章 67: As Expected, Your Eyes Are Sharp, Boy
Chabashira Sae's announcement sent shockwaves through Class D. The harsh reality of her words left most students struggling to accept the truth.
"What, what the heck!?"
"Chabashira-sensei, this has to be a joke!"
"Expulsion is no laughing matter!"
The students of Class D, especially the seven who failed the exams—like Ike Kanji—were in a panic, their voices filled with disbelief.
Chabashira spoke with cold detachment. "It's not like I can do anything. These are the school's rules. Prepare yourselves."
"Well, as sensei said, this class is full of fools."
Among the chaos, Kouenji sat as nonchalant as ever, filing his nails, his feet propped up on the desk, wearing a smug smile.
Ike shot him a glare. "What did you say, Kouenji? You failed too, didn't you?"
Kouenji chuckled. "Boy, where are your eyes looking? Watch closely."
"Huh?"
Ike's gaze followed Kouenji's words, moving from the lower ranks of the leaderboard to the very top.
His jaw dropped.
"No way!"
The entire class, distracted by the sudden revelation, stared at Kouenji's name. He was tied for first place with Yukimura.
"I always thought Kouenji was just a muscle-brained idiot like Sudou…" a student muttered in disbelief.
Chabashira ignored the chatter and continued.
"Let me clarify something. This school, under government management, prides itself on its high graduation and employment rates. I assume most of you joined with the hope of pursuing higher education or securing good jobs."
Of course, that was the case.
Hikigaya thought back to why he'd enrolled in the first place, swayed by rumors of the school's prestigious graduation rate. While he didn't want to work as a corporate drone, he hoped to get into a good university to increase his value in the future.
Surely, rich women still preferred a well-rounded man, right?
But once he experienced life here, any lingering fantasy he had was thoroughly crushed.
"But," Chabashira continued, her voice cold and unyielding, "the world doesn't work that way. You can't expect to succeed just because you attend this school. For those of you with low academic standing, there is no guarantee of graduation or employment."
With those words, she shattered whatever hope the students had left.
"So, to achieve our goals, we need to be promoted to Class C, right?" Hirata Yosuke asked, trying to clarify the situation.
"Hirata, that's incorrect," Chabashira replied, shaking her head. "The only way to achieve your future dreams is to reach Class A. This school is built on meritocracy. There are no guarantees for anyone below Class A."
"That can't be true! I've never heard of such a thing! This is absurd!" Yukimura exploded, losing his usual calm demeanor.
As the top student in Class D, Yukimura had always been a loner, burying himself in books and never wasting points or caring about social status. He hadn't been affected by the chaos—until now. His only goal was to get into a top-tier university and receive the best education.
But Chabashira's words crushed that dream.
"Pathetic," Kouenji sighed as if Yukimura's outburst annoyed him. "There's nothing more pitiful than a man in panic."
"…Kouenji, aren't you angry about being placed in Class D?"
"Angry? Why would I be angry?"
"We've been labeled as inferior! We don't even have a guarantee of graduation or employment! Of course, I'm angry!"
Yukimura desperately sought validation from Kouenji, hoping that another top student would share his frustration. But Kouenji and Yukimura were worlds apart—like a lion and a turtle.
Kouenji didn't even glance at Yukimura, continuing to file his nails. "Your ignorance is astounding. Why should the school's evaluation of us matter? I respect and admire myself above all. I consider myself a great man. Even if the school rates me as Class D, it holds no meaning. If they want me to leave, let them. In the end, it's the school that will come crawling back to me."
Wow, it's like seeing a live-action Dio Brando.
Hikigaya couldn't help but marvel at how different Kouenji was from everyone else in the class. While students like him, Horikita, and Ayanokoji stood apart from the typical Class D atmosphere, Kouenji's behavior was on an entirely different level.
He was a one-man show.
Oddly enough, Hikigaya agreed with Kouenji's outlook. What the school thought of them didn't matter. Whether it was Class A or Class D, they just had to do what students were supposed to do.
And with how bizarre this school was, the rankings could change dramatically in a year or two. Who knew what the future held?
As Hikigaya mulled this over, he couldn't shake the feeling that more trouble was coming his way—and it wouldn't take long to arrive.
Kouenji, apparently bored with Yukimura, turned his gaze to Hikigaya.
"Speaking of which, this boy here seems to have a clear understanding of Class D's situation. Do you have any advice to share?"
"Huh?"
Are you kidding me?
Hikigaya hadn't expected Kouenji to suddenly drag him into the conversation. This was a fate worse than social death.
Luckily, most of the class was too preoccupied with talking about points to pay attention. Relieved, Hikigaya glared at Kouenji.
"I don't have any advice. Just study for the midterms and make sure no one fails."
Hikigaya wanted to end the conversation quickly.
But Kouenji seemed even more intrigued.
"As expected, your eyes are sharp, boy. Your name is Hikigaya Hachiman, right? I'm Kouenji Rokusuke, the future heir to the Kouenji family. I like you. If you continue to impress me, I might make you one of my people."
With a smile that rivaled Billy Herrington's in intensity, Kouenji looked at Hikigaya with a disturbing amount of admiration.
Hikigaya instinctively covered his rear.
This man is too dangerous!!!
A/N: I am back
週次パワーステータス
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