"Me?"
Hikigaya fell into deep thought.
Although he didn't know why Horikita Manabu had suddenly started reminiscing, at least the man didn't seem angry. Hikigaya tried to imagine the scenario.
If Komachi became just like him...
No.
Absolutely not.
Just the thought gave Hikigaya a chill.
If Komachi became as "trashy" (lazy/useless) as him, at most he would just work to support her.
But if her personality became like his, Hikigaya would probably be too worried to sleep.
Yet, distancing himself from Komachi because of that and letting her fall into danger—Hikigaya felt he couldn't do that either; he'd be too worried.
"As expected, there is only one way."
After thinking for a moment, Hikigaya nodded proudly, which gave Horikita Manabu a spark of hope. He hadn't expected Hikigaya to actually have a solution.
Horikita Manabu naturally knew that distancing himself wasn't the best way, but he truly had no other options.
"The method is..."
Hikigaya said smugly: "As long as I become trashy enough, Komachi won't admire a brother like that. Instead, she'll think of ways to become even more excellent to take care of a loser like me. It's perfect!"
"..."
Horikita Manabu was simply stunned.
It was the first time he had seen someone speak so grandly about "rotting away" (slacking off).
How shameless.
Correspondingly, he could also feel Hikigaya's love for his sister.
"While that barely counts as a method..."
Horikita Manabu smiled bitterly: "But that method is clearly impossible for me."
Perhaps it was because Hikigaya's parents used a "free-range" style of education that such an approach worked.
Hikigaya had no complaints about his parents.
He was grateful for their hard work over the years, which allowed him and Komachi to live a life at least free from hunger and cold.
He only hoped his parents would live long lives and continue to support him for a few more years.
But whether it was Horikita Manabu or Horikita Suzune, both clearly came from elite families. Not only was slacking off forbidden, but even being mediocre was likely not allowed.
"So, do you plan to do nothing this time either?"
Hikigaya brought the topic back; he hadn't forgotten he was here for a transaction.
If Horikita Manabu really intended to leave Horikita Suzune alone, Hikigaya would find his way of being a brother shameful, but he wouldn't care too much—he'd just be disappointed about not making money.
"Hmm..."
Horikita Manabu fell into thought.
Even someone like Hikigaya from Class B could easily see through Horikita Suzune's false toughness and could even threaten her at will.
The situation had already reached a very serious point.
Fortunately, Horikita Suzune was lucky enough to encounter someone like Hikigaya. If she had met someone greedy, it might be one thing, but if she met someone lecherous, Horikita Manabu didn't even dare to think about it.
"How about this."
Horikita Manabu said calmly: "Including this intel, I will give you 150,000 points. Keep an eye on her during this Sports Festival. If there is any specific danger, contact me anytime."
"So, if there's no 'special' danger, you still plan to do nothing, right?"
Hikigaya glanced at him.
Since it was just a one-day job, he decided to accept.
While it wasn't impossible to understand, Horikita Manabu was truly harsh.
If it were Hikigaya, he felt he could never ignore his sister's dangerous situation.
But then again, Manabu had raised the price to 150,000, showing that he was actually very worried about his sister. Truly a twisted guy.
"Correct. As for the money..."
After thinking for a moment, Manabu took out his phone: "I'll transfer it to you directly. You don't look like the type to break a contract."
"Thanks."
Hikigaya nodded and soon received the 150,000 point transfer.
Just as he was about to turn and leave, Horikita Manabu continued:
"In addition, I will give you 5,000 private points every month to help look after her. You can contact me anytime if anything happens."
"That won't be necessary."
Hikigaya raised his hand in refusal.
Are you kidding?
He only wanted to be an information broker and earn easy money.
Waste his daily private time to pay attention to that arrogant girl Horikita Suzune?
Forget that kind of job.
While he could just half-heartedly do it, Hikigaya considered himself to have high professional standards.
Once he accepted a job, he had to complete it well.
Otherwise, it would be easy to cause trouble for others.
He wouldn't take on such a time-wasting job.
"Even if it's a lie..."
Horikita Manabu laughed softly: "You still won't accept it, huh."
"Something like that."
Hikigaya waved his hand and turned to leave.
150,000 for one day.
As long as he watched over Horikita Suzune today and called Manabu if something happened.
He only wanted jobs where he could get something for nothing (or very little effort).
"Are you not worried about whether the Service Club's activity report will pass?"
"..."
Hearing Manabu's words, Hikigaya raised his hand without stopping.
He wasn't an idiot.
He had discovered such an obvious loophole in the school.
It was impossible for it not to pass.
However, Horikita Manabu didn't use that as a bargaining chip; he was truly a good leader.
Watching Hikigaya's departing back, Horikita Manabu sighed inwardly.
What a pity.
If Hikigaya could join the Student Council, Manabu could probably feel at ease.
Even if Hikigaya didn't have the strength to defeat Nagumo Miyabi, Manabu fully believed he would have a way to restrain him.
It's just...
This guy seems completely uninterested in his surroundings, not even caring about reaching Class A.
He just acts like a corporate drone (shachiku), fulfilling his duties as a member of Class B.
Truly an excellent corporate drone!
Lunch break was nearly over.
Horikita Manabu and Tachibana Akane returned to the entrance.
"Um..."
Tachibana Akane finally couldn't hold back: "President, what do you think of that Hikigaya?"
Hmm?
Horikita Manabu couldn't help but look at her.
It was rare for Akane to show interest in someone else, which made Manabu feel slightly relieved.
"Though it's hard to tell from the surface..."
Manabu thought seriously for a moment before saying: "He is someone with a strong sense of responsibility and is trustworthy. As long as a task is given to Hikigaya, I believe he has the ability to do it well. However, getting him to agree is a difficult matter."
"I don't see it that way at all."
Tachibana Akane said, slightly piqued.
Why did such a person with a bad personality receive such a high evaluation from Horikita Manabu?
Just then.
"Brother."
A voice like a murmur sounded as Horikita Suzune appeared before them. Feeling Manabu's indifferent gaze, she quickly lowered her head.
Seeing this scene, Horikita Manabu felt a sense of powerlessness, but after a moment of hesitation, he squeezed out a flat sentence:
"Do you understand what kind of situation Class D is in for this exam?"
"I am deeply feeling it now."
Horikita Suzune clenched her fists and lowered her head deeply.
Although she wanted to act spoiled with her brother, as a member of Class D, she had neither the qualification nor the right.
The participation list was leaked, and they were perfectly played by Class C.
Undoubtedly, these were all mistakes from her careless days.
"But please rest assured, I will not cause trouble for you, Brother."
Horikita Suzune spoke softly, hoping for some comfort from her brother.
But Manabu's gaze became even sharper, and he felt a secret fear in his heart.
It was exactly as Hikigaya had said.
Suzune was currently in a very dangerous state, feeling as though she could be threatened or deceived at any moment.
And this weakness was none other than himself.
Horikita Manabu felt helpless.
He felt that whether he distanced himself or stayed close, neither was right.
"I'll take my leave."
Suzune whispered and ran away as if escaping.
As such an incompetent sister, she couldn't continue to embarrass her brother.
Looking at his sister's running back...
Horikita Manabu felt even more helpless.
If only Suzune would take her eyes off him.
Afternoon.
The recommended competition events officially began.
The participants were usually the elites of each class, having nothing to do with Hikigaya.
The only thing he needed to participate in was the second-to-last event: the Mixed-Gender Two-Legged Race.
At this time, most of the Class B members who had nothing to do were cheering for Shibata and others.
"Hikigaya, I think the event you're in is the two-legged race with Ichinose, right?"
Himeno Yuki sneakily sat down next to Hikigaya to chat.
"Yes. Aren't you going to cheer for Shibata and the others?"
Hikigaya responded indifferently, searching the field for Horikita Suzune, but couldn't find her.
That shouldn't be.
With Suzune's strength, she must be an elite of Class D.
Could she really not be participating?
Since he had accepted the 150,000 point job, Hikigaya would do it properly.
Could something have happened to her?
But seeing Ryuen participating in the scavenger hunt, Hikigaya dismissed that thought.
As long as Ryuen was there, things should mostly be fine.
He'd watch a bit longer after the race ended, and then the job would be over.
"What the heck."
Himeno Yuki gave his shoulder a light, playful punch like she was acting spoiled, saying dissatisfactorily:
"I feel like you're a bit distracted."
"How could I be? I'm very focused. Isn't Kanzaki participating in the scavenger hunt right now?"
Since Ryuen was on the field, Hikigaya immediately entered slacking mode.
Anything else could wait until the Sports Festival ended.
"Humph..."
Himeno Yuki snorted and said with a drawn-out tone: "I say, could it be that you're looking forward to the two-legged race with Ichinose so you can have close physical contact with her?"
"Are you an idiot?"
Hikigaya was speechless: "It's just a random occurrence of participating in a race together. What's the point of close contact?"
"Is that so."
Seeing his calm face which didn't look fake, Himeno Yuki felt a little happy:
"Let me tell you, Ichinose is the school beauty of Advanced Nurturing High. There are countless people who like her. If you like Ichinose, it's better to give up now."
"You're overthinking it."
Hikigaya was speechless.
Why does it feel like this girl is PUA-ing (manipulating) him?
It's just that Hikigaya knew very well:
He and Ichinose were from different worlds.
Even if he liked Ichinose, she couldn't possibly like him. She was just being kind and sympathizing with him of her own accord.
"Good that you know."
Himeno Yuki nodded with satisfaction, leaned into his ear, and whispered: "After the Sports Festival, let's go eat together. We'll call it a victory party, how about it?"
"Not going."
Hikigaya rejected her in a second.
Why on earth would he eat with Himeno Yuki? How mysterious.
"You..."
Himeno Yuki glared at him fiercely, suddenly so angry she wanted to hit someone.
"No, I have things to do after school."
Hikigaya leaned back a bit, looking somewhat afraid: "Besides, Ichinose and the others will definitely hold some kind of victory party. I don't want to sit in the corner and ruin the atmosphere."
"True..."
Himeno Yuki froze for a moment, suddenly feeling a headache.
No matter the result, Ichinose and the others would probably hold a victory party or a reflection meeting.
It was annoyingly bothersome.
She didn't even want to participate, let alone Hikigaya.
"But what do you have to do after school?"
Yuki asked curiously.
"Not telling you!"
Himeno Yuki's teeth itched with anger.
Even if she couldn't compare to Ichinose and the others, she was still a great beauty.
She didn't believe she couldn't even invite this guy.
Soon.
It wasn't until the two-legged race was about to start that Hikigaya stood up and left the camp.