COTE: Hikigaya's Classroom of the Supreme Being

Horikita's words sent ripples through Class D, but no one dared to openly oppose her. It wasn't that they agreed with her; rather, they were simply lost and uncertain about what to do. After a whole semester, Class D had found themselves back at zero points, with no hope in sight.

If Hirata had been in his usual state, he might have stepped up to challenge Horikita, but no one else was willing to be the first to speak out. In truth, they had all given up.

"Horikita-san, are you refusing to cooperate?" Ichinose blinked in surprise, clearly puzzled. "Do you think you can win this exam without collaborating?"

"Absolutely not," Horikita replied without hesitation.

"Then why—"

"Because our classes have different views on what it means to win."

Horikita went straight to the heart of the matter.

"Class A might consider it a victory as long as they don't lose points, but for Class D, winning the large group competition and securing first place in the year is the only way to make an effort worthwhile. Without those fifty class points, there's no real meaning in trying. The other four outcomes don't make a difference to us."

This realization dawned on Class D, and suddenly, her stance made sense. Cooperation seemed pointless if the outcome only benefitted other classes.

"Unless, of course, Class A is willing to hand over the first-place spot?" Horikita added, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Ahahaha—well, that doesn't seem likely," Ichinose laughed awkwardly, then, as if provoked, she added, "I see now what you're thinking, Horikita-san. But according to your logic, aren't you just running away from the competition?"

"No, I'm just fighting differently."

"Even if you say that, it looks like Class D is avoiding a class confrontation. Are you perhaps afraid of facing off against Class B or Class C?"

"…Think what you like."

It was surprising to hear such words from Horikita, who was usually so competitive. Perhaps the repeated setbacks hadn't crushed her spirit but instead made her more realistic. Given the current state and morale of Class D, winning seemed like a pipe dream.

On the other hand, while Class B and Class C also refused to cooperate, their situations were different.

"Katsuragi, I'm telling you this for your good," Ryuuen said disdainfully. "From the beginning, we've only been spying on each other. Even if I proposed cooperation, would you dare to agree? Remember, my relationship with your class is far from normal."

What he meant was that he was their creditor. The Class C students glared at him, understanding his underlying message.

"Hey, hey, don't look at me like that."

Ryuuen found their reactions amusing and couldn't help but laugh.

"You should be glad you're not grouped with Class D. There's someone there even more awkward for you to deal with than me."

"In any case, I understand that you don't want to cooperate," Katsuragi responded coolly, ignoring Ryuuen's taunts. "But we weren't planning on it either. Even if we did cooperate, it would only be to avoid interfering with each other. I don't see how that's much different from the current situation."

In the end, if their large group failed, nothing else mattered. Class B wasn't starting from zero points like Class D; they wanted to avoid losing too many class points.

Given that, Ryuuen's attitude was quite telling.

"Heh, you're quite sensible."

Ryuuen chuckled, leading the Class B students away. It seemed they were leaving early.

As he approached the gym's exit, Ryuuen's eyes met Hachiman's, and he changed course, heading straight for him.

"Hey, rotten eyes, you sure gave me a big surprise at the start of this term."

"Uh…"

"What, ignoring me?"

Ryuuen's face twisted into a malicious grin.

"No wonder you're the guy who lets his classmates die without lifting a finger. You have zero manners."

"…What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about that guy in your class who got expelled." Ryuuen raised his voice, making sure everyone around could hear. "You're a member of the student council, but you didn't even consider helping your classmate. You're cold-hearted… But that's just who you are. I'm not surprised at all."

Sometimes, the most obvious provocations can be surprisingly effective. Hachiman noticed a few of his classmates casting doubtful glances his way. Well, whatever. It didn't matter.

"You're overestimating me. I don't have that kind of power."

"Heh, the truth is, you just don't care about your classmates."

Ryuuen was a master at stirring the pot, especially when it came to provoking the idiots in Class D.

"Because of your inaction, your classmate got expelled, and your class was left with zero points. Class D is truly a defective product."

Most of Class D glared at Ryuuen. But that was his goal. As another class student, and with his infamous reputation, Class D couldn't touch him. But they were more than capable of turning on each other.

Wow… this guy has a real talent for being a jerk.

Hachiman pulled a face, clearly annoyed, while Ryuuen basked in his success. As frustrating as it was, the best move now was to ignore him. Reacting would only encourage him further.

However, just then, someone else stepped forward.

"Ryuuen-kun, could you please stop harassing our class's students?"

"Heh, Suzune, I overheard something interesting back there." Ryuuen looked intrigued. "You're planning to forfeit victory? That doesn't sound like you at all. Are you going to surrender?"

Horikita replied with a tone of disgust, "I've told you several times not to call me by my first name. And I have no intention of discussing this with you."

"It's good to see you're still as stubborn as ever. I'd hate for you to break too easily."

Ryuuen suddenly gave Hachiman an inexplicable look.

"Rotten eyes, I find it hard to believe Suzune would say something like that… Could it be that you're the one pulling the strings?"

"Don't be ridiculous. What does this have to do with me?"

"Hmph, fine then."

Ryuuen took a step closer, locking eyes with Hachiman as if trying to gauge his reaction.

"In other words, no matter how much I push Suzune, you won't interfere, right?"

"…As long as you don't break any school rules."

"Hahaha, you're still so pretentious."

Despite Class D's sorry state, Ryuuen wasn't planning to back down. He was likely still hung up on getting revenge for the events on the deserted island. Or perhaps he was just fixated on uncovering the identity of the person with ideas similar to his—X.

The problem with dictators is that, even if their actions don't benefit the class, no one can stop them if there's no one to keep them in check.

"Ryuuen-kun, can you please stop making assumptions?"

"Heh, don't break before I get started."

With those words, Ryuuen left, taking his classmates with him. Hachiman watched his retreating figure and sighed inwardly.

Ever since he advanced to Class B, Ryuuen had become more arrogant. His obsession with targeting Horikita was an attempt to flush out the person behind her—X.

But Class D was no longer a threat. At least, not worth the effort. If Ryuuen could just let go of his grudge, Ayanokoji would likely leave him alone as well.

To be honest, Hachiman couldn't see the point of Ryuuen's actions.

Even if he figured out that X was Ayanokoji, so what?

The school's surveillance was tight. At most, Ryuuen might find a chance to beat him up, and that opportunity would likely come only once… Huh?

Was this guy seriously just trying to pick a fight?

The more Hachiman thought about it, the more it made sense. Ryuuen was, at his core, still a delinquent, and people like that had pretty simple mindsets.

If you don't like someone, you beat them up and then figure out the rest later.

What could you do? Even if Ryuuen was evolving, he was still a beast at heart.

Sigh… Whatever, let them fight. No matter who ends up getting beaten down, it'll be satisfying. But if I had to bet, Ryuuen's probably the one who'll lose.

That might be for the best. He's been too cocky lately.

Maximum Overdrive, use Flame Punch on Ryuuen!

---

After leaving the gym, Class D returned to their classroom to discuss the upcoming sports festival.

The school had informed them that they would have two hours of homeroom each week to use as they saw fit, and it was up to each class to decide how to make the most of it.

Horikita took the initiative and walked up to the podium, ready to take action.

"Everyone, I understand you might be confused about what I said to Ichinose earlier. I'll explain everything now."

The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to her.

"After Chabashira-sensei's explanation, I've been thinking about what Class D should focus on during this sports festival. What's most important for us."

She paused, then spoke deliberately.

"Rather than aiming for victory in the sports festival, our primary goal should be to avoid any expulsions in the next exam."

"…Huh?"

Her words shocked the students. They couldn't understand how the conversation had shifted so suddenly from the sports festival to the next exam.

For every class that wanted to avoid ending up in the losing group, it was obvious they would put all their effort into the group competitions.

But Horikita had chosen to go against the grain—a strategy only Class 1-D, with zero points, could afford to execute.

"And next, we need to determine the order of participants and who will be selected for the recommended events. I believe we should prioritize the students who are weaker in physical education to prevent them from falling into the bottom ten of the grade... or more accurately, the bottom nine. As you might have noticed in the gym earlier, there is a student in Class C who won't be able to participate in the sports festival," Horikita explained.

She was referring to Sakayanagi, the only student who had been conspicuously seated in a chair.

As Horikita continued her explanation, everyone began to understand her reasoning.

Although it felt a bit disheartening to essentially concede defeat, it was hard to argue against the logic if it meant preventing someone from dropping out.

"If everyone agrees, then the next steps will be to—"

"Wait a moment."

Just as the plan seemed set, someone interrupted.

"Horikita, I can't accept this strategy. Just because we need to look out for others, we have to give up our chance at victory? There's a reward for placing in the top three, and I don't want to throw away that possibility," said Karuizawa, her voice sharp with dissent.

"Besides, even if we hand over the opportunity to those who are weaker in physical education, do you really think they'll win? It'll just be a waste," she continued.

What... what is she doing?

Hikigaya was taken aback, not expecting Karuizawa to speak up at this moment. Her words seemed almost nonsensical as if she were arguing for the sake of arguing.

He couldn't help but glance at Ayanokoji, who was just then slipping his phone into his pocket.

Could it be...?