, "Do you know something?"
There was no hiding now, and he did indeed have some guesses.
"Actually..."
Feeling the crowd's eyes on him, Hikigaya stood up and said:
"This isn't a school for cultivating excellent students; it's a City of Sin that turns people into corporate slaves!"
Damn.
I accidentally said my true thoughts out loud.
"Uh..."
As soon as he spoke, the people of Class B were instantly speechless. Hikigaya keenly noticed that Yuki Himeno, sitting nearby, was struggling to hold back a laugh.
"Ahem."
Hikigaya coughed twice to mask the embarrassment. "Class B is excellent as students, but there should still be a gap compared to real members of society."
"For example, whether you show enough respect to teachers and elders, whether you greet them, and whether you are tactful enough with the school staff."
"I feel—just a feeling—the gap should be in those areas."
Looking at Yuki Himeno beside him, Hikigaya added, "Maybe also things like self-discipline."
Class B was indeed excellent.
But listening to Yuki Himeno's endless parties, they clearly still had a child's mentality.
After all, they were high school students.
The school insisted on turning them into corporate slaves—if that wasn't a City of Sin, what was? It was practically criminal.
"Indeed..."
Ichinose thought for a moment and nodded, her pretty face full of admiration. "As expected of Hikigaya, your observations are indeed meticulous."
"It's nothing."
Hikigaya sat back down awkwardly, but felt Kanzaki in front of him give him a frowning look.
What's up with this guy?
Is he unhappy with me? Has the hero Kanzaki already completely blackened?
"Now then, it's time for class..."
There was one more sentence he didn't dare say.
The biggest reason might be Hoshinomiya, their homeroom teacher.
Since the school encouraged competition, there should be corresponding bonuses or incentive policies for faculty members.
However.
He couldn't feel any drive from Hoshinomiya to reach Class A at all; instead, Class B was taking care of this unreliable teacher.
I'm afraid many points...
...were deducted because of the teacher's "entrapment."
For instance, the concern and greetings to the teacher at the beginning—not raising a hand was clearly behavior that didn't fit the status of a student.
But can you say Ichinose and the others did anything wrong?
You can't, right?
Therefore, most of the blame should be pinned on Hoshinomiya.
Honestly.
Hoshinomiya-sensei, apologize to all the faculty members in the world!
After school.
"Hikigaya."
Ichinose walked over to him and greeted him generously. "We're planning to hold a study group together. What do you plan to do?"
"No thanks, I'll be fine on my own."
Seeing a hint of disappointment in Ichinose's eyes, Hikigaya added with a smile, "I'm the type who's more efficient alone."
"Is that so? Then I'm relieved," Ichinose replied with a smile. "If you have any problems, remember to tell me anytime. Then I'll head back first. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah."
Hikigaya nodded and left the classroom.
He wasn't lying.
He really was the type who was more efficient alone.
Besides, sitting with so many girls from Class B, who could focus on studying?
Most importantly.
Class B's academic grades were already very good. They didn't need to do anything to get through smoothly; a study group even seemed a bit redundant.
And.
There was something even more important to do today.
Dormitory room.
After washing up, Hikigaya bathed, changed clothes, applied hair wax, and stood before the mirror adjusting his clothes.
Incidentally, he lit a stick of incense that cost a hundred points.
If you ask why.
Because,
Today is the day the God of MAX Coffee is born!
The truck carrying the deity will arrive at the school tonight at 6:00 PM. The universal light of the deity will shine across Advanced Nurturing.
This City of Sin will finally welcome the baptism of holy light, and the devout corporate slaves will finally receive the deity's blessing.
Although it was a bit late.
Welcoming the God of MAX Coffee required a sense of ceremony.
Near 8:00 PM.
Hikigaya arrived at the vending machine downstairs, believing two hours were enough for the diligent staff to finish their work.
Otherwise, he would definitely file a complaint.
Neglecting the deity is an unforgivable sin—if you're a corporate slave, then work properly!
Reaching downstairs.
He saw someone in a wine-red uniform bending over to retrieve something. The green pants were facing his direction. Why did they look familiar?
Ayanokouji's pupils constricted. For some reason, he felt a sense of crisis.
To think someone could so easily approach within three steps of him.
It could only be that person!
Ayanokouji quickly stood up and looked behind him. Sure enough, he found a... weirdly dressed lunatic?
After a moment's hesitation, Kiyotaka Ayanokouji gave a slight nod.
During this time, because they lived in the same dormitory building, the two often ran into each other and were used to it.
Anyway.
Though he didn't know why, as long as he nodded.
They could go their separate ways.
However, today was different.
Looking at the can in the other's hand that looked like a yellow-and-black caution tape—it was exactly MAX Coffee—Hikigaya's gaze softened significantly.
Unexpectedly.
This guy is a kindred spirit!
He had originally thought the other person was a lunatic, but now it seemed he was surprisingly a good guy. Someone who likes MAX Coffee couldn't be a bad person.
"You... also like MAX Coffee?"
Hikigaya said with a soft gaze.
He didn't even know the other's name yet; as a member of the MAX Coffee Fan Club, that was quite rude.
Kiyotaka Ayanokouji was momentarily stunned.
Then he became wary. Based on their interactions during this time, he had thought the other person just had some mental issues.
Now it seemed he had been too naive.
With even a slight lapse in caution, the other party would choose to strike!
The grand attire, the sudden speech, the strange gaze.
If this wasn't a "pick-up," what was it?
Too dangerous.
"No... I don't like it."
Ayanokouji threw the MAX Coffee he had just bought onto the ground and quickly turned to leave.
No.
This person is far too dangerous; I absolutely cannot be careless.
Hikigaya's face stiffened.
Heretic!
It's fine if you don't like it, but to actually show disrespect to MAX Coffee.
A heretic, absolutely unforgivable!
He picked up that can of MAX Coffee. To think he could get a free can; he felt like he'd gained something.
Hikigaya pulled the tab and sent the coffee into his mouth.
The thick condensed milk stimulated his taste buds, and the high-sugar sweetness rushed to his brain, nourishing the devout believer like a spring.
"I'm back to life..."
Hikigaya took a few more sips with satisfaction.
Days without MAX Coffee were truly painful.
He felt his mind clear up quite a bit, and his hearing was sharper than usual.
"A clumsy sister will only bring me negative evaluations. If you understand, leave quickly."
Hmm?
What sound?
Hikigaya walked curiously toward the side of the dormitory building.
At this hour, why would someone still be here?