Several days had passed since the end-of-term exams, and today marked the beginning of March.
It was the day everyone had been anxiously waiting for—the announcement of the exam results. If anyone had failed, expulsion would be waiting for them.
"Here are the results."
Mr. Sakagami posted the exam scores on the board. At the same time, the class average was announced, and not a single student had scored below it.
"An impressive full pass. This is the best result in any exam so far."
"Yesss!!"
Ishizaki couldn't hold back and pumped his fist in excitement.
Relieved voices could be heard throughout the classroom.
Looking at the results, top students like Kaneda and Hiyori were, as usual, at the top of the rankings. However, the bottom of the list had shifted slightly.
Previously, Ishizaki and his two friends had been competing for last place, but now Manabe was firmly at the bottom.
"For now, I'll say you all did well. But we can't dwell on this forever."
The cheerful atmosphere in the classroom instantly grew heavy at the teacher's words.
It was the outcome the entire class had expected.
"I'm sure you all anticipated this, but the written exams aren't the end. A major special exam is coming next—scheduled to begin on March 8th, as usual."
In other words, next Monday.
Though the written exams had just ended, there wasn't much time left in the school year, so it made sense.
"I believe in all of you. I expect you'll make it through without losing a single student."
Just before homeroom ended, the teacher added those final words.
"Wait… does that mean he actually has really high expectations for us?"
"It's so sudden, I don't even know how to react…"
Komiya and Ishizaki laughed, surprised but clearly pleased.
"But don't let your guard down. Next week's exam won't be easy, either."
After giving them a light warning, Mr. Sakagami officially dismissed the class.
....
March 2nd – The Day After the Announcement
Morning Homeroom
Shortly after the chime, Mr. Sakagami entered the classroom—a routine, unchanging sight.
But today was different.
The atmosphere was nothing like yesterday, when he had discussed the end-of-term exam results. A strange tension hung in the air.
Though the exam wasn't until March 8th—with no apparent reason for tension—Mr. Sakagami's expression was more severe than any of us had ever seen.
The uneasy mood quickly spread among the students.
"Uh... sensei, did something happen?"
Ishizaki's question went unanswered as Mr. Sakagami remained silent, as if reluctant to speak at all.
In his own way, Mr. Sakagami had always been kind to us, his students. Even if he wasn't talkative, most considered him a good teacher. That made his current demeanor all the more unsettling.
"...There is something I must tell you all."
His voice was heavy, as if forcing the words out. The class grew even more uneasy.
"As I informed you yesterday, the special exam for first-years begins on March 8th. Completing it will finalize your promotion to the second year—this is the standard procedure."
Mr. Sakagami turned his back to us, picked up a piece of chalk, and began writing on the board.
"However, this year's situation differs slightly from last year's."
"Differs?"
Kaneda, sensing something unusual, echoed the words.
"This year, there have been no expulsions—a first in this school's history."
"Huh? But... doesn't that mean we're just really good?"
Komiya blurted out, not out of arrogance but genuine confusion.
"That is correct. Both the school and I acknowledge that. However, deviating from expectations is, in itself, problematic."
"Problematic...? But isn't this a good thing? Why does it feel like we're being blamed?"
"...You've done nothing wrong. But sometimes, things unfold beyond even my expectations."
Though his words sounded like praise, there was a weight to them. Mr. Sakagami hesitated before continuing.
"The school has considered the fact that no first-years have been expelled this year—"
He paused, as if struggling to force out the next words.
"—and as a 'special measure,' an additional special exam will be held starting today, March 2nd."
...What? What does that even mean?
He wrote the date and "Additional Special Exam" on the board.
"Wait, WHAT?! You're saying just because no one got expelled, we have to take another exam? That's so childish!"
Ishizaki shouted, but Mr. Sakagami didn't even look at him—or perhaps he couldn't. It was clear even the teachers hadn't been informed of this sudden decision.
But that wasn't the real issue here...
"The exam itself is very simple. And the expulsion rate—less than 3% per class—isn't particularly high."
On the surface, that didn't sound too bad. But something about this exam felt fundamentally different from the others.
An exam like this... There's no way Sakayanagi would have planned it.
Holding an exam just because no one was expelled? That wasn't her style.
"Kuku. Go on, Sakagami. Tell us what this 'special exam' is."
"The exam is called—'Class Vote.'"
"Class... Vote?"
The words appeared on the board.
"Here's how it works. Over the next four days, you will evaluate your classmates. On exam day, Saturday, you will vote for three students you believe deserve praise and three you believe deserve criticism. That's all."
So we evaluate each other? At first glance, it seems simple, but there must be more to it.
"Th-that's it? Really?"
"...Yes. That's all. Now, let me explain the pass/fail conditions."
Murmurs spread through the class at the seemingly straightforward exam.
"The key lies in the praise and criticism votes. The student who receives the most praise votes will receive a special reward—a 'Protection Point,' a new system privilege."
A new type of point, separate from class or private points. Naturally, everyone was intrigued.
"A Protection Point grants the right to nullify an expulsion. Even if you fail an exam, holding this point will save you. However, it cannot be transferred to others."
The moment those words were spoken, shock rippled through the classroom.
"I trust you understand its value. In essence, it's equivalent to 20 million private points."
A guaranteed way to avoid expulsion—an incredibly powerful tool.
Almost too powerful.
But its very existence suggested that the penalty for the bottom-ranked student would be equally severe.
"While the top student receives a Protection Point, the bottom-ranked student faces a penalty. The objective of this exam is to select both the top and bottom students."
Mr. Sakagami's gaze swept over the class.
An exam held because no one had been expelled...
"The student who ranks last... will be expelled from this school."
Votes would determine the results.
Results would determine who stayed and who left.
The last-place student would be expelled.
No exceptions—regardless of ability.
This wasn't right. This wasn't something the school—or Sakayanagi—would create.
"Wh-what the hell?! You're seriously saying the last-place student gets expelled?!"
"...As a teacher, I also find this unreasonable. But the decision has been made. There's no overturning it."
"This is insane..."
By the weekend, someone from this class would disappear.
The word "expulsion" loomed in everyone's minds.
"Let me explain the rules further. The top three students in both praise and criticism votes will be announced, and all votes will be made public—though the identities of the voters will remain anonymous."
This was to be expected. Praise votes were one thing, but criticism votes could damage relationships.
"Abstaining is not allowed. You must vote for three students in each category. If there's a tie in criticism votes, revotes will be held until a decision is reached. There are no loopholes in this exam."
Past exams had exploitable gaps. Some in the class might have considered them.
But now, that hope was gone. The teacher himself had confirmed it.
"As for saving someone from expulsion... 20 million private points. If you can gather that amount, the result can be overturned."
This wasn't a loophole—it was an official rule.
Negotiation using private points was tacitly permitted. If you could secure praise votes, you were free to do so.
That, too, was part of the game.
The "ability" you had demonstrated over the year.
The "resources" you had accumulated through exams.
Or perhaps the "teamwork" built through friendships.
All of it was fair game.
"I know this is difficult, but prepare yourselves to make a decision. That's all I can say."
"...Can I ask a question?"
I raised my hand before he could finish. Since I rarely spoke up during exam discussions, both the teacher and my classmates looked surprised.
"Who came up with this exam?"
To others, it might have seemed like a meaningless question. Mr. Sakagami's expression darkened slightly before he answered.
"I cannot answer that."
So something must have happened to Sakayanagi after all.
After confirming there were no further questions, Mr. Sakagami ended homeroom on time.
Once the teacher left, the class was gripped by unease.
Aside from a few top students, everyone was now faced with the fear of expulsion.
Yet, the classroom remained eerily silent.
No one spoke. Not a single sound could be heard.
Because everyone was waiting—for the leader of this class.
Ryuuen, who had been quiet until now, finally stood and took his usual spot at the teacher's desk.
"May I speak?"
Kaneda raised his hand as if seeking permission.
"Go ahead. Say what you want."
With Ryuuen's approval, Kaneda stood and addressed the class.
"I know everyone is confused right now. But first, I'd like to share my thoughts."
"So you already know who you're voting for in praise and criticism?"
"Admittedly, yes. But discussing criticism votes now would only cause panic. So I'd like to focus on the praise votes."
It made sense. Criticism votes would rattle those named, but praise votes could be discussed openly.
"The Protection Point is an incredibly powerful tool. Considering past achievements, ability, and strategic value, there's only one person who should receive it."
Kaneda turned around.
"—Ryuuen. There's no one else."
Ryuuen smirked at Kaneda's declaration.
"Oh? You think I'm worthy of praise votes?"
"I do. Your leadership is essential for the upcoming final exam. And with a Protection Point, your strategies would become even more versatile."
"I totally agree! We've won so many class points thanks to Ryuuen! He's indispensable!"
Ishizaki enthusiastically raised his hand in agreement.
This wasn't favoritism—it was a logical conclusion. About 80% of the class likely agreed.
"Ryuuen, what do you think?"
"...Kaneda, do you even understand what this exam is really about?"
"...What do you mean?"
Ah, so Ryuuen sees it too.
This exam isn't about praise votes—it's about the criticism votes.
"Yeah, the Protection Point is important. But that's not the main focus. The real core of this exam is the criticism votes."
The mood in the class twisted the moment those words were spoken.
Because Ryuuen naming someone would mean their immediate expulsion.
"This exam is about weeding out the unnecessary."
A simple, yet brutally accurate assessment.
A chilling silence fell over the room.
"Kuku. You all think I'm gonna handpick who gets criticism votes, huh? Well, I won't."
"Eh? R-really...?"
Ishizaki blinked in surprise.
"I'm leaving it up to you. Vote however you want. But let me make one thing clear—the ones who deserve to be expelled are the weak. The ones dragging this class down."
Ryuuen's gaze swept over every student as he spoke.
"The ones whose removal would benefit the class. That's who deserves criticism votes. Remember that."
With a final piercing glare, he returned to his seat.
Most of the class seemed to accept his words, but a few—like Manabe, who had ranked last in yesterday's exam—were sweating nervously.
Ryuuen had chosen to let the class decide.
Some might try to manipulate the votes, but his words would linger in their minds.
For Ryuuen, this was an unusually roundabout approach.
Which meant he had some other goal in mind.
The frozen atmosphere remained unbroken as we waited for the next class to begin.
=================================
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