He had previously asked Shiina as well, and she believed that Manabe and the others would likely rank high, though it was hard to say if they would take the top spot.
Ryuen, Ibuki, Manabe, Takeko Nishino, and Ishizaki were among the students in Class C with poorer reputations.
They often acted willfully, without considering others' feelings.
Over time, it was natural for some classmates to hold grudges and dissatisfaction toward them.
If given the chance to expel one of them, Ryuen would undoubtedly be the top candidate.
His treatment of his own people was overly harsh, making him nothing short of a tyrant.
From the start of the school year until now, Ryuen's methods of ruling the class were often simple and brutal.
For those who disagreed, only fists could settle the matter.
Back then, he had "reasoned" with Ishizaki, Mio Ibuki, and Takeko Nishino in this manner until they submitted.
Although Mio Ibuki was only half-convinced and Takeko Nishino still resented his methods, Ryuen Kakeru remained the sole ruler of Class C.
In return, Ryuen Kakeru had promised them that he would lead them to replace Class A.
Therefore, no matter how dissatisfied they were, Class C had no choice but to accept Ryuen Kakeru's empty promises—after all, who else could lead the class?
Even if Ryuen Kakeru were the top candidate, no one would actually expel him, especially since he was still ruling the class. Without his consent, the matter would be difficult to resolve.
That was why Kaoru was so concerned about who Class C would choose to expel.
"Ryuen-kun hasn't spoken yet, and everyone is feeling uncertain right now. Some are whispering privately that those who don't fit in should leave."
Yamashita Saki said this while sneakily glancing at Manabe Shiho, making it obvious that the person she referred to as "not fitting in" was right here.
Manabe Shiho snorted lightly and cleared her throat.
"I think Nishino and Ibuki are possibilities too. They're usually annoying, so one of them might drop out."
Kaoru sighed helplessly and patted her petite bottom, asking: "Didn't I tell you before to tone it down a bit?"
Actually, Manabe Shiho was worse than Karuizawa Kei in behavior.
While Karuizawa Kei put on a strong front, her paper-tiger nature made her avoid conflicts with classmates, maintaining decent popularity in class.
In contrast, Manabe Shiho was completely delinquent - she enjoyed being the boss, forming cliques in class, and sometimes bullying classmates.
She was a typical villainess character, as evidenced by her unrestrained use of violence against Karuizawa Kei.
The reason she hadn't become universally hated was because Manabe Shiho was at least a competent leader who treated her own people with loyalty.
Since Kaoru took her under his wing, he had been monitoring her reputation and telling her to behave better in class.
"I have been toning it down! Like when Nishino bumped into me before - I didn't say anything then!"
Manabe Shiho put on a pitiful expression, then couldn't resist urging Kaoru, "How about we use this chance to make Ryuen drop out?"
In her eyes, since Ryuen Kakeru was ambitiously targeting Class A, they might as well get him expelled in one go.
Kaoru ignored her, contemplating what plans Ryuen Kakeru might have now.
Actually, Class 1-C faced the same predicament as Class 1-D - both classes needed someone to drop out.
If rationality wasn't maintained, the class would descend into chaos where everyone feared for themselves.
The instinct to form groups for self-preservation would concentrate votes on those deemed suitable for expulsion - typically students who were widely disliked, lacked presence, or had poor reputations.
The only difference was that Class 1-C had Ryuen Kakeru, whose current intimidating presence could still force the entire class to consolidate their votes.
"Ibuki's down there."
Manabe Shiho suddenly said, her gaze passing through the rooftop railing to look at the people below.
"As usual, she doesn't have a single friend."
Kaoru followed her gaze and saw Mio Ibuki walking back alone.
Whether she deliberately kept her distance from others or others avoided her, she had no one around her.
"Aside from acting with Ryuen, she basically never stays with anyone."
Yabu Naomi said, "I talked to her once - she seemed like a very cold person."
"Cold? I think she just doesn't know how to talk to people."
Yamashita Saki interjected, "Compared to Nishino, I think Ibuki is better. Nishino hits too hard."
The Nishino Takeko she referred to was one of the particularly strong fighters in Class 1-C.
Some people had hoped Nishino Takeko and Mio Ibuki would fight to see who was stronger.
Kaoru hadn't heard about them actually fighting - those hopes must have been dashed.
"Master is worried I might drop out, right?" Manabe looked up at Kaoru's face. "Since the exam started, you've been constantly gathering information about Class C. I'm sorry, but it seems we can't be of much help."
Aside from them, Kaoru had no other pawns in Class 1-C.
"We haven't reached the most critical point yet."
Kaoru gently patted her head. In truth, the most dangerous place was precisely their own Class 1-C, where his influence among the first-year students was weakest.
Manabe allowed him to stroke her hair for a moment before taking his hand and saying, "I heard about how you confronted Nagumo Miyabi in the student council meeting. But Karuizawa and Kushida from Class D are being criticized again, Ichinose from Class B needs your help, and you still have that agreement with Sakayanagi. You need to be careful about her sudden betrayal. This must be the most stressful time for you, Master."
"I have Praise Votes from two classes," Kaoru said calmly. "Moreover, I still have plenty of Personal Points."
Manabe blinked, surprised to see this unexpectedly adorable side of her master.
"Master, your weakness is too obvious," the girl said with a stern expression. "If we ever fought, I'd definitely target that weakness and hit you hard."
Kaoru wanted to argue that he wasn't panicking, that he was just trying to calm their unsteady hearts.
But seeing Manabe Shiho's cheerful smile, the words died in his throat.
They were right - he really was panicking.
Whenever it came to these matters, Kaoru found it difficult to remain calm.
Perhaps it was because he had faced too much malice back at the agency, developing an instinctive reaction etched deep into his genes and soul that kept his nerves constantly taut.
"Hehe, seeing how worried you are about me, Master, I suddenly don't feel jealous of them anymore," Manabe said happily, waving her finger in front of Kaoru's eyes. "But I think you really don't need to worry about me so much. Even if I get expelled, it wouldn't matter."
Kaoru grabbed her wrist, frowning. "Where would you go if you got expelled now?"
"Hasn't Master made arrangements?" Manabe countered. "I've noticed your location data - you've left the school before, right?"
It made sense that she would notice, since he'd taken the school phone with him when he went out with Ichinose Honami last time.
"I have, but only as a last resort."
"That's enough then. Saki-chan and I have prepared for the worst-case scenario. We're ready to take down Ryuuen for you at any time."
"Isn't that a terrorist's statement?" Kaoru released her hand, sighing inwardly.
In truth, Manabe Shiho was mentally preparing herself.
Thanks to ANHS special systems, it was inevitable that someone from their grade would eventually be expelled.
Judging from this forced expulsion incident, future expulsions might become even more arbitrary - perhaps even decided by random lottery.
"Hehe, don't worry, it probably won't be my turn this time," Manabe Shiho said, her face returning to its cheerful expression.
"Master has so many countermeasures prepared. Even if everyone votes for me, you can still save me."
"That's true, but I don't know what I'm so worried about either." Kaoru thought for a moment. "I suppose I hate feeling powerless. If any of you got expelled and I couldn't do anything about it - that would be what I hate most."
Manabe Shiho watched him for a while before Yamashita Saki suddenly spoke up.
"That's completely irrational, Master."
"I'm the type of man who chooses 'all of the above,' so being irrational is normal for me," Kaoru said with a nonchalant shrug.
"Doesn't that match the impression you have of me?""In my impression, our master was a more despicable and rational guy."
Manabe Shiho whispered softly.
Yabu Naami added, "A demon who could trick us into signing unequal treaties."
"Someone who could order us to take off our clothes without even blinking."
Yamashita Saki said with a stern face, her braided hair making her expression appear even more serious, as if Kaoru was an irredeemable villain.
The corner of Kaoru's mouth twitched, but then he saw Manabe Shiho tugging at the hem of his clothes with her small hand, her pretty face slightly flushed.
"Please do something that matches our impression of a master."
Kaoru remained expressionless.
Karuizawa and the others are succubi, and you all are too?
But on the school rooftop, it wouldn't be bad to indulge in corruption occasionally.