Hearing Hashimoto Masayoshi's deal.
Hikigaya's expression was calm as he said unmoved:
"It is indeed a very attractive proposal."
If.
Hashimoto Masayoshi could betray Class A at a critical moment.
It would certainly be a huge blow to Class A.
Rising to Class A is difficult.
But wanting to destroy a class is too simple.
However.
Expecting the other party to betray the class carries a risk of failure that is too high.
Not to mention whether Hashimoto Masayoshi would break the contract; even Katsuragi might use this point to deliberately spread false information.
To put it simply, it's a trust issue.
Wanting to trust an egoist, someone who always keeps "betraying the class at any time" on his lips.
Hikigaya was not that naive.
Such initiative still has to be held in one's own hands.
"But you also know Class B's situation. If an expellee appears, Class B will certainly prioritize saving their companion. What if the personal points aren't enough then?"
"As expected, it would be like that..."
Hashimoto Masayoshi nodded.
Class B is only bad in this one regard; there's nothing else to pick on.
They care too much about their companions!
"It doesn't matter. When the time comes, let me confirm the personal points Class B possesses, plus my own personal points."
"If the personal points are enough, I can try to help you; if they aren't enough, then forget it."
"However, this is also under the condition that your class has the ability to challenge Class B."
Betraying the class.
Is certainly much simpler than fighting fair and square.
Hashimoto Masayoshi still has to keep victory in his own hands; betrayal might just be a matter of time.
"So."
Hikigaya raised an eyebrow: "You've saved up quite a lot of personal points?"
"I suppose so, though it's still far from twenty million, and last time during the sports festival a class transfer ticket appeared, so it's not a big problem."
Hashimoto Masayoshi shrugged.
During the last Unanimous Special Exam.
Class B, to give Ichinose a protection point, had their personal points halved for half a year; Class C and D also gave a protection point to Ryuuen and Horikita Suzune respectively.
The reform of the exchange ratio between class points and personal points.
Undoubtedly, it was most beneficial for Class A.
But whether before or now.
Wanting to save twenty million personal points is an almost impossible task.
Only Koenji.
Relying on that monster-like individual strength, could it be possible.
And it also requires saving from the start of school.
It's already good if Hashimoto Masayoshi can save one or two million now.
"Is that so?"
Hikigaya said casually: "But, how do you guarantee your personal points can always be kept in your own hands?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
Hashimoto Masayoshi immediately frowned.
"No..."
Sensing Hashimoto Masayoshi's confused gaze, Hikigaya also showed a puzzled look.
"Haven't you made no secret of your idea to rise to Class A alone? If I were Katsuragi."
"I would definitely have you expelled once before graduation, force you to hand over your personal points, and then have everyone share the remaining personal points to save you."
"This would completely cut off your possibility of betraying the class, increase the cost for other classes to cooperate with you, exclude you from Class A to reduce risk and weaken your bargaining chips, or simply let you be expelled."
"Then what would you do?"
"???"
Hashimoto Masayoshi was stunned for a moment, and the corner of his mouth twitched.
How shameless.
I might not be human, but you are really a dog.
"Katsuragi shouldn't be that kind of person..."
"Who knows? Just forcing you to spit out your saved personal points, not actually letting you be expelled—I think he might actually do it."
Hikigaya shook the MAX Coffee in his hand.
Regardless of what Hashimoto Masayoshi thinks, this guy has no credibility to speak of.
The initiative must be held in one's own hands.
Hashimoto Masayoshi is the biggest flaw in Class A; making him suspicious can prevent Class A from twisting into a single rope.
Hearing this.
Hashimoto Masayoshi's expression became quite grave.
If it were Sakayanagi Arisu, she might truly do such a thing, even cutting him off directly after using him.
Hashimoto Masayoshi had no dissatisfaction.
Choosing this path.
The difficulty to face is how to reflect one's own value, making oneself an indispensable existence, and how to gain the trust of others.
Hashimoto Masayoshi knew this well.
But as for Katsuragi...
It was truly a bit hard to grasp.
After his comeback.
Katsuragi was no longer as easy as before to let his companions see his emotions, having quite the air of an immovable general.
Seeing Hashimoto Masayoshi in deep thought, Hikigaya didn't care and continued:
"I am very interested in your proposal, but to be honest, I really cannot trust you. What if you're lying to me then, or are being used by Katsuragi to reveal false information, then what?"
"That's true."
Hearing this.
Hashimoto Masayoshi quickly regained his senses and nodded.
He didn't take it to heart.
It was a very normal thing.
Before this, he had already done many things for Ryuuen; wanting to gain Ryuuen's trust was the same for Hikigaya.
"Then let's start from now. Although I want to rise to Class A, I'm not some bad person without credibility. Hikigaya, if there's anywhere you want my help, feel free to ask."
"Better forget it. I originally wanted to win you over, but seeing you haven't made a decision yet."
Hikigaya shook his head, lying without blushing.
"I see..."
Hashimoto Masayoshi hesitated for a moment, then suddenly started laughing.
"Then let's start with me. I'll tell you a special piece of intelligence."
"Hmm?"
"Hikigaya."
Hashimoto Masayoshi leaned back on the bench and smiled as he drank his tea:
"You probably don't know yet, but there's a special rule in the school."
"What rule?"
Knowing this guy was being evasive, Hikigaya still honestly took the bait.
"As long as you consume one million personal points every month, you can let the teacher keep the class's personal points on your behalf, just like a bank."
"Except for me, everyone in A has already handed over their personal points to Mashima-sensei, including your two little girlfriends."
Hikigaya was startled for a moment; such a rule actually existed.
He immediately reacted.
Last time Sakayanagi said he was half-right, she was likely talking about this matter.
Hikigaya didn't have any opinion.
After all, Sakayanagi had long ago said they were different, and on the contrary, she would work for A; being half-right instead hinted at something.
Handing over all personal points of the class to one person for safekeeping.
It's like handing over one's salary to a colleague for safekeeping.
This is obviously impossible.
Aside from Ichinose, whether it's Katsuragi, Ryuuen, Horikita Suzune, or anyone else, they cannot do it.
Clearly.
Katsuragi's rise to power wasn't without doing anything; instead, he secretly did quite a lot of things.
Only, seeing Classes B, C, and D fighting like dogs for some reason, Katsuragi was happy to sit back and watch for profit, deliberately hiding himself.
Clearly the leader of Class A.
His presence was extremely thin.
Probably besides Hashimoto Masayoshi and a few of Sakayanagi's die-hards, Katsuragi has already quietly twisted Class A into a single rope.
Having learned a lesson.
Katsuragi has learned to hide his blade in his chest.
Since Classes B, C, and D are in a death match, I will pretend nothing is happening, besides the necessary joining of the Student Council.
He honestly does his work.
His presence is as low as it can be.
"If I'm not mistaken, Class A has at least forty million personal points."
Hashimoto Masayoshi smiled:
"How about it? The value of this information is enough, right?"