Classroom12.5

Classroom of the Elite 2nd year Volume 12.5

Chapter 2. Checking Each Other's Answers

March 14th, dusk, following the conclusion of the year-end special exam.

The representatives of each class, still grappling with their emotions, were instructed to return to their classrooms.

No, if anything, the participants waiting in the classrooms might have had more complex feelings than the representatives. They needed to be brought up to speed on the full scope of the exam, to understand what had transpired and how the decisions were made. This couldn't simply end with a win or loss—it was essential to share the story behind the events of the exam.

We walked back, the participants already waiting for us in the classroom.

Horikita and Yosuke had some lingering doubts about my duel with Ichinose, but perhaps due to Chabashira-sensei's presence, neither voiced their questions.

Unable to endure the oppressive atmosphere, Chabashira-sensei was the first to break the silence.

"Just to be clear," she began, "this year's special exam was absolutely unprecedented. As a baseline, the information you and the participants waiting in the classroom received was fundamentally different. The only common understanding shared among you was the victory or defeat of your class and the existence of an expelled student. Beyond that, I won't provide detailed explanations once we're back in the classroom."

"The true rules… are those shown to us representatives, correct? It's fine if we're the ones to explain them?"

"Of course. How you handle it is up to you. While I had planned to end the day after dismissal, if there's anything weighing on your minds, it's best to address it."

Before opening the classroom door, Chabashira-sensei turned back and made this suggestion to Horikita and the others.

"I agree. Besides, none of us representatives fully know what kind of battles the others faced. I think it's necessary to share information," Horikita responded.

While I didn't know how the other representatives had acted, the fight between Ichinose and me was bound to draw a barrage of questions.

The only things the participants knew were that Ichinose had been defeated and that Maezono had been expelled.

"Ayanokouji-kun, you'll be staying, right?"

"Of course. From the start, I never intended to leave you with lingering doubts."

Seeing my commitment, Horikita and Yosuke nodded in understanding.

The teacher and the three representatives entered the classroom together.

The participants greeted us with a mix of confused, curious, and complex gazes.

The confiscated phones were returned to the students one by one.

Turning mine on, I quickly scanned through several messages before pocketing it.

Chabashira-sensei then addressed the still slightly unsettled students.

"This year's year-end special exam ended in your victory. As a result, Class 2-B has gained a significant amount of class points. Next month, when you become third-years, you will advance to Class A. However, Maezono has been expelled. Given this, it doesn't seem appropriate to celebrate openly. But first, I want to commend you for fighting a good fight."

In this atmosphere, where joy could not fully erupt, Chabashira-sensei praised their efforts while comforting the students.

However, the joy on the faces of the classmates was faint.

More than the victory, the reality of Maezono's expulsion loomed larger.

If anyone broke into cheers, it would only sour the mood further.

Everyone wanted to know the details of this exam as soon as possible.

"Sensei, is Maezono really expelled?"

While most hesitated to ask directly, Sudou was the first to boldly question Chabashira-sensei.

"Yes and no. Maezono has indeed completed the expulsion procedures in the office. However, if you were to provide the necessary private points right now, it's still possible to reverse it."

It wasn't strange to confirm this first, but Chabashira-sensei likely knew the total private points of the class. Considering it probably didn't reach the required 20 million, her words made sense. Even giving Maezono a sliver of hope would only make the outcome more devastating.

Realistically, saving her now seemed impossible. The shortfall would require support from other classes or grades, which was practically out of the question.

Unable to stop Maezono's expulsion, they could only accept it.

"Could we see her… if we waited here?"

Mii-chan asked uneasily.

The strong Maezono and the timid Mii-chan, who didn't seem to get along at first glance, were surprisingly close and often spent time together. It was natural for Mii-chan to struggle with this sudden farewell.

"How to put it… Not right now. Maezono herself is still deeply shaken by the sudden decision to expel her. She needs to calm down before anything else," Chabashira-sensei replied.

When she mentioned Maezono's "shaken" state, the classmates exchanged looks with complex expressions.

"You must have a lot on your minds, but I won't go into further detail here. If you have questions, discuss them later. That's all I have to say," Chabashira-sensei concluded, wrapping up her remarks and offering her consideration for the discussion to come.

After obtaining Chabashira-sensei's permission, Horikita promptly stepped up to the podium.

"Sorry, everyone, but could you please stay in the classroom for now?"

"You mean you're going to explain Maezono's expulsion, right?"

Nishimura, who had been waiting for this moment, impatiently questioned Horikita.

"Yes. I don't think we should let everyone leave with unanswered questions about this year-end special exam. However, I can't do it alone. I need everyone's cooperation."

Maezono had left this class behind.

The price of victory.

A vague and ambiguous battle.

Though it wouldn't have been surprising if Koenji left now, there was no sign of that.

After observing his surroundings, he simply took out his mirror and admired himself.

Was he even slightly interested in the details of the exam, or was he just absorbed in his own reflection?

That was unclear, but he decided to stay regardless.

"Like everyone else, I want the questions in my mind answered," Horikita said, beginning to dissolve the barriers between representatives and participants.

What each person knew and didn't know.

The rules that determined victory and defeat.

After clearing up the information gap to some extent, the situation became clearer.

Yosuke straightforwardly admitted his defeat. Although Horikita had won her next match, she was completely overpowered when facing Ichinose, ultimately losing.

Then came the most pressing concern.

As the final representative, I had completely defeated Ichinose, whom Horikita had deemed a formidable enemy.

This process had also determined Maezono's expulsion.

Even Horikita, Yosuke, and some of the other representatives were unaware of the details.

First and foremost, Maezono was an unavoidable topic.

"I believe… while the role of the Traitor carried a risk of expulsion, the probability of expulsion was nearly zero as long as the rules were carefully followed. Maezono-san, as well as Ayanokoji-kun, should have been aware of this…"

When Horikita mentioned my name, all eyes in the class turned to me.

Following her lead, I rose from my seat and stood beside her to explain.

Chabashira-sensei, though free to leave, seemed intent on observing the direction of the class discussion.

"First, regarding the sudden expulsion in our class, I'd like to apologize to everyone," I began, bowing my head in apology.

As always, the sequence of words was critical.

"The Traitor role is one of both risk and reward. If identified as the Traitor, the student would be expelled. On the other hand, if they weren't exposed, they'd earn 5 million private points or 50 class points. Regardless of Maezono's choice, I considered the possibilities. However, given the nature of the Traitor role, the longer they stayed hidden, the more information would leak to opposing classes. Admitting the role early on was undoubtedly the best offensive strategy."

This was what Horikita and Yosuke had initially anticipated. Students assigned the Traitor role would likely confess immediately.

"As someone who fought as a representative, Horikita can understand that Ichinose was an unexpectedly formidable opponent in this exam. This was a shared realization, wasn't it?"

"…Yes, Ichinose-san was incredibly strong. I couldn't see any way to win against her."

Her candid declaration of defeat prompted a nod from me.

"I felt the same. While I initially thought I could handle her, once we faced off in the 1v1 match, I quickly understood the truth. This year's special exam was the perfect stage for Ichinose to fully showcase her abilities. For her, both allies and enemies were people she was intimately familiar with. Her ability to discern truth from lies was exceptional."

Horikita closed her eyes and nodded as if recalling the battle.

"Conventional methods offered no chance of victory. However, as the final representative, I had to find a way to win. With limited time, I racked my brain and ultimately devised a winning strategy."

I paused at this point, allowing the classmates to fully grasp my words before continuing.

"The method to win was—expelling the Traitor as soon as possible."

Even with this explanation, everyone's thoughts likely came to a screeching halt, wondering, "What are you saying?!"

Such confusion was inevitable.

"...Maezono-san... what is the connection between the Traitor's expulsion and our victory?"

Horikita raised the inevitable question.

"If I had fought Ichinose head-on, there's no way I could have won with my abilities. To defeat such an opponent, the only option was to launch an unexpected ambush. Early on, I negotiated with Ichinose, and we agreed to mutually void each other's Traitor Privileges. After all, if both sides lose their privileges, neither would face any disadvantages, and no one would be expelled. This was likely the outcome that Ichinose, who fought straightforwardly, had hoped for."

Ichinose hates nothing more than seeing her companions sacrificed. No, it would be more accurate to say she doesn't want to see anyone expelled at all.

There was no need to explain this; all the second-year students understood it deeply.

"I took advantage of that sentiment and used the Traitor Privilege to force the blame for Maezono's expulsion onto Ichinose. It was the only method I could come up with."

The classroom immediately erupted in murmurs.

There were those who understood, those who could not comprehend, and those who remained neutral.

The only one who could view the situation objectively and stay calm was Chabashira-sensei.

"Mutually abandoning the Traitor Privileges... if the opponent is Ichinose-san, that could indeed be achieved easily. Then to indirectly hold her accountable for Maezono-san's expulsion... targeting that..."

Horikita, as a representative, realized this scenario more quickly than the participants.

"Faced with the responsibility of causing Maezono's expulsion and confronting reality, Ichinose was shaken to her core. The guilt overwhelmed her, preventing her from performing at her best during the subsequent nomination phase."

The current outcome spoke for itself.

"W-wait a minute."

Yosuke couldn't help but stand up.

"I participated as a representative, but I wasn't much help, so I know I don't have the right to complain or object. However... even so, was sacrificing a classmate really worth it? Even if expelling Maezono-san guaranteed a 100% chance of victory, I can't wholeheartedly agree. What if we had lost instead? That wasn't entirely impossible. I think this approach, even as a representative, borders on overstepping bounds."

Some students seemed to agree with Yosuke's statement, and Ichihashi muttered quietly:

"Indeed… That's true. Knowing Ichinose-san's personality, if she realized she indirectly caused Maezono-san's expulsion, she would undoubtedly be shaken. But that doesn't guarantee victory… right?"

"That's correct. The result doesn't explain everything. However, weighing the two options—struggling futilely and failing, or making a sacrifice to secure victory—I, as the class representative and commander, chose the latter. I believed that failing here could deal a fatal blow to our chances. According to pre-exam predictions, if Class A won and our class lost, the gap in class points would increase by 300. Over the next year, there's no guarantee we could recover from that. While this reasoning applies to every exam, I felt we absolutely couldn't afford to lose this time."

There was some falsehood in the reasoning, but the story behind Maezono's expulsion was not fabricated.

The dilemma was whether to lose without making a sacrifice or to make a sacrifice and fight for victory.

No one could provide a perfect answer to this.

However, behind it lay the undeniable fact: losing the exam would severely set back the path to Class A.

"I'm not trying to justify my actions. Even if we took a vote to follow the will of the majority, I believe most would prefer sacrificing Maezono over failing the exam."

The classroom fell silent. Students looked at each other or avoided each other's eyes.

It was clear most didn't want to vote.

Horikita likely wouldn't hold a vote either.

Because the answer was obvious. It would only make everyone feel worse.

As painful as reality was, the fact that the class had secured victory carried immense significance.

The thought of a world where Sakayanagi won and Horikita lost loomed in everyone's minds.

Moreover, the undeniable reality was that "it wasn't me" who was sacrificed—a notion they couldn't ignore.

Raising objections here would force them to reconsider what the sacrifice of Sakura meant.

If anyone could firmly deny this—

"───No matter how you justify it, this is too arrogant. This isn't a decision Ayanokouji-kun could make on his own. Even as a representative, you don't have the right to sacrifice Maezono-san for this."

Indeed, students like Yosuke, who valued protecting others above all else, would naturally voice such objections.

"True. But since I couldn't consult anyone, I had to make the decision alone. At least I didn't view it with the same mindset as you, Yosuke. As someone entrusted with the fate of the class, I prioritized achieving victory above all else."

Without hesitation, I expressed my thoughts to Yosuke, who had raised objections.

"But... thinking about Maezono-san, who got dragged into this unfairly..."

"Sorry, but I had my reasons for choosing Maezono."

Why Maezono, specifically? Some students were bound to express dissatisfaction with that.

So I preemptively interrupted Yosuke's words.

"When selecting the person to be sacrificed, it wasn't about liking or disliking a classmate. It was due to strong discontent and unease. It's not like I chose her because she did nothing."

"You're saying there's a justifiable reason behind it?"

Horikita, trying to remain composed, sensed the implication in my words.

"The reason I chose Maezono is because—"

I revealed that during the year-end special exam, critical information about our strategy, including my role as the commander, had been leaked—and that the leak came from Maezono.

"...Didn't Horikita-san say this was something to be kept absolutely confidential?"

Ichihashi, who had just opposed me earlier, recalled something from not long ago.

"Yes. That's something I specifically asked Horikita to do. One of the reasons I took on the role of commander was to take the opponent by surprise. Everyone expected Horikita to lead, so introducing an unexpected player would cause the opposition to overthink. I intended to use that to unsettle Ichinose's team. If the strategy had succeeded, we might have won without any expulsions. However, even before the exam day—just the day before, in fact—someone from Ichinose's class already knew I was the commander."

"In other words, the information was leaked early on. And Maezono-san was the one who leaked it…?"

"Yes. Despite being explicitly told this information was critical and must not be leaked, it was still passed on to another class. Once I learned this, I began investigating."

Sudou raised his hand, looking puzzled, and asked:

"You're saying Maezono leaked it—do you have proof? Even if you do… where did you get it? I mean, Maezono wouldn't just slip up that easily, would she?"

Listening carefully and processing the conversation, Sudou posed a question I was happy to address.

"To explain that, I first need to discuss why Maezono leaked the class strategy. It's hard to imagine she did it for no reason."

Hearing this, Sudou and the others nodded in agreement.

"Does anyone here know that Maezono and Hashimoto are dating?"

Without offering any detailed explanation, I started by posing this question. Most of the students looked at one another in shock, clearly indicating that almost none of them were aware of this.

However, there were a handful of students who did know.

Kushida and Matsushita raised their hands from their seats. Shortly afterward, Mii-chan hesitated but raised her hand as well. A total of three people.

Kushida—it was just like her. Even though her true nature had been exposed to the class, she still demonstrated a high ability to gather information. On the other hand, Matsushita might have figured out the relationship between Maezono and Hashimoto through her own investigation after seeing me inquire about Maezono before the exam. As for Mii-chan, it was likely Maezono had confided in her because they were close.

"Hashimoto's personality is well-known—he excels at gathering all kinds of information, including intel about his own class. He intentionally used Maezono to extract details about our class."

"In other words, her boyfriend asked her to do it—is that it?"

"I believe their relationship as a couple was formed for this very purpose from the start."

If Maezono or anyone close to her were to hear this, it would undoubtedly hurt them deeply.

However, the more one understands Hashimoto's methods, the more one realizes that this is exactly his style.

To make my point more convincing, I turned toward Sudou, who had voiced his doubts earlier.

"Sudou, didn't Maezono gather you and some others to discuss something about me?"

Sudou tilted his head, unable to immediately recall the incident. But after I mentioned the names of the participants and the date, he seemed to gradually piece it together.

"Uh… Oh! Yeah, that did happen. Wow, you really know your stuff..."

I didn't know the exact details of the gathering or the conversation, but since the topic centered around me, it wouldn't be surprising if a small gag order had been imposed. This was precisely why Sudou was shocked that I could obtain such information.

"I found out that the meeting wasn't something Maezono wanted to initiate; it was orchestrated by Hashimoto behind the scenes."

Reflecting on the past, Sudou was left speechless, while Ike stared in astonishment, his mouth agape.

"Wait a sec—how the heck did you figure that out, Ayanokouji? That was supposed to be a secret..."

I knew that broaching this topic would inevitably lead to such questions.

Ideally, I wouldn't need to answer; it would be best if someone else stepped forward of their own accord.

"It was me who told him. Everything Ayanokouji-kun said is true. Not a single word is wrong."

Matsushita cooperated seamlessly, raising her hand without hesitation to act as a witness.

Her judgment of the situation was spot on, and her timing impeccable.

At this point, perhaps less than half of the students would be convinced, but it should be enough to silence those who opposed me.

The explanation for Maezono's expulsion had more or less reached its conclusion.

It wasn't necessary for every student to accept it.

As long as some degree of acceptance was achieved, the rest could move forward carrying their doubts.

Simply put, having half the class believe was sufficient.

It would even serve the class's future in a positive way.

"Well, I guess I'll accept it… but can I say one more thing?"

Though Sudou said he accepted it, he still seemed to have something on his mind.

He looked like he had a perspective different from the rest of the class.

He pushed back his chair and stood up, expressing his thoughts.

"I get it—you gave it your all for the sake of the class's victory. The plan you devised didn't go smoothly because of Maezono's leak, and Ichinose turned out to be stronger than expected. So, you fought on, even at the cost of burdening yourself with the responsibility of hurting a classmate. But... was expelling Maezono really the only option? I mean, come on... It's you, Ayanokouji. If it's you, I feel like you could've come up with a way to win without sacrificing anyone."

Up until now, Sudou had witnessed my abilities to a certain extent.

Because of that, he believed I could have devised a better plan.

The idea of winning without expelling Maezono wasn't a bad angle to consider.

After all, Sudou's thinking was partially correct.

Although the chances of success would decrease, it wasn't impossible to secure victory without any expulsions.

As I considered responding with something vague and evasive, someone else nearby took the initiative to speak first.

"Ayanokouji-kun certainly has the ability to act as a commander. However, it is also true that the opponent is exceptionally strong. I can guarantee this as someone who directly faced her. I really couldn't compete with Ichinose-san and immediately realized that I couldn't beat her. Before switching roles, I believed Ayanokouji-kun would definitely lose as well... That's how deeply this loss affected me—I couldn't even believe my teammate managed to secure the victory."

As the class leader, Horikita naturally fought with a determination far beyond the ordinary.

Even someone as strong-willed as Horikita was easily defeated, and the pressure she felt was undoubtedly immense.

"I see. So Ichinose is that strong..."

On a regular basis, Ichinose doesn't leave the impression of being strong or intimidating.

Precisely because she doesn't usually display such traits, Horikita's straightforward report made it easier for others to believe her.

"Can I add one more thing? My conclusion about Ichinose-san's strength comes from firsthand experience. I can't criticize Ayanokouji-kun's decision. No, rather, after seeing the results, I now feel there wasn't a better option. This was... the necessary path to ensure the class's victory."

As the class leader, Horikita gave this answer.

Of course, it wasn't easy to celebrate outright. It was Horikita's responsibility to do everything she could to prevent any classmates from being expelled. However, she also had to accept that enduring pain was sometimes a necessary measure.

No, this was a reality that had to be accepted.

Because no matter what was said here, Maezono wouldn't come back.

Thus, instead of dwelling on the past, they had to look toward the future.

"...I see. Since the class leader has spoken, I'll show my support as well. In fact, Ayanokouji fought to the end for the sake of the class, fully aware he might be resented by his classmates."

Sudou nodded, fully accepting the explanation, and pulled his chair back to sit down.

Sudou's question and Horikita's response were somewhat surprising to me.

Originally, I expected the opinions to be evenly split, but now the side in favor of acceptance held more sway.

The criticisms directed at me didn't continue as much as I anticipated.

Just as I was considering whether to fan the flames of the dying argument, a student spoke up in a small voice.

"But, um... still, there have been three expulsions from our class, right? Yamauchi-kun, Sakura-san, and now Maezono-san... All of them are connected to Ayanokouji-kun, aren't they?"

Though vague, Azuma made this statement.

"What are you implying with that remark?"

Matsushita asked Azuma in a calm tone, though she was clearly questioning him.

"I wasn't implying anything... It's just that there have been so many instances for it to be mere coincidence. How should I put it..."

Azuma's words were somewhat jumbled, but his point was clear: Is this really just a coincidence?

"Are you suggesting Ayanokouji deliberately orchestrated the expulsions?"

Sudou, who had previously declared his support for me, quickly responded to Azuma's remark.

"I didn't mean to go that far. But... we won't end up as sacrificial pawns ourselves, will we?"

"Well, I can understand where Azuma is coming from," Mori added. "You could say it's a bit concerning... I do feel a bit uneasy about it."

It seemed Mori also harbored some distrust, agreeing with Azuma's sentiment. I thought I might need some counterarguments, but the voices of dissent and their reasons were weak, hindering further momentum.

"While I don't know if I have the authority to speak, may I say something?"

At this moment, Kushida spoke up. It was hard to tell whether she was an angel or a devil.

"If Azuma-kun and others are thinking about whether Ayanokouji-kun deliberately caused others to be expelled, I believe that's the wrong way to look at it. For instance, Sakura-san's expulsion ultimately stemmed from my own obsession with Horikita-san, which led to betraying the class and creating a situation where someone had to be expelled. If I had simply gone along with everyone's decision for a unanimous vote, no one would have been expelled. If Ayanokouji-kun hadn't taken action, the exam wouldn't have been cleared, and the class would've lost points. In other words, he merely cleaned up a mess no one else wanted to handle. Yamauchi's betrayal was similar. And from what we've just heard, Maezono-san also engaged in problematic behavior, leading to this outcome. In situations where sacrifices were necessary to secure victory, he prioritized minimizing the damage and resolving the issues. Shouldn't we view this in a more positive light?"

Kushida explained to Azuma and the others that every action Ayanokouji took was necessary to save the class.

Her words carried significant weight as they came from someone directly involved in the events.

With Kushida and Matsushita supporting me, Azuma and the others, though still somewhat dissatisfied, slowly lowered their raised hands.

At that moment, a male student stood up and opened the classroom door.

"Where are you going, Koenji?"

Sudou was the first to notice something unusual and called out to Koenji.

"Where? I think it's about time I was allowed to leave, don't you?"

"The discussion isn't over yet."

"I have a date with a lady, and this was merely a way to kill time before that. I don't want to be late for my date, so I'll take my leave."

As usual, Koenji, who was either admiring himself in a mirror or playing on his phone, had stayed in the classroom only for his convenience and not to see the discussion through.

In reality, Chabashira-sensei had already concluded the homeroom session, so there was no issue with him leaving the classroom.

"He hasn't changed—still as self-centered as ever. Doesn't he realize how important this discussion is?"

"Important? I don't see any elements of importance here," Koenji replied nonchalantly as he ignored Sudou's remarks and left the classroom.

With the flow of the discussion disrupted, Chabashira decided it was the perfect time to interject and returned to the podium.

"Though not because of Koenji, let's wrap this up for now and adjourn the discussion."

As the homeroom teacher, Chabashira decided to temporarily halt the discussion instead of letting the students carry it on endlessly.

"I agree. If no one has anything they absolutely must say, let's end here for now."

Upon hearing this, Yousuke, who had been watching with a tense expression, also refrained from voicing any objections.

While he was still somewhat dissatisfied, he seemed to accept it for now.

On a side note, the current class points after the special year-end exam were as follows:

• Horikita's Class: 1,233 points

• Sakayanagi's Class: 1,093 points

• Ryuuen's Class: 1,040–1,090 points

• Ichinose's Class: 714 points

Horikita's Class was a small step ahead, ascending to Class A.

Sakayanagi's Class was being closely chased by Ryuuen's Class, with only a slight advantage.

Lastly, Ichinose's Class was significantly trailing behind.

These were the class points as of now, but what mattered was the future.

When Sakayanagi is expelled, it's practically certain the class will face penalties.

So far, no second-year students had chosen voluntary expulsion, leaving the exact consequences unclear. However, based on recent investigations into past cases, as initially expected, penalties involving a deduction of 300 class points have been recorded.

In other words, if the same penalty is applied, Sakayanagi's Class may drop to 793 points, suddenly falling to third place.

This would mean a likely scenario of two strong classes and two weaker ones.

It seemed necessary to engage in even more actions than originally planned during the upcoming spring break.

1.

In the classroom after school, all the students had already left.

Kei wanted to go home with me, but I told her it would be better if she went with Satou and the others today. She immediately complied after realizing the situation.

Although the main reason for Maezono's withdrawal lies entirely with me, if Kei were to immediately cling to her boyfriend after a classmate's withdrawal, it would inevitably leave a poor impression. To avoid that, at least for today, I had to go home alone.

Both Horikita and Yousuke, who were fully aware of the details and intended to delve deeper, also understood this and didn't linger in the classroom.

"Well then... I guess I'll head home too," I thought as I left the classroom last.

Just as I was about to head directly to the dormitory—

"Ayanokouji-kun-kun,"

Kushida called out to me after I exited the entrance.

There was no one else around; it seemed she had been waiting for me here.

"I want to ask you something."

"It might be better over the phone."

"Because if people see the two of us, it might spark some bad rumors?"

She seemed well aware of this.

"If you don't mind, just ask directly."

"At this point, I no longer intend to keep currying favor with the class. So, asking you directly is more meaningful."

"What do you mean?"

"Just now, in front of the class, I supported you and smoothed things over perfectly. But in reality, you intentionally arranged for Maezono to be expelled, didn't you? Because this was an opportunity to eliminate a traitor."

"That's not—"

I was about to at least deny it on the surface, but Kushida slightly smirked and continued.

"It's true that Ichinose was undoubtedly strong in this exam. But even so, Ayanokouji-kun could have used other methods to break her spirit. Am I wrong?"

Instead of directly stating "defeating with strength," she took a roundabout approach, saying, "using other means to break her spirit." It was a rather elegant way to interpret my thoughts.

"That group of idiots in the class, as well as the overly kind Horikita, think positively about it, but that's definitely not the case, is it?"

This was insight that only someone like Kushida, who persistently probed the minds of others, could possess.

"And if you lost, getting rid of Maezono would still have been a positive outcome, right?"

Even if we lost, the only cost would have been Maezono's expulsion.

To others, it might seem like a bad move, but for me, even a loss wouldn't have been much of a setback. Kushida was thinking along those lines.

"I honestly support such actions," she said straightforwardly.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because, Ayanokouji-kun, you're the one who pushed me to the brink of expulsion. It'd be stranger if you weren't thinking like this."

That was her biggest reason; she didn't elaborate on the minor details.

Though I acknowledged this point, it was better to evade it for now.

"I just did what was necessary to win. Because she was a formidable opponent."

"Hmm?"

Even if she sensed my evasion, she didn't press further.

"Setting my matters aside, I appreciate how skillfully you intervened, Kushida. It was a perfect move. Even though many in the class are wary of you, they still recognized the validity of your statements."

The events of the unanimous special exam left a strong impression on Kushida as well.

"Something like that. I need to recover at least some of what I lost and establish a stable position in the class. After all, if I fall into Ayanokouji-kun's hands, who knows what might happen next."

To avoid becoming the target of expulsion, she needed to establish her position.

Even if it was purely for her own sake, it didn't matter. If it served as motivation, that was good enough.

"Horikita seems to trust you a lot, Kushida."

"Please. Horikita and I are enemies; we're just in a temporary truce for a shared purpose."

Kushida would undoubtedly continue maneuvering deftly within the class from now on.

Although I couldn't oversee everything internally, at that moment, I felt certain of it.

2.

Let's rewind the time a little.

While Horikita and the others were discussing Maezono's withdrawal in the classroom, another class was also holding a review of the year-end special exam.

The Ichinose class, which had been driven to the edge before the exam and absolutely needed to win.

The three representatives who returned with Hoshinomiya all quietly took their seats.

In the dead silent classroom, Ichinose kept her head down, unable to lift it.

However, if she didn't step up to explain, the stagnant atmosphere wouldn't move forward.

"…Everyone… I'm sorry."

Ichinose's voice sounded as though she were squeezing it out.

"Today's loss in the exam… it's my fault…"

Neither the participants nor the representatives knew the specifics of the special exam.

The matches between representatives were confidential. The only details that could be inferred were from the results and what the participants themselves said.

This applied not only to Horikita's class but also to this one.

Although the withdrawal of a classmate was painful, Horikita's class had seized victory.

There was ample material to push the class forward.

However, things were different in Ichinose's class.

The stark reality of defeat weighed heavily on them.

—Though this heavy, stifling atmosphere wasn't likely to persist in a bad way for long.

This class's students didn't like such an atmosphere.

"Honami-chan, there's no need to apologize."

"I think if we had discussed things better, we could've helped you more."

The classmates didn't blame Ichinose; instead, their words were all comforting.

"Yeah. There's nothing to worry about."

Who exactly said these words didn't matter in this situation.

Rather than a single person, everyone echoed their agreement, taking turns stating what seemed obvious.

It wasn't an unusual scene.

It was something that had always been common in this class.

When someone felt sad, they encouraged one another; when someone struggled, they cheered each other on.

Attacking or criticizing a specific person was absolutely out of the question.

Of course, this positive mindset itself wasn't necessarily wrong.

But now, what was unfolding in front of her eyes was different from the usual. It was nothing more than licking each other's wounds.

Himeno could only watch the scene, feeling a lump in her throat.

This wouldn't do. She couldn't shake that thought from her mind.

Of course, she knew the loss wasn't entirely Ichinose's fault.

As others had said, there were things the participants could have done better.

Himeno also understood that her own contributions hadn't been particularly commendable.

However, if they avoided facing the results like this, no progress would be made.

…That's what Himeno thought.

So, she resolved to stand up and voice dissent, prompting everyone to rethink.

To make them realize that this defeat couldn't simply end as a lost match; it had deep implications for their future direction.

But, she couldn't bring herself to speak.

The voice was already stuck in her throat, ready to come out, but in the end, she swallowed it back down.

She wasn't good at standing out, nor did she like doing so.

Right now, mustering the courage to stand up was not as simple as she imagined.

Nervousness. Her palms unconsciously kept sweating.

Her upper and lower lips were tightly pressed together, refusing to part.

Her mouth was dry.

Her gaze wandered, and her head began to ache.

As always, she couldn't convey her thoughts in front of everyone. Useless.

But Himeno was beginning to change.

She had always been alone, but now, there were students who understood her nearby.

So, as if seeking help, she looked toward Kanzaki.

This group had been formed with the intention of creating an organization that could offer feedback to Ichinose.

If Kanzaki stood up now, she would have the chance to speak.

This was a small but different determination from before for Himeno.

But...

Kanzaki showed no intention of standing up. He didn't even glance around.

He kept his head down, motionless, as if simply waiting for time to pass.

So she turned her pleading gaze to another companion, Hamaguchi.

Hamaguchi immediately noticed Himeno's look but showed a troubled expression, lightly shaking his head.

It meant that since Kanzaki wasn't acting, the timing wasn't right yet.

Unable to find support, Hime no could only watch as time slipped away.

"Right now, we might just be facing a small crisis. But the road ahead is long," Shibata encouraged Ichinose, who seemed ready to bear all the responsibility herself.

He stood beside her, striking a big Guts Pose (raising both fists with bent arms in a show of support).

"What does this failure matter? We still have a year. Right, everyone?"

Then, as if trying to lift the mood, he looked around the classroom and spoke loudly.

But reality was harsher than what Himeno imagined.

She could only suppress her own thoughts and go along with the flow of her encouraging classmates.

The one coldly observing all of this with an emotionless gaze was their homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya.

Several times she felt like throwing up but held it back with all her might.

As a teacher, it was against the rules to interfere unless absolutely necessary.

She knew this, but she had never really thought much about following it. Now she was at her limit.

Raising her hand high, Hoshinomiya slammed it forcefully on the podium. The gradually lively atmosphere plummeted instantly.

"Does everyone truly understand the situation we're in right now?"

She spoke softly but firmly to the students who were licking each other's wounds.

"To put it bluntly, every single one of you is out of your mind, totally out of your mind."

Harsh words spilled from the teacher's mouth.

The students, who had been forcing smiles, froze.

"Ch-Chie-chan?"

One boy, frightened by the chilling atmosphere in the classroom, called Hoshinomiya by her name.

But she ignored him and turned her gaze toward Shibata, who stood beside Ichinose.

"Shibata-kun, you said the road ahead is long, didn't you?"

"Uh, well… yeah…"

"Do you really believe that?"

"Well, uh... because it's too soon to give up. If I were to use a soccer analogy, we might be behind now, but if we regain control—"

"Two or three goals? Regain control? Stop talking nonsense. This failure is devastating."

"But, sensei, we still have a year—"

"Still have a year? Wrong, isn't it? You understand, right? We only have one year."

"There's absolutely a chance to turn things aro—"

"No, there isn't. Using your favorite soccer analogy, this isn't just about being down by two points. Today alone, you've conceded three, and now we're at a point where we're trailing by ten. That's what I'm trying to get you to understand. And not only that: your opponent is leagues ahead. You should understand that by now."

Unable to bear the students' escapism any longer, Hoshinomiya voiced her thoughts sharply.

Even so, Shibata wouldn't give up.

"Sensei, have you heard about the term 'Giant Killing*'? If it's us—"

*(Note: Giant Killing is a reference of a Japanese football manga series created by Tsunamoto Masaya and Tsujitomo.)

"Shut up. What you need now isn't fantasizing here and there. You need to face reality, understand?"

She had to bring back the students who had lost their way deep in the forest.

Seeing Hoshinomiya lose her temper like this for the first time, Shibata, who had been ready to retort, could only swallow his words.

As if following an unspoken instruction to return to his seat, Shibata reluctantly turned away and left Ichinose's side.

"We're done for. That's how it is, right, Ichinose-san?"

Hoshinomiya approached Ichinose, who had kept her head down all along, and spoke.

"Sensei…"

Having closely observed the examination process, Hoshinomiya understood.

She understood how devastating the psychological blow from Ayanokouji must have been.

The reality that this class had no chance of victory.

"This is my responsibility. As for whether I can continue to lead this class from now on, I no longer have the confidence…"

Ichinose expressed her intent to step down.

But Hoshinomiya didn't let her finish.

"No, that's not it."

"…Eh?"

"I'm not asking for weak words like that. I just want you all to face reality."

The previously angry Hoshinomiya now returned to her gentle smile.

"We lost this time. And if things continue like this, we'll keep losing. Understand?"

"…Yes…"

Even if she didn't like it, Ichinose had no choice but to agree when faced with undeniable logic.

Seeing this, Hoshinomiya nodded with satisfaction.

"No problem, Ichinose-san. I believe in your ability. Leave all your worries to me."

Hoshinomiya gently patted Ichinose on the shoulder and spoke softly in her ear.

If she allowed Ichinose to step down now, it would create major obstacles in running the class later.

Hoshinomiya judged that postponing the conclusion was the right course of action.

"So, take it slow and take care of yourself. Okay?"

After saying that, Hoshinomiya stepped away from Ichinose and resumed her usual demeanor.

It seemed that the students alone couldn't escape the depths of Class D.

The only remaining option was for her to intervene and rescue the class from outside the rules.

At this point, Hoshinomiya's expectations for Ichinose were solely to prevent the class from collapsing in the meantime.

"That's enough heavy talk for today. Although we can't change this outcome, things will be different next time. Spring break is coming up, and we'll also have the three-way interviews. You all need to think about your future plans."

After that, Hoshinomiya dismissed the class, unwilling to remain in the classroom's suffocating atmosphere any longer.

From that day, Ichinose, who had suffered a crushing defeat against Ayanokouji and been unable to perform at her best despite victory being within reach, took a leave of absence due to illness.

And so, without showing up at school even once, she entered the gloom-shrouded spring break.