Are They All Sold Now?
But…
If you think about it carefully, becoming a favored person and successfully avoiding detection could earn you at least 500,000 personal points.
That's a lot of money.
Hikigaya couldn't help but feel a little tempted.
This is almost like playing Werewolf. Observing whether someone is lying—this kind of thing should be my specialty.
After all, my hobby is observing people.
It couldn't be more suitable.
"Hikigaya, Okakura."
Kanzaki looked at the information in his hands, carefully scanning it a few times before asking, "Do you have any questions?"
"No."
Hikigaya casually handed the document back.
Since the exam was conducted in groups, it was actually quite simple.
If you're the favored person, just use your ability to conceal your presence. If you're not, simply observe others quietly.
Additionally, there were several prohibitions—stealing someone else's phone, threatening or intimidating others, and copying or forwarding emails were all strictly forbidden.
Violating these rules would result in expulsion.
But none of this concerned him.
"I don't have any questions either," Okakura Asako said with a smile. "If there's anything we need to know, please let us know."
"Of course."
Once everyone had returned their documents, Chabashira Sae spoke up.
"That concludes the explanation. Starting tomorrow, you will go to the designated discussion room at 1 PM and 8 PM. The room assignments will be posted outside.
"When you meet your group for the first time, make sure to introduce yourself.
"During the exam, you are not allowed to leave the room. Please use the restroom beforehand."
After finishing her instructions, Chabashira Sae picked up her folder and stood up to leave. But just as she reached the door, she turned back and added,
"For the sake of fairness, the school will strictly control the selection of the favored students. Regardless of whether you are chosen or not, we will not accept any requests for changes."
With that, she walked out of room 303.
Hikigaya also stood up, ready to leave, but then he heard Kanzaki's voice behind him.
"Hikigaya, we're planning to discuss the exam with Ichinose and the others. You should come too."
"Eh? Me?"
Hikigaya turned around, surprised. "It won't make a difference if I go. I'll leave the exam strategy to you guys. Just let me know what you decide. If anything comes up, I'll inform you."
With that, he quickly turned to leave.
If he went, he'd probably just end up sitting there silently, which seemed pointless.
More importantly, Chabashira Sae had left too quickly—he still had questions.
As soon as he stepped out of the room, he caught a glimpse of Chabashira's figure disappearing around the corner and hurried after her.
"Chabashira-sensei!"
Chabashira Sae stopped and turned slightly, her cold gaze falling on him. "Hikigaya, right? What is it?"
"Well…"
Hikigaya hesitated for a moment before asking, "When you mentioned that the school would 'strictly adjust' the selection of the favored students, what exactly does that mean? Is there a specific rule for selecting them?"
If he didn't understand something, asking the teacher was the best option.
Chabashira crossed her arms, her expression unreadable.
"Why didn't you ask this in the room earlier?"
Because you ran away too quickly.
Of course, he couldn't say that out loud.
Instead, Hikigaya let out a dry laugh. "I had a feeling the teacher wouldn't answer anyway."
After all, this was a crucial part of the exam. Logically speaking, she wouldn't be allowed to reveal anything.
But it was worth trying.
Even if she refused to answer, that itself was an answer.
At the very least, it would confirm his suspicions.
"Heh…"
Chabashira let out a short laugh, her arms still crossed. "I didn't expect someone like you to be in Class B along with Ichinose. Chie sure is lucky."
Then, her expression turned cold.
"But you're right—the briefing session is over, and I have no obligation to answer your questions."
"Furthermore, even if you ask Star Palace about it, she won't be able to answer either."
Just as Hikigaya was considering his next move—
"Bigu!"
A pair of soft hands patted his shoulders, and then, suddenly, a familiar face appeared beside him.
Hoshinomiya Chie smiled playfully.
"What are you talking about with Sae-chan~?"
Hikigaya froze.
He could practically hear the subtext in her tone: How dare you meet with Chabashira Sae without telling me? How bold of you.
More importantly—
How did she get so close without making a sound?!
Oh, right. There was a corner behind him. That explained it.
"Nothing," Hikigaya answered quickly. "I was just asking Chabashira-sensei about the exam."
"Is that so~?"
Hoshinomiya suddenly wrapped her arms around Hikigaya from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder as she looked at Chabashira.
"Did Sae-chan answer my precious student's questions properly? As a teacher, you shouldn't play favorites, you know~?"
So close.
Hikigaya could feel the warmth of her body pressing against his back. The scent of alcohol lingered faintly in the air.
This teacher is insane.
If you keep this up, I might actually fall for you.
Chabashira, however, simply frowned at the interaction.
This wasn't like Hoshinomiya at all.
Was it because of this year's Class D?
Was Hoshinomiya's sixth sense picking up on something?
"Relax," Chabashira said flatly. "He asked about the meaning of 'strict adjustments.' Naturally, I didn't answer. No one else would, either."
"Ahh, I see~"
Hoshinomiya nodded in understanding, then leaned close to Hikigaya's ear and whispered,
"By the way, Hachi-chan… Don't forget~ If you can prevent Class D from reaching Class A, I'll give Sae-chan to you~. A beautiful, dignified teacher like Sae-chan—isn't that exciting?"
"…Huh?"
Hikigaya blinked in shock.
Was she serious?!
He glanced at Chabashira, who looked just as stunned as he felt.
Hoshinomiya continued, still smiling.
"Anyway, Sae-chan hasn't had a boyfriend in years. Isn't that a shame? You wouldn't refuse, right, Sae-chan?"
Chabashira's expression darkened.
"What kind of joke is this?" she muttered, shoving Hoshinomiya away.
Then, adjusting her blazer, she turned and walked away—at a pace slightly faster than usual.
Hikigaya watched her go, utterly confused.
Did… Did she almost agree?
What exactly is going on between these two?
"Teacher Hoshinomiya…" Hikigaya hesitated before asking, "What exactly—"
"You don't need to know."
For the first time, Hoshinomiya's smile disappeared, replaced by a cold, unreadable expression.
"This is the price Sae has to pay."
Something about her tone made Hikigaya shut up immediately.
A moment later, she was back to her usual, teasing self.
"But seriously~ I really hope you can take both of us for yourself~ So do your best, okay~?"
Hikigaya turned red.
This teacher is terrifying.
"Anyway, if you have any trouble, just ask me, alright?"
With that, Hoshinomiya patted his shoulder and walked away.
Hikigaya left in a hurry, feeling like he had barely escaped with his sanity intact.
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