Chapter 248

"Okay, I'll give you a number when you leave. As long as your conditions are reasonable, someone will naturally meet them for me."

As the only son of the Koenji Conglomerate, his family certainly wouldn't let him disappear for three years alone, and would definitely send people to keep a close eye on their heir's development at Advanced Nurturing.

Therefore, even though he was in a boarding school, Koenji Rokusuke was not worried that his influence in the outside world would disappear.

Hashimoto Masayoshi naturally had no worries in this regard.

With Koenji Rokusuke's signature in hand and the number he was given, he would have no trouble connecting with the forces behind him once he got out.

At that time, whether he gets a chaebol to help him arrange a respectable job, or like a senior who dropped out in his second year, he can directly apply for a transfer with 20 million in cash, it will make his life outside much easier.

Of course, the best future he had ever imagined was graduating with Koenji Rokusuke, going to the same university, and eventually becoming his confidant after he inherited the zaibatsu, thus entering high society... Unfortunately, that path seemed hopeless.

Ignoring Hashimoto Masayoshi's suddenly anxious expression, Koenji Rokusuke repeated his assurances to the students who dropped out and those who failed to advance to A class in front of everyone in the classroom, which boosted the morale of the Class B members once again.

Since there's always a way out even if we fail, why not give it a shot against Class A?

With this thought in mind, and wanting to at least beat that guy once, the members of Class B, centered around the core members of the class —Koenji, Ayanokoji, and Katsuragi —began actively participating in discussions about the Special Exam.

"Now that Hashimoto is confirmed to be in last Hashimoto, who should get the first place spot – either Protection Point or Permanent Transfer Quota?"

When someone asked this question, Katsuragi replied without hesitation, "The first place should definitely be chosen from among Koenji, Ayanokoji, and Ryuen!"

"Koenji's Transfer Ticket still needs to be paid for two more installments, Ayanokoji and Ryuen have three more installments left. As long as they can get Permanent Transfer Quota, we can save four to six million yen in transfer fees."

Koenji Rokusuke is now the undisputed core of Class 1-B. From a prudent perspective, the most urgent task is naturally to resolve his transfer issue as soon as possible.

From an economic perspective, it would be more worthwhile to vote for Ayanokoji or Ryuen Kakeru in the Class Vote, saving at least two million Private Points.

Thinking about this, even with Katsuragi Kohei's temperament, he couldn't help but suspect that the school was deliberately targeting them.

Given the situation of Class 1-B, even Permanent Transfer Quota would only be equivalent to a maximum of six million Private Points. If someone else in the class gets first place, they would have to choose to Protection Point, which would not help the class situation much.

On the Aragaki Shun hand, if the top students from all three classes choose to Permanent Transfer Quota, Class A will immediately gain three more combatants, which is equivalent to gaining nearly 60 million Private Points at once.

The rules are clearly the same, fair, just, and transparent, so why is there such a large gap in benefits between the two sides?

Just as Katsuragi was filled with melancholy, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka suddenly pointed out a crucial factor. "Besides the praise and Criticism Vote within the class, praise votes from outside the class will also affect the number of votes for each student, thus influencing the selection of first and last place."

"If this problem isn't resolved, it's pointless for us to discuss who should get first place in class."

To put it bluntly, the Student Council President controls a total of 118 praise votes from other classes across the three first-year classes. If he wanted to, he could easily designate any one person from Class B to win first place.

As for who will be last... Aragaki Shun can't designate who will be last in Class B, but he can prevent someone from being last!

For example, if he were willing to give Hashimoto Masayoshi 40 votes in praise from other classes, the student who was originally slated to drop out of the class would shift from Hashimoto to someone else.

Ayanokoji felt he should make this clear, otherwise, if the class were allowed to vote freely and he ended up second to last, Aragaki Shun intervened, the dropout from Class B could very well change from Hashimoto to him, the unlucky one.

"So, in this Special Exam, besides the Class Vote, the only weapon is the praise votes from other classes?"

Ryuen Kakeru narrowed his eyes and couldn't help but scoff. "38 votes to 118 votes. Unless we can find a way to secretly bribe some people, we're at a disadvantage from the start."

But winning over members of the other three classes is not so simple.

It's important to understand that throughout the first year, and even into the second year, Class B was isolated, and its status was, in some ways, even lower than that of Class D.

Not to mention, they simply don't have enough funds to bribe lower-ranked classes, and one or two individual votes won't make much of a difference.

Without a doubt, Class B's hopes of achieving their goals in this Special Exam have become extremely slim.

It's unclear what Aragaki Shun is thinking. Even if they've already decided on the first and last place in their class, the voting results will still be subject to interference from other classes.

"Katsuragi- boy, could you please invite Aragaki- boy to go to the coffee shop together?"

There's no other way. Since the plan has been forcibly blocked, the only option left is to go to the negotiating table.

The only question is, what are the other side's true thoughts? Are they really willing to negotiate?

Given the strangeness of this Class Vote, Ayanokoji and the others felt there was something fishy going on.

330. A comprehensive dictatorship; forcing Koenji Rokusuke admit defeat.

After school, Aragaki Shun went to the Activity Classroom of the Cultural and Entertainment Club and called several representatives from Class C and Class D via email.

"What are your thoughts on the Class Vote on March 6th?"

Sitting in his usual office chair, the Leader of Class A invited Ibuki Mio, Karuizawa, and the others to sit on either side according to their class, and bluntly inquired about the current situation of the two classes.

This Special Exam involves Protection Point, permanent Transfer Ticket, and expulsion penalties. Any one of these would be enough to shock ordinary students. Now that all three rewards and punishments are mixed together, it would be strange if the two lower-ranked classes didn't explode!

As expected...

"Everyone is very worried, afraid that they will be last and get expelled."

In public, Kushida Kikyo always presents herself as an angel.

She clasped her hands together in front of her chest, her face showing no trace of feigned worry. "Does Aragaki- san have a way to get everyone in the class through this exam together? Graduation is still a long way off, and I don't want to say goodbye to any of my friends now."

"Aside from the expulsion penalty for the last-place student, what everyone in the class is most concerned about is the Permanent Transfer Quota the first-place student can get."

Sitting on the same side as Kushida Kikyo, Karuizawa Kei also reported on the situation of Class D.

Not only the two of them, but also Yosuke Hirata and Yukimura Teruhiko, representatives of Class D, came here.

Hirata goes without saying, while Yukimura Teruhiko was specifically pointed out by Aragaki Shun because of his positive performance and good academic results.

On the opposite side, in addition to Ibuki Mio and Manabe Shiho, the representatives appointed by Aragaki Shun, Class C also included Kaneda Satoru and Ishizaki Daichi.

It can only be said that talent is truly scarce in Class C. There's no way to be picky; they can only make do with supporting the tallest of the two short ones, the one who is willing to actively obey orders.

After Kushida and Karuizawa finished speaking, Kaneda, Manabe, and the others also talked about how Class C reacted after hearing the exam content—just like Class D. Those who weren't popular worried about being last in class and being expelled, while those who had the means were eyeing the Permanent Transfer Quota.

As for Protection Point... as long as they can transfer to Class A, with Aragaki Shun's protection, why would they worry about being expelled?

In short, although the four first-grade classes had different reasons, their attitude of neglecting the Protection Point was consistent across the entire grade.

"... Aragaki -kun, what do you want us to do? Is it possible for this Class Vote to result in no one dropping out?"

After a moment's hesitation, Yosuke Hirata suddenly asked this question.

Although he had already made up his mind to face the past and take positive action in the future to make up for his mistakes, he did not deliberately change his style in his daily life. He was still the kind-hearted person in everyone's eyes, just not as extreme as when he first entered school.

Now, he can accept the sadness of someone in his class being expelled, since as an ordinary student, he can't change the school's decision.

But if given the chance, I really hope that everyone in the class can graduate from Advanced Nurturing together in the future.

"I understand the situation in both of your classes."

Instead of directly answering Hirata's question, Aragaki Shun simply stated casually, "According to the school's rules, the only way to achieve zero withdrawals in this Class Vote is to raise Twenty Million Personal Points. That's the only way."

Upon hearing this, Hirata and Kushida looked disheartened, and the others also became somewhat nervous.

It's obvious that Aragaki Shun doesn't want to use his own money to help the dropouts in Class C and Class D, so their respective class savings obviously can't come up with such a large sum of Private Points.

So, after the official voting concludes in four days, will someone in the class definitely leave?

Sensing that something was amiss in the atmosphere, Kaneda Satoru looked around and immediately decided that he had to pledge his loyalty to Aragaki Shun in front of him.

"President, I wonder what instructions you have for our class's voting? I believe you have a well-thought-out plan for this exam. As long as we follow your orders, we can minimize the losses for each class."

"Huh? Right, right, right! Our Class C absolutely supports all of Aragaki Boss's decisions!" Ishizaki Daichi was startled by Kaneda Satoru's sudden action, but after realizing what was happening, he immediately understood the qualities he should have as a subordinate.

"Indeed! In the entire first year, only Aragaki-kaicho has been able to unite everyone and ensure that the Class Vote results are in a way that benefits the overall situation. Our Class D also hopes to follow your instructions."

Yukimura Teruhiko adjusted his glasses without changing his expression, thus also stating his position.

To be frank, Yukimura was initially overjoyed to be invited by Aragaki Shun as the Class D to discuss the Special Exam.

This means that I have definitely caught the attention of this Student Council President, and in the Advanced Nurturing High School, if there are any spots available for transferring to Class A, I will definitely be more likely to be invited than ordinary students.

On the other hand, the members of this Activity Classroom were all regarded by Aragaki Shun as representatives of Class 1, and were considered by him to be the best of Class C or Class D.

In this way, they are less likely to be the scapegoats in future Special Exam where the last student is expelled, such as Class Vote.

From any perspective, this is excellent news.

I must demonstrate sufficient loyalty more actively in order to gain the approval of the Leader of Class A.

Even these few people who were just there to make up the numbers had expressed this opinion, so it was even less likely that Ibuki Mio, Karuizawa Kei, and Kushida Kikyo would object. They all said that he should decide the vote for both classes.

To this, Aragaki Shun made no attempt at polite formality and began issuing orders directly.

"When you get back, tell your students that they don't need to worry about anything these next few days; they can eat and drink as usual."

"On the day of the official voting, five minutes before the exam, I will hand out slips of paper to everyone to vote for. All you need to do is fill in the names on the slips as instructed."

It is obvious that Aragaki Shun intends to implement a comprehensive dictatorship, rather than allowing students from the three classes to vote freely.

However, none of the people present thought there was anything wrong with it.

Past victories have established the young man's absolute authority.

"I won't go into the specific voting process now. All I can tell you right now is that I've decided that Ibuki Mio will be first in Class C, and Karuizawa Kei in Class D."

"Once this Special Exam is over, you will use your Permanent Transfer Quota to join Class A."

Aragaki Shun's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating invisible ripples.

The representatives from both classes present were taken aback.

As the person involved, Ibuki Mio crossed her arms and remained expressionless—she knew what was even more shocking about her as Aragaki Shun's girlfriend, so what did transferring to Class A matter?

Karuizawa Kei was somewhat stunned. After regaining her senses, her eyes visibly reddened. She abruptly lowered her head, her long hair falling down to conceal her momentary loss of composure—if she could transfer to Class A, at least during her Advanced Nurturing training period, she wouldn't have to worry about being bullied anymore, right?

"Gulp~" Ishizaki Daichi unconsciously swallowed, his tone somewhat incredulous, "Someone from Class C and Class D has been able to transfer to Class A?"

"Congratulations, Ibuki and Karuizawa." Kaneda Satoru paused for a moment, but immediately offered his congratulations, a hint of joy in his eyes.

It seems Class A is still recruiting, and with Ibuki transferring, who will be in charge of the daily management of Class C?

The future looks very promising!

The other representatives were also excited and had many thoughts when they saw this, but none of this stopped them from congratulating Ibuki Mio and Karuizawa Kei.

"I've always been fair in my rewards and punishments, and Class A has never treated its own people unfairly."

Sitting in his office chair, Aragaki Shun chuckled, "I remember just two months into the semester, Ibuki and Karuizawa, as representatives of Class A, made a tremendous contribution to my leadership of the first-year students. Now that the opportunity has come, we can't waste it. Welcome to the Class A community ahead of schedule."

After offering a casual explanation, the Student Council President turned his head, his gaze sweeping over Ishizaki Daichi and Kaneda Satoru from Class C, and Yosuke Hirata and Yukimura Teruhiko from Class D, before dropping a bombshell.

"With Ibuki and Karuizawa transferring classes, it might be difficult for Manabe and Kushida to manage two classes alone. Therefore, Kaneda Hirata will fill the vacant representative positions for Class C and Class D, respectively."

The boy's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to make everyone's heart skip a beat, plunging the room into an eerie silence once more.

Kaneda Satoru stood frozen in place, his fingertips unconsciously digging into his palms, using the pain to suppress the overwhelming joy that was about to burst forth from his heart.

Now that we have such vivid examples right before our eyes, who wouldn't understand what a so-called "spokesperson" means?

That's practically an invitation to join Class A! Judging from the current situation, the only one ahead of him in Class C right now is the more senior Manabe Shiho. It might not work next time, but if there's a time after that, the transfer spot in Class C will be his!

Yosuke Hirata nodded slightly, a barely perceptible fervor flashing in his eyes.

After resolving his inner conflict, he resolved to forge a path in the future to redeem his former friends and his past self.

To achieve this goal, graduating from Class A and obtaining a school recommendation is undoubtedly the most likely shortcut.

"..."

Finally, the only two who weren't mentioned were Ishizaki Daichi and Yukimura Teruhiko. The two exchanged a glance, feeling somewhat unwilling but also filled with anticipation.

Aragaki Shun's gesture clearly implies something—

The number of places transferred to Class A will be allocated according to contributions, and representatives from Class A will be given priority in being promoted and placed in other classes whenever there is an opportunity.

Class C started with Ibuki Mio, followed by Manabe Shiho, then Kaneda Satoru to fill the vacancy, and Ishizaki Daichi will fill the vacancy next time.

The order of Class D is Karuizawa Kei, Kushida Kikyo, Yosuke Hirata. Yukimura Teruhiko will have to wait until Kushida transfers to another class before he can take her place.

To be honest, they were somewhat dissatisfied with this arrangement, but since it was Aragaki Shun's decision, they didn't have the courage to object.

Moreover, compared to the average students in the class who didn't even get a chance to play, they were far ahead and had no reason to complain.

"Aragaki is wise! We will follow his orders completely. Anyone who dares to disobey his will, I, Ishizaki Daichi, will be the first to beat him to death!"

"The Chairman rewards merit and uses talent appropriately. He truly deserves to be called the number one in Advanced Nurturing. I, Yukimura Teruhiko to serve you at any time!"

Aragaki Shun merely nodded slightly at this flattery and continued with his arrangements, "I haven't decided on the last place yet. We'll talk about it later. Just tell everyone in the class that whoever gets expelled, I will compensate them as agreed."

Just like back then with the Mixed Training Camp, 20 million in cash was given to those who voluntarily dropped out.

For the vast majority of students in Class C and Class D, this is definitely a price they could sell themselves for.

If I could get such a large sum of money... it would just mean leaving Advanced Nurturing and transferring to another high school; there's no need to overthink it.

Like Ishizaki Daichi, one of the representatives present, compared to graduating from Class A and going on to a prestigious university or going directly to work for a well-known company, for someone with his background and personality, taking the money and going home might be a good choice.