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

Chapter 38: Freedom to Soar

The fierce competition for the student council position was something Hikigaya had mentally prepared for. It was precisely because he understood the special nature of this school that he truly realized the serious disadvantage of his label as a member of Class D.

As for whether he could enter the student council, Hikigaya thought that the effort he had put in was enough, and whatever the result, he would let it happen naturally.

When Yukinoshita had initially mentioned the possibility of getting an “outing” opportunity, Hikigaya was quite tempted. After all, seeing Komachi would be a joyful occasion, but that didn’t mean it was something he had to do.

“I can help you get into the student council.”

Yukinoshita’s sudden words stunned Hikigaya for a moment, and then he shook his head with a wry smile, refusing.

“I’m aware of the fierce competition, so I’m not too attached to the final result. What’s meant to be will be; what isn’t, won’t be forced.”

“That’s surprisingly enlightened.”

Yukinoshita stirred her coffee, and the swirling liquid slowly formed a small vortex. “But can a life of simply going along with things really be enough? Can someone else’s words or thoughts decide your life?”

Hikigaya couldn’t see Yukinoshita’s expression clearly at that moment, but he felt that something in her demeanor seemed off. After a moment of silence, he spoke.

“Maybe. Everyone has probably fantasized about a life where they can make a comeback, where they can live freely according to their own desires, but as they grow up, they realize that they’ve already been bound by all kinds of things.”

“People more talented than you, wealthier than you, more powerful than you, everyone lives in a massive social web that’s woven together like countless spider webs. There are beautiful and happy things, but also unavoidable bad things, and you can only accept and go along with them.”

At this moment, Yukinoshita lifted her head and looked at Hikigaya, but instead of seeing an expression of self-deprecation or compromise on his face, she saw someone standing firm like an unmovable rock in the wind and rain.

“Just like you right now? You could take the initiative to gain more, but you instead build layer upon layer of defenses, submit passively, let yourself be trampled, and ultimately become a bird without wings?” Yukinoshita looked at Hikigaya with a cold expression.

Yukinoshita’s words now carried a noticeable emotional charge and aggressiveness, but Hikigaya didn’t get angry. Instead, he let out a long sigh.

“Yukinoshita, I’m not sure what your definition of freedom is, and I’m not trying to lecture you. I admit that I’m a pessimistic person because I’ve always believed that as long as you exist in society, you can never have true absolute freedom. To me, freedom isn’t about doing whatever you want; it’s about having the ability to say ‘no.’”

Yukinoshita suddenly fell silent, and then she suddenly laughed out loud.

“Heh, you didn’t want to owe anyone a favor, so you found such an excuse. Hikigaya-kun, you’re so complicated!”

Hikigaya’s face stiffened, and he didn’t say anything.

“Really unexpected, being so clear-headed about reality. No matter how much you struggle, as long as you ‘live’ in this society, true freedom is impossible,” Yukinoshita said, then smiled brightly at Hikigaya. “But I really like what you said… that freedom is the ability to say ‘no.’”

At this point, Yukinoshita purposely paused, her tone lingering. “So, you rejected my offer because you didn’t want to lose your freedom?”

Hikigaya’s eyes flickered, and he didn’t answer, but in truth, that was already an “answer.”

“Sure enough, you’re the most cunning of liars.”

Yukinoshita was not angry. On the contrary, she seemed quite pleased, as if… she had found a kindred spirit?

“Since you don’t want to, then forget it. I’m not like you, Hikigaya-kun, an unromantic person,” Yukinoshita teased with a hint of bitterness. “But sometimes, I do prefer those naive, clueless little boys.”

Heh, you like it because you can easily toy with them, don’t you?

Hikigaya couldn’t help but mentally scoff.

“Hikigaya-kun, are you thinking something inappropriate?” Yukinoshita squinted at him.

“Ab—absolutely not!”

Yukinoshita hummed in confusion for a moment, and then the two of them seemed to unconsciously stop talking about the student council topic. However, one advantage of interacting with Yukinoshita was that there was never a lack of things to talk about.

“Only one more week until a month has passed,” Yukinoshita said with enthusiasm. “How about we guess how many class points the other classes will have left next month?”

Seeing Hikigaya hesitate, Yukinoshita couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s there to worry about? Class points aren’t exactly a secret to some students, and don’t forget, in this school, points can buy anything~”

“You mean… buying relevant information from the teachers?”

Hikigaya immediately understood what Yukinoshita meant, and he furrowed his brows. Since the beginning of the school year, the school and teachers had kept the truth about the “S system” hidden, and their goal was obviously to test the new students’ qualities and abilities.

If that was the case, teachers wouldn’t easily share relevant information with students. And to prevent teachers from “cheating,” Hikigaya speculated that the school probably had certain rules and restrictions in place. Otherwise, the hidden tests at the beginning of the school year would have no meaning at all.

“That’s right. In this school, there’s no shortage of smart, observant students. Finding the truth is just a matter of time, so buying information from teachers is tacitly accepted.”

“I see. But that must cost a lot of points, right?”

“Of course.” Yukinoshita nodded. “And even if you use points to buy information, part of it will still be ‘classified.'”

After hearing this, Hikigaya couldn’t help but sigh. No wonder Class A was filled with so many sharp and insightful students.

At the same time, a certain small white-haired girl, Sakanagi Arisu, and a student named Katsuragi, whom he had encountered in the student council interview, suddenly came to Hikigaya’s mind.

Based on the information subtly revealed in Yukinoshita’s words, it was clear that besides Yukinoshita, there were likely other students in Class A who had already figured out the truth about the school. The difference was probably just in how quickly they had discovered it.

“Class A and Class B…”

Hikigaya muttered to himself. Of the students who attended the student council interview, apart from Hikigaya himself, there were only students from Class A and Class B. Class C didn’t even have a single person, which already indicated a lot of problems!

“So, starting next month, the gap between the classes will only get wider!”

Despite being mentally prepared and having no expectations for his own class, seeing the other classes shining like bright stars while his own seemed dull and lifeless like a rotten stone in a gutter still made Hikigaya feel a pang of envy and jealousy.