In front of the dormitory building.
Next to the vending machine.
Hikigaya bent down to pick up the MAX coffee he had just bought.
No matter what.
The matter with Ichinose was considered resolved. As long as she could focus on dealing with the exams, he believed she wouldn't have any more concerns tomorrow.
"A brand I haven't seen before."
Just then, a friendly-sounding voice asking a question came from behind:
"How does this coffee taste?"
"Oh..."
Hikigaya was startled. Could people please stop talking to him from behind? He finally looked back.
Standing before him was a middle-aged man with a kind smile on his face.
MAX coffee had been stocked for almost a year.
People who were interested should have already tried it.
Was he a new staff member at the school?
"Um..."
Hikigaya nodded while holding the MAX coffee: "If you like sweets, this coffee is pretty good."
"Thanks!"
"I actually quite like sweets, so I'll buy a can and try it too."
The middle-aged man smiled and walked to the vending machine, buying a can of MAX coffee. Hikigaya took a casual glance and turned to leave.
Though he wanted to "preach" the glory of MAX coffee, the age gap was a bit too large.
"It really is very sweet."
At that moment, the middle-aged man's sigh came from behind:
"Hikigaya-kun likes this kind of coffee because it's a specialty from the Chiba area?"
"Uh..."
Hikigaya's face suddenly stiffened.
No matter how many reasons there were, the class poll undoubtedly swept away the school's prestige and damaged its credibility.
If the school authorities were magnanimous and let it go, that would be fine.
But it wouldn't be strange if someone came knocking on his door.
Even if the school claimed to respect the students' autonomy, Hikigaya naturally knew that was impossible from listening to his "trashy old man" complain every day.
Encountering some narrow-minded people in power, he'd be lucky if they didn't tear him apart. The person in front of him was likely someone from the school administration, specifically here to pressure him.
"That..."
Hikigaya forced a smile and turned back: "Excuse me, is there something you need from me?"
But strictly speaking, he hadn't committed any major errors.
At most, he'd be suspended for a few weeks or forced to hand over some personal points—just a simple warning.
Hikigaya prepared himself to be reprimanded.
"Oh?"
The middle-aged man held the coffee can, looking very approachable:
"It seems you are very aware of the consequences of your actions. You really don't seem like a student."
"Haha..."
Hikigaya gave a dry laugh and didn't respond. He indeed didn't seem like a high schooler.
"I am the new Acting Director of this school, Tsukishiro."
"Uh..."
Hikigaya was momentarily stunned.
Even if they wanted to pressure him, it shouldn't be the Acting Director coming in person, right?
Could it be that this Director is someone who absolutely refuses to let anyone question his authority?
A super petty guy?
It was over.
Hikigaya prepared himself to be expelled.
Once targeted by a school director, expulsion was basically a certainty.
"Haha."
Tsukishiro smiled kindly: "There's no need to be so nervous. I wouldn't go out of my way to pick on a student. I truly admire your methods and wanted to praise you."
"Whew..."
Hikigaya breathed a sigh of relief and managed a smile:
"Those were just small tricks. It's thanks to the school's kindness that we students have the chance to stay."
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Saying that, Hikigaya quickly turned to leave.
Was he joking?
Regardless of whether the other party's praise was sincere or fake, he didn't want anything to do with such a big figure.
Moreover, the reason he succeeded was mainly due to the school's mercy; he couldn't afford to get cocky.
He didn't hesitate to push the credit onto the school, implying his gratitude for Director Tsukishiro's kindness.
He just hoped this guy wouldn't try to sabotage him later.
"I heard there's some leaking on the fifth floor, and it's currently being repaired."
Hearing this, Hikigaya obediently walked back.
This was workplace oppression!
Garbage who abused their power!
If he wanted to make things difficult for him, it was as simple as finding a random excuse.
"Don't be so tense."
Gazing at the awkward Hikigaya, Director Tsukishiro smiled kindly:
"I just want to ask you for a favor, and I will give you a generous reward."
"Haha..."
Hikigaya gave a dry laugh and patted the muscles on his right arm, flattering him:
"What kind of favor? If it's moving things, I'm actually quite strong!"
The underlying meaning: If it's too difficult, don't even mention it.
It's over.
He seemed to have misunderstood the nature of the situation.
Tsukishiro's temporary addition of the class exam might not have been to show off his authority, but because he came to this school with certain tasks.
"Hmm?"
Tsukishiro was clearly taken aback for a moment. He seriously looked Hikigaya up and down for a while before saying:
"I didn't expect to hear such words from a student. You might actually be suited to be a politician."
"Haha..."
Hikigaya laughed dryly.
If it meant being thick-skinned, he might indeed be suited to be a politician.
"Why don't you hear the reward first?"
Director Tsukishiro said playfully: "If you succeed, I can give you twenty million points, and I can even guarantee that Class B graduates from Class A. How about it?"
"..."
For a moment, Hikigaya's heart raced, but it quickly calmed down.
"Does moving things pay that well?"
Hikigaya began to play dumb.
Was he kidding?
He didn't doubt Director Tsukishiro's ability to pay.
However, this was a school with a national background.
If the Director took another step forward, he could even enter the cabinet and become a national leader.
If even Director Tsukishiro found the matter troublesome, how could he possibly solve it?
"No need to rush to refuse."
Tsukishiro said indifferently: "It's just that I am restricted by rules in this school, and my actions aren't very convenient, which is why I'm asking for your help."
"And it's not a very difficult task. You just need to help me get one student expelled."
"If you perform well, you can continue working under me after graduation. It's a very profitable deal, isn't it?"
"I'm also very good at cleaning!"
Hikigaya continued to play dumb.
Give him a break. How could the Director be restricted? Just now, he said the fifth floor was leaking, and that was that; there was no room for rebuttal.
If he truly was restricted, it meant Tsukishiro was definitely facing some resistance. There must be someone standing on the opposite side.
Both sides were big shots!
Standing on either side would offend the other.
He was just a small fry with small eyes, a small nose, and a small mouth. Hikigaya wouldn't do something so stupid.
After graduation, being able to work under Director Tsukishiro was naturally attractive. Having a big boss's support would certainly make his path easier.
Setting aside whether it was an empty promise or not...
When big shots fight, the small fry suffer.
The faction Tsukishiro belonged to was clearly not peaceful. If he had to ask a student for help just to expel someone, his influence clearly wasn't that strong.
At the very least, he couldn't compare to the big shot on the other side.
Following Tsukishiro felt like seeking death.
"...Hmm?"
Tsukishiro narrowed his eyes and stared at the youth in front of him.
He had said this much, and the boy was still unmoved. Was he really just a teenager?
Moreover, it didn't seem like he was indifferent to fame and wealth, but rather that he could judge the pros and cons.
Young and promising!
Tsukishiro couldn't help but feel a desire to promote him. If he was joking before, he now truly felt Hikigaya was suitable for politics.
Unfortunately, the weak never have the power to choose.
"The person I want you to expel is named Ayanokouji Kiyotaka."
Director Tsukishiro said casually: "As for the reward, it won't disappoint you."
"Uh..."
Hikigaya was stunned.
To be honest, the name Ayanokouji Kiyotaka didn't surprise him.
That guy always gave off a mysterious, eerie vibe and was doing who-knows-what in the shadows.
It's just—why wasn't Director Tsukishiro listening to him?
I don't agree! I don't agree!
Understand?
Don't drag me into this mess!
He would just pretend he didn't know anything.
"Although you are indeed excellent."
Gazing at the silent Hikigaya, Director Tsukishiro smiled:
"But your strength seems a bit weak. You don't have any counter-surveillance skills. You didn't even notice you were being followed, right, Ayanokouji-kun?"
"Uh..."
Hikigaya's face stiffened. He followed Tsukishiro's gaze and looked back.
Counter-surveillance?
It's just school! Why was it turning into a spy movie?
Is this necessary?
Moments later, Ayanokouji walked out from a corner with an expressionless face, appearing before Hikigaya and Tsukishiro.