Hirata slightly pursed his somewhat dry lips.
His mouth was filled with bitterness.
He had known all along that such a small trick wouldn't fool the Student Council's investigation.
So, he chose to "confess" in an attempt to mislead them.
After learning that he might be expelled, Hirata actually felt a bit fortunate. If he hadn't voluntarily admitted to buying the test papers himself, Ayanokoji might have been implicated as well.
But now, Amane, in an effort to clear his name, had seized upon the loophole he had been deliberately avoiding.
The truth of the matter was thus easily revealed.
He had no intention of blaming Amane. Anyone would understand that Amane was standing against the Student Council and those who were to be expelled for his sake.
However... Amane had no such obligation. Whether he, Hirata, left this class or not had no impact on Amane.
Even though Amane and Hirata didn't interact much.
Hirata had still learned some things about Amane from various sources.
Such an excellent girl had no need to incur the wrath of the entire class.
Whether it was for higher education or employment, in Hirata's opinion, these were very simple matters for Amane.
She could completely choose a slightly more comfortable campus life.
Even choosing Kouenji's lifestyle wouldn't be a big deal.
Yet, she was also enduring the pressure of being ostracized to speak up for him.
Hirata was a little moved. He really wanted to say thank you to Amane, but that would seem too sentimental.
Therefore, Hirata decided to remember this gratitude well.
Alas, what would happen to Ayanokoji if he was exposed?
Even though his own matters hadn't concluded, Hirata was already thinking about Ayanokoji's situation.
"Of course I'm scared. I came to this school with my own dreams, too. I want to get into a good university, and if there's an even stronger football team there, that would be even better."
Hirata's face was full of longing and aspiration.
"Then why would you do something so foolish? That Ayanokoji, or whatever his name is, should bear the consequences of his own actions! If you get expelled, won't all your dreams and hopes turn into smoke?"
Kiriyama couldn't understand why there were such people in this world.
"Because there isn't a single team in the world that has only ten players."
Amane answered before Hirata could.
"That's what you wanted to say, right?"
Amane's words left Hirata stunned.
Th-that was indeed what he wanted to say.
If this sentence had come from any football player, Hirata wouldn't have been surprised.
But... he never would have expected such words to come from Amane's mouth.
"No team can keep playing with ten people, and certainly no team can keep playing with three people. So, Miyako-san, why would you abandon the side with more people? Even if Hirata is a star player, a team that isn't at full strength doesn't even have the right to step onto the competition stage, isn't that right?"
Nagumo Miyabi immediately seized on Amane's words and launched an attack.
He wanted to know if the girl named Miyako Amane in front of him could bring him enough enjoyment.
Amane heard Nagumo's question and let out a soft snort from her nose.
"A bunch of weak team benchwarmers who can't even make the starting lineup, wouldn't it be more practical to get rid of them early for money?"
Amane's retort was extremely sharp.
She directly stated that in her mind, those who were to be expelled were nothing more than useless benchwarmers on a weak team, easily replaceable.
There was absolutely no need to care about them.
"Oh my, oh my, Miyako-san, speaking like that might displease certain people, you know."
Nagumo Miyabi narrowed his eyes.
This kind of personality was the type that could create enjoyment for him.
"Are they going to bite me or something?"
Amane glanced at Yamauchi, who was red-faced but dared not meet Amane's gaze.
"Mad dogs, when pushed to a dead end, can do anything, so it's better to be careful usually. If you really get bitten, it's not worth the trouble."
Nagumo Miyabi despised good-for-nothings like Yamauchi the most.
So, he deliberately used a sarcastic tone to warn Amane.
"Thanks... what was your name again?"
"Nagumo Miyabi... currently the Vice President of the Student Council. Miyako-san, I'm quite taken with you."
"Thank you for the compliment, but I don't like boys."
???
Amane's single sentence instantly made the entire meeting room fall silent.
"Ah... that, what I mean is... I currently have no plans to date boys... hehe."
She didn't know if it was her imagination.
Hirata felt as if Amane had changed into a different person in an instant.
The oppressive atmosphere around them also became gentle.
It was as if the Amane who had just dared to stand against the entire Student Council by herself had never appeared at all.
"What I mean is... Miyako-san, are you interested in joining the Student Council? In the Student Council..."
"I refuse."
"..."
Nagumo Miyabi looked at Amane, speechless.
Couldn't she just let him finish his sentence?
Did he, Nagumo Miyabi, the dignified Vice President, have no face?
And this person's refusal was a bit too decisive.
One had to know that in the first year alone, over a dozen people applied to join the Student Council, but only Ichinose was accepted by him.
Now, he had a rare moment of appreciation for talent and intended to bring Amane under his wing, but it ended before he even opened his mouth.
The huge disparity made the smile on Nagumo Miyabi's face freeze.
Seeing this, Ichinose quickly tugged on Amane's sleeve.
However, Amane casually touched her hand.
This instantly made Ichinose blush.
But seeing Nagumo Miyabi look at her.
Ichinose could only bite the bullet and try to persuade Amane.
"Miyako-san, Vice President Nagumo is the designated next Student Council President, you know. And joining the Student Council has many benefits."
Ichinose spoke in a soft, whispering tone, yet at a volume that everyone could hear, briefly introducing Nagumo Miyabi to Amane.
Amane felt a little strange.
Ichinose's way of speaking clearly showed a disregard for Horikita Manabu. No matter how designated the Vice President was, he was still the Vice President now.
The President was sitting right there, and to dare to speak like that in such a situation—truly, Classmate Ichinose's courage and chest size were both admirable.
"Oh."
Amane simply said "Oh," indicating she understood.
Ichinose blinked.
Amane also blinked.
"Ichinose, do you have anything else to say?"
Seeing Ichinose's somewhat strange expression, Amane kindly asked.
"No, no need. I have nothing more to say."
Ichinose sat down with a bitter smile.
This made Nagumo Miyabi even more frantic.
I want to pull you into the Student Council, and you just say "Oh"? What does that mean?
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