Chapter 148: Commander Hikigaya
["Senpai! Am I just an old leftover woman in your eyes?!"]
[Isshiki's shouting instantly filled the entire Service Club.]
[Hikigaya Hachiman explained helplessly: "No, I just said you two are somewhat alike, of course, I wasn't referring to age."]
[As if suddenly realizing something, Isshiki instinctively touched her chest, then looked at the video and gave Hikigaya a smile.]
['Actually, I wasn't referring to that either. Please, Isshiki, could you have some self-awareness?']
[Hoshinomiya: "I'm only 28! I'm still in the prime of my youth, and you dare to call me an old leftover woman!"]
[Hiratsuka Shizuka: "Exactly! It's just marriage, I don't care at all! Even though I've gone on countless matchmaking dates at 30, I still don't care!"]
[Hoshinomiya: "No, even at thirty, shouldn't one start to feel some urgency?"]
[Chabashira: "I'm not in a hurry either, but I'm only 29."]
[Hiratsuka Shizuka: "We're only a year or two apart. If you're not in a rush, then I'm not either."]
[Chabashira: "The thing is, if I find someone to marry next year, that means I'll be marrying at your age."]
[Hiratsuka Shizuka felt flustered again upon hearing this. It would be so nice if everyone around her didn't get married. Why does such a thing as marriage even exist in this world?]
[Hikigaya Hachiman felt helpless. He no longer wanted to explain to Isshiki, nor did he want to comfort Hiratsuka Shizuka. After all, he wasn't at the age to properly console them.]
His time with Karuizawa wasn't long; they mostly just discussed class matters. Of course, through Karuizawa, Hikigaya also learned about Hirata's condition. After all, they were basically desk mates, so naturally, the easiest way to get close to Hirata was through Karuizawa.
Hirata's condition was still a headache. Now that Class C had just barely gotten Kōenji to not skip exams (performing casually), another one, Hirata, appeared. If things continued like this, neither the re-motivated Class D nor Sakayanagi's Class A would have any chance of winning. The only possible victory would be against the newly reorganized Class B under Ichinose, but even then…
Hikigaya Hachiman didn't think this was a sustainable strategy.
After saying goodbye to Karuizawa, Hikigaya returned to this familiar room. It seemed he didn't have time to think about so many things. He still needed to simply tidy up the room.
After yesterday's intense battle with Kushida, the room had become no different from a dog's nest.
The weather was getting colder, making it hard to summon any fighting spirit. Simply staying in a heated room made him tired.
'I wonder how Sakura and Kushida are doing…'
'There's just over half a month left before the second semester ends. Before the finals start, we need to deal with Hirata. And… Horikita Manabu will definitely step down at the end of the second semester. When Nagumo Miyabi becomes the new student council president, there will surely be new trouble.'
'The promise I made to Horikita Manabu at the beginning of the semester also needs to be fulfilled after the second year begins. Though I don't think I can change much…'
Hikigaya sighed helplessly. There were still too many things left undone. Simply thinking about them made sleepiness gradually wash over him.
'It's only evening…'
---
He didn't know how much time had passed. Hikigaya just felt himself lying on something soft and warm.
Perhaps because he was too hungry, he woke up. But when he opened his eyes, two enormous evils immediately filled his vision.
His movement seemed to have woken the two beside him. Sakura rubbed her eyes, and Kushida had one foot on Hikigaya, acting extremely domineering.
'Hey… what's going on? I'm not dreaming, am I?'
Sakura: "Hachiman, you're awake."
Kushida: "Looking at you, you probably slept dumbly."
Hikigaya jumped up in fright: "Wait, how are you two on my bed?!"
There's no way these two floated in like some ghostly spirits, right? That would be terrifying.
Kushida's expression was calm: "What's the big deal? It's not the first time."
Saying this, Kushida slowly took out her treasured keys, the ones used during the celebration banquet with Yamauchi and Sudo. There were four in total.
Hikigaya: "No… even if it's not the first time… no, no. You two are way too scary. Wait, I can't even think straight."
Sakura held onto Hikigaya's arm, gentle but with a mischievous smile: "Is there anything you can't think straight about, Hachiman?"
Kushida still arrogantly placed one foot on him, making it hard to move.
"Don't worry. I got Yamauchi's key back from the sensei, and I also retrieved Ike and Sudo's keys. Ike was a bit confused, but Sudo's getting smarter."
Kushida's words meant: 'No one can disturb us now, so you don't have to be afraid.'
Hikigaya: "That's not the problem!"
Kushida: "Oh, you mean about me and Sakura? Don't worry, we've talked it through properly."
Hikigaya gave an unbelieving look.
Kushida pinched the flesh on Hikigaya's stomach hard, knowing it was his weak spot.
"If we hadn't talked, would we both appear here at the same time? You idiot. And I know about first-come, first-served, don't worry."
Sakura buried her head happily in his arm, nodding gently: "I understand how Kushida feels about not losing you. Of course, I also don't want to lose you. I couldn't take someone else's love, and I also don't think I could control you alone, Hachiman. So… we decided to share properly."
Hikigaya still couldn't understand the situation: "Wait, are you treating me like food? Splitting me fifty-fifty?"
Kushida laughed: "To keep you from falling into someone else's hands, we'll pay extra attention. If you want, one of us can stay with you all day, so you won't meet any other girls, or we can both stay!"
Sakura obediently nodded: "Since Kushida already gave me one key, we need to watch over him properly!"
Hikigaya realized these two had united on the same front.
No, this was completely wrong.
Logically, this situation should have turned into a love triangle battlefield, with one of them angrily leaving. But…
'This… this situation, these two, is something Hikigaya has never imagined.'
Hikigaya couldn't let it continue. He decided to break through first, but being pinned by the two…
"Airi, Kikyō… I'm a bit hungry. Have you eaten? How about we have a meal first?"
With a pleading tone, surely they would understand.
Sakura and Kushida exchanged glances and nodded in tacit agreement.
"Hungry."
"Good, then let's get up! Eat?"
"No need. The food is right on us, isn't it?"
At that moment, the girls seemed to merge into one, looking at Hikigaya with mischievous expressions.
The school's free blankets were torn apart, leaving indelible marks everywhere.
If there's a tomorrow, Hikigaya will definitely treasure it properly.
---
"Good morning, Haruka!"
"Good morning, Airi. What's up today? You look so beautiful, and your face is so rosy. Taking care of yourself really pays off. Truly worthy of being an idol."
---
"Good morning, Shinohara."
"Good morning, Kushida! Has something happened? You seem to be smiling more lately. Did you… find a lover?!"
"Someone like me? How could I find a lover? Don't joke."
"You used to be so popular, now no one comes near you. Men are fickle creatures, big pigs all of them!"
"It's fine. I never intended to rely on them anyway."
"Kushida, you're amazing. My idol, a strong woman!"
---
"Good morning, Hikigaya."
"Good morning, Kei…"
"Hey, have you even listened to me? Your dark circles are getting worse. You're not in good shape!"
"Cough… it's okay. I'll just sleep more during the lunch break."
"If this continues, I'll come to your room to supervise your sleep."
"No, no, no! I'll sleep properly! Really!"
"You're too worrying…"
Hikigaya lay on his desk, catching up on sleep.
---
Ichinose had been in this class for a day. Although she declared her feelings that day, she didn't deliberately seek out Hikigaya because she had many things to handle. She hoped to slowly open the door to Hikigaya's heart through classmates' information.
For this reason, she quickly got along with Class C, and might even become the new core of the class.
As for Hirata, he still looked like a living corpse. Although classmates were concerned about him, he clearly had no intention of interacting with anyone.
---
Horikita: "I'm saying, aren't you overworking yourself? But wait, there's no exam. Why are your dark circles so bad?"
Hikigaya: "Insomnia…"
Horikita: "If you're going to make excuses, at least make a reasonable one."
Hikigaya: "Why, are you looking down on insomnia?"
Horikita: "Not that insomnia is bad, but your situation is serious. If necessary, you should check your health."
Hikigaya: "It's fine. I'll just rest well."
Horikita sighed helplessly, returning her focus to studying.
---
While they talked, Chabashira came in through the front door. As usual, her expression didn't change. Hikigaya was already used to it.
Chabashira: "This is the last exam of the semester, a special exam for you."
Upon hearing this, everyone instantly perked up. By now, everyone knew that Yamauchi, who had dropped out, could never return to school.
The announcement for the final special exam of the second semester:
The ultimate special exam will combine all previous exams' essence, comprehensive ability, intelligence, physical ability, cooperation, even luck.
[Events Selection Exam] will be conducted in a class-to-class one-on-one format.
1. Each class provides ten exam projects: written exams, shogi, poker, baseball, rock-paper-scissors, etc. Anything that benefits class members is allowed. Victory determination and rules are decided by participants. Unlike previous exams, extremely niche topics or questions nobody but the proposer can answer will be rejected by the school. Unfair or absurd rules are also prohibited.
2. On the day of the project selection exam, each class must choose 5 "main" projects from the 10 submitted. Both classes combined give 10 projects. The school system will randomly select 7 final projects. If a class doesn't submit projects by the final date, the school provides backup projects, which are almost always harmful to the class.
3. Each match's winner takes 30 class points from the loser. The first class to win 4 matches wins the final victory, earning 100 class points from the school. All 7 projects must still be completed even if the outcome is decided early.
4. Participation: minimum 1 per match, maximum 20 including substitutes. Large projects with over 10 participants can only register 2.
5. Each student can participate in only one project, but for class group projects, they may participate in 2 or more.
6. The most important rule: each class must designate a Commander. This position cannot directly participate in projects but can intervene and assist. The class decides how the commander acts. For example, in rock-paper-scissors, the commander may participate once or switch with a participant. Victory gives personal points; failure risks expulsion. If the commander cannot be decided, the homeroom sensei appoints one.
7. Opponent selection: The winner of the lottery would get to decide the class they would compete against and thus they form a pair. The remaining two classes would also automatically form the other pair.
Class points remain unchanged to date:
Class A: 890cp
Class B: 800cp
Class C: 470cp
Class D: 360cp
It wasn't hard to see that there was still a huge gap between Class B and Class C, while the difference between Classes C and D and Classes A and B was comparatively small.
Under normal circumstances, Class C and Class D would definitely become rivals, and Class A would also be up against Class B. Since Ichinose was originally a member of Class B, the probability of choosing Class B as an opponent in this exam was practically zero.
However…
Until the decisions of the leaders of each class were confirmed, all of this was mere speculation.
After listening to the declaration of the Commander rules, nearly everyone in the class looked somewhat lost and distant.
Setting aside the fact that not much time had passed since the last exam, the more critical point was that in this exam, the member occupying the Commander might be treated as a sacrificial pawn.
Still, before the exam officially began, some people were confused.
Sotomura: "I mean, before this exam even starts, aren't you at all curious about the results of the last one? Yamauchi betrayed the class and left this school, and that's well-deserved, but…"
With Sotomura's words, the topic subtly shifted toward Hikigaya.
"I mean, how could anyone receive votes of admiration from the entire grade? Do you really think something like that is possible?"
The whole class fell silent.
Kushida: "What are you trying to say?"
Karuizawa: "Just say it directly. As a man, don't beat around the bush."
Almost simultaneously, their hostility radiated toward Sotomura.
Sotomura: "N-nothing… don't you find it strange? Receiving votes of admiration from the entire grade! This is the entire grade, even our rivals tacitly voted for her."
Sakura: "Th-That's not really confusing, right? Maybe the other three classes already planned this, intending to split our class."
Ike: "But it's still too strange. Why would they specifically pick Hikigaya? Of course, I have no objections to him… Ah, wait, Ichinose is right here. Why even think about this?"
Sitting in the front row, Ichinose instantly became the center of attention. As the former leader of Class B, this decision was undoubtedly hers.
Ichinose didn't hide anything and simply said:
"Hikigaya helped me and also helped our class through a difficult time. I also like him. From both the class's perspective and a personal one, there's no problem at all."
Although this wasn't Ichinose's first declaration, this time it was more direct, leaving Class C utterly speechless.
Kushida and Sakura immediately set their targets.
Ike: "Ah, I see. What about the other two classes?"
Sotomura: "Yes, even so, the other two classes can't possibly like Hikigaya, right? Could Ryuen be… gay?"
Ichinose lowered her head, seemingly unsure of what to say, and finally stated calmly:
"One thing is certain, Class B absolutely hasn't made any deals with the other two classes."
Sotomura: "So it's strange?"
Shinohara: "No matter how you look at it, this is too peculiar."
Sotomura: "Look, Hikigaya getting everyone's attention means he must have enough strength. So this Commander position…"
Sotomura's words made it clear: he intended to push Hikigaya into the Commander role. If he didn't, it could trigger a crisis of trust.
Sudō slammed his fist on the table and stood up:
"I mean, Sotomura, what's your deal? Last time's incident was just an accident, and you're still clinging to it. Don't think I don't know your little scheme, you just want to decide the Commander position quickly so the expulsion spot won't be confirmed, right?"
Sudō grew angrier as he spoke: "Are you that sure we'll lose? Or are you just a coward by nature?"
Sotomura: "I-I didn't say that. That's just your own speculation."
Horikita: "Although Sudō's words are a bit extreme, Sotomura, if you don't have evidence, you can't arbitrarily accuse someone in the class."
Sotomura: "I… see."
Hikigaya glanced around at the classroom atmosphere. For a moment, everyone's attention was on them.
He looked at Hirata, who had clearly lost all fighting capability. Ichinose, as a newly arrived member of Class B, naturally didn't earn everyone's trust either. That left Horikita, Kōenji, Yukimura, and Wang Mei-Yui, people more suitable for the position.
But Wang Mei-Yui wasn't decisive enough, Yukimura was too self-centered, Horikita couldn't defeat Ryuen, Kanzaki, or Sakayanagi, and Kōenji… well, he'd probably mess things up.
Hikigaya sighed helplessly.
At a time like this, perhaps the only solution to resolve the class's trust crisis was to take initiative.
So…
"I'll take the Commander position."
"Huh?"
"Hachiman, you!"
"Are you kidding? There are plenty of people more suitable than you. Why are you being so arrogant?"
"Wait, this position… shouldn't even be your responsibility…"
Everyone looked at him in disbelief. Kushida and Karuizawa were almost immediately voicing their objections.
"This is a great opportunity to prove myself, so let me take it."
Once again, silence fell, accompanied by the stillness of the entire class.
Shinohara: "If this is some sort of sacrificial strategy, why not let capable people like Horikita try first?"
Akito: "I think so too…"
The usually self-centered Yukimura said at this moment, "No, I think he can do it."
Having witnessed his abilities, he chose to trust him.
Horikita sighed helplessly: "If this is your choice…"
Sakura: "Hachiman…"
Kushida muttered softly, hugging her chest in dissatisfaction: "You really get all the good jobs. If you get expelled, I'll make you regret it."
Karuizawa felt the same, displeased with Hikigaya's decision.
(End of this chapter)