Time rewound to before 9 o'clock. A noticeable commotion arose in Class D's classroom.
"Before we begin voting officially, I have something to say to everyone."
Hirata Yosuke suddenly stood up. Facing everyone's gaze, his expression was remarkably calm, as if he had already resolved himself.
In that instant, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka understood exactly what this "Mr. Nice Guy" intended to do.
"After hearing Horikita-san's words yesterday, and considering Yamauchi-kun and others' anxieties and opinions, I've given it serious thought. The key point of this exam is deciding who should be expelled, right?"
Everyone exchanged glances, unsure of what Hirata was planning.
Some began whispering among themselves.
"First, I want to apologize for not stopping Horikita-san's argument with Yamauchi-kun, and for Yamauchi-kun's actions toward Karuizawa-san and Kushida-san. I deeply regret this and apologize to you all. Selfishly, I also ask that you reconcile."
Hirata bowed formally with utmost seriousness.
His actions left Horikita Suzune at a loss, while Kushida Kikyo even showed a concerned expression.
"Um, Hirata-kun, even if you hadn't said anything, I would have done the same."
Even in such a situation, the little angel would stay true to her character—especially since Hirata had actively given her an opportunity to shine.
"Thank you, Kushida-san."
Hirata smiled, but it carried an unsettling undertone.
Horikita Suzune spoke up, "Are you trying to make us abandon voting for Yamauchi-kun?"
Yamauchi Haruki seemed to have grasped a lifeline, his eyes shining as he looked at Hirata Yosuke.
"That's right, I have a more suitable candidate."
Hirata Yosuke responded to Yamauchi Haruki's expectations, addressing the entire class.
"Please cast your Criticism Votes for me. As long as I'm the one who gets expelled, no one will get hurt."
After saying this, he bowed to the class, even deeper than before.
"No, impossible! I could never let Hirata-kun be expelled!"
"How could I possibly cast a Criticism Vote for Hirata-kun!"
"Why not just expel Yamauchi!"
The most vehement reactions came from the girls, who would never allow this kind-hearted gentleman to be expelled.
In a word, the girls were all solid supporters of Hirata Yosuke.
"It's fine. Even if I'm expelled, it won't affect the class. In fact, it might be better this way."
Hirata Yosuke responded to the chorus of opposition from the girls, but this only made the class more chaotic.
"You want to sacrifice yourself?"
Horikita Suzune couldn't comprehend his way of thinking. "No one wants you to be expelled. Do you understand the consequences of losing someone who coordinates the class?"
"Even so, I don't care."
Hirata Yosuke said to Horikita Suzune and everyone else, "Since I've started to hate this class, I hope you'll let me be free."
His words were so unexpected that no one could react immediately.
"Hirata, I'll vote for you!"
The first to speak was Yamauchi Haruki, who shouted ecstatically, "This is for Hirata's sake! Everyone, hurry up and vote for him too!"
"Being with you all never seems to lack opportunities for entertainment."
Koenji Rokusuke let out a light laugh at Yamauchi Haruki.
"What are you talking about? This is Hirata's wish!"
Yamauchi Haruki bristled like a cat.
On one hand, he thought Ryuen would vote for him, but on the other, he was terrified he might actually be expelled.
At that moment, Sudo suddenly slammed the table and stood up, drawing everyone's attention.
"Hirata can't be expelled! No matter what you say, I think Horikita's point is valid. The one who should be expelled now is someone who contributes little to the class."
Horikita Suzune had expected him to support Yamauchi Haruki, taking the chance to shake off his own disadvantage, but instead, he spoke up for her.
"Wh-what are you saying, Ken?!"
Yamauchi Haruki was in a panic.
Weren't they good friends? Shouldn't they be working together now? What was with this sudden resignation?
"Everyone should think carefully about who usually contributes little to the class and who contributes the most."
Sudo Ken said, "Hirata's contributions are clear to everyone. As for me, Haruki, Kanji, Koenji, and Sakura, I think you all know the answer."
Ike Kanji immediately added, "That's right! I won't vote for Hirata-kun either. My votes will go to people like Koenji and Sakura!"
Mentioned out of nowhere, Koenji Rokusuke nearly laughed in anger.
They didn't dare attack Sakura Airi directly, so they lumped him in with them.
Indeed, Sudo Ken and Ike Kanji's quick thinking, using Hirata Yosuke's scheme, was quite effective.
Many people agreed with them, and some even started asking who this "Sakura" they mentioned was.
Hasebe Haruka, who had been watching the drama unfold, grew increasingly uneasy.
Seeing someone nodding while asking who Sakura was, she immediately realized what was happening.
With just a few words, Sudo had successfully implanted an impression in everyone's minds—that Sakura Airi was no different from them, equally suitable for expulsion.
Looking at Sakura Airi, the fool was still stupidly playing ostrich, hiding her head in the sand.
Just as Hasebe Haruka was about to retort, she heard the sound of Chabashira Sae's high heels clicking against the floor.
"Now we'll begin the class voting. I'll call your names one by one..."
...
The exam results caused no turmoil in Class A, quickly concluding with Morishita Ai's intervention.
However, Class D was thrown into an uproar.
"The student with the most Criticism Votes in this supplementary exam, receiving thirty-seven votes—Yamauchi Haruki."
The moment Chabashira Sae announced the result, Yamauchi Haruki showed a stunned expression, while even Sudo Ken and Ike Kanji were frozen in shock.
Bang!
Yamauchi Haruki immediately slammed the desk and stood up, veins bulging on his forehead as he shouted.
"Impossible! You cheated! Ryuen clearly said he'd give me Praise Votes! Why does it have to be me getting expelled? Hirata told you to vote for him, you bastards!"
"What an unsightly display."
Koenji Rokusuke casually filed his nails, "You can't even handle simple tasks. Is it strange that Ryuen Boy abandoned you?"
Yamauchi Haruki's face turned crimson.
Knowing he was no match for Koenji Rokusuke, he could only vent his frustration on his desk, pounding the surface with his fists while repeatedly shouting "Impossible!"
Regarding this, Sudo Ken and Ike Kanji were equally confused.
"Wasn't this agreed upon?"
Sudo Ken couldn't understand—Iijima Ryota had clearly told him that Ryuen would definitely vote for Yamauchi Haruki, and he only needed to guide others to vote for Sakura Airi.
"Damn these lying cheaters!"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka glanced at Sudo Ken, then at Hirata Yosuke, who appeared dazed.
First place was Yamauchi Haruki, second was Koenji Rokusuke with seven votes, and third was Shinohara Satsuki with four votes.
This result was terrifying—it meant that Sudo and Ike, who should have been in the top three, had received over twenty Praise Votes each.
With the big fish gone, only small fry like Koenji Rokusuke and Shinohara Satsuki remained.
"Did anything happen this morning?"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka asked his deskmate, "I heard there was some commotion near the entrance."
Horikita Suzune gave him a strange look before explaining what happened that morning.
"I see."
Ayanokoji understood now.
Kaoru had intentionally revealed his cooperation with Ichinose, and Nagumo and Ryuen had received the information immediately.
In their eyes, the operation had probably been exposed.
Under these circumstances, forcing it forward would be meaningless, so Nagumo had no choice but to abandon it.
Sudo and Ike could gather some supporters, making them barely usable pawns, so it wasn't surprising that Nagumo would protect them.
However, with the newly acquired pawns exposed so quickly, it remained to be seen what plans he would make going forward.
Ayanokoji glanced inadvertently at Kushida in front of him.
It was somewhat surprising yet reasonable that she had taken first place in the Praise Vote.
Hirata Yosuke came in second, while Sakura Airi placed third.
This outcome was also unexpected—the latter had received nearly twenty votes.
Upon learning the result, Hasebe Haruka beamed with a radiant smile, while Sakura Airi was initially puzzled.
After Hasebe Haruka's explanation, she gradually understood, her cheeks instantly flushing bright red.