Training

From the moment he first saw Ryuuen, Hikigaya knew this was a man who feared nothing.

Not only was he skilled in combat with a fierce and cunning personality, but he also possessed a sharp intellect. Most importantly, he had an unyielding drive.

After the S-system was announced in May, while other classes were either in chaos or waiting to see what would happen, Ryuuen was already testing the school's limits and laying the groundwork for his plans.

This was why Hikigaya believed Ryuuen would take the bait.

While Ryuuen might not fully trust Hikigaya's words, he would surely have some doubts. And as he investigated further, the credibility of Hikigaya's claims would only grow.

After all, Hikigaya hadn't entirely fabricated his story. There were indeed students who dropped out of Classes A and B in the senior year, and every year, freshmen from Classes C or D failed the midterm exams and were expelled.

As for the dropout quota... that was mostly speculation.

Given Ryuuen's character, he wouldn't wait passively for someone to come after him. He would likely choose to take the initiative.

However, no matter how arrogant Ryuuen was, he wouldn't foolishly challenge a senior, especially not someone like Horikita Manabu. Ryuuen wasn't stupid.

He would most likely target the only first-year student in the student council—Hikigaya.

In a few days, Ryuuen would probably make his move.

Hikigaya looked forward to seeing what tricks Ryuuen would employ, hoping he wouldn't disappoint.

Speaking of Horikita Manabu, Hikigaya needed to visit the student council room after school today. Honestly, he didn't want to go. He had already found the answers to the three questions online. Asking the president for the quiz paper had just been an excuse to get Ryuuen off his back.

But with Horikita Manabu's intelligence, there was no way he hadn't seen through this...

He probably had another troublesome task waiting for Hikigaya.

Reject it!

Hikigaya had always lived by the creed "working means losing," but life was full of compromises, and sometimes you had to adjust.

Right now, it seemed impossible to avoid work, so he mentally changed his motto to "If you don't slack off while working, you lose."

Yes, that's right!

With the midterm exams approaching, he didn't have time to worry about the student council!

Encouraging himself, Hikigaya prepared to firmly decline Horikita Manabu after school.

Though he felt a twinge of guilt for using the president as a shield against Ryuuen, it was only a little.

As long as no one found out, it would be fine!

After school, Hikigaya hurried to the student council office. Better to get it over with quickly before he lost his resolve.

However, as he reached the door, he hesitated.

Come to think of it, there wasn't any surveillance in the student council room...

"Hikigaya, what are you doing standing at the door?"

"Wow?!"

Hikigaya nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard someone call his name. He turned to find Horikita Manabu standing behind him.

"President, you're not inside?" Hikigaya stammered.

"You came too early," Horikita Manabu replied, pulling a stack of papers from his bag.

"Here, take these... I also included last year's midterm exam papers."

"No, I didn't ask for those."

Horikita Manabu didn't respond, simply staring at Hikigaya in silence.

"Sorry, I'll take them! Thank you, President!"

Hikigaya immediately relented.

—How terrifying! Could you stop staring at people like that in silence?

Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh inwardly. It seemed guilt was a powerful thing.

Previously, he had been bold enough to use the president as a shield against Ryuuen, but now he felt guilty. Horikita Manabu took the papers and entered the student council office without waiting for Hikigaya.

After all, Hikigaya was the one who'd asked for the papers, and now he felt obligated to do something for the president. While Horikita Manabu had never put pressure on him to get involved in the student council's affairs, he was still the one who needed to make up for his earlier misconduct.

"Well, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Hikigaya sensed that the situation was growing more awkward by the second and wanted to make a swift exit. However, before he could move, Horikita Manabu's hand rested firmly on his shoulder.

"You're free now, so stay with me for a while."

Hikigaya wanted to protest, insisting that he was swamped with other tasks, but Horikita Manabu's unwavering demeanor left no room for refusal. Reluctantly, he followed behind, feeling trapped.

I want to go home.

At the very least, he hoped the task ahead wouldn't be overly burdensome.

Lost in his thoughts, Hikigaya was jolted back to reality when Horikita Manabu suddenly asked, "Hikigaya, have you ever trained in anything like Ayanokouji?"

Ayanokouji? Why is he bringing him up?

Confused, Hikigaya replied, "No, I haven't studied calligraphy or piano."

"...I'm not joking."

"Oh, sorry. But I haven't learned martial arts or anything like that."

Ayanokouji was known for his reserve, but Hikigaya was just an honest person who had never dabbled in combat. If anything, he had just been on the receiving end of a few beatings...

Horikita Manabu's expression remained stoic, his sharp eyes behind the glasses fixed intently on Hikigaya.

"Really? I hold degrees in karate and aikido, yet I didn't detect your approach. Your ability to mask your presence was flawless."

"Didn't Ayanokouji notice it?"

"He's not an ordinary person."

Hikigaya agreed with Horikita Manabu—Ayanokouji was indeed exceptional—but he didn't take the comment to heart.

"You're overthinking it. I've just always been someone who blends into the background, often overlooked when my name is called," Hikigaya said with a self-deprecating chuckle.

"...I don't believe that."

With those words, Horikita Manabu fell silent and led the way, leaving Hikigaya puzzled.

I feel like there's something more to what the president said... What exactly does he want? It seemed unlikely that he would find answers immediately, so Hikigaya decided to wait and see.

Led by Horikita Manabu, Hikigaya arrived at the Keyaki Shopping Center, but instead of the usual barbecue spot, they found themselves at a large-scale fitness center.

"President, are you planning to exercise?" Hikigaya asked, noting that Horikita Manabu was already into martial arts.

This reminded Hikigaya of his father's complaints about having to accompany his boss on fishing trips, sports events, and golf outings on weekends. Did he need to experience the life of a working adult while still in high school?

Despite his reservations, Hikigaya didn't mind working out from time to time. However, he was taken aback when he saw that Horikita Manabu had reserved a private room in the gym.

The familiarity with the place suggested this wasn't a first-time affair.

—Oh no, this doesn't look good.

Hikigaya's instincts told him that staying could spell trouble, but Horikita Manabu showed no signs of letting him off the hook.

"Put this on," Horikita Manabu said, tossing Hikigaya a set of sportswear. He then began changing into his gear.

"Due to class competition, some people prefer not to be seen by others while training. By paying extra, the gym provides private rooms like this," Horikita Manabu explained as he geared up.

"Come on, Hikigaya, let's practice together."

"…Huh?"

Hikigaya was stunned. This wasn't the kind of sparring he had in mind.