As lunch break ended, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka could increasingly sense the subtle atmosphere in the classroom.
Two days had passed since the voting exam, and the undercurrents hidden within the class had grown more intense.
Because the voting was anonymous, no one knew if they might be expelled.
Compared to other classes, Class D of the first year could be considered the group with the weakest trust relationships.
When it came to their own interests, even Hirata Yosuke couldn't make everyone comply.
Therefore, Class D students were now fighting for their own interests, each fighting their own battle, instinctively trying to form groups and creating small circles.
Within their small circles, they made mutual promises to advance and retreat together, agreeing to cast Criticism Votes against people outside their circle.
The more companions in the circle, the safer they felt.
Although Ayanokoji Kiyotaka hadn't observed any circles exceeding 10 people yet, such large groups might emerge tomorrow - after all, people tend to follow the crowd blindly.
What was noteworthy now was Kei Karuizawa's small circle among the girls, including people like Matsushita Chiaki and Shinohara Satsuki, who unconsciously gathered around Kei Karuizawa.
With her angelic persona, Kushida Kikyo had built considerable popularity, and according to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's knowledge, she was also well-liked among the boys, with some even inviting her into their circles.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Kei Karuizawa and Kushida Kikyo should be able to influence the female students' votes, particularly the latter.
Kei Karuizawa had previously left a poor impression, as many in the class disliked the hot girl who lacked boundaries and had an assertive personality.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shifted his gaze away from them and turned his attention back to the boys.
During yesterday's class meeting, Yamauchi Haruki had attacked Kei Karuizawa and Kushida Kikyo, questioning why they were associating with Class A students and even spreading rumors that they frequently visited the boys' dormitory.
Free romance wasn't inherently an issue—even Ayanokoji Kiyotaka understood they had likely become Kaoru's "cream puffs"—but when brought into the open, it became unacceptable.
Yamauchi Haruki attempted to pin the blame for Class D's two zero scores on Kei Karuizawa and Kushida Kikyo, suspecting they had betrayed the class.
Such accusations were hard to verify as truth or falsehood, and Class D students occasionally witnessed them with Kaoru, inevitably leading to related assumptions.
Moreover, the accused found it difficult to prove their innocence on the spot.
Kushida Kikyo might manage, as her persona would only suffer a stain, but Kei Karuizawa could become a scapegoat.
Yes, a scapegoat.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka keenly sensed that the class was in dire need of a scapegoat; no one wanted to be expelled themselves, so it had to be someone else.
If there was a villain who could allow them to cast their Criticism Votes with a clear conscience, they wouldn't hesitate to do so.
Kei Karuizawa might become that scapegoat.
The atmosphere today was extremely tense; Kei Karuizawa's usual clique was more subdued than ever, and figures like Shino Sakazuki weren't engaging with her.
Thus, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had reported this to Kaoru yesterday.
Kaoru's reply was brief.
[Drive Yamauchi out.]
It was an unreasonable demand—this person was his good friend, and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka felt slightly displeased.
...
Time quickly passed to the afternoon, with everyone packing their bags.
Likely, after they returned home, about half would coincidentally "believe" Yamauchi Haruki's words.
"I have something to say about tomorrow's voting exam."
Horikita Suzune, beside him, stood up, instantly capturing everyone's attention.
"Didn't we discuss the voting yesterday?"
Yamauchi Haruki reacted vehemently, "Everyone should cast their Criticism Votes on those who betrayed the class! Such people could be spies for other classes!"
Openly attacking Kei Karuizawa and Kushida Kikyo like this was utterly unlike Yamauchi Haruki's usual cowardly behavior.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Kaoru reached the same conclusion: someone was backing him, ensuring his safety.
"Ha, what evidence do you have that I'm a spy?"
Kei Karuizawa immediately retorted, "If getting close to other classes makes me a spy, should we all cut ties with them then?"
Faced with Kei Karuizawa's aggressive stance, Yamauchi Haruki felt a flicker of fear, but remembering Ryuen's promise, he mustered his courage and glared back fiercely.
"You even barged into someone else's room—is that what you call 'getting a little closer'?"
Though Yamauchi hadn't witnessed it firsthand, he could easily imagine the scene.
Just thinking about how he wasn't the one surrounded by beautiful girls made him grit his teeth in frustration!
Even Sakura Airi had betrayed him, blindly throwing herself into another man's arms—something must be seriously wrong somewhere!
"Hah, don't think I don't know—that Kaoru guy will definitely make Class A cast their Praise Votes for you!"
Kei Karuizawa's face flushed crimson with anger, but she couldn't find the words to retort, even feeling a twinge of guilt.
Seeing this, Yamauchi smugly lifted his chin, all traces of his earlier fear toward Kei completely vanishing.
'So this woman was just all bark and no bite after all.'
Meanwhile, Kushida Kikyo remained expressionless, mentally already marking Yamauchi for execution.
"Everyone, please calm down. There shouldn't be any dropouts in this class, and we can't make baseless accusations against our classmates, Yamauchi-kun."
Hirata Yosuke tried to diffuse the tension, only to be shut down by an overconfident Yamauchi with.
"Even your own girlfriend was stolen—why are you defending her?"
Instantly, the entire class fell silent.
Lost in his own world, Yamauchi had Ryuen's promise backing him—he felt absolutely no fear.
If he could get either Kei Karuizawa or Kushida Kikyo expelled, he'd even receive an extra 1 million yen as a reward.
What a shame—that little angel was so cute and had such a great figure, yet she'd been taken by some guy from Class A.
Yamauchi felt both bitter and intensely jealous, wishing he could take that guy's place.
But after this vote exam, everyone in class would surely recognize Yamauchi Haruki's power.
How should he spend his 1 million yen next?
"I believe the person who should be expelled in this exam is Yamauchi Haruki."
A cold voice came from behind.
Yamauchi's heart jumped, panic flashing in his eyes before he forced himself to appear calm.
"Hey, hey now, what nonsense are you spouting, Horikita!"
But Horikita Suzune completely ignored him and continued.
"Although Chabashira-sensei told us this exam is only meant to expel one person, the school hasn't given us a dedicated discussion period—instead, we're supposed to discuss after class. Because of club activities, we don't even have enough time now."
"Wh-what are you talking about?!"
"If we continue like this, I think everyone will privately discuss who to vote for, eventually creating an environment where everyone feels threatened, no one trusts anyone else, and people might even vote based on personal grudges."
Kushida was surprised.
Though this speech was typical Horikita, it was clear she'd considered others' feelings and thought from the majority's perspective.
"Hoh, these are quite reasonable points. So what do you propose?"
Koenji Rokusuke seemed genuinely interested—after all, he could also sense the class atmosphere and might even face expulsion himself.
"Based on the above premises, I'm grateful to Yamauchi-kun. His bold statements yesterday helped me understand many things."
Horikita Suzune unexpectedly expressed gratitude toward Yamauchi Haruki.
Yamauchi Haruki froze for a moment, then the corners of his mouth lifted.
"What's this? So you're actually praising me? If you wanted Karuizawa and the others expelled too, you should've said so earlier. Really, you're such a troublesome woman."
Sudo Ken's expression changed as he stared intently at his good friend.
"Some matters shouldn't be discussed behind closed doors. I believe we shouldn't casually grant someone the qualification for expulsion in this exam - it requires careful consideration."
Horikita continued, "Rather than targeting good students or bad students, we should prioritize expelling the latter. For example, Yamauchi-kun."
"W-wait a minute!"
Yamauchi Haruki couldn't accept this, "How could I possibly be a bad student? Weren't you just..."
Horikita Suzune cut him off: "First, your contributions to the class over the past year have been virtually zero. Your academic ability is extremely poor - you need help every exam or you'd face expulsion."
"Th-that's... Ken and the others are the same!"
Yamauchi Haruki panicked.
"Incorrect. Sudo-kun's current grades have surpassed yours."
Horikita said, "Moreover, in sports, Sudo-kun earned our class many points during the sports festival. What have you done?"
"I... I trained seriously! There are plenty of others who are just as bad at sports as me. Why aren't you targeting them!"
Yamauchi Haruki tried to find reasonable excuses for himself.
"Fine. Take Yukimura-kun for example - his athletic ability is equally poor, but his academic performance is excellent. He frequently participates in Hirata-kun's study sessions and helps tutor everyone. Can you do that?"
Horikita Suzune looked at him coldly, as if watching a penniless man about to reach a dead end.
"That's not... that's not... Kanji is similar to me! He was last in this final exam!"
Horikita Suzune sighed deeply, looking at Yamauchi Haruki as if with pity.
"On my list, you, Ike-kun, and Sudo-kun are all candidates for expulsion."
Yamauchi Haruki looked as if he was being choked, his face turning red as he couldn't make a sound.
Each person had exactly three Criticism Votes - exactly matching their trio.
"Am I included in your expulsion list too?"
Sudo Ken looked incredulous, but upon second thought, this was indeed the Horikita Suzune he knew.
Thus, he accepted Horikita Suzune's judgment.
"That's wrong!"
Yamauchi Haruki shouted, pointing at Karuizawa Kei and Kushida Kikyo, "We're discussing their matter right now! Compared to the lowest ranking students, wouldn't spies drag us down more easily!"
Kushida Kikyo slightly started, her eyes gradually misting over.
Though clearly heartbroken to the extreme, she forced a smile.
"Wh-why would you say that about us, Yamauchi-kun?"
She looked as if she was about to cry, suppressing sobs in her throat, "If you suspect me, I can swear - Kaoru-kun and I were never dating from start to finish. If you don't believe me, I can give you my phone."
Faced with a weeping girl, Yamauchi Haruki short-circuited.
Yesterday she had been sullen-faced - what was with this pure maiden act now?
In an instant, the pressure shifted to Yamauchi Haruki's side.
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