Chapter 069: Using Underhanded Tactics? Ryuen Kakeru, You Fell from Class C!
Nagumo Miyabi was now standing in front of the first-year students' small blackboard.
As a member of the student council, he had considerable authority, along with certain responsibilities.
Just like this.
Whenever students gained class evaluation points after the monthly special exam, student council members had to update the records in real time.
But this time, as he looked at the data, he checked it twice in a row.
The first-year students hadn't even been in school for a full month yet, but because the class evaluation scores had been revealed ahead of schedule, he had to update the records now.
And the reason for this early release was quite simple.
A student from Class D had damaged a surveillance camera, which forced the school to release the class evaluation scores earlier than planned. This was actually a bonus for the first-years.
Normally, after one month of behavioral assessments, the school would then announce the rules and class evaluation scores.
A full month was enough time for students to create a significant gap between their scores.
But now, because of this unusual situation among the first-years, crucial information that would have been revealed a month later was already public knowledge.
However, in just six days, a noticeable ranking gap had already formed among the four first-year classes.
This year's first-year Class A was exceptional. Class B had lost more than 100 points in six days, making them seem somewhat average. But Class C and Class D were truly absurd—they had each lost around 400 to 500 points in the same timeframe.
It was hard to imagine how many points they would even have left after a full month.
So, to Nagumo, Class D was undeniably the worst.
And yet… now.
Horikita Manabu had asked him to update the first-year class evaluation scores.
The previous scores were:
• First-Year Class A: 996 points
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• First-Year Class B: 834 points
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• First-Year Class C: 611 points
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• First-Year Class D: 480 points
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However, the new scores were:
• First-Year Class A: 995 points
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• First-Year Class B: 800 points
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• First-Year Class C: 110 points
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• First-Year Class D: 464 points
•
Hmm.
Since the first-year students were still under behavioral assessment, some points were naturally deducted.
But because they had been informed in advance about the exam, the other three classes had started paying attention and avoided further significant losses.
Yet, something was clearly wrong with the first-year Class C's score.
In other words, if he wasn't mistaken, the first-year Class D hadn't done anything, yet Class C had dropped on its own.
In other words, the worst-ranked Class D had somehow managed to climb up.
"President!"
This made Nagumo Miyabi instinctively turn to look at Horikita Manabu.
Because this was really strange.
"What exactly happened here?"
"I remember there was a case where first-year Class C accused a student from first-year Class D of assault, right?"
"Could it be that this deduction is related to that incident?" Nagumo Miyabi asked in surprise.
At that time, he had been in the student council room when that first-year student from Class D, Hikigaya Hachiman, had even brought his classmates over to formally request the use of the school's bulletin board to search for witnesses.
But as he recalled, they hadn't found any witnesses back then.
Yet somehow, the result was that Class C had fallen on its own.
Was there something he had overlooked?
"That's exactly what caused the deduction," Horikita Manabu said, adjusting his glasses. "First-year Class C was penalized 200 points for falsely accusing another class and deliberately instigating a fight. Since this is a behavioral assessment exam, that 200-point deduction was doubled."
Since the 200-point deduction was doubled, 400 points were wiped out. Adding in the usual point deductions over the past few days, this resulted in the final score.
And… it was all because of a false accusation?
Nagumo was a bit surprised—not only because the first-year students were already learning how to play the game, but also because the students from Class D had managed to catch on and even turn the tables on their opponent!
—
Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the school building.
A cool breeze was blowing as Hachiman arrived at the rooftop in response to Chabashira-sensei's summons.
As soon as he stepped out, he saw a mature woman dressed in a white blouse and a suit, standing on one side.
What stood out was her profile—her snow-white skin—and the slight upward curve at the corners of her lips, which suggested she was in a good mood.
However, Chabashira seemed to have noticed that Hachiman had arrived.
"First of all, congratulations," she said, turning to face him.
She had said "congratulations" in the plural form because there was a "little tail" following behind Hachiman. The person had straight black hair and sharp, fox-like eyes.
It was Horikita Suzune.
If one were to describe their presence alone, Chabashira had an air similar to a "big Horikita," while Horikita herself seemed like a "little Chabashira."
However…
Hachiman felt that they were still quite different. While Chabashira had likely learned to be tactful, Horikita was still rigid and wooden.
A true strong person could stand alone, but Horikita had yet to reach that level.
And if one wasn't strong enough, the only option was to use adaptability as a weapon.
Unfortunately, Horikita still had a long way to go in that lesson.
"I just received the school's notice regarding the recently concluded hearing. First-year Class C has been penalized 400 class evaluation points as punishment," Chabashira said.
"At the same time, Sudo has been declared innocent."
"And since the ruling was made by the student council, the new class evaluation scores will be announced very soon."
"Once the data is released, since class rankings are fluid, our class plate will be replaced immediately. Starting today, you are now students of Class C."
In other words, the Rise to Class A plan had taken an unexpected turn. Because Class C had fallen on its own, the former Class D had now risen to Class C.
This kind of situation was rare at the school. However, for a class to successfully rank up within the first month—this was an absolute first.
That said…
"This was an excellent move. I'm impressed. But…"
"Hikigaya, how did you pull this off?" Chabashira suddenly asked.
Horikita also turned to look at him.
Hachiman immediately felt their gazes on him.
Uh…
But…
How did he do it?
Chabashira-sensei, weren't you at the hearing? Didn't you already know?
Still, Hachiman understood that what she really wanted to know was how he had set up this trap for Ryuen and successfully dragged Class C down.
—
Yes.
Hachiman had set up a trap for Ryuen.
To explain, he had to go back a week.
Back then, he was curious about Sakura's sixth sense—she had a feeling that it would be best to avoid the experimental building that day.
Hachiman had suspected that Class A and Class C had already formed an alliance, and since Class C was notorious for delinquent behavior, there was a strong possibility they would try something harmful to Class D.
And just as he was thinking this, he and Sakura witnessed Class C students receiving orders from Ryuen to set up Sudo.
At that moment, Hachiman felt that this incident might come in handy later.
But how to use it depended on how Ryuen would make his move.
After all, a fight could be a big deal or a small one—it could even end with both sides being punished equally.
And sure enough, Ryuen made his move.
He filed a case with the student council, demanding a hearing and punishment for Sudo.
Even though he was the aggressor, he pretended to be the victim and sought a "judgment" from the student council.
What a bold move.
However, Hachiman suspected that Ryuen was really just testing the school's rules—trying to see how the school would handle point deductions in such a scenario.
Would only Class D lose points? Would both classes be penalized? Or would Class C be punished instead?
If Ryuen had truly taken a request from Class A, then his goal was likely to drag other classes—**including his own—**down in order to widen the gap between the top and the bottom.
But if the perpetrator was pretending to be the victim and falsely accusing Sudo of assault, wasn't this something that could be used against him?
Hachiman was impressed—if Ryuen was bold enough to pull off such a scheme, then he had to be bold as well.
His ultimate goal was to rise to Class A. Given the current state of his class, they could only barely manage small opportunistic plays. They weren't strong enough to hold their position.
But before aiming for Class A, they had to climb up to Class C and B first.
Since Class C was the immediate obstacle in Class D's way, the obvious choice was… if they could drag them down, they had to seize the opportunity.
And that led to the current outcome.
Although Ryuen had chosen to escalate the matter to the student council, Hachiman had Sakura's camera, which recorded the true events of the fight.
So, he could manipulate the situation.
Ryuen had been reckless.
He hadn't just framed Sudo—he had also involved the student council in his deception.
Wasn't that practically handing over his own downfall on a silver platter?
Because this triggered issues of misconduct and dishonesty towards the student council.
Having interacted with Horikita's older brother, Hachiman knew that the student council president would take such matters very seriously.
Thus…
All they had to do was present the evidence during the hearing to clear Sudo's name and at the same time solidify Class C's guilt for making a false accusation.
However, since Ryuen was the one who initiated the hearing, there was also a chance he might withdraw it beforehand.
So, to ensure he didn't back out, Hachiman baited him.
That's why he suggested searching for eyewitnesses—he asked classmates for help, enlisted Ichinose's connections, and even borrowed the student council's bulletin board to make the case seem serious.
It had to be made to look convincing.
And once Ryuen took the bait, once he bit down on the lure, wouldn't that be enough to settle everything?
But all of this was just theory—it still needed to be put into practice.
So—
Time rewound to the day when Chabashira-sensei announced that Class C had requested a hearing regarding Sudo's fight.
"I hope everyone believes in Sudo and helps find eyewitnesses."
That was what he had proposed at the time.
He also entrusted Hirata with coordinating the effort, mobilizing all the students in their class.
Of course, given Hirata's personality, he valued his classmates highly, so he would surely give his all.
At the same time, Hachiman also arranged to meet with Ichinose and her group.
Class B had a good atmosphere—according to Kushida, there were a lot of "little angels" in that class. The students were kind and easy to get along with.
But that also meant… Didn't that imply that Kushida found some of their own classmates hard to get along with?
For example, the classmate he had deliberately brought up before—Koenji.
Hachiman had a gut feeling that although Kushida acted friendly to everyone, she particularly disliked Koenji.
Koenji had probably been added to Kushida's "blacklist."
And Hachiman had a feeling that both he and Horikita were also on that list.
But—
"Hehe~"
Hachiman and Kushida were sitting inside a café when Kushida, noticing his gaze on her, flashed an adorably sweet smile on purpose.
Meanwhile, Horikita sat alone on one side, her brow slightly furrowed.
For once, she wasn't carrying her vocabulary notebook and memorizing words.
That was understandable—she had no idea what was happening.
Then, all of a sudden, she was informed that Sudo had been in a fight and that Class C had requested a hearing.
If the accusation was upheld, it could result in a massive point deduction—a terrifying prospect for both her and Hachiman, who aimed to rank up their class.
So even now, she still looked troubled.
Hachiman glanced at her briefly.
He had already explained to Ichinose and Kanzaki that this month was essentially a "behavioral assessment exam" for the new students.
Which meant that this was a window of opportunity.
For Class A, it was a chance to drag other classes down.
And the same applied to Hachiman.
Ryuen had boldly submitted a request to the student council for a hearing, directly involving them.
If handled correctly, this could cement Ryuen's false accusation as an undeniable fact.
If so, Class C could very well fall behind in this behavioral assessment exam.
At the same time, Sudo's alleged violence could also be turned to their advantage.
Now was the moment to capitalize on the situation.
With that in mind, Hachiman looked at Horikita again. She still seemed deep in thought.
Then, he raised his hand toward the front.
Outside the café, a well-proportioned girl with golden-pink hair and a boy with slightly wavy purple hair appeared.
When they noticed Hachiman's group, they quickened their pace.
Kanzaki was a bit reserved, but Ichinose was the complete opposite—outgoing and lively.
"Hikigaya-kun! Horikita-san! Kushida-chan!"
Despite only having met once before, Ichinose remembered all of them perfectly.
"Ichinose-san, about this whole issue with my classmate Sudo being accused of fighting…"
As Hachiman called Ichinose over, he glanced at Kushida.
Taking the cue, Kushida began explaining the details of the incident to Ichinose and Kanzaki.
"I see… So it was with Class C…" Ichinose nodded thoughtfully.
"If our Class B can help, we'll also try to look for clues."
"Really? Thank you so much…"
Kushida immediately reached out and took Ichinose's hands in hers.
Hachiman watched Kushida's actions.
Because… wasn't she holding her hands a little too enthusiastically?
It felt a bit cheap.
Of course, maybe he simply wasn't someone important to Kushida—just another person she treated as ordinary.
It left him feeling a bit conflicted.
However—
Hachiman hadn't invited Ichinose and Kanzaki here just to ask for help finding eyewitnesses.
"Ichinose," he said, "I think you and class B need to be cautious. I trust my classmates."
"So, about Sudo's fight—I believe this was Class C's offensive move."
Uh…
So, does that mean Class D is already taking on the risk for them?
Kanzaki and Ichinose exchanged a glance before Kanzaki asked, "Then, what do you want us to do?"
"Just do your best to find eyewitnesses," Hachiman said. "And consider this as your class owing us a favor."
In other words, even though they were forming an alliance, if Class B's students felt even a little guilty about it, they would be more likely to go the extra mile when needed.
It wasn't exactly an honorable tactic.
But it was a necessary one.
When Hachiman attended class, he had noticed the sheer number of underachievers in his class.
And that made him realize…
When they eventually encountered an exam that depended on academic ability, they would definitely need Class B's assistance.
This was just one of the many ways to leverage the Sudo incident.
However—
"This time, I owe you a favor, Hikigaya-kun," Ichinose suddenly said.
Hachiman looked at her.
Because—
This was supposed to be a matter between classes.
Yet, Ichinose wanted to repay it as a personal favor.
Did that mean, in her mind, the class was more important than herself?