"What's the matter?"
Service Club.
After a few simple exchanges, the three arrived at the club.
Hikigaya sat opposite Horikita Suzune, and Hasebe Haruka sat between the two.
"Hikigaya."
Looking at Hikigaya opposite her, Horikita Suzune's expression was solemn:
"Last time when I looked for Ichinose, you didn't say anything. Speaking of which, I still don't know how you view the matter of Sakura's expulsion."
Besides venting anger for Sakura Airi, Horikita Suzune really couldn't think of a reason for Hikigaya to hire Ryuen.
At least.
Clear up Hikigaya's goal first.
The implication was: are you venting anger for Sakura, are you being spiteful.
"Speak directly."
Hikigaya's expression was flat as he scrutinized Horikita Suzune in front of him.
Don't play any indirect games with me.
The fact that Horikita Suzune found him.
Clearly meant Ryuen had already sold him out, and she was still acting here.
What was going on in Horikita Suzune's head—rational thinking and the optimal solution for pros and cons—Hikigaya knew perfectly well.
"Sakura herself no longer takes it to heart, nor has she asked me to vent anger for her."
"Class D's business has nothing to do with me, and I have no interest in your class's methods."
However.
If it weren't for the agreement with Horikita Manabu.
Even if Horikita Suzune were beautiful, Hikigaya would definitely not want to have contact with people like Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji again.
"Hm?"
Horikita Suzune immediately knitted her brows.
It wasn't this reason?
This was truly somewhat beyond the scope of Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji's thinking.
One million every month.
Spending so many private points to do something meaningless.
Simply because Hikigaya is an idiot?
No matter how she thought about it.
The rationally thinking Horikita Suzune couldn't figure it out.
"Phew..."
Horikita Suzune took a deep breath, her expression becoming even more solemn:
"I heard you hired Ryuen to continue spreading news about the Unanimous Vote Special Exam. Since you aren't venting anger for Sakura, did someone from Class D offend you?"
"If that's the case, I can apologize to you on their behalf."
If it was like that.
It would mean Hikigaya was just an incompetent leader.
But not venting anger for Sakura, that was also the most likely reason.
Perhaps someone inadvertently offended Hikigaya, which caused Hikigaya to have such hostility and specifically target Class D.
If that was the case.
The matter might be a bit troublesome, but it wasn't impossible to solve.
"No."
Hikigaya didn't offer much explanation.
He seriously scrutinized the changes in Horikita Suzune's expression.
Unfortunately, although he had been looking into micro-expression management lately, practical application was still too difficult.
If Horikita Suzune asked directly, Hikigaya would naturally say it.
But the main purpose was to observe the person.
He wanted to see just how far Horikita Suzune had skewed.
"No???"
Horikita Suzune was even more confused.
Aside from that, she couldn't think of any other reason.
To be able to think of that strategy for the Class Poll last year.
She didn't believe Hikigaya was an incompetent person, but looking at it now, perhaps that really was a possibility.
To target Class D aimlessly at this time.
Making enemies everywhere, wasting precious private points.
Simply foolish to the extreme.
No plan!
"Hikigaya..."
Horikita Suzune took a deep breath and explained seriously:
"I know you are cooperating with Class A, but this cooperation will not last forever."
"Katsuragi's goal is clearly to first pull ahead of Class C and Class D, and then in the third year, use private points to unite the lower classes against Class B, or perhaps continue targeting the lower classes to widen the advantage."
"By aimlessly targeting Class D like this and making trouble for us, you will only invite our hostility."
"It will only make Katsuragi and Ryuen even more smug; right now they are just waiting on the side to reap the rewards, waiting for us to compete with each other."
"We also have the possibility of cooperating with Katsuragi; when the time comes, facing a three-class alliance will have zero benefit for Class B."
"Even if you maintain cooperation with Katsuragi now, you should focus your mind on Class C, rather than aimlessly harassing us and wasting private points."
"Isn't that right?"
Horikita Suzune seriously weighed the pros and cons for him.
After all.
Being harassed like this constantly was indeed a bit troublesome.
What Class B should be doing now is aiming for Class A or striking Class C.
Even if they didn't cooperate with Class D.
There was no way they should be hitting Class D.
Both possibilities were denied by Hikigaya, causing Horikita Suzune to seriously suspect that this person might really be a fool who couldn't see the current situation.
The implication.
In fact, was only one sentence.
This has no benefit for Class B, only harm.
However, did he need her to teach him how to rise to Class A?
"Also..."
Horikita Suzune explained with a serious voice:
"Knowing that you are the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, people in the class are somewhat dissatisfied with Hasebe, Karuizawa, and the others."
"Since you are dating Hasebe and Karuizawa, you should consider them at least a little bit, right?"
Hasebe Haruka looked at Hikigaya with worry, feeling a bit embarrassed to speak.
After all.
Facing everyone's doubts and accusations, she indeed felt a bit uncomfortable in her heart.
More importantly.
She also wanted to know why Hikigaya was doing this.
On the other side.
Once these words came out.
The expression of Hikigaya sitting opposite had become extremely ugly.
It wasn't surprising that Class D would pin the blame on Karuizawa and Hasebe; after all, they were that kind of group.
They never feel there is a problem with their own methods; they only pin the problem on the other party.
This was an objectively existing fact.
Something that couldn't be helped.
He couldn't ignore Class B for the sake of Karuizawa and Hasebe; the two girls clearly understood this as well.
The problem was Horikita Suzune.
Hikigaya felt that he might be hating a person this much for the first time.
He hadn't even hated Sakayanagi Arisu.
At most, he was a bit afraid.
Even if Sakayanagi Arisu was unscrupulous and disregarded class interests.
But Sakayanagi never hid that fact; she openly admitted that she treated the people below her as pawns.
If you can't afford to provoke her, you can hide from her.
But Horikita Suzune.
The calculations were practically jumping in his face.
And she still thought she was very clever.
Does she really think no one can tell she's doing this to solve Class D's trouble?
It was honestly a bit disgusting.
If it weren't for the agreement with Horikita Manabu and being given money, Hikigaya really wouldn't want to associate with such a person.
"Phew."
Hikigaya took a deep breath, and his expression calmed down.
"Since you've asked so much, I'll ask one question too, how about it?"
"What question?"
"Why do you want to rise to Class A, and what are you fighting for?"
"Naturally, it's so that everyone can graduate from Class A!"
Horikita Suzune said with a serious expression.
She believed that sincerity was the ultimate move.
Fine.
Whether this person was for real or fake, Hikigaya found it hard to judge for the moment.
After all, lying shouldn't be a very difficult thing for Horikita Suzune, and her expression was just too real.
"Let's end it here for today."
Hikigaya stood up and looked at Horikita Suzune opposite him, saying in a heavy voice:
"I remembered I have some business. Come find me again tomorrow; that shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Eh? Okay."
Horikita Suzune nodded indifferently.
Anyway, with Hasebe Haruka there, Hikigaya would inevitably have some reservations.
It looked like Hikigaya had already been somewhat swayed.
Then there was no big problem.
Regardless.
This indeed had no benefit for Class B.
Even if Hikigaya went to discuss it with Ichinose and the others, the answer received would be the same.
What Hikigaya was doing now was an unwise move.