章節 14: My Least Favorite Thing is Meritocracy
After learning from Sae Chabashira about the method to leave the school and the enormous number of points required for it, Hikigaya was suddenly struck by a question.
"Wait, didn't you just say that answering this question required points?" Hikigaya asked, slightly confused. "Didn't the points get deducted already?"
"Yes, they were deducted, but they were my points."
Sae Chabashira spoke calmly. "Privately disclosing information about the school to students is certainly a breach of rules for a teacher. As soon as I finished speaking those few sentences, I had around a hundred thousand points deducted."
"That's…"
Hikigaya's expression visibly shifted to one of surprise. He hadn't anticipated that he would somehow owe this S&M queen a favour.
This was terrifying!
"Ah, don't be so anxious," Chabashira seemed to sense Hikigaya's unease. "You came to me because you've decided to work with me, right? Making Class D become Class A is our mutual goal. It's only reasonable to reward outstanding students in advance…"
"I wouldn't consider myself an outstanding student. Why not find someone else for this?"
Hikigaya thought to himself, genuinely reluctant to be entangled in Chabashira's schemes. But for the sake of his sister, those with a sister complex often find themselves unable to refuse.
"Class D does have some exceptional students, but none as unique as you," Chabashira said with a calm smile. "Moreover, your willingness to approach me indicates that we share common interests. It's the most appropriate choice."
"I'm not that special. I'm quite confident in my role as an extra. In a battle anime, I'd be the type who wouldn't survive three episodes…"
Hikigaya was unconvinced, not seeing himself as someone special among the collection of monsters in their class.
After all, compared to him, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Horikita Suzune, Hirata Yosuke, and even that busty girl named Kushida—each one is a cunning fox in disguise.
He was merely a weak little mouse.
"Seriously, I'm just a small mouse in a sewer…"
"Indeed, in terms of strength, you might not be an exceptional individual," Chabashira said with a dismissive look. "In this meritocratic school, you're the type of student who is least suited to the rules. Being unsuited to the rules means being an outlier, and outliers often don't receive any commendation."
"That's exactly what I hate the most—meritocracy!" Despite Chabashira's disdain, Hikigaya appeared surprisingly pleased. "My life goal is to find a rich woman to support me and live a happy life as a househusband. Why waste my life on such boring things?!"
"But you're also an outlier who can disrupt the balance," Chabashira said with a smile. "This is undeniable. Often, those who either adapt well to the rules or are extremely unsuitable for them can use all the rules to reach the top."
"Are you quoting lines from some middle school manga?"
"If you want to play dumb, you can keep it up. But I assume you still want to earn personal points, right?"
"…"
Chabashira's words left Hikigaya speechless.
Regardless, he wanted the power to leave this school. Thus, despite his aversion to the twisted ideology of meritocracy, he had no choice but to get involved.
"So, Hikigaya, do you think Class D has the ability to be promoted to Class A?"
"Probably not."
"Already giving up so soon?"
"It can't be helped. Class D's situation is just too dire."
Having dropped any pretence, Hikigaya shared his thoughts candidly. "Even within the entire first year, Class D has many talented individuals. While having a large number of talents is usually a good thing, Class D is different. This class lacks a capable leader who can unify everyone and bring the class together."
"Teacher, you must have read the Three Kingdoms. When there are too many strong individuals, it results in a chaotic era of warlords. Because their strengths are so similar, no one can unify the Central Plains, and it usually ends up as a three-way split."
"In contrast, while Class B and Class C may have fewer talented individuals, it's easier for them to select a suitable leader who can unite the class."
Hikigaya expressed his pessimism about Class D's future.
"That's true. There are indeed too many outstanding individuals in this class, including you."
"That last part was unnecessary."
Hikigaya was uncomfortable with Chabashira's overly flattering remarks, as if he were some hidden boss or final villain in a game.
That role should belong to Ayanokouji.
Chabashira continued, "So, how do you think Class D should address its challenges? If you believe there's no leader to unify the class, who do you think would be suitable for that role?"
Chabashira looked at Hikigaya, as if she was anticipating him to suggest himself.
"No, that's never going to happen."
Hikigaya quickly dismissed the idea. The thought of becoming the leader of Class D gave him an overwhelming sense of dread.
He might even find himself contemplating suicide the next day.
"Currently, the class leader is Hirata Yosuke," Hikigaya said quietly. "His personality attracts supporters easily, but he lacks the ability to lead the class to victory if there were inter-class confrontations."
"That's also a concern for me," Chabashira nodded slightly, clearly having considered more aspects of Class D's promotion to Class A than Hikigaya.
"Kushida Kikyo, I don't know her well. She seems like a good person, but something feels off."
Whether on the bus or in class, Hikigaya had sensed something troubling about Kushida Kikyo. Although he couldn't pinpoint it, he had an instinctive aversion to her being Class D's leader.
"Continue."
Chabashira's eyes were filled with anticipation.
"Ayanokouji and Kouenji, um, you know them, right?"
"They are polar opposites, but the commonality is that, like you, they are true outliers."
"…"
Ignoring Chabashira's subtle flattery, Hikigaya continued, "They probably have no interest in Class D's promotion to Class A. At least, they don't show any interest at the moment, so they're unlikely to want to become the class leader."
"Indeed, it seems there are no suitable candidates left, except…"
Chabashira glanced at Hikigaya, clearly hoping he would suggest himself as the ideal leader.
But Hikigaya would never play along; he wasn't going to walk into his own doom.
So, he decisively said, "The best candidate to lead Class D is only one person."
"Who?"
"Horikita Suzune."
Faced with Chabashira's mild surprise, Hikigaya declared, "She is the most suitable person to become Class D's leader."
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票