The day of the exam was a Saturday, and students had to arrive at the classroom by 9 a.m.
Though everyone had their own thoughts, the atmosphere in the classroom today was more oppressive than ever, perhaps because it was the first time they faced the crisis of forced expulsion.
Many had arrived earlier than usual.
Just as Kaoru reached the school building's entrance, someone tapped him on the shoulder.
The moment he turned around, a finger was pressed against his cheek.
"Good news—our classmates' opinion of you has changed."
It was Ichinose Honami's voice, accompanied by the pleasant scent of citrus.
She smiled as she withdrew her finger, her smooth hair radiating the freshness of the morning sun.
Her blazer accentuated her strikingly attractive figure, while the white shirt beneath clung tightly to her full chest.
A bow tie rested on her collar, blocking any view of her fair collarbone and revealing only a small section of her swan-like neck, delicate and adorable.
Beside her were Chihiro and Amikura.
Kaoru hadn't seen them in a while.
To be honest, though they wore the same uniform, it made Shiranami Chihiro appear particularly petite and fragile, giving off the vibe of the girl next door.
Her short hair, especially, made her look like a child who hadn't quite grown up yet.
"Honami-chan told everyone about your offer—trading Personal points for Praise Votes. Everyone thought it was a pretty good deal."
Amikura casually moved a bit closer, blocking his view of Shiranami Chihiro.
"But without your proposal, these Praise Votes wouldn't have had much value to begin with."
Each person had two types of Praise Votes: one specifically for students in their own class and another for students in other classes.
For the former, everyone had three votes to give to anyone except themselves.
The latter consisted of only one vote, with very limited utility.
Kaoru's exchange of several million Personal points for Class B's Praise Votes was undoubtedly a bit of a loss for him.
However, in the eyes of Class B, his "loss" translated into boyfriend material, changing the opinions of some students who had previously been dissatisfied with him.
"Don't tell me your class has been gossiping about me behind my back every day?"As he spoke, Kaoru glanced at Shiranami Chihiro behind Mako Amikura.
The latter had been silently staring at him the whole time, which was somewhat unsettling.
"Ahaha, I don't think so. Everyone here is really nice." Ichinose Honami laughed somewhat guiltily.
It wasn't just Class B that was gossiping—the entire school was talking.
Kaoru immediately understood but didn't take it to heart as he placed his outdoor shoes in the locker.
"I'll just take it as them being jealous that I have such a cute girlfriend."
Ichinose Honami pursed her lips upon hearing this, yet couldn't suppress the upward curve of her mouth.
She seemed a bit too easily swayed by her boyfriend's sweet talk, didn't she?
Shiranami Chihiro stared quietly at the two, like an old cat watching a thieving kitten.
Kaoru felt a chill run down his spine, only to notice Amikura changing her shoes nearby.
The girl sported her usual high ponytail today, her back turned to Kaoru as she bent slightly, revealing a willow-like waist.
The hem of her skirt lifted just enough to hint at alluring curves, while her fair, full thighs displayed healthy, toned lines—neither too slender nor too muscular, bearing traces of exercise that suggested they'd feel wonderful to touch.
[Slap her feet],
[Use her shoes as a lunchbox],
[Put them in my mouth]...
Strange thoughts flashed through his mind.
Just as Kaoru tried to avert his gaze, Amikura noticed his peeking, the tips of her ears turning slightly red.
"Well now, seems I've arrived at the perfect moment."
Ryuen's voice appeared untimely beside them.
"Mitoma, I heard you gave your girlfriend millions. With that, both Class A and B have avoided dropouts. How enviable."
Kaoru sighed and turned to see Ryuen standing not far away with Ibuki, Ishizaki, and Albert—another typical Ryuen gathering.
"Ryuen-kun, I exchanged Praise Votes for Personal Points with Kaoru."
Ichinose Honami corrected Ryuen's statement.
She wasn't the type of woman who only relied on her boyfriend, though this transaction did appear more favorable to her.
"What difference does it make? I'm more curious about what he wants with those Praise Votes. Could he be planning to vote for himself with all of them?"
Ryuen tested Kaoru's intentions with a careless tone, suspecting that Kaoru might have learned about Nagumo Miyabi's movements.
But even if Kaoru had discovered something, it wouldn't matter. Ryuen had already received Nagumo's payment, and Class C's Praise Votes would still be cast.
"The special reward for this exam is Protection Points. I find them more useful than Personal Points."
Kaoru smiled. "You have Praise Votes too, right? Rather than letting your class waste them, why not give them to me?"
"How much can you offer?"
Ryuen showed keen interest.
Kaoru glanced at Ibuki and Ishizaki standing beside Ryuen before speaking.
"How about giving your class a spot in Class A?"
A spot in Class A?
Ishizaki's brain short-circuited.
With his intelligence, he couldn't quite process this, especially since Kaoru had directed the statement at him. Was he being bribed?
He couldn't help but look blankly at Ryuen.
"Are you trying to drive a wedge between us?"
Mio Ibuki was the first to react, glaring angrily at Kaoru. "Even if you want to buy our people out, we won't agree!"
'Just because you're rich doesn't mean you can do whatever you want!''
'These rich kids always think money can solve everything!'
'Go ahead and buy out their entire class, get them all promoted to Class A—otherwise i won't agree to this!'
Mio Ibuki understood all too well the terrifying trap hidden within Kaoru's words.
If anyone believed Kaoru and thought they could rely on his help to reach Class A, the class would inevitably split apart.
Some people didn't want to put in the effort, and with a shortcut right in front of them, they would stop at nothing to seize it.
Ibuki didn't know that Nagumo had once used this very method to divide students who tried to oppose him.
All she knew was that this was a trap.
"Don't get so worked up, Ibuki-san. Everyone wants to rise to Class A—I'm just offering them the opportunity. Have I done anything wrong?"
Kaoru shrugged innocently. "Honestly, I'd welcome someone like you in Class A."
Ibuki gritted her teeth, nearly stepping forward to punch him.
Fortunately, she held back, remembering they were at school, and abruptly turned her gaze to Ryuen beside her.
"Heh, Mitoma, while I'm honored that you like my Ibuki, she's one of my cherished students."
Ryuen gave a hollow smile. "How about converting this opportunity into Personal Points? I'll personally help you select students willing to rise to Class A."
Kaoru smiled faintly. "That's too much trouble for you. I just feel it's a shame that a student like Ibuki-san might end up expelled someday if she stays in your class."
Ibuki stared coldly at him, unmoved.
"It seems you're quite curious about who the dropouts on my side are."
Ryuen chuckled. "My thoughts align with Horikita's—those who don't obey should just drop out quietly."
Kaoru's gaze shifted as Horikita Suzune appeared nearby.
She had been silently eavesdropping on the conversation, and when the topic turned to her, she frowned slightly.
"My, my, it seems you're all having a lively chat."
Accompanied by the sound of a cane, Sakayanagi and Kamuro entered the school entrance.
Her eyes swept over Ichinose Honami, Ryuen Kakeru, and Kaoru in turn.
"May I join in?"
Sakayanagi wore a hat, making her appear even smaller and cuter.
Beside her, Kamuro stood like her personal bodyguard.
"Tch, I'm not interested in shorties."
Ryuen lazily stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Come talk to me after you've dealt with Katsuragi and this guy."
"You've become even more arrogant and conceited than before, Ryuen-kun."
Sakayanagi smiled sweetly, but the more amiable her smile, the more those familiar with her knew Ryuen had stepped squarely on her landmine.
To be honest, Ryuen was completely spreading rumors—her height wasn't short at all!
For instance, Karuizawa was 154 cm, while she was 150 cm.
If she were considered a shortie, then Karuizawa would be one too.
Kaoru almost laughed.
The reason she looked like a shortie was simple—she had the appearance of a sickly, petite girl.
However, as if equipped with radar, the moment he had that thought, the girl's sharp glare shot his way.
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