"We've more or less figured out the situation, but 'installing surveillance cameras without permission' is a serious violation with major consequences. So, we need to conduct a thorough investigation. We won't wrongly accuse an innocent person, but we also won't let the guilty one get away."
As soon as Hikigaya finished speaking, Ishizaki noticed his gaze land on him first. Those cold, emotionless eyes sent a chill down his spine. His mind flashed back to the night before the midterm exams and the events of today's lunch break. His throat went dry, and sweat poured down his body.
Luckily, Hikigaya quickly shifted his gaze. Ishizaki felt like he had just been pulled out of water, gasping for air. Those eyes just now... he felt like a helpless lamb about to be slaughtered, as if Hikigaya could devour him at any moment.
That eerie sense of pressure made him shiver. Even Ryuen's violent intimidation had never made him feel this kind of fear before.
Yes, Ishizaki had just experienced a deep, internal fear—something far worse than physical threats. It was psychological fear, and it was terrifying.
But the feeling disappeared as quickly as it came, leaving Ishizaki wondering if it was all just his imagination or if he was simply too nervous and scaring himself.
Hikigaya then turned to Ichinose. The cheerful girl he usually saw was gone. Her face was clouded with guilt and distress, completely betraying her inner turmoil. She looked like she was stuck in an endless cycle of self-blame and pain.
From start to finish, Ichinose avoided Hikigaya's gaze, like a child who had done something wrong and didn't dare to face him.
"Ichinose."
Hearing Hikigaya's voice, Ichinose lifted her head but still wouldn't meet his eyes.
"If you think running away from this situation will solve anything, then I have to say—I'm really disappointed in you, Ichinose."
"I... I..."
Hearing Hikigaya's words, Ichinose let out a soft, choked sound. Eventually, she forced herself to look into his eyes, but her gaze was filled with guilt and regret. More than anything, though, it was full of helpless pain.
"I... I'm sorry, Hikigaya-kun. You even warned me, but in the end, I was still too stubborn. You were right last night—I let myself down, and I let others down too."
She bit her lip. It was clear how much this situation had affected her.
"That's true. As the leader of Class B, acting so recklessly doesn't just hurt you—it hurts the students who trust you."
Hearing his scolding, Ichinose blamed herself even more. Her usual warm, sunny expression was completely gone, replaced by guilt and sorrow. The way she looked now, so fragile and pitiful, would make anyone hesitate to say another harsh word.
But Hikigaya didn't waver. His tone remained firm.
"Have you ever thought about what would happen to your classmates if something happened to you? What kind of mess your class would be in?"
"A wise person stays away from danger. If you want to keep playing the role of the 'kind and selfless person' just to feed your own ego, then I suggest you step down as Class B's leader. People like that, who only act to make themselves feel good, are disgusting."
— ¶ —————————————————————
Hikigaya's words were harsh—so harsh that if any Class B students were present, they would have probably jumped him on the spot. But unfortunately for them, there were no other Class B students around.
Even so, Hirata, Kushida, and the others couldn't help but speak up for Ichinose. After all, it was Class D that wronged Class B first this time, and throughout the whole ordeal, Class B had helped them a lot.
Meanwhile, Ishizaki and the others, who were watching, couldn't help but gasp.
This guy... Hikigaya was brutal.
Coldhearted.
He actually dared to say something like that to Ichinose, the most popular and well-liked student in the first year?
No wonder he was the one who took down Ryuen.
A trace of admiration flashed through Ishizaki's eyes.
Hikigaya ignored everyone's reactions and let out a cold laugh.
"Ichinose, you got lucky this time. But luck won't always be on your side. And luck always comes with a price."
As he said this, he turned his gaze toward Haruno, who was standing there with an innocent look, as if she hadn't heard a thing.
Hikigaya didn't plan to waste any more time on Ichinose. Instead, he walked up to Horikita and stood in front of her, silently staring at her.
"Lift your head."
But Horikita didn't move.
"What's wrong? Feeling ashamed?"
Hikigaya let out another cold laugh.
"Oh wait—my bad. You probably don't even have the face left to feel ashamed anymore."
Horikita's head shot up instantly, her eyes burning with anger.
Her clenched teeth, her unwilling expression, the shame and frustration in her gaze—it all seemed to scream, "Happy now?!"
This was the first time Hikigaya had ever seen such a wide range of emotions on Horikita's usually icy face.
She glared at him fiercely.
They were normally about the same height, but at this moment, she felt like she was being looked down on from above.
Not just physically, but emotionally—like she was being crushed underfoot.
Horikita knew she had lost this time. Completely.
If she had just backed down during the hearing...
If she hadn't let her pride get in the way...
If she hadn't been so determined to beat Hikigaya...
Would things have turned out differently?
She didn't know.
Even now, she wasn't sure why she had made those decisions in that moment.
Did she just want to win against him for once?
Did she want to prove herself to her brother?
Or was it something else?
Now, she finally understood.
It wasn't about winning against Hikigaya.
She just wanted his recognition.
Or maybe...
She just wanted to catch up to him.
That was all.
Even Horikita herself didn't know when she had developed such an unshakable obsession with him.
"Horikita, you've always lived in your own little world, never caring about how others feel. You just do things the way you think is right, as if it's the only way. And because of that arrogance, you're suffering the consequences now."
"Just like when you pointed at Sudou in the hearing yesterday—the same thing applies to you."
"Right now, you're no different from him. Do you finally see how clueless you've been?"
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