"Classmate Shibata, why did you agree to such an excessive ruling?"
Facing everyone's questions, Shibata looked through the textbook for the afternoon subject without raising his head.
"If we didn't agree, we could only refuse. Do we have the right to refuse? We did indeed participate in the class point transaction, didn't we?"
Shibata's rhetorical question left everyone speechless for a moment.
Yes, they did participate in the class points, and the decision was passed in the form of a class vote.
In other words, every one of them was one of the culprits behind Class B being punished in this way.
The irony was that the person they were now questioning was Shibata Sō, who had cast the only dissenting vote at the time.
Seeing that Shibata's counter-question was so unassailable, even if some were unwilling, they dared not be the first to answer.
Hirono Yuki looked at the dejected Ichinose, then glanced at Kanzaki, who surprisingly had a somewhat relaxed expression.
"So, who exactly brought up this proposal in the first place?"
Himeno's question was very sharp.
"Hey! Himeno, now is not the time to be wise after the event. Everyone didn't want this."
Undoubtedly, Ichinose had proposed this, but everyone didn't want Ichinose to be blamed, so they immediately interrupted when Himeno brought up accountability.
"Huh? But the reality is we were deducted a full three hundred points! We don't even know if we still have a chance to get into Class A. Don't we need someone to take responsibility for such a huge mistake?"
Himeno's words stirred up a thousand waves.
In fact, many people were also dissatisfied with Ichinose's actions, but because they were few, they had no say, and Ichinose's actions had always been positive, maintaining a steady increase in class points, so they couldn't find any breakthrough.
Now that Himeno had taken the initiative to provoke, someone immediately chimed in.
"That's right! If no one is going to take responsibility, then don't paint us such a rosy picture when voting! Saying that just by cooperating with Class C, we could reach Class A… It's quite laughable."
"What nonsense are you talking about! Didn't you also vote in favor?"
Ichinose's supporters tried to fight back.
But this huge defeat completely shook Ichinose's foundation.
"We only voted in favor because we believed your words. If you had said we'd be deducted three hundred class points, only a fool would choose to support it. Was our trust fed to dogs?"
…The increasingly intense quarrel made Ichinose Honami's face turn pale.
It was the first time she had seen the united group she was so proud of turn into this. Everyone was attacking each other with vicious words.
No matter how Kanzaki tried to persuade them, no one listened to him.
Seeing the situation gradually spiraling out of control, Kanzaki could only turn to Ichinose for help.
"Ichinose, it's up to you now."
Originally, Kanzaki also didn't want Ichinose's reputation to be damaged.
But in the current chaotic situation, no one but Ichinose could calm everyone's unease.
Ichinose nodded.
"Please, everyone, listen to me for a moment."
As soon as Ichinose spoke, the entire Class B fell silent.
Ichinose looked at Himeno.
Himeno, who was just arguing with someone else, also changed her expression.
She could only sit down obediently.
Ichinose's prestige still remained; now was not the time to completely fall out.
"This incident started because of me. I didn't expect Ryuuen to be so irresponsible as to unilaterally push the blame onto us. I also… didn't realize that a simple arrangement would be targeted by the school… I, I… I'm truly sorry, everyone."
Ichinose bowed to everyone, tears streaming down her face.
"It can't be helped."
"That's right, we can't blame Ichinose alone for everyone's decision."
The part of the group that regarded Ichinose as their idol quickly gained the upper hand in the conversation.
With a posture of "Ichinose has already apologized, what more do you want from her? She's already crying," they completely silenced the discordant voices in the class.
"Classmate Ichinose, I think you should be more concerned about Shiraha-san than apologizing."
Shibata interrupted Ichinose's apology and pointed to Shiraha Chihiro, who was sitting in the corner.
She was the one who was going to be expelled.
"Because of me, Classmate Shiraha is being expelled… I…"
Ichinose's eyes turned red from crying.
She couldn't save Shiraha Chihiro.
She had promised everyone that she would lead everyone in Class B to Class A, but in the blink of an eye, one person was about to be lost.
This made her unable to accept such a consequence.
"Honami… are you going to abandon me?"
Shiraha Chihiro's light remark made the entire Class B fall silent.
No one dared to answer that question.
Even Ichinose couldn't answer.
Because the answer was very obvious.
Shiraha's actions were considered to be detrimental to the school's customs and environment, potentially leading students to be unwilling to help others, and she was singled out to be made an example of.
This was irreversible.
"I'm sorry…"
"I don't want to hear 'I'm sorry.' Didn't you, Ichinose, ask me to change my statement back then?"
Shiraha had also opposed framing Amane at the time.
But she couldn't resist Ichinose and everyone's persuasion and reluctantly agreed.
However, she didn't expect that the consequence of agreeing would be expulsion.
"I…"
"Classmate Shiraha! You should know that your situation cannot be changed. Anything you say now is useless. Besides, didn't you agree at the time?"
Shiraha looked at Kanzaki, who was accusing her.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Everyone forced me to do that, so why am I the only one getting expelled now! If anyone should be expelled, it's all of you! All of you should be expelled!"
Shiraha's hysterical roar echoed through the corridor.
Hoshinomiya, leaning against the wall, sighed.
"Those who abandon others will eventually be abandoned. Ichinose... you still have a long way to go."
Hoshinomiya shook her head. She didn't want to see such scenes of separation and betrayal. She went to the rooftop alone.
Chabashira was smiling as she smoked a cigarette.
Clearly, she was in a good mood.
"I knew you'd be here, Chabashira."
Hoshinomiya walked over and, while Chabashira wasn't looking, snatched the cigarette from her hand.
"Smoking is bad for your health."
"Hey, hey! You're more controlling than my own mother..."
Chabashira's voice trailed off.
Because she saw Hoshinomiya take a puff from her cigarette.
"If you want one... I have more."
Chabashira noticed Hoshinomiya's unusual behavior. It was the first time she had seen Hoshinomiya like this.
"I like this one. Chabashira, do you really think anyone can abandon their companions for victory?"
Hoshinomiya's words left Chabashira stunned.
"Didn't you also participate in that exam? The one who was voted out, I remember, was your..."
Chabashira's hand trembled slightly.
"Yes, that's right. In the face of collective interest, individual value is often insignificant. But... everyone is a living person. Reason... only machines can maintain absolute rationality, isn't that right? Those with flesh and blood and their own thoughts are people. Fate is truly unfair."
Hoshinomiya complained, then vigorously patted her cheeks.
"Sorry, I suddenly said so many strange things."
"It's fine. It's good that you didn't cry. People's joys and sorrows are all different. You'll have more reasons to cry in the future, don't worry too much about it."
"Chabashira, if you're not good at comforting people, you don't have to say anything."
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