"51 - Juraku Sachiko's Olive Branch":
Hikigaya Hachiman was someone who remained loyal to the desires of his own heart.
Jabami Yumeko had already come to understand this. He was a pure person—rational to the point of being nearly heartless. In matters of emotional relationships like "friendship," he held little to no regard. He was someone utterly focused on ascending. He didn't care about right or wrong—only about benefit—but he still had his own bottom line.
Yet, the fact that he dared show his greedy and ruthless side in front of her—Jabami Yumeko—meant, ironically, that he saw her as a companion.
She whispered in a voice only she could hear:
"But... what Hikigaya-kun doesn't know is…"
"In this academy full of lies and desire, someone as sincere as Hikigaya Hachiman is bound to attract a lot of people."
"And I'm one of them~"
Walking along the corridor, Yumeko sneaked a glance at Hikigaya Hachiman's profile. Her excitement made her press her thighs tightly together.
Suddenly, Hikigaya came to a halt, causing Yumeko, lost in her thoughts, to walk right into his back. Instinctively, she followed his gaze forward—two women were approaching.
"Eh, that's…"
In the quiet hallway, Juraku Sachiko's snow-white, waterfall-like hair hung loosely behind her. One hand rested on her hip, the other holding a leash, her presence overwhelmingly dominant as she walked toward Hikigaya and Jabami.
Yumeko's eyes widened in surprise as she noticed what—or rather, who—was at the other end of the leash. A red-haired girl was following behind Juraku with a look of complete contentment on her face, walking as if she had lost her will. Even when she saw the two people in front of her, she showed no shame whatsoever. Instead, she crouched down and affectionately rubbed her soft red hair against Sachiko's thigh like a pet.
"Long time no see, Hikigaya."
"What does Senpai want with me?" Hikigaya replied flatly.
He glanced briefly at Sado Mikura, then quickly looked away. But even such a subtle action didn't escape the keen vertical pupils of Juraku Sachiko. Unhappy, she tugged the leash slightly, causing yet another lusty moan to escape from Mikura.
She spoke directly:
"I heard about the exam duel."
"It was the Full-Bloom Association who made a move."
Juraku gave the leash another tug. Mikura immediately responded to the signal, dropping down and transforming herself into Juraku Sachiko's chair.
Without hesitation, Sachiko sat down on her.
"Their war with the student council has officially begun~"
"After all, I am a member of the student council."
"I never know when I'll be attacked. I've been losing sleep night after night."
"I'd like to sleep a little more peacefully, so I want a reliable man to protect me."
Then, in front of everyone, Juraku Sachiko spread her long, elegant fingers and grabbed her full chest.
"Hikigaya, would you be willing to protect me?"
"To fight against the Full-Bloom Association for me."
"Of course, I'll cover the betting capital. You won't suffer any losses."
The sudden flood of information caused Hikigaya Hachiman to fall into a brief silence. After a moment, he shook his head and replied lightly:
"That's not quite right. Even if there's no loss... what's in it for me?"
"Why does it have to be me doing this?"
This was the art of bargaining.
Both Hikigaya and Juraku Sachiko were fully aware—if the Full-Bloom Association was indeed the faction of Mibuomi Aoi, then Hikigaya would inevitably have to uproot it, destroying everything Mibuomi had built, right in front of him.
But business was business. Just because he was going to do it didn't mean he wouldn't demand proper compensation if someone else asked him to.
Sachiko curled her lips into a smile, her snake-like pupils piercing into his soul:
"Don't you want to take my place someday?"
"What?" Hikigaya was momentarily stunned.
Juraku Sachiko spoke leisurely:
"I'm already in the third year. In another half year, I'll begin transferring student council duties to my juniors. After I graduate, you'll become the Disciplinary Committee Chairman of Hyakkaou Private Academy."
'The Disciplinary Committee Chairman at Hyakkaou Academy... holds authority second only to the President and Vice-President.'
'They oversee the casinos, arbitrate disputes, and have the power to plan and revise students' life plans…'
'They even have the authority to arrest students and subject them to personality correction.'
Information he'd collected surfaced rapidly in Hikigaya Hachiman's mind. For example, in the recent exam duel bet, if there were any violations, the Disciplinary Committee had the power to arrest every student involved.
It was terrifyingly powerful authority, so much so that the idea of "too many to punish" didn't apply.
Whether it was the son of a conglomerate or the daughter of a politician, the Disciplinary Committee could drag anyone down to hell.
Juraku Sachiko quietly enjoyed the subtle shifts in Hikigaya's expression, and continued her seductive persuasion:
"Officially, the role exists to uphold school order, but in reality... how you carry it out depends entirely on your personal whims. As long as you find it entertaining, there's nothing you can't do…"
"Just like this…"
Suddenly, Juraku gave the iron chain in her hand a strong tug, wearing a look of sheer delight as she relished the moan that came from beneath her.
"Or, if you prefer... you can do whatever you want to the classmate behind you, Jabami-san~"
"Eh? That's so wrong—so perverted~" Jabami Yumeko exclaimed as she covered her face, pretending to be shy—but she didn't show any sign of resistance.
"Become the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, and you'll have the power to dominate the academy~ Even that high-and-mighty President Momobami might be forced to yield to your will."
"So, what do you say, Hikigaya?"
Juraku Sachiko stood up and walked toward Hikigaya, her mature fragrance trailing behind her. Leaning in close to his ear, she whispered:
"All you have to do is enter the gambling duel for me... and the position of Chairman is yours."
"Everything you desire—can become reality."
Faced with Juraku Sachiko's temptation, Hikigaya's gaze didn't waver in the slightest. Calmly, he replied:
"Senpai, you don't need to seduce me."
"If the Disciplinary Committee Chairman really had that much power, you wouldn't need me to go after the Full-Bloom Association in the first place."
"In the end, the strength of the Chairman's power still depends on the most basic rule of Hyakkaou Academy—"
"Gambling ability."
His voice echoed through the empty hallway. It held a certain mysterious power, enough that even the "little kitten" kneeling behind Juraku involuntarily lifted her head.
"But still…"
For once, Hikigaya showed a truly genuine smile—a bright and innocent one. It was hard to believe such a pure expression could come from someone as gloomy as him.
Jabami Yumeko was momentarily entranced by it.
"Senpai, you really do know how to read people."
"I'll accept your request."
With a resolute voice, Hikigaya then added:
"However, I need Senpai to let me exercise some of the Chairman's authority in advance."
"Oh? What is it?" Juraku Sachiko folded her arms, intrigued.
"During the exam duel bet, some people's voices made me very uncomfortable. Vulgar speech, sexually harassing female classmates… What should we do with people like that?"
—Hmph.
Juraku instinctively glanced at Jabami Yumeko, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
She hadn't expected that Hikigaya Hachiman would one day make a female friend—let alone use his power to stand up for her.
"They'll soon come to understand... the true value of being born human."