Meanwhile, in Class B's classroom.
At this moment, Ichinose Honami's expression was extremely serious, her brows tightly knit.
[What... should I do?]
Ichinose Honami had never expected to encounter such an unreasonable exam as the class vote.
[Forced expulsion... This kind of thing is completely unreasonable... We absolutely cannot lose any of our classmates! But... what should we do?]
Unlike other classes, Ichinose Honami's Class C had the best internal atmosphere. There were no factional struggles, no internal conflicts—everyone was friendly and united. Even after Ichinose Honami mustered the courage to confess her past, they still chose to believe in her.
However, after the class exam rules were announced by the teacher, problems began to arise within the class.
No matter how united a class is, once expulsion is involved, the nature of things changes completely.
No one wants to be expelled, and Ichinose Honami doesn't want any of her classmates to be expelled either.
[What... should I do...]
[Although Hoshinomiya-sensei said that we could spend 20 million points to prevent expulsion... no one in our class has that many points...]
[The only person who might have that many points...]
A name flashed through Ichinose Honami's mind, one she didn't want to think about.
But just then, she received a text message.
Looking at the words on her phone screen, Ichinose Honami's expression grew even more serious.
...
Meanwhile, in Class D's classroom.
The teacher had just finished explaining the rules of the class vote, and the atmosphere in the class had become somewhat oppressive.
However, Ryuen Kakeru noticed that many people's gazes had shifted to him.
Although Ryuen Kakeru had once been the leader of Class D, in the eyes of most, he was nothing more than a tyrant. They only obeyed him out of fear, and many secretly resented him.
This time, it was the perfect opportunity to kick Ryuen Kakeru out of the class.
Even though Ryuen Kakeru had contributed to the class in the past, he had largely stopped participating in class affairs, rendering him practically useless.
"Haha."
Ryuen Kakeru could feel the gazes of those around him, but he had no intention of resisting. He was prepared to accept his fate.
...
After the morning classes, Hasebe Haruka and others from the same study group approached Saiki to discuss the upcoming class vote.
As the group discussed, Sakura Airi's face showed clear unease.
[This class vote... could I be in danger...]
Sakura Airi thought to herself.
Her unease was noticed by Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who was also in the group.
[Sakura-san seems very uneasy, but that's to be expected. After all, Sakura is a more likely candidate for expulsion than I am. Her overall grades are near the bottom of the class, her physical abilities are poor, and aside from our study group, she doesn't seem to have many friends. In terms of ability, financial resources, and social skills, Sakura is practically at the bottom of the class.]
[Karuizawa and Sato, due to their personalities, aren't very popular among the boys, but they have high popularity among the girls. Even if they receive many criticism votes from the boys, they'll likely be offset by praise votes from the girls.]
[Saiki's popularity in the class is second only to Hirata's, so he's definitely safe. As for Miyake and Hasebe, while they don't stand out much, they both have certain strengths that are important for the class's future improvement. So, in the end, the most likely candidate for expulsion is Sakura, right? After all, her value to the class is limited.]
Saiki clearly heard Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's thoughts.
"It's hard to accept that they created this exam just because no one was expelled."
"Yeah, by the weekend, someone in our class might disappear..."
"What should we do... Maybe we should all vote for each other in our group and focus the criticism votes on someone else."
The members of Saiki's study group were discussing fervently, but they eventually reached a simple consensus.
After coming up with a preliminary plan, the impromptu meeting ended, and Saiki headed to the restroom.
However, as soon as he approached the restroom, he caught a familiar train of thoughts. He was about to turn and leave, but the owner of those thoughts had already stepped out of the restroom and noticed Saiki.
"What a coincidence, Saiki."
The speaker was none other than Nagumo Miyabi.
Although Nagumo Miyabi wore a seemingly friendly smile, his thoughts were crystal clear to Saiki.
[Saiki's here? Is he following and eavesdropping on me?]
[Was it you who ruined my plans earlier?]
[I won't let you off so easily.]
'Yare yare, has Nagumo figured out what I did? That shouldn't be the case... And I really was just passing by.'
Saiki sighed inwardly.
Still, Nagumo Miyabi, being an ordinary person, posed no real threat to Saiki. At most, he would just cause some unnecessary trouble.
That was all.
"I just happened to come here."
Saiki told the truth.
"I see."
Nagumo Miyabi nodded.
[I don't believe that.]
'I knew it.'
Saiki felt a twinge of helplessness. He turned his head and saw Horikita Manabu standing beside Nagumo Miyabi.
[Saiki? Was he following us here?]
'It really was just a coincidence...'
"Ah, whatever. I actually have something to ask you."
Seeing that no one else was around, Nagumo Miyabi continued,
"The rumors about Ichinose were stopped, Sakayanagi's plan was ruined, the school forum was taken down, and even the teachers stepped in... Who do you think was behind all that?"
Although Nagumo Miyabi believed Saiki was involved, he still wanted to probe a little.
"Sorry, I don't know. Was the school forum taken down? And what does this have to do with Sakayanagi?"
Saiki played dumb.
"Nagumo, don't forget the school has already said we're not to investigate this matter further. Even the student council president is no exception."
Horikita Manabu cut in, effectively ending the conversation.
"That's true. By the way, Horikita-senpai and I have something to discuss, right?"
Horikita Manabu nodded silently in response to Nagumo Miyabi's meaningful gaze.
"The crucial battle for Horikita-senpai to graduate from Class A is about to begin. The first round starts tomorrow. I was just asking him about it. You're interested too, aren't you?"
"Not particularly. I don't have the energy to worry about upperclassmen."
Saiki replied indifferently.
"So cold. You're one of Horikita-senpai's favorites, aren't you?"
Nagumo Miyabi deliberately said this to gauge their reactions.
But Saiki's expression didn't change.
"I don't have much interaction with Horikita-senpai."
"No, he thinks very highly of you, Saiki—not just because you're a special student, but also because of the unique environment you're in. Yes, because you happen to be classmates with that underclassman who's watching us worriedly over there."
Nagumo Miyabi smiled, his gaze shifting to the other end of the hallway.
Without turning around, Saiki could already hear the thoughts of Horikita Suzune.
[Brother? The student council president... and Saiki? Why is Saiki there?]
Horikita Suzune still didn't know about the relationship between Saiki and Horikita Manabu.
"Did you call her here, Nagumo?"
"Isn't it natural to greet the underclassman first? After all, I'll be leading them as student council president next year."
Nagumo Miyabi said deliberately.
[Horikita-senpai is about to graduate. Maybe I can use his sister to force him into a final showdown with me.]
'Yare yare, are you out of your mind?'
Saiki inwardly complained.
"Horikita-chan, come over here!"
Nagumo Miyabi waved at Horikita Suzune.
"...Was it you who sent me the letter, Student Council President Nagumo?"
"Not exactly, but close. You're Horikita-senpai's sister, right?"
"Yes... I'm Horikita Suzune."
Horikita Suzune replied softly, lacking her usual sharpness.
"Even though you're in Class B now, it's surprising that Horikita-senpai's sister was placed in Class D at the start. Quite unexpected."
"What's your goal, Nagumo?"
Horikita Manabu didn't even glance at his sister, instead urging Nagumo Miyabi to answer.
"I just wanted to meet you and your sister."
"Let me make this clear: don't think you can use my sister to make me compromise."
"Compromise? How could I? Do you think I'd target your sister, a cute underclassman?"
"Winning by any means necessary—that's more like you."
Since the training camp exam, Horikita Manabu had understood Nagumo Miyabi's true nature. He was someone who would stop at nothing to win.
"Still, you're being quite distant. If you had a sister, you should've told me earlier. That way, I could've invited her to join the student council sooner."
Nagumo Miyabi smiled.
"What?"
Both siblings were surprised by Nagumo Miyabi's unexpected words.
"If she's Horikita-senpai's sister, she could even take the student council president's position after I graduate. Being the sister of a man who's earned so many honors at this school—that title alone would be enough."
Nagumo Miyabi continued.
Saiki knew Nagumo Miyabi wasn't lying.
"Don't assume someone's abilities based on blood relations. No matter what I achieve, it has nothing to do with my sister."
"That's right. I don't think I'm ready to accept a position in the student council yet."
Horikita Suzune immediately replied,
"But I will rely on my own abilities, not the title of the former student council president's sister, to move forward."
In the past, she might have thought Horikita Manabu's words were a denial of her abilities.
But after that one night, Horikita Suzune realized just how much her brother valued her.
She would no longer be easily swayed by others' words. She would prove her abilities at this school.
Hearing Horikita Suzune's words, Nagumo Miyabi pursed his lips, deep in thought. After a moment of silence, he continued,
"Anyway, today was just a meeting. I'll contact you again later."
[Neither of them showed any sign of wavering.]
"In that case, excuse me. I'll take my leave now."
Horikita Manabu bowed deeply to the two upperclassmen and quickly left. Before leaving, he glanced at Saiki.
"Are you satisfied, Nagumo?"
No matter what schemes Nagumo Miyabi had in mind, Horikita Manabu seemed unfazed.
"If it were me, I'd cherish the remaining time with my sister more. Although your sister resembles you in some ways, you two don't seem much like siblings."
Nagumo Miyabi paused, then added,
"Anyway, senpai, do your best to graduate from Class A and make your presence known to the students—if you end up graduating from Class B, it won't be a laughing matter."
But Horikita Manabu didn't respond and left without another word.
"Tsk, tsk, even this isn't enough to get a reaction out of him?"
Nagumo Miyabi muttered to himself.
Since the last exam, Horikita Manabu had been on guard against Nagumo Miyabi's actions.
Although it was tough, Horikita Manabu had successfully protected his fellow Class A students.
And Nagumo Miyabi had lost his chance to face Horikita Manabu in a showdown.
[Defeating Horikita-senpai is the only goal I haven't achieved at this school—but now, I have one more target.]
As he thought this, Nagumo Miyabi turned to Saiki beside him.
"Saiki, I heard you first-years are starting a special exam tomorrow. It's said that someone will definitely be expelled, right?"
Nagumo Miyabi asked with a smile.
"That's right."
Saiki nodded. As the student council president, it was natural for Nagumo Miyabi to know about this.
"Are you prepared?"
"I'll go with the flow."
"By the way, I have a question for you."
Nagumo Miyabi's smile took on a more meaningful tone,
"Would you consider joining the student council?"