There is something wrong with Hikigaya’s classroom of the Elite, as expected

Chapter 119: Horikita Manabu’s Unusual Behavior

Although Hikigaya’s face showed no visible change in expression, he was inwardly surprised by Horikita Manabu’s influence among the third-year students.

It wasn’t just the authority that came with being the student council president—it was his leadership ability and the trust he commanded.

Such a solid foundation among the students!

Among the first-years, Hikigaya couldn’t think of anyone comparable. The top students in the third-year classes were all highly capable or possessed some kind of exceptional talent. For Horikita Manabu to earn their respect so completely was proof that this man had already reached the pinnacle of the school.

“I’ll pay.”

After choosing their meals, just as Hikigaya was about to pay, Horikita Manabu spoke up and covered the cost for both of them. Hikigaya quickly thanked him.

Horikita Manabu chose a table near the window, in an area with few other students.

They ate in silence, without any conversation. Then, after finishing his meal and wiping his hands, Horikita Manabu suddenly spoke.

“Hikigaya, I heard things have been quite lively among the first-years lately.”

Hikigaya nodded, immediately understanding what Horikita Manabu meant by “lively.”

“Yes, we’ve been searching for a potential eyewitness.”

Because of the incident involving Sudo, Class A, Class B, and Class D had all mobilized. Even Class C, despite their reluctance, had been forced to take action due to mounting pressure. For example, Ryuen’s harassment tactics aimed at disrupting Hirata and the others’ progress.

This situation had created a tense undercurrent throughout the first-year students. From an outsider’s perspective, it even looked like Class D had allied with Class A and Class B against Class C.

“Be careful not to overdo it.”

Horikita Manabu’s tone was calm.

Hikigaya understood his meaning. Tachibana Akane had also privately discussed this with him. That’s why, when it came to Class C’s actions, he had been turning a blind eye—otherwise, things could escalate uncontrollably, with small issues spiraling out of hand.

Clearly, Horikita Manabu had been closely observing the first-year situation. His words were a subtle reminder for Hikigaya to handle things carefully.

It seemed like a simple conversation at first, but after thinking for a moment, Hikigaya suddenly asked:

“President, there’s something I don’t quite understand about this conflict between Class C and Class D.”

Horikita Manabu gave him a long, deep look before nodding.

“This dispute started because Class C students filed a complaint, accusing Sudo from Class D. The only evidence is their testimony and their injuries. Without any clear third-party, objective proof, the conclusion that Sudu was primarily at fault feels… overly subjective.”

“I understand that Sudo has a volatile personality and a history of bad behavior, which heavily influences subjective judgment. But that doesn’t mean he is automatically guilty in this particular case. Since we lack independent evidence, how can we even verify whether the Class C students’ testimony is true?”

“Are you saying… that I deliberately sided with Class C?”

Horikita Manabu’s expression remained unreadable.

“I’m simply questioning the reasoning behind the decision. Given that Class C students were injured while Sudo was unscathed, most people would naturally sympathize with the injured, weaker side.

But I don’t believe you are the kind of person who lets emotions influence your judgment.”

“If we analyze this rationally and objectively, neither side actually has definitive ‘proof’ of what truly happened, nor of who threw the first punch.”

Hikigaya recalled his initial doubts during the first hearing. At the time, he hadn’t pursued them further. But thinking back on it now, something really felt off.

If even he sensed something was wrong, there was no way Horikita Manabu hadn’t noticed it too.

As a fair and meticulous student council president, shouldn’t he have taken a more neutral and cautious stance on such a controversial issue?

Yet, the final ruling seemed biased toward the logic of:

• “Because the Class C students were injured…”
•
• “Because Sudo has a history of bad behavior…”
•
This reasoning led to the conclusion that Sudo was guilty.

Of course, Sudo’s own terrible attitude and outbursts during the hearing had played a major role in influencing the decision. He had brought much of this upon himself.

But this is Horikita Manabu we’re talking about!

Would someone as strict and rational as him really be swayed by such subjective factors?

At least from Hikigaya’s perspective, based on everything he knew about Horikita Manabu so far… that didn’t seem possible.

So… that was why he felt confused. The way Horikita Manabu handled this conflict contradicted his usual style.

He wanted to understand.

“I didn’t expect that in just two or three months, you would already have such a deep understanding of ‘me,’ Hikigaya.”

Horikita Manabu lifted his gaze, his sharp eyes locking onto Hikigaya.

“It seems I underestimated your abilities.”

“So, are you dissatisfied with the verdict? Do you want to fight for your classmate’s chance?”

Hikigaya shook his head.

“Many things in reality cannot be handled from an ‘absolute rationality’ perspective. As long as we are human, our thoughts will inevitably influence our decisions—this is something no method can completely erase. So I don’t object to your ruling. In fact, if it were me in your position, I’d likely make the same decision.”

“But if you were truly biased toward Class C, then there would have been no reason to grant Sudo a one-week buffer period.”

“And that is what truly puzzles me. In this matter… what role were you actually playing, President?”

Because in this student conflict case, Horikita Manabu could have simply remained a bystander—or at most, a neutral judge.

Why did he get personally involved?

It was completely unnecessary.

“A sharp observation. You’re the first to notice it.”

Horikita Manabu praised him.

“No, actually, Tachibana-senpai noticed it as well.”

“But unlike me, she trusts you unconditionally. That’s why she didn’t say anything.”

Hikigaya answered honestly.

Horikita Manabu was briefly stunned by this response, but quickly regained his composure.

“Hikigaya, in your opinion, what is the scariest thing for a student at this school?”

Instead of answering Hikigaya’s earlier question directly, he posed another one.

“The… scariest thing?”

Hikigaya narrowed his eyes.

“Expulsion, I suppose.”

Horikita Manabu folded his hands on the table and nodded slightly, but his tone suddenly grew solemn.

“As a student, expulsion is indeed a terrifying thing.”

“But as a person… are you truly afraid of expulsion?”