Chapter 41: You Are Annoying

Kaneda clenched his fists, his face twisted in anger. "That bastard Ryuuen! He didn't even bother taking the exam seriously. Instead, he wasted all the special points on his amusements." His voice cracked as he continued, frustration boiling over. "It was such a waste of important class points. I couldn't take it anymore, so I confronted him. We fought, and I got kicked out."

Tears began streaming down Kaneda's face, his glasses slipping slightly. His shoulders slumped, the weight of his grievances all too evident.

"Wait...what?" a girl asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "What about the class's exam?"

Kaneda wiped at his eyes furiously. "He didn't care. After squandering the points, he abandoned the exam entirely and returned to the ship to party. It's maddening! My grades are good—great, even! How did I end up in a class like this? It's completely unfair!"

Giving up the exam in that way isn`t especially bad. If they really want to enjoy their supposedly summer vacation, theres nothing wrong with it. However, theres a nagging doubt in Hikigayas mind. "Would they really give up like that?" He doesnt know what kind of person is Ryuuen. So its better to be open to many possibilities.

As Kaneda's voice rose with indignation, his complaints filled the air. Hikigaya observed quietly, noting how the boy's anger and tears blended into a display that seemed almost...calculated.

Kaneda was clearly intelligent, but Hikigaya suspected his utilitarian nature. The bitterness he harbored about being assigned to Class C felt like more than just frustration. While Kaneda's grievances spilled out.

"Thats awful." Chihiro covered her mouth, looking on with visible sympathy.

"Ichinose, what do you think?" Kanzaki asked, his tone calm yet deliberate.

Ichinose frowned, lost in thought for a moment before answering. "Kaneda, you can stay with us until the exam ends. But it's best if you avoid going near the cabin."

Kaneda nodded vigorously, hastily removing his glasses to wipe away more tears. "Thank you. Don't worry—I won't trouble you. If there's anything I can do to help, say the word. I'll earn my keep."

Hikigaya, watching from the sidelines, felt a twinge of discomfort. A grown man crying so openly like this… He bit his lip to stifle a laugh. It felt a bit too over the top to be genuine. Kaneda didn't seem like the easiest person to get along with. His earlier complaints painted a picture of someone consumed by ambition and resentment.

"Let's all have dinner for now. Can someone please serve Kaneda-san a portion as well?" Ichinose said.

Later, as the group settled to eat, Hikigaya took his portion of food and wandered to sit by himself, away from the group. Despite this, Kaneda soon plopped far away from Class B, still sniffing as he ate.

"Hikigaya," a soft voice called from behind him.

Startled, Hikigaya glanced over his shoulder. "What the—! Are you trying to scare me to death Himeno?"

"You're so annoying," Himeno muttered, glaring at him. "Anyway, I need to talk to you."

"About what?" Hikigaya asked, sipping his soup. He had to admit—Class B's girls could cook.

Himenoyuki crouched beside him, using his body to block her from the group's view. Her tone dropped to a whisper. "Do you think Kaneda is a spy?"

"A spy?" Hikigaya mulled over the idea for a moment. "I don't know. Maybe?" Kaneda's overly dramatic tears and complaints had left a strange impression. Hikigaya couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Himeno sighed. "I'm convinced he's a spy. How could Ichinose still take him in so easily?"

"Are you badmouthing Ichinose now?" Hikigaya teased. "Because if you are, I've got a list ready to go."

"You want to die?" she snapped, jabbing him lightly with her chopsticks.

"I'm serious. What would you do if it were your decision?"

Hikigaya leaned back, considering her question. "If it were me? I'd... find a way to frame Kaneda for breaking something important, use that to blackmail Ryuuen for his points, and then report the whole thing to disqualify Class C from the exam."

Himeno stared at him, horrified. "You'd get yourself beaten to death by Ryuuen."

Hikigaya thought for a moment before speaking. "How about this: threaten Kaneda into handing over his private points. If he refuses, remind him that failing the exam would put him at Ryuuen's mercy. Then, report the situation to the school and get Class C disqualified from the exam."

"Is he really that scary?" Hikigaya asked, half-joking.

"Terrifying," Himeno muttered. "But seriously, why do you always come up with such... awful plans?"

"Because they'd work," Hikigaya said proudly. "And I excel at being stupid."

"That's not something to brag about," she retorted, disgust clear in her voice. ""Then can you come up with something? I don't care what it takes—I want to get promoted to Class A. If Class C figures out the leader, wouldn't that ruin everything?"

"You're overthinking it. What am I supposed to do about it?" Hikigaya replied, rolling his eyes, his tone laced with helplessness.

"I thought you were supposed to be smart," she retorted, clearly unimpressed.

"Well forgive me for not meeting your expectations," He said sarcastically to her. They continued their banter for a while longer before Himeno left to rejoin the group. Hikigaya sighed and leaned back, his thoughts drifting.

Himeno said he was smart. How wrong she was in thinking that, hes just an ordinary person. His academic performance is just average, just like his physical ability. How can someone like him influence this exam when he knows his limits. Not to mention the Class leader is Ichinose, will someone listen to him if he actually disagrees with her decisions?

As night fell, the camp settled into a quiet rhythm. Hikigaya slipped into the boys' tent, finding his spot amidst the slightly overcrowded space. Despite the cramped quarters, Ichinose had provided earplugs, so Hikigaya wasn't too worried about being disturbed.

He drifted into sleep quickly, exhausted from the day. At dawn, around six o'clock, Hikigaya was pulled from his sleep by the faint sound of movement. Someone had entered the tent, rustling through belongings and moving with deliberate care. A gentle push on his shoulder made him open his eyes groggily, just in time to see a shadow looming above him.