COTE : There is Something Wrong With Hikigaya-Chapter 190: A World Where No One Gets Hurt Doesn’t Exist

For Kanzaki and Shiranami, the exposure of their class leader's identity was a disaster. It meant that Class B would become a target for other classes.

Even Class D, who was currently working with them, couldn't be fully trusted. Kanzaki couldn't be sure they wouldn't turn on them for the 50 points.

But Hikigaya's words gave Kanzaki a sliver of hope.

"Hikigaya, are you saying..."

Hikigaya looked at Kanzaki. "Kanzaki, do you remember the section in the guidebook about additional rules?"

Kanzaki frowned, trying to recall the details. Then suddenly, his face froze, and his eyes widened.

"Hikigaya, you're talking about switching the leader?! But I remember it clearly states that without a valid reason, changing the leader isn't allowed!"

"Kanzaki, it looks like you've been influenced by Ichinose more than you realize."

Hikigaya wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. The answer was right in front of him, but Kanzaki had chosen to "overlook" it.

"Y-You're not allowed to talk bad about Honami-chan!"

Shiranami Chihiro complained.

Hikigaya sighed and pointed at Shiranami Chihiro.

"She is the leader right now, yes. But if she starts feeling unwell and has to drop out of the exam, Kanzaki, what do you think will happen?"

"Huh? I'm perfectly fine! I—I wouldn't drag the whole class down!"

Shiranami Chihiro didn't seem to understand what Hikigaya meant and thought he was criticizing her.

Kanzaki, however, finally caught on.

"You're saying that if Shiranami withdraws from the exam, then according to the rules, the leader holding the key card has to be replaced. So that's your plan!"

The more Kanzaki thought about it, the brighter his eyes became. Hikigaya's idea not only avoided the risk of their leader being exposed but also set a trap for the other side. It was a perfect two-for-one strategy.

Hearing Kanzaki's explanation, Shiranami suddenly understood and quickly said,

"Kanzaki-kun, let's go find Hoshinomiya-sensei and withdraw from the exam! That way, we can change the leader, and I won't drag everyone down!"

"Shiranami, you still don't get it..."

Hikigaya's expression grew colder.

"Withdrawing from the exam is one thing, but do you think the school will let you exploit a loophole like this?"

"But didn't you just say—"

"That's why," Hikigaya cut in, "we need a proper reason—one that justifies both the withdrawal and the change in leadership. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

For some reason, Hikigaya's voice sent a chill down both Kanzaki and Shiranami's spines.

Hikigaya stood up and slowly walked over to Shiranami, gently patting her shoulder. The girl froze in place, trembling slightly.

"I know this might be cruel to you."

His voice carried a strange sense of emptiness.

"But... you wouldn't want to disappoint Ichinose, would you?"

"I..."

"I've said enough. The choice is yours to make."

As Hikigaya spoke, his eyes shifted toward Kanzaki.

"And as a little compensation, I'll give you another piece of information—about A-Class's leader."

"Wh—what?!"

Kanzaki thought he had misheard.

"Yes, A-Class's leader is that student who's always following Katsuragi around—Totsuka Yahiko."

It was a crucial piece of information, yet Hikigaya spoke as if it was nothing special.

"Believe it or not, it doesn't matter to me. But I'll tell you one more thing—Ryuen is still on the island. Though I suspect he'll be leaving soon, that doesn't mean C-Class will give up on this exam. So in the end, your decision here is more important than you think."

Hikigaya slowly walked toward the edge of the tent.

"Well, the rain has stopped. I should get going."

He lifted the tent flap and stepped out, leaving behind the two silent figures, frozen like statues.

"Wait!"

Hikigaya had only taken a few steps when Kanzaki's voice suddenly called out from behind.

"So, Hikigaya—why are you doing this?"

"My reason?"

Hikigaya paused for a moment, then smiled.

"You're wondering what I want from B-Class, right? Just think of it as owing me a favor."

With that, Hikigaya waved his hand and walked away.

Shiranami stepped out of the tent, watching his retreating figure with a complicated expression.

"Kanzaki-kun, what did he mean by that?"

"I... I don't know either."

Kanzaki sighed.

He found it harder and harder to understand the other person. At the same time, Kanzaki felt a vague sense of familiarity from Hikigaya—something he had only ever sensed before at family and company gatherings, from the adults around him. It was almost identical.

Kanzaki also realized why Hikigaya had said, "Ichinose not being here is actually a good thing." Because Ichinose would never agree to something like this. She was the type who would rather get hurt herself than let her friends suffer.

"Shiranami, I hope you won't tell anyone about this."

Kanzaki turned to look at the girl—timid at times, but also surprisingly brave when it mattered.

"The biggest responsibility for the leader's identity being exposed lies with me, not you. So don't feel burdened by it. No matter what choice you make in the end, I'll respect your decision. Don't force yourself."

The girl lowered her head in silence. Hikigaya's words from earlier echoed in her mind. She clenched her fists and looked up with determination.

"I... I'll make sure Honami-chan wins!"

---

Walking along the damp forest path, raindrops fell on Hikigaya, making his expression seem even colder.

"Sorry."

He glanced back at Class B's campsite and silently apologized to Shiranami Chihiro.

A world where no one gets hurt doesn't exist. The only thing he could do was make sure the wounds weren't too deep. Only by experiencing pain could people learn from it. If you don't share someone's pain, you can never understand them. Those who do not understand true pain can never understand true peace.

Unfortunately, Ichinose, as the leader of Class B, hadn't learned enough from the last incident. So with their leader's identity exposed this time, Hikigaya should have been angry. He should have seen this as Ichinose's own fault.

He criticized her in his mind, looking down on her choices. But at the same time, he couldn't help but hope that she wouldn't be crushed by setbacks—that she would keep pushing forward. Even he didn't understand why he felt this contradiction.

"Ugh, whatever, I don't want to think about it anymore!"

Annoyed, Hikigaya scratched his head.

After running around all afternoon and dealing with the bad weather, by the time he finally made it back to Class D's campsite, he had already missed the evening roll call.

Surprisingly, no one came to question him.

Because everyone's attention had been completely drawn to one unexpected piece of news.

Horikita had withdrawn from the exam.

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