Sacrifice.
First-year classroom.
Hikigaya returned to school and suddenly realized something.
Judging from Ichinose's gloomy expression earlier, she probably hadn't agreed to Nagumo Miyabi's request to date yet.
She was clearly hesitating.
But since Ichinose had already negotiated with Nagumo Miyabi, what did that apology to him earlier mean?
Forget it.
It was incomprehensible.
Don't think about things you can't understand.
Anyway, while the situation hadn't yet reached an irreversible stage, he absolutely could not let Ichinose sacrifice herself for someone like him.
Otherwise.
Hikigaya felt he would look down on himself for the rest of his life and would hardly be able to face Komachi.
However.
Ichinose was, after all, the leader of the class.
With Ichinose's personality, any decision she made would likely be very difficult to change.
The special attention from before was also fresh in Hikigaya's memory, and Ichinose's Japanese language proficiency was also very high.
With his level, it would probably be very difficult to persuade Ichinose to change her mind.
However.
Ichinose was serving as leader because of everyone's expectations, and she clearly cared a lot about everyone's feelings.
As long as he could manipulate the majority's emotions, he could definitely make Ichinose change her mind.
Fortunately.
This shouldn't be very difficult.
To persuade Ichinose, he needed to do it when there were many people around.
First-year Class B.
As soon as he walked into the classroom, he saw Ichinose chatting with Kobashi Yume and others. Many people around them were watching her with expectant looks.
After all, it was an exam like this.
Even if they trusted Ichinose, they couldn't be completely unconcerned. Upon arriving at school, everyone had gathered around Ichinose.
"Honami-chan, how is it?"
"It's fine, it's already resolved. President Nagumo is willing to lend us the personal points."
Ichinose's smile was radiant, as if nothing had happened.
Even though she was about to sacrifice something important to her, she was still considerately looking after everyone's feelings.
"Is that so?"
"That's really wonderful."
"It's truly great that Honami-chan joined the Student Council."
"As expected, President Nagumo is really a good person."
The people around them couldn't help but sigh in relief, immediately putting their minds at ease.
Nagumo Miyabi could be a good person?
Shibata, you should give yourself a slap later.
Exactly everyone was there.
Taking advantage of the opportunity.
Hikigaya walked toward the group with hurried steps, carelessly brushing past someone on the outer circle and walking up to Ichinose.
"Ichinose."
With his hands in his pockets, Hikigaya's dead-fish eyes stared intently at the other party.
"Nagumo Miyabi made dating him a condition before he'd even consider lending those six million personal points, right?"
"What?"
Shibata's face stiffened, and the others suddenly grew panicked.
"Hikigaya, Honami has to date President Nagumo? What do you mean by that?"
"What are the facts?"
Hikigaya didn't respond, only staring intensely at Ichinose. This idiot, she was just too foolish.
Kanzaki, who was nearby, also frowned and looked at Ichinose:
"Ichinose, is Nagumo Miyabi threatening you to date him before he's willing to lend us the personal points?"
"Eh..."
Feeling the questioning gazes of everyone, Ichinose suddenly became flustered:
"Hikki, how did you know?"
"Senior Asahina told me just now."
Hikigaya's voice was flat, but he kept his head down, staring intensely at Ichinose who was sitting in her seat, and continued to press:
"What are the facts?"
"..."
Ichinose couldn't help but feel guilty, forcing out a smile:
"I don't dislike President Nagumo, and this is the only way left."
"No way."
Shibata's voice rose several notches, and with a "slap," he gave himself a smack across the face:
"To think I actually thought he was a good person just now. That guy Nagumo is way too despicable. How can we let Honami sacrifice herself in exchange for these personal points?"
"Exactly."
Hikigaya watched Ichinose and nodded in agreement: "Ichinose, you don't have to sacrifice yourself for me at all."
"That's not it."
Ichinose hurriedly shook her head: "I'm not doing it for you, but for everyone in the class. This is already the best method I can think of."
Oh.
Quibbling.
Hikigaya couldn't agree with that.
If the exam proceeded normally.
Hikigaya had absolute confidence that he would be the one expelled. But since she put it that way, there was nothing he could do.
"Even so."
Hikigaya fully believed that Class B was a group of overly good people. He stared at Ichinose and questioned:
"Do you think the people in Class B can accept your self-sacrifice?"
"No."
The good guy, pure-hearted Shibata, became even angrier:
"Even if this can prevent someone from being expelled, it's being bought by Honami's sacrifice. How could I possibly accept that with a clear conscience? I'm sure everyone else feels the same."
Hmm?
Hikigaya looked up and glanced at him.
How did he suddenly get the feeling that pure-hearted Shibata also played a part in Class B becoming like this?
This guy had the number-one comprehensive score in the class.
Shibata's words undoubtedly carried immense influence. Since he had spoken up, naturally, the others couldn't say anything either.
"Yeah, I can't accept it either."
"Making Honami sacrifice herself or something..."
Kobashi Yume's eyes welled with tears as she said heartache: "It feels far too despicable. If that happens, I won't be able to forgive myself."
Mm.
Not just pure-hearted Shibata; it felt like every one of them had a hand in it, including Himeno Yuki, who was playing the good girl.
"..."
Ichinose met Hikigaya's gaze, her cherry-colored lips pursed.
But inside, she was delighted.
So Hikigaya didn't want her to date Nagumo Miyabi either. Just thinking about it made Ichinose's heart feel as sweet as if she'd eaten honey.
"But..."
Ichinose lowered her head and said guiltily: "Aside from this, I really can't think of any other way..."
"This..."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Everyone couldn't help but lower their gazes.
Besides the twenty million points, there really wasn't a better way.
If they didn't sacrifice Ichinose, someone would inevitably have to be selected for expulsion, which was equally hard to accept.
"Sigh..."
Hikigaya took a deep breath and said: "I'll be the one to be expelled."
Realizing that the class had no intention of defaulting to his expulsion—and that Ichinose even planned to sacrifice herself—Hikigaya felt a strange sense of ease and relaxation after saying it.
This class truly never disappointed.
"No."
"Hikki can't be expelled either."
"Hikki..."
Ichinose stood up and said solemnly: "Didn't you just say it yourself? Do you think we would accept your self-sacrifice?"
"No."
Feeling everyone's reproachful gazes, Hikigaya said somewhat helplessly:
"I hated this school to begin with, and I don't have any specific work I want to do in the future. Expulsion doesn't matter to me. You're different."
As soon as these words were out.
It was as if everyone had been struck by a bolt of lightning.
Kobashi Yume's eyes reddened as she tugged on his sleeve.
"Hikki... do you mean you hate us, you hate this class?"
"Er..."
Hikigaya was suddenly choked up. His old face turned red, and he began to stammer.
"This class is just like the MAX Coffee in the school's vending machines."
They're all outliers.
Simply rare animals.
"???"
Kanzaki and the others were suddenly bewildered. What did that mean?
"Does Hikki really seem to like drinking MAX Coffee?"
Himeno Yuki tilted her small head in confusion, but her heart was full of amusement. If you like it, just say it honestly. This guy is really too awkward.
"That means you like it."
A smile appeared on Kobashi Yume's pretty face once again.
Can you please stop asking?
It's really embarrassing.
"My mom told me."
Hikigaya felt a bit embarrassed: "Don't voice the things you like or dislike."
"..."
Looking at the distressed Hikigaya, Ichinose and the others had sincere smiles on their lips.
He had finally integrated into the class.
Clearly, Hikigaya didn't actually want to be expelled; he was just willing to sacrifice himself to protect this class.
"Anyway."
Ichinose pursed her lips and said: "Hikki, your approach of sacrificing yourself is no good..."
"Then what should we do?"
Kanzaki pulled the topic back to the main point.
Member.
Naturally, he agreed that Hikigaya absolutely could not be expelled. After all, whether in terms of strength or contribution, he was an indispensable part of this class.
Naturally, Ichinose couldn't be sacrificed either.
In the end, someone still had to be selected for expulsion.