Chapter 9: Class Representative
Hearing someone express support for Sakayanagi, Katsuragi, who was standing at the podium, didn't get angry. Instead, he nodded and smiled:
"Yes, I too hope our class can choose an outstanding class representative to lead everyone forward. Since there is support for Sakayanagi-san, could I ask you to share your thoughts?"
"Well, since you've put it that way, it would be rude to decline."
Sakayanagi stood up gracefully, lifted her chin confidently, and began to advocate her stance. Her voice was like a breeze—gentle yet clear, seemingly imbued with a mysterious charm that irresistibly drew people in.
"If I was the class representative, I'd prefer that we go and provoke the other classes. Doing so would lower their scores while helping us gather information about them and identify key individuals to watch out for.
Even if it leads to point deductions, it's fine—I'll lead everyone to win it back."
Sakayanagi's idea was far more aggressive than what Hikigaya had imagined—her domineering aura resembled a rampaging tyrannosaurus.
Katsuragi frowned. "Sakayanagi-san, don't you think that's a bit too aggressive? If we lose too many points, the other classes might surpass us... We've already gained an advantage, so wouldn't it be wiser to play it safe?"
"Oh my, is that what you think, Katsuragi-san?
From my perspective, there are insurmountable gaps between people no matter how hard they try.
Everyone in Class A clearly has talents recognized by the school that far exceed the other students.
The others probably don't even know about the hidden rules of the school yet. If we cause them to lose a large number of points now, even if we don't gain any class points ourselves, our status in Class A will remain unshaken.
So, the right move here is to seize the opportunity and charge ahead."
Despite her petite figure, Sakayanagi's voice and words were filled with confidence and authority. It felt less like a speech from a charming noble princess and more like the seductive call of a siren luring sailors to their doom.
After listening to both sides' proposals, the students began to split into factions—most took sides either with Katsuragi or Sakayanagi.
Both parties held fast to their views, neither willing to yield. The atmosphere, once peaceful, quickly grew tense and confrontational.
"That's enough, isn't it? Since we can't reach an agreement, why don't we have both Katsuragi and Sakayanagi each take a turn leading the class? During their respective terms, both sides should cooperate fully during the special exams.
Then, based on their results, we'll decide who should be the official Class A representative…
Let the capable take the seat—what do you think?"
In the midst of the fierce debate, Yukinoshita—unfazed by the atmosphere—interrupted coldly.
She hadn't taken sides or spoken until now, likely out of politeness, but finally couldn't help but speak.
Incidentally, Hikigaya considered himself similarly unaffected by group dynamics, though mostly because people just ignored him.
Her cold and clear voice rang out calmly and deeply, yet distinctly, like the gentle fall of the season's first snow.
Everyone went silent—or rather, they held their breath. Haruki, the loud blond, widened his eyes in shock and apprehension at Yukinoshita.
"Uh…well… That does sound like a good idea," said a super-handsome boy with a wry smile, breaking the silence.
His name was Satonaka Satoru.
To be honest, he seemed like the kind of guy who'd top a "Hottest Freshman Boys" list made by the girls.
As for Hikigaya… He had long held top spots on rankings like "Most Cringeworthy" or "Most Gloomy" since elementary school.
"…Yeah, I agree. Sakayanagi-san, what do you think?" Katsuragi nodded after thinking for a few seconds.
"Sounds interesting. I'll agree for now," Sakayanagi replied with her usual pleasant smile, seemingly not that invested in being class rep.
With a proper step-down offered, the class naturally accepted it. After a short vote, the students of Class A decided: Katsuragi would lead the class during the first special exam, while Sakayanagi would take the lead for the next.
In other words, Class A would follow Katsuragi's strategy to face the first month's "Conduct Test."
The meeting concluded. Yukinoshita briskly packed her things, carefully slipping her pale-blue notebook into her bag before standing up.
She gave Hikigaya a quick glance—
But that was all. She said nothing—no "see you later" or "I'm leaving"—just silently turned and walked away.
Her cold demeanor left everyone unable to respond.
They could only watch her leave.
After Yukinoshita's departure, the rest of the students didn't leave immediately. Instead, they used the new school-issued smartphones to exchange email addresses and bond with each other.
But that sort of thing had nothing to do with Hikigaya, so he decided to leave early.
Besides, in Hikigaya's opinion, strong beasts didn't need companions.
Cats are solitary, but cute. Wolves are solitary, but cool.
Therefore, solitary people are both cute and cool.
Hikigaya slouched, hands in his pockets, brooding over such ridiculous thoughts while quietly slipping out the back door of the classroom.
Before leaving, he had thought about asking Sakayanagi if she needed help with her luggage—but seeing how her desk was swarmed with people, he figured she had no time to spare for him.
Just as he stepped out of the classroom—
A big hand suddenly clapped down on his shoulder.
"Guwah—!"
Hikigaya let out a pitiful cry.
Luckily, no one noticed.
Otherwise, if someone had heard that bizarre noise and mocked him, the memory would resurface as he lay in bed at night, writhing like a worm in shame.
He narrowed his eyes and turned back sharply, preparing to strike with his signature dead-fish stare—only to see a face even more terrifying than his own.
Not that dead-fish eyes are scary! They aren't!
"Picking a fight or… guh, glurk…"
Faced with Kito's fierce and terrifying gaze, Hikigaya nearly let out another high-pitched shriek that could debuff enemy defense.
He barely managed to swallow the words that had reached his lips and felt a stabbing pain in his abdomen from the tension.
Th-this wasn't because he was scared of Kito.
His body just got stiff from sitting too long during class.
If not for this "illness", anyone who embarrassed him like that would be beaten into the floor. Obviously.
"Princess Sakayanagi told me to go with you to pick up your luggage," Kito said in a deep voice.
"O-oh, okay. Let's go."
What a weird and chuunibyou-ish nickname was that? "Princess Sakayanagi and the Great Bald Katsuragi: The A-Class Chronicles"? Sounds like something nobody would ever want to read.