NOVEL NEXT Chapter 12
Chapter 12: The Truth Behind Admission (Part 2)
How did Hikigaya manage to pass the entrance exam for Advanced Nurturing High School? That was his biggest question.
Though Hikigaya followed his mother’s request to attend school in Tokyo, deep down, he was utterly unwilling to leave Chiba and his sister. So, during the entrance exam for Advanced Nurturing High School, when he faced the subject’s written test questions, Hikigaya completely gave up.
For multiple-choice questions, he picked the shortest answer when there were three long options and the longest answer when there were three short options. For the essay questions, he randomly filled in answers. And during the interview with the examiners, he was just honest.
Interviewer: “It’s well known that our school is famous for its almost 100% graduation and employment rate, and many well-known people from various fields have emerged from here. What are your career plans or life goals?”
“Would you like to enter the University of Tokyo and pass through the red gate? Or join a professional league and become a player? Maybe enter the entertainment industry to become a singer or actor? Or do you want to join a top 100 global company and become a career elite?”
Hikigaya: “My goal is to become a househusband.”
“House…husband? Is that a new career like VTuber or something? It’s a very innovative idea, and on the other hand, it also responds well to the movement for improving women’s status. It’s a new trend in male employment. Well then, please tell us why you chose our school.”
“To ensure I can become a househusband after graduation.”
“Uh… I didn’t expect such a young student to have such a strong desire to ‘become a househusband.’ You must have a deep understanding of marriage. I see, in Japan’s current situation with the declining birthrate, getting married and having children early could be a good choice, a way of contributing to society.”
“Marriage? Not necessarily, as long as I have a sister.”
“???”
The interviewer adjusted his collar, maintaining his usual composure.
“Ahem! Our school’s educational philosophy has always been to cultivate outstanding individuals who contribute to society… talented individuals. Therefore, we pay attention to how students keep up with current news, information, and their thoughts. We look at aspects such as people’s livelihoods, politics, culture, and entertainment. This is to ensure we get a well-rounded view of students, rather than just a one-sided understanding. So, please share your thoughts and views on these topics.”
Whether it was Hikigaya’s impression or not, the interviewer seemed to emphasize certain words.
“I’m particularly concerned about civil law issues.”
The interviewer’s eyes finally lit up.
“Oh? Hikigaya, your perspective is very unique. This is one of the sharpest social issues today. Please, share your thoughts.”
“My greatest concern is when the marriage law will be amended.”
“Ha, haha… this student, you… your area of concern seems a bit, well… how should I put it… it’s certainly very different from the norm. The issue of young people’s views on marriage is something worth thinking about and studying. But young people’s thoughts are sometimes a little radical. I can understand that, right?” The interviewer wiped his sweat with a handkerchief.
“Alright, let’s move on to the final question. Don’t worry too much, it’s a simpler and more relaxed question. Please summarize your thoughts on your junior high school years and your expectations for high school life.”
This time, Hikigaya fell into an unusual silence, as if caught up in a memory. Then, suddenly, he had an extremely serious and solemn expression. The interviewer, seeing this, instinctively sat up straighter and held his breath, waiting for Hikigaya’s answer.
“I’ve realized that the multiverse, parallel worlds really exist!”
“Alright, thank you for participating in our school’s interview. Your knowledge about our school and your performance have left us with a very deep impression. If you are admitted, we will contact you as soon as possible.”
The interviewer spoke rapidly with a familiar, polished professional tone, and before Hikigaya could react, the man had already packed his things, left the room, and disappeared.
Hikigaya couldn’t suppress a smile. The next day, he received an expedited admission letter. Was this the famous Japanese speed?!
“So, even though I did all of that, I still got accepted into this school. It’s unbelievable!” Hikigaya couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
“Hahahaha!!”
Hiratsuka-sensei stared blankly for a while before finally bursting out laughing.
“What is this? Hikigaya, you’re so… so… humorous! Hahahaha!!!”
While Hiratsuka-sensei laughed in glee, Hikigaya wore an expression of complete despair. It was clear how crushed he was when he received the acceptance letter.
This was absurd!
Sensei Hiratsuka, trying to stifle her laughter, curiously asked, “What happened next?”
Hikigaya looked at the woman responsible for all of this and couldn’t help but complain, “What happened next? Of course, I obediently came to this school, and on the first day, I… accidentally met Yukinoshita.”
“Then I unexpectedly discovered the hidden truth about this school. Normally, a school with a 100% graduation rate and employment rate should have a very strict entrance process. Students wanting to enter should be numerous. Under normal circumstances, only the most outstanding students in every area should be able to attend.”
Hikigaya sighed as he continued, “So, I’ve always been puzzled as to how I passed the entrance exam. It wasn’t until I saw the disastrous situation in Class D that I realized just how ridiculous things were. Because my outcome had been decided from the very beginning. No matter if my exam results were good or bad, the ‘admission’ result wouldn’t have changed. Right, Sensei?”
It wasn’t until today that Hikigaya finally figured it out—the so-called exam was just a formality. The admission result had already been predetermined. Otherwise, how could someone like him, or the so-called ‘foolish duo,’ or people like Sudo, ever get into a school that so many others were clamoring to join?
He was just an ordinary high school student with no special background. His parents weren’t from rich or prestigious families, nor were they runaway children of chaebols or illegitimate children. They were just ordinary working-class people.
He… Hikigaya Hachiman, though he called himself a ‘lone wolf,’ knew that was just a cover-up he created for himself. In reality, he was just an ordinary high school student.
So, how did he, an ordinary student, manage to get into this school that countless others were desperately trying to join?
Was it through his parents using connections to pull strings?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
He would rather believe he was an adopted child and that he and Komachi were half-siblings, than believe his parents would spend a large amount of money to use connections for his admission!
This was also the reason Hikigaya had been so confused—how did he, of all people, manage to gain admission to Advanced Nurturing High School? It wasn’t until he saw Hiratsuka-sensei again at this school that most of the mysteries were finally solved.