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

Chapter 13: The Protected You

“I didn’t expect you to figure it out, kid.”

Hiratsuka-sensei, upon hearing this, had a complex expression. While her student had significant flaws in dealing with interpersonal relationships, he was surprisingly sensitive in certain areas or in his way of thinking.

“In fact, it’s pretty much as you guessed. The admission process at Advanced Nurturing High School is rather unique. Some students apply on their own, while others are recommended by middle schools from different regions. The so-called entrance exam is only for the former group, while the latter also has an exam, but it’s just a formality,” Hiratsuka-sensei explained.

This could be considered an insider’s secret, not really violating any school rules, but it was an unspoken “rule” that not many people knew about. That’s why Hiratsuka-sensei could speak so freely about it.

“So, you’re saying my admission was recommended by Sobu Middle School? I thought it was you who arranged it…”

Hikigaya, upon hearing this, sank into thought. He faintly sensed a problem and suddenly, a question that he’d subconsciously ignored flashed in his mind.

His deviation score was enough to get into Sobu High School, but why did Hiratsuka-sensei specifically arrange for him to go to school in Tokyo?

Was it to get him away from Chiba? Or was there another reason?

And the admission to Advanced Nurturing High School was… recommended by Sobu Middle School, not Hiratsuka-sensei?

This didn’t seem right. Why were these two things in such contradiction?

Wait!

Hikigaya suddenly looked up at Hiratsuka-sensei. She was simply looking at him, and for a moment… Hikigaya froze. Why was she here? Why did she want him to go to school in Tokyo? And why was his mother so adamant about this? And…

In an instant, a series of questions flashed through Hikigaya’s mind, finally forming one answer.

“So that’s it… Those guys were that scared, huh? It makes sense… No school wants a bomb that could go off at any moment,” Hikigaya lowered his head.

“Looks like you’ve finally figured it out,” Hiratsuka-sensei sighed deeply.

Her words confirmed Hikigaya’s guess.

But unexpectedly, there was no expression on the face of the boy with dead fish eyes. There was no anger, no resentment, only an expression that was so calm it could make someone feel afraid.

“How stupid of me. I kept fantasizing about getting into Sobu High School’s high school division, but no matter how hard I tried or how good my grades were, I could never enter Sobu High School. It’s so ironic.”

Hikigaya had thought he would be able to “stand on his own,” but in the end, he was still being protected.

The reason he was able to come to this school was because Hiratsuka-sensei “protected” him.

That matter had seemed to be over, and everyone involved had been punished. Everything had ended satisfactorily. But in reality, the aftermath of that event was far beyond what Hikigaya had imagined, and not something someone of his age, identity, or position could bear or even fathom on his own.

Hikigaya realized just how “weak” he was. There were invisible struggles, fights that happened out of his reach and imagination, and they were likely things he would never be able to touch in his life.

The peacefulness before him was only because someone else was bearing the weight for him.

“Hikigaya…”

Hiratsuka-sensei, full of guilt and self-blame, wanted to say something more, but Hikigaya gently shook his head, then took a step forward and bowed sincerely to her.

“Sensei, thank you.”

In truth, Hikigaya wanted to say the words “I’m sorry,” but in the end… he just couldn’t bring himself to say them. He didn’t want to say those words. An apology would only be to make himself feel better, and it was just a form of avoidance!

The most useless thing in the world was always the “I’m sorry” after the fact!

“Sigh, you’re still just a kid, but sometimes you’re more rational and mature than a lot of adults. You’re making me feel useless as a teacher!” Hiratsuka-sensei instinctively took out a cigarette, but then irritatedly clenched it tightly in her hand.

“And don’t thank me either. I didn’t do much. It’s just the result of both sides compromising. In fact, with your deviation score, you could have easily entered Sobu High School. They wouldn’t dare reject you without a reason, because that would attract criticism and bring instability. They would even worry you might do something extreme again.

So, the final result was to have Sobu High School recommend you to enter Advanced Nurturing High School. This resolved their concerns and also helped to calm your emotions since this school is one that many students dream of attending. For you, leaving Chiba for a while also helps avoid… unnecessary trouble and ensures you get through these three years safely.”

Hiratsuka-sensei managed a small smile, “This situation is the best outcome for both sides. A win-win result. So, you don’t need to burden yourself with negative emotions.”

Hikigaya remained silent.

A win-win result… right?

Indeed, Sobu had removed Hikigaya, the ticking time bomb, and Hikigaya had gained admission to Advanced Nurturing High School. From the outcome, it was a win-win. But Hikigaya understood that this was just Hiratsuka-sensei’s “side of the story.”

In reality, he had still bowed his head to them, compromised. Hiratsuka-sensei’s presence here was the strongest proof of that!

This was an invisible, smokeless war, and Hikigaya was utterly powerless. He was even a burden to Hiratsuka-sensei… So, he had no right to blame her for “bowing” to protect him. Hikigaya would rather drop out than see Hiratsuka-sensei get hurt because of him!

Hikigaya had never hated his “weakness” as much as he did now—the weakest version of himself, one that no one could protect.

The pain on the young man’s face was something Hiratsuka-sensei had never seen before. The Hikigaya she knew had always been strong, indifferent to the judgments, good or bad, of the outside world. He had always protected himself with armor, never showing such a “fragile” side in front of others.

Hiratsuka-sensei’s face flashed with guilt as her heart seemed to suddenly get pricked by something, a sharp pain in her chest.

Without thinking, Hiratsuka-sensei moved forward, gently hugging the boy and softly patting his head as she scolded him.

“Hey, Hikigaya, don’t think you’re too important. Even if it were someone else, I would do the same. After all… protecting students is a teacher’s responsibility! Got it, you idiot?”

Hikigaya, though often mocking her for being a violent teacher who failed at matchmaking, could still feel the softness unique to a woman in Hiratsuka-sensei’s body. A faint, elegant yet slightly pungent smell of smoke mixed with her body’s scent—a unique smell only she had.

The boy’s face flushed red, and he nonchalantly broke free from her grasp.

“Anyway, things have calmed down. You don’t need to worry about any trouble at this school. Those guys won’t dare stretch their hands here,” Hiratsuka-sensei seemed to realize her earlier actions had been a bit too much and blushed slightly.

“And I’ve consulted with a doctor. A change of environment might have a good effect on your condition.”

Hikigaya’s face immediately fell. Why bring that up now?!

“By the way, sensei, since those guys have such a big problem with me, now that I’ve graduated from Sobu Middle School, but…,” Hikigaya suddenly thought of a serious problem and nervously asked.

Hiratsuka-sensei interrupted him with a dismissive hand gesture and a “I knew it” look, as she huffed, “Now that the ‘culprit’ has run off, what can they do? That girl, your tomboy junior, is doing just fine! She was the real victim.

The school administrators are more concerned with keeping their own jobs. They’ll protect her even more than you. It’s ironic, really. They never pay attention until something goes wrong. In the end, those people are just too comfortable! Ugh, just thinking about it gets me angry!”

Hikigaya sighed in relief, but the next moment, Hiratsuka-sensei pinched his cheek and angrily said, “And you, troublemaker! You just keep causing me problems! You look so weak and introverted, yet your courage and temper are bigger than anyone else’s! How much dynamite did you eat to do such explosive things?!

If you had just talked to me back then… it wouldn’t have gotten to this point! Seriously, do you know how much hair I lost because of you? How much money I wasted on skincare and beauty products! And I missed several matchmaking dates because of you! I had to go home and listen to my dad lecture me…”

“…..”

You violent matchmaking failure!

Superhuman teacher!

It hurts!

Help me!