The Number of Expulsions...

On Monday, Chabashira came into the classroom with a cold expression.

Everyone watched her face nervously. Although each of them was confident they would not be expelled, Chabashira's expression made them start doubting themselves.

"I really didn't expect this. The number of students expelled from your class in this exam... heh."

Chabashira glanced at the score sheet in her hand and let out a cold laugh.

Her behavior made everyone break out in a cold sweat.

What did this mean? Could there still be students who had failed this exam?

"Chabashira, stop keeping us in suspense already."

Ike shouted nervously, voicing everyone's thoughts.

Chabashira sighed and said, "In this midterm exam, the total number of expulsions from Class D is—"

Chabashira drew out the last word, then curled her lips slightly and slapped the score sheet onto the blackboard.

"Zero! Congratulations. The entire class safely passed this midterm exam. Not a single person will be expelled."

"Yes! That's great!!!"

The whole class erupted in cheers. Tears glimmered in the girls' eyes as they hugged their closest friends, their tension instantly melting away.

The boys were even more exaggerated. Once they learned they had passed, the Idiot Trio formed a circle and hugged one another.

Sudo even picked Yamauchi up and planted a hard kiss on his face, making the entire class burst into laughter.

Hachiman looked toward Horikita. Sensing his gaze, she looked back at him.

Hachiman held his arms out to her, looking like he wanted a hug. Horikita did not respond. Instead, she stepped on his foot.

"That hurts!"

Clutching his foot in pain, Hachiman looked ready to cry.

Everyone else was hugging. What was wrong with hugging me once when you were sitting next to me?

Horikita looked away, her gaze settling on the book atop her desk as her thoughts gradually returned to the night after the exam.

"Then please go out with me, Horikita."

Hachiman had made such a dumbfounding request that Horikita had nearly been unable to stop herself from putting him in a chokehold.

"Please don't make jokes like that," Horikita said seriously.

Hachiman laughed and leaned back with his hands behind his head.

"I'm not joking. If Horikita wants my help, then become my girlfriend."

Why? Why would he make such a request of me?

Did he like me? I had never seen any sign of that emotion from him.

Hachiman gave Horikita the impression of someone who could be cold at times and absurdly goofy at others.

Yet at certain times, she found Hachiman strangely reassuring.

Did he make that request because he liked me? Or was he trying to achieve some other goal?

Horikita had read many books and knew of something called a scumbag.

To pursue someone, they would use every possible means to make her fall in love with them, only to ruthlessly abandon her afterward.

People like that often targeted those who were difficult to approach.

Someone like Horikita, for example. Her cold personality could easily stir an inexplicable desire to conquer her in boys.

But what about liking someone? What did it feel like? Did she like him?

Horikita had thought about it for two days and still had not found an answer.

Many times, she had wanted to agree to Hachiman's request.

But was that because she liked him? Or because she wanted his help in achieving her goal of rising to Class A?

Horikita shook her head, casting those chaotic thoughts aside.

Before she knew it, afternoon had arrived.

A loud bang snapped Horikita out of her thoughts. Frowning, she looked toward the classroom entrance.

Several tall boys entered from outside.

The one in front had his hands in his pockets, with two boys who looked like lackeys following behind him.

One of them had dark skin and a muscular build. Even in broad daylight, he wore sunglasses, making him especially memorable.

All the Class D students were stunned, turning their attention toward the three students from another class.

For a moment, no one dared to speak. No one knew them or what they wanted.

Except for the Karuizawa Trio, who looked slightly surprised. They had seen these people before.

And not just them. There was also...

"Yo, looks like you didn't get expelled like some stray dog after all, Hachiman Hikigaya!"

Ryuen approached Hachiman's desk with a vicious grin, slammed both hands down on it, and leaned over to stare at him.

"Yeah, thanks for thinking of me. At least until you get expelled, I'll keep attending this school."

"You've got quite the mouth, kid." Ryuen grinned. "Looks like it's time you learned what fear feels like."

"There are cameras in the classroom," Hachiman kindly reminded him.

"It's fine. There are plenty of places in this school without cameras."

"Then I'll look forward to it. I hope you don't disappoint me."

Ryuen covered his face and laughed so hard that tears nearly came out.

"How arrogant. But don't worry, I've seen plenty of stubborn people like you. In the end, they all cry and beg me to let them go."

Hearing Ryuen's provocation, Sudo was the first to slam his desk and stand up.

"Asshole! What class are you from? Get the hell out of here!"

Ryuen glanced at Sudo and laughed. "Trash should just shut up and watch. Don't interrupt whenever you feel like it."

"What did you say? You want to fight?"

Sudo's temper flared instantly, and he charged forward aggressively. Ike and Yamauchi desperately held him back, stopping him from doing anything rash.

"Could you please leave?"

Even the usually agreeable Hirata stood up with a serious expression to warn him. What he hated most was seeing his classmates bullied.

Even though Hachiman was someone he was not particularly close to, Hirata still chose to treat him equally and bravely face this evil force.

"Hey, hey, you're pretty popular after all. Who would've thought?"

Hachiman shrugged. "You're just especially punchable."

"Alright, alright. If we keep talking, those pieces of trash are going to lose it." Ryuen turned toward the door and waved. "I only came to give you a warning this time. Look forward to my methods."

The sudden farce ended when Ryuen left. Sudo angrily punched his desk, especially irritated that he had not gotten the chance to teach Ryuen a lesson.

"I didn't expect you to have provoked someone like that."

Horikita's voice rang out.

Hachiman sighed helplessly. "I didn't want to. It's really scary. Could Horikita protect me?"

"I'll join forces with him."

"Forget I said anything."

As they spoke, Sato and Matsushita came over to Hachiman.

"I'm sorry, Hikigaya. It's all because of me."

Sato had only just managed to set aside her initial guilt, but Ryuen's arrival had undoubtedly made her feel even worse.

If Hachiman was truly targeted by Ryuen because of her, she would feel especially awful.

Matsushita also looked at him with concern. Hachiman merely shook his head lightly, indicating that it was nothing.