In the Student Council Room, Hachiman sat on the sofa, staring at the people in front of him in a daze.
As soon as the opening ceremony ended, he had been brought to the student council by Acting Director Tsukishiro. As it was the school director, he had no power to refuse.
At this moment, Nagumo Miyabi was sitting at the desk, Acting Director Tsukishiro was sitting not far away, and seven boys and girls wearing red uniforms were sitting on the sofas opposite him.
Hachiman naturally didn't recognize a single one of them.
His gaze instinctively landed on a burly male student with his legs crossed. He had spiky hair and was blond.
If he had encountered this person around school, he would have left a very deep impression.
Since there was no impression, the person was likely a first-year. The others were probably first-years too.
By the way, the Acting Director was still right there.
Moreover, the Director had just given a speech at the opening ceremony.
There was no way these people didn't recognize him, yet one of them actually dared to put his feet up on the coffee table. He was incredibly bold.
Hachiman was certain this guy was likely a self-centered idiot who thought he was second only to God.
But really, what were they called here for?
Hachiman sat there restlessly.
Calling him here together with these first-years certainly couldn't mean anything good.
Could he be about to be held back a year?
It was over. Hachiman felt even more terrified. He had only just gotten a girlfriend; what if he got dumped because he was held back?
"Good morning, everyone."
Nagumo Miyabi wore a smile as refreshing as a spring breeze. He raised his hand to gesture toward Hachiman and said:
"Mutual introductions shouldn't be necessary. If you need to, you can discuss things among yourselves later."
"The only ones who really need an introduction are the two of us."
"I am Nagumo Miyabi from 3rd Year Class A, and I am the Student Council President. This is hikigaya Hachiman from 2nd Year Class C."
Oh. So they really were a group of first-years.
Hachiman didn't have the slightest bit of interest.
"Stop wasting time."
The spiky-haired blond tapped the coffee table with his heel and sneered:
"Calling us first-years and this second-year here—there must be something going on. Out with it. Maybe if I'm feeling merciful, I'll help you out."
"Housen-kun," a girl with long golden hair and a voluptuous figure said sternly. "This is the Student Council. Please exercise some restraint."
"Nanase-san, don't worry about it."
Nagumo looked at Housen and smiled. "I remember you are Housen Kazuomi and Nanase Tsubasa from 1st Year Class D. I don't dislike students with personality."
"Since that's the case, I won't waste your time."
"First, I need to confirm one point. Have you first-years already understood the rules of this school?"
"If there's anything you don't understand, I can explain it for you now."
Hmm? Hachiman was suddenly startled.
The school year had only been open for less than half a day, and they already understood the rules?
This batch of first-years was too strong.
"Thank you for your concern, President Nagumo," Nanase Tsubasa said with a slight bow. "The two of us have already learned about the special nature of this school from our teacher and fully understand the rules."
So the school administration had actively informed them.
It seemed this year's situation was a bit different from last year's.
By specifically limiting the explanation to the two from Class D, it left room for dialogue; Nagumo was likely a kind-hearted person as well.
"Me too," a clean-cut boy said as he stood up with a smile.
"I am Yagami Takuya from 1st Year Class B. Aside from Hachigaya-senpai, the others here should be friends from each of the first-year classes."
"I'm fairly confident in my ability to understand things, so let's not take up any more of the seniors' time."
"If anyone has any confusion later, you can come find me. What do you all think?"
Oh. Well said. He felt like a guy who could become a leader.
"Mhm, I have no objection," a boy on the side nodded calmly, while the last boy remained with his eyes closed, resting, from start to finish.
He seemed to have no interest whatsoever in the conversation happening here.
"That's good."
Nagumo Miyabi leaned back in his chair, nodding casually.
"In that case, you must all understand the importance of Private Points by now. I am now announcing a Special Exam."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone couldn't help but look at Nagumo. Even the person who had been resting with his eyes closed was no exception. Hachigaya, however, was confused to the extreme.
What? A Special Exam?
Just him and a few first-years?
No, no, no. Maybe Ichinose and the others were also with other first-years taking an exam. This was a disaster.
To pull a surprise attack like this. How underhanded.
"The content of the exam."
With a smile on his lips, Nagumo Miyabi pressed a button on a remote control.
On the screen behind him, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's profile picture appeared before everyone.
"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka of 1st Year Class D. By any means necessary, if you can get this person expelled, you will receive 20 million Private Points."
"???"
Hachiman was instantly shocked.
He quickly glanced at Acting Director Tsukishiro in the corner.
How could such an exam exist?
It was likely another attempt to target Ayanokouji Kiyotaka; the Director had come to this school with that mission.
However, the fact that they were letting Hachiman participate in such an exam was undoubtedly a message to him that he didn't need to worry about retaliation; everyone was in the same boat.
No one spoke in the student council room.
It was quite a while before a boy asked in confusion:
"Student Council President, such an exam seems a bit unreasonable. And why this guy?"
"That would be Utsunomiya-kun, right?"
Nagumo smiled dismissively. "It seems you still don't understand this school. A friendly tip: this is a school where personal ability is supreme. 'Reasonableness' does not exist."
"This was also a completely random choice. Sometimes luck is a part of one's ability. You can only blame this Ayanokouji-kun for being unlucky."
"Furthermore, whether or not to participate in this exam is entirely up to your own freedom. Whether you want to pursue those 20 million points or pretend nothing happened—the school fully respects your autonomy."
Oh. That sounded very nice.
Hachiman could guarantee that this "randomness" was fake. It was definitely Acting Director Tsukishiro's conspiracy.
Even if it was completely voluntary...
...he didn't care.
But if this sum of Private Points were taken by a certain first-year class, it would definitely be a threat to the other classes.
"Even so," Yagami Takuya said, frowning in confusion, "it would probably be hard for a class to save up that much money in a year. Isn't 20 million too much?"
"Heh."
Housen Kazuomi glanced at Hachigaya and said:
"This guy doesn't seem to have any doubts about the special exam. But I'm a bit curious."
"Even though it's called a special exam, is this a special exam from the school, or your own personal special exam, President Nagumo? And why gather the few of us together?"
"Does that matter?"
Nagumo Miyabi watched them with a beaming smile.
"I said just now that participation is your own choice. You only need to know that if you get Ayanokouji expelled, you will get 20 million Private Points. That is enough."
"I believe no one would doubt that, right?"
The group couldn't help but look at Tsukishiro in the student council room.
After all, the Acting Director was right here. His presence was a guarantee for the 20 million reward.
Glancing at this group of first-years, Hachiman couldn't help but feel some sympathy for Ayanokouji.
As if!
This was great. That guy Ayanokouji was finally going to get kicked out!
20 million.
Even if they didn't show it on the surface, these people would definitely take action in secret.
How could a single student compete with the school's Acting Director!