"What the hell are you talking about?" Yamawaki yelled.
"Have you been mindless slaves for so long that you've forgotten how to think? Consider this: if you miss an exam during a suspension period, do you think this shitty school will give you a chance to retake it?"
In this tense moment, Hikigaya finally played his trump card.
According to the School's policies, unless there is a major emergency or severe illness, any absence due to personal reasons—like a common cold or a school suspension—results in an automatic failure.
"You should realize it now, you pathetic excuse for a king."
Hikigaya's gaze was cold as he watched Ryuuen's face drain of color.
"I'm curious to know whether your authority will still hold if four students drop out due to your incompetence. And let me remind you, when a dictator is overthrown, the consequences are often dire."
A heavy silence filled the area.
The last time silence had gripped the space was at the BBQ restaurant when Ryuuen believed he had Hikigaya under control. Now, however, the roles were completely reversed.
The fate of Class C now lay firmly in Hikigaya's hands.
"Now you understand, don't you?"
Hikigaya surveyed the other two members of Class C.
"Forget Ryuuen for a moment. If Ibuki and the other three drop out, not only will your class lose four valuable talents, but you will also lose 1,200 class points."
As Hikigaya spoke, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Fortunately, once the points hit zero, they won't go any lower. However, with two D classes, your class will become notorious throughout the school, possibly even becoming the stuff of legend."
Except for Hikigaya, no one found this amusing.
—Am I that bad at telling jokes?
As Hikigaya mulled over his comedic skills, Ryuuen spoke with a low, controlled voice.
"What do you want?"
Even the most obtuse person would understand that they were trapped in a dire situation with no apparent way out. Ryuuen, however, still saw a glimmer of hope. Hikigaya must have some ulterior motive. As long as they didn't drop out, there might still be a chance to turn things around. For now, they needed to meet this bastard's demands.
"Yeah—what do I want?"
Hikigaya turned his attention to Yamawaki, who was trying his best to maintain a tough facade despite the sweat betraying his anxiety.
"You must have enjoyed the fight yesterday, didn't you? You even had the nerve to demand I kneel."
"No, no, I just—"
"Cut the crap."
Hikigaya interrupted Yamawaki, his fist moving swiftly toward Yamawaki's face. The latter closed his eyes in anticipation of pain.
But the expected pain never came. When Yamawaki opened his eyes, he found Hikigaya's fist suspended in mid-air.
"Don't be alarmed; I was only trying to scare you," Hikigaya said with a smile.
"I am a member of the student council, after all. It wouldn't be right for me to hit a student. Besides, I loathe violence."
Yamawaki sighed in relief, only to be shocked when Hikigaya turned to Ryuuen and pointed at Yamawaki and the others with a dismissive gesture.
"Hey, Ryuuen, since these imbeciles are your subordinates, it's up to you to teach them a lesson."
"Ah?!"
The reaction was instant and intense. Yamawaki and the others were terrified. They had witnessed firsthand how Ryuuen punished disobedient students. His methods were brutal, and even the prospect of bruises and injuries was considered lenient.
Ibuki, however, was unshaken and glared defiantly at Hikigaya.
"What's the matter, Ryuuen? You're reluctant to part with them?"
Hikigaya was taken aback when Ryuuen stood frozen, unmoving. He had expected this man to act without hesitation and beat up his subordinates, yet he didn't.
"It seems, contrary to the rumors, you actually care about your subordinates," Hikigaya taunted. "In that case, as the king of Class C, you should apologize. And let's follow the Japanese tradition—do a dogeza."
"What did you just say?!"
Before Ryuuen could react, Ishizaki Daichi was already shouting, grabbing Hikigaya by the collar.
"Dead Fish Eyes, don't go too far!"
"At worst, we'll all get expelled together!"
"You're talking about expulsion… how simple-minded of you."
Hikigaya sighed, unimpressed.
"If you want to hit me, go ahead. But this time, it won't be as simple as expulsion from school. I'll call the police directly. And given that I know a few people there, I can assure you, I'll make sure you end up with a criminal record."
"Call the police?"
Ishizaki's grip loosened as the fear of legal consequences sank in. Even a tough guy like Ishizaki was daunted by the thought of police involvement.
"Not only that, but I'll also demand significant compensation from your parents. Even if you avoid juvenile detention, you'll be expelled from school. No other high school will accept you, and no company will hire you."
Hikigaya painted a grim picture of their future.
"When that time comes, you'll either be stuck doing odd jobs for the rest of your life or end up in the underworld, dying in a stinking ditch."
Hikigaya continued as he cast a pointed glance at Ibuki.
"For the women, there will be no choice but to work in brothels. You will be spreading your legs often, Ibuki."
Ibuki glared even more intensely at Hikigaya.
"Don't give me that look. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being so foolish as to fall into this trap."
At this point Ibuki's frustration was evident, her teeth clicking in anger.
"Alright, Ryuuen," Hikigaya said, turning back to him.
"Make your choice quickly. If I were you, I wouldn't hesitate. Anyway… eh?"
To everyone's shock, Ryuuen knelt.
"Ryu-Ryuen-san...?"
"Boss?"
Ishizaki and Albert were particularly stunned. This was the same man who, despite severe injuries, had risen time and again to bring them down. Despite his kneeling, no one dared to underestimate Ryuuen. His fierce eyes revealed an indomitable will.
"Remember this, you bastard."
"Ah, I will."
Hikigaya managed to suppress his smile, though he couldn't hide his inner satisfaction. It seemed his efforts were not in vain.
Ryuuen's intelligence might have been that of a small-time gangster, and his fighting ability mediocre, but he had one crucial attribute: unparalleled willpower. Hikigaya knew that no matter how many times he knocked Ryuuen down unless expelled from the school, he would stand up again and again.
And this was precisely what Hikigaya sought—a talent capable of challenging Class D. However, Ryuuen still had a way to go.
"Well, since you are so sincere, I will accept your apology."
Just as Class C's members thought relief was in sight, they realized Hikigaya was merely putting on a show.
"Now, let's talk about compensation."
"More compensation?!" Ishizaki shouted in disbelief.
"Of course," Hikigaya retorted. "If apologies were enough, we wouldn't need the police. Your foolish plan has forced me to revisit a dark chapter of my life, and you must compensate me for the mental suffering."
As Hikigaya fumed, Ryuen's expression remained stoic. "What do you want? Class points?"
"Heh, do you think I care about this worthless stuff?"
To everyone except Ryuuen, the most important aspect of the school was the class points.
"Here, I've prepared it for you."
Hikigaya pulled out an A4-sized contract from his bag, densely filled with text. The first clause made Ryuuen's eyes widen in disbelief.
The contract between Class C (hereafter referred to as Party A) and Hachiman Hikigaya (hereafter referred to as Party B) was laid out as follows:
Clause 1-1: Every student in Party A who agrees to this contract will transfer fifty percent of their points, earned through class points each month, to Party B.
Clause 1-2: There is no upper limit on the points transferred, with a minimum transfer of thirty thousand points per month. If there are insufficient points, the remainder will be carried over to the next month.