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

Chapter 126: Then You Should Drop Out

The next day at school, Hikigaya’s expression looked a bit off, as if he hadn’t slept well last night.

In fact, he hadn’t. After hurriedly escaping from Sakura’s room the previous night, he took a cold shower when he got back to his room, then tossed and turned in bed. When he finally managed to fall asleep, he had a dream that he couldn’t exactly talk about. As a result, he looked like this the next day.

Due to what happened the previous night, Hikigaya and Sakura barely exchanged a word the entire day. Hikigaya even avoided looking at her, while Sakura buried her head on the desk, becoming an ‘ostrich’ once again.

Both of them were caught in a very awkward situation.

However, the unusual behavior between Hikigaya and Sakura didn’t attract much attention because everyone else was focused on something else. After Hikigaya’s reminder the previous night, Horikita informed Hirata and the others about the possibility of Sudo being expelled, and they were clearly more anxious today.

At the same time, after learning that he might be expelled, Sudo began to show signs of obvious frustration, and the entire class seemed to be enveloped in a gloomy atmosphere.

With less than three days until the next review, time was no longer on Class D’s side, and it seemed that Hirata and the others had started changing their strategy, no longer obsessing over trying to prove Sudo’s innocence. Instead, they hoped to reduce the severity of the school’s punishment on Sudo, so as to avoid him being suspended for too long and missing the final exams, which would lead to expulsion.

Hikigaya had been watching coldly from the sidelines. After his ‘conversation’ with Horikita Manabu the day before, he had a good understanding of Horikita’s intentions and realized that it was a ‘hint’ directed at him. Some things were probably only understood by those who were ‘older brothers’ too.

However… Hikigaya had underestimated Sudo’s level of impatience. That evening, Hirata came to him, and after thinking for a moment, Hikigaya took out an SD card and said, “Hirata, there’s something I need to tell you first…”

Hirata was about to speak after hearing this, but Hikigaya interrupted, “I know you’re confused, but you’ll understand when the time comes.”

The two of them then went to the room where Ayanokouji was, and inside, Ayanokouji, Sudo, Horikita, and Kushida had already been waiting for some time.

Sudo, urged by Horikita, reluctantly came in front of Hikigaya, lowered his head, and sincerely asked for his help.

Hirata stepped forward to ease the tension and sincerely asked, “I heard from Horikita that there’s a way to prevent Sudo from being expelled? Is that true?”

Hikigaya nodded, and Sudo’s face lit up with joy. But the next moment, Hikigaya’s words were like a cold bucket of water poured over him, “But it depends on how much you’re willing to pay for it.”

“What… what do you mean?” Sudo quickly asked, but Hikigaya ignored him and turned to look at Hirata, Horikita, and the others. “You should all know that Sudo’s punishment has two main components. The additional punishment from the student council can’t be revoked or changed, so you can only work on the ‘dispute with Class C.’”

Horikita was the first to react, “So how long is the suspension imposed by the student council?”

“One week.”

“Does that mean as long as we can keep Sudo’s suspension for the ‘dispute with Class C’ to less than three weeks, it’ll be fine?”

Hirata understood, since the final exams were at the very end of July.

“Hirata, didn’t you forget what day it is today?” Ayanokouji suddenly spoke up, reminding everyone, and they quickly realized that it was already almost a week into July. This meant they had to reduce the suspension to less than two weeks in order for Sudo to avoid missing the final exams!

Hikigaya looked at Ayanokouji in surprise, then said, “That’s right. If we want to shorten the suspension to two weeks, the first option is to prove that Class C was the one who initiated the altercation or that the other party voluntarily withdraws the complaint. That way, we can avoid the main responsibility. But clearly, that’s no longer possible. So the only other option is to negotiate an out-of-court settlement with Class C to reduce Sudo’s suspension.”

“So in the end, we still can’t avoid the suspension?! Damn it!!!”

Sudo suddenly lost his temper and angrily cursed.

The suspension also meant that he wouldn’t be able to participate in the basketball team’s training during this period, which could even affect whether or not he would make the official roster.

“Heh, at this point, you’re still fantasizing about ‘getting away with it’ and hoping nothing will happen?” Hikigaya sneered.

Upon hearing this, Sudo’s eyes widened, and he looked as though he was about to charge at Hikigaya to fight him. However, Hirata quickly stepped in to calm him down.

“Look at you. It’s because of your attitude that we’re facing this outcome today,” Hikigaya continued, unrelenting in his sarcasm. “You should be thankful that there are still people willing to help someone like you, a dead weight! So, you get to choose—suspension or expulsion. Or do you think you’re so great that after being suspended, you can just be expelled and save yourself the trouble?”

Sudo gritted his teeth, holding back his rage. He dared not lash out because he knew very well that if he really lost control, he’d be finished. Not only would he have made an enemy of Hikigaya, but he would also disappoint Horikita, Hirata, and the others, who would then abandon him. This was the last thing he wanted to happen!

So, in response to Hikigaya’s taunting, Sudo could only suppress his fury.

“Hikigaya-san, you see, Sudo-san has already realized his mistakes through this incident. Everyone makes mistakes, and there’s an old saying: ‘To recognize one’s mistake and correct it is a great thing.’ I believe that after reflecting on himself, Sudo-san will definitely be able to contribute to the class in the future,” Hirata chimed in, still trying to speak well of Sudo.

Hikigaya smiled but said nothing. Back then, Sudo had been so arrogant, threatening to beat him up, but now he was tolerating Hikigaya stepping on his face. Why? Because deep down, Sudo didn’t realize his mistake—he was just scared of what would happen next!

But… some things in this world could be more torturous and painful than death.

“So, what can we do to get Class C students to agree to a settlement? They currently hold the advantage, so I don’t think they’ll agree to this,” Ayanokouji smoothly interjected, skillfully shifting the conversation.

Hikigaya looked at Sudo, his words loaded with meaning: “It depends on what price you’re willing to pay. Since this whole thing started because of basketball, it should end with basketball. You’re a member of the basketball team, aren’t you? If you withdraw from the selection for the official team, as a condition, I believe both Komiya and Kondo would be happy to accept it. And with these photos, they’ll realize that continuing this conflict is pointless.”

Hikigaya pulled out an SD card, which contained the photos Sakura had taken that day. He had copied them from her.

Sudo’s face immediately changed, and he shouted, “I… I can’t accept this! I worked so hard to get this opportunity, the coach has already privately talked to me about making the official roster. No, this absolutely cannot happen!!!”

Sudo couldn’t accept Hikigaya’s suggestion at all. The reason he had been working so hard to resolve this issue was to ensure it wouldn’t affect his selection for the basketball team. The summer IH tournament was coming up soon, and this was a very important opportunity. He was the only first-year student with a chance of making the official roster!

“Is that so? Then you should drop out,” Hikigaya said flatly, with no change in his expression.