"Acting Director Tsukishiro, what exactly are you doing?"
Hikigaya was genuinely shocked. He hadn't expected a so-called White Room affiliate to act like this—resorting to violence just because they couldn't win an argument. It was even worse than Ryuuen, that delinquent who played by his own rules.
Could it be that everyone from the White Room was like this?
No wonder Ayanokoji, the so-called "masterpiece," was also kind of weird...
"Don't worry, all the surveillance cameras here have already been overridden with fake footage."
Tsukishiro remained utterly confident as he tightened his grip around Ayanokoji's neck.
"Alright then, this is a message from your esteemed father." He spoke to Ayanokoji in a casual tone. "'I'm done playing with you. Come back immediately.' That's the gist of it. If you agree, just blink twice."
"Ugh..." Ayanokoji gave no response.
It seemed like he planned to stay silent until the end… Well, considering his throat was being squeezed, he probably didn't have much of a choice.
Hikigaya couldn't just stand by and watch anymore. He couldn't help but speak up, "Acting Director, isn't this going a bit too far? I don't know why you're so determined to make Ayanokoji drop out, but from what you're saying, it sounds like it's his father's demand? Come to think of it, I actually ran into his father at school once. Just from his presence, I could tell he was a big deal."
"That's right. This is merely a family matter, so there's no need for you to interfere. It wouldn't be good if you got caught up in something unnecessary."
Tsukishiro's tone carried a subtle warning.
But hearing that only made Hikigaya even angrier.
If that's the case, then why the hell did you kick me just now?!
Even if that was just a feint to distract Ayanokoji, it still scared poor Hachiman!
"Oh, so that's what's going on," Hikigaya nodded as if he had suddenly realized something. Then, with a strange expression, he added, "But based on what you just said, this is nothing more than a father-son dispute. And you… you're just an employee. Yet here you are, going out of your way to make a show of force, even pinning down the future heir and beating him up? Are you… sure you're thinking straight?"
"Ugh…" This time, it was Tsukishiro who found himself speechless, unable to come up with a response for a long moment.
Because, when you thought about it, that's exactly what it looked like from an outsider's perspective.
No matter how arrogant Tsukishiro seemed when you put it this way, it was actually kind of ridiculous.
It was like the president of a major corporation struggling to control his rebellious son—so he sent an employee to handle it.
But if the son doesn't even listen to his father, what makes you think he'd listen to some random worker?
Have some self-awareness, will you?
Of course, Ayanokoji's situation was much more complicated than that.
But the logic still held.
Even if there was no familial bond between them, Ayanokoji's talent was undeniable, and his father's actions only further proved how much he valued him.
Not to mention, Ayanokoji was very likely to take over the White Room in the future.
If Tsukishiro were truly a smart adult, he wouldn't be making an enemy out of his future boss.
Unfortunately, judging by the current situation, that didn't seem to be the case.
"Hikigaya-kun, I appreciate your concern, but as you said, I'm simply following orders."
Tsukishiro admitted that he was nothing more than a puppet. But then, he suddenly shifted his tone.
"But if you really can't stand it, why don't you try stopping me? I don't mind if it's two against one."
As he spoke, he turned back to Ayanokoji. "Come on now, why don't you put up a little resistance? Show me what makes you so special—I want to see what you're capable of."
"…Hey, hey, how is he supposed to fight back when you're choking him?" Hikigaya was nearly speechless.
"Heh, well, that's why I said you can go two against one."
Tsukishiro chuckled dismissively, provoking Hikigaya once again.
"Or are you telling me that the two of you, as high school boys, can't even take down an old man like me?"
"Uh… this has nothing to do with whether we can win or not," Hikigaya sighed helplessly.
"Just admit you're too scared."
"…Alright, you asked for it."
After being provoked multiple times, even Hikigaya was starting to lose his patience.
At first, he just wanted to watch from the sidelines—after all, it was Ayanokoji getting choked, not him.
But if this middle-aged man was going to be this cocky, then it'd be a shame not to knock him down a peg.
"I'd advise you not to underestimate me. I've received professional training in this area."
As he spoke, Hikigaya genuinely looked like he was about to take action.
Tsukishiro observed this with amusement, the smirk on his face growing even wider.
This was exactly what he wanted.
It only confirmed that this boy was still far beneath the "masterpiece."
After all, he was just a normal student from the outside world.
"Hikigaya-kun, don't fall for his trap… ah."
Sakayanagi had just opened her mouth to stop him when she saw Hikigaya take out his phone from his pocket and aim the camera at Tsukishiro.
Almost at the same moment, Tsukishiro let go as if he had just grabbed a burning hot potato.
Should I say this is exactly what one would expect from someone from the White Room?
Not only was he ruthless in his actions, but when he needed to back down, he did so as decisively as Ayanokoji.
This must be what they call "a true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm."
"Oi, oi, oi, weren't you acting all tough just now? Why let go so easily?"
Holding up his phone, Hikigaya sneered mercilessly. "I thought the great Acting Director had absolute power. Shutting down accounts at will, threatening to suspend mine until graduation—but turns out, you get scared too?"
"Ugh..." Tsukishiro's old face flushed red, and for a moment, he didn't know what to say. He could only feign composure and adjust his suit.
After a short pause, he seemed to regain his calm, his usual sly smile returning to his face.
"Hikigaya-kun, I'll admit it. For a mere first-year student, you do have some wits about you."
"Yeah, I know you're not afraid," Hikigaya replied. "That's why I told you not to let go."
As he spoke, he nudged Ayanokoji.
"How about giving him another chokehold? What do you think?"
"...As a member of the student council, you should know how strict the school's rules are," Tsukishiro wisely chose to ignore the word "chokehold" and said in a serious tone, "Even if you recorded it, what can you do? Do you think you can spread anything online? Believe it or not, I can make sure nothing gets posted at all."
"Oh, I believe you. Why wouldn't I?"
It wasn't just empty intimidation.
Even if he was just the acting director, he still had real authority.
Unfortunately for him, Hikigaya had encountered plenty of school principals and disciplinary directors with the same kind of posturing back in middle school.
All bark, no bite.
"In that case, I guess I'll just have to print the pictures out," Hikigaya declared confidently. "Then, I'll distribute them to each class one by one. Maybe I'll even hand out flyers at the shopping mall—consider it an early social practice project."
"Ugh..." Tsukishiro almost choked on his breath.
If this got out and spread throughout the school, not only would Ayanokoji not be expelled, but his reputation with his superiors would plummet.
His future would be dead in the water—damn it!
How could there be such an infuriating student in this world?!
The worst part was that Hikigaya seemed like the type to follow through on his threats—there wasn't a hint of bluffing.
"Oh, right. There's one more thing I forgot to mention."
Hikigaya raised his phone, a strange look of sympathy flashing across his face.
"I accidentally recorded our whole conversation just now."
"...Hah, you think I'd believe that?" Tsukishiro let out a mocking laugh.
"I know you don't," Hikigaya said casually. "But honestly, I wasn't even targeting you, Acting Director."
He pointed at Sakayanagi.
"I was tricked out here by this little troublemaker, so I turned on the recorder just in case... I never expected to reel in a big fish like you. Or maybe, you just walked into the trap yourself."
"Hikigaya-kun, isn't that a little unfair? I called you here to discuss something serious," Sakayanagi looked at him in feigned shock.
"Hmph. Who told you to use Kamuro's phone to trick me?"
"I just figured that if I used my number, you'd definitely pretend you didn't see it."
"Why would you say that? I wouldn't do something like that."
Hikigaya confidently declared that he wasn't that kind of person... Well, since no one could prove otherwise, he could say whatever he wanted.
The two of them still had the energy to bicker, but Tsukishiro felt a cold chill running down his spine.
At this point, he couldn't tell whether this was real or just a bluff.
Especially considering that Hikigaya had actually used this exact trick to trap Sakayanagi before—and it hadn't been that long ago either.
That instantly made the claim much more credible.
Still, Tsukishiro was someone capable of becoming the acting chairman. No matter how unsettled he was inside, he maintained a composed expression.
"In that case, would you mind playing the recording, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Why should I listen to you?"
"If you really recorded it, playing it wouldn't hurt, would it? Or… could it be that this is just a lie?"
Tsukishiro stared intently at Hikigaya's face, hoping to find some kind of clue.
Unfortunately, that dead-fish-eyed expression revealed absolutely nothing.
"I already told you—the key point is 'Why should I listen to you?'" Hikigaya emphasized again. "Besides, I don't really care whether you believe me or not. I never intended to use this to threaten you or anything… But if I had to say, I do have something I'd like to tell you, Acting Chairman."
"...I'm listening."
At first, Tsukishiro had taken a rather dismissive attitude. But now, he was fully aware of how much of a nuisance Hikigaya could be.
However, what came next was something he hadn't expected.
"Honestly, I have zero interest in the conflict between you and Ayanokoji. If you want to expel him, figure it out yourself. As long as you don't drag me into it for no reason, you and I will remain as parallel lines—never intersecting."
"Are you saying… you won't help Ayanokoji-kun?"
"Obviously. Why the hell would I help him?"
Hikigaya answered without hesitation, then added, "But just so we're clear—if you try to command me again by randomly sending a text like this time, I won't mind letting the entire student body hear our conversation."
"Ugh…"
Even though Tsukishiro still had that usual smile on his face, his expression clearly stiffened.
Being threatened by a student… and worst of all, there was nothing he could do about it.
He couldn't afford to gamble on this.
Winning wouldn't bring him any benefits—it would, at most, let him mock this annoying brat.
But if he lost, and Hikigaya really played the recording…
That would be a huge mess.
"…I officially take over as chairman in April. Please look forward to it."
With nothing else to say, Tsukishiro rigidly changed the topic, leaving that remark behind.
Then, without waiting for a response from the three of them, he swiftly walked away.
Sigh… Was there even a point to this?
He was the acting chairman, yet he went out of his way to show off in front of a bunch of students, only to end up making a fool of himself.
Seriously, what was the guy even trying to do?
Hikigaya found the whole situation baffling, though at the same time, some other thoughts crossed his mind.
There was something strange about Tsukishiro's actions.
Whether it was provoking them directly or getting involved in a physical altercation—none of it seemed relevant to his purpose for being at this school.
Take Hikigaya himself as an example. Back when he wanted to expel Ayanokoji, he did two things:
1. Silently gathered evidence.
2. Silently reported it to the school.
That was it. No unnecessary theatrics, no pointless engagement. He didn't even bother interacting with Ayanokoji—his only focus was getting him expelled.
So from Hikigaya's perspective, Tsukishiro's actions were highly suspicious.
Deliberately telling Ayanokoji, 'Your father sent me to expel you,'—what was the point of that?
If he were an assassin, he should've just stayed in the shadows.
And as the acting chairman, Tsukishiro had no reason to interact with students in the first place.
If he played his cards right, Ayanokoji could've been expelled without even knowing who was behind it.
But now, Tsukishiro had basically thrown away his greatest advantage and raised Ayanokoji's guard to the maximum.
Unless… this guy was a mole.
…Well, whatever.
Hikigaya shook his head, brushing away those pointless thoughts.
At the end of the day, none of this had anything to do with him.
"Oh my, Hikigaya-kun? What's with you all of a sudden?" Sakayanagi, who had been watching from the side, asked curiously.
"…It's nothing, just a slight headache."
"Hehe, are you troubled about what to do next?"
"Quit spouting nonsense," Hikigaya frowned. "Tsukishiro's target is Ayanokoji, not me. What do I have to worry about?"
"But you've thoroughly offended him now, haven't you?" Sakayanagi pointed out.
"So what? Worst case, I get expelled." Hikigaya answered indifferently.
Realistically, though, that was highly unlikely.
Ayanokoji's father had likely gone through great lengths to install Tsukishiro in this school, forcing Chairman Sakayanagi to step down.
If Hikigaya were just some easily disposable student, that wouldn't be a big deal.
But clearly, that wasn't the case.
If Tsukishiro wasted too much effort on someone irrelevant like Hikigaya, he'd be neglecting his real mission.
And if that happened, he'd have a hard time justifying himself to his superiors.
Ultimately, there was a fundamental difference between Hikigaya and Ayanokoji.
Hikigaya didn't give a damn about expulsion threats.