Chapter 10: Will Win
"Hachiman, please excuse me for a moment."
Shijo Maki, who moments ago had seemed somewhat endearing in front of Hikigaya Hachiman, turned visibly dark in her bright purple pupils upon hearing the undisguised words of provocation.
Her entire demeanor changed instantly.
"Well, well, well, isn't this the terrifying Auntie?"
Shijo Maki walked past Hikigaya Hachiman, heading towards the source of the voice.
"Long time no see. Why are you so aggressive right away?
Are you feeling unwell?
If Auntie also wants a physical examination, I can lend you my medical team."
Being openly mocked like this in front of so many people made even the usually good-tempered Shijo Maki feel a surge of anger.
Naturally, she retaliated without reservation, meeting the provocation head-on.
Yukinoshita Yukino, having just arrived at Shuchiin and still adapting, was the best judge. When the girl with an aura even more chilling than her own appeared, the atmosphere in the hallway completely froze.
No one dared to whisper, and the crowd spontaneously parted, making way for the girl to pass.
It was as if welcoming a true queen.
Long hair draped over her shoulders, a severe expression devoid of smiles, and cold, indifferent eyes—just looking at her was enough to inspire fear.
Shinomiya Kaguya!
The apex of this academy, the eldest daughter of the Shinomya family, the head of Japan's Four Great Financial Conglomerates.
The Yukinoshita family's ability to enter the Tokyo market from Chiba was thanks to the Shinomya family.
Yukinoshita Yukino had heard that the Shinomya family and the Shijo family were at odds. They were originally one family, but due to a conflict of ideals, the Shijo family split from the Shinomya family.
Yukinoshita Yukino thought that young ladies of their status wouldn't resort to open hostility in public, but the conflict between the two families was apparently more intense than she had imagined, reaching a point of mutual intolerance.
However, what puzzled Yukinoshita Yukino was why both of these high-born young ladies were circling around him, and their behavior seemed somewhat strange.
The personality of this Young Lady Kaguya felt somewhat similar to her own.
She shouldn't be so ostentatious, and personally engaging in a verbal spat felt somewhat damaging to her status.
Hikigaya Hachiman watched Maki and Shinomiya bickering. Although he knew this stemmed from the historical conflict between the main family and the branch family.
However, their mutual hostility made Hikigaya Hachiman, who was caught between them, uncomfortable.
So, Hikigaya Hachiman interjected, interrupting their conversation.
"Shinomiya, why are you here?"
Shinomiya Kaguya, who maintained an aloof attitude that pushed people away on a daily basis—who knows what she was thinking?
She was a highly convoluted and troublesome woman.
Hikigaya Hachiman immediately felt that Yuigahama Yui's decision to go home was foresight, as she was actually quite afraid of Shinomiya Kaguya.
"Why shouldn't I be here, Hikigaya-kun?"
Shinomiya Kaguya glanced at Hikigaya Hachiman with emotionless eyes. Her tone was still as sharp and cold as the winter wind.
"I also heard some rumors. As a fellow Student Council member.
I'll give you a piece of advice, Hikigaya-kun.
Don't get too close to the loser. Otherwise, you might catch the losing bug."
"Who's the loser?"
Shijo Maki immediately bristled.
"You only beat me by one point last time! Don't get too arrogant!"
That Auntie is truly infuriating.
"Did you hear that? That's the wailing of a loser."
Shinomiya Kaguya shook her head, spreading her hands in a gesture of helplessness.
"Hikigaya-kun, let's have a showdown in the next exam. She only dares to issue a challenge, but I dare to make a bet with you.
If I lose to you, I will grant you one request."
This immediately excited the onlookers. A bet between the Ice Princess and that guy was quite a high-stakes game.
"I'm not interested."
Hikigaya Hachiman refused directly. He had no interest in a victory over Shinomiya Kaguya that was practically handed to him.
Shinomiya Kaguya had already lost to him five times. The sixth time would naturally hold no suspense.
Also, was Hikigaya Hachiman some kind of Demon King, that everyone seemed eager to be his challenger?
Maki was, and Shinomiya Kaguya was too.
"Are you afraid of losing to me?"
Shinomiya Kaguya stared at Hikigaya Hachiman with intensely focused red pupils.
Shijo Maki heard this and scoffed, mocking the overly confident Auntie.
"Can you win?"
Shinomiya Kaguya replied seriously, "I will win."
Just then, the class bell rang, easing the tension in the atmosphere.
"Alright, everyone go to class."
Hikigaya Hachiman directly ordered the students watching the show.
Even though he was no longer the Disciplinary Committee Chairman, his deterrent force remained.
The students in the hallway quickly dispersed, returning to their classes. Shinomiya Kaguya and Shijo Maki exchanged mutual disgruntled snorts and went their separate ways.
Yukinoshita Yukino, who was in the crowd, had many questions for Hikigaya Hachiman but could only let it go for now.
But shortly after she turned to leave, the phone in her skirt pocket vibrated.
Yukinoshita Yukino took out her phone and saw a new text message.
"It was an accident. It has nothing to do with you."
She looked up and saw Hikigaya Hachiman gazing at her from a distance.
With over 100 students in the hallway, it would be strange if Hikigaya Hachiman didn't notice the pale-faced Yukinoshita Yukino.
Seeing Yukinoshita Yukino's deathly pale complexion, it was clear she had learned that the accident he was involved in was related to the Yukinoshita family's vehicle, which was why she looked so worried.
Around noon, Hikigaya Hachiman took Yukinoshita Yukino's club creation form and headed to the Student Council room.
Passing by the first-year Senseis' office, Hikigaya Hachiman saw a small, brown-haired girl seemingly protesting to a Sensei.
"Sensei, it's been a month since school started. Can we finally release Ishigami's promotion approval?
Even if he made a mistake, he must still be allowed to advance a grade."
The Sensei on the other side kept shaking his head, seemingly trying to evade the issue.
Hikigaya Hachiman remembered the name of every person in the school. The small girl's name should be Miko Iino, a first-year member of the Disciplinary Committee.
Hikigaya Hachiman had approved her entrance exam; she was a very upright child.
Yet, she was arguing with a Sensei and then angrily stormed out of the office.
Hikigaya Hachiman grew interested and also walked into the office.
"Ah, Hikigaya-kun."
These Senseis were quite wary of Hikigaya Hachiman. Even if he just focused on them, it would mean trouble.
"Sensei, could I see the form Iino-san just left behind?"
"It's nothing, really, just concerning a delinquent who was placed on disciplinary suspension and observation."
The Sensei scratched his head and directly handed the form Iino had written on the desk to Hikigaya Hachiman.
Hikigaya Hachiman took the paper and looked at the title.
Iino's handwriting was extremely neat.
"Appeal Regarding Ishigami Yu 's Disciplinary Suspension, Observation, and Denial of Grade Promotion."