The next day.
Second-year Class B was in class.
Hikigaya focused on the screen and listened attentively; the future was bound to be a bed of thorns, and there was no other way but to work hard.
Just then.
Hoshinomiya Chie, who was not the subject teacher, appeared at the classroom door.
"Sorry, Tanaka-sensei, I'm looking for Shibata and Hikigaya."
"Hmm? No problem."
"..."
The two whose names were called exchanged a look.
Under the slightly puzzled gazes of the crowd, Shibata took a deep breath and left the classroom, with Hikigaya also following behind.
The two followed Hoshinomiya for a distance.
"Looks like."
Hoshinomiya Chie curiously sized up the two on her left and right, somewhat intrigued.
"You both are very clear about what happened, aren't you?"
"Teacher, what are you talking about?"
Hikigaya played dumb.
Although he felt Hoshinomiya Chie was trustworthy, she was after all a teacher in the school's service.
Forget it, it felt like Hoshinomiya Chie also didn't have much of a stance.
"Really now, don't hide it from teacher..."
Hoshinomiya's elbow bumped Hikigaya's side, and she said with some excitement:
"Forget it, although I don't know what you want to do."
"But I've also heard the recent rumors. Little-hikki, you just continue staring at sae-chan like that; teacher will cheer for you!"
"..."
Hikigaya quickly pulled away, and Shibata on the side was also somewhat speechless; the mindset he had just adjusted was ruined by Hoshinomiya.
...
Conference Room.
Hikigaya and the others followed Hoshinomiya through the door.
Coming into view.
Chairman Sakayanagi was sitting in the center position.
Beside him was a group of middle-aged men he didn't recognize, as well as the three class teachers of the second-year on both sides; Hoshinomiya also quickly returned to her own seat.
Nagumo Miyabi was sitting on a folding chair in the middle, looking at Hikigaya Hachiman with an ugly expression.
Clearly.
He already sensed he might have fallen into a trap, but he just couldn't figure out what kind of trap it was.
"Take a seat."
Chairman Sakayanagi glanced at Hikigaya with a calm expression.
He saw right through him—couldn't this brat just take the exams honestly? He just had to stir up all this trouble for him.
"Hello, Teacher."
The two nodded and sat on the other side of Nagumo Miyabi; Shibata did not spare them a single glance from beginning to end.
"Very well."
Chairman Sakayanagi held a piece of paper, his expression calm as he spoke:
"The main reason I have called you here is that the school has received a report letter, accusing Student Council President Nagumo Miyabi of utilizing his position to privately sell Student Council memberships."
"As well as accusing Hikigaya Hachiman of privately bribing Nagumo Miyabi to purchase a position in the Student Council."
"Regarding this point, Student Shibata, do you have anything you wish to add?"
"Eh?"
Hoshinomiya and the other teachers were instantly stunned, involuntarily turning their heads to look at Hikigaya and the others.
Not learning well at such a young age.
They actually played the game of bribery?
And.
Class B is famous for its unity, yet a member was actually reported by a comrade?
"Shibata."
Hikigaya's expression changed drastically as he grabbed Shibata's collar, appearing somewhat furious.
"You guy actually dared to betray me?"
"Hikigaya, I've been annoyed with you for a long time."
Shibata was not polite either, grabbing Hikigaya's collar in return, which momentarily stunned Hikigaya.
So realistic.
How does it feel like this guy is telling the truth?
In the main seat.
Chairman Sakayanagi always had a smile in his eyes.
Keep acting.
Let's see what kind of flower you can perform.
"Slap."
Mashima-sensei slapped the table, his expression heavy:
"What kind of behavior is this noisy quarreling? Sit down."
"Humph."
The two pushed each other away with a cold snort and sat back in their seats.
From start to finish.
In front of the teachers, Nagumo Miyabi just sat in his seat, not saying a word like a good boy.
Even if there were problems, he believed the school would inquire.
Noises were definitely not the best policy.
"Student Shibata."
Chairman Sakayanagi's face still carried a smile.
"Your answer may affect the school's judgment. Why did you report Nagumo, and why did you report Hikigaya? Aren't he and you comrades?"
Although the school fully respects the students' autonomy, there are ultimately limits.
Bribery.
It has already violated the constitution.
Breaking laws and discipline is not a small problem.
Even if they were just minors and students, this was clearly not something students should be in contact with.
The school had to treat it cautiously.
Otherwise, it would not be respecting student autonomy, but letting students walk toward illegal acts without care.
Ordinary schools might worry a bit about the impact.
Handling big matters as if they were small.
But this closed-off school did not need to worry about that at all.
PAGE 2
"Humph."
Shibata gave a cold snort, glanced at Hikigaya, and said:
"I warned him long ago not to do this, but Hikigaya just wouldn't listen. Joining the Student Council like this is too despicable."
"It's too unfair to others who joined the Student Council based on their strength. I simply couldn't stand it."
Even if it were just out of the awareness of a law-abiding citizen, reporting bribery was not a difficult thing to understand.
"You... are lying."
Hikigaya said through gritted teeth, secretly holding his breath until his face turned red.
Keep acting.
Chairman Sakayanagi looked at the scene before him with disdain; at least he had a good understanding of Nagumo Miyabi.
From an adult's perspective.
Although Nagumo Miyabi had some naive parts, he wasn't bad to this extent; he was definitely set up by Hikigaya.
Even.
Nagumo Miyabi might not have even realized the problem.
This is very normal.
Holding power means facing endless temptations; there will always be people who want to take shortcuts and find ways to bribe or give gifts.
Just an ordinary small matter.
He had no awareness at all that this was an act of taking bribes.
Many officials fall this way, then sink deeper and deeper, slowly being corrupted and becoming the protective umbrella of capital.
Bribery also requires methods.
At least, Nagumo Miyabi had clearly not reached that step.
"Eh?"
Hearing Hikigaya's words, a fierce-looking middle-aged man walked up to Shibata and said with a sharp gaze:
"Student Shibata, is what you said true? If you lie, not only them, but you will also be punished together."
"I... I..."
Facing the pressure of an adult, Shibata's eyes dodged.
"I just feel that clearly both Hikigaya and Kanzaki have clubs, so why is it that only I cannot join the Student Council? I feel this is a bit unfair... so... I, I..."
Clearly.
Direct reporting out of a sense of justice was fine.
But a motive of jealousy was easier to believe. Although Shibata did not finish, the teacher in front of him nodded with satisfaction.
That's more like it.
Jealousy is just jealousy.
Why pretend to be some great good person here?
What a great act.
Chairman Sakayanagi looked at Hikigaya with some disdain, almost wanting to stand up and applaud him.
However.
In his heart, he was still satisfied.
Only by being more cunning and sinister than the bad guys can a good person go further.
I really don't know where Hikigaya learned such despicable methods at such a young age.
It's just that in Chairman Sakayanagi's view.
It was a bit low-level.
But at this age, to have such an understanding and be able to utilize it was already not bad.
Chairman Sakayanagi knew very well.
Sakayanagi Arisu was indeed spoiled by him.
With Sakayanagi Arisu's way of doing things, she would fall the moment she encountered a truly bad person; not everyone is as simple as a student, able to compete fairly with her.
Only someone like Hikigaya can protect Sakayanagi Arisu well.