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

Chapter 32: Power-First Ideology

When the office door opened again, it had already been 20 minutes.

“Eh, Kanazaki-kun hasn’t left yet?”

After coming out of the office, Ichinose was still her usual sunny and cheerful self, showing no signs of being affected by the interview. On her face, it seemed like there was never any hint of darkness or sadness, projecting an image of someone who could overcome any difficulty with positivity and determination.

Having endured the stare of a certain boy for nearly 20 minutes, Hikigaya had long felt uncomfortable. Now, seeing what seemed like a savior, he quickly stood up and entered the office.

…

“I am Hikigaya Hachiman from Class 1D. It is an honor to be here to attend the interview for our school’s student council… I will dedicate myself to serving all students, to build a united and friendly campus life, so that everyone can have the same goal and work together… With faith in our hearts, strength in our steps, we will not forget our original intentions and remember the mission entrusted by the school to the student council. We will practice humility, caution, and hard work, fight courageously and be skilled in combat… becoming an ideal, moral, cultured, and disciplined model of the new generation of youth!”

A lengthy speech that lasted almost five minutes — this was Hikigaya’s confident work. But why was everyone silent? And why was Haruno, seated at the farthest end of the interview panel, turning her head and suppressing a smile? She’d better apologize quickly!

In the student council office, the student council president, Horikita Manabu, and the student council secretary, Tachibana Akane, were clearly the interviewers. But what about Haruno? Why was she sitting on the panel as well? She didn’t seem to have any speaking authority; she appeared more like an errand girl.

According to the usual procedure, Tachibana, as the secretary, should have started asking Hikigaya questions, with the president, Horikita, providing additional commentary or making final decisions. However, Horikita unexpectedly interrupted Tachibana, who was about to speak.

“Class D, first-year student, Hikigaya Hachiman. Some people have strongly recommended you, saying you’re an exceptionally rare talent, with the strongest abilities among all the new students in previous years. You even boasted about reaching the top of this highly competitive school, intending to dominate all students and become the emperor of this school.”

At this point, Tachibana was frozen in place, while Horikita pushed up his glasses and slowly spoke, “Out of all the students I’ve met, you might not be the strongest, but you’re definitely the most arrogant.”

Huh? When did I become “Arrogant Hachiman”?!

Hikigaya opened his mouth in shock and looked toward a certain girl, who was showing a set of tiger teeth, acting like “It’s none of my business.”

“Wait, is there some kind of misunderstanding here?!” The boy, now labeled “Arrogant Hachiman,” quickly tried to explain.

“A misunderstanding?”

Horikita’s expression remained calm. “If you were just an ordinary student, I wouldn’t say much. But as a student who might one day become a member of the student council, the rumors and slanders surrounding you aren’t something that can be dismissed as a mere ‘misunderstanding.'”

Hikigaya’s face stiffened. He immediately realized he had fallen into a trap. The student council president wasn’t concerned with whether the “misunderstanding” existed; what mattered was how Hikigaya was going to resolve it.

At the same time, Hikigaya felt a sense of pressure from the student council president. After a brief exchange, he immediately felt the strong personal style emanating from Horikita.

Straight to the core of the issue.

What he needed wasn’t someone who raised questions but someone who could solve problems.

A proper, well-established adult!

This image immediately popped into Hikigaya’s mind.

Horikita Manabu, the student council president, had the ability to see through things effortlessly and cut straight to the heart of the matter. What he cared about wasn’t the “misunderstanding” itself, but how Hikigaya would resolve it.

Sure enough, becoming the student council president of this school was no ordinary feat!

Though Horikita was still a student, his thinking had already undergone a transformation and growth. It could be said that Horikita had already become a qualified “adult,” and perhaps even an “exceptionally outstanding” one at that.

“Everyone has their own thoughts, and that’s normal. But not everyone has the ability to realize those thoughts. The school grants the student council the power and mission to change the order, and if you cannot understand the meaning behind that statement, then today’s interview might just be a ‘misunderstanding’ as well.”

Horikita’s cold gaze pierced through Hikigaya.

Hikigaya, upon hearing these words again, seemed to gain a deeper understanding.

The purpose of this school was undoubtedly to cultivate the most outstanding students. As the student council, a body granted power by the school, it naturally had the same goal: maintaining and managing relationships between students and between students and the school. As a bridge between the two, the importance of the student council was clear.

One very important point Hikigaya had observed and reflected upon over this period was the school’s educational philosophy of encouraging competition between students while minimizing external interference from both the outside world and the school itself.

The teachers’ “non-action,” the inability to contact the outside world, and similar rules were all meant to serve this purpose.

As such, the student council, as a student organization, naturally garnered the trust of the school and was granted the greatest amount of authority. With the school not intervening in student competition, the importance of the student council and its power would undoubtedly have a huge impact on the competition between students.

“Undoubtedly, the student council, aside from managing the daily affairs of students and serving as a bridge for communication between students and the school…” Hikigaya suddenly paused at this point, looking directly into Horikita’s eyes before slowly continuing, “More importantly, the student council helps the school cultivate the most outstanding students.”

“This school’s 100% employment and advancement rates, as well as the generous use of personal points given to students, are all privileges that only the best students could enjoy in any school. Unfortunately, in Class D, I haven’t seen any students with such talents.”

At this point, Hikigaya couldn’t help but laugh.

Up until now, his biggest impression of this school had been its cutthroat competitive nature — the same rule of survival of the fittest that exists in society, where the weak are eliminated, and the strong survive.

Although the school’s specific rules hadn’t been fully disclosed yet, students like Hikigaya had already sensed the upcoming fierce competition. While Class D was still living in a dream, other classes had already started to take action, with Class A being the best example.

To gain the ultimate benefits of a 100% employment rate and advancement rate, it was only those students who excelled in the intense final competition who would be eligible. This was the ultimate goal of the school’s student cultivation process.

“Strength-based ideology: The strongest students, with the greatest personal strength, are the best students and thus deserve these privileges.” Hikigaya said, his expression blank.

The room fell into silence, with everyone’s expressions varying.

Tachibana’s surprise, Haruno’s admiration, but Horikita’s face remained as indifferent and cold as ever.