Ever since Nagumo repented for his past mistakes and began walking the path of a student council president in the truest sense, the atmosphere within the student council had improved dramatically.
His inherent administrative prowess and leadership skills were displayed to their fullest extent, and the backlogged work was cleared through in the blink of an eye. Although Kiriyama still cast resentful glints in my direction, Nagumo's flawless handling of the reins kept any potentially harmful actions entirely suppressed. As a result, my own burden within the student council had been drastically reduced.
Even within our class, study groups geared toward the final exams at the end of February were held day after day, making for a succession of fulfilling days.
Naturally, I was also able to secure plenty of ti to go out on dates with Hiyori at the Keyaki Mall for a breath of fresh air. While wrapping my head around peaceful dilemmas—such as what kind of return gift would make her happy after receiving her handmade Valentine's chocolates—my heart was enveloped in the serene warmth of early spring.
And then ca the written final exams at the end of February.
Thanks to our day-to-day high awareness as Class A, coupled with the thorough support system centered around Ichinose, it was only natural that not a single person from our class received a failing mark. We successfully navigated this hurdle with absolutely zero expulsions. It appeared that the other classes managed to avoid any expulsions as well.
However, imdiately following that wave of relief.
Inside the student council room, Nagumo broke a piece of major news to that had not yet been disclosed to the general student body.
"It seems Chairman Sakayanagi has been temporarily ousted due to so allegations of misconduct."
At the words delivered from Nagumo's mouth, I narrowed my eyes ever so slightly.
"Apparently, a man nad Tsukishiro is set to take over as the 'Acting Chairman' in his stead... But sothing about this just doesn't sit right with ."
Nagumo crossed his arms, letting out a resentful breath with a grim expression.
"I've exchanged words with him a few tis on student council business, and that man is a splendid adult with steadfast convictions as an educator. For soone like him to fall from power at such an abrupt mont? ...I can only assu so kind of force is at play behind the scenes."
Nagumo, too, seed to detect an indescribably ominous aura looming behind this baffling personnel shuffle.
(...Nagumo is right. Based on my own impressions of him, it's virtually unthinkable that the Chairman would engage in any misconduct.)
While deeply agreeing with Nagumo's opinion in my mind, I quietly sank into an ocean of thought.
(The head of the school being unnaturally replaced. It's hard to imagine this is a re coincidence...)
And then ca Monday, March 1st.
As if to validate our premonitions, the school announced the implentation of the "End-of-Term Special Exam."
After school. Gathered in my room as usual were Ichinose, Kanzaki, and Hiyori, holding a discussion regarding our upcoming strategy.
"We don't know the specific details of the special exam yet, but since it's branded as the 'End-of-Term' exam, there's a strong possibility that a massive amount of class points will be on the line."
Ichinose stared at the tablet placed in the center of the table, offering her speculation with a serious expression.
Sitting beside , Hiyori nodded quietly in agreent.
"Yes. Currently, we hold the lead with a gap of about two hundred points over Class B... But depending on the results of this exam, there is a very real possibility that the gap could be overturned."
At their words, Kanzaki, who had been sitting with his arms crossed, slowly opened his eyes.
"...However, what we must do remains unchanged. No matter how unreasonable a storm may rage, we have only to remain unshaken and continue honing the 'Blade of our Soul.' ――No, I an, we just need to focus on sharpening our fundantal skills as always. My apologies."
Imdiately after making his declaration with a deadpan face, Kanzaki snapped back to reality and cleared his throat with a cough.
Without missing a beat, Ichinose directed a thoroughly exasperated, half-lidded stare at him and called him out.
"Hold on, Kanzaki-kun. You slipped into that weird phrasing again, didn't you? Even after we warned you so many tis, you still haven't gotten rid of it?"
"Guh... My apologies, Ichinose. I was trying to be careful myself, and I thought it had mostly subsided... But whenever Aizen is nearby, I habitually find myself trying to connect to the abyssal circuits of thought..."
(What on earth are "abyssal circuits of thought" supposed to be?!
Please don't go naming a cringeworthy case of chuunibyou poetry as if it's so cool system on your own accord?! The guilt of having left an unerasable bug in the language center of your otherwise serious brain because of , combined with Ichinose's precise, rciless gouging of it...!
I beg of you, stop having this exchange right in front of , I feel like I'm going to develop a stomach ulcer!)
While inwardly writhing from critical psychological damage and guilt, I sohow maintained a flawless poker face. I elegantly tilted my teacup to overwrite Kanzaki's blunder.
"I have no intention of committing the folly of surrendering myself to the calm before the storm. Right now, solidifying the earth beneath our feet and sharpening our fangs is the sole preparation permitted to us."
As I delivered this concise statent, Hiyori provided a translation with a smile so radiant it felt like a flower blooming.
"He says: 'Until the exam is explained to us, we have no choice but to strive toward improving our fundantal skills just as we have done so far!'"
"Right, exactly! Just as Aizen-kun says, let's firmly focus on doing what we can do right now!"
Thanks to Hiyori's flawless translation, Ichinose nodded vigorously, and our resolve was united as one.
However―the next day, during horoom on March 2nd.
Standing at the podium, our horoom teacher, Hoshinomiya-sensei, had completely cast aside her usual playful deanor. Her face was heavier and more troubled than ever before.
"Good morning, everyone. ...Today, I have to share so very important news with you all."
At her somber expression, the atmosphere in the classroom grew tense in an instant.
"Before the End-of-Term Special Exam, one more... new special exam has been added. The na of the exam is the 'Class Poll.' The voting day will be this coming weekend, Friday, March 6th."
The rules of the exam delivered from Hoshinomiya-sensei's mouth were entirely unreasonable and dripping with malice.
> You must cast three "Praise Votes" for classmates other than yourself.
> You must cast three "Censure Votes" for classmates other than yourself.
> You must cast exactly one "Praise Vote" for a student outside your own class.
> Voting for the sa person multiple tis, leaving blanks, or abstaining will absolutely not be tolerated.
> Praise and Censure votes will cancel each other out. The top-ranking student who accumulates the most Praise Votes in each class will be awarded a "Protection Point," which can negate an expulsion exactly once.
> The bottom-ranking student who accumulates the most Censure Votes will face――Expulsion.
"...Additionally, while the total vote counts will be made public, the breakdown of who voted for whom will remain completely confidential. Of course, the interim progress of the voting will not be known until the final announcent. In the event that everyone ends up with zero votes, the voting process will be repeated until a different result is achieved. If there is a tie for the top or bottom spot, a decisive runoff vote will be held. If it still results in a tie, the school will determine the outco using a 'special thod' prepared in advance."
The mont the explanation of the rules concluded, a drop-dead silence blanketed the classroom, imdiately followed by an explosion of sheer turmoil.
"E-Expulsion?! Why so suddenly...!"
"Censure votes... You an we have to choose a sacrificial lamb from within our own class?!"
Everyone fell into a state of panic, anxiously exchanging glances with the students sitting next to them.
I quietly closed my eyes, rapidly analyzing the intent behind this atrocious rule inside my head.
(...The school's official stance was likely that this is an 'extraordinary asure because no expulsions have occurred so far.' However, the fact that many talented individuals remain and the competition is heating up should inherently be a massive plus for the school. Going out of their way to force us to shave down our own numbers is not the conduct of a proper educational institution.)
(To be sure, I had anticipated that a 'test to eliminate traitors' might co in order to establish the inter-class warfare the school desires. But... I never imagined it would be sothing this coercive and absurd.)
(According to the rules, there is absolutely no way to prevent expulsion other than a salvation fee of twenty million private points. Calling such a thing an 'exam' is absurd. If this rule were truly ant to eliminate toxic assets who would betray the class, then conversely, a class with 'no students needing elimination' should logically have a system in place that allows them to maneuver without producing an expellee.)
(But the reality is different. Judging by the current rate of point distribution, there is no way Class C or Class D could possibly scrape together twenty million points. This is entirely a malicious chanism designed to force soone to be sacrificed.)
(The probability of it being rejected is high... but as the student council, we have no choice but to lodge a formal complaint against the school.)
I sank my thoughts even deeper into the abyss.
(...No, wait. This unreasonable exam cos at the exact timing of the Chairman being replaced by that man, Tsukishiro. ...Should I view the enforcent of this exam as masking 'another purpose' tied to the shift in leadership?)
While I was calmly observing the situation from a macro perspective, a loud clatter! echoed through the room as Ichinose stood up.
"Everyone! Listen to !"
Her dignified voice cut through the buzzing chatter in the classroom in an instant.
"...A rule like this is absolutely wrong. Sacrificing a single person so that the rest of us can survive―that is not what our 'Class A' stands for! I don't want a single person to be expelled from this class!"
Ichinose looked squarely at all her classmates, declaring her intent with fierce determination.
"This school has a salvation asure where 'an expulsion can be canceled by paying twenty million private points.' ...I want us to use the points everyone has saved up until now to ensure that no one gets expelled!"
At those words, the classmates raised their heads as if a light had turned on.
Originally, under Ichinose's guidance, Class A had been practicing a monthly "class savings" initiative to prepare for any worst-case scenarios. On top of that, all the private point rewards earned from nurous special exams up until now—such as the cruise ship exam and the mixed training camp—had been entirely funneled into the class savings. Because of this, the class's shared account had already accumulated close to twenty million points at this juncture.
"With the current total of our class savings, we only need about one million more points to reach twenty million. But... in order to guarantee we overco this unreasonable exam, and to prepare for whenever a situation like this occurs again in the future, I want us to contribute to the class savings while leaving a certain amount of breathing room."
Ichinose looked around at her classmates, lowering her eyebrows in a slightly apologetic manner.
"This ans asking you to surrender points for the sake of the class—points that you've carefully saved up by holding back on things you personally wanted. I know it places a huge burden on everyone... and for that, I am incredibly sorry."
Just as she was about to bow her head deeply, Shibata was the first to shout out in a bright voice.
"Don't apologize, Ichinose! If it saves one of our Class A comrades, it's a small price to pay!"
Following him, Amikura also nodded heavily with a smile.
"Exactly! Thanks to Honami-chan constantly encouraging us, every student in our class has a decent amount of savings, so don't worry!"
At their warm words, Kanzaki, who had his arms crossed, also offered his powerful agreent.
"Yeah. Thanks to Ichinose and Aizen, we have managed to build up a formidable mountain of class points. Compared to the students of other classes, our 'Treasury of the Soul' possesses an overwhelming surplus. ...No, I an, we have an overwhelming surplus of points."
(Kanzaki...! You bastard, are you still dragging that stylized chuuni after-effect even into a moving scene of class unity?! What on earth is the "Treasury of the Soul" supposed to be! I beg of you, read the room and speak normally!)
While I was inwardly launching a massive ntal critique and burning through my ntal energy, Ichinose covered her mouth with both hands, shedding a tear of pure relief.
"Everyone... thank you so, so much...!"
Following that, as a result of a class-wide discussion, it was decided for the ti being that a flat rate of 100,000 points would be collected from everyone. Subtracting the required one million points, the remaining three million points would be channeled directly into the class savings for future use.
As Hoshinomiya-sensei watched on, her eyes rounding in surprise, the classmates' private points were transferred one after another into Ichinose's device.
And then―.
"...We gathered it. We hit twenty million points...!"
In that instant, the classroom was enveloped in thunderous cheers and sighs of relief. Without falling prey to the paranoia of trying to sabotage one another, Class A had won the right to navigate this absurd sacrificial ritual with "zero expulsions" through their perfect solidarity.
Imdiately following the conclusion of horoom, I wasted no ti heading straight to the student council room.
My objective was simple: to share the abnormality of this special exam with Student Council President Nagumo and to lodge a formal complaint against the school as the student council.
"...I see. Indeed, this exam is far too unreasonable and driven by pure malice."
Nagumo likewise wore a grim expression upon receiving my report, taking action imdiately.
We went together to the staff room to negotiate directly with Mashima-sensei, the head of the first-year class instructors.
Facing Mashima-sensei, I first pressed our doubts as the student council vice president, injecting an imnsely arrogant ring into my tone.
"Am I to understand that a sieve ant to expel flaws from the board was inherently built into the system of this miniature garden from the start?
...If so, it defies logic. For a class displaying flawless leadership—where no defective pieces exist to be discarded—the board ought to provide a path that can be traversed without shedding blood. To be unable to escape ruin except through an extortionate price... such a thing is not a trial, but a re irrational execution."
(Translation: Are you saying an exam to eliminate traitors was built into the curriculum from the beginning? If so, a class that has no students who need to be eliminated should have a route to clear it without producing an expellee, right? When the only thod of avoidance is paying points, you can't even call this an exam!)
Despite my insolent manner of speaking, Mashima-sensei's expression didn't waver. Next, Nagumo took a step forward as the student council president.
"No, when we were first-years, an exam like this was never conducted. ...While I cannot disclose the details of the senior classes, even if a similar exam exists, it wasn't anything this unreasonable. If it were an expulsion due to failing marks or a penalty from a special exam, it could be understood as a judgnt that the student lacks ability. But... a thing like this can hardly be called an 'exam.'"
A sharp protest driven by sound logic, packed with his pride as the student council president.
(Nagumooo!! You've truly grown into a splendid figure...! This is it, right here—you are the definition of a model student council president!!)
Inwardly weeping tears of manly emotion while biting down on a handkerchief, I felt intensely moved by Nagumo's growth as I awaited Mashima-sensei's response.
However.
"...Your argunts are entirely justified. However, this decision cannot be overturned."
Mashima-sensei shook his head, wearing a bitter expression as if a decision entirely unrelated to his own will had been forced upon him.
Hearing that reaction, combined with Nagumo's words from earlier, I quietly restructured my thoughts on the walk back from the student council room.
(...I see. Mashima-sensei's reaction just now. It appears I was mistaken.)
I had surmised that the school had integrated an "exam capable of eliminating traitors" into the curriculum from the start. However, looking at the deanor of the faculty on the ground, it was impossible to believe they approved of such an absurd sacrificial ritual.
Which ant the derived answer was singular.
(There is no mistake that this exam was unilaterally forced through by the newly appointed Acting Chairman Tsukishiro, exercising his imnse authority. ...Even so, for what exact purpose did he commit such an outrage?)
Could his goal be to reclaim the massive pool of accumulated private points?
(No, if that were the case, he would have implented it across all school years, not just the first-years. The fact that it was forced exclusively upon the first-years ans... is there a 'student he absolutely wants expelled' residing in either Class C or Class D, where an expulsion will guaranteed to occur...? But I lack the information to go any further.)
Pondering over the fog on the board that had yet to clear, I made my way back to my room.
And that night.
Sitting on the sofa in my room were Ichinose, whose shoulders had completely relaxed from relief, a gently smiling Hiyori, and Kanzaki.
"I'm so glad no one is going to be expelled... It was truly worth it for all of us to save up our points until now."
While cradling a cup of warm tea with both hands, Ichinose murmured from the bottom of her heart.
"Yes. The fact that everyone in the class responded to Honami-chan's call without a single hesitation... it made feel the strength of our class's bond all over again."
Hiyori nodded happily, taking a sip of her tea.
As a peaceful atmosphere flowed, I alone sank into an ocean of thought.
(Ensuring that no one from our class is expelled is undoubtedly the best possible outco. But... what will happen to the other classes in this unreasonable exam?)
Class C, which has lost its cohesion after Ryuuen temporarily stepped down, and Class D, which is sinking at the bottom, have no way of preparing a staggering sum like twenty million points. Without a doubt, expellees will erge from those two classes.
Then, what about Class B, which is hot on our heels? ...It's hard to imagine that Sakayanagi Arisu would shave away her vast private points just to save a bottom-tier student. If anything, she might utilize this opportunity to legally cut away 'unnecessary students' or 'students with the potential to betray.'
A bloody battle of pulling each other down is undoubtedly taking place in every other class.
(This ti, in order to preserve the lives of our classmates, we ended up completely emptying our treasured twenty million private points. This ans that in the upcoming 'End-of-Term Special Exam,' salvation via points can no longer be used, and taking tactics that rely on points will beco incredibly difficult. ...We have to head into the final battle having lost one of our strongest cards.)
But even so.
Even if we stood at the summit with soone missing from our class, there would be no value in it whatsoever.
I quietly opened my eyes, looking at my three comrades who were facing forward.
"The foolish act of offering an unreasonable sacrifice from our miniature garden has been averted. If so, what we must do next is determine how to dominate and arrange the fragnts of judgnt dancing in the air onto the board we desire."
"He says: 'Since it has been decided that no one will be expelled, next is a matter of how we control the distribution of the votes!' "
At Hiyori's perfect translation, Ichinose nodded with a serious expression.
"Right. Since our class won't have any expellees, there's no penalty regardless of whom we give our censure votes to... But as for the praise votes, it's a chance to obtain a Protection Point after all, so shouldn't we gather them on Aizen-kun?"
(No, I have no need for that point. In the first place, with my 'Aizen specs,' I would absolutely never make a blunder that drops into the expulsion zone regardless of the exam. Besides)
I quietly spun my thoughts, analyzing the overarching trends.
(In this exam, the destination of the 'out-of-class praise votes' from other classes will be highly critical. As it stands, Class C, where Ryuuen has fallen, and the uncoordinated Class D shouldn't have the leeway to strategically solidify their out-of-class votes. If so, their floating votes will naturally gather toward Ichinose, who holds deep popularity across the entire school year.)
I shook my head slightly, rejecting Ichinose's proposal.
"A temporary shield is unnecessary for one who sits upon the absolute summit. ...Furthermore, when the stars lose their way and deviate from their orbits, what attracts them is not an overwhelming darkness, but a soft light that envelops all. As the beacon guiding this chaotic sea of stars, it is you who shall naturally end up cloaked in protection."
"He says: 'I won't be in any danger of expulsion, so I'm fine. Besides, Class C and Class D don't have the luxury to coordinate their out-of-class praise votes, so the votes will naturally gather toward Honami-chan due to her popularity, and she will surely take first place!' "
As I made my grand declaration, Hiyori let out a small chuckle while presenting her flawless translation.
"I see... Yes, if I do receive the Protection Point, I'll make sure to utilize it effectively for the sake of the class in future exams."
As Ichinose nodded in understanding, Kanzaki, who had been quietly listening to the conversation up until now, slowly opened his mouth.
"Indeed, there shouldn't be an issue with the top spot for praise votes being handled that way. ...However, please gather the top spot for censure votes on ."
"Eh? On Kanzaki-kun? ...Are you really sure about that?"
When Ichinose asked back in surprise, Kanzaki kept his arms crossed and nodded with a resolute attitude.
"Yeah. Even though it's guaranteed that no one will be expelled, a student who accidentally ends up as the 'number one recipient of censure votes' as a result of everyone voting arbitrarily would suffer imnse psychological damage. ...In that case, it's better if I decide to take that mud from the start and completely control the votes. That way, we can avoid inviting discord into the class."
(Kanzakiii!!)
Inwardly, I was giving Kanzaki a roaring standing ovation for his sheer manliness.
(You... what a spectacularly cool man you are!! The resolve to put your own body on the line to absorb the psychological damage of your classmates! This is truly the epito of a model second-in-command!!)
Suppressing the urge to tremble with deep emotion using my iron willpower, I offered him a stylized encouragent packed with respect.
"Heh. To willingly cloak oneself in the mud of the abyss to protect the souls of your comrades. ...That noble resolve, I shall firmly engrave it into my sight."
(Translation: Kanzaki, you are incredibly cool! I've firmly acknowledged that resolve of yours!)
In response to my praise, Kanzaki let out a short, soft laugh, closing his eyes as he answered.
"Do not fear. I am the absolute shield that protects utopia. ...No rain of malice can ever rust my 'Soul.'"
"......!!"
A completely perfect, stylized counter-phrase delivered from Kanzaki's mouth.
In that instant, the space between Ichinose's eyebrows twitched violently. A powerful retort was clearly climbing up her throat... but considering that Kanzaki had drawn the short straw for the sake of the class this ti, Ichinose vibrated silently as she desperately swallowed the retort down.
(Ichinose...! Well done, you held it in! I too was moved by Kanzaki's manliness, but that final stylized phrase almost took away all the montum. Right now, not calling him out is the ultimate kindness!)
Stepping right past the internal conflict racking Ichinose and , Hiyori smiled softly and bowed her head toward Kanzaki.
"Kanzaki-kun, for the sake of everyone in the class... thank you so very much."
"No, don't worry about it. It's just the job I ought to do."
Kanzaki nodded with his usual reliable expression (aside from his stylized after-effects).
With this, the distribution of votes within our own class was decided. Hiyori then shifted the agenda while looking at the notepad in her hands.
"The remaining issue is the single 'praise vote' we must cast for a student outside our class. The tactics available to us would be... either purposely saving a student from another class who seems likely to be expelled due to accumulating censure votes, or gathering our votes on another student so that Sakayanagi-san of Class B doesn't obtain the Protection Point, right?"
(Just as Hiyori says. If we are to make a move, it generally boils down to those two choices.)
While agreeing inwardly, I judged that our current information was still lacking.
"The fog upon the board has yet to clear, and the trajectories drawn by others remain unseen. Rather than shooting an arrow into the void, it is best to draw the bow only after discerning the enemy's movents."
"She says: 'We don't know how the other classes will move yet, so let's observe the situation until the very last minute before deciding who to vote for.' ...Indeed, there is no need to rush a decision."
As Hiyori translated and nodded in understanding, Ichinose also agreed with a "That's true."
However, a sowhat downcast shadow flickered within her eyes.
"...In truth, it would be best if not a single person had to be expelled, even from the other classes."
Ichinose's overly kind, genuine feelings. But in this Advanced Nurturing High School, that ideal was far too distant.
"That's just the nature of this exam. We can't save everyone."
Kanzaki spoke quietly but powerfully, as if cutting through Ichinose's sentintality.
"At the very least, no one from our class will be expelled. Right now, we should rejoice in that fact alone. We don't have the luxury to worry about other classes."
"...Yeah. You're right, it's just as Kanzaki-kun says!"
Ichinose clapped both hands against her cheeks with a loud smack!, tightening her expression as if pumping herself up.
"Since we won't be able to rely on a salvation fee with private points during the 'End-of-Term Special Exam,' we don't know what the rules will be, so we have to brace ourselves tighter than ever before!"
"Yes. Let's combine our strength and absolutely overco it!"
Hiyori powerfully encouraged Ichinose as well, and our resolve was once more united as one.
Having shared our rough future outline and determination, today's discussion drew to a close. Ichinose and Kanzaki left the room, and silence returned.
"Fufu. Kanzaki-kun is starting to resemble you a little bit, isn't he, Sousuke-kun?"
While clearing away the tea treats and cups left on the table, Hiyori giggled delightfully.
"...That was an unfortunate accident. It is entirely beyond my knowledge."
When I shrugged my shoulders with a sigh, Hiyori smiled, saying, "Let's leave it at that, then." She brewed a fresh pot of tea and sat down right next to on the sofa.
Outside the window, it had grown completely dark, and the warm scent of tea drifted through the room.
While the footsteps of a special exam filled with unreasonable malice drew near―Hiyori and I spent a quiet, sweet tea ti together just the two of us, as if enjoying the calm before the storm.
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