"Ah, goodbyes are sad, it's true, but don't we only have one point of opportunity?"
Karuizawa's voice made some people who wanted to say encouraging words to Sakura-san close their mouths.
Currently, Ichihashi Ruri had more support, undoubtedly holding an overwhelming advantage.
To offend Ichihashi Ruri and Kushida Kikyo behind her for the sake of someone who was about to be expelled was an extremely unwise move.
And so, Class D once again fell into a deathly silence.
An atmosphere of despair began to spread.
Almost everyone tacitly assumed that Sakura Airi would be expelled.
If nothing unexpected happened.
"Since everyone has nothing to say, why don't we count the number of supporters? That way, we can end this torturous discussion, can't we?"
Amane's words caught Ichihashi and Kushida off guard; even Horikita and Hirata couldn't figure out what Amane was trying to do.
From Amane's performance just now, supporting Sakura, Ichihashi thought Amane might have a good private relationship with Sakura, so she chose to support Sakura.
But Amane actually suggested counting the number of supporters at this time?
This move left most people bewildered.
Judging by everyone's reactions during the previous speeches.
Ichihashi Ruri's support rate was much higher than Sakura Airi's.
If Sakura didn't say anything more, and they counted supporters now, Sakura should undoubtedly lose… Was she plotting something?
Horikita also found Amane's actions incomprehensible.
"Sakura-san, what do you think?"
Hirata looked at Sakura.
Even when facing a classmate who was about to be expelled, Hirata still showed full respect.
"I'm fine… this is enough. It's my first time, my first time being able to say what I wanted to say. That's already enough."
Sakura Airi smiled.
Her gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on Amane, who had a cynical expression.
If… if there's a chance, I must thank Miyako-san properly for her encouragement. No matter what happens next… Airi must never cry again.
Hirata nodded silently.
"Then, Ichihashi-san, please come up as well."
Ichihashi Ruri nervously scurried onto the podium, standing beside Sakura Airi.
"Those who support Ichihashi-san staying, please raise your hands."
As soon as Hirata finished speaking, Kushida Kikyo impatiently raised her hand.
But what was originally a sure thing took an unexpected turn.
Sato and Shinohara, among others, followed suit and raised their hands. Even Karuizawa hesitated for a moment before raising her hand, and then a few more people gradually raised their hands.
But that was all.
More people were watching.
Some people who wanted to raise their hands glanced at Amane in the back row.
Amane had her arms crossed, clearly not intending to raise her hand.
Seeing Amane's attitude, some people who had wanted to raise their hands quietly lowered them.
Kushida Kikyo sharply noticed this scene.
She couldn't help but feel a little annoyed.
Everyone had agreed to support Ichihashi-san, but now they were all changing their minds.
Amane and Ichihashi's relationship could be said to be good, so why was she so determined to support Sakura Airi this time?
Kushida couldn't understand.
No matter how good her relationship with Sakura Airi was, it couldn't possibly surpass the bond she and her friends had formed since the beginning of the school year.
Kushida looked back, and her pupils quickly contracted.
Wang Meiyu, who was usually obedient, was now looking down and had no intention of raising her hand. At the same time, some of the mainstays among the class girls, such as Matsushita, Inokashira, and Mori, also had no intention of raising their hands.
Compared to so-called friendship,
They were more unwilling to provoke someone with "strength." Whether it was violence or personal points, Amane had fully demonstrated her importance to everyone in the class. This meant that even if she didn't participate in any activities or group gatherings, she could maintain a certain degree of influence.
It could be said that as long as Amane was willing, what if the whole class raised their hands? As long as Amane wasn't willing to spend points, to put it bluntly,
Even if those who raised their hands now used both their hands and feet, it would be impossible to keep Ichihashi.
Those who chose not to raise their hands did so precisely because they saw through the essence of the matter, which is why they openly stood on the same side as Amane. This discussion itself was not a game of social pretense.
Instead, it was a real struggle of interests concerning personal points.
Amane picked up her phone and sent a message to someone, not knowing who.
Immediately after, under everyone's watchful eyes, Karuizawa Kei actually lowered her hand again.
This was undoubtedly a humiliation for Ichihashi.
Ichihashi Ruri's face instantly turned bright red with suppressed anger, but she couldn't erupt due to Hirata and everyone else in the class being present.
Kushida Kikyo frowned deeply; she sensed something ominous.
If she could, she would also want to lower her hand, but because her stance had been too clear when she expressed it, she was now in an awkward position.
"Ichihashi Ruri has eight supporters. Next, those who agree to keep Sakura-san, please raise your hands."
After Hirata finished speaking, the smart ones immediately looked at Amane.
But to their surprise, Amane still had her arms crossed, with no intention of participating.
Even Hirata didn't know what Amane was planning.
He didn't raise his hand because he had promised Amane to remain absolutely neutral.
So why didn't Amane raise her hand either time?
At this moment, Horikita Suzune was the first to raise her hand.
Ayanokoji saw Horikita raise her hand and followed suit.
Next were Wang Meiyu, Matsushita Chiaki, Mori Nene, Karuizawa Kei...
"Sakura Airi supporters: eight people."
Excluding those who had already withdrawn and those who left early, there were twenty people remaining.
Excluding Hirata and Amane, and the two parties involved, Sakura and Ichihashi, the remaining people actually voted to a tie.
This was beyond everyone's expectations.
"Hirata-san, who do you support?"
Seeing the unfavorable situation, Kushida looked directly at Hirata, who had not yet expressed his stance, treating him as her last hope.
Even if Karuizawa defected, as long as Hirata chose to support Ichihashi, it might be possible to make some people change their minds and support Ichihashi again.
Unfortunately, Kushida's idea was beautiful, but it lacked the environment to be realized.
"I want both of them to stay, but it's clear that I'm just talking nonsense. Since I can't make everyone stay, all I can do is be fair to everyone."
Hirata's righteous words directly blocked Kushida Kikyo's subsequent persuasion.
At this point, only Amane had not expressed her stance.
However, Kushida didn't have the courage to ask Amane; she was afraid Amane would say, 'I support Sakura-san.'
If that happened, the situation would instantly change, and the balanced scales would immediately tip towards Sakura Airi.
It was better to maintain the current stalemate between the two sides and throw the problem to Hirata to solve.
This way, neither Kushida Kikyo nor Ichihashi Ruri would have to directly confront Amane.
"But there's no benefit to remaining in this stalemate. How about Hirata-san makes a choice? Whatever that choice is, everyone will respect it."
Kushida Kikyo's voice was very gentle.
Giving the choice to Hirata was clearly more reliable than giving it to Amane.
Hirata didn't speak; his gaze turned to Amane.
"Since the number of supporters is the same, how about we play a game?"
Amane said, taking out a coin from her person.
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