"Well then, that concludes the class meeting. Although tomorrow is Saturday, don't forget there's an exam in the morning—please keep that in mind."
With Mashima-sensei's announcement, today's lessons came to an end.
However, unlike the usual lively atmosphere right after class, the students of Class B remained unnaturally quiet this time.
Everyone packed their bags in silence, and even those who spoke did so in hushed voices.
A heavy stillness enveloped the classroom.
It felt like the calm before a storm—no one dared to break it.
After all, by tomorrow, one of their classmates would be expelled.
If the decision were still uncertain, it might have been easier to ignore. Sympathy has no direction without a confirmed target. But now, the verdict was almost final—Sakayanagi Arisu would be expelled.
Even if some harbored resentment toward Sakayanagi due to rumors or personal grievances, it wasn't as if she had committed some unforgivable crime.
Because of that, guilt inevitably crept in.
—Heh, are they trying to be considerate of my feelings? How amusing.
Sakayanagi was well aware of the abnormal atmosphere, yet she didn't feel embarrassed by it. On the contrary, she found it quite interesting to observe her classmates' expressions.
If she had to describe it, their gazes resembled prisoners watching a fellow inmate who was about to be taken away for execution.
Of course, that was an exaggeration.
But for the students of Advanced Nurturing High School, where expulsion meant complete severance, it might as well be a death sentence. There would be no further interaction, no shared memories beyond today.
That was precisely why their guilt was so shallow.
The moment they confirmed the contract's cancellation, any lingering guilt would be instantly replaced with relief—perhaps even joy.
And the mastermind behind all of this… Hikigaya-kun.
—Absolutely brilliant.
No matter how many times she analyzed it, Sakayanagi couldn't help but admire his tactics. She had even lost sleep over it last night and nearly arrived late this morning.
Not only had he masterfully exploited high school students' natural aversion to authority, but he had also deliberately left a way out—one so laced with malice that it was practically a trap.
If she truly wanted to stay, she would have to make a deal with Ichinose, exchanging private points for Class A's protection.
On the surface, it might seem like a mutually beneficial transaction.
But in the eyes of others?
It would be nothing short of complete surrender.
Considering her previous attacks on Ichinose, the act of begging for mercy would only emphasize her failure and Ichinose's benevolence.
Of course, Sakayanagi herself could ignore the rumors.
But regaining control over her class would be impossible. The students of Class B, who now pretended to be reserved, would no longer hide their disdain. They would openly look down on her.
If she had no obsession with graduating from Class A, there was no reason to stay.
That was the cruel brilliance of this so-called "escape route."
He anticipated my thoughts, yet deliberately presented an option I could never accept.
Hikigaya-kun… Just how far do you intend to humiliate me? …Heh.
A faint smile crept onto Sakayanagi's lips.
One path led to expulsion. The other—staying, but in utter disgrace.
No matter what she chose, it would be an undeniable loss.
This feeling of absolute defeat, of being crushed beyond recognition… she had never experienced it before.
If given another chance, she would love to challenge him again.
But she knew that Class B was already half-crippled.
Even if she remained, she would never regain full strength.
And that was assuming Hikigaya chose to hold back.
If he wished, he could easily obliterate Class B, ensuring she never had another opportunity to rise.
Through this ordeal, Sakayanagi had come to understand one truth:
Special exams were merely child's play.
Win or lose, a few victories meant nothing in the grand scheme of things.
The true battlefield lay in the seemingly peaceful, mundane school life.
Even in this ruthless environment, there were still unspoken rules.
Rules that anyone could break at any time—but once they did, they would eventually suffer the consequences.
Sakayanagi had learned this lesson firsthand.
Take, for example, the rumors about her father.
If she had built a strong reputation like Ichinose, no matter how convincingly Hikigaya spun his tale, people would at least pretend not to believe it.
But because she had tarnished her name, everyone eagerly jumped at the chance to step on her.
The truth was simple—some people received "family should be off-limits" treatment, while others became easy targets for misplaced resentment.
The funniest part? Those who suffered the latter always cried about fairness.
Sakayanagi didn't consider herself a good person.
But at the very least, she refused to be that pathetic.
How ironic that these realizations only came after she had lost.
So be it.
This time, she would accept her punishment gracefully.
—But before she left, she still had one thing she wanted to do.
For this final opportunity, she wanted to spend time with Masumi.
After all, her grades weren't great.
Honestly, Sakayanagi doubted that Kamuro would even get into the same university as she and Hikigaya.
Lost in thought, she glanced around the classroom—only to find that Kamuro had already left.
So had everyone else.
"…Hah. I didn't realize I had been thinking for so long."
Sakayanagi let out a self-mocking chuckle as she took out her phone and opened the friend app.
As long as they were friends and had location services enabled, she could instantly see where the other person was.
Even though Kamuro had stormed off in anger yesterday, she hadn't blocked Sakayanagi—probably because she hadn't even thought about it. That meant Sakayanagi could still track her location.
"Masumi… Huh? She's still in the school building?"
Sakayanagi found it a bit strange. She had assumed Kamuro had already gone home or wandered off somewhere to cool her head.
But she quickly figured it out.
Most likely, she was in the art club's activity room. Kamuro would sometimes go there to draw, and technically, she was still a member.
"Oh well, I suppose I'll be the one to go meet her this time."
Originally, she had planned to call first, but the moment she tapped Kamuro's name, she hesitated and ended the call.
If they spoke over the phone, Kamuro—who struggled to swallow her pride—would probably just act as stubborn and angry as before. It would be better to meet her in person.
With that thought, Sakayanagi picked up her cane and stood up, slowly making her way toward the door.
Heh… I never thought there'd come a day when I'd actively go looking for Masumi. But since this is the end, I suppose it doesn't matter anymore.
In the past, the idea had never even crossed her mind, but now, Sakayanagi realized she liked Kamuro more than she had thought.
And it probably wasn't just because she was a capable subordinate…
"Sakayanagi-san."
A cold voice interrupted her thoughts.
Sakayanagi looked up and gave a slight nod. "Yamamura-san, do you need something from me?"
"…Yes. I have something important to say."
Just saying that much seemed to take all of Yamamura's courage.
Seeing her try so hard, Sakayanagi couldn't help but smile. "You should understand by now, shouldn't you? If you're here to ask about the exam, I can only tell you to wait patiently for the results."
"B-But! If things keep going like this—"
"This isn't a bad outcome either."
Sakayanagi softly cut her off, shaking her head as if advising her to give up. "Losers have to bear the consequences. That's all. I've seen this happen many times before. This time, it just so happens to be my turn. There's no need to dwell on it."
"…I'm not worried about you, Sakayanagi-san. I'm thinking about the class."
"How unfortunate. I never cared about this class from the beginning… But I'd rather not say anything unpleasant before I leave."
Even if she was being provoked, it wouldn't change anything. Sakayanagi made sure to emphasize that.
"But you have helped me quite a bit, Yamamura-san. I did consider whether I should return the favor."
"…If you could stay, that would be the best repayment," Yamamura said with a hint of sorrow.
It seemed she knew that was impossible.
"Heh, you don't want to part with me, do you, Yamamura-san?"
"Please don't joke at a time like this."
"I'm not joking." Sakayanagi's voice was calm. "No one in this world is truly indispensable. I'm no exception… Yamamura-san, do you know what you're lacking the most right now?"
As she spoke, she lightly tapped Yamamura's chest with her finger.
"That would be confidence. From now on, hold your head high and lead the class to victory."
"But someone like me… There's no way I can do that." Yamamura let out a bitter smile.
"That's not true. I recognized your potential. Never forget that."
"But…"
"If you don't believe me, how about a little test?"
Sakayanagi sighed, then straightened her posture. "Aside from matters concerning me, there's something in this exam that you must do. Can you tell me what it is?"
"…Securing the protection points?"
"Bingo. Correct."
Sakayanagi's eyes narrowed with satisfaction, pleased that Yamamura had caught on so quickly.
"Now, the next question: In the current chaotic situation, who do you think will end up with those protection points?"
"…Rito-kun…?"
"Hehehe, as expected of you, Yamamura-san. Sharp as ever."
The ones who would likely receive the most praise votes wouldn't be Katsuragi, Yamamura, or even Sakayanagi.
It would be Rito Satoshi, the school's number one pretty boy.
Without guidance, Class B was nothing more than a disorganized rabble.
Sakayanagi understood this well. And she was pleased that Yamamura had also realized it.
Her eye for talent was as sharp as ever.
"Protection points are a powerful tool. Ideally, they should go to Katsuragi-kun. But the damage he has caused to the class is too severe. Even if he put on a reformed act and campaigned for votes, it would only invite resentment."
"…I agree."
Yamamura nodded in deep thought, clearly troubled by the issue.
To put it bluntly, Rito wasn't particularly outstanding as a student. Giving him the protection points was almost a waste.
If Class B wanted to turn things around, they couldn't afford that kind of loss.
"Yamamura-san, let me give you some advice," Sakayanagi smirked confidently. "Last time, I had you guide people to the student council to file complaints. That damaged your reputation somewhat, so doing it again wouldn't be effective. This time, you should ask Hashimoto-kun for help. If it's him, he should be able to consolidate the class's praise votes in your favor. As for whether he'll agree… You don't need to worry. He rarely refuses requests from cute girls."
"Eh? Me?" Yamamura pointed at herself in surprise.
"Yes, Yamamura-san is very cute. You should have more confidence."
"…I meant the praise votes."
"Hehe, at this moment, you're the best candidate. I can guarantee it."
Sakayanagi flashed a mischievous grin.
But she truly believed Yamamura had the potential. She was a quiet beauty, and quite a few boys in the class had shown interest in her.
"…I understand." Yamamura's voice was soft, but her tone was resolute. "I don't know how much I can accomplish, but I will make sure these protection points benefit the class."
"I look forward to seeing it—well, I was going to say that, but this is your problem now. Do your best."
Leaving behind that lighthearted encouragement, Sakayanagi turned and walked away.
She had already been delayed long enough.
Now, it was time to go find Masumi.
At the entrance of the art department, Sakayanagi suddenly heard voices from inside—voices that sounded quite familiar.
Curious, she couldn't help but reach out, gently pushing the door open just a sliver, peeking inside with cautious eyes.
Sure enough, inside the room were none other than Hikigaya-kun and Masumi.
Oh my, so these two are secretly meeting up in the clubroom? How interesting.
Since she had the rare chance to eavesdrop, Sakayanagi naturally wouldn't let it slip away.
Pressing herself against the door, she remained perfectly still, intent on gathering any secrets she could use to tease them later.
However, the more she listened, the worse she felt.
Hikigaya-kun… What a troublesome person.
If you don't like me bullying Ichinose, why don't you just say so directly?
If you had only asked nicely, I wouldn't have insisted either… At most, I would've just messed with you a little.
Still, Sakayanagi didn't mind this little setback.
In some way, this moment might become an unforgettable memory for her.
But then, the conversation inside took an even more outrageous turn.
Wait, why… a lap pillow?
And it happened before… on the deserted island?!
Sakayanagi's expression slowly turned cold.
Well done, Masumi. You even kept this from me? Not a single word until now?
And what is this… Is this leading up to a confession?
No way—
"I like you, Hikigaya."
The words that drifted out were the last thing she ever expected.
Masumi… you actually did it.
Feeling that continuing to listen would be bad for her, Sakayanagi leaned against the wall for support and quietly left without a word.
She walked a considerable distance before finally gripping her cane again, striding through the corridor with a cold smile.
"…Hmph. How amusing."
Her cane struck the floor with a sharp, grating sound.
"It's just a confession. Why act so nervous? As expected, Masumi has no experience at all."
Replaying the conversation in her mind, Sakayanagi felt increasingly frustrated.
Just what were those two doing…? That was a sacred clubroom. How could they do something like that there?
And Masumi—since when did you become such a bold girl?
If you're going to do it, why not go all the way?
"Honestly, their faces were so close. I thought Masumi would go in for a kiss, but in the end, they just called each other's names… Heh, such innocent little lovebirds."
After thoroughly mocking them in her mind, Sakayanagi finally regained her usual composure.
Still, if she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she would've never believed that Masumi would confess to Hikigaya.
Guess she was at her limit—pushed into a corner, wasn't she?
"So Hikigaya-kun wants to drop out… Hmph."
Letting out a soft scoff, Sakayanagi immediately pulled out her phone.
Just as she was about to dial a number, her finger hesitated.
If things continue down this path…
"That would mean Hikigaya-kun and I would drop out together?"
That… doesn't sound so bad.
…No. That wouldn't be fair to Masumi.
But still—
After hesitating for a long moment, Sakayanagi finally pressed the call button.
"Yamamura… There's something I forgot to mention earlier. Do you have a moment?"
"Of course, please go ahead."
Although Yamamura sensed something odd in Sakayanagi's tone, she didn't question it.
"It's about the praise vote," Sakayanagi murmured, pressing a hand to her chest as if suppressing something. "For the vote, we planned to give to another class—guide them to vote for Hikigaya-kun instead."
"Hikigaya-kun…? W-Why?"
Even over the phone, Yamamura couldn't hide her shock.
If it were anyone else, it wouldn't be so strange. But Hikigaya? Had Sakayanagi lost her mind?
"It's nothing."
Sakayanagi smiled faintly, though the grip on her cane tightened.
"Hikigaya-kun said he wants a satisfactory result. To be safe, let's ensure the praise vote goes to him. That way, he'll have no complaints, right?"
"…If that's the case, it should be possible to convince the class."
"Right? Besides, he's naturally someone with thin skin. If he ends up receiving a protection point because of this, you could use it as an opportunity to make him owe you a favor."
Of course, that wasn't the real reason. But for now, telling Yamamura this was enough.
After hanging up the phone, Sakayanagi finally felt her mood improve slightly.
"Heh, Hikigaya-kun, I won't allow you to win and simply run away."
Yes, it was nothing more than her pride refusing to accept it.
Just as the defeated must bear their corresponding responsibilities, the victorious must also shoulder their corresponding obligations.
And yet… that stifling frustration still lingered in her chest.
"…More uncomfortable than I expected."
For some reason, an urge to pick a fight suddenly welled up inside her.
Originally, this role belonged to Masumi… but whatever, disturbing her now would be rather tactless.
Yet, the more she thought about it, the more irritated she became.
Just as she was debating whether to find a substitute—suddenly, a somewhat familiar figure approached from the opposite side.
Ah… could this be fate?
Looking at the person before her, Sakayanagi couldn't help but think so.
After all, this was just too much of a coincidence.
Like a pillow appearing right when you're about to doze off… There was no way she could let go of such a perfect chance to relieve her frustration.