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

Chapter 128: Sudo’s Lifeline

After leaving Ayanokouji’s room, Hirata looked at Hikigaya, who seemed to be about to speak but hesitated.

“Did you two discuss this beforehand?”

Before Hirata could speak, it was Horikita who suddenly asked. In fact, she had already sensed something unusual in the room, especially with Hirata. Although Horikita didn’t interact much with him, she understood Hirata’s “nice guy” personality.

Under normal circumstances, Hirata would have said a few words in defense of Sudo. But instead, Hirata had cooperatively agreed with Hikigaya’s opinion.

“It was just a brief conversation,” Hikigaya responded casually, then turned to Hirata, “Hirata, I’ll say it again. If you really want to prevent Sudo from being expelled, you must understand that there is a corresponding price to be paid. There is no perfect solution in this school.”

“I… I understand,” Hirata sighed. “In any case, as long as we can prevent Sudo from being expelled, there’s still a chance to discuss things further.”

After Hirata left, Hikigaya was about to return to his room, but Horikita stopped him.

“Hikigaya, have you considered what to do if C-Class refuses this settlement?”

“Oh? It seems you’re quick to react,” Hikigaya said, surprised, as he glanced at Horikita.

“This fight involving Sudo… although it’s clear it stems from the consequences of his past actions, I also know that C-Class deliberately instigated the conflict. So, facing this perfect opportunity to expel Sudo, I believe the mastermind behind this conspiracy won’t just let it go,” Horikita calmly analyzed.

“It seems your ‘vision’ has indeed expanded,” Hikigaya commented approvingly. Hearing this praise, Horikita didn’t show much expression on her face, but she subconsciously grasped the hem of her skirt.

“You’ve heard of C-Class’s ‘tyrant’ as well, right?”

“You mean he’s the one behind the scenes?”

“Exactly.”

Hikigaya briefly explained the general situation of C-Class, as well as information about Ryuen, Ishizaki, and others.

“So, from the beginning, I never expected C-Class to settle this just based on these photos,” Hikigaya said, his face showing no emotion. But Horikita, for some reason, felt a chill down her spine and instinctively asked, “So… what do you plan to do?”

Without any witnesses stepping forward and no other evidence, was it really only these photos they had to rely on? How would they resolve Sudo’s case?

“That’s why I’m here,” Hikigaya replied, taking out a report and handing it over.

“What’s this?”

Horikita opened it and saw a striking heading: Injury Assessment Report.

“When C-Class came to the student council to file a complaint, I happened to be the one to deal with their severe injuries…”

At the time, Ishizaki and the others had been badly injured. From the fact that Tachibana had urgently asked Hikigaya to help treat their injuries, it was clear that the injuries were real and not fabricated. Moreover, looking at Ishizaki and the others’ wounds, it was evident that they had been violently assaulted!

However, Hikigaya also noticed something strange. While the injuries were indeed serious, he discovered that several of the wounds appeared to have been caused by repeated injuries—some even had multiple inflictions, which made the wounds even worse.

“So, after that, I went to the school infirmary and consulted with the class teacher, Hoshinomiya from Class B, who was on duty that day, about the specifics of Ishizaki and the others’ injuries.”

At the same time, Hikigaya, acting on behalf of the student council, requested Hoshinomiya to provide a detailed injury assessment report on Ishizaki and the others. Perhaps it was due to his position in the student council or the suspicious nature of Ishizaki’s injuries, but the report was unusually detailed. It even included follow-up information about Ishizaki and others coming to change their bandages and continue treatment.

As expected, the injuries on Ishizaki and the others were indeed caused by physical assault, but many of the wounds had clearly been caused by repeated or even multiple injuries.

Horikita finally understood where Hikigaya’s “confidence” came from. While this report might not completely overturn C-Class’s testimony, it would be enough to make the school doubt C-Class’s version of the events. This could result in a resolution where both sides receive a reprimand, and the “settlement” would likely happen.

“At that time, it’s not a matter of whether they are willing, but rather they will have no choice but to accept the result,” Hikigaya said calmly.

“So… what you said to Sudo earlier in the room, was that all a lie?” Horikita furrowed her brows, becoming even more confused about Hikigaya’s intentions.

In reality, with the injury assessment report, Sudo wouldn’t need to give up basketball, and C-Class would ultimately have to compromise.

“If everything had no cost, do you think what kind of world this would become?” Hikigaya said coldly as he looked at Horikita. “And besides, you said it yourself, the current situation in this incident, you can consider it as a trap set by C-Class, but the bigger issue still lies with Sudo himself.”

Horikita fell silent, as if she acknowledged Hikigaya’s words. If Sudo were to resolve this incident without any cost, it would be unfair to other students. In fact, if it weren’t for the class points and Sudo’s athletic abilities, which could potentially help with promotion, Horikita would never have paid attention to someone like Sudo, who had brought this upon himself.

To put it simply, Horikita was also trapped by her desire for class promotion. While hoping to gain Sudo’s excellent physical abilities, she also had to tolerate his shortcomings.

It was essentially a matter of making a choice.

“So, you deliberately cut off the option of having a witness, forcing Sudo into a corner where he has no choice but to rely on this…”

At this moment, Horikita finally realized, especially with the injury assessment report in her hands—did that mean Hikigaya had anticipated this situation from the very beginning?

“So you had already predicted this…”

Horikita felt a deep sense of frustration once again. Even though she and Hikigaya were the same age, why did Hikigaya’s “thinking” or “vision” always seem to see deeper and further than hers?

What’s the difference between him and me?

“This is just a simple difference in information,” Hikigaya replied, but Horikita firmly shook her head.

“Hikigaya, you don’t need to comfort me.”

After saying that, Horikita turned away and left, looking somewhat despondent.

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After Horikita and Hikigaya left, the once lively room was now left with three people. Kushida originally intended to leave, but was called by Ayanokouji. At this moment, both of them looked at Sudo, who was sitting on the floor, lost and dazed.

“Sorry, Ayanokouji, I don’t really have a good solution,” Kushida said.

No matter how Kushida tried to comfort him, Sudo seemed to hear nothing, sitting there in a daze.

At this moment, Ayanokouji looked at Sudo and suddenly said, “Kushida, did you feel that something was strange about Hirata just now?”

“Huh? Was there?” Kushida asked, confused.

Ayanokouji nodded, as though recalling what happened earlier in the room. “Earlier, Hikigaya and Hirata had a strange kind of tacit understanding, don’t you think? I believe there must be a better way.”

“A better way?” Kushida asked, puzzled.

“What… what way?” At that moment, Sudo suddenly reacted, grabbing Ayanokouji’s wrist. His bloodshot eyes and his expression were filled with expectation, as if he had grabbed onto a lifeline.

“There is a way, but…”

“Ayanokouji, do you have another solution? Please, help me! Aren’t we friends? I really can’t lose basketball; it’s everything to me!”

Sudo almost begged Ayanokouji, someone he usually wouldn’t even acknowledge. This was enough to show that Sudo had reached a dead end.

Kushida’s face flashed with a hint of disgust, but it quickly returned to its usual expression, unnoticed by anyone.

Ayanokouji didn’t answer immediately, as if thinking about something.

“Sorry, it’s getting late, and I have other things to attend to.”

Kushida seemed to finally lose patience and, after saying “See you tomorrow,” left the room.

Only Ayanokouji and Sudo remained in the room. Sudo, who had almost given up, suddenly heard Ayanokouji speak, his face expressionless as he looked directly into Sudo’s eyes.

“Sudo, if this will upset Hikigaya, can you accept this outcome?”