Hoshino's Guess

"...You really do love sticking your nose into other people's business." Ayanokoji turned his gaze back to the textbook on the desk, picked up the pen beside it, and started working on his homework, apparently talking to himself.

"How is that sticking my nose into their business? Chabashira-sensei and President Horikita both deserve an explanation!" Hoshino gazed out the window, looking unconcerned.

"An explanation for what?"

"...All right, I guess I am sticking my nose into their business. I just can't leave those two alone like this."

"...You're really awkward about it." Ayanokoji pondered for a moment and seemed to have figured out some of the reasons.

Hoshino was at a loss for words. It really was a hassle to explain. After all, they were in Class D, and doing a few things in advance when there was little risk couldn't hurt. If Hoshino hadn't made a deal with Chabashira-sensei or joined the Student Council, he definitely wouldn't have done anything.

"...Ayanokoji, do you want to move up to Class A?"

Hoshino suddenly thought of something. Hadn't Ayanokoji been behind the old exam papers and Sudo's decision to earn points? At least, Hoshino didn't think Horikita could have come up with those ideas herself.

If anything, Hoshino was more interested in Ayanokoji's actions.

"...I'm not particularly interested. Why do you ask?" Ayanokoji looked up in confusion, as though he'd heard something unexpected.

"It's nothing... I just feel like I'm a little short on Private Points." Hoshino casually made up an excuse.

"Uh... If you're short on points, what does that make the rest of us...?" Ayanokoji remarked, unusually.

"Haha... Fair enough."

After giving a perfunctory answer, Hoshino began thinking about other things.

Come to think of it, Hoshino had never actually discussed any class strategies with Ayanokoji or Horikita. He had no idea what other plans Ayanokoji might have.

"...Ahem. If you feel like you're short on Private Points, then why not make moving up to Class A your goal? You'll definitely have plenty of points then." Ayanokoji added.

But why did that sound like he was hinting at something? Moving up to Class A—that was Horikita's goal, wasn't it? Hoshino remembered her saying something like that.

"Haha... I'll think about that later..."

Still, speaking of that, Hoshino felt like being placed in Class D was a huge rip-off! He had to make extra money every day. Just look at the other classes, especially Class A. They were getting over 100,000 Private Points a month from the school alone! Hoshino was seriously jealous! Honestly, when were those people going to start pulling their weight?...

Hoshino looked around the classroom. By then, only the two of them were left.

"Hey, Hoshino? What are you thinking about?" Ayanokoji's voice rang out again, pulling Hoshino out of his reverie.

"...I just think Class D has it way too hard. When will I get to sit around and collect points like Class A? I'm so jealous! It doesn't even have to be Class A—Class C would be fine! At least they have some points. Honestly..." Hoshino began muttering to himself.

"Then, Hoshino, why don't you help the class move up to Class A...?" It seemed Ayanokoji had finished his homework. He put down his pen and looked at Hoshino, who was wearing a resentful expression. The conversation had circled back to the same topic.

"..."

Did Ayanokoji really want him to help the class move up? Wasn't he uninterested? Hoshino gazed thoughtfully at Ayanokoji.

A bold suspicion suddenly came to mind: had Ayanokoji made some kind of deal with Chabashira-sensei behind the scenes?

At first, Hoshino had thought Ayanokoji was only half-joking when he made that remark. But now, it seemed that might not be the case. Ayanokoji seemed to really want him to contribute to the class.

Moving up as a class should really be a process in which everyone grew. Only ability could justify status.

Besides, even setting aside whether they could bring these people along, even if they did manage to move up, they couldn't expect to enjoy a hundred-percent employment rate in their current state without growing in some way. When all was said and done, the school's original promise was practically a scam. After all, society and companies couldn't simply make room for someone without any ability.

The most fundamental purpose of this school was to help them grow through this game! Though the methods it used were certainly unpleasant.

"Hmm... I'll pass." This time, Hoshino refused outright.

Hoshino wasn't particularly interested in moving up to Class A. If the class had a strong sense of unity, or if there were truly a leader capable of guiding them forward, Hoshino wouldn't mind doing what he could. But given the way things were now, there was absolutely no need to work with anyone.

"...All right." Ayanokoji merely nodded, not the slightest bit surprised. But as he packed up his books, his hands suddenly stopped. "...By the way, weren't you going to the Student Council?"

"..." Hoshino froze...

After coming to his senses, Hoshino exchanged a quick farewell with Ayanokoji and sprinted off.

He'd gotten so caught up in the conversation that he'd lost track of time. What a blunder!

Outside the Student Council Room, Hoshino felt a little awkward and didn't knock right away. After catching his breath, he finally steeled himself and knocked on the door.

"Come in." President Horikita's voice sounded again.

Hoshino cautiously pushed the door open.

"Why are you so late today?" President Horikita glanced up at Hoshino. Her expression was as unreadable as ever, giving no hint of what she was feeling.

"Um... Something came up..." Hoshino stood stiffly where he was, stammering a little. It wasn't as if anything important had happened.

"Being punctual is a good habit. Please be more careful next time." President Horikita lowered her head again and resumed handling the documents in front of her.

"Right! I will!" Seeing that President Horikita had no intention of reprimanding him, Hoshino let out a long breath and hurried back to his seat.

After glancing around, Hoshino realized that President Horikita was the only one there.

President Horikita wore a calm expression, as though nothing had happened. It seemed Horikita still hadn't come. The situation was more serious than Hoshino had imagined.

"Hoshino, please complete the club survey today. Also, give these reports to the teachers for your first-year classes and have them check and fill them out."

"...Oh, right... Sure!" Hoshino, who had been watching President Horikita, jumped in fright and answered hastily, feeling as awkward as someone caught spying.

Hoshino went to President Horikita's desk and collected the necessary documents and forms. After quickly checking their contents and quantity, Hoshino hurried out of the Student Council Room.