The exam began, but results wouldn't be known until the weekend. School life continued as normal, but students were already scheming.
Information was key. Struggling students needed to know who might criticize them. Groups formed, as larger groups could control votes.
Someone would be expelled.
Saiki, however, did nothing. His powers let him know others' moves, like Haruki's.
"Did you know Saiki's been badmouthing you?"
"He does weird things!"
"Maybe those rumors were Saiki's doing. He acts cold, but who knows what he's like?"
Haruki spread lies about Saiki, hoping to lower his reputation and concentrate criticism votes on him. It was Arisu's plan.
*"For Arisu and me, Saiki must be sacrificed."*
But Haruki didn't know Saiki knew everything. Nor did he realize his actions were pointless and made him more hated.
Kushida and Ayanokōji had already acted. Last night, Kushida casually mentioned Haruki while chatting.
"Haruki talks badly about people behind their backs and spreads lies."
"He gives me weird looks..."
"I don't know what to do about him..."
Kushida's words left a bad impression of Haruki. Her influence far surpassed his.
And while Haruki lied, Kushida spoke the truth.
*"They must hate Saiki now!"* Haruki thought.
But Saiki heard their true thoughts.
*"He's just smearing Saiki!"*
*"He wants us to vote against Saiki!"*
*"Gross..."*
Haruki's words backfired, making him more disliked.
*"A-Class is targeting Saiki. Arisu's plan? But Saiki's popular, and Arisu didn't expect Kushida's hatred. Arisu probably wants to test Saiki using Haruki."* Ayanokōji thought.
*"Haruki's causing me trouble. I can't ignore him..."* Saiki narrowed his eyes, using his powers.
"Arisu's confessing to me next Monday! I'm excited! Saiki's annoying, but I'll follow Arisu's plan. Ike and Sudo are also good targets. Sudo's okay at sports, but Ike's useless."
"Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I'll get plenty of praise votes from Class A, so I won't get expelled."
At that moment, Haruki Yamauchi smiled, thinking to himself.
But then, he suddenly realized that everyone in the class was staring at him.
"What? What's going on?"
Haruki asked, confused.
"Haruki, what did you just say?"
At that moment, Yosuke Hirata walked up to Haruki, his expression serious, and asked sternly.
Hirata, usually so kind, showed such a serious look for the first time.
"Hirata... What's wrong?"
Haruki swallowed, asking nervously.
"We all heard what you said. You can't be joking about this."
Hirata said.
"What? I didn't say anything..."
"You clearly said it. You listened to Sakayanagi and want to get Saiki expelled?"
Hirata's voice rose.
To Hirata, this was betrayal.
"Uh... Did I say that?"
Haruki awkwardly scratched his head.
*What's happening? Did I really say that out loud?*
Haruki's heart raced, shocked by the turn of events.
*You didn't say it out loud, so I helped you.*
Saiki Kusuo replied in his mind.
Saiki saw Haruki's actions as crossing the line and decided to punish him slightly. He used his powers to broadcast Haruki's thoughts to everyone.
So, to everyone else, it seemed like Haruki had blurted out his thoughts in a moment of pride.
*What's he so proud of?*
*Looks like Haruki's the one getting expelled this time.*
*He's been trashing Saiki... Disgusting.*
Hearing Haruki's words, the students in Class B grew even more disgusted with him.
"Are you really working with Sakayanagi?"
Kanji Ike frowned at Haruki. They used to be close friends.
"No way! Why would I team up with Class A? I'd never betray my friends! There's nothing in it for me! Please, spare me…"
Haruki covered his head, acting like a victim, but his panic was obvious.
"Nothing in it for you? Maybe not."
At that moment, Suzune Horikita, who had been silent, stepped beside Haruki and continued,
"You've been close to Sakayanagi lately. Maybe she promised to 'date you' afterward, which is why you said what you did."
"I... "
Haruki's face showed hesitation.
"Sakayanagi wouldn't date someone like you~"
Rokusuke Koenji laughed, his legs propped on the desk, not even looking at Haruki.
"We won't expel a better student for something so trivial."
Suzune said calmly.
After Sae Chabashira explained the rules yesterday, Suzune had been conflicted.
One student would be expelled, and the only choice was who.
She had a few candidates in mind: the former Idiot Trio.
Ken Sudo had a hot temper and caused trouble, but he'd improved and contributed greatly during the sports festival.
Kanji Ike had no special skills but performed well on the island. He had few friends in class.
Haruki, however, had contributed nothing.
Suzune planned to speak up when the time was right. Expelling a student wasn't ideal, but someone had to decide.
Haruki's slip-up on the first day sped things up.
"We were supposed to discuss and decide, but I know that's unrealistic. So, I'll name the student to be expelled: Haruki Yamauchi. This special exam… I judge he should be expelled."
Suzune's expression didn't change as she continued,
"No one likes losing a classmate, but you betrayed us first, working with the enemy. If we must target someone… you're the one we don't need."
"Hold on, Horikita?"
Yosuke Hirata, though displeased with Haruki, objected,
"I'm not interrupting, but I disagree with this approach and guided voting. We shouldn't turn on each other."
"Right, right!"
Haruki nodded eagerly, grasping at his last chance.
*The perfect overachiever, Hirata's weakness is clear: he can't make tough choices.*
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji thought.
"You're right, but Hirata, don't forget: Haruki targeted Saiki first. Saiki's contributed more than half—maybe 80%—of our class's success. Should we expel him instead?"
"You're right..."
"I'll fight my way, no matter what. Let me decide here and now."
Suzune said calmly.
The week-long exam seemed to end today, with no more suspense.
*Is this Sakayanagi's plan? No, it doesn't benefit her. Maybe Haruki accidentally exposed it. Was it just a slip?*
*Haruki's definitely the most likely to be expelled now.*
*But what's with Hirata's odd behavior today?*
Kiyotaka observed the stage calmly.
*True.*
Saiki agreed in his mind.
He could hear Hirata's inner screams.
*No, no, no, no, no!*
This was unlike Hirata's usual gentle self.