The day of the exam, first-year Class D.
The people of Class D arrived early at the classroom. Everyone's eyes couldn't help but drift between Yamauchi Haruki, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Hirata, and others.
Clearly.
The expelled student would likely be one of those three.
In these few days.
A lot had happened in each class.
Yamauchi Haruki of Class D, through Kushida Kikyo, had secretly manipulated many people to cast criticism votes for Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
However.
Just the day before yesterday, he was exposed to his face by Horikita Suzune.
At the same time, she pointed out that Yamauchi Haruki was incited by Sakayanagi to target Ayanokouji, who shouldn't have been expelled.
Wait until everyone in Class D arrived, Kushida Kikyo walked up to the podium. She felt the atmosphere of the class wasn't very good, but she still said with some hesitation:
"Everyone, could you listen to me for a bit?"
"Kushida, what else do you want to say?"
Horikita Suzune immediately stood up, her cold eyes staring at the girl on the stage, to prevent her from causing any more trouble.
The person in Class D who most deserved to be expelled was Yamauchi Haruki.
Even if he followed an outsider's opinion to target Ayanokouji for self-preservation, that was barely acceptable.
However.
Yamauchi Haruki was also the person with the weakest abilities in the class.
"Yeah."
Yamauchi Haruki also seemed to see hope and hurriedly stood up:
"Kikyo-chan, I only wanted Ayanokouji to be expelled for self-preservation. What's wrong with that? You should say something to that Horikita person too. Really, I'm begging you~"
"No."
Kushida glanced at the other girls and said with a bit of a guilty conscience:
"It has nothing to do with the expulsion. It's something else. Is now a good time?"
"Hmm?"
Horikita Suzune was suddenly stunned, and Yamauchi Haruki also sat back down with a look of disappointment.
"Say it first and we'll see."
"Actually..."
Kushida Kikyo took out the contract from her pocket and said:
"Class B found me last night. They want to buy all of Class D's extra-class praise votes and cast them for Katsuragi-kun from Class A. Each praise vote is worth 10,000 personal points."
"What do you all think?"
"Hmm?"
Horikita Suzune was a bit confused.
She didn't expect that while other classes were discussing who to expel, Class B actually had the mood to think of ways to deal with Class A.
She naturally understood.
As long as Katsuragi got the protection points, Class A might fall into internal conflict again, and they would receive personal points as well.
It was simply a win-win situation.
Only.
Horikita Suzune couldn't help but clench her fists. She hadn't expected Ichinose to be so impressive; such a broad vision and calm mind were truly terrifying.
And Ayanokouji also looked up slightly, taking an interest.
This was indeed a good thing.
It's just that he never expected Class B would want to plot against Class A in this exam. Had they already solved the expulsion problem in their own class?
Doubt.
Originally.
Ayanokouji thought Ichinose would be more likely to work toward the goal of 20 million personal points.
Now they actually had the surplus power to bring out personal points to buy votes?
What was going on?
Ayanokouji couldn't help but frown slightly. Class B could not possibly possess that many personal points.
Unless.
Class B had already decided to sacrifice one person.
And then put their energy into plotting against Class A.
This was indeed the optimal solution for this exam, and the choice that maximized benefits.
If that's the case.
No matter who came up with this plan.
That person was indeed quite terrifying, not at all inferior to Sakayanagi or even himself.
"Eh? Really? Is there such a good thing?"
Karuizawa and the other gyaru groups were a bit surprised. It was just a useless extra-class praise vote; it didn't matter who they gave it to.
They only knew that getting money was enough.
"If you agree."
"Everyone can come up and sign the contract. The personal points can be transferred to you right now."
"Is it true?"
For a moment.
People like Karuizawa, who were not at risk of expulsion, hurriedly went to the podium to sign the contract. She only looked suspiciously at the name on Party A.
"Hikigaya?"
"Yes, is there a problem?"
"No..."
Karuizawa shook her head and didn't take it to heart, feeling that it must be Ichinose's judgment; otherwise, that stingy guy certainly wouldn't be willing to spend this money.
On the other side.
"Hikigaya?"
Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji both frowned at the same time.
Indeed, compared to Ichinose, they were more inclined to believe this was a move thought up by Hikigaya.
After all.
It was indeed hard to imagine this being something Ichinose would do.
"Foolish..."
Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji both shook their heads secretly in their hearts.
They already had a rough idea.
Hikigaya wanted to sacrifice himself to save Class B, just like when he saved Ichinose, to complete the class's goals.
The strategy was indeed good.
But if he sacrificed himself, it would be meaningless.
"Sigh..."
Ayanokouji couldn't help but feel it was a pity. If Hikigaya could sacrifice someone else from Class B, he might have a higher opinion of him.
However.
Class B was indeed a group of overly nice people.
Even a guy like Hikigaya who used underhanded means was still an overly nice person at heart.
What a shame.
In a short while.
Almost everyone in Class D had signed the contract. Ayanokouji also signed after judging there were no verbal traps.
Kushida then took the contracts for Hirata and Yamauchi Haruki to sign, and finally walked in front of Kouenji.
"Kouenji-kun, what do you think?"
"No problem~"
Kouenji took out a pen and signed his name briskly.
"After all, getting personal points is a good thing with no reason to refuse. Was it this Hikigaya who contacted you yesterday?"
"Yes, is there a problem?"
"No."
Kouenji spun his pen, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"I'm just slightly interested in this guy. Only those who understand how to yield and distribute profits can achieve great things."
Just as Kushida Kikyo thought.
This was something that only had benefits for B, C, and D. Even if it were just a simple negotiation, the possibility of success would not be low.
However.
Hikigaya had distributed part of the benefits to the other classes.
Making everyone satisfied.
This was an essential quality for achieving great things...
After everyone finished signing the contracts.
Kushida Kikyo turned to look at Yamauchi Haruki.
"Yamauchi-kun, it's best not to tell anyone else about this until the exam is over, okay?"
"Eh?"
Yamauchi Haruki was a bit confused: "Why would I tell others?"
"Nothing!"
Kushida Kikyo had a sweet smile on her face.
She had been overthinking it.
Yamauchi Haruki only had himself in his heart. Even if he wanted to date Sakayanagi, it was only for her body; he had never considered anything for her sake.
At that moment.
Looking at the crowd who were happy because they received personal points, Hirata felt sick. These people had never considered their companions at all.
However, he still stood up and spoke.
"I hope everyone can write my name on the criticism votes."
"Eh? How could I do such a thing?"
A girl hurriedly spoke up, and the other girls followed suit. After all, everyone had seen Hirata's contributions over the past year.
"It doesn't matter if I'm expelled. I feel I already have that resolve."
"No matter how much you can't choose a person to expel, are you really planning to carry out self-sacrifice?"
Horikita Suzune immediately frowned.
No matter what, Hirata was the person who coordinated the class; he was an indispensable member of Class D.
"Horikita-san."
Hirata had clearly made up his mind: "You said it, right? If a student wishes to be expelled, the matter is resolved. So I will be the candidate."
"I... I will vote for Hirata!"
"Even if it's for Hirata's sake, I think we should do this. He's the one who wants to be expelled anyway, why won't you all agree!"
As soon as these words were said.
The people of Class D couldn't help but look at Yamauchi. He was likely treating Hirata as his final lifeline.
On the other side.
Class B, Room 2.5.
The people of Class B gathered in a circle around Ichinose and Hikigaya.
"Hikki, Honami-chan, do we really have to do this?"
"Yes!"
Ichinose's pretty face was serious, and she nodded earnestly: "Everyone, let's just trust Hikki. There's no turning back now. We must not shrink back or change our minds at this time!"
"Phew..."
Quite a few people looked at each other and nodded with solemn expressions.
"Understood!"
"Don't worry, Hikki, Honami-chan."
"No matter what, we will definitely persist!"
"..."
Feeling everyone's unwavering gaze, Hikigaya felt uncomfortable for some reason. Aren't you all a bit too easy to trust?
Entering society, it's very easy to be cheated by people.
"Alright."
"Next, the class voting will begin."
"Students whose names are called, please move to the voting room in order."
Hoshinomiya clenched her fists and cheered everyone on:
"Everyone, good luck!"
Hikigaya looked at Hoshinomiya with an apologetic gaze. She probably wouldn't be saying that tomorrow...