Chapter 190: The Truth Revealed, a World Where Injury Is Necessary
The question of who had betrayed the class, who had betrayed Hikigaya, began to linger relentlessly within the classroom.
The only thing that offered any reassurance was that the list of students eligible for expulsion was predetermined. Even in the worst-case scenario, none of them would be expelled themselves.
However, there were people in this class who valued Hikigaya's presence more than their own interests. Their reasoning was simple: even losing 300 class points would never justify Hikigaya's expulsion.
So…
At this point, everything that could be done had already been done.
What more could possibly be said in the remaining two hours?
Ike slammed his hand on the desk.
"Matsushita, didn't you say you knew who was voting in favor? Then say it! Let me see who's destroying the unity of this class!"
Matsushita looked visibly embarrassed. In truth, she had only been trying to buy time, hoping to pressure the two remaining voters into revealing themselves. But clearly… they hadn't fallen for it. If she revealed her plan now, the atmosphere would only grow darker and more hopeless, and the class wouldn't even know what it was fighting against anymore.
Sudo clenched his fists tightly, a familiar anger resurfacing on his face.
"Who… who the hell is it?!"
"Holding onto anger won't help." Hikigaya said calmly.
Sudo turned toward him. "Brother… Don't you want to say something?"
Hikigaya's expression remained composed. After glancing briefly at the exam question displayed on the electronic screen, he spoke.
"As the person involved, I honestly don't know what to say. Whatever choice you make, I'll accept it."
Sudo's emotions finally settled somewhat, though his fists remained clenched.
"Don't worry, brother. As long as there's even one person still voting against, that person will definitely be me."
Kushida spoke up immediately.
"I have nothing to hide. I'm in this class, no, in this school, only because of you. It's been that way since that day. So even if you vote for yourself, I'll still vote against it."
The rest of the class nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with determination.
Hikigaya found it hard to believe. Just one year ago, this class had been utterly disunited, filled with countless problem students. And now…
It had changed so much.
He knew it. And he was deeply grateful to those who had always stood behind him. It was a kind of trust he had never experienced before in his life.
Being chosen so firmly by others felt… incredibly good. At this moment, Hikigaya truly felt that way.
However…
Continuing like this would also be wrong, wouldn't it?
If the class lost 300 class points just for his sake, what would this year mean for the average and below-average students who had worked so hard? And for the above-average students who had always carried the class forward?
---
Fifth Question, Fifth Round
Fifth Question, Sixth Round
Fifth Question, Seventh Round
For: 2 votes
Against: 38 votes
---
That was when Hikigaya realized something clearly.
He absolutely could not accept this.
The thought that his existence had become a burden to others was unbearable. If that was the case, he would rather leave this school. He would rather start over from nothing, even if everything he loved was here.
In the end… failing to change those two people's minds is my greatest failure.
---
Fifth Question, Eighth Round of Voting
For: 3 votes
Against: 37 votes
Karuizawa shouted in disbelief.
"What's going on?! Why is there another vote?! Do you really want him to drop out?! Don't forget, Hachiman has been helping us in every exam! Without him, we wouldn't even have made it to Class B!"
Hikigaya shook his head.
"Karuizawa… that vote was mine."
The entire class trembled, staring at him in disbelief.
Sudo slammed his desk.
"Brother! Why are you doing this?! You know I won't give up on you!"
Hikigaya looked at him gently.
"Sudo, I've always been grateful to you. You always thought I helped you escape your former, dispirited self. But you never realized that it was your bright, straightforward personality that pulled me, someone who had completely lost motivation at the beginning of the school year, into this school."
Sudo, a big man through and through, suddenly found his eyes growing wet, as if he had sensed something irreversible.
"I don't want to hear you say things like this right now. No matter what, you're staying. Do you hear me?!"
Hikigaya shook his head helplessly. Then he stood up and faced the class. Concern filled everyone's eyes as they looked at him.
"Those two people won't change their minds," he said calmly. "If that's the case… then there's only one possible outcome. I know you might feel guilty, but you don't need to. Because if you were placed in this situation yourselves, you would inevitably vote in favor."
Akito slammed his fist down.
"Don't be ridiculous! We still have time! I don't want to become an ungrateful bastard. Hikigaya, do you remember? During the cultural festival, you promised you'd lead us to first place. You still haven't fulfilled that promise!"
Tears streamed down Ichinose's face. She couldn't speak, only shake her head desperately.
Karuizawa stepped forward.
"You've always been the kindest person. Don't let him deceive you, everyone. If this question were directed at us, he would never vote in favor himself. I don't know why, out of everyone, it has to be him."
Hikigaya shook his head slowly. His gaze drifted toward Hondo and Shinohara.
This class had far too many people like them, students in the middle and lower ranks. Perhaps Karuizawa and the others could follow him into this reckless choice.
But the others couldn't.
---
Fifth Question, Ninth Round of Voting
For: 3 votes
Against: 37 votes
—
Hondo: "Do you think you're some kind of great hero, choosing to sacrifice yourself at a time like this to fulfill us? Let me tell you, although you and I aren't friends, and we definitely don't share some unbreakable bond, I just don't like you. The more you want a certain outcome, the more I'm going to do the exact opposite!"
Sotomura: "Hikigaya, even if I have to endure this 300-point penalty today, I absolutely won't let you get expelled. Yeah, I was annoyed with you before, but it's precisely that irritation that I've turned into fuel."
Shinohara: "I don't think I need to say anything. You just need to know what I'm going to do."
A completely meaningless argument. It made Hikigaya feel his own failure. Words that had always been able to persuade others in the past were utterly worthless at this moment.
At times like this, Hikigaya was undoubtedly enjoying it, but that enjoyment was mixed with a trace of guilt and unease.
Sakura: "Hachiman, I told you before. If you get expelled, I'll leave school with you. So… please think carefully before making your decision. But… no matter what the final outcome is, I'll stay with you."
Hikigaya shook his head helplessly and could only sit back down.
Fifth Question, Round Ten of Voting
In favor: 3 votes
Against: 37 votes
If everything that could be said had already been said earlier, then this round truly left nothing more to say. Horikita and Hirata were still wearing themselves out trying to persuade the last two students, but as long as those two never appeared, they would never receive any response.
The discussion, which had dragged on for nearly two hours, had already numbed most people's minds. There was an hour and a half left before the end of the exam, at most, eight more rounds of discussion. If no conclusion was reached within those eight rounds, 300 class points would be deducted.
But for most people, it was nothing more than losing 300 class points.
Chabashira stared at the question displayed on the electronic screen, feeling that something was off. All voting was done on mobile phones; even she, the Sensei, had no access to any inside information.
The only consolation was that ten years later, her class made a completely different choice when facing a question like this compared to what they had done back then.
Perhaps her own choice at the time had resulted in a 300-point deduction, and now Class B would probably end up losing 300 points as well, another decision supported by the majority.
However… that expectation shattered in the very next moment.
Ye Zhi spoke slowly, a malicious smile on her face: "Students, I must remind you of something. Even if you end up losing 300 class points because of a timeout, the final question will still be carried out as usual."
Michael followed up, "That's right. In other words, what you're choosing between now isn't 'lose 300 points and keep Hikigaya,' but 'lose 300 points and expel Hikigaya' versus 'expel Hikigaya and gain 300 class points.'"
Their words brought a sudden realization to the class, and made Hikigaya even more certain of his final outcome.
But…
Chabashira interrupted, "Wait. Where did this rule come from? I've never heard of it."
After all, ten years ago she had faced the same situation. Even though she had been condemned by countless people, she still chose to keep him.
Ye Zhi: "Of course it was added at the start of this exam. And if Chabashira-sensei has any objections, you're welcome to report it to Sima-sensei. But by then, your student will probably already be gone."
Michael: "Alright, the exam will continue. You still have an hour and a half."
Silence fell over the classroom.
Horikita was visibly growing anxious. "Let me say this one more time. I, Horikita Suzune, have never been your enemy. I ask the two students who voted in favor to please vote against in the next round."
Hirata: "It doesn't matter that you voted differently before. We can definitely get through this exam, right?"
Ichinose: "Everyone, please place a little more trust in Hikigaya. Believe that he'll perform even better in the next exam!"
Ike: "I really don't get it. Who's pulling strings behind the scenes? If we all vote against and keep 300 class points, isn't that the best outcome? Why would anyone want their own classmate to be expelled?!"
Koenji crossed his arms, and his expression finally shifted from playful to serious.
He had originally thought this exam was extremely simple. If Hikigaya wanted to, he could easily observe everyone's microexpressions and identify the two traitors.
But up until now, Hikigaya himself hadn't made any move. And although Koenji was willful, once he recognized Hikigaya's value, there was no way he would let him leave this school.
So he began observing, ignoring the sensei's warnings and the surprised looks from his classmates, he stood up and locked eyes with them one by one.
Yet… the ever-proud Koenji found himself utterly confused.
Because in this class, not a single person was lying.
Everyone, every single one of them, had voted against.
Then why did votes in favor still appear?
Something wasn't right…
Koenji, who had barely used his brain until now, was finally thrown into a mental storm. To make sure he wasn't mistaken, he scanned the entire class once again.
Interesting…
Hikigaya hadn't been idle either. Long before Koenji, he had already observed everyone in the class. Unless someone was a born actor, it was impossible to escape his eyes.
After ten rounds of discussion, he was already certain that the problem didn't lie with anyone in the class.
He opened his phone, trying to find some kind of loophole in the app, but unfortunately, aside from "in favor" and "against," there was nothing else.
At this point, all he could do was gamble.
Fifth Question, Round Eleven of Voting
In favor: 2 votes
Against: 37 votes
If you didn't look carefully, you might not notice anything. But it couldn't escape Horikita's eyes.
"…Why is one vote missing?"
Chabashira: "Did anyone's phone malfunction? Please report it immediately."
Michael looked anxious. "If any special circumstances occur during the voting process, you must submit a report."
Hikigaya shook his head. "There's no problem. That abstention was my own vote."
Ye Zhi: "You've violated the exam rules!"
Hikigaya: "If a loophole exists, then using it properly is still reasonable."
Ye Zhi: "You..!"
Hikigaya: "I'm grateful to my classmates who still believe in me even now. At this point, I only need you to do one thing. Once voting starts, turn off your phones, and then… have Horikita check them one by one."
Horikita: "What does that mean?"
Hikigaya: "I didn't want to resort to such a crude method like Ryuen's. But if I don't, I won't be able to confirm something. Everyone, please cooperate with me."
With that, Hikigaya bowed lightly.
Koenji seemed to have noticed something as well. He didn't say anything, he just smiled faintly, then shook his head in resignation.
'So this is it… I've completely lost to this guy.'
Ten minutes passed in the blink of an eye. Even though they had already reached the twelfth round, hardly anyone spoke. It was as if everyone had reached a tacit understanding, quietly waiting for the voting to begin.
Fifth Question, Round Twelve of Voting
In favor: 2 votes
Against: 0 votes
The entire room fell silent once more.
Hikigaya: "Horikita, are you certain that every student's phone was turned off just now?"
Horikita: "Yes. I made absolutely sure they were all powered off. Did I see it wrong? That's impossible… Could the mole have restarted their phone at that moment and cast a vote?"
Hikigaya smiled and shook his head, leaving everyone utterly confused.
Hikigaya: "Let's do it again."
Michael's irritation was obvious. "Are you kidding me?! Exploiting loopholes in the school's system, if this keeps up, I have the authority to revoke all of your exam qualifications. Not only will Hikigaya be expelled, but all of you will be demoted to Class D!"
Michael's furious expression had completely stripped away the dignity expected of a high-ranking official. Even Chabashira couldn't understand why the usually calm and composed Michael was reacting so violently.
Hikigaya: "Oh? Looks like you've got quite a bit of authority. But… isn't it a little late to threaten me now? The moment this question appeared, you should've already been prepared for this outcome."
Fifth Question, Round Thirteen of Voting
In favor: 2 votes
Against: 0 votes
Horikita spoke firmly. "I'm certain, absolutely certain. No one turned their phone back on."
Kushida: "What is going on? Could it be that the system has been malfunctioning this whole time?"
Karuizawa let out a visible sigh of relief, thinking this was entirely the school's responsibility. "Hikigaya, you scared me to death. Good thing you reacted quickly, I knew something felt off."
Sakura: "Hachiman… thank goodness… really, thank goodness."
Ichinose: "Thank you, everyone… thank you for cooperating through such a troublesome process."
Sudō: "The school really went too far. Giving us such a garbage question and then having a system error on top of it."
Yukimura: "I knew it… something always felt wrong."
Ike: "Huh? You guys already figured it out? I still don't really get it, what's actually going on?"
Shinohara: "You idiot."
Akito: "As long as it's a misunderstanding, that's fine… Still, this exam should've ended ages ago. What a stupid test."
Hikigaya didn't rush to celebrate. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on the two administrators behind him. Then he turned around, his expression turning cold.
"No. This isn't a system error. Do you want me to keep playing along with you? Michael-sensei. Ye Zhi-sensei."
Chabashira finally understood. "Then I think I'd like to hear what kind of explanation the school intends to give us."
Hikigaya: "If my guess is correct, you hacked the accounts of two students and have been acting as the 'traitors' this whole time."
The entire class fell silent. Sensing that things were going south, Michael immediately tried to smooth things over.
"This was an evaluation sent down from above to test you, hahahaha. Just a test, that's all. What, don't you trust your sensei?"
In reality, in order to secretly expel Hikigaya and Nagumo, Sima Zhongda had separately sent Michael and Ye Zhi to oversee these classes. He himself was operating from the control room, managing the distribution of the exam questions. Clearly, the questions given to their classes were completely different from those given to the others.
But if they thought that alone would be enough to deceive Hikigaya, they were seriously underestimating him.
It was a classic case of evasion, something Hikigaya could see through at a glance.
The exams for the other first-year classes had already ended. Because Class B was still in session, the area remained under lockdown.
Hikigaya: "Whether it's true or not, all we need to do is check what happened in Year Two, Class A, right?"
As he said this, Hikigaya shot Chabashira a look, signaling her to put an end to this farce.
Ye Zhi grew even more anxious. If everything was exposed now, they would be completely finished. "Wait, are you planning to disrupt the exam venue?"
Hikigaya: "Of course not. We're just using methods that aren't under your control. You should know, whether students or sensei, none of us are toys for politicians like you."
With that, Hikigaya handed his phone to Sotomura. Sotomura immediately understood and began cracking the exam app using his enthusiast-level skills.
At this point, aside from powering off the phone, almost everything was locked to the exam interface. To make any outside contact, the first step was breaking out of the app.
In less than three minutes, Hikigaya's phone was back to normal. As expected of Sotomura, being able to bypass everything without using any viruses or USB devices was truly impressive.
Hikigaya didn't waste any time. He immediately dialed Sakayanagi.
As long as Sakayanagi brought the chairman here, this entire farce would come to an end. They had already grabbed the tail, now it was only a matter of time before the big fish was hauled in.
If anything, the exam's lockdown wasn't trapping the students, it was sealing off their own escape route.
Under no circumstances could Hikigaya be allowed to make that call.
A chilling gust tore through the air in front of Hikigaya, the sound of space itself being ripped apart ringing in his ears.
Bang!
Koenji caught Michael's kick, blocking it in front of Hikigaya and taking the blow in his stead.
Only then did Hikigaya feel a wave of cold run down his spine.
If he had taken that kick head-on, he would probably be in the hospital already.
At this moment, he became acutely aware that none of this was a joke anymore. To prevent him from becoming a threat, they were even willing to resort to outright violence.
The sudden turn of events shocked the students. They immediately backed away from their desks. Only Chabashira stood in front of her students, shielding them, her eyes sharply fixed on Ye Zhi and Michael.
Koenji sneered. "So this is what the so-called school higher-ups are like? Pretty unimpressive, if you ask me."
Michael: "Heh. You'll find out soon enough."
The two exchanged no further words. In the blink of an eye, they were already locked in combat. Hikigaya didn't stay idle either, he immediately opened his memo app and searched for Sakayanagi's name.
Seeing that she had no way out left, Ye Zhi leapt past the two of them, attempting to forcibly snatch Hikigaya's phone.
But…
Sudō stepped forward. He charged in and slammed Ye Zhi against the wall, saying disdainfully,
"I don't like hitting women, even if they're tough."
Ye Zhi scoffed and assumed a fighting stance. "Tch."
At the same time,
"Sakayanagi, bring the chairman and come to Class B immediately!"
A soft laugh came from the other end of the phone, cute like a fairy. "I knew it. If it was Hikigaya, he'd definitely make the big fish take the bait."
(End of this chapter)