"President, I don't know how to fight!" Hikigaya protested, feeling like Horikita Manabu was setting him up for a beating.
"Don't worry, it's not what you think."
"Then, please be gentle."
With Horikita Manabu's serious expression, Hikigaya knew resistance was futile. He braced himself and tried to focus on his opponent's movements.
"Then I'll start."
Horikita Manabu's demeanor was unexpectedly intense. He stepped forward and lunged at Hikigaya's right shoulder with a punch.
Hikigaya instinctively dodged to the side, barely avoiding the blow.
"Oh? You dodged that," Horikita Manabu noted with interest. "Try to retaliate next time."
"Is that even possible?!"
They began moving around the room, with Horikita Manabu delivering a flurry of punches that Hikigaya managed to evade with difficulty.
"President, stop! I can't breathe!"
Hikigaya shouted, but Horikita Manabu paid no attention.
"Focus; I'm going to get serious."
"Huh?!"
Horikita Manabu bent his knees and launched a rapid straight punch. Hikigaya, sensing the punch was too quick to dodge, reacted by moving his body to the right and raising his arms defensively.
Hiss—!
Though Hikigaya managed to block most of the punch, the edge still scraped his cheek, leaving a stinging pain. Before he could recover, Horikita Manabu threw another straight punch, hitting his left shoulder.
Though he wanted to be proactive, his fear and confusion eluded him. Fortunately, Horikita Manabu eventually stopped.
"Okay, I've got a good idea of your abilities," Horikita Manabu said calmly.
"Ah? What do you mean?" Hikigaya inquired, uncertain if he was being evaluated for his weaknesses.
Horikita Manabu continued, "Firstly, you've never fought before."
"I've said that already," Hikigaya replied, exasperated.
"Secondly, you lack professional training."
"I already mentioned that, too!"
"And lastly, your eyes are just as I suspected—remarkably perceptive."
Hikigaya was puzzled. Why was Horikita Manabu suddenly commenting on his "dead-fish eyes"?
But then Horikita Manabu surprised him with, "In summary, you have extraordinary dynamic vision, which contributes to your impressive insight."
"Huh?"
Hikigaya was bewildered. How was he supposed to be aware of that?
Horikita Manabu added, "You also have excellent bodily control. Even though it's subconscious, you manage your breathing and muscle movements well. No wonder I didn't notice you yesterday."
"No. I'm not as impressive as you make it sound. I almost couldn't dodge a few times just now," Hikigaya refuted.
"Based on my observations, it's natural that you struggle to dodge, but your insight helps you barely keep up." Horikita Manabu said.
"Ah, I see."
Hikigaya was at a loss. He wasn't some legendary figure, nor was he in an action-packed world! He sighed inwardly, realizing that neither Horikita Manabu nor his sister were likely to understand the world of anime or its references.
Among the few people Hikigaya knew, he had no fellow otaku to relate to, making him miss Zaimokuza a bit...
But he quickly dismissed that thought.
Zaimokuza was hardly ideal.
"Hikigaya, to excel in this school, being proficient in both academics and martial arts is just the baseline," Horikita Manabu stated abruptly.
—Both civil and military?
Who said one had to excel in both areas?
Hikigaya had never aspired to be on top of anything. It was impressive that the president could say such things with a straight face.
He certainly couldn't live up to that ideal!
"President, really, instead of focusing on me, shouldn't you..."
Horikita Manabu cut him off. "Consider this your reward for your hard work in the student council. From now on, on odd days, I'll coach you for three hours."
[T/N: For those who don't know. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday are the odd days.]
"No, I wasn't planning on that."
"I'm not training you to be a master," Horikita Manabu said matter-of-factly.
"The goal is to improve your physical strength and teach you a few useful techniques. It'll come in handy in upcoming years."
"I hope I never have to use it."
Hikigaya sighed, his tone softening.
Given what he was about to face, it appeared likely that Class C would harbor an intense dislike for him. Although Hikigaya wasn't afraid of playing dirty, he'd prefer not to provoke unnecessary aggression.
Well, I'll just think of it as exercise. At least it'll help me escape faster.
"I understand."
Hikigaya bowed slightly and met Horikita's gaze. "Please guide me, President."
I hope I don't end up sore tomorrow.
…
A week into his training with Horikita Manabu, Hikigaya could only sum up his feelings with two words:
"I want to die..."
Walking to school, every step felt agonizing, and he gritted his teeth in frustration.
The president was a real tsundere, a sis-con with ghostly glasses!
If not for Hikigaya's high tolerance for pain, he would never have endured such grueling sessions. It reminded him of Yukinoshita's infamous line about how they'd push Totsuka to the brink in junior high: Run until you drop, swing until you drop, and practice until you drop.
Horikita Manabu was serious and relentless, while Yukinoshita was sharp-tongued but kind-hearted.
"Good morning, Hikigaya-kun!"
A familiar voice broke his thoughts. Turning around, he saw Matsushita.
"Good morning. You're a bit late today," Hikigaya responded.
Matsushita was usually early, so it was unusual to meet him along the way.
"No, I'm just on time as usual, huh?"
Matsushita suddenly looked surprised.
"Hikigaya-kun, have you been exercising lately?"
"Why do you ask?"
"It's just that you seem a bit different in how you walk."
Matsushita scrutinized him, but it was only a week, so any changes were minimal. She's probably just making a conversation.
"Oh, it's nothing much," Hikigaya casually replied. "I've just been trying to correct my posture."
As they neared the classroom, Hikigaya said, "By the way, I need to use the restroom. You go ahead."
"See you in class."
Matsushita nodded and walked on, leaving Hikigaya to his thoughts. Hikigaya had hoped to avoid Matsushita in the classroom to prevent any potential misunderstandings. He'd prefer not to engage in conversation if he could help it.
As he worried, an unexpected figure approached: Shiina Hiyori.
Even more awkwardly, Shiina seemed to notice him and quickly looked away with a forlorn expression.
… What should I do? Should I greet her?
No, better not.
Just as Hikigaya was about to ignore her and pass by, Shiina murmured, "Good morning."
Then she hurried away.
"Ah…"
Hikigaya opened his mouth but only managed a sigh.
With the midterm exams looming just two weeks away, the library has become a hive of activity. Fear of failure and expulsion drive students from all grades to huddle over their books.
The once-quiet sanctuary now buzzes with the murmur of anxious studying.
Hikigaya, who prefers to avoid crowds, finds himself here despite his discomfort.
The library, while packed, remains an excellent place to gather information. Despite the rule requiring silence, one can speak in hushed tones, giving the impression of discretion to those whispering about matters.
Hikigaya's ability to blend into the background proves invaluable.
His knack for remaining unnoticed allows him to overhear valuable snippets of conversation, adding to his ever-growing repository of knowledge.
— Truly, I'd make a fantastic ninja!
As Hikigaya ponders this trivial thought, Horikita, Sudo, and their peers arrive at the library.
Since the last clash involving the Horikita siblings, there has been a subtle shift in Horikita Suzune. She has put aside her usual pride and made an effort to mend bridges, even persuading the three troublemakers to rejoin the study group.
The shift is evident.
Sudo and his friends have stopped their habitual slacking and are now earnestly studying, though how long this diligence will last remains uncertain. Hikigaya suspects that once the midterms are over, their enthusiasm will wane.
Kikyo Kushida's bubbly and cheerful voice echoes, "Alright, let's start."
Her call to action prompts the three troublemakers to immediately pull out their textbooks.
As before, Kushida has insisted on joining this study group, alongside Horikita and Ayanokouji. Given the nature of the three troublemakers, Kushida's influence is likely the primary reason for their compliance.
However, Hikigaya suspects Kushida's true motives might be more self-serving, perhaps driven by a desire to outrank Horikita rather than a genuine intent to assist.
The underlying hatred between Kushida and Horikita remains puzzling to Hikigaya. It's clear that Kushida harbors a deep-seated dislike for Horikita, but Hikigaya doubts it's merely due to Horikita's character or Kushida's jealousy of her abilities.
There's undoubtedly a deeper reason at play.
"Hey, keep it down; it's too noisy," a boy from a nearby table complains, clearly irritated by the chatter of Sudo and his friends.
"Sorry, sorry," Ike responds with a sheepish grin. "I got carried away because I answered a question correctly." Francis Bacon was the one who came up with the method of induction. You should jot that down; it might be useful for the exam."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" The student looked confused, surveying Ike and his friends with a mixture of annoyance and curiosity.
"…Are you from Class D?" the student asked, clearly unimpressed.
"What about it?" Sudou retorted, his voice tinged with annoyance. "So what if we are? Do you have a problem with that?"
"No. I don't have any problems. I'm Yamawaki Nawaki from Class C. Nice to meet you," Yamawaki said with a smirk, clearly ready to provoke.
This was a golden opportunity for Hikigaya. The Class C idiots had come right to him!
He immediately stood up and walked over.
"You know, it's great that this school sorts classes based on ability," Yamawaki said with a sneer. "I'd hate to be in the same class as you bottom-tier students."
"What did you say?" Sudou's temper flared, and he stood up, ready to throw a punch.
But he was stopped by an unexpected figure.
"Hey, can we keep it down in the library? And, seriously, why are you guys from Class C always here to cause trouble?"
Hikigaya played the role of the mediator, pretending to be exhausted. Yamawaki seemed to recognize him and shot a defiant look his way.
"Ah, you're Hikigaya, right? Don't think that joining the student council gives you the right to meddle. You're still from Class D, which is at the bottom of the rankings!" Yamawaki replied with contempt.
The surrounding crowd watched with interest, their expressions a mix of surprise and amusement.
"Don't assume that I'm unaware of your activities, Class C students. Your underhanded tactics might work against A and B classes, causing mutual harm. But with no points left to deduct from us, your so-called 'King of Class C' should have warned you to steer clear of us. I'm eager to see how he'll handle you," Hikigaya said coolly.
"Uh…" Yamawaki was stunned by the barrage of insults, his face reddening with rage.
"You're the underhanded one! Class D is at the bottom, but you still dare." Yamawaki stuttered, his anger boiling over.
"At the bottom? Are you serious?"
Hikigaya cut him off dismissively.
"According to the school's ranking system, only Class A matters. Even if Class C is ahead by a thousand points, it's irrelevant if you can't reach Class A. After graduation, it's all about individual performance."
Yamawaki bristled at Hikigaya's comments.
"Class C's average grades are higher than Class D's! I heard that seven students in Class D failed!"
"Average grades?"
Hikigaya spread his hands.
"Let's use your brain for a moment. When you're job hunting or taking college entrance exams, will people look at your class's average grades? We may rank Class D lower, but we have several students in the top 30. What about Class C? Only two or three at best."
Hikigaya's assertion wasn't baseless.
He could list several top-performing students in Class D, including Hirata Yosuke, Kushida Kikyo, Wang Mei-Yu, Yukimura Teruhiko, Horikita Suzune, Koenji Rokusuke, and himself. There were also strong students, such as Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Matsushita Chiaki, who didn't even count towards the official rankings.
"That's impossible! Stop spouting nonsense!"
Yamawaki protested, though his tone lacked conviction.
"Why don't you verify it yourself?"
Hikigaya challenged.
"Your class doesn't measure up, even in sports. I recall Komiya and Kondo from Class C being mediocre in basketball. Sudo, despite his lack of enthusiasm for academics, is a skilled player who might become a regular."
Hikigaya's praise initially angered Sudo, who had little time to respond.
Yamawaki's confidence was eroding visibly.
"How can you know so much?"
Hikigaya smirked.
"I'm on the student council. Why would I lie? You'll see the truth after the midterm exams."
In reality, Hikigaya had little concrete knowledge, but he based his claims on observations from club activities. His confidence in Sudo's basketball skills was well-founded.
"To sum up," Hikigaya delivered the final blow: "Class C's higher grades don't necessarily mean excellence. It reveals more about your mediocrity and compliance. No wonder you submit to Ryuuen's authority."
Hikigaya's derision left Yamawaki and the surrounding students in stunned silence.
Most of the onlookers, especially from Class A and Class B, watched with a mix of amusement and satisfaction, glad to see someone stand up to Class C's arrogance.
"Alright, everyone, let's calm down!"
A girl from the library stepped in to mediate. Hikigaya recognized her as Ichinose Honami from Class B, whom he had briefly met outside the teacher's office.
"Hey, you're Hikigaya-kun, right? I'm Ichinose Honami from Class B," she said with a friendly but firm tone.
"Oh?" Hikigaya responded. "So, are you here to play peacemaker or to back Class C?"
Ichinose shook her head.
"Neither. I just think you might have gone a bit too far. No matter what class someone is from, just like you praised Sudou for his basketball skills, everyone has their strengths."
Ichinose's words surprised Hikigaya. She seemed genuinely concerned, not just trying to win favor.
"Alright, maybe I did go overboard," Hikigaya said with a slight bow. "And in the library, of all places. I'm sorry for disturbing everyone."
With his point made, Hikigaya saw no reason to continue the argument.
"No, I understand your intention to stand up for your classmates. Just try to be a bit more considerate next time," Ichinose said, misinterpreting Hikigaya's actions.
As Hikigaya left, he couldn't help but feel he had become rather conspicuous. The stares from those around him were piercing.
Not wanting to stay a moment longer, Hikigaya walked away, unable to resist one last dig at Yamawaki.
"Hey, Yamawaki, be sure to thank Ichinose. Even though Class C is responsible for Class B losing nearly a hundred points next month, only Class B's leader stepped up to support you."
"Eh?!"
Ignoring Ichinose's shocked expression, Hikigaya exited the library, now just waiting for Ryuen to make his move.
...
The next day, Hikigaya received an unexpected gift at school.
As he approached his shoe locker, he noticed a delicate pink envelope lying inside.
"Hmm?"
Hikigaya's brow furrowed as he picked up the envelope and opened it. Inside was a note signed by Shiina Hiyori. The letter expressed her deep longing to see him, noting how much she missed him over the past few days. However, due to Ryuen's interference, they couldn't meet openly.
Shiina suggested a secret meeting in a secluded spot after school at the Special Education Building.
After reading the letter, Hikigaya placed it back into the envelope, his face betraying no emotion.
ความคิดเห็นย่อย
คุณลักษณะความคิดเห็นย่อหน้าอยู่ในขณะนี้บนเว็บ! เลื่อนเมาส์ไปที่ย่อหน้าใดก็ได้แล้วคลิกไอคอนเพื่อเพิ่มความคิดเห็นของคุณ
นอกจากนี้คุณสามารถปิด / เปิดได้ตลอดเวลาในการตั้งค่า
เข้าใจแล้ว