*I ignored this before, and my friend suffered. I won't let it happen again!*
Hirata's mind flashed back to a past event, and Saiki learned of his history.
In middle school, a classmate was bullied, but Hirata looked away. The friend attempted suicide and became comatose.
This haunted Hirata, changing him.
After the suicide attempt, Hirata saw the bullies target another student. He took control of the class, becoming the top dog, like Ryuuen Kakeru.
This was why Hirata, so perfect, started in Class D.
At this school, Hirata vowed not to repeat the past, maintaining a perfect image and preventing similar events.
Now, he saw the class heading down that path and had to stop it.
*Wow, that's intense.*
Saiki narrowed his eyes.
"Shut up, Horikita!"
Hirata's voice was deep and cold.
Everyone was stunned, never expecting such words from him.
"Guided voting is wrong!"
*Was that… Hirata?*
*Is he angry?*
*Never seen him like this…*
Even Suzune was shaken.
Haruki clung to hope, shouting,
"Hirata! I'm the victim!"
"Victim?"
Hirata's cold gaze fell on Haruki.
"You blurted out nonsense and now claim to be a victim?"
Haruki felt unprecedented pressure, stepping back in silence.
*Why is Hirata reacting like this?*
Suzune was confused but calmed herself:
"This is an exam. It's unavoidable."
"Even so, manipulating votes is wrong."
"We have less than a week. Doing nothing condones Haruki's betrayal."
"So what? We can't judge our classmates."
"What are you saying? This is our exam. Many think Haruki's the right choice!"
Suzune didn't know Hirata's past and didn't understand his rejection.
"That's wrong. This exam is cruel, and I disagree. If I must accept it, only natural voting—not your guidance!"
"Nice words. Most students are already forming groups, deciding who to protect or criticize."
Suzune was puzzled but firm on this point:
"It's done. Everyone knows what Haruki did."
She glanced at Haruki.
"True. I'll vote against you, Horikita. I won't let you do this."
Hirata's expression was unfamiliar, his gaze cold.
"Suit yourself. If others support you, I don't care."
Suzune left, ending the argument.
"Looks like Hirata has secrets of his own."
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka watched Hirata Yōsuke's retreating figure, thinking to himself. He then turned to Saiki Kusuo, wondering, "Does Saiki know about Hirata? Or is all of this already within Saiki's expectations?"
"To be honest... I really don't."
Saiki sighed.
He initially thought this exam had nothing to do with him, but somehow, he ended up getting involved anyway.
---
Meanwhile, in Class D, the atmosphere was tense. Students spoke in hushed tones, discussing one topic: Ryūen Kakeru's expulsion.
It was the second day since the exam rules were announced and the first day of the official exam. Over half the class had already decided to vote for Ryūen's expulsion.
The idea started the day before, but by yesterday afternoon and evening, someone had secretly coordinated with other students to ensure Ryūen's expulsion would go smoothly.
That person was Manabe Shiho.
Though she hadn't found Ibuki Mio, Ibuki was aware of Manabe's actions.
Strangely, Ryūen hadn't taken any action, almost as if he'd accepted his expulsion.
After school, Ryūen left the classroom immediately. Ibuki, after packing her bag, prepared to leave as well. But just then, a figure appeared before her.
"You look so gloomy. Are you that upset about Ryūen's expulsion?"
"What… You again? Why do you keep bothering me?"
"I'm just worried about you. Ever since Ryūen's no longer the center of the class, you've become almost invisible."
The one taunting Ibuki was Manabe Shiho.
Since enrollment, they'd clashed constantly. Ibuki's trust in Ryūen had kept Manabe from acting against her.
During the last sports festival, Ryūen discovered Manabe's secret communication with someone from Class B, exposing her betrayal to the class. Manabe feared Ryūen's retaliation, but he forgave her.
Still, Manabe lived in fear daily, resenting the situation. Her taunts now seemed like an outlet for that resentment.
"You'll vote against me, won't you, Ibuki?"
Manabe smirked.
"Who knows?"
"Just vote against me. I'll vote against you too, so it's only fair."
"Sure."
Ibuki's tone was flat, as if uninterested.
Manabe was frustrated. She wanted to see Ibuki more angry, more troubled.
*"She's not reacting at all. How boring! I need to push harder!"*
"Don't worry, Ibuki. You won't get expelled. Even if some vote for Ryūen, he'll still have over thirty votes against him—"
Manabe laughed, but another voice interrupted.
"Come with me, Ibuki."
Ishizaki Daichi stood between them.
"Okay."
Ibuki, relieved to escape Manabe, followed Ishizaki out of the classroom.
"You can pretend nothing's wrong, but after Ryūen's gone, you're next."
Manabe declared, as if ruling the class.
*"Once Ryūen's out, I'll control this class completely!"*
Ibuki ignored her, leaving with Ishizaki.
"Where are we going?"
Ibuki asked once Manabe was out of sight.
"I just wanted to talk. What about Ryūen's personal points? Have you taken them yet?"
Ishizaki asked.
After Ryūen's defeat by Saiki, he'd offered his points from Class A to Ibuki, but she'd refused.
"He still has them."
"You haven't taken them back? If he's expelled by the weekend, those points will vanish."
"Who was the first to say not to take them back?"
"That was… because I thought they were just personal points…"
"If you want them so badly, why not just ask him directly?"
"I… I can't…"
Ibuki noticed Ishizaki's hesitation.
"You're the key to Ryūen's downfall. If you get involved with his points, you'll be suspected of betrayal."
For Ishizaki, who wanted to stop Ryūen's expulsion, this was a dilemma. If he acted, he'd risk expulsion himself, and his role in Ryūen's downfall would be questioned.
Saving Ryūen would put Ishizaki in danger—a contradiction he couldn't resolve.
"Damn… What am I even doing…"
"Ryūen's expulsion is best, right? You know that."
"Is it? Without Ryūen, can we still win?"
"He's capable, but his methods are questionable. Still, Ryūen's talent is undeniable!"
"It's a gamble. Without him, Class A is an impossible dream."
Ibuki sighed.
"I agree Ryūen's talented."
She thought:
*"Class A has Sakayanagi, Class B has Saiki… Class C has Ichinose and unity… Without Ryūen, Class D is doomed."*
"Damn…"
Ishizaki punched the wall in frustration.
Ibuki watched, considering her options.
Just then, another voice interrupted.
"You both seem troubled."
Shiina Hiyori's voice was gentle.
She'd been observing them after school, guessing their dilemma, and followed silently.
"Shiina, what are you doing here?"
Ibuki asked, confused.
*"Shiina helped Ryūen before but stays neutral. Ryūen values her talent but can't fully utilize her due to her personality… She probably doesn't know about Ryūen's defeat."*
*"Should I ask for her help? No, if I tell her, Ryūen's defeat will be exposed."*
"It's nothing, Shiina. Don't worry about us…"
"You're worried about Ryūen's expulsion. Without him, the class will be leaderless, and you might be targeted next."
Shiina spoke as if she knew everything.
"What? What are you talking about?"
Ishizaki feigned anger.
"I can save Ryūen."
Shiina continued.