Chapter 61: A Stray Dog on the Side of the Road

  The library, originally a pce where students could study in peace, had now become a tool for css conflicts.

  At first, it seemed like just an internal conflict within D-css, but with the appearance of students from C-css, it seemed that the situation had escated, and even intentionally stoked the fire.

  Hikigaya could understand the intentions of Ishizaki, Yamawaki, and the others. After all, D-css was even more "trash" than C-css. Anyone would want to step on them a little. The reason was simple: subconsciously, C-css students saw themselves as inferior to the upper-tier csses. Being at the bottom, they naturally felt a sense of dissatisfaction or the desire to prove themselves.

  D-css became the perfect scapegoat. Trampling on D-css was a way for C-css to build confidence and demonstrate their own power. Ryuen intentionally ordered his students to provoke A-css and B-css students, possibly to bring out the "ferocity" in C-css students, using that ferocity to close the gap between them and the higher-ranked csses.

  "The current D-css really is like a stray dog on the side of the road, anyone who passes by can kick it a few times."

  Hikigaya didn’t know whether to feel angry or to ugh. After all, it was all self-inflicted.

  However, with the sudden involvement of A-css’s Katsuragi, this farce that started with D-css and was enrged by C-css had suddenly taken a different turn. Katsuragi’s timely intervention made the image of A-css—"upright, excellent, worthy of being A-css students"—instantly take root in the minds of the other students. More importantly, Katsuragi’s personal image was now firmly established in the entire grade’s impression. This was probably the real reason why he stepped in.

  Because of the library incident, everyone would remember Katsuragi’s role and naturally associate his image with A-css, forming a subconscious, ingrained impression in the minds of all students.

  The most outstanding A-css is equivalent to the person, Katsuragi Kohei.

  Because Hikigaya had obtained some information about A-css from Hiyori, he clearly understood that once such a fixed impression was formed, the "leaders" within A-css would likely become actual leaders, and Katsuragi would gain a greater advantage, possibly even a decisive victory.

  "Quite a clever move—killing two birds with one stone."

  Hikigaya couldn’t help but admire the abilities of this student named Katsuragi Kohei. Not only did he damage the image of other csses, but he also established enough prestige for himself.

  "Asshole! Say that again?!"

  "Who the hell are you?! Watch out, or I'll beat you up!"

  Whether it was Sudo, Ishizaki, or Yamawaki, just a moment ago, they were at each other’s throats, but the next second, they all turned their ire toward Katsuragi or his sidekick, Totsuka.

  Katsuragi himself was highly capable, but unfortunately, he was accompanied by a liability, Totsuka Yahiko, a loyal supporter who had been by his side since the beginning of the school year, almost inseparable.

  Due to Katsuragi's powerful aura, A-css's natural position of superiority, and his righteous moral stance in scolding others, the arrogance of Sudo, Ishizaki, and others was severely suppressed. Under normal expectations, this library incident should have ended there, with Katsuragi gaining immense fame.

  However, Totsuka’s sudden remark triggered the anger of Sudo, Ishizaki, and others. Totsuka could have remained silent or observed the situation, but instead, he wore a smug face and mocked Sudo and Ishizaki, which was simply unacceptable!

  Because of Totsuka’s remark, Sudo and Ishizaki temporarily united to attack Katsuragi, complicating the situation even further.

  Totsuka, startled by Sudo and Ishizaki’s sudden retaliation, instinctively took a few steps back, then heard Ishizaki and Yamawaki ughing loudly.

  Totsuka felt his face burning with embarrassment, realizing that he had been intimidated by people he regarded as "trash." With the gaze of everyone around him, he was immediately enraged.

  "How dare you, C-css and D-css trash, defy me, someone from A-css?!"

  Totsuka's face twisted in anger, and his high-and-mighty attitude sparked dissatisfaction from many people around him.

  However, compared to Katsuragi, Totsuka was vastly inferior in both presence and control over the situation. While it was Katsuragi who had taken control, Totsuka tried to take credit for it.

  "Using A-css identity as a weapon to attack others is truly foolish."

  Hikigaya shook his head.

  "Huh? Why?"

  Unexpectedly, a voice came from behind Hikigaya. He turned around and saw Kamuro, who raised an eyebrow before turning to nod at Hiyori, acknowledging her.

  Hikigaya didn’t pn to say anything, but since Kamuro and Hiyori were both looking at him, he cursed inwardly and reluctantly expined, "A-css is naturally the highest status symbol at this school, but for those of us who are still new, it doesn't have any intimidating effect. Instead, it only backfires and causes resentment in other csses."

  "People have a natural rebellious mindset. I believe that in the first year, whether it's B-css, C-css, or even D-css, many students probably have compints and hostility toward A-css being beled as 'the best.'"

  Hikigaya continued in a low voice, "Because we, as freshmen, can’t yet feel the 'real gap.'"

  "Tch, but the css points from st month already show the gap!" Kamuro clearly disagreed with Hikigaya’s point.

  Hikigaya didn’t argue with Kamuro, just continued along with her words, "True, but ‘respect’ comes from repeated victories. So far, we've only been in high school for one month. Do you think ‘we’ have any respect?"

  At this, Kamuro fell silent.

  "So, when that Katsuragi student scolded Ishizaki and Yamawaki earlier, he chose to approach it from the perspective of social morals and rules, instead of using his A-css identity to lecture them?"

  Hiyori looked like she understood, and couldn’t help but praise, "Hikigaya-kun, you’re really impressive."

  Hikigaya kept a straight face, trying not to show his inner satisfaction.

  Kamuro snorted in response.

  So, when Totsuka immediately tried to use A-css's identity to dominate others, it was clearly a bad move. He was simply out of his depth compared to Katsuragi.

  Hikigaya recalled that Hiyori had once casually mentioned that when the student council was recruiting, Totsuka was the first to be eliminated. Looking at it now, the president’s decision seemed quite reasonable.

  As the conflict between Totsuka and Sudo, Ishizaki, and others escated, Hikigaya rubbed his forehead, realizing that he couldn’t let things continue like this. Though he didn’t want to step in front of so many people, as a member of the student council, it was his duty to handle this situation.

  Just as Hikigaya was about to step in, a girl with long pink hair appeared, halting the commotion.

  Bckghosts