Since it was still class time, no one approached me directly. But after school would be a different story.
The moment the dismissal bell rang, nearly every gaze in the classroom turned toward me. Ishizaki and Komiya, who usually talk with me frequently, were the first to start moving in my direction—until Saka-sensei's voice cut through the room.
"Hikigaya-kun, you're to come with me after this."
Though his tone was neutral, there was a shadow over the teacher's expression. This summons was likely against his wishes as well.
Under the watchful eyes of my classmates, I followed Saka-sensei out of the classroom.
"What do you need me for?"
"I don't know. Acting Chairman Tsukishiro requested you. Even I, as your homeroom teacher, haven't been given the details."
"How unusual."
Even as we exchanged words along the way, the cloud over Saka-sensei's expression didn't lift.
"...I've never seen you as an ordinary student. There's something special about you."
"You're overestimating me. I'm just your average, run-of-the-mill student."
"...Right. You are an ordinary student—my student. That fact remains unchanged."
When we reached the reception room, Saka-sensei turned to face me fully.
"That test result—that's your true ability, isn't it? Even I, as your homeroom teacher, didn't expect this."
A summons from the chairman. Test scores like these.
With this much evidence, it was only natural to see me as abnormal.
I'd heard how Chabashira, the homeroom teacher of Ayanokouji's Class D, had resorted to threats. I'd braced myself for the possibility that Saka-sensei might do the same—but it never came.
"As your teacher, I'm genuinely glad to have seen your true ability. Congratulations on the perfect score."
With a faint smile, he offered me words of praise.
As a teacher should.
He was the kind of instructor who could do something as simple as commend a student.
Even knowing my ability, he didn't try to force anything.
I bowed slightly to Saka-sensei and reached for the door to the reception room.
...
"Thank you for taking the trouble to come here, Hikigaya-kun."
"What exactly is your intention, summoning me through my homeroom teacher? He seemed quite suspicious about it."
"As the acting chairman, I can't very well go to the classroom myself, can I?"
Seated on the sofa with a mask-like smile, Tsukishiro gestured for me to sit, but I ignored him and remained standing. I had no intention of staying long. Sensing this, Tsukishiro began speaking.
"First, let me congratulate you. A perfect score in mathematics—something no ordinary high school student could achieve. Truly remarkable. As expected of someone called a masterpiece."
He offered light applause while bringing up my test results.
"I fail to see what's so remarkable about it. You're well aware that any White Room student could have done the same."
"Indeed, that's true. But there's one thing that concerns me. Why did you and Ayanokouji-kun both achieve perfect scores? In my estimation, there must be a purpose behind it."
"Who knows?"
I deflected lightly, but Tsukishiro's expression didn't waver.
He likely already suspected that I had taken the perfect score as a provocation. It seems things wouldn't be that simple.
"April will soon be over. Have you identified any of the students sent from the White Room yet?"
Tsukishiro blatantly changed the subject—and even brought up the White Room himself.
"Unfortunately, I haven't been able to determine who the White Room students are."
"How straightforward. You could have just named a random student to gauge my reaction."
"I prefer not to speak without certainty. Especially not in a place like this."
"I see. So that means the operative has blended in quite well."
Tsukishiro nodded approvingly, looking satisfied.
"I didn't sense anything distinctive about a White Room student. They've completely erased their scent."
"It seems they've spent these past few months thoroughly immersing themselves in the role of a high school student as part of their training."
So they had taken meticulous precautions beforehand. Well, it would be pointless otherwise.
"For now, the fact that you couldn't identify them is confirmation enough. You may take your leave."
Tsukishiro dismissed me, showing no sign of pressing further—not even about the bandages wrapped around my left hand.
"Next is Ayanokouji, I assume?"
Without moving, I continued the conversation.
"My, how unexpected that you'd prolong our talk. What do you mean by that?"
"Your priority is to expel Ayanokouji. It would be strange if you summoned me but not him."
"Ah, I understand now. To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, I'll be frank—we do plan to call Ayanokouji-kun in shortly. Was that the answer you were looking for?"
"Yes. I appreciate your honesty. Then I'll be going."
I turned my back on Tsukishiro and left the reception room.
There were other things on my mind.
Based on my speculation, I suspected that even Tsukishiro had encountered an "unexpected" problem.
This exam was clearly designed to expel me and Ayanokouji—the White Room student was supposed to make contact with me, and then we would form a partnership. Yet, none of the first-years made a move.
The most plausible explanation was that the White Room student had disobeyed Tsukishiro's orders and gone rogue. That would lend credibility to the situation. I could confirm it, but there was no guarantee of an answer—so I didn't bother bringing it up.
I'll leave that role to Ayanokouji.
...
On my way back from the reception room, I spotted two figures in an empty hallway—Ayanokouji and Horikita.
"I won't make excuses. I did everything I could and achieved a score I'm satisfied with."
"You don't want a rematch?"
"I couldn't even understand the last few problems. There's no way I could have solved them at my current level. Honestly, I doubt I'll ever be able to."
Judging by their conversation, they were discussing the exam results. Ayanokouji had challenged Horikita to a score battle—this must have been their post-match analysis.
Since barging into a private conversation between classmates would be rude, I hid around the corner.
"It's frustrating, but I'll admit it. Two things have happened in quick succession that force me to acknowledge you. If I keep arguing, I'll just feel like an idiot."
A quick check confirmed Horikita's math score: 87.
She had fought hard, but her opponent was simply on another level.
"But there's one thing bothering me. The fact that you got a perfect score in math—because I chose math as the subject. This is off-topic, but… there's another student who also got a perfect score in math."
"Hikigaya, you mean?"
My eavesdropping was interrupted when my name came up.
"Yes. Unbelievably, he also got a perfect score—but only in math."
She emphasized the subject, locking eyes with Ayanokouji.
"I don't think it's a coincidence. Even based on his OAA, his academic ability shouldn't be high enough for a perfect score."
"That's a strange thing to say to me. You're not seriously suggesting I had something to do with Hikigaya's perfect score, are you?"
"Putting it bluntly, you and Hikigaya-kun have had a strange connection for a while now. With you, it's entirely possible."
Though she wasn't outright glaring, Horikita narrowed her eyes. Ayanokouji remained silent for a few seconds before finally breaking eye contact.
"If you're that curious, why not ask him yourself?"
"…Huh?"
Apparently, Ayanokouji had noticed me—he was staring directly at where I was hiding. Horikita followed his gaze, her sharp eyes piercing the air.
With no other choice, I stepped out from the corner into the open hallway.
"Wha—?! How long have you been there?!"
"A while now. Don't give me that look—it was an accident."
Horikita was startled but quickly regained her composure. Ayanokouji, as usual, showed no reaction.
"Horikita. Since he's here, why not ask Hikigaya directly? If you're curious, the best way is to hear it from the source."
I wasn't sure what Ayanokouji was thinking, but the most plausible explanation was that he was using me to wrap this up.
Horikita, still flustered, took a deep breath and faced me.
"…Why did you get a perfect score in math? Based on your academic records, there's no way that wasn't intentional. Why reveal your ability now? …Don't worry. You don't have to answer me."
So she was just asking for the sake of asking.
Since I'm from another class, I had no obligation to satisfy her curiosity.
"…"
I exchanged glances with Ayanokouji. After a slight nod from him, I spoke.
"I got a perfect score because Ayanokouji asked me to."
"…Are you being serious right now?"
"Yeah, of course."
Horikita's eyes darted between us as cold sweat formed on her brow. This clearly wasn't the answer she expected.
"That's… I'm sorry, but could you explain properly? I'm not following."
"Then ask Ayanokouji. He knows the details better than I do. Just one thing to add—I only got a perfect score because I followed his instructions. Anyway, I'll be going now."
With that, I turned to leave.
As I passed Ayanokouji, I caught a rare glimpse of his face—he looked pissed.
"W-Wait, hold on—"
"No, you wait, Ayanokouji-kun. You're going to explain this properly, so brace yourself."
Horikita grabbed Ayanokouji by the collar, her voice low but intense.
He probably dragged me into this because explaining would be a pain. Too bad—I don't have time for that. He can handle it himself.
"Come to think of it, Tsukishiro's calling him in later too."
Between Horikita's interrogation and Tsukishiro's summons, not to mention the fallout from his perfect score—Ayanokouji was in for a rough time.
Good luck. You'll need it.
Feeling the weight of a resentful stare on my back, I continued on my way to the classroom.
.....
After Hachiman left the classroom and spoke.
"Damn, Hikigaya's insane! Getting a perfect score on that ridiculously hard test is just unreal!"
"No surprise he's the second-best in our class!"
"Hachiman-kun... you're seriously so cool. Amazing."
"Hey, Hiyori, your eyes are turning into hearts. ...Not that I can blame you."
The voices that filled the classroom weren't scornful—most were filled with admiration.
Thanks to his past school life and his outstanding performance in the exams, Hachiman had earned the trust of his classmates. Even a perfect score didn't breed resentment but rather further goodwill.
At first, some had raised doubts, but with Komiya, Albert, Hiyori, and Ibuki all singing Hachiman's praises, hardly anyone questioned the legitimacy of his score.
"Hey, hey, you guys. You really gonna let yourselves be fooled like this? This is obviously fishy."
Okabe, who had been listening to the chatter about Hachiman with irritation since the test results were announced, raised his voice sharply, addressing the whole class.
"Huh? The hell are you talking about, Okabe?"
The class fell silent, all eyes turning to Okabe as Ishizaki glared back at him.
"Don't you think it's weird? If Hikigaya could get a perfect score on a test this hard, why hasn't he been acing every test before now?"
"Tch, so it's just sour grapes. Obviously, he studied for it this time."
Komiya replied with a dismissive tone, but Kaneda, who had been silent until now, stepped forward at Okabe's words.
"...Actually, Okabe does have a point."
"Hah!? Kaneda, what the hell are you saying!?"
"This test wasn't something you could pass just by studying a little. If he could solve these problems, he should've been scoring high all along."
If he was capable, why hadn't he been doing it before?
With Kaneda voicing a doubt no one had considered until now, a faint ripple of unease spread through the class.
"See? If Hikigaya didn't have the ability to get a perfect score, the only other explanation is that he cheated."
Okabe poured fuel on the fire.
The wave of suspicion grew, and soon, murmurs of distrust toward Hachiman began surfacing.
The ones who had started this wave—Ishizaki and the others—were seething with rage, looking like they were about to punch Okabe any second...
"Ugh, that guy's seriously pissing me off. If he says one more thing, I might just shut him up for good."
"Fufufufufu~ Okabe-kun, you're saying such interesting things... I wouldn't count on making it to school unharmed tomorrow."
Ibuki, who had been watching from the sidelines, fixed Okabe with a murderous glare, while Hiyori smiled sweetly, her grin plastered on as she marked her target.
"Probably just wanted attention by scoring perfect, huh? Quit screwing around and dragging the class down with your crap. If you're gonna pull stunts like this, just drop out alrea—"
"YOU BASTARD!!! I'LL BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF YOU!!!"
Ishizaki's patience snapped. He lunged at Okabe, fist raised, ready to strike—only for Ryuuen to intercept him with a kick, sending him flying back three desks.
"W-Why'd you stop me!? Ryuuen-san!"
Ignoring Ishizaki's pained shout, Ryuuen, who had been silently observing until now, rose to his feet slowly.
"...Shut the hell up. All of you."
His voice dripped with annoyance. The oppressive aura of the class's ruler instantly silenced the room.
"If you're all so damn curious about how Hikigaya got a perfect score, I'll explain it myself."
Ryuuen's gaze shifted toward the classroom door.
Then, as if on cue, the door opened—revealing the center of the commotion himself, Hikigaya Hachiman.
.....
Ryuuen turned his gaze toward me, then opened the classroom door.
I could feel the eyes of everyone around me shift as I stepped inside, but instead of heading to my seat, I took my place behind Ryuuen's right shoulder.
Confirming this, Ryuuen began speaking.
"From the start of the school year, I knew this guy was good at math. At first, I didn't care about some loser like him, but I came up with a strategy to make use of him."
"W-what kind of strategy?"
I silently watched as Ryuuen smoothly wove his lies with such conviction that the entire class swallowed them whole.
"I told him to hold back on tests. Under my orders, Hikigaya deliberately kept his scores average."
My previously unremarkable academic performance had been part of a carefully crafted plan—at least, that's what he was selling.
Of course, if anyone really thought back to a year ago, they might find holes in the story. But when the class's dictator said it, the rules changed.
Lies became truth. Truth became lies.
That was something only Ryuuen could pull off.
"I see. So the plan was to keep Hikigaya's true abilities hidden from the other classes to create confusion later?"
"Keh. I can just picture the looks on their faces. Bet it'd be hilarious."
In a situation where there was no room for do-overs, Ryuuen had done well.
Before coming here, I'd sent him a message: *"Defend me for 500,000 points."* There was no doubt the class would be suspicious of my perfect score, so I needed a countermeasure.
Ryuuen would never help me out of goodwill. That's why I had to dangle points in front of him. A painful expense, but some things couldn't be helped.
I knew doubts would linger, but as long as most of the suspicion was diverted, that was enough.
"You get it now, Okabe? Everything you said was dead wrong, you damn idiot."
Ishizaki's glare and words redirected the class's attention to Okabe, who wore an awkward expression before quickly slipping out of the room.
Meanwhile, I transferred the points to Ryuuen.
He'd covered for me without any prior discussion. I had to admit, I was grateful.
That aside… Hiyori's stare at Okabe had been downright terrifying. What the hell was that about?
=================================
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