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Chapter 169 - 169: Signing the Contract with Class B
Can you bear the responsibility of your entire class?
Hikigaya's question left both Hirata and Horikita in silence.
"So from the very beginning, you've been saying, 'I want to reach Class A' without ever truly being prepared for it. Don't you think that's ridiculous?"
Hikigaya didn't hold back as he criticized Horikita.
Even Hirata was caught off guard by Hikigaya's bluntness.
"S-So, Hikigaya, does that mean you've never thought about reaching Class A?"
Horikita looked at him in disbelief. She had always assumed that Hikigaya, like her, simply disdained the rest of the class. After all, over the past few months, it had become clear what kind of people they were.
Hikigaya chuckled at her words and asked in return, "Horikita, Hirata, what do you think Class A really is?"
Neither of them answered immediately.
"Outstanding students? A chance to climb the social ladder? Or is it just about not wanting to be looked down on and proving your abilities?"
Hikigaya shook his head. "To me, there's not much difference between Class A and Class D. I don't need to prove anything to anyone. I don't have any big ambitions or dreams. If I had to name one thing, it would be to leave behind proof that 'Hikigaya Hachiman' once existed."
"I don't get it."
Horikita looked at Hikigaya with a complicated expression, about to say something else when Kushida suddenly rushed over, interrupting their conversation.
"I just got in touch with Ichinose from Class B. They're really interested in the plan, and we've arranged to meet at their camp in fifteen minutes for negotiations."
Kushida brought news from Class B.
Hirata stepped forward and grabbed Hikigaya's hand.
"I really want to go too, but there's so much to handle at the camp. I can't leave right now, so I'm counting on you guys!"
"Wait, why am I included in this?"
Hikigaya only just realized that he was somehow part of the negotiation team.
"Well, since this plan was your idea, there's no one better than you to handle the negotiation."
Kushida added from the side.
She was surprised to hear that Hikigaya came up with the plan. But at the same time, it also felt like, 'Oh, of course it was Hikigaya.'
"I know what you're worried about, but I didn't tell everyone that you came up with the plan. Only a few people here know, so you don't have to worry about drawing attention."
Hirata reassured him as if he fully understood Hikigaya's personality.
Hikigaya: "..."
Hirata, you're a really nice guy.
Hikigaya didn't know what to say for a moment. They were being way too considerate.
Damn it.
They were making it impossible for him to refuse.
Hikigaya glanced at Horikita.
"I still have my doubts, but like you said, I can't change anything on my own. So if that's the case, I might as well use this opportunity properly instead of letting it go to waste."
Horikita remained expressionless.
And so, under Hirata's encouraging gaze, Hikigaya was dragged along by Kushida and Horikita to Class B's camp.
Class B's camp was in the southwest part of the forest. A fallen tree served as a landmark, and following that direction led them straight to their base.
Unlike Class D's camp, which was mostly open space, Class B's area had a lot of trees. Instead of just using tents, they had hammocks strung up between trees. There was also a well, which served as their water source.
Despite the differences, both classes prioritized finding a water source first.
"Hikigaya-kun, you're here!"
A student from Class B spotted them and quickly ran off to notify someone. Not long after, a pink-haired girl directing people nearby turned around, saw Hikigaya, and jogged over to greet him.
"Oh, so Class D sent Hikigaya-kun for negotiations? That's so sneaky!"
"Ichinose, cough, cough."
Kanzaki quickly interrupted, signaling that there were other people around. Realizing that her words might have been a little rude, Ichinose awkwardly turned to Kushida and Horikita to apologize.
Although the two girls said it was fine, their eyes kept darting between Hikigaya and Ichinose.
Kanzaki and Ichinose led them to a small clearing near the camp, likely to prevent Class D from gathering too much information about their setup.
Hikigaya and the others didn't mind at all, but Ichinose still felt bad about it and apologized again.
Hikigaya raised a hand to stop her.
"Ichinose, if you had invited us directly into your camp, that would've made us feel uneasy. So there's no need to apologize."
Ichinose stuck out her tongue playfully, while Kanzaki shook his head with a helpless smile.
On the way over, Hikigaya had already made it clear that he wouldn't be the one negotiating. He left that role to Horikita, who had no choice but to take charge.
The negotiation itself wasn't that complicated. By this point, both sides had more or less reached an agreement.
Class D would provide Class B with supplies worth 100 class points. In return, Class B would pay Class D 400,000 private points per month for 12 months after returning to school.
Horikita initially felt that trading 100 class points for 4.8 million private points over a year wasn't a great deal. Class points didn't just translate into private points—they also determined class rankings. If Class B used these points wisely, they might even surpass Class A.
Unfortunately, Ichinose and Kanzaki weren't easy to fool. If Class D wanted to extend the contract beyond 12 months, they would have to provide supplies worth at least 150 class points.
That was something Horikita couldn't accept. Class D also needed to survive on the island for seven days, and giving away 100 points was already the most she could agree to.
With Hoshinomiya-sensei as a witness, the contract was officially signed. Ichinose and Kanzaki couldn't hide their excitement—after all, they had already done the math. Holding onto this base for seven days would cost Class B around 100 points, and if they worked hard, they could secure at least 300 class points in this special exam.
But just as they were celebrating, Hikigaya, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
"I know this might ruin the mood, but I think it's important to remind you—the key to this special exam isn't just about saving points."
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