Hikigaya, Join the Student Council

I arrived at the classroom and sat down in my seat.

The entire room was, as expected, buzzing with talk about the Sudo incident.

Word was that they hadn't found a single witness, and the investigation would continue after school today.

But to me, none of that mattered.

Right now, my mind was entirely occupied by what happened during the lunch break—just three minutes ago, I had accidentally groped Ichinose near the stairs.

Fortunately, it was right before homeroom started, so there was only one witness, but of all people, that witness had to be the Student Council President.

Now, I had been ordered to report to the Student Council Room during the lunch break.

Honestly, it was suffocating. Why did the only witness have to be the Student Council President? Even though Ichinose hadn't been angry and had actually apologized to me, meaning I probably wouldn't be punished, my gloomy mood hadn't lifted in the slightest.

As I sighed to myself, the chatter around me suddenly grew louder.

"Ah—why am I not in Class A? If I were in Class A, I'd definitely be living a fun school life right now, wouldn't I?"

"I really want to get into Class A too. Then I could buy all the things I want."

Listening to these complaints, I couldn't help but think that the people saying this were either idiots or, like me, had caused trouble back in middle school. Come to think of it, Hirata and Kushida probably had their own issues in middle school too. Even though it hadn't been three months since enrollment, those two would likely be doing just fine even in Class A or Class B.

"If only there were a cheat code to instantly move up to Class A!"

"Ike, it's worth noting that a method to change classes instantly does indeed exist."

Our homeroom teacher, Chabashira, walked in through the front door and responded to Ike's grumbling.

"You're joking again~ Who would believe such nonsense!"

"It is the truth. This school has prepared a special mechanism."

I had known for a long time that the teacher wasn't lying.

"T-Teacher, what is this special method...?"

As soon as Ike finished speaking, the entire class turned their eyes toward Chabashira.

"I said it at the entrance ceremony, didn't I? Everything in this school can be bought with points. In other words, you can change classes by paying with private points."

Since even exam scores could be bought, changing classes was naturally no exception. It was just that the amount was ridiculously high.

"Are you serious!? How much do you have to save to change classes!?"

"Twenty million. Work hard and save your money, Ike; once you've saved enough, you can go to the class of your choice."

This astronomical figure sent the classroom into an uproar.

"Twenty million points is just impossible!"

Ike's complaint triggered a chorus of boos.

"It is indeed impossible through conventional means. But since it is a privilege that allows for an unconditional class transfer, this amount is reasonable. If there were one less zero, Class A would have had over a hundred students by the time graduation approached, wouldn't it?"

If it were two million, I could have moved up to Class A by the second semester.

"Um... has any student ever successfully changed classes before?"

"Unfortunately, there is no precedent. Even if you save your class points from the moment you enroll, you can only get a maximum of 3.6 million in three years. The normal route is absolutely not enough."

"Then how is that any different from it being impossible..."

"While it is nearly impossible, it is not absolute. That distinction is crucial, Ike. For example, Hikigaya has managed to save nearly two million through various means in just three months since enrollment; the possibility of moving up to Class A does exist."

"Could you not single me out at a time like this?"

"You've been unusually proactive whenever there are questions that award points during class, so it's a bit late to play dumb now, isn't it? The teachers' office is already discussing the possibility that Hikigaya might buy the right to move up a class."

This is bad... although I do indeed give it my all whenever the teachers pose difficult questions for bonus points.

On top of that, if I agreed to join the Sakanayanagi Faction, I could receive financial support, which would make moving to Class A almost a certainty.

Amidst the commotion, Horikita raised her hand to ask: "May I ask what the highest record for private points is since the school was founded?"

"Good question, Horikita. Three years ago, a student in Class B saved up twelve million."

"T-twelve million!? And that was in Class B!?"

"But he was expelled for fraudulent behavior."

"Fraud?"

"He specialized in swindling points from incoming freshmen."

I had seen that on the school forum. As a result, the school tightened regulations and warned us not to engage in such misconduct.

"So we can only compete honestly based on the total class points?"

Horikita reopened her book, though reading during homeroom probably wasn't the best idea.

"By the way, none of you have earned points through club activities."

Chabashira suddenly added.

"What is that?"

"Private points are awarded based on your contribution to your club."

The students were in an uproar, but the system did indeed exist. Even without joining a club, one could earn class and personal points by winning competitions or obtaining national certifications. I remembered someone getting points after winning a competition with a self-made robot.

"So, performing well in clubs really earns you points!?"

"That's right. The other classes should have explained this as well."

No, they really should have made that clear.

"That's too harsh! If you had told me sooner..."

"Do you think joining a club is just child's play? Do you think you can just mess around and get results?"

"That may be true... but there's always a possibility, right!"

Although Ike said that, there was absolutely no hope. If points were that easy to earn, why would anyone choose to be in the "go-home club"?

While I was thinking about this, the homeroom ended and the first period began, but my mind was completely occupied by what happened during lunch and the sensation of accidentally touching Ichinose's chest.

As a result, I ended up with a nosebleed, and the teacher told me that if there was a legitimate reason, it wouldn't be reported as a class point deduction, so I was sent to the infirmary to rest.

But once I got to the infirmary, I was teased by the school nurse, Hoshinomiya, which was just my luck.

A few hours later...

"...That is the full situation. Therefore, this incident was purely an accident, and Hikigaya-kun is not at fault."

In the Student Council Room, Ichinose stated this to Student Council President Horikita. Upon hearing this, President Horikita nodded slightly.

"I see. Reviewing the security footage also confirms the possibility of an accident. Furthermore, since the person involved, Ichinose, says so herself, the student council has no authority to punish Hikigaya."

Phew... judging by that tone, I guess they won't do anything to me?

Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief, President Horikita concluded:

"This incident is ruled as not guilty. However, Hikigaya, even if it was an accident, it is still problematic behavior in the eyes of a third party. You must be mindful of your conduct in the future."

"Understood. Thank you very much."

I bowed in gratitude. It was a relief to be cleared of charges...

"Then, excuse us. I am truly sorry for the trouble."

Ichinose said as she prepared to bow and leave. As I followed suit—

"Hikigaya, stay behind."

I was called back by President Horikita. Huh? Just me?

To be honest, I was reluctant, but resisting would be useless.

"...Understood. See you later, Ichinose."

"Ah, yes. Goodbye... excuse me."

After Ichinose left, only I, President Horikita, and the secretary, Tachibana-senpai, remained in the Student Council Room.

"Um... is this still about earlier?"

"That matter is settled... Tachibana, the secretary position is still vacant, isn't it?"

"Yes. The first-year student from Class A who applied the other day was eliminated in the preliminary round."

"I see. Hikigaya... if you are willing, I can offer you the secretary position."

...Huh?

"S-Student Council President, are you serious?"

"Do you have an objection?"

"No, not at all. Since the President says so, I have no objections."

It seems Tachibana-senpai is a President-supremacist. But...

"Don't joke around. You know about the rumors surrounding me, right?"

The President must have heard the rumors about me being a "kept man" or whatever. In a sense, I'm even more famous than the President.

"Trivial rumors are not worth mentioning. What I value is your exceptional insight."

"Insight?"

"There is a member of the chess club in your class. I am aware that you saw through the S-System before May and immediately formulated countermeasures."

Ah, I see. It's not surprising he knows me that well.

However...

"I'm sorry, but please let me refuse. Unfortunately, I have some unpleasant memories regarding the student council."

In my second year of middle school, I received a troublesome request from the student council. I had no motivation after the school trip, and although I left it alone, the requester didn't get a satisfactory result, leaving me with a very bad memory.

Hearing my response, Tachibana-senpai exclaimed:

"Wait, what?! You're actually turning down the President's invitation?!"

"I'm truly sorry, but this, in particular... besides, wouldn't it be better to invite Ichinose instead of me?"

"Ichinose-san was already eliminated in the preliminary round."

Ichinose, of all people? That was unexpected. Is the way this school selects student council members really that unusual?

Since that's the case...

"I see. Well, there's a boy in my class named Ayanokoji..."

"Yes. Ayanokoji is also being considered. If you refuse, I intend to speak with him as well."

When I brought up Ayanokoji, the student in my class who felt the most unfathomable to me, President Horikita nodded. Even though that guy hates standing out, he actually knows someone famous?

"I understand. In any case, I have no intention of joining the student council, so I will take my leave."

I gave a final bow and left the Student Council Room. I felt completely drained.

Ever since I entered this school, there hasn't been a single day of peace...