章 68: When Did My Way of Thinking Become As Twisted As Sakayanagi’s?
"I'm not as special as you think I am."
Hikigaya's demeanor towards Koenji was one of clear caution. He had no desire to get entangled with someone as ostentatious as this "DIO-sama."
For Hikigaya, whose goal was to become a househusband, any potential trouble or disruption to his peaceful life was something to be avoided at all costs.
Yet Koenji's attitude was even more carefree than Hikigaya had imagined.
Upon hearing Hikigaya's response, Koenji nodded with a bright smile and slowly began speaking:
"It seems Hikigaya-boy lacks awareness of his own excellence. That's fine. People who are capable yet unaware of it are far more charming than those who lack capability and are unaware of that. I look forward to seeing your continued transformation."
Wow, how could someone so naturally spout such melodramatic phrases?
Hikigaya couldn't help but be stunned.
Koenji managed to casually drop terms like 'charming' and 'transformation,' which sounded quite pretentious, without even trying to garner attention. He said these words with an air of complete normalcy, as if they were perfectly acceptable.
The level of this person's eccentricity just skyrocketed!
Indeed, Hikigaya had a classmate in middle school named Zaimokuza, who was a genuine case of "chuunibyou" (middle school disease). Zaimokuza always used incomprehensible, dramatic terms that normal people couldn't understand.
Hikigaya had become accustomed to dealing with such delusional individuals.
However, this only made Hikigaya realize that Koenji wasn't the same as Zaimokuza. Koenji's words were not meant to seek attention or vent an inflated sense of self-importance but were instead delivered with a purely genuine attitude.
This meant Koenji was a far worse kind of egotist—one whose self-awareness was deeply ingrained and immune to any external influence.
Hikigaya couldn't imagine a way to normalize someone like Koenji...
After all, in this unreasonable reality, some people are so powerful that they can reshape the world around them with their perceptions rather than being influenced by their environment.
At this moment, Hikigaya gave Koenji a high mental evaluation and firmly resolved never to get involved with this terrifying egotist!
Meanwhile, on the podium, Chabashira Sae looked at the mixed reactions of the class members with a slight smirk and said:
"It seems the cheerful atmosphere has been wiped away. If you realize how harsh your situation is, perhaps this lengthy advisory will be of some use. With midterms just three weeks away, think carefully and try to avoid flunking. I believe there's a way to pass and make it through the exams."
"If you can manage that, then come and challenge us with the attitude of a capable person."
After emphasizing her point, Chabashira Sae firmly closed the door and left the classroom.
"Tsk. Sensei might as well have thrown the answers directly at the students," Hikigaya thought, shaking his head. He realized Chabashira Sae's good intentions, but unfortunately, the students of Class D were unlikely to grasp this.
At that moment, most of the class was engulfed in a state of utter despair and confusion, with the seven students who had failed the quiz hanging their heads in dejection.
In the eerie silence, students gradually began to recover from the shock of the exposed truth and started discussing among themselves.
"The points didn't get saved. What should we do now?"
"I spent all my remaining points yesterday..."
Suddenly, the classroom erupted into a chaotic clamor, as if boiling water had burst forth, releasing a surge of intense energy.
"This class is the real problem, not the points... What a joke! Why did I get placed in Class D?" Yukimura Teruhiko shouted angrily. He was one of the most unable to accept the current situation in Class D.
Hikigaya noted this reaction and realized that Yukimura might be a valuable pawn.
Damn, have I been influenced by Sakayanagi?
When did my way of thinking become as twisted as that little demon's?
Hikigaya quickly shook off his chaotic thoughts, determined not to adopt the same manipulative mindset toward his classmates as Sakayanagi.
After all, he had never endorsed the so-called meritocratic ideology and would never let this school change him!
"I understand everyone's frustration, but we need to calm down for now."
On the other side, as the situation grew increasingly dire, the class leader, Hirata Yosuke, once again stepped forward, attempting to stabilize the class's deteriorating mood.
However, at the brink of collapse, Yukimura Teruhiko could not be pacified by any words. Seething with anger, he roared, "Calm down? Are you kidding? Being labeled the lowest class—how can I not be furious!"
"Of course, I'm angry," Hirata responded, "but if we work together, we can turn this around, can't we?"
"Turn this around? I can't even accept being in Class D!"
"I understand your feelings, but complaining here won't get us anywhere, will it?"
"What did you say?"
Seeing Yukimura Teruhiko about to engage in a physical confrontation with Hirata, the rest of the class fell into chaos, fearing impending violence.
"Both of you, please calm down. Sensei must have been harsh to motivate us, don't you think?"
Just as the tension was about to explode, Kushida Kikyo's gentle voice intervened, easing into the hearts of the class.
She stepped forward, placing her hand softly over Yukimura's clenched fist.
Faced with Kushida's soothing presence, Yukimura hesitated, stepping back a pace.
Kushida Kikyo played the role of the class's peacemaker perfectly. Under her influence, the once volatile atmosphere immediately calmed.
Hikigaya watched the scene unfold, reflecting on Kushida Kikyo's remarkable social skills, and clearly understood the state of Class D.
The class's biggest problem was indeed a lack of a unifying leader.
Hirata Yosuke could not reassure all members. Kshuida had her motives and had never willingly taken on responsibilities. Ayanokouji and Koenji, though capable, were too inscrutable and showed no desire to assume responsibility. The rest of the class was divided into cliques, making it difficult to forge unity.
It was evident that to change Class D, there was only one solution.
That was to make Horikita Suzune the lich king!
While "lich king" was a playful term, Hikigaya genuinely believed that only Horikita Suzune could truly become the leader of Class D.
After all, no one else in Class D could genuinely command everyone's respect.
Only Horikita Suzune, despite her current shortcomings and inability to fully assume the role of class leader, could potentially fill this role. With time, these shortcomings could be addressed.
The most crucial part was that Hikigaya was confident in his ability to help Horikita Suzune overcome her weaknesses.
This was also the agreement he had previously made with Chabashira Sae.
Therefore, while the class was still in disarray, Hikigaya turned to Horikita and said,
"Why not try to calculate the specific point deductions based on the details provided by Chabashira-sensei? I remember you noted down the numbers in your notebook, didn't you?"
Hikigaya remembered that Horikita Suzune had diligently recorded the violations of school rules mentioned by Chabashira. This information might prove useful.
However, to his surprise, Horikita Suzune now appeared quite impatient.
She retorted with visible frustration, "With just this information, how can we possibly calculate the details? And even if we did, so what? Class D, a group of useless people gathered together, has no chance of climbing up!"
"Hey, are you including yourself in that group of useless people?"
Hikigaya observed Horikita quietly, noting her unusual urgency. Particularly regarding the perception of Class D as the worst class, she seemed to have lost her usual composure.
Why was this the case?
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