The next day at school, Hikigaya looked exhausted, as if he hadn't slept well.
And that was exactly the case. After his panicked escape from Sakura's room last night, he had taken a cold shower but still couldn't sleep. He kept tossing and turning, and when he finally did fall asleep, he had a dream that he really couldn't talk about. The result? He showed up to school looking like this.
Because of what had happened the night before, Hikigaya and Sakura barely spoke all day. Hikigaya didn't even dare to look in her direction, while Sakura, as if on instinct, buried her face in her desk like an ostrich hiding from danger.
The awkwardness between them was unbearable.
However, not many people noticed their strange behavior because everyone was distracted by something else. After Hikigaya's reminder last night, Horikita had informed Hirata and the others about Sudou's possible expulsion. As a result, Hirata and his group were visibly anxious today.
Realizing he was at serious risk of being expelled, Sudou was on edge the whole day, and the entire class felt like it was under a dark cloud.
With less than three days until the next hearing, time was completely against Class D. So, Hirata and the others seemed to have shifted their strategy. Instead of focusing on proving Sudou's innocence, they were now trying to reduce his punishment. If they could keep his suspension short enough, he wouldn't miss the final exams and could avoid expulsion.
Hikigaya stayed out of it, just observing from the sidelines. After his conversation with Horikita Manabu yesterday, he had a pretty good idea of what the older Horikita was trying to hint at. Maybe it was something only "older brothers" like them could understand.
Still…
Hikigaya had underestimated just how impatient Sudou could be.
That very night, Hirata came to see him. After thinking for a moment, Hikigaya pulled out an SD card and said, "Hirata, I need to tell you something first…"
Hirata was about to respond when Hikigaya cut him off.
"I know what you're going to ask. You'll understand soon enough."
They then headed to Ayanokouji's room, where Ayanokouji, Sudou, Horikita, and Kushida were already waiting.
After some prodding from Horikita, Sudou reluctantly stepped forward, lowered his head, and sincerely asked Hikigaya for help.
Hirata stepped in to ease the tension and also asked earnestly, "Horikita told me there's a way to stop Sudou from being expelled. Is that true?"
Hikigaya nodded.
Sudou's face lit up, but Hikigaya's next words hit him like a bucket of cold water.
"But that depends on how much you're willing to sacrifice."
"What… What do you mean?"
Sudou asked urgently, but Hikigaya ignored him and looked at Hirata and the others.
"You all should know that Sudou's punishment comes from two main factors. The additional penalty from the student council isn't something that can be overturned or changed. That means the only thing you can work with is the 'conflict with Class C.'"
Horikita was the first to catch on.
"How long is the suspension from the student council?"
"One week."
"So, as long as the suspension from the 'Class C dispute' is less than three weeks, Sudou can still take the final exam?"
Hirata suddenly realized something—the finals were scheduled for the very last day of July.
"Hirata, have you forgotten what day it is today?"
Ayanokouji spoke up, reminding everyone.
Hirata and the others quickly did the math—July was already nearly a week in. That meant the suspension had to be reduced to less than two weeks for Sudou to take the exam!
Hikigaya glanced at Ayanokouji, slightly surprised.
"That's right," he said. "If you want to shorten the suspension to two weeks, there are only two ways.
"First, you prove that Class C started the fight or get them to withdraw their complaint. That would reduce Sudou's responsibility. But obviously, that's impossible now.
"So that leaves the second option—settling things with Class C privately to reduce Sudou's punishment."
"So in the end… I still can't avoid suspension?! Damn it!!"
Sudou suddenly lost his temper, cursing in frustration.
A suspension also meant he couldn't participate in basketball practice, which could hurt his chances of making the official team.
"Hah. Even now, you're still hoping to just 'clear your name' and pretend nothing ever happened?"
Hikigaya scoffed.
Sudou's eyes widened, and for a moment, it looked like he was about to lunge at Hikigaya.
Thankfully, Hirata quickly stepped in to calm him down.
"Look at yourself. This is exactly why things ended up like this."
Hikigaya didn't hold back, continuing his mockery. "You should be grateful that there are still people willing to help someone like you who only drags others down! So, what's your choice? Suspension or expulsion? Or do you think you're so amazing that after getting suspended, you might as well drop out? That would be pretty convenient, wouldn't it?"
Sudou clenched his fists, trying his best to hold back his anger. But he didn't dare lose control—he knew very well that if he acted out now, it would really be over for him. Not only would he make an enemy out of Hikigaya, but he would also completely disappoint Horikita, Hirata, and the others. That was the one thing he feared the most.
So despite Hikigaya stepping all over his pride, Sudou could only endure it.
"Hikigaya, look, Sudou has already realized his mistake from all this. Everyone makes mistakes, right? There's an old saying: 'If you recognize your mistake and fix it, it's a great virtue.' I believe that if Sudou turns over a new leaf, he'll be able to contribute to the class in the future."
Hirata spoke up, still trying to defend Sudou.
Hikigaya just smiled silently. Sudou had once threatened to beat him up without a second thought, but now? Now, he was tolerating Hikigaya trampling all over him.
The truth was, it wasn't that Sudou had truly recognized his mistake. It was that he knew he was finished.
But… there were some things in this world that were worse than being finished.
"So, how do we get Class C to agree to a settlement? They have the upper hand right now—I doubt they'd go for it."
Ayanokouji spoke at just the right moment, smoothly shifting the conversation away from Sudou.
Hikigaya glanced at Sudou and said meaningfully, "That depends on how much you're willing to sacrifice. Since this whole mess started because of basketball, then it should end with basketball. You're on the basketball team, right? If you withdraw from the selection process for the official lineup and use that as a bargaining chip, I'm sure Komiya and Kondo will be happy to accept. And with these photos added to the mix, they'll realize that dragging this out any further is pointless."
Hikigaya pulled out an SD card. It contained the photos that Sakura had mentioned taking that day—he had gotten her to make a copy for him.
Sudou's face instantly turned pale. He shouted, "No way! I can't accept this! I worked so hard for this chance! The coach even spoke to me privately about making the official lineup—I can't do this! I absolutely can't!"
Sudou couldn't accept Hikigaya's proposal at all. He had been running around trying to fix this situation precisely because he didn't want it to affect his selection for the basketball team. The summer IH tournament was coming up, and this was an incredibly important opportunity for him. He was the only first-year student who had a chance to make the official team!
"Oh, is that so? Then just drop out."
Hikigaya said, expressionless.
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