After leaving the Maid Cafe.
Hikigaya continued to wander around the school, observing the cultural festival situation of each class.
Using a big weapon like surströmming, the classes with stalls at the entrance were naturally somewhat dissatisfied.
Ichinose, as the Student Council President.
Seemed to be having disputes with the various classes at the school gate.
However, after all, it was a method within the scope of the rules, so it wasn't a big problem.
Hikigaya continued to wander in the Special Teaching Building.
Not far ahead.
A middle-aged man in a suit with a cold expression walked toward him, hands in his pockets, exuding a sense of oppression from someone long in a high position.
Even though he was alone.
The surrounding crowd involuntarily moved out of the way, and Hikigaya also followed by moving to one side of the corridor.
At this moment.
The middle-aged man spoke in a flat voice.
"You really are a cruel guy."
"Um... excuse me, are you talking to me?"
Hikigaya stopped his footsteps. He did have the self-awareness of being called cruel; if one were to say who is the most cruel in this school, it is undoubtedly him.
The middle-aged man had no intention of responding at all.
He just coldly said to himself:
"As a student, your methods are indeed not bad, but what you should do most now is to have that child named Sakura Airi expelled."
Hikigaya did not respond, only then seriously scrutinizing the man in front of him; calling him cruel was not an overstatement.
What Hikigaya was doing was very simple.
It was to forcefully tag Horikita Suzune and the others with labels that might appear on them.
Acting like a rogue at the Maid Cafe.
Was just to forcefully imprint on the surrounding people the impression that Class D was profiting by selling sex appeal.
The negative impact brought was the further confirmation of the fact that Hikigaya is a scumbag, which Hikigaya had long since stopped caring about.
These might be useless normally, but as long as a problem is encountered.
Mistakes made in the past will become weapons in the hands of attackers that can be used countless times.
Saying to let Sakura Airi be expelled.
Was likely taking his actions as a means to deal with Class D.
If the goal was purely to crush Class D.
Having Sakura Airi expelled now was indeed the optimal solution, since Sakura Airi was indeed the only solution to the unanimous vote exam problem.
As long as there is a sincere apology.
And Sakura Airi is made to forgive them in front of the whole school.
The matter could still be resolved.
Only.
This was obviously impossible for Horikita Suzune and the others; the people of Class D never felt that what they did was wrong.
Hikigaya also knew very well.
In the eyes of Horikita Suzune and the others, he was probably just a meddling idiot.
However.
As an adult.
At least the person in front of him knew very well what the consequences of continuing like this would be.
If it were a member of the school staff.
It shouldn't be difficult to know the transfer records between him and Horikita Manabu.
At least it would generate the possibility of whether there was some agreement between him and Horikita Manabu and Horikita Suzune, or other possibilities.
Otherwise.
He wouldn't come up to strike up a conversation like this.
By speaking to have Sakura Airi expelled, the other party obviously didn't seem like a guy with a sense of justice wanting to come up and teach him a lesson.
Instead, he was certain that he did this because he wanted to deal with Class D.
Although he knew about things within the school, he didn't seem to know a lot; he was more likely an off-campus guest.
Such a person.
Hikigaya could only think of a few.
Tsukishiro's friend, or Ayanokouji's father, Ayanokouji Atsuomi.
But what did the other party want with him?
Forget it.
These were all just conjectures without evidence, just with a higher probability.
Whoever the other party was.
Hikigaya had no intention of getting involved with him.
"Even if nothing is done, it wouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Naive."
Ayanokouji Atsuomi had his hands in his pockets and said with a flat expression:
"From a child's perspective, it is indeed difficult to understand your thoughts; however, indecisiveness will only cause things to change."
"If you want to completely crush Class D and eliminate the risk, having her expelled is the best way. With your relationship with her, it shouldn't be hard to persuade her to withdraw."
That Sakura Airi.
Was obviously a child without much ability.
If Hikigaya were to have Sakura Airi withdraw now, he believed it would be easy to persuade her.
Hikigaya took a deep breath and clenched his fist.
No need to guess anymore.
The one who could say such things was definitely Ayanokouji's father, Ayanokouji Atsuomi.
Truly father and son.
Cast from the same mold.
Cold, heartless, and extremely rational, not caring about the people around them at all.
Hikigaya said with a flat expression:
"Setting others aside, at least I don't want to hurt those close to me."
"A pity..."
Ayanokouji Atsuomi was not surprised.
Originally, after hearing Tsukishiro's praise, he had some expectations for Hikigaya; it seemed he still possessed some of a child's naivety.
"This childish kindness will only make things harder for you, and perhaps you won't get the due reward."
"What does that mean?"
"If you want to know, serve as my assistant for a few years after graduation; it can take you further."
Ayanokouji Atsuomi said calmly: "Not by relying on a woman, but by relying on your own strength; perhaps you will have a different feeling."
"..."
Hikigaya lowered his head and did not respond...
Really a self-centered guy, seemingly completely disregarding his thoughts.
Relying on the power brought by Sakayanagi, versus the power he wields himself.
That feeling of controlling everything.
Should be different.
Perhaps it was as Ayanokouji Atsuomi said.
Relying on the power brought by Sakayanagi is unstable; when he truly grasps power, he should have a different feeling.
However.
In reality.
Hikigaya had already prepared himself for failure.
Even being dumped by Sakayanagi and the others at any time wouldn't be surprising; Hikigaya did not covet this power, much less have the ambition of Ayanokouji Atsuomi.
"No thanks."
Hikigaya got to the point: "What exactly do you want with me?"
"To give you a piece of advice."
Ayanokouji Atsuomi turned and walked to the window, staring at the flower bed below, explaining with a calm expression:
"Don't look at that child as harmless and having made no move yet; that's just his curiosity being interested in your methods."
"Once he has absorbed everything from you, if he finds your actions will affect him, he will eliminate all threats around him."
Clearly.
Ayanokouji Atsuomi had no intention of hiding anything.
Whether Hikigaya understood or not was Hikigaya's business.
"I have no intention of threatening him."
"That is not for you to judge, nor for me to judge, but for him to judge, isn't it?"
"That's really scary... I'm no match for him."
Hikigaya's mouth twitched.
Truly father and son.
One can only say the father and son are really alike—both are self-centered, judging arbitrarily and hurting the other party arbitrarily.
"Don't be so full of yourself; you can't even be called an opponent, just a decent textbook."
"The final warning has been given to you; struggle as much as you like."
With that.
Ayanokouji Atsuomi turned and left on his own.
As a father.
Ayanokouji Atsuomi was naturally the one who understood Ayanokouji best.
Hikigaya possessed the thing Ayanokouji lacked most.
Humanity.
The White Room only taught theoretical knowledge, thinking that rational thought could solve all problems.
Any qualified politician can do that, and those who can disown their own family are not few.
Ayanokouji clearly still has deficiencies.
Hikigaya, who is good at using humanity to manipulate public opinion, and Ayanokouji, the masterpiece of the White Room with a learning ability comparable to a monster.
Hikigaya could become the best learning material for Ayanokouji.
Watching Ayanokouji Atsuomi's receding back, Hikigaya frowned.
What exactly did this guy come here for?