Hikigaya could sense that Ryuuen's proposal was only half sincere.
On one hand, it was clear Ryuuen wasn't naive enough to believe that the three classes could easily form an alliance. Yet, he was genuinely interested in finding a partner from the other classes to collaborate with.
Originally, Ryuuen had deduced a pattern, but Hikigaya's earlier misdirection had shaken his confidence, leading him to seek out a new "preferred" student to validate his theory. In essence, he was using Hikigaya as a test, throwing a stone to gauge the reaction.
It was... mildly irritating.
Just as Hikigaya was about to speak, Ichinose interjected, her voice cutting through the tension. "Ryuuen-kun, I understand your proposal, but there's one thing I don't quite get."
"Oh? And what's that?" Ryuuen's curiosity was piqued.
"Why do you think Hikigaya-kun dislikes Katsuragi-kun?" Ichinose tilted her head, her question laced with genuine confusion.
"At least, I don't think so. Some people might appear to be enemies on the surface, but underneath, they could be like-minded friends. Isn't that something you, of all people, would understand, Ryuuen-kun?"
…Wait, wait, Ichinose-san? What are you saying?!
Hikigaya quickly tugged at her sleeve, but she merely turned and gave him a reassuring look as if to say, "Don't worry."
No, I'm not reassured at all...
"I don't understand what you're talking about," Ryuuen said, narrowing his eyes.
"It's fine, I understand," Ichinose replied calmly.
"Huh?"
Ryuuen's face twisted into a perplexed frown, but he didn't push further.
"Forget it," Ryuuen continued, brushing the matter aside. "In any case, my proposal isn't bad, right?" He glanced at Hikigaya. "I know you don't trust me, which is why I brought Katsuragi along. Unless, of course, you can't even trust him, in which case I have nothing more to say."
"That's not the issue here," Ichinose responded.
"Then what is it?"
Despite Ryuuen's persistent questioning, Ichinose neither agreed nor outright rejected his proposal. In truth, it was a solid plan. Although Class A was currently in the lead, the gap between them and Class B wasn't that large. Once Sakayanagi took the reins, it would undoubtedly lead to a fierce battle. Gaining an early lead now wouldn't be a bad move.
Besides, Ichinose was also waiting for Hikigaya to voice his opinion.
"Ryuuen-kun, could you clarify your point a bit more?" Horikita suddenly questioned. "It sounds like the students of Class A trust Hikigaya-kun quite a bit. Let's assume that's the case. But how can he guarantee you won't betray us? If Class C betrays us, everything falls apart."
To Horikita, the proposal was utterly bewildering. Hikigaya was, after all, a student of Class D, not some neutral party. Yet, Ryuuen seemed perfectly fine with making him the intermediary, and Ichinose hadn't opposed the idea either.
There were far too many questions left unanswered.
"Heh, Suzune, you're adorably naive, you know that? Still don't get Hikigaya's true nature?" Ryuuen taunted, his smile widening.
"…Then why don't you enlighten us?" Horikita shot back, glaring at Ryuuen, who merely chuckled.
"If the alliance is formed and one of the classes betrays us, what do you think Hikigaya would do?"
Without waiting for Horikita's response, Ryuuen answered his question. "He'd retaliate like a mad dog. Don't forget, our school lives are long, and being targeted by him for three years over a single exam wouldn't be worth it. And don't think that just because he's from Class D, he'll favor his class. He's too capricious for that—he doesn't care about alliances. You've experienced that firsthand, haven't you, Suzune?"
He's probably referring to the incident on the deserted island, something Ryuuen likely heard from Ibuki.
Though the conflict between the boys and girls seemed coincidental on the surface, anyone with half a brain knew that Hikigaya had instigated it simply because he couldn't stand their behavior. From a leader's perspective, he was an unstable bomb.
Hikigaya couldn't help but sigh. "Can you stop calling people mad dogs?"
"Did you hear that? He doesn't deny the retaliation," Ryuuen said with a smirk.
"Well..." Hikigaya wouldn't hesitate to retaliate against any class that dared to betray him. After all, he had principles. But hearing it from Ryuuen... It was unsettling. How does he know me so well?
"And besides, Suzune, we don't need your class to be involved," Ryuuen added, his tone growing heavier and more threatening.
"If Class D can't trust Hikigaya, then I'll just team up with Class A. Sure, working with just one class might make it harder to identify the pattern, but it's not impossible."
This was a veiled threat. But instead of being rattled, Hikigaya became more convinced that Ryuuen wasn't genuinely interested in collaboration, at least not with Ichinose. Class A wouldn't turn against their current allies, especially when they were already working with Class D.
Ryuuen knew this too, which is why he proposed a three-class alliance, hoping to lure some sharp-minded individuals into approaching him privately.
Just then, Ayanokoji, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "Even if you meddle in other people's business, this isn't going to work, right?"
"Sidekick, you understand what's going on?" Ryuuen was surprised to see Ayanokoji interject, though he still didn't take him seriously.
"If Class B and Class C join forces, won't that just push Class A and Class D to team up next? Even if Class D lacks teamwork, they'd band together if it meant avoiding defeat. I'm sure Class B would think the same way."
"Exactly. These discussions won't lead to anything except mutual destruction," Horikita realized after Ayanokoji's comment.
"What's that supposed to mean, Suzune?"
"By Ayanokoji-kun's standards, he's hit the nail on the head. If you keep discussing this, we'll assume 'Class A and Class C have formed an alliance' and act accordingly. That's all."
"Fine, I'd love to see if you can establish an alliance with Katsuragi," Ryuuen retorted, clearly trying to provoke Class A into betrayal, while Horikita remained resolute.
This would undoubtedly put pressure on Ichinose, which was likely why Ayanokoji had spoken up. Without his intervention, Horikita might have said something that would've driven Class A into Ryuuen's arms. But now, she refrained from making any accusations.
If Class A were to sever ties with Class D in this situation, every other class would see them as traitors, which would be disastrous for their future in school.
…Honestly, I hate how these guys love picking on the honest ones.
Hikigaya understood their motives all too well. He hadn't wanted to get involved, but he also disliked seeing Class D claim the moral high ground.
From a class standpoint, Class D had already betrayed them.
As Ichinose prepared to speak, Hikigaya cut her off. "Ryuuen, your proposal for a three-class alliance was never going to work. None of the three classes have the trust necessary to make it happen."
He deliberately steered the conversation back to its original context, rather than allowing Ryuuen to pressure Class A into making a decision.
"Oh? And why's that?" Ryuuen asked, clearly intrigued by Hikigaya's underlying meaning.
"Last night, the exam for the Monkey Group ended, as you all know," Hikigaya began, ignoring Horikita's attempt to stop him.
"Though it was an individual's decision, and I can't say for sure it's accurate, someone in our class wrote down the name of Class A's preferred student. That's a fact."
"Meaning Class D has already attacked Class A, so your plan is dead in the water. I'm not in any position to act as an intermediary, so let's end this here."
"…Hahaha, I see now!" Ryuuen paused for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"Looks like Class D and I think alike. If it's not explicitly written in a contract, betraying others for points is only natural. I don't mind your approach at all."
This was the so-called advantage of having low morals. Ryuuen didn't feel the slightest bit embarrassed saying it, and as for the students of Class D, all they were left with was embarrassment.