This was truly an undeserved disaster.
As Ayanokoji sighed, he analyzed the situation at hand.
No wonder Hikigaya had been acting so out of character, openly discussing his matters in front of unfamiliar people. It wasn't a confession—it was a message meant for him.
If not for this opportunity, Hikigaya might have kept it hidden until the very day the exam began.
By then, there would have been no turning back.
"Hikki! Don't you think you're being too much? If you do this, Kipyon will get expelled too!"
"Yeah... I'm sorry."
Though Hasebe still refused to give up, there was little she could do.
Hikigaya's attitude was clear—"I know this is wrong, but I'm doing it anyway."
It wasn't something just anyone could talk him out of.
"What good is an apology?! Please, reconsider!"
"...No." Hikigaya shook his head slowly, yet firmly.
"Enough! You're being completely unreasonable!" Hasebe shouted, her frustration boiling over. "Why should Kipyon have to be expelled because of you?! We finally found like-minded friends and formed a group together! If Kipyon is gone, then the Ayanokoji Group will be as good as dead!"
"The Ayanokoji Group?"
Hikigaya's gaze swept over the group, before a smirk—half amused, half indifferent—curled on his lips.
"I see… So, you've all started playing the same 'good friends' game as everyone else, huh?"
"What?! Are you mocking us?!"
"No." Hikigaya averted his gaze immediately.
But… he was.
That much was obvious, and it only fueled Hasebe's anger.
Even though the group was called the Ayanokoji Group, she was the one who usually took the initiative, planning activities and keeping the atmosphere lively.
Out of everyone here, she was undoubtedly the one who couldn't accept the group falling apart.
Unfortunately, her sense of camaraderie didn't earn Hikigaya's understanding—only ridicule.
"I don't see why you're getting so worked up. If Ayanokoji's gone, just change the name. How about… the Hasebe Group?"
"This isn't about the name!"
"To me, that's exactly what it is."
Hikigaya's response was sharp, unwavering—completely overwhelming Hasebe's momentum in an instant.
"I admit my actions are selfish. If it were Ayanokoji complaining, that would be one thing, but you—someone I've barely known for a month—acting like some devoted friend? Do you really value friendship that much?"
Without waiting for Hasebe's response, he continued, "Let's take a step back. Even if you do value friendship, do you have the ability and determination to protect it? Otherwise, you're just saying empty words. Better to keep quiet."
"What the hell?! Why am I the one being scolded now?!"
Hasebe pointed at herself in disbelief.
"And what makes you so sure I don't? I really like this group! I'll definitely protect it to the end!"
"...Is that so? Then let me give you an example." Hikigaya's tone suddenly grew colder. "Based on my research, this school has a special exam where students vote to expel a classmate. The decision must be unanimous, and in exchange, the class receives class points."
"Huh?"
Everyone was stunned, their first reaction being sheer disbelief.
"No way! That kind of exam is absurd! The school wouldn't do something like that!" Hasebe immediately protested.
"If you don't believe me, go ask around."
Although the school had imposed a gag order on upperclassmen, it wasn't as if they had chips implanted in them. Whether through personal points or… other means, getting information wasn't impossible.
The problem was, most students never even considered it.
Hikigaya stared at Hasebe, expressionless. "Let's just say I'm making a hypothetical scenario. If someone from your group were chosen as the sacrifice, could you stand firm against the entire class and refuse to comply?"
"Of course! I won't let anyone from our group get expelled!" Hasebe answered without hesitation.
"Think carefully before you answer." Hikigaya's voice carried a trace of disdain. "These exams usually happen in the third year, when class points are crucial for making a comeback. The school deliberately sets the reward so high that the weaker class has a chance to catch up. Meaning, your defiance could cost your entire class—yourself included—a shot at a better future. Could you really endure being hated by everyone just to protect a friend?"
"Y-You're exaggerating! How am I supposed to know if what you're saying is even true?!"
Despite her protests, Hasebe was already wavering.
"Exaggerating? You still don't understand the reality of this school, do you?"
Hikigaya smirked, his expression dripping with sarcasm.
"This place is even more disgusting than you think. If you keep soaking in the warm bath of 'friendship,' one day, you'll drown."
"What... what nonsense are you talking about?!"
Hasebe looked ready to explode, but Ayanokoji seemed to agree with Hikigaya.
This Advanced Nurturing High School was no different from the White Room.
Both were equally ruthless and unforgiving in its way.
"Let it go, Haruka. Hikigaya has his reasons. It's not like he wants to drop out," Miyake intervened, sensing the situation was escalating.
"And Hikigaya, maybe that's enough?"
"...Yeah. Sorry, I said too much."
Hikigaya lowered his head slightly.
"Hearing her spout such grand words about protecting the group... it reminded me of someone I despised. But no more fools are willing to sacrifice themselves here."
His final words were barely audible.
"Anyway, I won't change my mind. If Ayanokoji wants to complain or scold me, I'll accept it. But from anyone else? No thanks. Goodbye."
With that, Hikigaya left without another word.
Ayanokoji's group fell into temporary silence, likely needing time to digest everything.
"What the hell… what was that guy even talking about?!" Hasebe grumbled indignantly. "If that kind of exam existed, he'd be the first one voted out!"
"Does it matter right now?" Yukimura sighed. "Even if it does happen, that's a problem for the future."
"Hey, Keisei! Whose side are you on?!"
"I just want you to calm down. That's not the key issue right now."
"Yeah, Keisei's right." Miyake agreed. "For now, we should focus on persuading Hikigaya. Otherwise, Kiyotaka might end up expelled too."
"Persuade him…? Hey, Kipyon! Why are you still acting so indifferent?!"
For some reason, Hasebe turned her frustration on Ayanokoji.
"You didn't say a single word just now! Or do you not care about getting expelled? If that's the case, then we're the idiots for worrying about you!"
"Uh, of course, I don't want to get expelled."
He just knew talking to Hikigaya wouldn't work, so he didn't bother wasting the effort.
"I don't get along with Hikigaya, and honestly, I doubt I could convince him."
"So you're just giving up?"
"No, I'm going to ask Horikita to talk to him."
"I see… I guess I'll talk to Kikyō then." Hasebe sighed. "Jeez, why did this have to happen…? Never mind, let's just deal with this first."
"Huh? Would Kushida even be useful? Wouldn't Hirata be a better option?" Miyake suggested.
"Clueless boys should just shut up. I don't have time to explain!"
"Who are you calling clueless…?!"
Ignoring their bickering, Yukimura turned to Sakura.
"Airi, you were in the same group as Hikigaya and Matsushita for the preferential exam, right? Can you ask Matsushita to get some information?"
"Eh?!"
Caught off guard, Sakura flinched.
"I-I only talked to Matsushita a little… but I'll try. I don't want Kiyotaka-kun to be expelled either."
It seemed Sakura was trying her best for the group as well.
Ayanokoji appreciated her effort, though he doubted it would work.
Neither Horikita, Kushida, nor Matsushita could persuade Hikigaya. They were all people who had been 'given' something by Hikigaya.
In the end, they would likely be the ones getting convinced instead.
It seemed he'd have to figure something out himself.
Honestly, even if Hikigaya handed in a blank test, Ayanokoji was confident he wouldn't be expelled.
After all, as long as two people's scores in each subject added up to sixty and the total reached eight hundred, they could pass.
But if things were left as they were, his peaceful life would be disrupted.
So, countermeasures were necessary.
Thus, to save their teammate, Ayanokoji's group took action.
…
Hikigaya's intention to drop out didn't spread through Class D.
He continued attending school as usual, seemingly planning to vanish without causing a stir.
The few students who knew also kept silent.
There was no need to burden their classmates before a major exam.
"Hey, Horikita, how's it going on your end?" Ayanokoji asked his seatmate.
But Horikita simply shook her head.
"At least say something. Did Hikigaya say anything?"
"He said, 'As long as it's for Komachi, I don't care what happens to me.'" Horikita sighed. "Oh, and he said he hates that you always look like a corpse. If he dragged anyone else down, he'd feel guilty, but if it's you, then too bad."
"That last part was your addition, wasn't it?"
"Only half of it."
"Half, huh…"
It was even worse than he expected.
"Horikita, are you going to accept this so easily? Or is it because you're a little sister yourself, and you secretly envy having a brother like this? When did you become so soft?" Ayanokoji deliberately provoked her.
Horikita immediately shot him a fierce glare. "Then what do you want me to do? If you're not satisfied, why don't you try convincing him yourself?"
"It's precisely because I can't that I'm asking you. If Hikigaya and I drop out, this class won't have even the slightest chance of reaching Class A, right?"
"Hmph, well, that won't be your problem anymore, will it? After all, by then, you'll be nothing more than a former student of this school."
Even so, Horikita must have understood that she couldn't allow things to reach that point.
The proof was written all over her troubled expression.
"Anyway, let's try again," Ayanokoji suggested. "The exams are coming up next week. You and the others in charge of tutoring should get together, share what's happening in the study groups, and bring Hikigaya along. This time, don't make it just the girls—have Hirata and Sudou join in as well. Maybe with all of you talking to him, he'll change his mind."
"...Will that work?" Horikita was skeptical.
"It's better than doing nothing, isn't it?"
In the end, Horikita reluctantly agreed, though her attitude made it clear she was treating this as a last-ditch effort.
Not that Ayanokoji could blame her. He didn't think it would be particularly effective either.
But as long as Hikigaya showed up, that was enough.
Speaking of which—Horikita usually had such a tough and commanding attitude. Especially toward her harmless next-seat neighbor, whom she practically treated like a servant, often throwing sharp words his way.
And yet, when it came to Hikigaya, she was uncharacteristically soft.
That double standard was a bit much.
Ayanokoji's phone buzzed with a message.
It was from Karuizawa.
[I asked around for you. Hikigaya does have a little sister. He met her during the tennis club's summer trip. They even left the group to hang out together.]
She managed to dig up even that?
Ayanokoji had asked Sudou before about leaving campus for basketball games, and he'd said the rules were extremely strict.
But this was a school where power dictated privilege. If you were willing to spend enough points, some rules could be bent. Hikigaya must have taken advantage of that.
Ayanokoji had also inquired about Hikigaya's admission interview with Chabashira-sensei. He had deliberately given nonsense answers.
Normally, a performance like that would've meant immediate rejection, but this school played by different rules.
So, his parents had forced him to enroll here…
In a way, the two of them were similar.
Only, what they wanted was the exact opposite.
Hikigaya even went so far as to ask Kouenji for help last month. Was his reason for rejecting a partner to avoid dragging others down?
His plan must have been to intentionally fail and get himself expelled.
What a mess… and somehow, Ayanokoji had gotten caught up in it.
Complaining wouldn't change anything now. It was time to focus on finding a solution.
That was the mindset he had been trained to adopt since childhood—discard useless emotions and concentrate on the situation at hand.
Resentment and frustration would only cloud judgment. They did nothing to solve the problem.
With that in mind, he sent a message to Karuizawa.
Ayanokoji: [Horikita will probably contact you tomorrow about joining a discussion meeting.]
Karuizawa: [What time?]
Ayanokoji: [Not sure yet. Just make sure you agree. I need you to do something for me.]
After reading his follow-up message, Karuizawa replied with mild confusion.
Karuizawa: [Why do you always give me these weird instructions? Is this going to help you?]
Ayanokoji: [Yes. I'll explain the details later.]
If Hikigaya caught on to anything, it would be troublesome.
Karuizawa was excellent at putting on a façade, but Ayanokoji wasn't willing to take unnecessary risks as Hikigaya was too monstrous.
She needed to be kept in the dark—only then could she play her role as the fiery, untouchable girl.
Karuizawa: [Fine, I won't ask then.]\
She quickly gave up on pressing further, but then sent another message.
Karuizawa: [I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and I even talked to Matsushita about it in private.]
Karuizawa: [Shouldn't you have a proper talk with Hikigaya?]
Ayanokoji: [Why?]
Karuizawa: [Didn't you say he's overly compassionate? Someone like that wouldn't just drag others down for no reason, right?]
Ayanokoji: [Got it. I'll give it a try.]
After casually brushing Karuizawa off, Ayanokoji put his phone away.
Indeed, that was what he had believed up until now.
But everyone has something they care about deeply—compassion has its limits.
If one had to choose between being kicked out of their home or dragging their entire class down with them, most would pick the former.
Of course, in a world with billions of people, there are bound to be those who would rather suffer alone than harm others.
But there was no guarantee that Hikigaya was one of them.
Ayanokoji wasn't about to gamble on that—nor did he have any reason to take such a risk.
As long as everything went smoothly tomorrow, that was all that mattered.