Turns Out, It Was the Mystery Genre All Along

"Why don't you sit down again, Hikigaya?" Horikita Manabu's calm, measured voice broke through my daze.

Begrudgingly, I returned to the chair I had just vacated and sat down, though I made no effort to hide my anger.

"You'd better have a point to all of this,"

He studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable, before speaking. "There was, indeed, a student who left the school just before May began," he said, his tone deliberately slow, as if estimating each word.

"However," he continued, "if you want to understand the situation, you'll need to listen carefully to what I have to say."

My brow furrowed, but I nodded, gesturing for him to continue. Whatever game he was playing, it was clear that leaving now wouldn't get me any answers.

Horikita Manabu steepled his fingers, his sharp gaze locking onto mine. "The Student Council of Advanced Nurturing High School wields far more influence than what you're used to in a traditional high school setting," he began. "We have oversight over a wide range of matters, from exam structures to disciplinary actions. We even have access to certain lists—such as the records of current and former students."

The room felt colder somehow, the weight of his words descending upon me. Of course, that school would be the type to have something as shady as that.

Before I could think of a suitably sarcastic comment, Secretary Tachibana interjected, her tone sharp but respectful. "Kaichou, are you sure about this? Sharing confidential information with someone from another school—"

Manabu raised a hand yet again, cutting her off. "I am certain of my decision," he replied firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Tachibana hesitated, her eyes darting between him and me, before stepping back with a reluctant nod.

Horikita Manabu's gaze returned to me, his expression as certain as always. But his next words made both Tachibana and me pause.

"Hikigaya Hachiman has proven himself to be an outstanding individual," he stated, his tone calm yet resolute, "with the ability to surpass me in the span of a day."

I blinked, trying to process what he'd just said. What? Did I hear that right?

Tachibana's jaw practically dropped. "K-Kaichou, what are you saying!?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Even I couldn't help but stare at him, my thoughts a mess of confusion. What was he talking about? There was no way—

President Horikita met Tachibana's stunned gaze, his voice steady as he explained. "It's true that I excel in my role as Student Council President. However, when it comes to fulfilling the role of an elder sibling, I have failed miserably."

There was a form of sadness in his words now, a rare vulnerability that made even Tachibana falter.

"That is why," he continued, his piercing eyes locking onto mine, "I respect an individual such as Hikigaya. Because despite his unconventional methods, he has demonstrated the ability to do something I could never replicate in such a short time."

For once, I couldn't think of a single quip or logical retort. His words hung in the air, leaving us both momentarily speechless.

Unfazed by our silence, he continued. "Now, let's proceed. There is still more you need to understand."

I swallowed hard, my thoughts racing, but I nodded, gesturing for him to do just that. Whatever this was, it was far from over.

"So," I said, finally breaking the silence. "Back to the topic, you're saying you know everything about this school's students? Their records, their movements, all of it?"

Manabu inclined his head slightly. "Not so precisely but close enough. And if you're as invested in this search of yours as I believe you are, then I suggest you hear me out."

I leaned forward slightly, despite myself, my curiosity piqued despite the frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Alright, fine. Keep talking."

Tachibana-san, please stop trying to kill me with your eyes.

Manabu nodded, his composure resolute as he began to explain. "The official class rankings in this school begin in May. For a student to voluntarily withdraw from Advanced Nurturing High School before that is... highly unusual as you can imagine."

I narrowed my eyes, already trying to piece together where he was going with this. "Unusual how?"

"Simply put," Manabu continued, "it doesn't happen. Not without a compelling reason. This anomaly piqued my interest, so I decided to investigate further. As Student Council President, I have certain privileges that allow me to delve deeper into such matters."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Obviously, he'd frame it as some noble pursuit of the truth. "And? What did you find?"

"At first? Nothing of significance," he admitted, his tone calm but thoughtful. "The entrance exam results for this student were... average. Her scores ranged between 40 and 60 percent across all subjects. There was no pattern, no particular subject in which she excelled or struggled significantly."

It seems my teachings were not for nothing.

I raised an eyebrow. "So, she was painfully average. That doesn't explain why she left."

"Precisely," Manabu said, his gaze sharp. "Her lack of distinction in any area gave me no foundation for a theory as to why someone like her would choose—or be forced—to leave the school after such a short time. It was, in every sense, an enigma."

Tachibana, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up, her tone skeptical. "Kaichou, if the student's records were so unremarkable, why pursue the matter further? It doesn't seem like something that warrants your attention."

Horikita Manabu turned to her before elaborating. "Because anomalies, no matter how small, often point to larger truths. In a system designed to measure and categorize students, even something as simple as a voluntary withdrawal before the rankings begin can reveal cracks in the structure—or something hidden beneath the surface."

I folded my arms, tilting my head. His reasoning sounded logical, sure, but it didn't make this feel any less like an overcomplicated puzzle. "So, you're saying you still don't know why she left?"

Manabu's eyes met mine, his voice steady as he replied, "Not yet. But what I've uncovered so far suggests there's more to this story than what's on the surface. And if you want to understand the full picture, you'll need to hear more of what I have to say."

Despite myself, I leaned forward again, unable to ignore the growing power his words had over me. "Alright," I said slowly, "Then keep talking. What else did you find?"

Horikita Manabu leaned slightly in his chair, his fingers intertwining beneath his chin. His calm demeanor was almost unnerving as he began to speak again, unperturbed by my sudden change of tone.

"As you may already know, Hikigaya, Advanced Nurturing High School is currently overseen by an Acting Director, not the original Chairman. This change in leadership occurred under unusual circumstances that coincide with the withdrawal of the student you're searching for and... an unsettling event."

I frowned, sensing where this was going but refusing to jump to conclusions. "What event?" I asked, my voice sharp with suspicion.

Manabu's gaze didn't waver. Instead, he let the silence extend for a moment, almost as if testing my resolve before delivering his next words.

"A few days before Acting Director Tsukishiro assumed control of the school, and on the very day this student withdrew," he said, his tone dropping to a chilling calm, "Chairman Sakayanagi was involved in a car accident."

"...what?" The word slipped out before I could stop it.

He nodded slightly, his expression grim. "The Chairman is alive, but his condition remains critical. He hasn't woken from his post-traumatic state and remains in a coma to this day. In the wake of this incident, Tsukishiro took over as Acting Director, citing the need for continuity in leadership."

I let the information sink in, the pieces slowly clicking together in my head. "So, you're telling me her withdrawal, the Chairman's accident, and Tsukishiro taking over all happened almost at the same time?"

Seriously? When did this entire situation turn into the plot of some mystery-light novel? Car accidents, sudden leadership changes, her missing. It was like the setup for a series where the protagonist gets sucked into uncovering a grand conspiracy.

Except I wasn't some brilliant detective or a secret agent. It was just me, Hikigaya Hachiman, a guy who didn't even ask for any of this. All I wanted was to spend time with you, but apparently, life had other plans.

"That is correct," Manabu confirmed, "While the official explanations tie them together as a coincidence, I find that difficult to accept. Too many variables align too perfectly. And then there is Tsukishiro himself—his methods and motives have raised their own set of concerns since his appointment."

I stared at him, trying to make sense of everything. The timing, the accident, the sudden change in leadership. It felt too orchestrated, too timely. "And you think she is connected to all of this?"

"I suspect so," Manabu admitted. "But as of now, there is no definitive proof. Only a trail of anomalies leads to a disturbing pattern. One that you seem determined to follow."

He paused, his piercing gaze meeting mine. "So, Hikigaya, knowing this, do you intend to continue your search?"

"Yeah," I responded immediately, "I'm not stopping until I get what I want."

His lips curved into the faintest semblance of a smile. "Good. Because if my suspicions are correct, this is only the beginning."

He continued, "Currently, the Special Exam is underway. What neither the students of Sobu High nor Advanced Nurturing High School realize is that none of this was part of the original curriculum or planning."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're saying this entire exam was just… decided out of nowhere?"

"Yes," Manabu confirmed. "One day, I received a direct order from Acting Director Tsukishiro to organize this Special Exam."

I furrowed my brows. "Shouldn't that make you happy? Isn't this the perfect opportunity to leave your mark on something important in the school's history?"

The moment the words left my mouth, I noticed something that threw me completely off. Horikita Manabu's expression darkened. A scowl crept onto his face, his composed demeanor shifting for the first time.

"Happy?" he repeated, the word rolling off his tongue with an almost mocking air. He didn't sound angry, but there was a distinct edge to his tone that sent a chill down my spine. "Hikigaya, do you truly believe there is satisfaction in being reduced to little more than a tool for someone else's whims?"

I winced, surprised by the venom in his words, despite his lack of outward hostility. He continued his gaze now capable of turning summer to winter. "The reason I am constantly confined to this Student Council Room is because I am forced to clean up after Tsukishiro's mismanagement. From tedious administrative work that should never be placed in the hands of a student to ensuring every aspect of this exam runs smoothly."

I suddenly recalled every time I'd seen him since my arrival at this school. No matter the moment, no matter the context, Horikita Manabu was always seated at his desk, pen in hand, surrounded by piles of documents. I'd assumed it was just the usual workload of a student council president in a place like this, but now it all made sense.

He was practically chained to his responsibilities, not because of his position, but because someone above him had decided to exploit his skills.

"That's why," he said, his tone leveling out once more, "I cannot simply ignore the irregularities surrounding this exam, nor the events that preceded it."

I held his gaze without blinking. For once, I felt like there was a genuine crack in his unshakable exterior.

"That's all well and good, but it still doesn't explain something. What exactly does the Student Council gain from all this? You've made it clear you don't trust Tsukishiro, so what's your angle here?"

For a brief moment, I saw something flicker in Manabu's gaze—an emotion I couldn't quite pin down. It wasn't anger, but it was sharp, very calculating.

"You're perceptive, Hikigaya," he said, his tone satisfied, "I can see you've already noticed the hostility between Acting Director Tsukishiro and myself."

"Hard not to," I said, "I've seen the way you look at him. Like that time in the hallway. Your words may have been subtle, but you were clearly taking shots at him. What's the deal there?"

Horikita Manabu's lips tightened into a thin line. "During my years working with Chairman Sakayanagi, we collaborated on numerous initiatives to improve the school and provide its students with the tools they needed to excel. It was a partnership built on mutual respect and shared vision."

He paused, his gaze hardening. "But that is not the reason for my animosity toward Tsukishiro."

I tilted my head, intrigued despite myself. "Then what is?"

Manabu's fingers tightened slightly, "Since his arrival, Acting Director Tsukishiro has systematically undermined the authority of the Student Council. He has stripped away much of the power and influence this position once held, reducing it to little more than a ceremonial role. I have been left with just enough authority to carry out his demands, but nothing more. Organizing this Special Exam is nothing but his wish, not mine."

I frowned, the pieces clicking together in my mind. "So, you're basically a glorified errand boy for him now."

He didn't flinch at the bluntness of my words, but the edge in his voice sharpened. "Indeed. Every decision, every initiative, must now pass through his approval, no matter how inconsequential. And that is why I cannot sit idly by while he consolidates his control over this school."

It all started to make sense—the tension, the subtle barbs, the unrelenting workload he seemed to carry. Tsukishiro wasn't just a figurehead; he was actively dismantling the structures Horikita Manabu had worked to uphold.

"You're angry—no—you're furious."

And that, I realized, was the source of the storm he kept hidden beneath his composed exterior. Behind his unyielding surface, there was a deep well of frustration. Quiet, smoldering fury at watching his efforts being unraveled by someone who had no regard for the ideals he held dear.

Horikita Manabu's voice broke through my thoughts, colder than before, yet carrying a trace of something raw. "You're correct. I am angry. The thought that someone is systematically undoing the foundation we've built fills me with frustration beyond words. To create a system that rewards merit and effort while striving for equality has been our aim, and though I've always known it is an imperfect goal, it is one worth pursuing."

He leaned forward slightly, his usually calm demeanor betraying the intensity simmering underneath. "This school was meant to be more than just a meritocracy. It was meant to show that equality and merit could coexist, and that hard work and talent could be rewarded while still creating a balance. To think that someone is willing to threaten that—" He stopped himself, his fists tightening almost imperceptibly. "—as an idealist of that philosophy, I cannot let it stand."

Hearing those words, I found myself seeing Horikita Manabu in a new light. Beneath the stoic mask was someone deeply invested in what this school represented, someone who wouldn't sit idly by while its principles were twisted or destroyed. It wasn't just about power for him. It was about protecting something he believed in.

He was like me in a way.

"And now," Horikita said, his voice low but resolute, "he expects me to execute this Special Exam without question. But if he believes I will simply follow orders, he is gravely mistaken."

"Why does this Special Exam even exist?" I asked, my voice cutting through the heavy silence. "What's the point of all this? Why did Tsukishiro orchestrate this entire... charade? What does he want?"

Manabu's expression remained calm, but his sharp gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my chest tighten. He could see I was missing something, some crucial piece of the puzzle.

"You're still in the dark," he said, his voice as even as ever but laced with something I couldn't place. "You've noticed the inconsistencies, the strange timing, but you haven't connected the dots yet, have you?"

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling up. "Then tell me. What am I missing?"

He leaned back slightly, his fingers still interlaced as he rested his hands on the desk. For a moment, he studied me. He was gauging whether I was ready to hear what he was about to say.

Finally, he spoke, his tone dropping to a level that sent a chill down my spine.

"Tsukishiro came here for you, Hikigaya Hachiman."

"...What?"

Manabu didn't waver, his gaze never leaving mine. "This entire sequence of events—this Special Exam, the leadership changes, the mysterious dropout student, the anomalies—they all lead back to you. Whether you realize it or not, you are at the center of Tsukishiro's plans."

My mind reeled, scrambling to process the revelation. Why me? What could someone like Tsukishiro possibly want with someone like me?

I muttered to myself, still processing his words. "My name... He knew my name…"

I hadn't thought much of it but now it all started to make sense. The moment I met Tsukishiro before the Special Exam. The way he'd casually said my name as he knew of me. Of course, that wasn't normal. I'd assumed it was just some really unsettling coincidence to forget it, but now it was clear.

I felt a shiver crawl up my spine as the pieces clicked into place. This wasn't some random encounter. Tsukishiro had been watching me long before the exam had even begun.

Horikita Manabu's voice cut through my disturbing thoughts, "You were the sole student Tsukishiro spoke to from the very beginning. I've been watching his behavior closely. He knew you, Hikigaya. That's why he singled you out. He's been keeping his eye on you, manipulating things somehow to make this Special Exam happen."

I could feel a deep sense of unease rising within me. The more I learned, the more this whole situation seemed to spiral beyond my control.

"And what now?" I asked, my voice low and tense. "What do you think Tsukishiro wants with me?"

His gaze darkened, "I don't know yet. But everything points to the fact that you're key to whatever it is he's planning. That's why I'm warning you to be careful. You may be more involved in this than you realize."

Everything felt like it was slipping out of my hands, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to face what was coming. But now I knew Tsukishiro wasn't just some puppet master pulling strings. He was after something, and it involved me.

I frowned, still struggling to grasp the bigger picture. If Tsukishiro wanted something from me, why hadn't he acted already? Why go through all this trouble, this convoluted mess, just to watch from the sidelines? It didn't connect. There had to be something more to it.

I opened my mouth, about to voice my confusion, when Horikita Manabu's voice cut through the chaos in my head, his tone the most serious I'd ever heard.

"Hikigaya," he began, "there's one thing I need from you. A request... something that cannot be done by one man."

I looked up, startled by the sudden change in his demeanor. There was no trace of his usual composure now. Instead, there is a raw, unfiltered determination in his eyes.

"What I'm asking of you, Hikigaya Hachiman is not just for my own sake but for the future of my school and every student who walks through these halls..."

"On behalf of the entire student body... help me save Advanced Nurturing High School."