Sakura's Room

"Someone with the greatest potential? You really think highly of her!"

Manabu Horikita sneered.

"Not really. At least, that's how I see it."

Hachiman Hikigaya lounged lazily on the sofa. "I'm a pretty ordinary guy. I can't tell who's hiding something, so isn't it fine to place our hopes on Horikita?"

There was no flaw in what he said. With Ayanokoji concealing his abilities and Koenji deliberately slacking off, no matter how one looked at it, Horikita was the most qualified person to become Class D's leader.

Lightly tapping his arm with his fingers, Manabu Horikita fell silent in thought.

"From what you've said, you seem rather confident in yourself."

"Oh? Am I?"

Hachiman Hikigaya raised a brow, wondering when he had ever said anything particularly confident.

"You think you and Suzune alone can rise to Class A?"

Manabu Horikita asked with a light chuckle. In truth, he was quite curious about Hachiman Hikigaya.

He had the strange feeling that this person was impossible to see through.

"It shouldn't be a problem."

Hachiman Hikigaya did not bother being modest and answered directly.

Hachiman Hikigaya had always felt that he was usually quite high-profile. It was just that no one had ever asked him, leaving the confidence in his heart with nowhere to go. Like Ayanokoji, he could only be regarded as someone without any ability.

"To be honest, I really can't see the potential in you and Suzune to rise to Class A."

What an outright provocation!

"Yeah? Is that so?" Hachiman Hikigaya rested both hands behind his head. Seemingly thinking of something, the corners of his lips rose slightly.

"Does Manabu Horikita usually enjoy making bets with people?"

"A bet?"

"Yeah, yeah, Horikita loves betting with me. Every time, she loses miserably to me, and in the end..."

Wanting to say something reckless, Hachiman Hikigaya sensed the gaze from across the room and abandoned the thought.

"Since Manabu Horikita is provoking me with such contempt, how about making a bet with me?"

"Let's hear it."

Manabu Horikita became somewhat interested.

"Based on my deductions, this school shouldn't be as simple as just taking ordinary exams, right?

Since it divided the four classes according to a points-based ranking system, there should naturally be chances for lower-ranked classes to overtake higher-ranked ones. I don't think attending classes diligently every day would be enough to earn class points and surpass the classes above us.

With that in mind, it follows naturally that the school will definitely introduce assessments later on that can earn classes a large number of points."

Clap, clap, clap!

Manabu Horikita applauded Hachiman Hikigaya's reasoning from across the table. "I'm starting to see you in a different light. I never expected you to think that far ahead."

Having gone through his first year as well, Manabu Horikita naturally knew that the current first-year students had no way of knowing that special exams would be coming next.

Even after receiving one hundred class points from the midterm exams, many people probably only thought they had earned those points because everyone passed the exams.

To guess the nature of the exams awaiting them from so little information—perhaps he really had underestimated him.

"Don't praise me so much." Hachiman Hikigaya waved a hand, then continued, "Your reaction should be enough to prove that my guess was correct."

"In that case, Manabu Horikita, make a bet with me. In the next assessment, I'll help Horikita take first place."

Hachiman Hikigaya smiled confidently, and Manabu Horikita smiled as well.

"Fine. What do you want to bet?"

With a faint curve of his lips, Hachiman Hikigaya stated the terms of the wager.

Manabu Horikita thought for a while before finally nodding in agreement.

"I hope your approach toward Suzune is truly as you claim. Otherwise..."

Manabu Horikita did not finish his sentence, but Hachiman Hikigaya could hear the strong threat behind it.

After finishing the last sip of his coffee, Hachiman Hikigaya left the Cafe and freed up the seat for the other waiting students.

Back in the Dormitory, Hachiman Hikigaya lay on his bed and considered his next move.

There was still a little over a month until the first special exam. As long as he arranged all the countermeasures before then, taking first place would be as easy as taking candy from a baby.

"Manabu Horikita, betting against someone with cheats is hardly a wise choice."

Hachiman Hikigaya shook his head and turned his gaze toward a package on the desk.

After thinking for a moment, Hachiman Hikigaya took out his phone and called Sakura.

"Hello..."

Sakura answered almost instantly. Had this girl been waiting by her phone?

The corner of Hachiman Hikigaya's mouth twitched slightly. "Your camera has been repaired. Are you free to come pick it up now?"

"Huh? Now?" A flustered voice came from the other end.

"If you don't have time, another day is fine too."

"It's not that. I just finished showering, and my hair isn't dry yet..."

"I see." Hachiman Hikigaya nodded, picked up the package, and headed for the door.

"Then I'll bring it over to you."

"Huh?!!!"

Sakura's reaction was even stronger.

Ding-dong!

The door opened, revealing Sakura with damp hair and a faint blush on her face.

Apparently, Hachiman Hikigaya was the first boy to visit her room, and for some reason, it made her feel embarrassed.

"Here."

Hachiman Hikigaya handed the package to Sakura. After she checked it, he prepared to leave.

"Huh?" Sakura's mind failed to process it for a moment.

You're leaving just like that? According to the usual script, Hachiman Hikigaya should use the delivery as an excuse to visit the room.

Why did this seem different from what she had imagined?

"What's wrong?"

Hachiman Hikigaya asked strangely.

Sakura widened her eyes shyly and waved her hands in a fluster, not knowing how to respond.

"You... I..."

"Hmm?"

"Would you like to come in and sit for a while?"

At last, Sakura gathered her courage and invited Hachiman Hikigaya inside.

"I'm sorry, but I have something to do."

Hachiman Hikigaya refused expressionlessly, and Sakura showed a disappointed expression.

The next second, a smile appeared on Hachiman Hikigaya's icy face.

"Just kidding. Since Sakura invited me, I'll come in and sit for a bit."

Sakura's mood was like a roller coaster, shooting from rock bottom straight to the highest peak.

"Okay."

Sakura hurriedly stepped aside and let Hachiman Hikigaya enter first.

"Excuse me."

Hachiman Hikigaya said politely as he entered Sakura's room.

The moment he stepped inside, a decor completely at odds with Sakura came into view.

He had assumed that, with Sakura's introverted personality, the room would be decorated in a subdued style. To his surprise, it was actually arranged in an adorable pink theme.

Cute dolls sat by the bed, keeping her company as she fell asleep through every quiet, dark night.

Cute stickers covered the walls, while a full-length mirror stood in the living area, allowing her to check her appearance each day before leaving.

It was truly a lovely room.

It was clear that in Sakura's lonely school life, she relied on this small space every day to give her a faint sense of security.