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

Chapter 123: The Girl’s Plea

“Sakura?”

Hearing Hikigaya’s words, Horikita also noticed that the girl in the picture did bear some resemblance to Sakura. However, her style, clothing, and overall demeanor were completely different from the Sakura they knew in their daily lives.

“That’s right! The girl in this picture should be Sakura. Her stage name is [Shizuku].”

Kushida added.

She explained that she had likely seen Sakura in a weekly magazine before. After being asked to investigate by Horikita and the others today, she vaguely recalled this connection and followed the lead—ultimately uncovering Sakura’s hidden side!

Kushida then started flipping through more photos. One particular picture had a timestamp from around the time school had just started. In the background, a dormitory door was faintly visible, further confirming her suspicions. This was undeniable proof—Sakura was [Shizuku], and her secret identity was that of a gravure idol!

“Kushida, you’re incredible.”

Horikita sincerely praised her.

It had been less than a few hours since she had entrusted Kushida with this task, and yet Kushida had already gathered such critical intel. Even Horikita had to admit defeat in the face of such efficiency.

Hearing this, Kushida’s face lit up with a smile. She hated Horikita, but precisely because of that, seeing Horikita willingly admit inferiority and offer her genuine praise gave her an unparalleled sense of satisfaction.

“I looked into [Shizuku] a bit more, but there’s very little information available. It seems like she suddenly became quite popular for a while, and then—just as suddenly—disappeared. You guys probably understand how this industry works. Many people shine like meteors, only to fade away just as quickly. Only a handful ever make it big. Once her exposure dropped, [Shizuku] was quickly forgotten. Now, she only occasionally posts new pictures.”

“I see. Thank you very much, Kushida. But let’s end this investigation here. Also, please don’t tell anyone about this—I want only the three of us to know.”

Horikita suddenly said.

Kushida was momentarily stunned, not understanding why. Horikita sighed and began explaining the reasoning behind her decision.

“…So you’re saying that even if we find an eyewitness, it still won’t change the fact that Sudo will be punished?”

Kushida murmured in realization. A perfectly appropriate sad expression appeared on her face—though whether she truly felt that way inside was another matter entirely.

Her eyes instinctively drifted toward Hikigaya, who had been silent this entire time. He had been staring at the laptop screen non-stop. Tch… Men really are all the same!

“But even if we can’t get the punishment revoked, isn’t having an eyewitness statement better than nothing? Maybe it could at least help lessen the punishment?”

Kushida maintained her usual helpful persona but also subtly probed at a contradiction she had sensed in Horikita’s words.

Horikita turned toward Hikigaya, as if seeking his opinion. Noticing this, Kushida also shifted her gaze to him.

“If Sakura doesn’t want to testify, then we should respect her decision.”

“But…”

Kushida tried to press further, but the moment she met Hikigaya’s cold, indifferent stare, the words caught in her throat.

“…In that case, I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll think of other ways to resolve this issue.”

With that, Horikita stood up to leave. However, just as she reached the entrance, she suddenly stopped and turned around. She looked at Kushida as if to say: Aren’t you leaving too?

Kushida noticed Horikita’s gaze. Even though she was mentally cursing at her, her body was far more obedient—she got up and said,

“You’re right. It’s getting late. I shouldn’t disturb Hikigaya-kun’s rest either.”

“Horitaka.”

Suddenly, Hikigaya called out to Horikita just as she was putting on her shoes. With a meaningful tone, he said, “As compensation, if this still doesn’t work, I have one last option.”

Horikita’s expression hardened, realizing that Hikigaya was offering a “trade” for Sakura’s sake. She gave him a slight nod.

Kushida, on the other hand, had no idea what they were implying. She looked back and forth between them, as if silently asking, What secret are you two keeping from me?

Unfortunately for her, neither of them paid her any mind. Soon after, both Horikita and Kushida left Hikigaya’s room, one after the other.

Hikigaya let out a long sigh as he sat back in his chair. Even though he was surprised to learn that Sakura was a gravure idol—the contrast between her usual self and her idol persona was just too stark—what truly troubled him was the deeper issue he sensed within Sakura. It left him feeling both frustrated and conflicted.

At that moment, his phone vibrated on the desk. It was a message.

The first set of messages was from Kushida, filled with an endless stream of 【Damn you, bastard!】 followed by dozens of tiny, blood-dripping knife emojis. Hikigaya immediately ignored them and checked the new message.

【MAO: Hikigaya-kun, are you free right now? There’s something I’d like to talk to you about. If possible, could you come to…】

Sakura?

After thinking for a moment, Hikigaya replied, I’ll be right up, then left his room.

The first-year dorms were all in the same building, with the girls’ rooms on the upper floors. Hikigaya took the elevator up to the 11th floor, where Sakura’s room was located. Fortunately, he didn’t run into any other female students along the way.

Standing in front of Room 1106, he pressed the doorbell. Almost immediately, the door opened, as if she had been waiting right behind it.

Sakura, dressed in casual clothes, bent slightly forward and lowered her head, looking flustered as she greeted him.

“G-Good evening.”

“Good evening, Sakura.”

Sakura quickly ushered Hikigaya into her room. Once the door shut, she finally seemed to relax a little, as if the enclosed space gave her a stronger sense of security.

Her room had the typical decor of a girl’s bedroom, with a preference for pink tones. However, Hikigaya quickly noticed something unusual—the room felt too enclosed.

Despite being on the 11th floor, the curtains on the balcony window were tightly shut. Whether intentional or not, the furniture and other items in the room were arranged in a way that subtly formed a sort of barrier, enclosing the space.

“U-Um, Hikigaya-kun, do… do you want something to drink?”

It seemed like this was the first time Sakura had invited someone into her room. Her voice was unusually tense, completely different from how she usually spoke in private conversations.

“Just plain water is fine.”

Hikigaya quietly observed everything, taking in every detail.

“S-Sorry, I… I only have bottled water.”

Taking the bottle Sakura handed him, the room quickly fell into an awkward silence.

Seeing this, Hikigaya decided to take the initiative. “Sakura, you said you had something important to tell me?”

Sakura nodded. She looked up at Hikigaya, who didn’t press her and simply waited patiently.

After what seemed like a moment of mental preparation, she took a deep breath and finally spoke.

“…It’s like this…”

In a hesitant, fragmented manner, Sakura recounted how she had witnessed the fight between Sudo and the Class C students at the special teaching building.

Just as she finished, Hikigaya wordlessly handed her another bottle of water.

“Th-Thank you,” she whispered before quickly taking a few sips, which seemed to ease some of her nervousness.

“I see.”

Hikigaya remained as composed as ever and nodded.

“Can I ask you a question?”

Sakura nodded.

“I’m not blaming you or anything—I completely understand why you didn’t step forward at the time. But… why are you telling me about it now?”