According to Hikigaya's plan, once they secured Nagumo's voting commitment, Tokito would likely challenge Ryuuen openly in class, given his personality.
As long as he wagered his expulsion, Ryuuen wouldn't mind playing along.
For Tokito, this was a golden opportunity—one he wouldn't pass up.
Of course, all of this was just Hikigaya's speculation. The actual outcome remained to be seen.
That being said, Nagumo believed that as long as he blocked Hikigaya's account, he would be the only person Ichinose could turn to for help.
That guy was probably feeling quite pleased with himself right now, thinking he had easily manipulated the situation... Hmph.
Just because you've eaten an extra year's worth of rice doesn't mean you should get carried away!
"Ultimately, whether this works depends on your performance."
Suppressing his inner frustration, Hikigaya warned Manabe, "Remember, you absolutely cannot mention my name to Tokito. If Nagumo finds out I'm involved, this plan is dead in the water."
As much as he looked down on Nagumo, the guy wasn't entirely brainless.
Their deal was confidential, known only to his childhood friend Asahina. In other words, from an outsider's perspective—even for the student council president—there was no way to interfere with this first-year exam.
Even an idiot like Manabe could understand that.
That's why, if Nagumo found out this was Hikigaya's idea, he'd definitely get suspicious, and the whole plan would likely fall apart.
Exposure was not an option.
"But you're not telling me anything! How am I supposed to convince Tokito? That guy's a coward, you know!" Manabe protested.
Hmm… That was indeed a problem.
Hikigaya took a moment to gather his thoughts before speaking.
"Just tell him this: Nagumo is very interested in the special exam for first-years because it's a chance to get rid of an eyesore. And Ryuuen happens to be one of them. You and Tokito already know about this, don't you?"
Manabe nodded. Last time at the karaoke bar, Nagumo had used taking down Ryuuen as an excuse to win them over.
"So, put in some effort. If you can push Tokito into asking Nagumo for help in taking down Ryuuen, I guarantee Nagumo will come up with a solid plan. That way, Tokito will be completely hooked."
Hikigaya made it sound convincing, but he still avoided addressing the key details.
This made Manabe uneasy, but she had no alternatives.
At this point, Hikigaya was her only hope.
"...Are you sure about this? Will it go that smoothly?" Manabe asked anxiously.
"There's no such thing as a 100% success rate, but it's more reliable than you gathering a bunch of people to gang up on someone."
When the exam was announced, most students' first instinct was to team up with their friends for mutual protection.
Not exactly a wrong move.
If influential students within a class banded together to target someone, the odds would be in their favor. But those who thought that way had a small-minded perspective.
They weren't the kind who could truly stand out in their grade.
In a way, Manabe had made the right choice by shamelessly asking Hikigaya for help instead.
Otherwise, she'd probably be on her way out soon.
"You don't have to worry that much." Hikigaya smiled slightly. "Even if you don't trust me, you should at least trust our brilliant and mighty student council president. A guy like him, who loves acting smart, won't be able to resist getting involved in something like this. Once Tokito approaches him, he'll… you get the idea, right?"
Manabe stared at him for a moment before saying, with a serious expression,
"Hikigaya, do you know what kind of face you're making right now?"
"What?"
"You look like a complete villain."
"Uh..." Hikigaya fell silent.
To be fair, even he felt like he was going a bit overboard.
But this was what people called guilt by association.
Since he couldn't find an opportunity to deal with Nagumo directly, he had to take it out on Shitome instead.
Just like on the uninhabited island, where his anger toward Sakayanagi spilled over onto Class B students. And even earlier, with Class C.
Did he feel guilty? A little. But only a little.
This school's system encouraged students to fight each other and steal points from rival classes.
And those points were essentially equivalent to exam scores, as they were freely distributed by the school.
If someone had a problem with that, they might as well drop out…
Well, someone was about to drop out this time.
And he'd already decided to do something even worse.
Adding Tokito to the list didn't matter.
After all, he found that loudmouth annoying anyway.
"Tch, you've got some nerve saying that," Hikigaya scoffed, putting on an annoyed act. "Whose fault do you think it is that I have to come up with these shady tactics? Though… I guess I do have a tiny bit of a personal reason for helping you."
"Eh? P-Personal reason?!"
Manabe's tone suddenly became flustered, as if she had just thought of something.
"Don't get the wrong idea. It's because of that 'good deed' you did in the past."
Taking a bite of his bread, Hikigaya explained leisurely,
"Even though Ayanokoji used that to blackmail you, you should realize by now that it can also be used against him. If the school finds out he incited bullying, and I pull some strings in the student council, he'd be expelled without a doubt."
"Huh? You mean…?"
"That's right."
Hikigaya's expression turned into a mischievous smirk.
"I'm letting him off the hook for now. But if he ever steps out of line again, I'll use you to take him down."
"What?! Wouldn't that mean I'd get expelled too?!"
"Relax, I'll figure out a way to defend you… At worst, there's only a fifty percent chance you'd be expelled."
"That's still way too high!" Manabe shrieked. "Damn it! I knew you weren't helping me out of kindness!"
"Hmph. There's no such thing as a free lunch, you know."
Hikigaya shook his head, acting all philosophical. His smug attitude made Manabe grit her teeth, baring her little canine like she was about to bite him.
"You bastard… Ugh, whatever."
But then, she let out a sigh of resignation and said, rather casually,
"If I get out of this mess thanks to you, then fine. I'll consider it as paying you back. Just give me a heads-up when the time comes."
"...Eh?"
"Well, I have a grudge against that Ayanokoji guy anyway. If I get a chance to drag him down with me, that wouldn't be too bad."
"Uh..."
For once, Hikigaya had nothing to say.
After all, he was just casually joking around, but why did this girl seem to take it seriously…?
"Ahem. By the way."
At this moment, Hikigaya could only fake a cough twice to shift the topic.
"You did pretty well back at the forest camp. Not only did you intimidate that third-year student, but the stuff about Ayanokoji… You handled that perfectly too."
"Hehe, right?" Manabe's voice sounded quite pleased. "Don't underestimate a girl's intelligence network. I know plenty of people in our grade, and even now, people are still laughing at that deadpan guy."
"Yeah, yeah, you're amazing, alright."
Hikigaya replied half-heartedly before suddenly changing the subject.
"So, I'd like to ask for your help with something similar again. Would that be okay?"
"Of course!"
Manabe agreed without hesitation, even sounding excited. "What kind of rumors about Ayanokoji this time? I think 'stalker' or 'peeping tom' would be pretty good."
Wow, she really does hate Ayanokoji… Though, to be fair, that guy technically was an accomplice to a peeping incident.
What? His "greatest masterpiece" excuse was that he was stopping them?
Yeah, save that explanation for the police.
But Hikigaya wasn't a cop, so innocence or guilt wasn't really his concern.
Besides, Ayanokoji wasn't the target this time.
"No, this time, it's someone else."
Leaning in, Hikigaya whispered a few words into Manabe's ear.
The moment she heard it, her expression changed completely.
"I figured you might be the type… but wow, you're actually dangerous. You really dare to pull something like this?"
"It's not a big deal. I doubt the school will even care."
Even as he said that, Hikigaya knew there was some risk, so he added, "Of course, if you think it's too much, feel free to refuse. I'm not forcing you."
"Tch, you're making it sound like I'd be scared or something." Manabe scoffed, looking unimpressed. "It's just badmouthing the principal, right? What's the big deal? Back in middle school, I used to make fun of our bald-headed principal all the time."
"...You've got the wrong person. It's not the principal this time."
"Huh? But isn't the chairman basically the same as the principal?"
"…No, those are two different roles."
Just as Hikigaya was about to explain, someone suddenly approached.
The person looked like they were just passing by, but to be safe, Hikigaya stopped talking and focused on his lunch instead.
However, after glancing their way for a moment, the person actually walked straight over.
"Hikigaya? And Manabe? What are you two doing together?"
Of all people… it had to be that annoying Ibuki. Tch.
Just remembering how she ditched him before was enough to piss Hikigaya off.
Hikigaya held grudges.
He immediately shot Ibuki a look as if she were an idiot. "Manabe? What are you even talking about? Did you get heatstroke or something?"
"Haa!?" A vein popped on Ibuki's forehead. "It's February! How the hell would I get heatstroke?"
"Then maybe a stroke?"
"...Do you want to get punched?"
"Hmph, if you've got nothing better to do, don't bother me."
Hikigaya turned his head away, refusing to talk to this damn flat-chested troublemaker.
But Ibuki, unwilling to let it go, turned her attention to Manabe, who was sitting behind Hikigaya.
"Hey, Manabe, I need to talk to you."
"What's up, Ibuki-san?"
Manabe was pretending to be busy with her phone, only looking up after Ibuki called her name.
Too bad—her acting sucked.
If she had any sense, she would've taken the initiative and started talking the moment Ibuki got close, instead of playing dumb like this.
After all, the two of them were classmates, and Manabe often messed with Ibuki.
Acting all reserved now was just suspicious.
Sure enough, Ibuki practically had "I don't trust this" written all over her face.
"Come on, cut the act. Why are you sitting with Hikigaya? What were you two talking about?"
"Who's sitting with him?" Manabe scoffed. "There are two chairs, aren't there? Are you blind, or just nearsighted? And besides, who I talk to is none of your business. Since when did Ibuki-san start caring so much about other people's affairs?"
"Oh? Sounds like you're guilty."
"Heh, if you've got so much free time, why don't you go suck up to Ryuuen-kun instead? After all, you're one of the top candidates for expulsion in this exam."
"What?"
With that little jab, Ibuki's attention immediately shifted as she glared at Manabe.
"As if I'd ever suck up to someone like him! What do you take me for, Hiyori or something?"
"Oh really? Funny, because there's a certain girl in our class who follows Ryuuen-kun around all day. Makes me wonder if she sneaks into his room at night too."
"…You looking for a fight?"
"Tch, whatever. I'm done with you."
Manabe completely ignored Ibuki's hostility, snorted, and walked off.
She was safe, but Hikigaya wasn't.
Ibuki immediately turned her glare back to him. "Oi, Hikigaya! What the hell are you plotting with that woman?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Hikigaya continued eating his bread. "I'm just here having lunch. What does that have to do with you?"
"It doesn't, but Manabe is from Class C. I have every reason to find out what scheme you two are cooking up."
"You're so annoying. I already told you—it's just a coincidence."
Hikigaya put on a look of impatience. At times like this, outright denial was the best strategy.
"Besides, I have no obligation to answer you. A paranoid, untrustworthy, flat-chested woman like you is the worst… No wonder you got your ass kicked by Ayanokoji."
"What the hell! You're still bringing that up!?"
Ibuki looked flustered, too caught up in embarrassment to even notice the jab about her chest.
In truth, Hikigaya had already let it go. He only brought it up to change the subject.
"Tch, you were the one who came looking for me back then," Ibuki grumbled. "Sure, I agreed at first, but that was just a moment of weakness… Anyway, that was ages ago! Why the hell are you still holding onto it!?"
"Hah, easy for you to say when you weren't the one getting stood up."
"…Whatever. Say what you want."
Finally, Ibuki seemed fed up and turned to leave.
Just as Hikigaya was silently celebrating, another guy walked past them.
"Ugh, I'm so hungry… Is it veggie set again today? Hm? Ibuki? And Hikigaya? What are you two doing here?"
It was Ishizaki, clutching his stomach with a miserable look.
Another Class C student? Seriously…?
Hikigaya almost instinctively felt that something bad was about to happen. He casually brushed it off, saying, "It's nothing, just a coincidence. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
However, Ishizaki seemed unusually persistent.
Pointing at the half-eaten yakisoba bread in Hikigaya's hand, he dumbly asked, "Wait, is that… yakisoba bread? You like that too?"
"Uh… yeah."
"Oh! That stuff is delicious, right?"
The next moment, Ishizaki reacted as if he had found a kindred spirit. He lunged forward and started lamenting, "Hikigaya, listen to me! I was planning to treat myself to a better lunch today, so I specially lined up to buy a yakisoba bread. But before I could even take a single bite, someone snatched it away! Isn't that infuriating?"
"…Yeah, that's pretty frustrating." Hikigaya stiffly nodded.
For some reason, the bad feeling in his heart grew even stronger.
Could it be…
At that moment, Ibuki interjected, "Ishizaki, you're getting more pathetic by the day. You let someone steal your lunch? Was it Ryuuen?"
"No way! It was that damn Manabe!" Ishizaki shouted, "She didn't even say a word, just grabbed the bag right out of my hands! She said she'd pay me back later, but I haven't seen a single point!"
The moment he said this, Ibuki's expression turned strangely amused.
Then, ever so slowly, she turned her head and gave Hikigaya a meaningful look.
As for the person in question, he remained still, standing like a statue, unmoved by anything.
After all… he had already gone numb.
"Huh? Hikigaya, what's wrong with you?"
Ishizaki finally noticed something off and scratched his head in confusion. "You look kinda pale. Are you feeling sick?"
"N-No, it's nothing."
Cold sweat poured down Hikigaya's back. Especially with Ibuki staring daggers at him, he felt like needles were pricking his skin.
This wasn't his fault, right?
It was all because of that damn delinquent!
She actually had the audacity to offer stolen food as a tribute?!
Even a robber would at least have the decency to show some sincerity!
Cursing in his heart, Hikigaya hesitated for a moment before reluctantly holding out the half-eaten yakisoba bread to Ishizaki.
"If you don't mind… want some?"
"Huh? Can I?"
"…As long as you don't mind."
"Ohh! Thanks, man!"
Ishizaki, showing no hesitation at all, happily accepted the bread and immediately stuffed it into his mouth.
Then, a blissful smile spread across his face.
"This is amazing! This is exactly what I wanted!"
Such was the power of yakisoba bread.
The sheer joy of a carb-on-carb combination could bring unparalleled satisfaction.
Hikigaya hadn't intended this as an apology, but seeing how happy Ishizaki was, he figured it wasn't a bad outcome.
So, Ibuki…
Could you stop looking at me like I'm some kind of criminal?!
I swear, I had nothing to do with this!