Whether the two argued or not.
The exam still had to continue.
Even if they didn't agree to Kushida Kikyo dropping out, they had to choose a new dropout.
The break ended, and Horikita Suzune naturally became a candidate for expulsion.
The results of the twentieth vote.
In favor: 1 vote; Opposed: 37 votes!
"Since the break has started, I'll restate: I oppose Kushida-san's expulsion!"
Right as the break began.
Horikita Suzune stood up directly to express her views, completely ignoring Kushida Kikyo, who was roaring incoherent words.
Ayanokouji, sitting in his seat, watched the scene before him.
He truly didn't expect.
Horikita Suzune to step onto the next higher stage faster than he had anticipated.
Of course, it wasn't that there were no reasons to refute, but since Horikita Suzune had made her decision, it would probably be hard to make her back down.
"But Horikita-san, you say you want to protect Kushida-san. Does that mean you intend to drag this out until the time ends?"
"I know it's not over just by protecting Kushida-san. I've thought of an answer in my own way."
Horikita Suzune took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice.
No matter what.
The exam has proceeded to this step; they need to choose a dropout.
Otherwise.
[Omitted non-narrative text] Dragging it out until the exam ends.
They will face a penalty of 300 class points.
After finally closing the distance with the upper classes, this is something absolutely unacceptable.
Watching the scene.
Ayanokouji instantly understood.
Horikita Suzune didn't just want to save Kushida, but was also prepared to cut someone else off.
Despite feeling Horikita's clear growth.
However.
She didn't need to shoulder the cruel task of announcing the [Dropout].
No matter what.
The upcoming judgment.
Personally sending away a companion would place a strong burden on the spirit.
This was too heavy for Horikita.
Everyone has their own good friends.
Trying to convince everyone to expel a friend is not an easy task.
To be able to accomplish this.
The only one with such control over the field was he, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka; Horikita didn't have to endure such a cruel thing yet.
"Wait a moment."
Ayanokouji stood up.
His eyes met Horikita Suzune's.
Ayanokouji instantly understood that the candidate floating in their minds was clearly the same person!
"Only."
Ayanokouji looked at the crowd with a calm face.
"Kushida, who has been voting 'in favor' all this time, is a student worth expelling—no, wait, as Horikita said, she is a capable student; that remains unchanged. In that case, we can only think of another way."
"Wait, wait a minute, Ayanokouji."
Ike Kanji quickly stood up, looking a bit confused:
"The students in the class voted 'in favor' because they themselves aren't traitors. Now you're saying that doesn't count and we have to choose a dropout? That's unacceptable."
"Besides, wasn't the one who said Kushida should be expelled just now you?"
The people of Class D could never have imagined.
Ayanokouji himself had just said those words, personally pushing Kushida Kikyo into a corner.
And now he's changed his tune?
Naturally, this would greatly increase their distrust of Ayanokouji.
Fortunately.
Class D is a group of people with weak wills and little independent thought.
Strength is not just about physical ability and academic grades.
The spiritual level.
Ways of thinking are all part of strength.
Trying to convince these weaklings isn't hard for Ayanokouji; he can easily control their thoughts.
The strong are ultimately a minority.
The only ones needing convincing are a few of the dropout's friends.
Moreover.
Aside from Kouenji.
There was no one in this class that Ayanokouji found difficult to convince.
"It's not just Ike who feels dissatisfied."
Ayanokouji's face was expressionless and his tone calm:
"Everyone must feel the same, but even so, we can only vote; we must try to use what can be called a fair method to lead us to the answer."
"You say fair... how could such a method exist?"
"Expelling someone to gain class points—while the expulsion part easily brings up a negative impression at first."
First, erase the guilt in their hearts; only then could they swing the butcher's knife without hesitation.
Ayanokouji said in a flat voice:
"But just as many people agreed to expelling a traitor who kept voting in favor, as long as a certain condition is met, it can turn into a positive result."
"In other words."
"If the class points gained have a higher value than the student being expelled, there is sufficient meaning in making this choice."
Moving a step further.
Adding correctness to the upcoming action.
No one can act under the premise of knowing they are incorrect; even bad people find reasons like 'for friends' or 'for family.'
Even if it's just providing an excuse, he must make them believe their actions are for justice.
"In other words."
"We just need to choose the student who is currently of no use to the class."
"So what is the judgment criterion? It's the overall comprehensive ability, possessing academic ability, physical ability, or uncategorized abilities."
"Simply put, someone like Horikita who has leadership skills, or someone like Yousuke and Karuizawa who can integrate small groups."
"These people are naturally excluded. Of course, if anyone thinks I am favoring them, they are free to object."
Ayanokouji's expression was flat.
As if he were just stating a common, minor thing.
No one could outtalk him, at least not in this class.
Ayanokouji had that confidence.
Most importantly, he just needed most people to understand that the person being expelled wouldn't be them.
"And then."
"This topic should ideally not include elements like future prospects or outlook; in fact, it is very difficult to objectively see how much someone will grow in the future."
"Therefore, I believe the fair judgment criterion lies in the OAA."
Saying this.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka turned his expressionless face toward a student.
"The student currently in the very last place of the OAA in this class————————Sakura Airi!"
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's gaze was deep and full of certainty.
Wanting Sakura Airi to drop out.
Was not a very difficult thing.
In reality, Sakura Airi rarely socialized and had the fewest friends in the class.
He only needed to convince Hasebe Haruka, Yukimura, and Miyake Akito.
Yukimura and Miyake naturally went without saying.
Although Hasebe Haruka was close with Sakura Airi, she was not the type with a firm will.
As long as the persuasion was appropriate, and then Sakura Airi was convinced.
He believed Hasebe Haruka would make the right choice.
The most important person.
Given Sakura Airi's kind and weak personality, she likely wouldn't want to see the class troubled by her existence either.
Wanting Sakura Airi to drop out voluntarily.
Was a very easy task!
"What? ...What are you talking about? Stop making such bad jokes at a time like this, okay?"
A furious Haruka stood up, glaring angrily at Ayanokouji.
They were supposed to be the best of friends.
Although she didn't approve of Hikigaya, she still admired Ayanokouji.
He was handsome, smart, mature, steady, and had excellent athletic ability.
However.
Now her best friend actually wanted her best girlfriend to drop out?
Hasebe Haruka only felt her head sink into a dizzy spell.
Aren't they partners?