Chapter 85

But even if it's something given away for free, then I'll accept it.

"Actually."

Hirata seemed to be gathering his emotions after sitting down.

Hachiman probably guessed what he wanted to say.

Hirata was constantly worried during the study session. It was like this: aside from the fact that the struggling students in the class weren't very cooperative, their motivation was also lacking.

At the same time.

Several students have really poor basic grades.

Like Kanzaki said about Sudō doesn't even know how to solve a linear equation in two variables.

This kind of teaching almost has to start from elementary school.

So.

Even with such a regular study session, three weeks wouldn't be enough for Sudō to pass.

It's more likely that the scores they received in math, as announced by Chabashira-sensei, were simply guesses from the fill-in-the-blank questions during the written interview.

So you're asking him if there are any other solutions?

Yes, there are.

This task has already been assigned to Kushida.

Didn't you see she didn't attend the study session tonight?

Only.

"Actually, there are some things I've been hesitating to say," Hirata said.

Um.

It can be said that it is exported.

Hachiman thought so.

After all, it's a matter for the class.

Then.

"I want to tell you my true self, Hachiman," Hirata Yosuke said.

"..." Hachiman.

???

"Really?" Hachiman looked over.

"You might look down on me," Hirata said. "But I can't accept my classmates dropping out; that's my bottom line. It's also a kind of redemption for me."

Hmm.

Hachiman felt he should really have some coffee instead of coconut juice tonight.

Because he does not believe in absolute goodness.

It seems strange that Hirata is always trying to be the glue that holds the class together.

Moreover, Hirata excels in every aspect.

However, I was assigned to Class D, which means... the school found out about me in some way and decided that I was not good enough.

So, in what aspect is Hirata inadequate?

And that's what I was thinking.

Hachiman began to listen.

"I have high expectations for my classmates, and I also long for a peaceful campus life. I don't want anyone to fall behind, so I've been trying to make that adjustment," Hirata said.

Everyone knows this, so Hirata is very busy every day.

Because both boys and girls would seek him out. There were various problems, conflicts with different kinds of people, and so on.

Hachiman himself received a favor from Hirata on the first day.

Only.

Hachiman felt that the main event might be about to begin.

Really.

Hirata said, "When I was in junior high school, my best friend was 80, but I was too scared to reach out to him."

"People who turn a blind eye to others' pleas for help are the kind of people I hate the most. But I did it anyway, and then my friend committed suicide because he didn't get any help."

"Uh-one" felt that Hirata might unleash a powerful move.

But this ultimate move is terrifying.

Hearing this, Hachiman felt a heaviness in his heart. "Why did the topic suddenly become so heavy—?"

"It wasn't that scary; that friend didn't actually die," Hirata said. "But because of that, we were completely separated."

"In short, I feel that coming to this school is my salvation," Hirata said. "But I can't do it on my own, so I hope you can help Hachiman."

"And this time, I hope no one in the class will drop out of school."

"I no longer want to turn a blind eye to other people's helplessness."

In other words, Hirata's past experiences have led to his current obsession.

He will provide assistance, but the bottom line remains... no student can drop out of school.

For him, if someone drops out of school, it's probably similar to abandoning his companions again.

Now, although he has revealed his past, he is still worried that his classmates are not Academic Ability and will fail the exams and be expelled.

Only.

"So, after that friend's suicide attempt, Hirata... what did you do?"

Hachiman also has some questions.

Because if it were just a case of a friend committing suicide because the school didn't help them, then the school wouldn't use that as a criterion to send Hirata to Class D.

"My friend attempted suicide, and I discovered that the people who were bullying him didn't stop; instead, they started bullying someone else."

"Then."

"I used violence to dominate the class and beat everyone up."

"..."

They beat everyone up?

Is that so?

So you're Sudō No. 2 too.

Despite his seemingly harmless and gentle nature, like a little sun, Hirata Yosuke is actually a hot-tempered guy. He is responsible, helpful, and always looking out for others.

However, this also shows that the harm done to Hirata's heart by not helping that friend was not addressed.

Because of the accumulation of guilt, it has turned into a somewhat morbid need to help others.

However, because he had used violence to dominate the class, it left a strong mark on his file, so he was judged to be a bomb and thrown into Class D.

So this bomb is alright.

Hachiman felt that Hirata wasn't a bad person at heart, and even if he were exposed, it wouldn't cause too much of a problem.

Rather, people wouldn't believe that Hirata is so gentle.

"Actually, there are plans to deal with this exam," Hachiman said.

Since the other party has revealed their dark past, Hachiman has taken appropriate measures.

"A plan to get through the exams without any problems. And as long as the school doesn't object, it can be reused."

"That's score control," Hachiman said.

"The failing score is determined by dividing the class average by 2. For example, if the class average is 50, then the failing score is 25."

"A score above 25 is considered passing," Hirata began to mutter. "And most people can pass that score. Then, if we let some high-achieving students pass, the class average will drop. Then the failing score will drop even further, say to 10, which is a score that anyone can achieve."

"Even Sudo could pass."

"This plan is great!" Hirata's eyes lit up instantly.

It seems they thought this plan was feasible, and once implemented, all the students in the class would be able to pass the test smoothly.

"This information was obtained by analyzing the class evaluation scores that Chabashira-sensei provided for this exam, which showed the highest possible score of 100."

"But."

However, Hachiman shook his head, "If this is how the test is conducted, then it tests the mutual trust and cooperation among classmates."

"Uh." Hirata understood at this point. "But that will cause problems. Some people might try to lower their average score by doing fewer questions, but if they do fewer questions and get them wrong, their score will be too low, and they might fail."

In other words, controlling scores is something not everyone can do.

If I fail to control my score, I will fail and be expelled from school.

It was extremely terrifying.

In other words, all the students in the class need to trust each other and then work together.

However, as the central figure in the class and the glue that holds the class together, Hirata is well aware that the class is still a disorganized mess, and it is already quite difficult for them to be able to come together even now.

Therefore, Hirata's expression became more serious.

If not handled properly, a large number of students in the class may drop out.

This kind of thing is very risky.

"But I'm waiting for another solution," Hachiman said. "Hirata, you asked your seniors and found out the number of upperclassmen, right?"

"Apart from Third-year Class A, students in all other upper grades have dropped out."

"But how many academically challenged students do you think there are in our class, and how many academically challenged students are in the upper-level classes?"

"So if there are really that many written exams, then there won't be that many students left in the upperclassmen's Class C and Class D," Hachiman said.

"So you mean..."

"I'm looking for the method that these upperclassmen have been using to get through exams safely," Hachiman said. "Then I'll use it."

"I see."

Hirata breathed a sigh of relief when she discovered that Hachiman was truly thinking about the upcoming exam for the class.

"However, I also have a problem that's bothering me," Hachiman said. "Remember when we went to the Student Council yesterday?"

"Yes." Hirata nodded. "You mean the Disciplinary Committee Member position that Horikita obtained, right? Hasn't anyone been chosen yet?"

There are currently no candidates.

Hirata is too busy.

Kushida is focused on her interpersonal relationships, and Suzune Horikita is the Student Council President's younger sister, so this information cannot be revealed for the time being.

Therefore...

There's no one on his side.

"If you really can't find anyone else, I can recommend someone to you," Hirata said.

So Hachiman looked over.

Hirata and Kushida get along well with the other students in the class, so they know more about them.

So what kind of people can he recommend?

"It seems you two had built a good relationship before, Sakura," Hirata said. "But now..."

"I think you could try to reach out to Karuizawa."

"..." Hachiman.

Karuizawa?

It refers to someone who has been on his blacklist and then has a strong desire to perform well in class.