"Sorry, put that way, I indeed have the suspicion of slacking off."
Ayanokouji apologized sincerely.
After all, these were all facts; regardless of his thoughts, some would certainly feel he was slacking.
"However, is everyone questioning and feeling dissatisfied with Horikita's and my strategy, or are you worried that the next person to be expelled might be yourselves?"
"..."
As soon as these words were spoken.
Many people's expressions became somewhat complicated.
At the start of school.
Horikita Suzune was also disliked, but no one said much.
At most, they just didn't get close to her.
And because of her outstanding appearance and cold personality, she had even gathered the admiration of many boys.
Unlike now.
The more they aim for Class A, the more they wish Horikita Suzune would quickly be expelled.
The fundamental reason was fear.
If they continue following Horikita Suzune, those at the back are terrified that the next person expelled might be themselves.
Compared to rising to Class A.
It was more important that they themselves were saved.
"If everyone feels it doesn't matter if we don't rise in rank, then we can just wait for the exam to end. But if you still have the desire to rise to Class A—"
"I can guarantee that as long as you don't commit an act of betrayal against the class, there will be no more expulsions from now on."
Hearing this.
Sotomura and the others suddenly became hesitant again.
Being unable to let go of the greed in their hearts and easily believing slanders was their biggest problem.
"Stop lying."
Ike Kanji pointed at Ayanokouji and shouted:
"In the end, you'll just break the promise and expel someone anyway. Everyone, don't be deceived by people like Ayanokouji and Horikita anymore."
"..."
However.
There was no response.
Naturally, no one would step forward as an example.
Before the voting results come out.
No one can clearly know how the others voted.
What if someone agreed?
What if they agreed with Ike Kanji's words, but in the end Ike Kanji was expelled anyway? Wouldn't they be slapping their own faces?
More or less, everyone sensed this.
No matter how many reasons they found, their truest thought was that as long as they could be saved, it was fine.
The feeling of disliking Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji was real.
Emotionally, they naturally leaned toward Ike Kanji, wishing more for Horikita Suzune to be expelled.
But in reality.
Whether it was Horikita Suzune, Ike Kanji, or Ayanokouji who was expelled.
Actually, it didn't really matter who was expelled, as long as it wasn't themselves...
Therefore.
No one dared to make a guarantee that Ike Kanji would not be expelled.
Seeing this, Ayanokouji turned his gaze to Shinohara, who was also the biggest obstacle to expelling Ike Kanji.
However.
From the start of the exam until now.
The number of times Shinohara spoke was not many.
As Ike Kanji's girlfriend, she probably knew long before it started that Ike Kanji was the most likely candidate for expulsion.
From the very beginning.
Shinohara held the idea of wanting to erase her own presence.
Lest she be affected by Ike Kanji's evaluation.
Self-preservation was the correct choice.
Therefore.
The possibility of persuading Shinohara existed; the key was how to persuade her.
Expelling her own boyfriend would inevitably leave a cold and heartless impression.
From Shinohara's position.
She certainly would not do such a thing.
However.
Choosing self-preservation and not standing openly by Ike Kanji's side undoubtedly suggested the possibility that Shinohara was still unwilling to give up on rising to Class A.
It was only necessary to prepare the psychological groundwork for Shinohara.
"Shinohara, do you really think this is okay?"
"What do you mean?"
Shinohara was suddenly a bit afraid.
Although Horikita Suzune's gaze gave a cold feeling, she only now discovered that Ayanokouji's gaze was somehow even more terrifying.
Not coldness, but as if there was no emotion whatsoever.
"If this continues, the exam will fail; that much shouldn't need saying. But can the Ike who remains really stay safe and sound?"
"With his performance today, even if the exam fails and he stays in the class, I'm afraid it will be hard for things to be the same as before, right?"
Hearing Ayanokouji's words, Shinohara was momentarily stunned.
Previously, her attention was entirely on the exam; she hadn't considered the future at all.
Much of what Ike Kanji said made a lot of sense.
From his perspective, Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji were simply treacherous, hypocritical, and cold-blooded leaders; they were indeed detestable.
Shinohara felt the same way.
However.
In all fairness.
Ike Kanji's performance in this exam could only be described with the word "ugly."
In order not to be expelled himself.
Roaring, cursing, accusing, shifting blame, crying.
It could be said his unsightly behavior was fully on display.
Even if he got through today, it would inevitably affect Ike Kanji's evaluation.
Dating such a person.
Inevitably, her own evaluation would also be affected as a consequence.
Shinohara was suddenly hesitant, yet for such a reason to have Ike Kanji expelled or to break up seemed somewhat unreasonable.
An answer was hidden in her heart.
"And, expulsion isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Ayanokouji induced her expressionlessly:
"The system of this school is indeed great, but if you can't rise to Class A, what remains is only receiving free pocket money."
"This should be something parents can bear; even if expelled, he could transfer to another school or directly enter society to work and accumulate experience."
"In society, he can definitely achieve more effective progress than in school, and after graduation, you can still be together; it's absolutely not as unacceptable a matter as imagined."
"Expulsion is not necessarily a bad thing; perhaps it can even bring beneficial growth to the other person."
Not too much needed to be said.
It was only necessary to help Shinohara with the psychological groundwork.
Letting Shinohara know that expelling Ike Kanji was not all bad, and that there were parts that were for his own good.
Perhaps after graduation.
The two of them could still welcome a better future.
Expelling him wasn't because Ike Kanji wasn't needed, but for his own good.
Whether such a reason was effective.
From Ayanokouji's observation as an onlooker, Shinohara didn't seem to care much about Ike Kanji.
Unexpectedly.
Ever since he began talking with Shinohara, Ike Kanji suddenly became silent, perhaps also wanting to observe Shinohara's reaction.
The eyes of the class couldn't help but concentrate on Shinohara.
After all.
As Ike Kanji's girlfriend.
If even Shinohara didn't care about Ike Kanji, then what reason did they have to care?
"Kanji..."
Shinohara suddenly asked: "You definitely don't want to be expelled, right?"
"Of course, Satsuki, don't be fooled by that guy Ayanokouji; that guy's mouth is full of lies."
Ike Kanji breathed a slight sigh of relief, a smile couldn't help but rise at the corner of his mouth as he pointed at Ayanokouji.
Soon.
The discussion time ended.
In the twenty-first vote, Horikita Suzune was still selected.
However.
Ayanokouji didn't mind.
After all, wanting to persuade everyone with such a simple reason was clearly impossible.
He just wanted to use this to observe everyone's reactions.
Although Horikita Suzune was still selected this time, it was only by a number of 21 votes, barely passing half.
Clearly.
Some people worried about being expelled were moved by his guarantee.
Then the twenty-first voting result.
Whether to expel [Horikita Suzune].
In Favor: 20 votes; Opposed: 17 votes.
Although still at a disadvantage, some fence-sitters had secretly changed their votes.
A rabble gathered together is still a rabble.