Chapter 356: Putting on Glasses, Negotiating with the First-Years
"Kei, what should we do?
None of the first-years are willing to partner up with someone like me with Academic Ability D!"
Sato Maya looked anxious.
"Sigh~ Even if you ask me, there's nothing I can do. My academic rating is D-, so it's even harder for me to find a partner."
Karuizawa Kei also had a face full of worry.
"Hey~ Hachi, you'll help me, right?"
Hasabe Haruka suddenly grabbed Hikigaya's arm, looking at him piteously: "You wouldn't want to lose your 'Haru-chan' with a Quality Rating of F, would you~~"
"....."
To seek help, Hasabe Haruka had even resorted to using biological weapons!
"Calm down first, then we can decide on a strategy," Hikigaya said calmly, signaling for them to relax.
"Based on your final exam results, there are discrepancies in your actual academic evaluations.
Maya's true academic ability should be C-.
Haruka's academic ability is C.
Kei's academic ability is D+."
After a year of high school life, the academic performance of the three had grown to a certain extent.
"But my grades are still very dangerous............"
Karuizawa Kei lowered her head, her expression grim.
Her situation was special. Because of the severe bullying she suffered during middle school, she was forced to take long leaves of absence and couldn't receive a normal school education, so her grades had always lagged behind.
Because there were too many gaps in her knowledge, even after entering high school, her progress was very slow even when she tried to catch up.
"No need to worry. You can look at the predicted scores for each academic level sent along with the exam summary............"
Hikigaya pointed to the information on his phone.
Academic Ability A: Estimated 400 points
Academic Ability B: Estimated 300~399
Academic Ability C: Estimated 250~299
Academic Ability D: Estimated 200~249
Academic Ability E: Estimated 150~199
"The threshold for expulsion is a combined score of 500 across five written subjects for the pair."
"In other words, you just need to partner with someone with Academic Ability C or higher to pass the exam smoothly."
"Kei, if you want to be safe, it's best to find someone with Academic Ability B or higher," Hikigaya analyzed in detail.
"Hachiman is right. The important thing is not to decide on a partner rashly."
Horikita Suzune added: "If there's a problem, make sure to consult with me or Hachiman."
"Horikita-san... you're going to help us too?"
Karuizawa Kei's eyes shifted in surprise. Usually, the relationship between the two wasn't exactly good.
"I'm only doing this for the sake of the class............"
Horikita Suzune sighed helplessly: "Besides, if you guys get expelled, Hachiman would be quite troubled, wouldn't he?"
"Well~ it feels like Horikita-san isn't as cold-hearted as before."
Sato Maya's gaze toward her became a bit friendlier.
It was the first day of the term, and formal classes hadn't started yet. Students had plenty of free time.
At that moment, Hikigaya received a message from Ichinose Honami on his phone.
[I have applied to the school for a first and second-year exchange meeting in the gymnasium today at 4:00 PM.]
[If you're interested, feel free to come to the gymnasium to participate.]
This was a mass message sent to the core leadership of all four classes in the second year.
Hikigaya felt Ichinose Honami had over-sent it; he didn't want to be seen as part of Class D's leadership.
"As expected of Ichinose-san, her actions consider not just Class B, but everyone."
Horikita Suzune had also received the message and couldn't help but marvel.
"Class A and Class C will likely adopt other strategies."
Would the arrogant, bratty loli and that 'Dragon Boy' full of wicked schemes follow 'Good Girl' Honami's lead?
"It's not yet clear how Sakayanagi-san and Ryuen-kun will make their moves.
But I believe one of the keys is private points."
Horikita Suzune quickly spotted the heart of the matter.
"Private points............"
"Are you talking about bribery?"
Karuizawa and the others looked at each other.
Over the past year, Class D's class points had been at the bottom for a long time, only rising slightly in recent months. Each person received tens of thousands of private points a month, but after personal living expenses, the points they could save weren't much.
"That's right. For the first-year students, private points are the most easily understood value."
Horikita Suzune's voice dropped slightly: "We can think of this method, and so can Classes A, B, and C. As those with the lowest point income, we can't afford to play the money game."
"Let's go to the exchange meeting first and observe."
Hikigaya looked indifferent: "Oh, then you guys go."
"Hm? You're not coming?"
Horikita Suzune frowned.
"For a small matter like this, you can go yourself.
I have my own way of doing things."
Hikigaya had no interest in helping the class, but he was very committed to helping those close to him.
"Then I'll leave it to you, Hachi.
When the exam is over, Airi and I will reward you well~~"
Hasabe Haruka threw him an ambiguous look.
"Wh-what!
We'll give Hachiman-kun rewards too!
Isn't that right, Maya, Chiaki?"
Karuizawa Kei refused to be outdone and pulled her friends in for support.
"Um, my exam shouldn't be a problem............"
Matsushita Chiaki stood quietly to the side, watching the drama.
Sato Maya said righteously: "Advancing and retreating together—that's the bond of our Gal Group!"
Afternoon.
After a long absence, Hikigaya put on his glasses and walked through the floor where the first-years were located.
"So, so handsome!"
"I didn't see him at the entrance ceremony. Is he a senpai?"
"Strange... I don't seem to find this super handsome glasses-senpai in the OAA app."
The rate of people turning their heads was extremely high. Hikigaya only found it troublesome. If it wasn't necessary, he really didn't want to be so eye-catching.
.
.
.
First, Class 1-A.
Hikigaya walked boldly into the Class A classroom.
Sweeping his gaze, he noticed a few people were missing; they should be at the exchange meeting organized by Ichinose Honami.
"Um, excuse me, who are you...?"
A neat-looking girl with a bob cut stepped forward cautiously to ask.
Hikigaya glanced at her.
Thump~
Thump~
Thump~
Heart racing!
The girl's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head shyly.
"I am Ishigami Kyo from Class 1-A. May I ask what business you have in our class, Senpai?"
A tall, thin boy with a mature face—who looked more like a senpai than Hikigaya himself—stepped forward to talk.
Ishigami............
Hikigaya remembered that name. It was one of the few outstanding students he had specifically noted while browsing the first-year OAA.
Ishigami Kyo
Academic Ability: A (95)
Physical Ability: D- (24)
Adaptability: B+ (80)
Social Contribution: D+ (39)
Overall: B- (62)
Skilled in the arts but weak in the physical.
He was like an "overclocked version of Yukimura Teruhiko"—higher academic ability but even lower physical stats.
Overall, however, it was a very good stat profile.
"Second-year Class D, Hikigaya Hachiman.
I came today to say hello to my kouhais."
Hikigaya introduced himself succinctly.
"Second-year Class D...?"
Ishigami Kyo's eyes paused slightly. He seemingly hadn't expected the first person to come and negotiate would be from Class D.
"Oh? From your expression, you already know the nature of this school?"
Hikigaya raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit surprised. Discovering the class system on the first day—just like he did back then.
"Yes. However, it wasn't something I discovered myself."
Ishigami Kyo didn't get ahead of himself and frankly revealed that the information source was external.
"The entrance ceremony............"
Hikigaya adjusted his glasses: "It seems President Nagumo really likes his cute kouhais."
According to the rules of Advanced Nurturing High School, during the first week of school, senpais are strictly forbidden from leaking information about the S-system to freshmen.
While Nagumo Miyabi wouldn't say it explicitly, he could still manage to leak some key information secretly. Moreover, with Acting Chairman Tsukishiro backing him, he naturally wouldn't care about school rules.
While Hikigaya was observing the Class A students, they were also under their desks, opening their phones to check the OAA info.
"Is Hikigaya-senpai teasing us?
I can't find such a handsome Senpai in second-year Class D at all."
Several girls looked at him reproachfully, though their faces showed no anger at being played. One could only say the 'handsome glasses guy' buff was just too effective.
"I am a student of second-year Class D. Isn't my name written there?" Hikigaya countered.
"Liar! How could that gloomy dead-fish-eyed person be— wait..."
The Class A students compared carefully and finally realized.
"For real? The photo and the person are way too different!"
"A hidden hottie... he's exactly like a male protagonist out of a manga!!"
The Class A girls' eyes lit up one by one, their favorability towards Hikigaya surging instantly.
Ishigami Kyo checked the profile data displayed on OAA.
None of the four-dimensional data was impressive............
The personal comprehensive score was D+.
He looked like an average Class D student no matter how you sliced it.
But as the saying goes, appearances can be deceiving—just like a certain someone in Class D.
"May I ask why Hikigaya-senpai has come here?"
Ishigami Kyo's eyes became a bit more serious.
"I want to ask for a few honor students from you."
Hikigaya didn't beat around the bush.
"Honor students............"
Ishigami Kyo immediately understood the intent: "Hikigaya-senpai is here for the special exam, right?
In that case, how many points do you plan to pay?"
With Nagumo Miyabi intentionally leaking information, it wasn't hard for smart people to deduce the importance of class competition and private points.
"0."
Hikigaya answered without hesitation.
As expected, the other party would definitely take the opportunity to demand an exorbitant price. Although he could afford it, it didn't mean he had to pay it.
Ishigami Kyo's face darkened: "Hikigaya-senpai, you aren't planning to get something for free, are you?"
Hikigaya joked: "Can I pay with my face?"
"Heehee~"
"Haha~"
Laughter came from the girls below.
Wait, girls? Why aren't you guys roasting me!
The Class A girls' cooperative performance actually made Hikigaya feel a wave of embarrassment internally.
"Cough cough! The previous part doesn't count............"
Hikigaya said seriously: "As the price for the exchange, I will provide you with information."
"Don't the school rules state that senpais are forbidden from revealing information to freshmen?" Ishigami Kyo questioned.
"I am the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the Student Council."
Hikigaya revealed his identity.
Since Nagumo Miyabi could blatantly violate school rules, he could naturally do the same!
"Student Council............"
Ishigami Kyo had already faintly realized that the power of the Student Council in this school was very large. Especially the Disciplinary Committee position—if used well, it was a powerful weapon against other classes!
"If you have any questions, you can ask me.
Let's just consider it a meeting gift for you."
Hikigaya directly threw out the bait.
After a brief hesitation, Ishigami Kyo decisively took the hook.
"I want to ask, when did the OAA evaluations for the second year begin?"
This guy is indeed very smart!
"OAA is a mechanism that just launched this semester. Currently, the evaluations for second-year students are limited to data from when they entered. The evaluation data will be updated after the special exam of the new semester."
Hearing Hikigaya's explanation, Ishigami Kyo understood instantly.
The information on second-year students had a lag.
The target Acting Chairman Tsukishiro offered a 20 million point bounty for—he really was hiding his strength!
Ishigami Kyo flipped through his phone.
Hikigaya leaned in quite shamelessly to peek.
Ishigami Kyo hurriedly closed the page.
Hikigaya chuckled: "Ah~ so it's the 'Masterpiece' after all.
If you want personal information on Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, you can just ask me!"
He thought to himself: That old geezer Tsukishiro actually pulled the freshmen in to target Ayanokouji. He's making it look so real!
"Hikigaya-senpai, do you know something?"
Ishigami Kyo's tone unconsciously became more respectful.
"I know quite a lot!
But information regarding Ayanokouji is not part of this deal."
Hikigaya said meaningfully: "After all, I won't sell out my own classmate."
Ishigami Kyo asked tentatively: "Would 500,000 work?"
Hikigaya said indignantly: "Who are you looking down on? You have to add more money!"
"I understand."
Ishigami Kyo nodded.
It was enough just to confirm Hikigaya's stance.
The rest of Class A was confused, having no idea what they were talking about.
"Let's get back to the topic of exchanging honor students for information."
Hikigaya wasn't going to get involved in the mess between Tsukishiro and Ayanokouji for now.
"This will have to wait for the other person in our class............"
Before Ishigami Kyo could finish, a playful voice came from the classroom door.
"Ara ara~ isn't this the 'Great Demon King' senpai of the second year?
I didn't expect you to grace our Class A with your presence."
A girl with burgundy twin-tails, a cute appearance, and a sweet voice.
She proactively approached Hikigaya. After sizing him up carefully, she couldn't help but frown: "Hmm~ this is quite different from what I expected............
I thought you'd be a Great Demon King with sharp eyes. Why do you look like a playboy with glasses now?"
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