Chapter 34: It's All Because I've Been in the Service Club for Too Long
As the two were talking, Horikita Suzune said:
"Instead of wasting time here discussing these useless practices, why not come to my study session?"
Horikita had already seen the people at the bottom of the rankings through the white paper, and those people naturally included Sudō, Yamauchi, and Ike. Although Hikigaya was not in any danger for the time being, if everyone's grades improved, the outcome would be harder to predict.
So, she didn't mind if there was an "invisible person" like him in her study group.
Sudō's body trembled. Although tall and strong, he was still startled by the sudden voice.
He leaned over to Hikigaya's ear and whispered:
"Hey Hikigaya, isn't this girl a robot? I think this is the first time I've heard her speak..."
Hikigaya was speechless. What kind of brain would mistake a quiet person for a robot?
If that's the case… could I be Robot No. 2?
"Discussing other people without permission is a sign of poor education."
Hearing the girl's blunt words, Sudō rolled up his sleeves and walked to her desk to demand an explanation.
Well, this guy's nature hasn't changed.
His loud shout instantly attracted the attention of the whole class. Hikigaya immediately turned his head away with an expression that said, I don't know him.
Sudō: "Hey, Hikigaya, what are you talking about?"
Hikigaya: "..."
"People who don't know how to read the atmosphere are terrifying..."
---
After a short break, their next class was a rare swimming lesson.
Although it was a swimming class, most of the time was free activity, and the small circles in the class fully revealed themselves.
It seems… I still haven't made any friends. But then again, no one would want to get close to someone who had done such a terrible thing.
However, it was really nice to just watch adolescent girls from the sidelines unnoticed.
After all, Sōbu High School didn't even have this course. By the way, swimming lessons are truly great.
Just as Hikigaya was thinking this, Horikita sat down next to him.
"Let me be clear in advance, I'm not your first target. Even if we're having a study session, you should focus on Sudō and the others first."
Hikigaya voiced his thoughts. Although he wasn't against joining study sessions, if Horikita really wanted to aim for Class A, she had to help Sudō and his group first.
There was already a huge point gap between Classes A, B, C and Class D. If their numbers decreased, the gap in monthly point distribution would only grow.
From Horikita's perspective, now was definitely not the time for those three to drop out.
Horikita, however, shook her head slightly. She thought Hikigaya misunderstood. If she wanted Sudō to attend, it had to be Hikigaya—who had been in closest contact with him recently—who invited him. Otherwise, with his personality, Sudō wouldn't agree no matter what she said.
Only…
Hikigaya: "I can't convince that Sudō guy to attend your study session. Don't expect anything from me."
"That guy's mind is completely focused on basketball. Isn't it great that he wants to be a professional player?"
Hikigaya said this, but was met with a sharp glare from Horikita.
"How scary. Horikita is so scary."
Horikita: "It's not a bad thing to want to become a professional player. But if you can't even manage basic academics, then becoming a pro is nothing but a pipe dream."
Hikigaya: "I don't think Sudō will listen to that."
Horikita: "That's why you are important."
Once again, the topic turned back to him.
Hikigaya: "No, you shouldn't bring this up with me again…"
Horikita: "You know this well. If they drop out, you'll be in danger next. But I don't mind. After all, my grades are always near the top."
"Tsk! Damn provocation!"
Horikita: "Also, although I don't know you well, you always seem to lend a hand when something happens."
Hikigaya: "No, that's just for myself."
"Maybe it's because I've been in the Service Club too long… I've become a bit too nosy."
Horikita: "Then do it for your own sake. Consider it a favor I'll owe you. Since you don't have any friends here, you'll definitely need help eventually. I won't be your friend, but I'll owe you. As long as you need it, I'll help."
"That sounds good. By the way, when did this girl become so easy to talk to? Back at the start of the year, she would've thought she could handle everything herself."
Hikigaya sighed helplessly. Although it wasn't his business, to be honest, he didn't want Class D to become a mess. And since Sudō was so good at sports, maybe he would be useful one day.
Besides, Horikita was right. Spending three years in this isolated school without help was impossible.
Who knows what this school will do next?
Hikigaya: "Okay, I'll give it a try."
Horikita: "I'm impressed."
"They're clearly using me as a tool. Speaking of which, the Service Club is really quite harmful."
If Yukinoshita and Yuigahama were here, things wouldn't be so complicated.
---
Inside the Service Club, listening to the boy's inner thoughts, Yukinoshita and Yuigahama didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
Isshiki Iroha: "Senpai, you actually agreed to someone's request so easily. I find it a little surprising."
Hikigaya: "Not just you, I find it incredible too. If this keeps up, I'll just become a tool."
Yuigahama Yui smiled helplessly. "It can't be helped… After all, Hikki's science grades are really… appalling."
Hikigaya: "Hey, you're not much better…"
Yuigahama: "If Hikki had Yukinon's grades, he wouldn't have to be threatened like this."
Yukinoshita Yukino simply smiled faintly in response. That smile seemed to say: Yes, that's the truth.
It was almost unbelievable that someone like Hikigaya could be blackmailed. But apart from this kind of situation… he probably couldn't be blackmailed at all.