At this moment, everyone's attention was drawn to the coin in Amane's hand.
"Is everyone ready? If you are, I'm going to throw it, okay?"
Amane pointed in the direction behind her.
Class D wasn't large; the competition distance was from the first row of desks to the last row of the classroom.
This distance was suitable for people with short-distance bursts, while those good at long-distance running would not have any advantage in this game.
Coincidentally, what Ichihashi excelled at was short-distance sprinting.
If this game were only played in the classroom, there's no doubt she would have the greatest chance of getting the coin.
Ichihashi's face showed a determined smile.
Sakura, standing nearby, looked at Amane with hesitation.
She was not good at sports, especially running.
Even though the distance from the first row to the last was limited,
Sakura still held no hope for her physical abilities.
"I'm ready."
Ichihashi confidently took a sprinting stance, looking very professional.
"I'm ready too."
Sakura showed a faint smile, but her body showed no other changes; this relaxed attitude alone couldn't help but make one suspicious.
Kushida's gaze shifted back and forth between Amane and Sakura; she always felt that Amane's unusual behavior today was related to Sakura, or even clearly biased towards her.
But for the final and crucial game, Amane chose the one most advantageous for Ichihashi.
This didn't make sense. From Ichihashi's expression, it was clear she was completely off guard.
If the game started normally, Ichihashi would definitely win, but if... now seeing Sakura's relaxed demeanor, Kushida's suspicion of Amane and Sakura intensified.
"Amane, can I be the one to toss the coin?"
Kushida knew she had just been deflated by Horikita, and now she was asking for the coin that would decide a dropout. She was clearly against such a game, yet she was now trying to use the game's rules to secure a victory for the person she supported.
Anyone looking on would surely call her thick-skinned.
But Kushida still stepped forward, attempting to increase Ichihashi's chances of winning.
Amane didn't speak, directly tossing the coin to Kushida.
"Don't worry, I'll toss the coin fairly," Kushida said with a smile, then moved to the aisle closer to Ichihashi.
Since it was a coin-grabbing race, everyone sitting below, except for Kouenji who remained motionless, actively widened the aisle.
This allowed the two to start running simultaneously.
"Ready—!!!"
The moment Kushida spoke, the coin in her hand was tossed out.
Not just Ichihashi and Sakura, the participants.
Even Horikita and Hirata were a bit stunned. Wasn't tossing a coin supposed to be accompanied by calling "start"?
Why did she just say "ready" and throw it?
Ichihashi was the first to react. Without anyone needing to remind her, she dashed out in a single stride.
It was only then that Sakura seemed to awaken from a dream, realizing the final game had begun.
But she stood rooted to the spot, unmoving.
Had she given up?
Horikita frowned.
The opportunity Amane had so painstakingly secured was being wasted by her.
Sigh.
Horikita felt a little displeased, but seeing Amane standing there quietly without a word, a smile still on her face,
she didn't feel it was appropriate to say anything at that moment.
A few seconds later, Ichihashi's excited voice came from the back of the classroom.
"I got it! I got it!!!"
Ichihashi excitedly waved the coin in her hand.
"As expected of Ichihashi-san."
Kushida clapped her hands while triumphantly glancing back at Horikita.
It was as if the overall situation, the big picture, was already decided.
However, the classroom was eerily quiet at this moment.
Many people were looking at Amane. Would Amane fulfill her promise to give Ichihashi fifty thousand points to buy one point and save herself from expulsion?
Or would Amane, seeing Sakura give up the game, become enraged and refuse to pay the points?
Kouenji narrowed his eyes. He had a premonition that the seemingly sweet-smiling girl in front of him would definitely deliver an unexpected surprise.
Rhythmic applause broke out.
Amane, with a brilliant smile, clapped for Ichihashi.
This completely bewildered everyone.
Only Ichihashi thought Amane was indeed on her side, and she quickly ran over and hugged Amane tightly.
"I knew you didn't want me to be expelled, Amane."
Ichihashi's words seemed like a casual remark after winning the game.
But she was also probing Amane's true attitude.
"How could I bear to let you be expelled? I'll transfer fifty thousand points to you right now."
Amane said with a smile, while operating the point transfer.
When Ichihashi saw that her account balance really had an extra fifty thousand points, she smiled so widely her mouth could barely close.
"Thank you so much, Amane! Oh, I was really scared just now. Luckily, I managed to win the match. If there's a next time, I really don't want to play such a thrilling game again."
Ichihashi complained to Amane with a smile, but her gaze turned to Sakura Airi nearby.
"Don't worry, there won't be a next time."
Lucky? Thrilling?
Sakura hadn't even moved during the competition.
How could it be called lucky or thrilling?
"I'm heading back first."
Horikita gave Kushida and Ichihashi a displeased look, then turned, greeted Amane, and walked out of the classroom.
"Ichihashi-san, if you don't hurry and buy that point from Chabashira-sensei, you might run out of time!"
Amane kindly reminded her.
Only then did Ichihashi realize that she still needed to buy the points herself, so she quickly ran towards the teachers' office.
After seeing that the problem was resolved, Hirata announced their dismissal.
Everyone's expressions were clearly a bit strange upon seeing the outcome, especially those who had sided with Amane.
They never expected Amane and Ichihashi to be on the same side.
Even the final competition was specifically biased towards Ichihashi's type, and Sakura didn't even run, just gave up the competition.
This made them feel like they had been played by Amane and Kushida.
Their relationship had been quite good before, so perhaps they teamed up to see who in the class had ill intentions. This was a brilliant move, exposing all of them at once.
Their future days would likely be difficult.
Just as everyone dispersed, burdened with their thoughts, a tall figure approached Amane.
"You must have a backup plan, right? If it's just to catch all the noisy fish in one net, your method is far too laborious."
Kouenji looked down at Amane from above.
Just as Amane was about to reply,
Ayanokoji happened to come in from outside the door.
"I didn't expect you guys to finish faster than I anticipated."
Seeing that only Amane, Kouenji, and Sakura were left in the classroom, Ayanokoji seemed a bit surprised.
"Stop with the useless talk. Did you get the item?"
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