The next morning.
Hikigaya sat in his usual spot at the top-floor cafe, enjoying breakfast while waiting for the school's email.
"Why are you here?"
Just then, Suzune Horikita's voice rang out. She walked to Hikigaya's side with furrowed brows.
"Uh..." Hikigaya was a bit surprised. "I'm here almost every day. I should be the one asking—what are you doing here? This shouldn't be a place that's very popular with ladies, right?"
"Hmm?" Horikita frowned. "What have you been doing here all this time? Is there nowhere else for you to go?"
"Ha," Hikigaya said proudly, "A wandering noble soul does not need a place of bonds."
"Is that so."
Horikita sat opposite him, completely ignoring his antics and saying bluntly:
"I have something to discuss with someone next. Could I trouble you to find another place to stay?"
Hmm...
As the exam began, this deserted place had also become popular.
It was indeed a good place for conversation.
In other words, a loner also has a chance to become popular, but mostly when work needs to be done.
However...
"Just how high and mighty are you?"
Hikigaya was somewhat speechless. "I was here first. Logically, shouldn't you guys be the ones to change spots?"
"Logically, that is indeed the case."
Horikita nodded without refuting. "But I can't find a suitable place right now, so I can only ask you to leave. Your breakfast will be on my tab, how about that?"
"Understood!"
Hikigaya stood up immediately.
It was just changing spots, and free breakfast shouldn't be passed up.
However.
During the exam.
Horikita had clearly used the method he provided.
But she hadn't transferred the points yet; it might have to wait until September.
Just as he stood up, Hikigaya saw the psychotic "flying fish head," Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, walking toward them.
Was Horikita's conversation partner this guy?
Hikigaya gave him a surprised look.
Logically speaking.
The explanation sessions only ended last night, and the discussion topics were nothing more than the VIP matter.
No matter what.
Horikita was the leader of Class D.
Her conversation partner wasn't Hirata or Kushida, but him? Did that mean this psycho was unexpectedly excellent?
"Any more questions?"
Horikita urged.
"Nothing," Hikigaya quickly packed up his tray, "I'm just a bit surprised that your conversation partner is Ayanokoji. I thought it would definitely be Hirata or that Kushida girl."
"It has nothing to do with you," Horikita said flatly. "Leave the tray and the receipt. I'll clean up later. You can go now."
"Yes, yes, yes..."
Hikigaya couldn't wait to leave.
"Sigh." Ayanokoji gave a lamenting sigh and added an extra explanation: "Do you think she can get along with anyone else? I was also dragged here against my will."
"I see."
Hikigaya didn't take it to heart and got up to leave.
Whatever these people did was their business.
It was indeed hard to imagine Horikita getting along with anyone. Aside from someone indifferent like himself, probably no one could stand Horikita's personality.
But to be chosen by Horikita, Ayanokoji must have some ability.
On the other side.
Ayanokoji looked at Hikigaya's retreating back. This guy was more perceptive than he imagined, only then sitting down opposite Horikita.
"It looks like," Horikita said flatly, "Ayanokoji, you and Hikigaya are also on good terms."
"No," Ayanokoji was expressionless, "We've just met a few times. Last time I helped him deliver a can of MAX Coffee. I wouldn't say we're on 'good terms.'"
"Is that so."
Horikita glanced in the direction Hikigaya had left and said: "I heard he stays in this cafe every day and rarely interacts with anyone."
"Aren't we supposed to talk about the exam?"
Ayanokoji felt things were going a bit poorly and said: "Or is there some delicious food in this cafe?"
"Who knows."
Horikita seriously scrutinized the Ayanokoji before her: "It's just that he seems even more like an escapist than you. What do you think, Ayanokoji?"
"Even though we're both escapists, I still want to make friends. He probably doesn't need them."
"Fine, let's leave it at that. Back to business!"
Horikita kept it in mind.
The difference in behavior between the two escapists was stark, and her wariness of Ayanokoji deepened by another notch.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Leaving the cafe.
Hikigaya thought for a while.
Since there was nowhere else to go anyway, he might as well go back to the dormitory.
Just as he stepped out of the cafe, he saw several students walking toward him. The leader, with shoulder-length red hair and sharp eyes, was Kakeru Ryuen.
Following behind him was Kaneda and a girl with short blue hair and sharp, somewhat fierce eyes.
Don't recognize me, don't recognize me, don't recognize me.
Hikigaya muttered in his heart as he walked toward them.
"Ryuen-san."
At that moment, Kaneda pointed at him and said viciously: "It's him! Hachiman Hikigaya!"
It was all because of this guy.
He had been treated horribly these past few days and was disliked even within Class C.
"Oh?"
Ryuen blocked his path, a playful smile on his lips. "Ibuki, you just said you saw Horikita walking into this cafe, right?"
"Correct."
"I see."
Ryuen nodded, patted Hikigaya on the shoulder, and looked at him with sharp eyes: "Hikigaya, right? Let's chat for a bit."
"I can't."
As expected, it turned out like this. Hikigaya said helplessly: "I just received a payment to leave this place."
"Oh?"
Ryuen was slightly stunned.
He had thought the other party might refuse, or might agree out of fear.
But he never expected this.
Was he actually asking for money?
"You've got guts."
Ryuen thought for a moment, a smile appearing on his lips: "How about ten thousand private points?"
"Deal!"
Hikigaya agreed immediately.
Holy crap.
What a big spender.
He originally thought Ryuen was just a thug, but he didn't expect him to be so generous.
Ten thousand just for sitting for a while.
Simply a massive profit.
Maybe he really did have the potential to be a kept man.
As for Ryuen and Horikita—it was none of his business; he was just going back to watch the drama.
The two quickly traded points, and Ryuen even asked for his contact information.
On the way back to the cafe.
Hikigaya was sandwiched between Kaneda and the girl named Mio Ibuki, the three of them following behind Ryuen.
"Um..." Hikigaya said, making himself sparse, "It's not like I'm going to run away."
"Don't be nervous."
Ryuen, in front, said playfully: "As long as you don't do anything, they naturally won't do anything to you."
"Ugh..."
Hikigaya glanced at this fierce-eyed Mio Ibuki beside him.
She gave off the impression of someone who was currently angry.
So fierce.
He felt that compared to Ryuen...
He was even worse at dealing with this Ibuki person.
The group soon returned to the outdoor terrace.
"The weather is great, Suzune. Are you having breakfast with your shadow again today?"
Ryuen walked toward Horikita's table with his hands in his pockets.
"Haven't I told you not to call me by my name so casually? Ryuen-kun."
Horikita looked at the group, her gaze quickly drawn to Hikigaya in the middle. "Why are you following them, Hikigaya-kun? Didn't I tell you to leave?"
"Well..."
Before Ryuen could speak, Hikigaya quickly said: "He gave me another ten thousand to come back."
The subtext was: Hey, how about you guys add a little more?
If only making money were always this easy.
After saying that.
Hikigaya didn't care what they thought; he found another table to sit at, ordered a can of MAX Coffee, and observed them.
I'm just a spectator; you guys do whatever you want.
"Heh."
Ryuen was amused. He sat at Horikita's table and said playfully:
"Forget it. The emails should have been sent out. Did you become the VIP?"
Only then did Hikigaya realize his phone had indeed vibrated earlier.
Since he rarely used it, he didn't pay much attention to his phone and occasionally forgot to charge it.
[After a strict adjustment, you were not selected as the VIP. Please act with the awareness of a group member and take on the challenge. The exam begins at 1:00 PM today. This exam will be held for three days starting today. Students of the Dragon Group, please gather in the Dragon Room on the second floor.]
I wasn't chosen after all.
Hikigaya didn't care much.
Although he wanted those points, it wasn't a necessity to become the VIP.
Compared to being the VIP, he preferred hiding in the shadows to take people out.
"As if I'd tell you."
Horikita gave a flat glance. "Or would you be willing to tell me if I asked?"
"If you wish."
Ryuen carelessly put his legs on the table and said playfully: "But before that, tell me: how did you manage to get those results on the deserted island exam?"
"Do you think there's any need for me to answer you?"
Horikita gave a flat glance toward Hikigaya. "Instead of focusing on Class D, Class C should be targeting Class B. Ryuen, I didn't expect you to be so blind to that."
This girl.
She's shifting the trouble onto others.
Hikigaya took a sip of his coffee and gave Horikita an aggrieved look.
Even though the two classes were in a cooperative relationship.
Horikita was still secretly competing with Class B.
Although theoretically there was nothing wrong with it.
Class C indeed should target Class B, but it just left a bad taste in one's mouth. Horikita's personality was truly rotten.
"Theoretically, that is indeed true."
Ryuen leaned against the back of his chair and glanced at Hikigaya:
"Class B being able to take first place this time was largely thanks to someone diverting Kaneda's attention, right, Hikigaya?"
"Uh..."
The topic suddenly turned to him, and Hikigaya was somewhat reluctant:
"It's hard to say if the diversion was effective. I just did what a cover team should do. If you want to blame someone, blame Kaneda for trusting his own judgment too much. Besides, Class C's strategy itself was a gamble."
"..."
Kaneda's eyes were burning with rage.
If it hadn't been for this guy's deliberate provocation.
He was completely confident he could have made a more rational judgment.
Even though he was angry, Kaneda didn't speak. He had clearly been "tamed" well and was somewhat afraid of Ryuen.
"Well, true."
Ryuen looked away dismissively. "Although Class B had a few surprises, it was just that we didn't expect Class B to have a guy with such despicable thoughts as him. He doesn't seem like someone from Class B at all."
The moment Hikigaya asked for money.
Ryuen saw through him.
Hikigaya was just different from Class B; he wasn't as much of a do-gooder as the others. His methods were a bit underhanded and unpleasant, that was all.
He was just doing what needed to be done.
He had no intention of doing anything behind the scenes.
It was no big deal.
From now on, he just needed to take Hikigaya's existence into account.
"Ugh."
Hikigaya's face darkened.
The "despicable" part probably wasn't referring to him, right? Surely not. But it seems I can't even refute it.
"But Class D is different."
Ryuen looked at Horikita, his gaze becoming even sharper:
"Ibuki did indeed bring Class D's keycard to me, and I certainly wrote your name, Suzune Horikita, on the final day. But the answer was wrong."
"There's only one reason for such a result: Class D changed their leader at the very last moment."
Ryuen's voice suddenly turned cold: "This isn't a method that a serious character like you could come up with. It's only someone like me, or the person behind you."
"Someone who lives in the undercurrents, someone with unconventional thoughts, could have thought of it."
"Besides you, there's undoubtedly someone very clever in Class D."
Clearly.
Horikita had a clear goal, but her vision was extremely narrow.
With her personality.
It was impossible for her to have thought of such a plan.
"It seems I've really been underestimated."
After a moment of thought, Horikita sold him out without hesitation: "I was indeed in a bad state during the last exam because of a fever. But since you're so insistent, I'll tell you."
"The person who told me the method to change leaders was the Hikigaya sitting over there. Are you satisfied now?"
Strictly speaking.
The two sides were only in a temporary cooperative relationship.
They were from different classes.
Horikita indeed had no obligation to keep it a secret for him.
But this woman was so decisive about it; it was still a bit annoying. He had at least helped her out; she could have at least hesitated a bit.
Wouldn't her conscience hurt?
Hikigaya stared at Horikita with dissatisfaction; this woman's personality was truly malicious.
"Hmm?"
Ryuen narrowed his eyes.
A gaze as venomous as a snake also looked this way.
The person who helped Class D change their leader turned out to be him again...