The Boar Cannot Digest Fine Meal

Back in his dorm room, Hikigaya cautiously opened the bento box from Karuizawa. As he had expected, it was just as delightful as the previous one.

Describing it was difficult.

A growing sense of unease tugged at him…

Hikigaya wasn't entirely blind to Karuizawa's motives; he could decipher her intentions to some extent. Yet, the more he understood, the more intricate the situation seemed.

Unlike the rest of Class D, Karuizawa was unmistakably direct in her actions.

Her every gesture seemed driven by a simple desire for her own satisfaction.

But it was precisely this directness that exposed Karuizawa's vulnerability.

Perhaps her fragility was the reason she sought comfort and a sense of security from others.

Hikigaya's analytical mind was always inclined to dissect and scrutinize every situation.

He didn't believe for a second that Karuizawa's repeated kindness was a mere act of goodwill or a sign of romantic interest.

The kind of delusions men often harbor—such as thinking "she must like me"—had long been dispelled for him since junior high.

To Hikigaya, Karuizawa's kindness seemed nothing more than psychological compensation.

She had used Yosuke Hirata to secure a special status within the class, yet it was clear that she couldn't derive genuine security from this artificially elevated position. Much like a parasite unable to find true safety on its own and perpetually fearful of its host's demise, Karuizawa's sense of security was fleeting and precarious.

To overcome this inner vulnerability and anxiety, Kei Karuizawa deliberately sought his company, searching for solace from someone entirely detached from the group and thus unaffected by its collective influence.

Indeed, all of this was merely a manifestation of Karuizawa's compensatory psychology; her kindness was just a facade, not genuine affection.

Hikigaya, having thoroughly analyzed the situation with his rational mind, understood the true reason behind Karuizawa's gesture of preparing him lunch and the unsavory truth beneath it. Yet, despite this understanding, he couldn't help but savor the irresistible pleasure of the delicious food.

How could he describe it?

Knowing it was insincere kindness, knowing it was poison masquerading as candy, the satisfaction of the moment it touched his lips was nonetheless irresistible.

After finishing the lunch and tidying up the bento box, Hikigaya placed it neatly on the table and sighed deeply. "Ah, men really are foolish creatures."

...

The following morning, Hikigaya went to school as usual, though he was unusually cautious upon arriving at the classroom. He remained vigilant, keenly aware of the conversations around him, particularly wary of any mention of a certain unpleasant topic.

That topic was the selection of student council members.

Hikigaya was acutely aware that his new role as a member of the student council had already spread across the other three classes. It was hard to believe that the students of Class D wouldn't have noticed such a significant development.

Once Class D became aware of his involvement with the student council, it would inevitably reach Horikita and Karuizawa.

He shuddered at the thought of the possible scenarios that could unfold!

Thus, he spent the entire day anxiously worrying that his student council involvement might be inadvertently revealed.

However, whether it was because the students of Class D were less concerned than he had anticipated or because the student council position wasn't as influential as he had feared, Hikigaya didn't hear a single discussion about the student council selections throughout the morning.

In a way, Hikigaya felt inexplicably relieved. Yet, he was also disheartened by the indifference of Class D students.

Despite the student council's significance, it seemed that none of them cared to give it a second thought. Wasn't this school's obsession with merit supposed to make such matters more significant?

As he pondered this, his gaze fell on Kei Karuizawa, who now stood as the undeniable center of attention among the D-Class girls.

Unlike Kushida, who was popular across the entire class, Karuizawa had become the undisputed leader of the female students. This meant her position would likely remain secure for the next three years, provided she avoided major blunders. The D-Class girls would probably continue to support her, maintaining her at the top of their social hierarchy.

It seemed that Hirata's girlfriend had indeed made a substantial impact.

Hikigaya wondered when he might be uplifted by a benefactor of his own.

His daydreams were abruptly shattered by a cold voice that jolted him back to reality.

"It seems you've been living quite comfortably lately, even reading world classics," Horikita's biting tone had not lost its edge; if anything, it seemed sharper.

"How does reading classics relate to my life?" Hikigaya retorted.

"I think it's difficult for someone with such a dark mindset as you to settle down and read classics. After all, there's that saying, isn't there? People who are filled with life's tragedies crave sweets, while those who are optimistic can truly appreciate the bitterness of life."

"That's…"

"Or should I rephrase it? 'A pig can't eat fine flour.' Congratulations on now distancing yourself from the tastes of pigs."

"…"

Hikigaya, stung by Horikita's words, could only silently launch an attack on her family tree in his mind.

Damn, has her sharp tongue become even more refined?!

Despite being on the receiving end of Horikita's barbs, Hikigaya felt an unexpected relief. Her normalcy in reaction suggested she was unaware of his student council membership.

It seemed that Horikita's relationship with her brother was more complex than he had imagined; she hadn't even thought to investigate the new student council roster.

Or perhaps she couldn't bring herself to do so?

Hikigaya exhaled deeply. He genuinely preferred Horikita not to know about his student council role. After all, he wasn't someone who sought pleasure for the sake of pleasure, nor did he yearn for Horikita to reveal jealousy on a sandy beach.

Ideally, he wished she would never find out, to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Hey Hikigaya, about the student council…"

Suddenly, Horikita's statement made Hikigaya's heart stop.

His eyes widened, but he maintained a neutral expression and made no response. Any reaction could potentially expose his student council involvement, so the best course of action was to remain silent.

As expected, his strategy of non-reaction proved successful.

Horikita eventually dismissed her thought with a casual tone.

"Never mind, I won't dig up old wounds. People like you were probably never in the completion anyway."