Chapter 245 071: Before the Exchange Exam Begins!

After parting beneath the cherry blossom tree, Hiyori returned to her dormitory and sat on the edge of her bed. The night outside the window was deep; moonlight squeezed through a gap in the curtains, casting a thin white line across the ceiling. She stared at that white line for a long time, her mind a chaotic mess.

She took out her phone and opened the chat window with Hachiman. Her finger hovered over the screen for a few seconds, and then she typed a line.

[Hikigaya-kun, about tonight... let's talk about it later.]

After sending it, she placed her phone beside her pillow and lay down. About two minutes later, the phone vibrated. She picked it up; it was Hachiman's reply.

[Understood. It's fine to maintain the current state for now.]

Hiyori stared at that line of text for several seconds.

"Maintain the current state"—that meant changing nothing.

He was still Class A's representative, and she was still a student of Class B.

He was still dating Karuizawa-san, and she was still alone.

It was as if that bouquet of flowers had never been given, as if that dream had never been dreamt, and as if that conversation under the cherry blossom tree had never happened.

After all, for both him and her, such a future was too sudden; there had been no mental preparation whatsoever.

She knew she should feel relieved. Because change was too troublesome.

Change meant having to face many things she didn't want to face—like telling Ryuen "I might not be able to concentrate on the exam," telling Ibuki "I dreamt that I married Hikigaya-kun," or telling Karuizawa "In the future, I will marry your boyfriend." Every single thing made her scalp crawl. Therefore, maintaining the status quo was the best choice.

But she still couldn't help but think—he was still dating Karuizawa-san. She watched him continue to be with another girl, all while she knew that in the future, he would marry her. What was this?

Strictly Self-cuckolding herself?

The corners of Hiyori's mouth twitched slightly, and she shook off that absurd thought.

She looked at Hachiman's new message again.

[Since that is the case, I will not end my relationship with Karuizawa-san for the time being.]

"..."

He didn't say "will not," he said "will not for the time being." This meant he knew that this relationship had an expiration date. Just as she had said.

Hiyori placed her phone beside her pillow, turned over, and faced the wall. There was nothing on the white wall; it was clean and bare. She stared at that wall for a few seconds, then let out a soft sigh.

Forget it. Ordinarily, as her future husband, him dating another girl now was indeed a bit excessive. But looking at it from another perspective—he met Karuizawa-san first, dated her first, and made promises with her first.

Therefore, she, Shiina Hiyori, was the latecomer.

Although this "lateness" was a dislocation of time, an interweaving of the future and the present. But regardless, before she had appeared in his life trajectory, Karuizawa-san was already there.

Thus, she had no right to demand he change anything, at least not now.

Hiyori closed her eyes. The moonlight outside the window was faint. She recalled the look in Hachiman's eyes beneath the cherry blossom tree—it wasn't tenderness, it wasn't infatuation; it was a more complex look, a light that seemed to be confirming something while simultaneously hesitating over something. He didn't hate her, nor did he like her. He just knew what would happen in the future, and therefore didn't know how to face her.

Hiyori turned over and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

Don't think about it. Exams first.

Everything else can be talked about later.

.

.

.

The deadline to submit the opponent class's test papers was three days before the exam.

In Class A's classroom, Hachiman sat in his seat with several sheets of draft paper spread out in front of him. They were densely packed with questions—the task of creating the Japanese language subject test had fallen to him. Ichinose was responsible for math, and the remaining subjects were divided among Kanzaki Ryuji and others with excellent academic ability. The classroom was quiet, with only the rustling of pen tips across paper and the occasional sound of turning pages.

Hachiman finished the last question, set down his pen, and leaned back in his chair. The Japanese language questions were not difficult; they were all at a third-year middle school level. He selected a few short articles for reading comprehension and created a few grammar

and vocabulary questions. It was standard and conventional—not too tricky, but not so easy that the students of Class C would find it effortless.

Ichinose leaned over from the side and glanced at his draft paper. "Hikigaya-kun, are you finished?"

"Yeah." Hachiman organized the draft paper and placed it at the corner of his desk. "Two questions left; I can finish them by tomorrow."

Ichinose nodded. She held the math questions she had created in her hand, her brows slightly furrowed. "I've created fifteen math questions, but I haven't decided on the other thirty-five. I'm afraid if they're too simple, Class C will get too many points, and if they're too hard, I'm afraid the school will reject them."

Hachiman glanced at her. "Standard is fine. Class C has strong academic ability; if the test is too easy, we lose. If it's too hard, the school won't let it pass. An average difficulty is best."

Ichinose thought for a moment and wrote a few more notes on her draft paper. Her handwriting was neat, with every question written out clearly. After finishing, she set down her pen and suddenly turned to look at Hachiman. "Hikigaya-kun, is there a way to ensure we beat Class C?"

Hachiman leaned against the back of his chair and tapped his fingers lightly on the edge of the desk. "Yes."

Ichinose waited for him to continue.

"Throw points at it." Hachiman's voice was calm. "Class C is very united right now because they fell from Class A to Class B, and then from Class B to Class C. Everyone is holding their breath, wanting to climb back up. But unity has a price—they lack money, and they have an intense desire to return to Class A, or rather, to graduate from Class A. Under these circumstances, if someone were willing to spend 20 million points to ensure that person graduates from Class A, do you think anyone in Class C would be tempted?"

Ichinose's fingers paused on her pen.

20 million points, a guarantee for graduating from Class A.

At Advanced Nurturing High School, this was the hardest currency.

Some people couldn't save enough even in three or ten years, and some couldn't get it even if they tried their hardest. However, if Hachiman really brought out 20 million, it was impossible that no one in Class C would be tempted.

"However," Ichinose's voice lowered, "you don't think this is the best solution."

Hachiman looked at her. "What do you think?"

Ichinose lowered her head and looked at the draft paper in her hands. She recalled the things she had heard earlier from Hachiman's inner thoughts—there would be unavoidable special exams involving expulsion in this school.

20 million points could buy a promotion, but it could also prevent a companion from being expelled.

And now that Class A was already first in the grade with a far-leading evaluation score, the possibility of graduating from Class A was very high.

In Ichinose's judgment, compared to winning a few hundred more points in this exam, keeping those 20 million points to protect her companions from expulsion was more important.

"I understand," Ichinose looked up. "Then let's prepare in the normal way. No tricks."

Hachiman stared at her for a few seconds and then nodded.

Thus.

The two of them lowered their heads again and continued to create questions. The classroom fell quiet, with only the rustling of pen tips against paper.

Time passed quickly. Two days before the test paper submission deadline, Hachiman received a message. The sender was Ryuen Kakeru. The content was only one line.

[Come to the rooftop after school. We have things to discuss.]

Hachiman stared at that line for two seconds.

After brief consideration, Hachiman replied with a "Fine," then put his phone into his pocket.

After school, Hachiman went to the rooftop alone. When the door pushed open, the wind rushed in from outside, carrying the chill of early autumn. There was only one person on the rooftop—Ryuen Kakeru was leaning against the railing, his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the distance. Hearing the door, he turned his head and looked at Hachiman.

"You're here," Ryuen said.

Hachiman walked over and stood beside him. "What is it?"

Ryuen didn't answer immediately. He looked into the distance, where only a few students were running on the track; however, since the Sports Festival had ended, it could only be club activities.

"Hikigaya, can I spend points to buy some information from you?" Ryuen asked directly.

Hachiman glanced at him. He seemed somewhat surprised, but Hachiman nodded anyway. "Sure."

The corner of Ryuen's mouth curled up slightly. He knew this guy Hikigaya wouldn't refuse.

After all, for this guy, the value of Class B was probably just that of an ATM.

Therefore, he would likely provide some help to their Class B.

Thinking this way.

"Regarding this exam, did you interfere with Class D?" Ryuen asked. "Or rather, did you make anyone from Class D do anything targeting us?"

Hachiman shook his head. "No."

Ryuen looked at him, waiting for a few seconds, only to find he had no intention of continuing. "That's it? Nothing?"

"What do you want to hear?" Hachiman leaned against the railing. "I said I didn't interfere; you don't believe me?"

Ryuen was silent for a second. "It's not that I don't believe you. It's that it feels too smooth. If you didn't interfere with Class D, then Class D is just a scattered pile of sand. We trade with them, exchange test papers, and leak questions to each other, and we can easily pass. But Shiina said you wouldn't let us have it so easy."

Hachiman glanced at him. "Shiina is right. But there are also some discrepancies."

Ryuen's brow furrowed.

"First, I didn't interfere with Class D, but that doesn't mean you can win," Hachiman's voice was calm. "What you are facing has never been the paper strength of Class D; it's the variables within Class D."

"You're talking about Ayanokouji, aren't you?" Ryuen said the name.

Hachiman didn't speak.

Ryuen leaned against the railing, arms crossed over his chest. "You know about Ayanokouji wanting to transfer to our class, right?"

"I know."

"Do you think he will make a move in this exam?"

Hachiman thought for a moment. "He will. And he will use the most direct way you can imagine."

Ryuen's brow furrowed even deeper. "What do you mean?"

"He wants to transfer to your class, so he needs to prove his value," Hachiman said. "Prove that he can help you win, prove that he is stronger than anyone in your class. He doesn't need to curry favor with you; he just needs to show you his strength. And this exam is his best stage."

Ryuen was silent for a few seconds.

Actually, he had already anticipated Hachiman's perspective, or rather, he had been holding onto that "trump card," knowing Ayanokouji wanted to transfer over, so he definitely would take action. But ultimately, he expected it to result in Class B's victory, which would prove Ayanokouji's value, and then their Class B would have some idea of buying Ayanokouji over.

So, in Ryuen's view, this clash with Class D in this exam was actually a guaranteed win.

But this was his thought; he still had to see what that cunning Hikigaya thought.

"If he really makes a move," Ryuen's voice lowered slightly, "do you think we can win?"

Hachiman looked at him. "Whether you can win doesn't depend on Ayanokouji; it depends on yourselves."

Ryuen stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly let out a laugh. That smile wasn't mockery; it was an indescribable helplessness, like "you're right."

"One more question." Ryuen straightened up from the railing. "You said Ayanokouji wants to transfer to our class, but does he only have one choice?"

Hachiman looked at him without speaking.

Ryuen's finger tapped lightly on the railing. He suddenly realized he had missed a point. Ayanokouji didn't necessarily have to transfer to his class. He could also transfer to Class C—the former Class A, the class with the strongest academic foundation, now holding back breath because they had fallen twice.

If he went to Class C, with his strength and the existing academic foundation of Class C, rising back to Class A was not impossible.

Moreover, Class C needed him more than his class, because Class C's evaluation score was lower, further from Class A, and they needed someone who could bring a turning point.

"You mean... Ayanokouji might go to Class C?" Ryuen's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"He has a choice," Hachiman said. "Your class currently owes me points from 350 evaluation points; you're heavily in debt. Although Class C also has debt, they fell harder and are further from Class A. Both sides have opportunities, both sides have risks. How he chooses depends on which class gives him better conditions."

Ryuen was silent. He hadn't given Ayanokouji any conditions, nor had he even responded to his "transfer" proposal. He was just waiting, waiting for Ayanokouji to prove himself.

But what if Class C made the first move? What if Class C took the initiative to contact Ayanokouji and offered him better terms?

"And," Hachiman added, "even if he doesn't transfer, he can help Class C. In this exam, if he helps Class C deal with you, Class D wins, then your evaluation points will be deducted. You fall down, and Class C can climb back up. To him, this doesn't require a transfer; it only requires one transaction."

Ryuen's face darkened.

"You mean Ayanokouji might be bought by Class C and assist them in dealing with us?"

"Not bought," Hachiman shook his head. "It's a transaction. He helps Class C win, and Class C helps him get the points needed for the transfer, or accepts him directly. Each gets what they need."

Ryuen leaned against the railing, saying nothing. The wind blew across the rooftop, making his hair somewhat messy. He closed his eyes, then opened them again.

"So for this exam, we have to guard against not only Class D, but also Class C? And we might even have to guard against Ayanokouji stabbing us in the back?"

"That is what you, the representative of Class B, need to consider," Hachiman said.

"You trade with Class D, exchange test papers, leak questions to each other to ensure students in your class aren't expelled. And win—even if winning doesn't get you points. But this is the best result you can fight for."

Ryuen looked at him, silent for a long time.

He knew Hachiman was right. It was also the preparation he had to make.

"Hikigaya." Ryuen spoke up.

"Yeah."

"Thanks."

Hachiman glanced at him. "Information fee: one million."

The corner of Ryuen's mouth twitched. "Damn, you're really charging?"

"You voluntarily said you wanted to buy," Hachiman straightened up from the railing. "I give a price, you pay. Fair trade."

Ryuen stared at him for two seconds, then pulled out his phone from his pocket. He seemed hesitant—after all, 1 million points wasn't a small amount for him—but he still operated it. Hachiman's phone vibrated; he looked down—1 million points received.

"I'm off." Hachiman put his phone away and walked toward the rooftop door.

Ryuen was indeed the most qualified ATM in the world of Classroom of the Elite.

"Hikigaya." But Ryuen called him back.

Hachiman stopped, not turning around.

"If one day, Ayanokouji really comes to our class, what will you do?"

Hachiman was silent for a second. "That's your class's business."

He pushed the door and walked out. The door closed gently behind him, bringing in a cool breeze. Ryuen stood on the rooftop, looking at the closed door, his hands in his pockets.

Hikigaya said "that's your class's business." Not "I won't care," but "that's your business." He didn't care where Ayanokouji went, or rather, even if Ayanokouji transferred to Class C or Class B, he wouldn't care.

His goal had always been only one: to lead his own class to Class A, and since rising to Class A had been successful, it was about holding it.

And such a Hikigaya was the fully activated Hikigaya. Not the current one, who watched from the sidelines but still made people feel terrified.

And did he have the courage to face such a Hikigaya?

"......So, the plan of rising classes really doesn't work. It must be done in the direction of accumulating points," Ryuen muttered in the wind.

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