There is something wrong with Hikigaya’s classroom of the Elite, as expected

Chapter 20: Haruno’s Intentions

Haruno’s abilities are enough to prove that her status as an A-Class student is well-deserved. She truly is the “King of the Young Generation,” the flower on top of the tower, and it’s impossible to read her thoughts.

At the same time, the plan she laid out was indeed enticing, but…

Hikigaya didn’t let himself be misled and shook his head. “Using the student council’s position to make contact with the outside world? Forget about the chances of success; how could the school possibly leave such an opportunity unchecked? They would have a system in place to prevent such things. If anything unusual happens, the consequences will definitely be something neither of us can easily bear.”

At least, from Hikigaya’s perspective, there were major flaws in Haruno’s plan. He didn’t believe the school could be that foolish.

“Sure enough, you’re really sharp, Hikigaya-kun. No wonder you figured out the truth of the school in just two days. It’s such a shame you’re assigned to D-Class. I bet, before the school reveals the truth, many students will still be dreaming in a fantasy world, completely unaware they’re already in hell,” Haruno clapped her hands.

Hikigaya was immune to Haruno’s praise, and he knew all too well that compliments should always be taken with caution. But one piece of information did catch his attention.

“The school will reveal the truth?”

That made sense. The school couldn’t hide the truth for long, so the most likely scenario was a transition period. Since personal points were issued monthly, the school’s big reveal would probably happen after a month.

Before that, most students would still be blissfully ignorant. Hikigaya’s classmates were already spending large sums of money. He had already seen several of them spending recklessly, including Yamauchi and Ike, who bought a gaming console yesterday and had been playing with it during class and breaks. The group of girls from Karuizawa also went on a shopping spree yesterday at the Keyaki Shopping Center, buying cosmetics and clothes.

He could already predict the kind of “hell” scenario that would unfold in D-Class a month from now.

“For the students going outside for competitions, the school naturally has measures to prevent violations. I won’t deny that,” Haruno said, deliberately pausing. Then, with a meaningful smile, she continued, “But Hikigaya-kun, do you remember what our homeroom teacher said at the beginning of the term?”

Hikigaya tried to recall the words of their homeroom teacher, Chabashira-sensei, from yesterday. There wasn’t much to remember: she distributed the student handbook and gave a routine introduction to the S-System and the points system.

Wait!

The use of personal points?

Hikigaya frowned. In a normal school, this wouldn’t be something to be suspicious about. But this highly elite school was different. From surveillance cameras, the S-System, class points, and personal points—everything about the school was interconnected and “rigorous.” Every word that their teacher had said on the first day was likely deliberate, not just casual chatter.

Suddenly, Chabashira-sensei’s words caught Hikigaya’s attention.

“In this school, with points…”

“…nothing can’t be bought!” Both he and Haruno spoke at the same time.

Compared to Haruno’s calm demeanor, Hikigaya was visibly stunned.

Now Hikigaya understood Haruno’s true intentions: after joining the student council, using personal points to purchase opportunities to “contact the outside world”?!

Putting aside the chances of success, just being reminded by Haruno made Hikigaya’s mind start to race. He now understood personal points more deeply—not just as a substitute for monetary transactions, but as a form of leverage— a bargaining chip to negotiate with the school.

“So, your answer is…”

“Deal! I’ll work hard to get into the student council,” Hikigaya said without hesitation.

Upon hearing this, Haruno smiled brightly. “You’re such a good brother who loves his sister. It looks like I should be ready to report this to the police, right~?”

…

After leaving the gym and returning to the student dorms, Hikigaya immediately collapsed on his bed. Today had been overwhelming for him.

The horrible situation in D-Class, the student council invitation from Haruno… and meeting Shizuka-sensei again.

Hikigaya had to take the information Haruno had revealed seriously.

“I thought I had already figured out the truth about this school, but I was careless after all.”

Hikigaya reflected on his oversight. Without Haruno’s reminder, he might not have realized the true use of personal points. Initially, he had thought of them only as a form of currency, but now he realized they had far more significance.

“In this school, with points, you can buy anything? Heh, that’s really something… disgusting school!” Hikigaya sneered.

So, personal points weren’t just for purchasing everyday items, but also for buying “invisible services”?

The first thing that came to Hikigaya’s mind were grades, followed by information, and, like Haruno had mentioned, certain “privileges.”

“However, looking at it from another angle, this could also be seen as a form of alternative equality,” Hikigaya’s expression grew more complex.

The elite high school, though full of rules designed to encourage competition, and with an unequal distribution of abilities between A-Class and D-Class, still had one thing to admit: the school’s rules were, in a sense, fair.

If it were in the outside world, students might not even have the chance to compete.

“Ugh, though I agreed to join the student council, it was easy to say but much harder to actually achieve!”

The student council president looked like the kind of strict and difficult person to deal with. Whether or not Hikigaya, as a D-Class student, could pass the president’s assessment was a huge unknown. He just hoped the president would be as “fair” as she seemed when speaking, and not engage in some kind of class-based favoritism. If that was the case, a “flawed” student like him from D-Class would have no chance.

“By the way, that name, Horikita… it couldn’t be related to that ice-cold, proud girl, could it?”

Hikigaya suddenly recalled that same proud, cold girl, who had also been in the gym earlier, right?

But the matter of joining the student council wasn’t urgent for now. What truly needed attention was something else: personal points.

After learning from Haruno how crucial personal points were, Hikigaya became even more concerned about the looming points crisis. The situation in D-Class was already dire. At this rate, how many points would be left by next month? Maybe even none.

“Looks like I’ll have to find a way through the school’s clubs.”

For now, Hikigaya could only think of that as a way to earn personal points.

“But that’s just a temporary solution…!”

Hikigaya scratched his head in frustration. Unless the poor atmosphere in the class was dealt with, his personal points would always be behind others. Or worse, he would be unfairly made to pay for the bad behavior of others, becoming an unintended sacrifice.

All for one, one for all—this was the collective spirit!

Unfortunately, D-Class was all damage right now. For serious students like Hikigaya, Hirata, and Horikita who followed the rules, it was deeply unfair.

A month later, the “hell” scenario Hikigaya could foresee might very well lead to the collapse of the class.

Though he wanted to respect others’ choices, now that his own interests were at stake, Hikigaya decided to at least try something.