Chapter 248 74: Ayanokouji: That Terrifying Hikigaya, One Day I Will...

Hachiman looked at her. "Why do you ask?"

"Because in this contest, Ryuen-kun won. He saw through Ayanokouji's plan, made preparations in advance, and rendered all of Ayanokouji's arrangements void. But I feel—Ayanokouji won't just admit defeat like this. Although he lost today, he saw more than we did."

Hachiman waited for her to continue.

"He saw Ryuen-kun's way of responding. He saw how our class and Class D trade. He saw that Hikigaya-kun was also present." Hiyori's voice was very soft. "He now knows how we won. Next time, he won't use the same methods to strike."

Hachiman was silent for a few seconds. "You're right. So, Ryuen might have underestimated Ayanokouji."

Hiyori's lips curved slightly. "Looking at it this way, Ayanokouji is truly dangerous." She paused. "Just, what do you think Ayanokouji's purpose was for this exam?"

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

Hiyori's brows furrowed slightly. "He wants to transfer to Ryuen-kun's class, so he needs to prove his ability in the exam. He took Class C's money to attack Class B, and used this as leverage to negotiate with Ryuen-kun. He wanted to eat from both sides."

"And then?"

"And then he was seen through by Ryuen-kun." Hiyori's voice slowed. "He lost."

"Did he really lose?" Hachiman asked.

Hiyori's brows furrowed even tighter. "What do you mean?"

"Why do you think Ayanokouji gave up so easily?" Hachiman's voice was calm. "He took one million from Class C to attack Class B. After being exposed by Ryuen, he didn't struggle, didn't make excuses, and admitted it directly. He even agreed to hand over the papers and split the million from Class C with Ryuen. That's not like him."

Hiyori's eyelashes fluttered gently. She lowered her head, her brain turning rapidly. Hachiman was right; Ayanokouji was not the type to admit defeat easily. He wasn't defeated even when isolated by his entire class during the Sports Festival, nor did he give up when exposed by Ryuen during the submission contest. He just stood there quietly, admitted his actions, and proposed terms. It was unlike him. Unless—he didn't care about the outcome of this exam at all.

"Hikigaya-kun," Hiyori looked up, "you mean... Ayanokouji's true goal wasn't this exam?"

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

Hiyori's breathing hitched. Under Hachiman's guidance, a thought flashed through her mind—if Ayanokouji's true goal wasn't this exam, why was he doing all this? Taking money from Class C, attacking Class B, being exposed, admitting it, proposing terms—these appeared to be passive responses, but what if they were all part of his plan?

"His target is Class D." Hachiman's voice was calm. "He wants to destroy Class D."

Hiyori's pupils contracted slightly.

"Ryuen was right; Ayanokouji has become public enemy number one in Class D. Leaking the roster during the Sports Festival caused Sudo to be ambushed and the girls to be suppressed. Now he's tampering with the test papers to make Class D students fail and be expelled. If these things are made public, he is guaranteed to be voted out during the class expulsion vote." Hachiman's voice slowed down. "So, he cannot let Class D cast their votes so smoothly. He needs Class D to be in chaos. The more chaotic, the better."

Hiyori tightened her grip on her phone.

"He isn't changing the paper Class D prepared for Class B," Hachiman said. "He is changing the paper Class B prepared for Class D."

Hiyori's expression changed. She quickly pulled her phone from her pocket, her fingers sliding across the screen to find Ryuen's name, and typed: [Ryuen-kun, the test paper our class prepared for Class D—Ayanokouji may have already had it replaced. There is... a traitor in our class!]

She pressed send.

Meanwhile.

Ryuen Kakeru walked through the corridor in a great mood. A smile hung on his lips, and his gait was light, like a general who had won a battle. Ishizaki Daichi ran over from the other end of the hall, stopping in front of him, panting.

"Ryuen! How is it?" Ishizaki asked with anticipation, "Did you get it done?"

"Total victory." Ryuen patted his shoulder. "That bastard Ayanokouji actually wanted to fight me?"

Ishizaki's eyes lit up. "Really? Then we're safe for this exam?"

"Safe," Ryuen said. "Class D has been handled by me. The papers, the answers, the trade—everything is settled. As long as no accidents happen, no one in our class will be expelled."

Ishizaki clenched his fists in excitement. "That's great! I knew you could do it, Ryuen!"

Ryuen chuckled and continued walking. When he reached the corner of the corridor, he saw Ayanokouji. Ayanokouji was walking from the direction of the office, his pace steady, his expression unchanging. His gaze lingered on Ryuen's face for a moment, then moved away.

Ryuen stopped and looked at him. "Ayanokouji."

Ayanokouji also stopped.

"Your current level isn't worthy of joining my class." Ryuen's voice carried mockery. "Want to transfer? Come back after another two years of training."

Ayanokouji watched him without speaking. His expression remained unchanged, and no emotion could be detected in those golden eyes.

Ryuen scoffed and walked past him.

Ayanokouji continued walking. After a few steps, he saw Hirata. Hirata stood in the middle of the corridor, holding that folder, his expression complex. He looked at Ayanokouji, opened his mouth to say something, but found his words stuck in his throat.

"Hirata." Ayanokouji spoke.

Hirata looked at him.

"Class D still needs me." Ayanokouji's voice was flat. "Although I carried out those operations, Ryuen also made arrangements in advance. He won't trade honestly. It's better to trust me than him."

Hirata was silent for a long time. He looked at Ayanokouji, the emotions in his eyes shifting from anger to disappointment, and then to fatigue.

"Ayanokouji-kun," Hirata's voice was very low, "I don't trust you anymore."

He turned and walked in another direction, his footsteps heavy, without looking back. Ayanokouji stood in place, watching his back. His expression did not change.

Just then, Ryuen's shouting came from the other end of the corridor.

"Fuck!" Ryuen's voice was loud, filled with anger and shock, "Fuck you, Ayanokouji!"

Ishizaki Daichi, following Ryuen, was startled by his sudden outburst. "Ry-Ryuen, what's wrong?"

Ryuen ignored him. He strode back to Ayanokouji, his face flushed red, pointing his finger at Ayanokouji's nose.

"You actually attacked my class!" Ryuen's voice was almost a roar, "You bought off a student in my class and submitted the test papers meant for your Class D in advance! You want your own Class D to die!"

Hirata hadn't gone far. Hearing Ryuen's voice, he stopped and turned around. His brows furrowed, and he hurried back.

"What do you mean?" Hirata's voice was tense. "What do you mean 'attacked your class'? What do you mean 'want Class D to die'?"

Ryuen took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He looked at Hirata, his voice lower than before, but every word felt like it was squeezed out from between his teeth. "Ayanokouji bought off a student in our class and had him submit the paper Class B prepared for Class D in advance. That paper wasn't the one we prepared—it was the one Ayanokouji prepared. If that paper is accepted, the test paper Class D receives won't be from us, but from Ayanokouji. And your Class D students, without the answers, will have a massive number of people expelled!"

Hirata's face turned pale instantly. He turned to look at Ayanokouji. The emotion in those eyes turned into the despair of someone pushed off a cliff.

"Ayanokouji-kun," Hirata's voice trembled, "you... you really want the students of Class D to be expelled?"

Ayanokouji watched him, saying nothing.

"You're crazy!" Hirata's voice rose a few octaves. "Class D is your class! Those students are your classmates! What benefit does it give you to have them expelled?"

Ayanokouji shook his head. "They never treated me as a classmate."

"That's because you betrayed them first!" Hirata's voice grew louder. "You leaked the roster, caused Sudo to be ambushed, and let the girls be completely suppressed. Now you've tampered with the papers again, wanting them to fail and be expelled. After doing all this, you still expect them to treat you as a classmate?"

Ayanokouji watched him without a word.

Hirata's chest heaved violently. He looked at Ayanokouji, whose face was the same as always—expressionless, emotionless, and without a ripple. But Hirata knew that hidden beneath that face was something he would never be able to understand.

"Ayanokouji-kun," Hirata's voice dropped, "you've disappointed me. And now, I have to teach you a lesson!"

He took a deep breath and threw a punch.

The fist slammed into Ayanokouji's face with a dull thud. Ayanokouji's head tilted, but he didn't dodge, nor did he fight back. He stood there, motionless, as if that punch had hit a wall. Hirata's fist remained in mid-air, his breathing heavy. He looked at Ayanokouji, the emotion in his eyes shifting from anger to sadness.

"This punch," Hirata's voice sounded strained, "was for everyone in Class D."

Ryuen stood by, watching this scene, his brows furrowing. He hadn't expected Hirata to throw a punch. Hirata Yousuke, who was always gentle, kind, and always thinking of others, actually hit someone. However, he could understand; even a clay figure has its limits after being betrayed so many times.

Ayanokouji stood his ground and wiped the corner of his mouth. There was no blood, but it hurt a little. He watched Hirata's back, those golden eyes showing no fluctuation.

Ryuen looked at him, silent for two seconds. "Ayanokouji, you're truly ruthless. You don't hold back at all when attacking your own class."

Ayanokouji glanced at him. "Aren't you the same? You didn't hold back when attacking Class D."

Ryuen's mouth twitched, and he didn't speak.

Hirata walked up to Ryuen. After the absolute anger, his expression changed into a fatigue as if he had no strength left to be angry. After all, the psychological journey of today was truly torture for him. But he still had responsibilities; he still wanted to save them.

"Ryuen-kun," Hirata's voice was very low.

"Yeah."

"Can we still continue the transaction?" Hirata asked. "Class D wants to pass this exam."

Ryuen looked at him, silent for two seconds. "Fine. But there are conditions."

"What conditions?"

"First, Class D must pay 2.4 million points." Ryuen held up a finger. "This isn't a transaction fee; it's compensation. Your class people caused trouble, almost making us lose the papers. You have to pay this amount."

Hirata was silent. 2.4 million points. Class D was already in negative points, and everyone didn't have many points left. But they could get 800,000 points from Hachiman-kun every month, so paying 2.4 million meant Class D would have no living expenses for the next three months! Many would have to tighten their belts to survive.

But he had no choice. If he didn't agree, a massive number of people would be expelled!

"Second," Ryuen held up a second finger, "the information about Ayanokouji's sabotage must be informed to all students of Class D. Let them know what Ayanokouji did."

Hirata looked at him, silent for two seconds. "Fine."

Ryuen nodded. "Then it's settled. I'll find the traitor in my class, I'll give you the papers, and I'll give you the answers. But—Hirata, remember, this is the last time. If Class D does this kind of thing again, I won't trade with you."

Hirata nodded. "I know."

Ryuen turned and walked toward the other end of the corridor. His pace was fast, his heels clicking sharply on the floor. Ishizaki Daichi followed behind him, looking bewildered, not knowing what had happened.

Only Hirata and Ayanokouji remained in the corridor. Hirata stood there, not looking at Ayanokouji. He just lowered his head, looking at his own hand. The hand that had just punched was still trembling slightly.

"Ayanokouji-kun." Hirata's voice was very light.

Ayanokouji looked at him.

"From today on, you are no longer my classmate."

He turned and walked in another direction. The sound of his footsteps gradually faded in the corridor.

Ayanokouji stood in place. The corridor was quiet, and sunlight poured in through the windows, making the floor shine. Ayanokouji stood there, motionless, like a statue. The corner of his mouth still ached, but he didn't rub it.

He knew very well that Ryuen's emotional explosion just now had been sudden. If Ryuen had predicted and thought through his strategy, he wouldn't have been that emotional; it could only be because he had suddenly received information.

So...

Was it you who saw through his true plan and told Ryuen?

Class 1-A, Hikigaya Hachiman.

And what he needed to do was completely defeat Hikigaya Hachiman. He needed to graduate from Class A, showing the strength of the White Room's masterpiece.

Thinking this, Ayanokouji closed his eyes and opened them again. He turned and walked toward the stairs. His pace was steady, exactly the same as when he arrived. But his back seemed heavier than when he had first appeared.

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