Chapter 10 Hoshinomiya Chie
Karaoke—the most popular form of entertainment among normies.
Hikigaya always thought he'd never set foot into such a paradise for normies. But one of the people he needed to secretly meet today was a bit special. Since he couldn't summon her to the dorm for a covert discussion, he had no choice but to accept Kushida's suggestion: the soundproof booth of a karaoke room.
"Chie-chan, you're really troubling Hikigaya-kun now,"
Ichinose Honami said helplessly to her homeroom teacher—Hoshinomiya Chie, a woman in that mysterious age range between twenty-five and thirty. She was currently leaning right next to the dead-eyed student, rudely poking his cheek with her finger.
"I just want to get closer to Hikigaya-kun,"
Hoshinomiya said, pressing her voluptuous body against him.
"After all, Hikigaya said he wanted to become my student, didn't he?"
Among the four first-year homeroom teachers, Hoshinomiya was the least teacher-like. The other three were stern and businesslike in suits, while she alone preferred cute, quirky clothing and had an eccentric personality.
There were four people in the karaoke booth: Ichinose, Hoshinomiya, Hikigaya, and the ever-stern-faced Kanzaki Ryuji, who stepped in to pull Hoshinomiya away and rescue Hikigaya.
"The condition is that I get decision-making authority over Class B,"
Hikigaya said, moving to a seat farther away from Hoshinomiya.
"Ichinose, you need to support me as the new leader."
Unlike the fragmented leadership of Class D, Class B had a single, absolute center—Ichinose Honami. Every student admired her for her unparalleled charisma.
While this unity made Class B strong, it also made them vulnerable. Without Ichinose, they'd be like ants who had lost their queen.
"I disagree,"
Kanzaki, a devoted follower of Ichinose, immediately objected. Like the rest of Class B, he wanted their beloved Ichinose to lead them—not an outsider like Hikigaya who planned to transfer in.
"Ichinose-san can't do it,"
Hikigaya said, looking directly at her.
"This school simulates society more deeply than you think. You're too kind. Without the resolve to expel students from other classes, there's no way you'll reach Class A."
Unlike Kushida, who faked kindness, Ichinose was truly good-hearted inside and out. Her moral standards were extremely high. She wouldn't resort to dirty tactics, and had no way to counter those who did.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei,"
Hikigaya continued,
"You were a student at this school before. You should understand—special exams aren't child's play. They're life-or-death battles."
Hikigaya recalled that Class D's homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, had mentioned she graduated from this school. Since Hoshinomiya was her best friend and classmate, it stood to reason that she too was a graduate.
"I don't know where you heard that..."
Hoshinomiya said, then leaned in to hug the now visibly downcast Ichinose, sandwiching her shoulder between her ample breasts.
"I don't care much whether my students graduate from Class A or not. As long as Ichinose does what she wants, that's enough for me."
A teacher's worth is tied to their class's performance. If her class rose to Class A, Hoshinomiya would get promotions and raises. Hikigaya had expected her support. Although she didn't outright deny him, her response clearly showed she had little hope for Ichinose's class reaching Class A.
Since he couldn't count on Hoshinomiya, Hikigaya decided to reveal an even harsher truth to Ichinose.
"From my judgment, there are two students in Class D stronger than me, and three just slightly weaker."
Hikigaya was fully self-aware. He currently held the advantage only because of his foreknowledge. Koenji Rokusuke and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka were well beyond what he could compete with.
Hirata Yosuke, Kushida Kikyo, and Horikita Suzune all had their own issues, but in terms of ability, each had their strengths.
"As for Class A, there's Sakayanagi Arisu and Katsuragi Kouhei—not much needs to be said."
"Class C is the only class you're likely stronger than overall, but their leader, Ryuen Kakeru, will do anything to win. He's the worst possible matchup for your class."
"There are that many students stronger than you in Class D? You must be joking, Hikigaya-kun,"
Hoshinomiya said. Her smile remained, but there was no warmth in her eyes.
"In terms of physical and academic ability, I admit I fall far short. The only thing I might compete in is judgment... and even that's just a maybe."
"So Class D has the potential to reach Class A?"
"Absolutely. If they go all out, reaching Class A would be a walk in the park."
Even Hikigaya didn't know how they could possibly lose if Class D went all out. In terms of high-level talent, they were undoubtedly the strongest. Though they had personality flaws, their raw strength far exceeded the other three classes.
In the special exam system dominated by Nagumo Miyabi, individual strength had become more important than ever. In game terms, the "meta" during the term of Nagumo was awful for Class B but ideal for Class D—they were the "meta pick". Meanwhile during the term of Horikita Manabu the situation is reversed"
"Heh."
Hoshinomiya's sweet smile disappeared. She casually sat down next to Hikigaya, surprising both Ichinose and Kanzaki.
"From now on, I'm on Hikigaya's side, okay?"
Her sudden change in stance made Hikigaya suspect that she and Chabashira Sae had some kind of unresolved conflict.
"Even if the teacher agrees, I still object,"
Kanzaki insisted. He didn't trust Hikigaya.
"No need to decide now. Just tell me your answer after the midterms. I'm not forcing anything,"
Hikigaya replied.
"If you're considering it, start saving your personal points."
He pulled out his phone and opened his personal terminal, showing a string of Arabic numerals—he had over 14 million points, a clear testament to his ability.
"Sorry, Hikigaya-kun. I'll give you an answer soon,"
Ichinose said. With a forced smile, she left with Kanzaki. The teacher's lack of faith in her and the overwhelming strength of the other classes weighed heavily on her. She now doubted if she could meet her classmates' expectations.
Only Hoshinomiya and Hikigaya remained in the booth.
"Hikigaya, you're kind of wicked, you know?"
Hoshinomiya used the room phone to order a dozen drinks for herself and began downing them like water, completely throwing aside any pretense of decorum.
He could've simply told Ichinose that it was impossible for her alone to reach for Class A without leaving some of her classmates behind.
That would've been enough to make her surrender. But now Hikigaya had made her play the villain.
Even though it violated school rules and professional ethics, she would still go through with it.
She absolutely could not allow Chabashira Sae's class to reach Class A. For that goal, she would stop at nothing.
Her life had been frozen ever since the special exam she and Chabashira had once taken together—an exam that could've sent them to Class A. It was Chabashira who ruined that chance.
She could not allow Chabashira Sae to succeed alone.