COTE: Hikigaya's Classroom of the Supreme Being

When he arrived in the classroom, it was noisier than usual. Students were discussing their points, and many complained about not receiving their points despite having used them up.

Spending a hundred thousand in a month... There should be a limit to such folly.

Hikigaya chuckled inwardly.

As he sat down, Matsushita, who was the class usher, approached him.

"Good morning, Hikigaya-kun. Did you get your points?"

"I did."

"Really? It seems no one else has received theirs... Did you really get them?" Matsushita asked, surprised.

"Of course. Check your phone and the numbers on it carefully. Class D must have received theirs."

"But I've checked multiple times, and so have others... eh?"

Matsushita seemed to sense something was off.

Hikigaya's emphasis on the numbers and Class D felt like a hint.

Seeing Matsushita deep in thought, Hikigaya didn't bother her. She wasn't stupid, but spending too much time with foolish friends might have dulled her thinking.

It was better for her to work it out on her own.

Soon, the school bell rang, and Chabashira-sensei entered the classroom to begin the morning meeting.

Her mood seemed unusually grim today, likely due to the points issue.

Despite this, some students were oblivious to her demeanor. Chi, one of the three clowns, blurted out:

"Sae-chan-sensei, did you not have your period?"

This guy constantly seeks popularity, but why does he say things that offend? Hikigaya couldn't understand his thought process.

Did he think he was being funny?

Ignoring Ike's comment, Chabashira-sensei began the meeting, her expression unreadable. "Before we start, I'm sure you have questions. If there's something you're concerned about, now's the time to ask."

"Well, I checked this morning, and the points haven't arrived. Aren't they supposed to be issued on the 1st of every month? I couldn't even buy juice. I was so anxious."

"As I've mentioned before, points are credited on the 1st of every month. The school verifies this carefully. There's no loophole here."

"But... you didn't receive them?"

Hondou, Yamauchi, and others exchanged glances, but Chabashira-sensei wasn't looking at them. Instead, she scanned the classroom, seemingly observing everyone's reactions.

Hikigaya noticed that when Chabashira-sensei's gaze passed over him, her lips curled into a slight smile.

...Huh, am I being targeted?

As Hikigaya pondered this, Chabashira-sensei's demeanor shifted.

"You students are really a bunch of idiots."

Chabashira-sensei's words were harsh for a teacher, but Hikigaya, used to criticism, wasn't affected. What bothered him was the strange satisfaction behind her words.

Was Chabashira-sensei a sadist?

The students were stunned by their teacher's strange aura. While they were confused, Hikigaya was lost in his own thoughts.

"I'll repeat it. The points have been transferred to the accounts. Don't entertain any illusions that this class alone was forgotten. Understood?"

"No, even if you ask us if we understand... the fact is that the points haven't been transferred…"

The classroom buzzed with confusion and agreement, followed by laughter.

"Hahaha, I get it now, Teacher. I understand the puzzle."

The voice came from the most arrogant boy in class - Koenji Rokusuke. For some reason, he liked to sprinkle English words into his speech. Was he deliberately crafting a persona?

He lounged with his feet on the desk, arrogantly pointing at the teacher.

"The answer is simple. Our Class D received zero points."

"Huh? Why? Didn't they say there would be 100,000 points every month?"

"I don't recall hearing that, right, Fumu Boy?"

Koenji sneered, adding a bizarre English phrase.

To Hikigaya's surprise, everyone seemed to turn to look at him. Huh?

Who is this Fumu Boy? Damn it!

"…Why are you asking me?"

Hikigaya was shocked to be called out by Koenji. He hadn't expected to be dragged into this, nor did he recall speaking with him.

"You've already solved the puzzle, so the honor belongs to you."

Koenji had a smug expression as if waiting for gratitude. If not for the disparity in their abilities, Hikigaya would have liked to punch him.

If you want to show off, do it yourself. Why drag me into it?

How did he know this?

Did he overhear the conversation between him and Matsushita this morning?

Hikigaya considered this possibility. He had hoped to make Matsushita think more critically, but Koenji must have eavesdropped.

Although Hikigaya wanted to simply say he didn't know, the intense scrutiny and Koenji's domineering presence left him with no choice but to speak.

He decided to be casual about it.

"In essence, everyone here is trash who doesn't deserve the money."

...No, that would get me beaten up. I should be more tactful.

"At the start of the semester, Chabashira-sensei mentioned that the school evaluates students based on their abilities. The initial 100,000 points represent the school's first assessment of us. After a month of observation, the school's evaluation has dropped to zero... That's about it."

After speaking, Hikigaya glanced at Chabashira-sensei, who nodded in approval.

"Hikigaya is correct. The reason is straightforward: your daily behavior. You were late or absent 98 times and were seen whispering or using your phones in class 391 times. I truly admire your dedication."

"This school reflects class performance in points. Just as Hikigaya mentioned, starting with 100,000 points, you've managed to squander all of it through a month of subpar behavior. The school's current evaluation for class 1-D is zero."

These words left most of the class speechless. They seemed unable to grasp that their actions were to blame and instead focused on others' shortcomings.

"Chabashira-sensei, I don't remember us ever receiving an explanation about this..."

Hirata, the class leader, protested but was immediately rebuffed by Chabashira-sensei.

"Hirata, it's quite remarkable that you're asking this. Why should we explain every detail? Isn't it basic to follow classroom discipline? Didn't you learn that in elementary and junior high?"

"This…"

"Indeed, a few students like you, Hikigaya, and Koenji, listen attentively in class. However, completing expected tasks should prevent the score from dropping to zero. In other words, this is entirely your responsibility."

Chabashira-sensei's comments cast a heavier atmosphere over the classroom.

It was a valid point, impossible to refute.

"Furthermore, you're merely freshmen in high school. Do you believe you can spend 100,000 yen every month without restrictions, especially in a school aiming to develop outstanding talents? This is common sense, isn't it? Why do you keep ignoring the obvious?"

Though Hikigaya doubted the system's ability to produce outstanding talents, he hoped the class would learn a lesson and improve their behavior.

"At least tell us the specifics of the point changes for future reference."

Hirata's unwillingness showed he hadn't given up hope, but Chabashira-sensei dashed those hopes immediately.

"That's impossible. School regulations prevent us from disclosing review details. Just as in society, whether companies reveal personnel review details is up to them... However, given your situation, I'll share one good thing."

The teacher, with seemingly hidden motives, began to survey the class.

"Even if you improve your punctuality or classroom behavior... assuming no further deductions this month, your points won't increase or decrease. In other words, next month's points will still be zero. Conversely, the number of times you're late or absent doesn't matter. What do you think? Remember, there's nothing to lose."

"Ah..."

Hirata's expression grew even darker. He seemed to understand that such statements would only reduce students' motivation to improve classroom discipline.

What a spiteful and unqualified teacher.

But from another perspective, this was indeed an important lesson.

Although zero points were disheartening, if used strategically, they could become a powerful tool for Class D to negotiate with other classes and gain advantages.

However, that approach was underhanded, and Hikigaya preferred to avoid drawing attention.

"Alright, enough chit-chat. Time to get down to business."

Chabashira-sensei pulled out a large sheet of poster paper and attached it to the blackboard. It displayed the points for each class.

Class A had 940 points, Class B had 650 points, and Class C had 490 points. Based on the conversation with Sakayanagi earlier, 100,000 individual points were equivalent to 1,000 class points.

"Hey, Hikigaya-kun." Matsushita whispered, "Is this number a coincidence, or did the school recognize our strength when we were assigned to our classes?"

Hikigaya was taken aback. He hadn't expected Matsushita to notice. Maybe he had been worrying too much. It seemed her mind was still sharp.