SWNOVELXO Chapter 127
Chapter 127: The Only Choice
“Then you should drop out.”
Hikigaya’s words hit Sudo like a bucket of cold water, fully waking him up. At the same time, everyone else in the room fell into silence.
“I… I can’t, no, I…”
Sudo’s face became frantic, and he seemed at a loss, like a person who had fallen into the water, desperately searching for something to hold onto, but finding nothing at all.
“So, at this point, you’re still hoping for some perfect outcome where everything works out?” Hikigaya said, looking at Sudo’s panicked expression. He couldn’t help but feel exasperated. Some people really had no idea about their own “ignorance.”
“So, it’s either drop out, or give up basketball and stay in school. You only have two choices,” Hikigaya’s cold words made Sudo shiver involuntarily, like a gust of chilling wind.
The others remained silent. Even Hirata kept quiet, as he had already discussed other possible solutions with Horikita and Kushida, and knew that the chance of clearing Sudo’s name was almost impossible. The only option, as Hikigaya had said, was to reduce the suspension punishment.
In the end, the solution Hikigaya presented seemed to be the best one. Compared to basketball, avoiding expulsion seemed to be the priority.
Sudo looked around at the silent faces, and his heart sank. He realized that Hirata, Kushida, and the others had already tacitly agreed with Hikigaya’s suggestion.
Sudo, as if remembering something, quickly turned to Horikita. Horikita’s face was cold. “This is the result of your own actions. If nothing comes with a consequence, then people will never learn any lessons. Even if you give up your chance to make the official roster, as long as you stay in this school, there will still be future opportunities.”
“That’s right, Sudo-san. Compared to basketball, it’s more important to avoid expulsion right now,” Hirata quickly added, trying to comfort him. Kushida nodded in agreement as well.
Sudo listened to the back-and-forth advice from everyone around him, feeling an overwhelming sense of despair in his heart.
Hikigaya took in Sudo’s expression, but there was no sense of satisfaction in his heart. Instead, he just felt pity for Sudo. He looked like a stray dog on the side of the road, wagging its tail in an attempt to garner sympathy from others. At the same time, Hikigaya couldn’t help but feel admiration for the person who had orchestrated this entire situation. The person’s methods were nearly flawless, so subtle that almost no one could detect them.
In comparison, Ryuen’s tactics against him seemed utterly weak.
“Hey, Hikigaya, can I ask if there really isn’t another way? For example, with the photos on that SD card, since we have the photos, it means there were eyewitnesses, and with those witnesses and evidence, surely we can prove Sudo’s innocence, right?”
At that moment, Ayanokouji, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, suddenly spoke up.
Sudo’s face lit up as if he had received a “hint,” and he quickly said, “That’s right! With these photos and witnesses, this should prove that the C-Class people started the fight first! That way, I won’t have to be suspended, and I won’t have to give up my place on the official team!”
Hikigaya glanced at Ayanokouji, then inserted the SD card with the photos into the computer in Ayanokouji’s room.
“Look, do you think these photos are convincing?” Hikigaya asked. “The only somewhat convincing one is this one…”
Although Sakura had taken the photos, most of them didn’t provide any particularly useful information. The only useful one was a photo of Sudo fighting, but it appeared to have been taken right after he had beaten someone up. The twilight in the background confirmed that it was already late in the day.
“So these photos aren’t really decisive evidence. The persuasive power is very weak. From start to finish, they don’t prove who started the fight.”
Hikigaya said expressionlessly, “The only use these photos have is to make the C-Class guys feel guilty. As for the witnesses you mentioned…”
At this point, Hikigaya glanced at Ayanokouji, who also had an emotionless expression. “What makes you think anyone would risk being retaliated against by the C-Class to testify? Also… you’re assuming too much. What obligation does anyone have to help you? To put it bluntly, with Sudo’s bad reputation in the class and the entire year, with his acts of violence and intimidation, do you really think anyone would risk the pressure of ‘helping a villain’ to testify?”
Sudo was immediately rendered speechless by Hikigaya’s harsh words. However, Ayanokouji seemed to sense something was off and asked, “Then what is the origin of these photos?”
Hikigaya seemed to have been prepared for this. He looked deeply at both Sudo and Ayanokouji. “Not everyone is so cold and calculating, only thinking about self-interest. There are some people who are kind-hearted, but that kindness can be taken for granted or even exploited by others. What I can do is protect it. These photos are the only thing the other side could do. What happens after is no longer their concern.”
Hikigaya was aware that since Sakura’s involvement had already been exposed, rather than hiding it completely, it would be better to use it as a form of defense. This way, not only could he protect Sakura, but it would also eliminate any wrong thoughts from others. At least from the current situation, Hikigaya felt that his decision was the right one. Moreover…
“I also think Hikigaya-san is right,” Hirata suddenly spoke up. “Even if there are no witnesses, these photos can still make the C-Class students hesitant. If we present a ‘trade’ at this point, I think the chances of them agreeing will be very high.”
“Yeah, I know it’s hard for you, Sudo-kun, to accept giving up your spot on the official basketball team, but both Komiya and Kondo’s abilities aren’t enough to make the team. Since that’s the case, why persist? The most important thing now is to avoid expulsion. Once you’re expelled, you’ll have nothing left.”
Kushida also kindly persuaded him.
“I… I…”
Sudo was lost, and with a dazed expression, he looked at Horikita. Unfortunately, Horikita just stared coldly at him and said, “Give up that childish fantasy! Now you’re facing the consequences of your own actions, no one else is to blame. Think about it yourself!”
Listening to the words of Horikita, Hirata, and Kushida, Sudo, who had originally resisted and tried to struggle, gradually fell silent, his eyes losing the spark they once had.
Sudo felt an indescribable sense of despair and discomfort. He knew deep down that what Hirata and the others said was right, and that this was the only way to avoid expulsion, but it still felt wrong somehow!
Yes, he was saved, but it felt like he had given up something important.
“Expulsion, or stick with the basketball you love and get expelled together. The choice is yours!”
Hikigaya said expressionlessly.
It was clearly a choice between two options, but in reality, there was only one.
Sudo felt his throat go dry, and he didn’t even realize when his voice became hoarse. He struggled to force out those words: “I… I agree.”
And after saying that… Sudo collapsed to the ground as though all the strength had been drained from him.