Chapter 42: Doubts
Aniverse
Ike: "Wait—it actually worked… Incredible!"
Yamauchi: "He really changed the original course of events again. How is this even possible? It's like he didn't do anything at all."
Horikita: "…I'm getting more and more curious about what he'll do next."
Ayanokōji studied the boy intently. It was almost impossible to say this was the "killer" from the White Room. But… he had indeed replaced him.
"This can only be explained as something supernatural. Even so… I can't help but be curious about what kind of changes will happen in your world."
Sudō: "That's amazing! I'm actually learning! I can't believe it!"
Koenji placed his hands behind his head, closing his eyes with arrogance. "Don't smile so happily before you drop out of school. After all, even if you study hard, no one can guarantee you won't be expelled, little red-haired boy."
---
After finishing her day's surveillance, Kamuro reported her movements to Sakayanagi, who sat poised at the chessboard.
Sakayanagi: "So? Did he notice you?"
Kamuro: "…Probably… yes."
Sakayanagi smiled faintly, picked up a pawn, and set it down at the edge of the board. Here, no piece threatened it, nor could it threaten any piece. Just like a well-guarded princess.
Sakayanagi: "Actually, you've already been discovered."
Kamuro: "Huh? When?"
Sakayanagi: "Who knows? I'd guess from the very first day I sent you to tail him."
Kamuro: "But… I never once felt him looking at me, except today…"
Sakayanagi: "That's because he judged you harmless, so he pretended not to notice."
Kamuro: "Impossible…"
Sakayanagi: "Oh, it's true. He mentioned it to me when we met last time… but said he didn't mind."
Kamuro's face flushed crimson. To think she'd nervously avoided his gaze all day—only to realize he had seen her long ago. How foolish must she have looked in his eyes?
Sakayanagi: "Anyway, even if he's noticed, continue watching him. Keep reporting."
Kamuro: "Why?! It's meaningless now. Since he knows, everything we see is only what he wants us to."
Sakayanagi placed her king firmly before a pawn. The sharp clack echoed through the room.
"You still don't understand. I didn't place you by his side merely for surveillance."
"I promised him I would protect him."
Her silver hair shimmered as she turned, her smile soft yet unsettling. To Kamuro, she looked less like a princess than a devil disguised with angel's wings.
The pawn, weakest yet strongest piece in chess, had always been her favorite.
No matter what, he would live his three years here well.
Whether enemy or ally, no one would change that.
Behind him, Sakayanagi would ensure he remained protected.
---
Hikigaya, though, could not comprehend her intent.
Why would she go so far for me?
In all his years, no one had ever paid a heavy price for someone as marginal as him. He'd always been selfish, giving nothing to others—except maybe that time he saved Yuigahama's dog. That was all.
But Sakayanagi was different. He had only met her a few times, yet she treated him like this.
I'm not special. If she wanted to exploit someone, she wouldn't pick someone weak like me…
This silver-haired fairy was like a demon who saw through everything—but who never risked herself.
The more Hikigaya thought, the less sense it made. The students, the teachers—everyone at this school felt wrong, unpredictable.
What does this so-called "Classroom of the Elite" truly represent? What is the point of its existence? Is this really just… a school?
His inner doubts had no answer.
---
Back in his dorm after the long day, Hikigaya lay in bed, mulling over the exam.
At a normal school, grades were everything. Not here.
If this school's true purpose was to screen students harshly, maintaining its 100% graduation rate…
What a cruel place…
He grimaced.
Who knows, maybe I'll get expelled myself without even realizing it.
Students like Sudō, with poor grades, didn't even know what the passing line was. Without that, there was no goal to chase.
The teachers held all the information. The students… none.
At this rate, there was almost no chance Sudō could pass.
Frustrated, Hikigaya rolled over—then promptly fell out of bed.
"…Forget it. I'll go buy a MAX Coffee."
But of course, his beloved MAX Coffee didn't exist in this school. The vending machines held countless drinks—sweet, sour, refreshing—but none could replace that taste.
If he had points to spare, the first thing he'd do would be to petition the school to stock MAX Coffee. At least then, his bleak high school life would have a little more color.
For now, with only a few thousand points left, such dreams were far away.
Hikigaya stood before the vending machine, staring. Too many choices. Yet none were right.
Finally, he selected a bottle of black tea.
"…It's been a while since I last drank that guy's tea."
Just as he turned to head back to the dorm, a familiar voice drifted through the night.
"I am no longer the useless me my brother once knew."