COTE : There is Something Wrong With Hikigaya-Chapter 55 - : Study Group

The second week of May had arrived, and around noon, Hirata suddenly walked up to the podium.

"Sorry to take up a few minutes of your time, everyone."

If it had been anyone else interrupting the class's break time for an announcement, they would have been ignored or even cursed at. But since it was Hirata, the students of Class D surprisingly let it slide.

"Chabashira-sensei mentioned that midterms are coming up soon, and anyone who fails will be at risk of expulsion. So I've decided to organize a study group after school. If you're feeling unsure about your grades, I hope you'll join us. We'd be happy to have you."

As soon as Hirata finished speaking, the students who had failed the recent quiz immediately got up and gathered around him. They looked genuinely grateful for his help. After all, students on the verge of failing were usually ignored and left to figure things out on their own. Many people believed that as long as they took care of themselves, there was no need to worry about others. That was often how families raised their kids too.

So naturally, some students had their doubts about Hirata's study group. After all, spending time helping others could take away from their own study time. Especially since many of the failing students had only themselves to blame, not everyone could be as forgiving as Hirata.

On the other hand, many students secretly appreciated having someone like Hirata around. After all, if they ever found themselves in trouble, they knew he would be willing to help them too.

For those barely hanging on to passing grades, Hirata's kindness was a blessing.

Of course, not everyone cared.

The Monkey Brothers and Sudou didn't react at all. Since the start of school, Sudou had never gotten along with Hirata. As for the Monkey Brothers, it was unclear whether they were jealous of Hirata or just siding with Sudou, but either way, they also refused to participate.

Seeing this, Hikigaya scoffed. Did these guys really think help was something they were entitled to?

If they didn't wake up and realize their situation soon, Hikigaya was certain that when the midterm results came out, their names would be on the expulsion list.

People who get sympathy usually have something pathetic about them, but sometimes, they also have something that makes them hard to pity.

Hirata, huh...

Hikigaya couldn't help but think to himself. Sometimes, he felt that Hirata was an extremely competent, almost perfect leader—someone who genuinely cared about the class and his classmates, sometimes even putting the class's needs above his own.

More importantly, Hirata had incredible initiative. With such a proactive class leader, combined with his popularity among both boys and girls, Hikigaya sometimes thought Class D was unbelievably lucky to have someone like him, someone who dedicated himself selflessly.

If not for Hirata, considering the state of Class D in the first month, the class would have probably already fallen apart and given up completely. If anyone here was an angel, it was Hirata.

But even though everyone saw him as the perfect leader, Hikigaya always felt something off about him. Ever since the school year started, he had felt that Hirata's "nice guy" persona was a little... excessive.

That said, Hikigaya was self-aware enough to know that as someone who couldn't even be considered a "nice guy" himself, he had no right to judge or criticize Hirata's actions.

At some point, Hirata had walked up to him. Even though he was already the highest-status student in Class D, he still greeted Hikigaya politely and then sincerely asked, "Hikigaya, could you help me with the study group?"

"Huh?"

Hikigaya froze. Seeing this, Hirata quickly explained, "It's like this—the number of students wanting to join the study group is a bit high, so I was hoping you could join in and help out. I believe the class would really appreciate your support."

If it were anyone else, they might have been moved by Hirata's sincerity. But Hikigaya simply shook his head, rejecting the request. Seeing that Hirata wanted to persuade him further, Hikigaya spoke first, cutting him off.

"Hirata, what do you think my relationship with the girls in class is like?"

"Uh..."

Even now, the group of girls led by Karuizawa was completely at odds with Hikigaya. Because of that, the other girls in class also avoided interacting with him too much, afraid they'd be labeled as "traitors" and punished.

"And what about my relationship with the guys in class?"

Most of the guys who struggled academically were on good terms with the "monkey brothers" and Sudou, or they simply looked down on Hikigaya altogether.

Hirata opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just let out a bitter chuckle.

"So, with my personality and reputation, I'm completely unsuited for this. If I join, I'll only ruin the study group you worked so hard to organize." Hikigaya's face remained blank. Nobody wanted to be bossed around by someone they disliked, and rather than causing more conflicts down the line, it was better to refuse from the start.

Hirata understood Hikigaya's situation. There were many things in the class that he could fix, but relationships between classmates were something even he struggled with. The best he could do was minimize conflicts as much as possible.

"I see."

Hirata's face showed a trace of guilt. "I'm sorry, Hikigaya. This is my fault. If I had been more decisive back then, maybe things wouldn't have ended up like this."

"No, as the class leader, you've already done a great job. This is just my own problem, so there's no need for you to blame yourself." Hikigaya felt a headache coming on. This again? Hirata, this isn't even your responsibility—why do you keep taking the blame for everything?

"I get it. You're still mad at me, right, Hikigaya?"

"Huh?"

Wait a second, Hirata... why does that sound kinda... weird?

I'm not into guys, okay!

"Hirata, I prefer them bigger. You know what I mean, right?" Hikigaya said seriously, instinctively taking a step back.

But Hirata just looked confused. "Bigger...? Are you upset because of what happened before? That makes sense... Even though you warned me at the start of the school year, I didn't understand what you meant, and now it's come to this."

"Hikigaya, you're really kind." Hirata smiled.

"Even with how busy you are with student council duties, you're still willing to listen to me ramble on like this. I won't take up your lunch break any longer."

With that, Hirata left, seemingly off to find another high-achieving student to help with the study group.

"Kind is a bit..."

Hikigaya suddenly froze.

Wait... How does Hirata know I joined the student council?

"Hmm?"

Just then, Hikigaya noticed a hidden gaze on him. He turned his head and locked eyes with a certain "ostrich girl." The moment their eyes met, Sakura's face turned bright red. She quickly looked down, practically burying her head like an ostrich trying to hide.

"..."

Well, this wasn't the first time. Lately, Hikigaya had been noticing her sneaking glances at him more and more. But every time he tried to ask her about it, she would shrink away like a trembling ostrich, refusing to even give him a chance to talk.

Was it really that bad?

Was he really that scary?

Hikigaya sighed in frustration.

Gradually, Hikigaya got used to the girl's gaze.

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