"Fifty percent."
Horikita Suzune murmured to herself.
This number could be higher or lower.
If there were an exam that allowed her to gain personal points in the future, she would undoubtedly make a fortune, and Hikigaya would also benefit greatly.
It was a brilliant strategy.
"Really."
Horikita carefully examined the man in front of her. "You're quite impressive. Did you propose this condition because you see my value?"
"Well…"
Hikigaya inwardly twitched at her words.
How confident was this girl? Did she not even consider the possibility of failure?
Most people would have been irritated by Horikita's arrogance, but he was used to dealing with people like her.
"What do you think?"
"I accept."
Horikita took a deep breath.
Just as Hikigaya had anticipated, she had been chosen as Class D's leader.
However, her frail health made the role difficult, and a sense of guilt weighed on her.
If she wanted to distinguish herself from the incompetents in Class D, this was the price she had to pay.
Fortunately, she believed herself capable enough to negotiate.
And in negotiations, securing her best interests was a priority.
"But my agreement is conditional," she stated. "Your method has to be effective, and Class D must actually use it. I will judge that for myself. We can sign a contract and have a teacher act as a witness."
Her beautiful but usually indifferent eyes gleamed with sharpness.
She wasn't about to pay for a method that wouldn't work.
"No need."
Hikigaya raised his hand and smiled. "The method is—"
"Wait a minute."
Horikita looked at him in surprise. "You don't want to sign a contract? What if I go back on my word?"
"Well," Hikigaya said indifferently. "I believe you're a trustworthy person. You don't seem like someone who would lie. You can judge for yourself whether my method is effective."
Naïve? Maybe.
But he genuinely thought Horikita was trustworthy.
In their previous transactions, she had paid a significant amount of personal points without hesitation.
Although weak in some ways, she was a straightforward person who wouldn't deceive herself.
That was why he tolerated her arrogance.
"Ugh…"
Horikita rubbed her forehead and sighed. "If only everyone in Class D were as sharp as you. Fine, what's the method?"
Alright.
She took back what she just said.
This guy was still as annoying as ever.
"Simple," Hikigaya explained. "Leaders cannot be changed without a justifiable reason. However, if a legitimate excuse exists, they can be replaced.
"So, on the last day of the exam, you can step down due to illness and appoint someone else as leader. That way, you ensure absolute safety."
"Wait…"
Horikita's eyes widened slightly.
If that were the case, then there was no way to guess the leader correctly on the final day.
That meant an easy pass.
After a moment of consideration, she nodded seriously. "It's a solid strategy. I agree. Whether or not I use it, I'll send MAX Coffee over tonight."
"Thanks, then."
Hikigaya nodded, then turned and walked toward the Class B camp.
He had no idea if Horikita would use his suggestion.
But honestly, it didn't matter.
His goal had already been achieved.
If he couldn't buy MAX Coffee, that would be one thing. But if he could buy it and not drink it? Unacceptable.
He couldn't go a day without it.
"But still…"
Horikita followed him, sighing. "Thanks for thinking of this. You're surprisingly resourceful, Hikigaya. But why haven't I seen you around Ichinose before?"
"It's nothing special."
Hikigaya stuffed his hands into his pockets and replied, "I just assumed everyone had faked being sick at some point in junior high to skip class.
"Are you telling me you've never done that? Was your cold really that bad?"
He genuinely didn't think it was some genius-level strategy.
Skipping class with a fake illness to play games or watch anime—wasn't that normal?
No way.
He couldn't be the only one who had done that, right?
It seemed like common sense.
"I never had a cold."
Horikita glared at him. "And I never skipped class or arrived late during junior high. Don't compare me to someone as dishonest as you."
"In the end, the only ones who regret it are the people who slack off."
"That's impressive."
Hikigaya nodded sincerely.
For real?
Zero absences? Zero lateness?
That was actually impressive.
The two of them soon returned to the camp and parted ways.
"What were you talking about?"
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka walked behind Horikita, his expression unreadable.
He could tell.
The tension she had carried earlier was now gone.
Something had changed.
"Nothing."
Horikita replied indifferently. "He just asked me to buy him MAX Coffee."
"Huh?"
Ayanokouji frowned slightly. "That would waste Class D's points. Did you make some kind of deal?"
"Not at all."
Horikita scoffed. "Besides, there are plenty of useless people in Class D who won't even notice. Buying one extra drink isn't a big deal.
"As for the deal… I won't tell you yet."
Whether or not she used Hikigaya's method, Horikita decided to keep it to herself.
It would help maintain Class D's natural behavior, keeping suspicions at bay.
After all, there was still a spy from Class C in their camp—Ibuki Mio.
Unlike Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo, she wasn't naïve.
Horikita wasn't about to risk exposing her plan.
"That being said…"
She turned to Ayanokouji. "You're not the type to involve yourself in these things. Why do you care so much?"
"It's about class points."
Ayanokouji answered plainly. "As a Class D student, I'd prefer to have more pocket money. It's hard to save up in the beginning."
"True."
Horikita pursed her lips.
Both morale and financial stability depended on winning.
Class D needed this victory.
But what did Hikigaya say to change her attitude so fast?
Ayanokouji glanced subtly in the direction Hikigaya had disappeared.
What had he done to make Horikita comply so easily?
And why had she used Class D's points to fulfill his trivial request?
One thing was certain.
Hikigaya was more than just a pervert.
He needed to be taken seriously.
Chabashira Sae's threat echoed in his mind.
As a student, he had no real way to resist a teacher's authority.
To protect himself from expulsion, he had to prove his ability.
Winning this test would help.
Even if Hikigaya was a potential threat, Ayanokouji decided to observe him closely.
If necessary…
He would take action.
___________________________________
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31