"…During the Edo period, under Tokugawa rule," Chabashira-sensei said, pacing slowly at the front of the classroom, chalk in hand, "Japan followed a policy of national seclusion, or sakoku. This meant that for over two centuries, almost all foreign contact was strictly limited."
This time, more students seemed to be paying attention particularly the girls, largely due to Hirata's influence and frequent contributions. Surprisingly, even Karuizawa, who more or less held the position of an unspoken leader among girls, appeared to be supporting Hirata, which likely influenced the rest to follow suit.
However, it was a different story among the boys. Some were paying attention, partly due to the frequent interruptions from Hikigaya and Hirata, as well as a few others who had been participating since the first period.
Still, the majority of them continued to slack off as usual. But even they found it difficult to ignore the shift in the classroom's atmosphere especially since most of them had only chosen to slack off in the first place because everyone else was doing it too.
"…This isolationist policy shaped much of Japan's internal stability and cultural development during that era," she continued to write out the key points regarding the topics on the board.
Just then, a hand rose. It wasn't the hand anyone expected.
"Um, excuse me, Sensei?" a soft voice called out.
Several heads turned in visible surprise.
Even Chabashira paused mid-sentence.
"Yes, Kushida?" Chabashira replied calmly.
Kushida stood up, her face had a bright expression mixed with curiosity.
"I'm sorry for interrupting, Sensei, but I had a small question. It's about sakoku. I read somewhere that even though the country was mostly closed off, there were still some exchanges through certain places… is that right?"
Chabashira sensei gave a slight nod, seemingly pleased by the unexpected question.
"That's correct," she said. "While Japan enforced strict isolation, limited trade was allowed primarily with the Dutch and Chinese through Dejima. This exception allowed for some controlled cultural and technological exchange."
Kushida nodded lightly. "I thought it was really interesting that they chose the Dutch over the Portuguese or Spanish. What were the specific reasons for that, Sensei?"
Chabashira crossed her arms lightly, considering the question before answering.
"A good observation. The Portuguese and Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive in Japan, bringing not just trade but also Christianity. The Tokugawa shogunate saw the spread of religion especially the growing number of Japanese Christian converts as a direct threat to their rule and social order."
She turned back to the board and began writing down the key points.
"The Dutch, on the other hand, came purely for commerce. They showed little interest in religious conversion and agreed to Japan's terms, including the ban on Christian practices. In return, they were granted exclusive access to Dejima."
At this point, Hirata too joined the discussion "So sensei… it was less about favoring one country, and more about choosing the least disruptive influence?"
"Exactly," Chabashira replied with a sharp nod. "The shogunate wanted knowledge and trade without inviting ideological instability."
As the exchange continued, Hikigaya leaned back slightly in his seat, eyes half-lidded as he watched the scene unfold.
'Huh… so far, everything's going surprisingly smoothly. Kushida actually kept her word from our lunch break chat and started participating in class discussions. Now it's my turn to make sure even more students get pulled in.'
And to do that he has to play the new role he has taken which is—
Hikigaya stood up and lazily raised his hand and asked.
"…Christianity… is that the one with that guy who had a beard and people followed him around? Or am I mixing it up with a movie?"
Many students stared at him in disbelief, while a few couldn't hold back their laughter. Kushida tilted her head slightly, her smile twitching with mild confusion. Hirata looked at him with a mix of pity and concern.
—To be the guy who has absolutely no idea what's going on, and still speaks up anyway.
In order to make sure that other students join in too. He had to make sure he would be the one who would be the most to stand out just as much as these two but in a completely different way.
Most students never speak up in class because they're afraid. Afraid of standing out. Afraid of being wrong. Afraid of sounding stupid. Afraid of being judged by everyone around them, even if they're not wrong, simply because others might not like what they're doing. So, they wait… until someone else goes first. And even then, only if it feels completely safe.
"Umm… are you talking about Jesus, Hikigaya-Kun? He was known for teaching love and compassion." Kushida said as she smiled awkwardly, trying to stay polite.
'So, I'll do it then. I'll be the dumbest guy in the room. I'll ask the questions everyone's too embarrassed to voice. I'll say the things that make people cringe, laugh, or feel second-hand shame.'
"Oh yeah, Jesus Christianity. I think I've heard of him… He was a god, right?"
Hikigaya mumbled while scratching his cheek.
'Because if I can make myself look that pathetic, that hopelessly idiotic… then no one else has to be afraid. After all, there's already someone worse than them.'
"It's actually Jesus Christ, Hikigaya. 'Christianity' is the name of the religion based on his teachings," Hirata explained patiently. "And he wasn't considered a god himself, more like the Son of God."
And once the weakest, lamest, most ridiculed guy in the class starts showing effort, it becomes harder for the rest of the average ones, the capable ones—to keep slacking off. Because now even the lowest in the class is trying. And when that starts happening, people usually respond in one of two ways: they either try to stop him and drag him down, which is what most people tend to do… and if they can't, they start putting in effort themselves, just to prove they're still the better ones.
"Oh." Hikigaya blinked. "I thought it was like… a full name or something."
A few more laughs broke out. Someone muttered, "This guy…"
Chabashira-sensei finally spoke, crossing her arms as she looked at him with something between exhaustion and disbelief.
"Hikigaya… are you seriously telling me you've made it to high school without knowing this basic information?"
"Pretty much Sensei," Hikigaya replied flatly. "That's why I asked."
Chabashira let out a small sigh at his blunt honesty.
"Then… wouldn't spreading his teachings make people more peaceful too? Like, if everyone's learning love and kindness, wouldn't that help society? So… why did the Shogun stop that? Was he just dumb or what?" Hikigaya continued.
As the words left his mouth, he felt a flicker of second-hand embarrassment only this time, directed at himself.
'Ugh… I can't believe I actually said that out loud. Why did I even phrase it like that? I thought I was ready for this. Turns out, it's even harder than I imagined.'
Instead of the teacher, it was Kushida who answered, looking a bit caught off guard by how clueless and naive the question sounded.
"Um… I don't think it's that simple Hikigaya-kun," she said carefully. "Even if the teachings promoted peace, the Shogunate saw foreign religions as a threat to their authority. Especially since Christianity was spreading fast. It wasn't just about kindness it challenged the existing order."
Hikigaya gave a small nod, his tone casual. "Ah… I get it now. Thanks for clearing up that."
With that, he sat back down and let the others take over the discussion once more.
"Kushida you really know so much stuff…" Yamauchi muttered from a few seats back.
"Seriously man," Ike agreed, clearly impressed. "She is so… Smart and cute. What a combo, huh?"
"She even handled that question without making him feel too stupid. That's next-level," someone else added with a chuckle.
"Unlike certain people who probably learned about Jesus Christ five minutes ago. Unbelievable." Yukimura said flatly from his seat, pushing up his glasses without even looking at Hikigaya.
A few students snickered at that.
Kushida, noticing the mood shifting again, turned slightly in her seat and spoke up with a warm smile.
"It's really okay not to know things," she said gently, her tone light but clear. "That's why we come to class, right? To learn."
Her words made a few students blink in surprise.
"And honestly," she continued, "asking questions, even the simple ones, is a good thing. It helps everyone understand better. I think it's really brave to speak up like that."
She looked around the room, making sure her words reached more than just Hikigaya. "So, if anyone ever feels unsure or confused, I'd be happy to help them too! And I'm sure Sensei wouldn't mind, either."
After that, she glanced toward Hikigaya, who sat there looking completely unbothered like none of it even mattered to him. A flicker of irritation passed through her… though she couldn't quite tell if it was at him or something else.
Still, she couldn't deny the satisfaction from all the attention especially from the handful of classmates now looking at her with hopeful eyes.
Hikigaya, ever sensitive to the weight of people's gazes especially when they linger longer than necessary felt hers immediately.
He glanced sideways, catching her looking right at him.
Their eyes met for only a moment.
Kushida gave him a bright friendly smile the kind that could melt any normal boy who didn't know better.
'Tch… you fishy-eyed bastard better not forget what we talked about before.'
He blinked once, slowly… then turned his gaze forward again, unfazed.
Hirata, who had been quietly observing, nodded with a supportive expression.
"She's right," he said calmly. "There's nothing wrong with asking questions. In fact, I think it's great that someone spoke up. That's what makes a real discussion happen."
"We all come from different backgrounds. Not everyone knows the same things. Helping each other without mocking anyone that's the kind of class I want us to be."
A few girls sitting nearby looked at him with open admiration in their eyes.
"Wow… Hirata-kun really is kind."
"He always knows just what to say."
"He's cool… and calm. Seriously."
Their whispers weren't exactly subtle, and soon others began to glance Hirata's way not just the girls, but even a few boys who normally kept to their own groups.
Hikigaya watched the scene unfold in silence, his chin resting on one hand, eyes half-lidded.
He let out a short breath to his little surprise, the effect was starting to show little bit.
A few students who rarely spoke were now raising hesitant hands to ask questions. Others leaned forward in their seats, their eyes a little more alert, clearly trying to follow their lead.
Some were clearly just showing off, asking unnecessary follow-ups to impress their peers or the teacher.
But regardless of the reason… the slacking had reduced. And for those still doing it, it was getting harder for them to ignore the shift happening around them.
There was a noticeable change in the classroom's atmosphere. Even Chabashira-sensei seemed more engaged than usual cooperative, even. Far more than any other teacher they'd seen so far.
Maybe it was just because she was the homeroom teacher or maybe, for once, she saw something worth investing in.
'Ah… so that little stunt, along with Kushida and Hirata's efforts, actually had some effect after all. But failure still isn't something this class has learned to accept. Looks like it's not enough just yet.'
He leaned back in his chair slightly, letting the quiet chatter buzz around him.
'I'll have to step in even more it seems. That's fine. They've already branded me the class clown, the fool, the idiot. So be it. If I'm going to be their joke, I'll make sure it's one they can't Ignore.'
A cold smirk played on his lips.
'While they cling to appearances and approval, I'll be the one to strip it all bare by being exactly what they're afraid to be.'
As Hikigaya raised his hand again and called out, "Sensei, can I ask you something again…?"
He could already feel the gaze of others settling on him once more as he stood up sharp and lingering. The smirk on his face widened ever so slightly.
"Let's see how long they can keep pretending not to care."
After that he did the same thing in every class, with every teacher. And with each one, he kept asking himself why he ever signed up for this just like yesterday.
And then, just to make things worse, his mind decided to betray him by replaying that overly dramatic lines he was saying during the history class.
He visibly winced at the memory.
'Ugh… that was peak chuunibyou. I can't believe those words actually came out of my mouth. Someone hit me with a dictionary next time I try to sound cool.'