"Sensei, why is there such a huge difference in points between the classes?"
Hirata's voice was tinged with concern.
Chabashira-sensei didn't miss a beat. "It's quite simple. This school sorts students by their abilities. The top performers go to Class A, and the lowest performers are placed in Class D. In other words, you're at the bottom of the barrel."
Hikigaya's jaw tightened as he processed the harsh truth. It wasn't just the students who were ranked; the teachers were likely evaluated similarly.
I'll have to ask about that next time.
As he mulled over this, Chabashira-sensei clapped her hands sharply, drawing everyone's attention.
"You've managed to lose all your points in just one month. That's a first for Class D. I must say, I admire your achievement. It's quite impressive."
Hikigaya's mind raced.
"So, if our class has zero points, will we always have zero income?"
"Yes," Chabashira-sensei confirmed. "But don't worry, you can still survive here. Food and essentials are provided free of charge, so you won't starve."
Hikigaya had already taken advantage of this when he first arrived, feeling as though he'd struck gold. Still, for students accustomed to luxury, adapting to the free, but rather unpalatable, meals would be tough.
But that was their problem.
"...Are we going to be looked down upon by the other classes forever?!"
Sudo slammed his fist against the table in frustration.
Hikigaya considered offering Sudo some words of comfort, but given their lack of familiarity, he decided against it. Sudo's behavior was counterproductive and likely would only worsen their reputation.
"What's wrong, Sudo? Concerned about your image? Then put in the effort to improve the class's standing," Chabashira-sensei suggested a hint of malice in her smile.
Sudo looked confused.
"Are you saying that only students promoted to Class C or above get special treatment?"
"Unfortunately, that's not the case," Chabashira-sensei said, enjoying the discomfort she was causing.
"The school values talent above all. There's only one way to be promoted to Class A."
The classroom erupted in shock, the bell ringing doing little to calm the commotion.
Chabashira-sensei wasn't finished. She attached another sheet to the blackboard, showing the quiz results. The names and scores were prominently displayed.
"I almost laughed when I saw these scores. What exactly did you learn in junior high?"
Students stared in disbelief as Chabashira-sensei's scornful tone sank in. Hikigaya scanned the results. Most scores hovered around 60. His score of 88 placed him behind Horikita, Koenji, and Yukimura, who all scored 90.
It was a bit disappointing to lose two points over a couple of tricky questions.
And Matsushita scored 65 points, a deliberate effort to align with her friends.
"If this were a formal exam, seven of you would have been expelled," Chabashira-sensei announced suddenly, making the students gasp.
"Expelled? What do you mean?" the class buzzed with confusion and fear.
Chabashira-sensei's response was blunt. "If you score below 32 points on any midterm or final exam, you'll be expelled. This exam's cutoff is 32 points. If you fall short, you're out. It's simple."
The students were stunned. Hikigaya marveled at Chabashira-sensei's harshness, realizing that this school's unique nature allowed for such extreme measures.
The passing score of 32 was odd, but it seemed to be deliberately set to create a high bar. Hikigaya surmised that dividing the class average by two for each exam might explain this anomaly.
As Chabashira-sensei packed up and prepared to leave, she cast a final, stern look over the class.
"If you understand the seriousness of your situation, my tutoring will have been worthwhile. You have three weeks before the midterm exams. Do your best to avoid failure."
With that, she exited, leaving behind an atmosphere thick with dread.
Hikigaya felt a strange satisfaction in the somber mood. Perhaps if it stayed like this, he could attend class in peace.
The brief period of calm in the classroom didn't last long.
Once Chabashira-sensei left, chaos erupted. Complaints and arguments filled the air, not just from those who performed poorly, but also from students like Yukimura, who struggled with their assigned place in Class D.
Kouenji, who had a reputation for being both academically and physically gifted, derided Yukimura with cruel amusement.
Kouenji's elitist attitude made him dismissive of anyone he deemed inferior, including those who focused solely on their studies.
"...So noisy."
Hikigaya was uninterested in engaging with Kouenji's antics. It was pointless to argue about class divisions with someone so self-centered.
High school was merely the beginning of facing the harsh realities of society. By the time they reached their final year, many would cling to the school as a haven, unable to face the real world's challenges.
Hikigaya shook his head and pulled out a copy of "Murder on the Orient Express." He had seen the movie adaptation but wanted to delve into the novel since Shiina had recommended it. While the mystery itself was intriguing, he was more interested in the characters' decisions rather than the mystery's resolution.
"Hikigaya-kun, you seem indifferent," Matsushita's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Indifferent to what?" Hikigaya asked, puzzled.
"To be in Class D," Matsushita clarified. "You're so smart and capable. Aren't you frustrated by our class's situation?"
Hikigaya sighed and set aside his book. "Matsushita, you need to understand how class divisions work here."
Matsushita looked confused. "Isn't it based on grades and sports?"
"Those factors are important, but they're not everything," Hikigaya explained. "Chabashira-sensei is preparing us for the real world. This school is training us to be adaptable office workers. Class D represents the lowest tier of this training."
Matsushita's face fell as she struggled with this harsh reality. Most students envisioned bright futures and had a hard time accepting the idea of being mediocre office workers.
Hikigaya, who was resigned to a future as a househusband or a social worker, found the situation less troubling. He planned to live a modest life, content with small, steady work.
"But that can't be the whole story," Matsushita said, trying to reconcile the situation. "If the school only wanted office workers, they could just recruit Class A students."
"True," Hikigaya agreed, "but the school isn't just looking for office workers. They want elites who can lead and excel, overcoming challenges and guiding others. The competitive system is designed to identify such talents."
Hikigaya didn't mention this insight to Matsushita, who was already struggling with the implications.
The class remained chaotic until the end of the school day. Hirata took the podium, attempting to organize a strategy meeting, but Hikigaya doubted the effectiveness of such discussions.
Without a strong leader, the class was divided into factions, each more concerned with their interests than with class unity.
Hikigaya was content to remain in the background, free from the turmoil.
"Hey, Kushida-san," Karuizawa Kei, a prominent girl in the class, was pestering Kushida. "I'm short on points. Can you lend me some? Two thousand points would be perfect."
Karuizawa, known for her beauty and strong personality, had recently started dating Hirata and had become the unofficial leader among the girls. Her charm masked her manipulative nature, and she seemed uninterested in repaying the favor.
Hikigaya recalled his own experiences with people who borrowed money without any intention of returning it. It reminded him of his childhood, and he couldn't help but sympathize with Kushida, who was forced to maintain a façade.
"Sure," Kushida agreed, her face a mask of forced cheerfulness.
Hikigaya observed with a mix of curiosity and pity. Kushida was enduring social pressures, and it was clear that her situation was far from enviable.
Karuizawa soon shifted her attention to Matsushita.
"Chiaki, lend me some money. We're friends, after all. We should support each other."
Matsushita hesitated but eventually acquiesced, unable to refuse despite her discomfort.
Hikigaya watched in astonishment as Karuizawa moved from one target to the next, showing no mercy even to her supposed friends. Her behavior was both bold and ruthless.
"Is there a problem?" Karuizawa snapped at Hikigaya, who had been observing the scene. "And could you stop glaring at me with those dead fish eyes?"
Hikigaya was taken aback by the sudden confrontation. It was a harsh reminder of his past experiences with similar personalities. Despite the insult, he felt a pang of nostalgia for his junior high days.
"Not at all," Hikigaya said with a wry smile. "I'm just reflecting on how some people think they're royalty, expecting everyone else to bow down to them. It's amusing how such people often end up being quite ordinary."
The classroom fell silent, the shock palpable. No one had expected Hikigaya to speak up so assertively. Matsushita looked bewildered, but Hikigaya had anticipated this reaction.
He was used to being the outcast, and interactions with others rarely surprised him.
The social dynamics in the class were shifting, and Hikigaya was content to observe from the sidelines.