Seeing the coin in Amane's hand, Kushida Kikyo seemed to recall something, and her expression couldn't help but change.
"Amane, we're discussing who to protect from expulsion, not playing games here."
Before Amane could respond to Kushida's accusation, Horikita retorted.
"Then, Kushida-san, who do you intend to expel?"
Seeing Horikita Suzune speak up for Amane, a trace of disgust quickly flashed in the depths of Kushida's eyes.
However, a gentle smile remained on her face.
"It is precisely because I cannot decide who should be expelled that I am troubling Hirata-san to cast the crucial vote."
Kushida was still trying to drag Hirata into it; only then could she protect Ichihashi from expulsion.
"Cannot decide? When you supported Ichihashi-san just now, I remember you raised your hand very quickly, didn't you, Kushida? Since you choose a neutral stance, then let's deduct one vote from Ichihashi-san. That should solve the current predicament."
Horikita's suggestion made the smile on Kushida's face gradually freeze.
She hadn't expected Horikita to corner her in such a way.
"Horikita-san may have misunderstood something. My stance was neutral from the beginning. I did not favor anyone due to private relationships. The reason I voted for Ichihashi-san was entirely based on rational consideration."
Kushida tried to change the subject, but this little trick was like a junior student showing off to a senior student, 'My math is pretty good,' in front of Horikita.
"Oh? Then I'd like to hear what rational considerations led you to cast your valuable support vote for Ichihashi-san."
Seeing Horikita intending to confront Kushida directly, Amane immediately moved behind Horikita Suzune.
Anyway, with Suzune there, even if Kushida talked herself hoarse, she probably wouldn't be a match for Horikita.
Horikita's tongue was very sharp.
"Of course, it's about value to the class. Although Ichihashi-san and Sakura-san had the same total score this time, this was just a mistake on Ichihashi-san's part. In the pop quizzes, Ichihashi-san's score ranked in the top twenty in the class, while Sakura-san, if I remember correctly, was in the thirties, right? Not to mention the difference in physical ability..."
Kushida Kikyo was interrupted by Horikita before she could finish.
"What value does she have now?"
"Horikita, you're being too harsh."
Ichihashi faced Amane, and since they were acquaintances, even with different stances, it was hard to say anything, but facing Horikita Suzune, she had fewer reservations.
"I'm speaking with Kushida-san. Do you have the right to interject here? Even if you stay in the end, I only need to withdraw my 10,000 personal points, and you'll still be expelled. Recognize your position before you speak."
Horikita Suzune glared imperiously.
Ichihashi was immediately speechless.
"Horikita-san, Ichihashi-san was just reminding you that you're speaking too harshly. Do you need to get so angry? Besides... even without your 10,000 points, do you really think I can't borrow 10,000 personal points?"
Kushida retorted, unwilling to show weakness.
"Is that so? Then go borrow them quickly. You have fifteen minutes. Good luck."
Horikita finished speaking and spread her hands towards Hirata.
"You see, Kushida-san believes she has the ability to borrow the points to keep Ichihashi-san. This means we don't need to help at all, doesn't it?"
Horikita Suzune directly put Kushida on the spot.
"Horikita-san, you..."
"Enough! Only fifteen minutes remain. What I need is not arguments, but an answer. Whether it's Kushida-san or Horikita-san, please tell me who you intend to keep?"
Hirata, with bloodshot eyes, stopped the ugly bickering in front of him.
"Ichihashi-san."
"Sakura-san."
Horikita and Kushida spoke completely different names.
Hirata glanced at the time.
Now only fourteen minutes remained, and it was a five-minute walk from here to the Student Council office.
That meant... they only had nine minutes left.
"I'll give you one minute to agree on an answer. If you can't, I'd rather trust Amane-san and determine the answer with a game."
Hirata's words made Kushida's eyes widen.
Hirata in her impression was not this somewhat cold person.
The current Hirata could actually say he would decide the fate of a class member with a game... it was truly unbelievable.
"Hirata-san, this is not a game; we should be serious..."
"Then give me an answer that satisfies everyone."
Kushida was immediately speechless.
She couldn't give Hirata the answer he wanted.
In fact, this meeting could never have an answer that satisfied everyone.
Horikita Suzune snorted and said no more.
Amane quietly watched the farce from behind Horikita.
The two sides were arguing fiercely over who would be expelled.
The interesting thing was that neither Ichihashi Ruri nor Sakura Airi had the right to speak; their fates were firmly in the hands of others.
Time passed minute by minute.
One minute flew by in an instant.
Hirata didn't bother to consult with Kushida and looked directly at Amane.
"Let's go with Amane-san's plan."
"Wouldn't it have been better to do this earlier?"
Amane walked over, tossing the coin.
"I want heads."
Before Amane could speak, Ichihashi quickly said.
She remembered that when Amane used to play games with her at the arcade, Amane always liked to play coin-tossing games and would most likely get heads.
If they were going to gamble, they should bet on the side with the highest chance of winning.
"Then I'll take tails..."
Sakura said timidly.
"No, no, no, who said we're playing heads or tails? The rule is, I'll throw the coin, and whoever picks it up first will receive 50,000 personal points in full. No need for everyone to donate."
Upon hearing that Amane alone would provide all the donated points, the happiest person was undoubtedly Karuizawa.
A few thousand personal points would be enough for her to live frugally for a long time.
She originally didn't want to donate points to anyone; she only did so out of consideration for Hirata.
Now that Amane had declared she would bear the personal points to protect the expelled student alone, Karuizawa was the happiest.
"Amane, we're still friends, right?"
A smile appeared on Ichihashi's face.
Amane's game, in essence, was testing the physical abilities of the student facing expulsion.
While Ichihashi's physical abilities were far inferior to boys and even to girls like Horikita, surpassing Sakura was incredibly easy.
For a moment, Ichihashi even began to suspect that Amane's previous actions were actually a cover for this game, allowing her to showcase her strengths and gain recognition from many people.
"Of course, we've always been friends, haven't we?"
Amane responded with a smile.
Amane's smile reminded Ichihashi of the captivatingly cute smile on Amane's face when she first met her.
The current Amane was exactly like the Amane she first met.
Was this an omen?
Amane is still on my side!!!
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