The campus streets were eerily quiet as evening descended. At this hour, it wasn't unusual for the school grounds to be sparsely populated; most students, no longer burdened by looming exams, chose to unwind in the comfort of their dorms.
Hikigaya let out a resigned sigh, the sound cutting through the stillness of the campus.
The source of his frustration walked just ahead of him—Karuizawa Kei.
Her naivety was truly exasperating. Hikigaya found himself at a loss when trying to comprehend how someone could be so oblivious to the dangers lurking beneath the surface of this meritocratic school. Her attitude was disarmingly innocent, almost childishly so.
How could he possibly convey the harsh truth to her without crushing that naiveté?
The more Hikigaya thought about it, the more he realized that dealing with Karuizawa was far more exhausting than his encounters with Sakayanagi. At least with her, he could offer a subtle hint, and she'd instantly grasp the underlying meaning.
"What are you sighing about?" Karuizawa turned back to him, her tone laced with irritation. "Are those thoughts really that heavy?"
"No…"
Hikigaya sighed, not out of physical exhaustion, but from the deep fatigue that gnawed at his spirit.
The more he thought about it, the more pointless his actions seemed. Convincing Kei Karuizawa to understand the harsh reality of a meritocratic world felt like an impossible task. Deep down, Hikigaya knew that her reactions towards him were likely nothing more than an automatic response, rooted in some kind of obligation. She probably despised him at her core.
After all, who could possibly enjoy talking to someone like him?
As Hikigaya hesitated, unsure whether to continue trying to persuade her, Karuizawa unexpectedly spoke up.
"Just now… were you with people from another class? Are they your friends?"
"What do you think?"
The word "friends" sent a sharp pang through Hikigaya's stomach.
"Among those two girls… is one of them your girlfriend?"
"How could that even be possible?"
Hikigaya couldn't fathom why Karuizawa would jump to such a conclusion. The mere thought of Sakayanagi being his girlfriend was enough to make his stomach churn.
"I see…"
Karuizawa nodded silently at his response. Since she was walking ahead of him, Hikigaya couldn't see her expression.
"You know, if you can talk to people from other classes, why are you so isolated within our own? You could easily join in…"
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not friendly with those guys at all. I was just dragged into playing a background role by someone."
"Well then, why don't you come and play a background role for us next time?"
"No, no, I'm not interested in that…"
Even background actors need to get paid. Don't expect a freebie!
The thought sparked an idea in Hikigaya's mind—a perfect opportunity to test the waters and reveal something to Karuizawa.
"Karuizawa, what do you think of Class D?"
"What do you mean?"
Karuizawa looked puzzled, as if Hikigaya's question had come out of nowhere.
"Alright, let me rephrase that. What do you think of Hirata?"
"This…"
Karuizawa faltered, her voice suddenly anxious and stumbling. "W-What are you trying to say? Are you telling me to break up with Hirata so you can pursue me? I've already told you, you're not even close to being good enough…"
Wow. So this is what they call delusional self-confidence.
Though, to be fair, Karuizawa's appearance didn't match the stereotype, Hikigaya couldn't help but feel exasperated by her vivid imagination.
"No, I just want to hear your thoughts on Hirata Yosuke. What do you think of his standing within the class?"
"His standing?"
Now understanding Hikigaya's line of questioning, Karuizawa's expression turned complex. "He's incredible. Not only does he command a lot of respect in the class, but most people are willing to follow his lead. He's the perfect leader."
As expected.
Karuizawa's answer matched Hikigaya's expectations. Although she was oblivious in many areas, her insight into social dynamics was unusually sharp. It was clear to him that she had recognized Hirata's influence from the moment she joined the class, and had strategically attached herself to him, becoming his "girlfriend" to leverage his influence within Class D.
By latching onto someone else's power, Karuizawa had found an effective and efficient way to bolster her own standing. Hikigaya didn't disapprove of this survival strategy. However, because Karuizawa had chosen this path, it was inevitable that she would fiercely guard the foundation of her survival.
Like a downstream client that couldn't function without its upstream supplier, Karuizawa would be helpless without Hirata's support.
With that in mind, the solution became obvious.
"Why are you asking about Hirata?"
"I have my reasons…"
"Don't be so vague."
Karuizawa rolled her eyes at him.
"I'm just saying, do you really think you can keep Hirata's approval forever? Hirata, being a capable leader, won't tolerate a girlfriend who doesn't continuously add value—or worse, who could become a liability."
"What are you talking about?"
Karuizawa's face was full of irritation, clearly finding no meaning in Hikigaya's words.
"If you keep going like this, you'll eventually lose Hirata's trust. I can guarantee that."
For a split second, Karuizawa's eyebrows twitched.
She clenched her teeth. "I won't let that happen."
"The school gives each student 100,000 points every month. Are you sure this arrangement will last forever?"
"What…"
"If the school suddenly stops distributing points, how do you plan to survive here without them?"
"Well, I would…"
"Borrow from others, right? Whether it's Hirata or someone else in the class, you'd rely on their goodwill to lend you points and keep yourself afloat." Hikigaya's voice sharpened.
"But have you considered the consequences of that? By borrowing points, you're not just draining your reputation—you're also draining Hirata Yosuke's as well."
"What if Hirata gets fed up with you? What if he can no longer tolerate your behavior? Honestly, as a guy, I can tell you most men have a limit. If it becomes too much, breaking up is a very real possibility."
"B-Break up?!"
Karuizawa's voice grew agitated, as if this was the last thing she wanted to hear.
"Do you really think Hirata breaking up with you is impossible? What will you rely on to ensure that doesn't happen? If you keep eroding the foundation of your relationship, how can you be certain Hirata won't grow tired of you and decide to end things?"
"…"
Hikigaya deliberately pushed the conversation towards the worst possible outcome, using the harshest methods to make Karuizawa face reality.
It was, without a doubt, Hikigaya Hachiman's unique brand of kindness.