"I want to buy all of Class C's praise votes."
Once Shiina Hiyori had left, Hachiman looked at Kaneda and spoke without hesitation.
"Not for sale!"
Kaneda tilted his chin up and spat out those three words.
Fine. Hachiman chose to keep his mouth shut and let Kaneda vent first, as he clearly had a lot of grievances.
"You want Class C's praise votes, no doubt to avoid expulsion. Finding me, I must say you have a bit of cleverness."
Yes, yes, everything you say is right.
Kaneda pushed up his glasses, his expression somewhat disdainful:
"But do you know why Class A and Class D won't sell their praise votes to you?"
Kaneda made a summary judgment.
He assumed Hachiman had sought him out because he'd been rejected by Class A and Class D.
Probably since the uninhabited island, Hachiman had felt like he was the other's imaginary enemy, and wouldn't have sought out Kaneda unless absolutely necessary.
In reality, Hachiman hadn't cared about Kaneda at all, yet it was clear Kaneda bore a massive grudge.
"That's all because of your performance at the forest camp."
Kaneda walked up to Hachiman, his gaze sharp behind his glasses:
"Though your methods were as despicable and shameless as they were on the island, it did land Class A in last place. Your existence is indeed a threat to all of us, so naturally, no one would sell you praise votes."
"You're just like Ryuen; you're both detestable existences who only know how to use despicable means."
"This is the price you have to pay for your past actions!"
Kaneda let out a cold laugh.
Just like Ryuen, did he think being able to hit people or use some dirty tricks was impressive?
He'd have to pay the price sooner or later!
And now the time had come!
Right, right, you're absolutely right, Hachiman thought, putting on a distressed expression to let him vent.
"Ahem."
Seeing Hachiman remain silent, Kaneda couldn't help but clear his throat.
He wondered if he had gone a bit too far.
Oh well. If you want to show off, you've got to play the part.
This was a rare opportunity. From the moment he learned the other person wanted to buy praise votes, Kaneda had wanted to sell them.
"However."
Kaneda turned slightly, his chin tilted up and his hands behind his back.
He loved this feeling of having power and being a strategist.
"I, Kaneda, am not a petty person. It's not impossible for you to get the praise votes, but it depends on the price you're willing to pay."
"Five thousand private points per vote."
Finally able to talk business, Hachiman quickly said: "And then I'll give you fifty thousand private points separately as a reward!"
After all, Kaneda was indeed the leader of Class C right now.
Plus, he would need him to convince everyone in Class C to sign contracts, so extra points should make it easier.
Of course, given Kaneda was a somewhat clever fellow, he likely wouldn't accept such a cheap offer, as Katsuragi's ten thousand points was a more reasonable benchmark.
"Hmm?"
Kaneda frowned with displeasure: "Did you not hear what I just said? No one in this school except me would sell praise votes to someone like you. Besides, I need to convince everyone else in Class C, which is no easy task."
The implication was: Don't be ungrateful, kid. I'm giving you a chance to rephrase.
This was the "reputation premium."
People with bad reputations naturally had to pay a higher price for praise votes.
"You've misunderstood."
The corners of Hachiman's mouth curled up as he said: "I'm not asking you to give the praise votes to me. I want all of Class C to give their praise votes to Katsuragi-kun from Class A."
"What?"
Kaneda actually blurted out the English word, completely stunned.
Even if Katsuragi wanted to buy votes, it shouldn't be you coming here. What was going on?
Clearly, Kaneda wasn't stupid and naturally suspected something was wrong.
"This is our class leader Ichinose's plan!"
Hachiman held up a finger and explained triumphantly:
"Think about it. If Katsuragi gets the most praise votes in this exam and gains Class A's protection points, he'll have the chance to make a comeback and lead the class again."
"When that happens, Class A will fall back into internal strife. That way, it'll be easier for our Class B to rise to Class A. Besides, this plan doesn't hurt anyone, does it?"
No one will get hurt.
This point was very important.
Otherwise, it would be hard for Kaneda to believe this was a plan Ichinose had come up with.
In reality, Hachiman hadn't told Ichinose about this either. He only told her how to avoid an expulsion, while he handled most of the execution himself.
"This..."
Kaneda frowned and began to ponder, rubbing his chin.
They had been focusing on the expulsion and hadn't yet realized the importance of protection points.
He hadn't expected Ichinose to launch an "assassination" against Sakayanagi in an exam like this.
All he could say was that Class B indeed couldn't be underestimated.
However, there were still a few questions.
"Then you..."
"Don't worry about us. It doesn't matter if it's me or someone else who gets expelled; Class B isn't short on people willing to be expelled voluntarily."
"Heh..."
Kaneda gave a sneer.
It was normal for those do-gooders in Class B to have someone willing to sacrifice themselves.
"But doesn't Class B have its own praise votes?"
"Naturally, we'll be giving our votes to Katsuragi as well."
"Then why didn't Ichinose come talk to me herself?"
"Because Ichinose is far too conspicuous, while I don't draw any attention at all."
"Hmm..."
By this point, Kaneda should have had no more questions.
Giving the praise votes to Katsuragi was indeed beneficial to Class B, or rather, beneficial to all the lower-ranked classes (B, C, and D).
A Class A mired in internal strife was a good Class A.
There was no reason to refuse.
The biggest beneficiary was undoubtedly Class B, followed by Class C, then Class D. The closer one was to Class A, the greater the benefit.
However, Kaneda still felt the money was a bit low. Why should Class B, as the biggest beneficiary, only give them this much?
"Kaneda."
The corners of Hikigaya's mouth curled up slightly as he spoke: "Do you know what your greatest gain is this time?"
"Isn't it private points?"
Kaneda frowned; it seemed obvious.
"It's not."
Hikigaya cleared his throat, doing his best to sound alluring:
"Moreover, if people think the person who came up with the idea to cast the external praise votes for Katsuragi was you—the strategist who thought of causing internal strife to disintegrate Class A—that reputation can also be yours."
"..."
Kaneda's heart skipped a beat, thumping violently in his chest.
Although most of Class C had supported his rise to power after Ryuuen stepped down, a few people like Ishizaki had been constantly opposing him.
This could greatly consolidate his position in Class C!
However...
"If we do that, Sakayanagi will definitely target Class C..."
Kaneda said with some hesitation.
Regardless, Sakayanagi was still terrifying, and being targeted by Class A at this stage was certainly not a good thing for Class C.
"It's fine."
Hikigaya pulled out his phone, sounding indifferent: "When the time comes, you can just sell me out. If you're worried, you can record me right now; I can say it again."
"In that case, you might even be able to use this information to earn some private points. That shouldn't be difficult for you."
"Hmm?"
Kaneda was instantly stunned. It truly wouldn't be difficult for him.
It would just be exchanging the truth with Sakayanagi for some private points.
He absolutely had the ability to do that!
And.
He didn't need to worry about the matter being exposed.
After all, Sakayanagi clearly wasn't the type to explain herself; she would likely just move directly against Class B.
But in that case.
Hikigaya of Class B would undoubtedly be targeted by Sakayanagi, right? When Class A and Class B started fighting, it would be extremely beneficial for Class C.
Why go to such lengths for them?
Kaneda couldn't help but form a hypothesis, looking at Hikigaya with a complex expression.
"You..."
"It's nothing."
Hikigaya shook his head nonchalantly: "You should know that if the exam proceeds normally, the person in Class B who will be expelled is undoubtedly me, so this is the best choice."
He was volunteering to be expelled!
Taking Sakayanagi's enmity and voluntarily dropping out just to create the best opportunity for Class B!
Thinking of this.
Kaneda's expression became even more complex.
"Is this all Ichinose's plan?"
"Essentially."
Hikigaya nodded: "However, it's best if you don't tell her about this."
"Understood."
If Ichinose knew about this, she would surely find it hard to agree. It was better to just let things take their natural course.
This matter was incredibly beneficial to Class C.
From the class perspective, they could earn private points; from a personal perspective, he could not only earn private points but also gain the reputation to consolidate his position.
And.
It wouldn't provoke anyone's enmity.
Staring at the flat, dead-fish eyes in front of him, Kaneda patted Hikigaya on the shoulder.
Even though he knew Hikigaya was doing it for Class B, this matter was simply too beneficial for Class C. He really was a good person.
"I misunderstood you before."
Kaneda looked at Hikigaya and sighed.
"However, business is business, and personal feelings are personal feelings. The recording must stay, and the private points are honestly too low."
"Forget about me personally, but I must consider the class."
"One praise vote must be ten thousand private points. No negotiation!"
"Alright."
Hikigaya took a deep breath. The two of them took out their phones and let Hikigaya record what he had just said once more.
Following that.
Hikigaya pulled out a contract and placed it in front of Kaneda.
Party A shall pay Party B ten thousand private points; Party B shall cast their external praise votes in this exam for the first-year Class A student, Kohei Katsuragi.
Party B shall not change the target without authorization; otherwise, they shall compensate Party A twenty million private points.
"Isn't this a bit much?"
Kaneda frowned, clearly feeling that this contract was somewhat unreasonable.
"Because this matter cannot afford any mistakes. It's not hard to just write a name. If you really can't convince them, then don't sign. However, I imagine this shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"
Hikigaya spoke with a hint of doubt, subtly provoking the other party.
The school didn't set a class monitor position; the leaders were all self-elected, and no one could unilaterally represent the entire class.
If he agreed.
He just needed to sign his name under Party B.
After all, the task itself had zero difficulty. It was just writing a name during the vote with no risk involved.
No risk, and free money to take.
He believed no one would refuse.
"Alright."
Kaneda thought for a moment and nodded, writing his name under Party B.
"I'll bring the contract to you tomorrow. You can transfer the money to me then."
"Okay."
Hikigaya hesitated slightly: "How about I transfer your personal reward to you first?"
"No need, let's talk tomorrow."
Kaneda patted Hikigaya's shoulder before turning to leave.
Tomorrow might be the last time he saw Hikigaya.
Although there had been misunderstandings before, he understood now.
Hikigaya really was a good person...
Even if it was for Class B.
But Class C had benefited greatly this time. Not only did they earn money, but it also consolidated his position in Class C, and Hikigaya was going to be expelled.
In all fairness.
He shouldn't hold any more prejudice against Hikigaya.
Truly a good person...
Pity.
He deserved to be a good person.
Although he was grateful for what Hikigaya had done, allowing Class C and himself to gain such big advantages, Kaneda wouldn't actually be thankful.
At most, his opinion had slightly changed.