There is something wrong with Hikigaya’s classroom of the Elite, as expected

Chapter 59: Your Eyes, The Sea I Will Never Encounter Again

“Are you reviewing for the midterms, Hachiman-kun?”

Hachiman’s desk was covered with several textbooks. Although Hachiman was confident in his own grades, he still needed to review. Who knew if the school would tamper with the midterm exams?

“Hachiman-kun, I heard that your class is having a study group, is that right?” Hiyori suddenly asked.

Hachiman nodded. After receiving confirmation, Hiyori sighed, her expression clearly showing worry. This was especially apparent when he considered the situation of Class C that Hiyori had mentioned recently.

Like Class D, Class C was a lower-tier class, and while things weren’t perfect, it was certainly much better than Class D. According to Hiyori, after the “Martial Arts Tournament” in the first month of school, the leader of Class C was chosen—a student named Ryuen Kakeru, who ‘ruled’ over the class.

“Could it be that your classmates still…?”

“Yes, Ryuen and the others seem to not care about the midterm exams at all,” Hiyori said helplessly. In the small test at the end of the previous month, Class C’s performance was similarly poor. The situation in Class C wasn’t much different from Class D, with many students in both classes having relatively low academic performance.

“Teachers clearly said that students who fail the midterm exams would be expelled, so why is everyone so indifferent?” Hiyori’s face showed clear anxiety as she spoke.

With just about two weeks left to study, time wasn’t too long or too short. If they worked hard, there was still a good chance of passing, just like Class D, which was why Hirata had been so proactive in organizing study groups.

“Clearly, everyone in Class D has already started taking action…” Hiyori seemed to make up her mind, “I can’t just sit by while my classmates continue to mess around. Hachiman-kun, I’m sorry, but I might not be able to come to the library for a while. I have to do something for the class.”

“Shiina-san, you really are an impressive person.”

Hachiman sincerely praised her. He knew a little about the rumors surrounding Class C, particularly their leader, Ryuen Kakeru. Ryuen was a student who used violence to make others submit. He ‘ruled’ over the entire class and was called a “tyrant” by others. No one dared defy his orders, whether they were male or female. So…

“If you encounter any danger, please be sure to tell me,” Hachiman said seriously.

If one had to describe her, Hiyori was someone whose outward gentleness hid a firm inner strength, perfectly suited to the situation. Once she decided something, she wouldn’t easily change her mind.

Hachiman couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at himself. Compared to her, he felt as though he had contributed nothing.

Hiyori seemed to understand the meaning behind Hachiman’s words and comforted him, “Hachiman-kun, please don’t worry. I believe that as long as something benefits the class, Ryuen-kun is a reasonable person.”

Hachiman sighed inwardly. In reality, Ryuen had already taken action regarding the midterm exams. In fact, he had started early by harassing the students of Classes A and B. Recently, the student council had been receiving frequent complaints about Class C, and even though warnings had been issued, Class C students still acted as though they didn’t care, ignoring the student council completely.

The reason why Class C’s students were so fearless was naturally because they had Ryuen’s backing.

Though Ryuen’s methods were a bit despicable, they were still a way to deal with higher-tier classes, and one of the few “advantages” that lower-tier classes had.

In fact, Class D should have used this “zero-point advantage” to gain more resources, but Hirata, the well-behaved nice guy, would never think of such a method, let alone use underhanded tactics. And that was precisely why Hirata was the leader of Class D and not someone else.

However, Hachiman couldn’t help but feel that Ryuen’s approach was a bit too naive. Did he really not understand that if a student were expelled due to failing the midterm exams, their class would lose 300 class points?

Class C and D were like two ticking time bombs. Ryuen wasn’t trying to defuse the bomb, but instead, he was dragging others down with him. He might even fail to find anyone to take the fall and end up blowing himself up!

“Sigh, I don’t know what Ryuen-kun is thinking. He never tells anyone his plans. He just wants people to follow his orders, and no one in the class dares to defy him.”

Hiyori sighed deeply. It was unclear whether she was dissatisfied with Ryuen’s dictatorship or disappointed in his leadership ability, or perhaps both.

“Is it really okay to tell an outsider like me all this?” Hachiman asked, feeling the need to remind her.

Hiyori paused for a moment and then understood what Hachiman meant. She shook her head, “Class competition is something that concerns the class as a whole. If something like this means that I have to see Hachiman-kun as an enemy, I don’t think that’s right. That would make everything too utilitarian, and I think that’s a very scary thing. I really value my friendship with you, Hachiman-kun, and I want it to last.”

“Friendship first, competition second?”

“Kind of, but that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on moving up to Class A~ I’d prefer for everyone to work together toward the goal of reaching Class A. As for the final result, well, that depends on everyone’s abilities!”

Hiyori raised her fists in encouragement, as if saying “let’s all do our best together.”

Hachiman stared at the girl in front of him, feeling a deep, indescribable emotion. In this school full of cruel competition, the girl before him was like a pure lotus blooming in the mud.

Some might not understand, some might scorn her, some might despise her, thinking her ideas too idealistic, but Hachiman didn’t think so.

Just like the human eye, made up of black and white, why can we only see through the black part?

Because it’s only through the darkness that we can see the light.

The honesty and purity in this girl were that light.

“Eh? Hachiman-kun, are you okay?”

Seeing Hachiman freeze in place, Hiyori quickly waved her hand in front of him.

“I-I’m fine, just feeling a bit emotional. Meeting someone like you, Shiina-san, might have used up all my luck.”

Hachiman said sincerely.

“Hachiman-kun, you’re exaggerating too much. Now you’re making me embarrassed.”

Hiyori covered her slightly flushed face, feeling shy, and avoided making eye contact with Hachiman. “Actually, it’s kind of strange. Normally, I’m too shy to talk to others, let alone a stranger, but that day I just had this impulse to call out to you. Now that I think about it, it’s pretty unbelievable!”

“Could it be because of my… special eyes?”

“Pfft, haha, Hachiman-kun, you’re really good at humor!”

The girl giggled.

Seeing this, the boy couldn’t help but smile as well.