The last day of the exam, 5:00 PM.
During this recent period, except for eating and washing up, Hikigaya had been staying in the dormitory, occasionally going out for a stroll.
As for the exam situation of the Class A people, Hikigaya wasn't sure.
If the large group fell to last place and the small group was lower than the school's predetermined average, Katsuragi would surely drag him down too.
But Hikigaya didn't care.
After all, if Horikita Manabu fell to last place, the small group composed of Class A would fall below the average.
The probability of both occurring simultaneously was indeed very low.
And at most, it would just be expulsion.
Hikigaya was fearless and arrived at the gymnasium with an indifferent mood.
"During these eight days at the school in the forest, all of you have worked hard."
"Although the exam contents vary, this is a special exam that is only held once every few years."
"Compared to the previous special exam, this year has a very high overall evaluation, likely due to your excellent teamwork."
The teacher in charge of announcing the results stood in the center of the stage.
"Now, I will announce the results. First, all the boys' small groups exceeded the passing standard set by the school; it's a perfect conclusion with zero expulsions."
"Whew." Hikigaya breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he had been psychologically prepared and didn't mind expulsion, he still felt a trace of relief when he actually heard it.
PAGE 9
As expected of Horikita Manabu and the excellent members of Class A.
They really delivered.
Even with a dead weight, they easily reached the school's passing standard.
Then again, with over forty people carrying one dead weight, it didn't seem like a very difficult task.
"Now, next, I will announce the first place of the boys' small groups. Only the name of the third-year person in charge will be called. Later, the school will distribute points as rewards to the first-through-third-year students belonging to that group."
"First place is the group with Motoyama Taro from Third Year Class B as the person in charge."
A burst of cheers instantly erupted below the stage.
Hikigaya took a look; it should be the large group belonging to Nagumo. As expected, even Horikita Manabu couldn't defeat Nagumo when he was carrying a dead weight.
Soon, the school announced the subsequent rankings.
His large group only took third place. Although he felt a bit sorry for Senior Horikita, for Hikigaya, it was the best result.
Third place meant only a small amount of personal points and no class point rewards at all.
The "dead weight tactic" was effectively successful.
"Congratulations, Nagumo." Horikita Manabu walked up to Nagumo Miyabi and nodded with a flat expression. "This time, it is undoubtedly your win."
"Not at all, not at all." Nagumo Miyabi shook his head with a smile, his gaze finally landing on Hikigaya.
"This time, it's mainly because there was a guy in Senior Horikita's team who deliberately boycotted the exam. Although I can understand his actions..."
"But this cannot be considered Senior Horikita's defeat. Let's continue watching the upcoming performance." Nagumo Miyabi gave a meaningful smile.
He clearly didn't take this duel seriously and didn't consider it a victory.
Hearing his words, Horikita Manabu narrowed his eyes.
Although he had followed Hikigaya's advice and instructed everyone in Class A, he didn't know much about the girls' competition.
Standing in the group, Hikigaya couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. As expected, he had been targeted by Nagumo Miyabi from the start.
As for the result, Hikigaya didn't care much either.
Anyway, if they won, there were rewards; if they lost, there were no punishments.
Nothing was more relaxing than that.
"Now, next, I would like to announce the results of the girls' small groups. First place is the group belonging to Ayase Natsu from Third Year Class C!"
...
Another burst of cheers erupted among the girls. It seemed to be the group centered around Horikita (Suzune) and Kushida. Afterward, the school announced the rankings for the others.
Hikigaya frowned slightly.
As expected, Ichinose's group was in fourth place.
Given Ichinose's network in the school, her understanding of the upperclassmen, and the unity of Class B, it was absolutely impossible for her to be in this position.
She had surely gone to help girls from other classes again.
Knowing this, Hikigaya felt somewhat helpless yet also somewhat relieved. Even though Ichinose was thinking for herself, Ichinose was still Ichinose.
Just then.
"Uh."
"It is very regrettable, but one group among the girls has failed to reach the passing average threshold."
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the students below the stage instantly stiffened, while a trace of a smile couldn't help but appear on Nagumo Miyabi's face.
Watching the scene before him, Horikita Manabu couldn't help but clench his fist.
Just as Hikigaya had said, he had still been too trusting of Nagumo Miyabi.
He could only pray that his Class A companions had done as he requested.
"First, regarding the group in last place—it is the group belonging to the third-year student, Ikari Momoko, from Third Year Class B."
"Next, the group that fell below the average score threshold is also the group where Third Year student Ikari Momoko is the person in charge."
Hearing this, Horikita Manabu, Fujimaki, and the others clenched their fists, their expressions extremely tense.
Nagumo Miyabi's smile deepened, but he also felt that something was wrong.
"Senior Horikita, you all seem very calm?"
"Do we look calm to you?" Horikita Manabu instantly revealed a cold gaze, while Fujimaki said coldly: "Nagumo, your scheme will not succeed."
"Hmm?" Nagumo Miyabi narrowed his eyes. "You know what I'm planning to do?"
"Who knows."
"Whew."
Hearing their words, Nagumo Miyabi immediately frowned, but it soon smoothed out.
Horikita Manabu was indeed powerful.
But even if they knew, so what? Dragging someone down with you is the most unsolvable method; the exam was designed that way.
"Senior Ikari."
Nagumo Miyabi walked below the stage, his smile becoming even more brilliant.
"Tell me, everyone is very curious about exactly who you're going to drag down with you."
As for Horikita Manabu and the others, their gazes couldn't help but fall on the only member from Class A in that group, Tachibana Akane.
At this moment, Tachibana Akane had her small hands folded in front of her.
She was clenching her fists with an expression as if she was about to cry.
When she first learned that all of Third Year Class A's personal points were to be left to Hikigaya, she had been very unwilling.
On what basis could Hikigaya not only get Horikita Manabu's recognition but also have Horikita Manabu treat him so well?
Tachibana Akane was truly dissatisfied. But under Horikita Manabu's persuasion, she could only agree.
After all, he was not only Horikita Manabu but also the leader of Class A.
Afterward, hearing Hikigaya's theory, Tachibana Akane was even more dissatisfied.
She wasn't an idiot; how could she be so easily fooled by someone? But the moment the event truly descended.
Tachibana Akane finally realized. Someone was really willing to be expelled just to drag her down with them.
Tachibana Akane naturally did as Hikigaya suggested; after all, it wasn't the time to be stubborn.
But even now, Tachibana Akane wasn't sure if it would work.
"Does that even need to be said?"
"The one who disturbed our group's stability was Tachibana Akane from Class A!"
Ikari pointed at Tachibana, speaking with a face full of anger.
Hearing these words, Nagumo Miyabi's smile became even more brilliant as he turned to look at Horikita Manabu.
"Senior Horikita, that's what she said."
"Teacher."
Horikita Manabu took a step forward, his gaze burning as he watched the teacher giving the speech.
"The forced funeral mechanism only takes effect in cases of deliberate failure or boycotting the exam, correct?"
"Correct."
"Then will Tachibana Akane be dragged into expulsion?"
"..."
The teacher opened the notebook to check. Nagumo Miyabi said with a full smile:
"Senior Horikita, it's better not to waste your efforts. Or are you perhaps unwilling to spend twenty million personal points to save a companion you've been with for three years?"
"..."
Horikita Manabu remained silent, merely staring at the teacher on the stage.
"According to student Ikari's testimony," the teacher let out a sigh and said, "Student Tachibana Akane deliberately missed classes, causing the group to receive a failing grade. The attendance sheet also proves this to be true. The forced funeral mechanism is valid!"
At this time, it was not the time to shut up and endure silently.
Tachibana Akane knew the key lay with herself. With tears in her eyes, she quickly walked out and said with all her strength:
"At that time, student Ikari was on her period and couldn't attend classes. No one in the group was willing to take care of her, so I stayed behind to look after her."
"..."
The teacher frowned.
If that were the case, some leniency should indeed be shown.
However, it was impossible to install cameras in the dormitory, so this matter couldn't be verified. There was no way to judge whether Tachibana Akane's words were true or false.
"Senior Tachibana," Nagumo Miyabi shook his head with a smile, "what is the point of such a clumsy lie? Even if we step back and say you're telling the truth and were taking care of student Ikari..."
"This is still an exam, after all. Don't you think you were being selfish by ignoring the team for your own reasons?"
"..."
Hikigaya truly felt a sense of nausea.
The implication was: if no one else cared, why did you? The one helping others became the selfish one.
"That's not it."
Tachibana Akane's tears flowed slowly, and she said somewhat choppily:
"When I went to boil water, I asked Teacher Onodera and received Teacher Onodera's permission to stay and look after student Ikari. There were several other people there who can testify to that."
"Hmm?"
The lecturing teacher's face instantly stiffened. He turned to look at Teacher Onodera behind the stage, whose mouth twitched as he nodded helplessly.
After all, there really were others nearby at that time.
Even if they didn't want to take responsibility, there was no point in lying.
The teacher's attitude represented the school's attitude.
Something your own school officials agreed to—can that still be used as evidence for expulsion?
The lecturing teacher was momentarily in a difficult position and looked at the Acting Director behind the stage, who gave a slight shake of his head.
It's just one expelled student.
There was no need to affect the school's public credibility for just one person.
"I see."
The lecturing teacher's attitude immediately became kind as he nodded.
"In that case, the forced funeral mechanism naturally cannot take effect. Student Ikari, you may choose another student to drag down with you, or choose to be expelled yourself."
As soon as these words were spoken, Nagumo Miyabi's expression instantly became extremely ugly.
There was only one Third Year Class A student in this group, Tachibana Akane. Even if she dragged someone else down with her, what would be the point?
That was one thing.
The key point was whether or not to save Ikari.
At this moment, Nagumo Miyabi could already feel that quite a few second-years were looking at him with a trace of dissatisfaction.
Chapter 156: Results; Future looks bleak
"Whew."
On the other side, hearing that the forced funeral mechanism was invalid, Horikita Manabu finally breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at Hikigaya unnoticed, only to find the other party desperately suppressing a smile.
He was definitely excited about the twenty million personal points.
Although there were many ways to break the agreement, Horikita Manabu did not intend to go back on his word.
Thanks to Hikigaya's theory, Class A not only saved twenty million personal points but also saved three hundred class points.
Most importantly, Ikari from Third Year Class B was now facing the risk of expulsion.
Even if Nagumo Miyabi could control the personal points of all second-years and was willing to provide them, Third Year Class B would still lose three hundred class points.
In other words, although Third Year Class A didn't take first place in this exam, they had widened the gap with Class B by over three hundred points.
From this moment on, graduating while maintaining the status of Class A was almost a certainty.
Even if Nagumo Miyabi chose to give up, his credibility would surely collapse. Even if he wanted to interfere with the third-year exams again, it would be almost impossible.
Without Nagumo Miyabi's support, Horikita Manabu had full confidence in facing challenges from the lower classes.
"President Nagumo, what's going on?"
Just then, a second-year member walked up to Nagumo Miyabi, his face showing a trace of hesitation.
Didn't they agree to have Ikari drag someone from Third Year Class A down? Given Horikita Manabu's personality, he certainly wouldn't abandon a companion.
Then, both sides would simultaneously use twenty million personal points to save their respective pieces.
Although they were very dissatisfied with Nagumo Miyabi's reckless actions, the second-year students were forced to accept it.
But now, the result was different from what Nagumo Miyabi had said. Ikari couldn't drag Tachibana Akane down at all.
Clearly, Nagumo Miyabi's strategy had failed, and the second-years were inevitably shaken.
"Miyabi!"
Ikari, on the stage, also said with a panicked, pretty face:
"I was doing everything according to your instructions! You said you would save me!"
"..."
Once these words were spoken, the students in the gymnasium couldn't help but turn to look at Nagumo. As expected, it was this guy pulling the strings behind the scenes.
"Nagumo..."
While breathing a sigh of relief, Fujimaki from Third Year Class A said with a cold face:
"I told you long ago not to involve others. Now, the feeling of playing with fire and getting burned isn't pleasant, is it?"
"..."
Gazing at Ikari on the stage, Nagumo Miyabi's face was ugly to the extreme.
To save or not to save?
If he saved her, it would be a waste of twenty million personal points.
If he didn't save her, it would be a huge blow to his credit.
What was even more irritating was that Ikari, this foolish woman, had actually blurted the matter out in person. It simply made him lose face and put him on the spot.
"Whew."
Nagumo Miyabi let out a soft breath, and that gentle smile instantly returned to his face.
"Don't worry, Senior Ikari. I will naturally do what I promised. I will provide twenty million personal points for Third Year Class B to cancel the school's punishment for Senior Ikari."
"Whew." Senior Ikari instantly wept with joy.
This wasn't an incomprehensible thing.
After all, Nagumo Miyabi was only a second-year student and still had one year left.
If he let his credit collapse here and made everyone feel he couldn't be trusted, the remaining year would be troublesome.
It would be almost impossible for him to carry out any more reforms.
However, the others in Third Year Class B were staring deathly at Nagumo Miyabi and Ikari.
Such an important matter hadn't even been discussed with their class leader. Ikari had clearly been bewitched by Nagumo Miyabi.
Even if Nagumo Miyabi paid the twenty million, Third Year Class B would still lose three hundred class points and completely lose the chance to rise to Class A.
But Nagumo Miyabi didn't care about the looks from those few people. He didn't even look at Ikari again but instead walked up to Horikita Manabu and the others.
What he promised, he would do.
As for what he hadn't promised, it had nothing to do with him.
In any case, it was because the person being tricked was too weak. Precisely because they were weak and yet arrogant enough to easily believe others, they were tricked.
"As expected of Senior Horikita~"
Nagumo Miyabi spread his hands, seemingly somewhat helpless:
"Although I really want to say that, I truly don't think Senior Horikita is the type to seek outside help."
"Senior Horikita, could you tell me when you figured out my plan?"
After all, the one who understands you best is always your enemy.
Nagumo Miyabi had been watching Horikita Manabu for so long.
No matter when, Horikita Manabu had always carried everything on his own, at most seeking opinions from his companions.
This time.
The style had completely changed, starting to utilize the teachers to step into the fray.
No matter how you looked at it, this wasn't Horikita Manabu's style.
"That's just because you don't know me well enough."
Facing Nagumo Miyabi's scrutinizing gaze, Horikita Manabu said with a flat expression: "I should have told you before, I will give my all regardless of the occasion."
"If you truly want to clash with me, it's best to stop using these 'clever' methods."
As expected of Horikita Manabu-senpai.
Even when seeking someone to stop Nagumo Miyabi's reforms of the school, he fully respected the involved party's wishes and had absolutely no intention of selling anyone out.
Hachiman couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Being targeted by a "for-the-lulz" person like Nagumo Miyabi would definitely not be a good thing.
"Fine."
"Since it's Horikita-senpai's opinion, I'll give it some thought."
Nagumo Miyabi narrowed his eyes.
Horikita Manabu was an upright person, and he had trusted him quite a bit before.
Since he had already stated they would compare the average scores of the large groups, given Horikita's personality, he should believe it.
It really didn't seem like the kind of tactic someone like Horikita Manabu would come up with.
However.
This incident also taught Nagumo Miyabi a lesson.
Trying to indirectly manipulate pawns to duel Horikita Manabu was indeed somewhat unrealistic.
If only they could have a true, head-on confrontation.
Unfortunately.
The two were in different school years.
That would likely be very difficult to achieve.
Thinking of this.
Nagumo Miyabi turned and left with a face full of gloom.
His path so far had been far too smooth; it was inevitable that he would occasionally doubt if he was truly strong.
He wanted to face a true powerhouse in a direct duel.
To verify the truth about himself.
Inside the bus.
On the way back to school.
"So tired."
"But, this brings us even closer to Class A."
"This is really great."
The faces of the Class B students were full of exhaustion, yet they couldn't hide their excitement.
Hachiman leaned against the window, his "dead fish eyes" staring lifelessly outside.
Now that the exam was over.
Class A had 43 class points deducted, Class C had 24 points deducted, and Class D increased by 39 points.
Meanwhile, Class B also had 13 class points deducted.
Hachiman closed his eyes.
The "hindrance" tactic this time had yielded tangible results.
The boys' group led by Class A's Hashimoto Kanji and others didn't gain a single class point.
Hachiman had also obtained 42,000 personal points from them.
And yet.
This was the result.
Although both sides regressed, the fact that Class B's decline was smaller could barely be considered a victory.
The narrowing distance in class points was the best proof.
After this exam, the class points for each class were:
Class A: 928 points Class B: 703 points Class C: 568 points Class D: 248 points
The gap had indeed shrunk.
The only reason for this result had to be that Ichinose's side in the girls' group had a lot of points deducted.
However.
Since the gap was effectively shrinking, it wasn't a huge problem.
The problem was.
Class D.
Hachiman looked through the bus window, watching the bus following behind them.
This time, Class D took first place in both the boys' and girls' groups, becoming the only class to gain points.
If.
It weren't for some idiots dragging them down, it wouldn't be surprising if they had gained over a hundred points.
In fact.
In this one year, Class D had gone from zero points to the current 248—the largest increase among all the classes.
If they continued to cooperate, they would likely be overtaken by Class D sooner or later.
He wondered if Ichinose had thought of this.
"Hikigaya-kun."
Just then, Ichinose walked over to his seat, resting her hand on the back of the chair with a worried expression:
"I've heard a lot of bad rumors. Are you okay?"
"I heard them too."
Shibata also turned his head toward them.
Hachiman's "cooking" during the exam had likely already spread throughout the school.
"Oh..."
Hachiman turned his head back and said, "You mean the rumors about me. It's fine, don't take them to heart."
The same question.
He had already been asked several times by people like Kobashi Yume. Now that the exam was over, there was no need to worry about it.
"Hmm..."
Ichinose knitted her brows and pursed her lips: "Although it might sound a bit 'sly' for me to say this, thanks to Hikigaya-kun's strategy in this exam, we were able to close the gap with Class A."
"But... I just feel like I don't really like this kind of method."
"Eh? Why?"
The question came from Shibata beside him, who looked puzzled: "Isn't the result good? It's just those Class A people venting and spreading rumors. Don't worry about it, it'll pass soon."
"Yeah."
Ichinose pursed her lips tighter, her pretty face looking complicated:
"That is true..."
Class A was just complaining about the stress accumulated during the exam. As long as he didn't take it to heart, it would surely pass quickly.
It was just that.
In the future, when teaming up with Hachiman, she would probably consider it a bit more carefully. It wasn't a major issue.
Ichinose understood this well, yet she still hesitated.
"Though I can't explain it well, I just feel like I don't like Hikigaya-kun's way of doing things. In the future, could you please not use this method again?"
"It's not like that."
Hachiman said indifferently: "This time it was just that Class A happened to provide the right environment. I don't particularly like this method either, it's just that it's more efficient."
He wasn't a masochist.
Even if he didn't care.
How could he possibly enjoy hearing rumors that belittled him?
He did it.
Simply because it was the most efficient way.
The results were a reality right before their eyes.
"That's good then."
Ichinose breathed a sigh of relief and had nothing more to say.
Watching Ichinose's departing back, Hachiman couldn't help but feel helpless.
The future looks bleak...