Chương 74: If You Keep This Up, You'll Get 'Shot in the Back Several Times and End Up Dead
After Chabashira Sae, the homeroom teacher, arrived, Hikigaya finally escaped the torturous grasp of Hoshinomiya, sparing him from more of her overwhelming attention.
Right after being scolded by Chabashira, Hoshinomiya complained, "Ouch! What was that for, Sae-chan?"
"Isn't it obvious? You were clinging to my student," Chabashira replied bluntly.
"Clinging? I was just keeping him company until you got here," Hoshinomiya retorted, clearly displeased.
"Keeping him company? You were practically pressing your chest against him like some sort of hostess!" Chabashira shot back, saying exactly what Hikigaya was thinking.
Whether Hoshinomiya was truly that innocent or simply calculated everything down to the finest detail remained unclear, but she certainly seemed far from trustworthy.
Ignoring Hoshinomiya's pouty expression, Chabashira turned to Hikigaya and said, "Sorry for the wait, Hikigaya. This place isn't suitable for a conversation. Let's head to the guidance room."
As she said this, Chabashira cast a subtle, cautious glance at Hoshinomiya, hinting at some kind of teacher rivalry.
Wow, even the teachers at this school have their own intrigues? Hikigaya thought to himself, though he outwardly pretended to remain oblivious.
With a composed demeanor, Chabashira led Hikigaya to the guidance room.
"Why bring me here?" Hikigaya asked as he observed the relatively enclosed space, his mind instantly wandering to the many stories his classmates had told about illicit things happening in secluded rooms like this. Teachers in certain questionable videos often wore formal outfits, only to engage in very informal behaviors behind closed doors.
Although Hikigaya had never actually watched such videos, his overactive imagination ran wild. His gaze toward Chabashira became increasingly suspicious.
Without noticing his odd look, Chabashira checked the clock on the wall, then immediately opened a side door in the room. It seemed to lead to a small kitchenette, complete with a kettle on the stove.
"What's this?" Hikigaya wondered. Tea-making lessons? Has she somehow figured out I want to be a stay-at-home husband?
"Stay here and do nothing. Don't make a sound until I say you can come out. Got it? If you disobey, you'll be expelled," Chabashira said, her tone stern, leaving no room for doubt.
"..."
The threat scared Hikigaya into complete silence. He sat up straight, obediently staying put as instructed.
As he sat there in the closed space, confusion set in. Just as his imagination began running wild again, the sound of the guidance room door opening broke his thoughts.
"Come in, Ayanokoji, Horikita," Chabashira's voice called out.
Ayanokoji? Horikita? Hikigaya's nerves instantly tightened upon hearing those names.
"Let's cut to the chase," Horikita Suzune began, her voice as cold and sharp as ever. "Why was I placed in Class D?"
"Straight to the point, I see," Chabashira responded as if expecting the question.
"Earlier, you said that the top students are assigned to Class A, while Class D is a dumping ground for failures. I don't believe I belong in Class D," Horikita said, her tone layered with complex emotions.
"I see. So you think you're exceptional," Chabashira replied nonchalantly, clearly unbothered.
"I solved nearly all the entrance exam questions and don't recall making any major mistakes during the interview. I can't imagine why I'd end up in Class D," Horikita continued, her pride evident in every word.
She had every reason to be proud, too. Even Hikigaya had to admit that Horikita's abilities far surpassed most of Class D. She was an elite student.
Chabashira nodded and said, "You're right, Horikita Suzune. Your entrance exam results were tied for third place in the entire grade. Your scores were nearly identical to those of the top two students. Even in the interview, there were no major issues—if anything, you were rated very highly."
"So then... why?"
"Before we get to that, why are you so dissatisfied with being in Class D?" Chabashira asked calmly.
"Who wouldn't be unhappy about being misjudged?"
"Misjudged? You think highly of yourself, don't you?"
Chabashira's amused smirk and mocking tone made it clear she found Horikita's complaint laughable.
"Horikita, you may be smart, but who says academic ability alone determines class placement? The school has never made such a claim," Chabashira continued.
"Isn't that... just common sense?" Horikita countered, slightly flustered.
"Common sense? That so-called common sense is precisely what's ruined this country. If we judged people solely by test scores, the incompetent would end up in positions of power, oppressing those with real talent. That's how we end up with a system of nepotism," Chabashira scoffed.
Wow, bold words, Sensei. If someone were to record this, you'd be 'shot in the back several times and found dead,' Hikigaya thought to himself, mentally rolling his eyes.
"Being book-smart is only one kind of ability. I'm not denying that. But this school's goal is to cultivate truly exceptional individuals. If the school only cared about academic ability, do you really think someone like Sudou would've made it in?"
"Ugh..."
Horikita faltered, unable to counter Chabashira's argument, her face clouded with frustration.
Looks like Horikita's sharp tongue is no match for Chabashira's sadistic side, Hikigaya mused. If anything, Chabashira's like the ultimate upgraded version of Horikita—her superior in every way.
As Hikigaya pieced things together, he realized why Chabashira had hidden him away to eavesdrop. She wanted him to understand Horikita better, perhaps to support her rise in Class D.
But then, why had she called Ayanokoji here as well? She couldn't be hoping for him to cooperate with Ayanokoji, right?
No way. That would be a disaster... even imagining it is terrifying.
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