The Beginning of the Expulsion Storm

She had gone there with Kitagawa Ryo to buy a digital camera once when school started, and the salesperson's eyes had already left a deep impression on Sakura Airi at that time.

A gaze that seemed to lick like a wet tongue.

After a brief bout of nausea, Sakura Airi quickly made her judgment: this was an opportunity.

She had already learned about the school's basic rules from Kitagawa Ryo and understood the importance of points, so Sakura Airi decided to use this to put pressure on the school administration.

There are three conditions that can be met to achieve the goal:

First, the potential perpetrator is a staff member hired by the school.

Second, as a fully enclosed school with a high college entrance rate, can Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School withstand public criticism regarding the misconduct of its students by its staff and maintain student morale? After all, no one wants to live in a closed school with potential criminals.

Of course, there's also the most important one.

Sakura Airi put her phone back in her bag. She narrowed her eyes slightly. If she were an ordinary student, the school could easily downplay the incident, but if she were the one involved, things would be completely different.

Third, Sakura Airi's extremely high level of fame.

As a super idol who graduated less than a month ago, most of Sakura Airi's fans are still following her news, as can be seen from the various comments and private messages on Twitter. This is something only Sakura Airi can do.

Although the school claims to be under a completely closed management system, students are still allowed to share their photos on social media platforms.

If Sakura Airi herself were to reveal this, her fans would undoubtedly unleash a media storm.

Sakura Airi pursed her lips, her pearly teeth gently biting her lower lip. She knew that she wasn't like Ichinose Honami, Sakayanagi Arisu, and Horikita Suzune, who were students with the potential to be in Class A and were transferred by Kitagawa Ryo. There was a considerable gap between them, whether in academics or other aspects.

But there are things she is capable of doing.

Sakura Airi didn't tell Karuizawa Kei the truth about her graduation because she simply couldn't stand the absence of someone in the audience. The reason she was able to get to where she is today is because she always sees Kitagawa Ryo in his support outfit, holding a glow stick, standing in the front row at every concert.

Even today, Sakura Airi's fan forums still discuss what the patterns on those first-edition limited-edition support shirts, which have been resold for as much as 60,000 yen each, actually are. In fact, they are just Sakura Airi's fantasies about all her past fears, and are actually a monster in the form of a curtain.

It was Kitagawa Ryo who helped her shatter all her fears.

She was no longer afraid.

Taking a deep breath, Sakura Airi sent messages to both of them.

Let's get started.

Student Council.

Horikita Manabu frowned slightly as he looked at the submitted documents awaiting review. He glanced at his younger sister, Horikita Suzune, who was sitting on the other side, but she didn't look up at all, focusing intently on processing the documents as if she knew nothing.

Standing beside Horikita Manabu, Secretary Tachibana Akane meticulously read the contents:

"Regarding the incident of Sakura Airi, a student in Class 1-D, being maliciously stalked by school staff, Class D's homeroom teacher, Mashima Tomonari, has applied to report the matter to the school and requested an immediate ruling."

"At the same time, Sakura Airi, a student in Class 1-D, voluntarily applied to withdraw from the school, believing that Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School could not guarantee the safety of students in its fully enclosed campus environment, and stated that she would not rule out the possibility of exposing the incident after withdrawing from the school."

Horikita Manabu rubbed his temples. This was beyond the Student Council's jurisdiction, but the whole incident was strangely bizarre. Sakura Airi herself was completely unharmed; the other party hadn't even touched her. According to the documents, Kitagawa Ryo from the same class happened to be passing by and stopped a potential act of violence, while another student from Class 1-D, Yamada, happened to be taking a selfie nearby and captured the entire incident.

This is a blatant scheme targeting the school.

However, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what's wrong with it. This matter could indeed be considered a big or small issue, but Sakura Airi's dropping out of school and her former idol status make it impossible for the situation to escalate to a minor level.

"Report this matter to higher authorities, along with the Student Council's proposed course of action, and demand severe punishment."

"OK."

Tachibana Akane nodded and quickly reported the matter to the school authorities. The document was soon delivered to Chairman Sakayanagi's desk.

"So, Mr. Tsukishiro, what's your opinion?"

Chairman Sakayanagi smiled and looked at Tsukishiro beside him. As the center of the two forces, Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School was subject to scrutiny for every move made by Kitagawa Ryo and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. The one who balanced Chairman Sakayanagi was Tsukishiro, a confidant sent by Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's father.

"I believe Kitagawa Ryo's deliberate scheme should be rejected."

Tsukishiro glanced at it and tossed the document back. The whole thing was so obvious that Kitagawa Ryo made no attempt to hide anything; it was a completely open conspiracy.

"But that doesn't make sense; it violates the school's basic rules."

Chairman Sakayanagi clasped his hands together and rested them on his chin:

"The rules were initially established based on those of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School. Just like the Student Council's opinion, Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School cannot withstand such great public pressure."

He patted Tsukishiro on the shoulder:

"Especially now."

"So what's your solution?"

"Fire and sue that employee, reject Sakura Airi's withdrawal application, and award her a certain number of points as compensation for emotional distress."

"What is the exact number of points...?"

Tsukishiro narrowed his eyes. He knew that these points would definitely fall into Kitagawa Ryo's hands, which would put Ayanokoji Kiyotaka at a disadvantage.

"Although I'd love to discuss this with you slowly, Tsukishiro, time is of the essence."

"Tell me your thoughts first."

"Twenty Million Personal Points, because our school tradition is that twenty million points can exempt one student from expulsion. In other words, twenty million points are equivalent to the value of one student."

"Impossible."

Tsukishiro quickly vetoed:

"You should know better than me how much impact Twenty Million Personal Points will have on the situation for both sides at this point."

"But I also hope you understand the weight of the person involved, and the potential impact on Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School in this incident. If public opinion really escalates, the entire school will be affected even more severely, and the gambling won't even be able to continue. Can you bear that responsibility?"

Chairman Sakayanagi refused to back down in the slightest.

"Twenty million is far too much."

Although Tsukishiro seemed willing to compromise, she was still haggling.

The two remained deadlocked for a while before finally reaching a reluctant consensus.

"Actually, Liang shouldn't have gotten involved; otherwise, she might have gotten even more points."

Sakura Airi transferred all ten million points in her hand to Kitagawa Ryo, saying with some regret.

"How could I not get involved... you idiot."

Kitagawa Ryo patted Sakura Airi's head. He understood this perfectly well, but as he said, he absolutely couldn't bear to watch Sakura Airi face such a fanatical stalker fan on her own.

They even had a plan from the beginning: Yamada would take the lead, and another person would be arranged to take photos secretly. But in the end, it was Kitagawa Ryo who rushed in.

Although he only threw three punches and two kicks, he still managed to render his opponent incapable of being a man.

"Actually, just like Mr. Mashima said, the time spent at Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School is only three years in our long lives."

Kitagawa Ryo said with a smile:

"It's okay to care, but don't care too much, and definitely don't get yourself caught up in it."

In fact, he never expected that Sakura Airi would give up her already successful idol career to come here with him.

Because this is absolutely irrational behavior, but rather absolutely emotional behavior.

But how could Kitagawa Ryo possibly say it?

He gazed intently into the other person's sky-blue eyes and spoke earnestly:

"But thank you anyway, Airi."

"Of course, it's not because of those ten million points."

It is more valuable than ten million.

It was a feeling suppressed deep in her heart, yet shining through her eyes—a unique emotion belonging only to a young girl.

Chapter 47: The Beginning of the Dropout Storm

"... well."

Although he hadn't had any expectations to begin with, Mashima Tomonari still sighed in frustration when he saw Class D' s Class Points plummet to zero just half a month after the start of the semester.

Based on his experience as the homeroom teacher of Class A in previous years, Class A would lose no more than 60 Class Points in a whole month due to classroom discipline issues, but for Class D, it would be more than that in a single day.

Being late, absent, using cell phones in class, sleeping, talking privately... As expected, the students in Class D were influenced by the school's relaxed atmosphere. Although they did not abuse too many points because of the first day of school, their classroom discipline was still extremely poor. They would only behave slightly when Mashima Tomonari was teaching them.

In the office, sitting on the other side of Mashima Tomonari, Class C's homeroom teacher Sakagami Kazuma, noticed his long sighs and leaned over, smiling as he asked:

"What, have all your points been deducted?"

"Perhaps this is what Class D is like."

Mashima Tomonari shook his head helplessly. To be honest, even Class C, which was only one grade above Class D, could usually save four or five hundred Class Points after the first month. Sure enough, Sakagami Kazuma also said with no small amount of pride:

"This year's Class C has produced a very good student. Judging from the current trend, Class C should be able to retain nearly 500 Class Points."

As a homeroom teacher who had taught at Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School for many years, Sakagami Kazuma naturally knew that the gap between the four classes (A, B, C, and D) in the first month was actually quite large, and it would probably take two or three Special Exam to catch up or even surpass them. Therefore, his tone revealed a sense of satisfaction.

Hoshinomiya Chie teacher of Class B across the street, overheard their conversation and joined in the fun:

"This year's Class B is the most outstanding among all the classes in recent years; they might even catch up with Class A."

Upon hearing Hoshinomiya Chie's words, Sakagami Kazuma and Mashima Tomonari twitched their lips. It wasn't their first year as homeroom teachers, so they naturally knew that the gap between Class A and Class B was much larger than imagined, especially in the first month's classroom discipline review. Class A always managed to pull ahead by nearly three or four hundred points. After all, the school's standards for Class A students determined Class A's 100% win rate in this exam.

If it really happens that Class B retains more Class Points than Class A in the first month, then there will be a serious problem.

"What? You don't believe me? As the Sae teacher of Class A, what do you think?"

Hoshinomiya Chie seemed displeased with the two's speechless expressions. She turned around lightly and asked Chabashira Sae in the other corner, emphasizing the words "[Class A homeroom teacher]".

Ah... Oh.

"I still believe in the students in Class A, my own class."

Chabashira Sae was unusually flustered. She gave a perfunctory reply and then got up and left the office.

"I have something to do today, so I'll be leaving now."

Sakagami Kazuma and Mashima Tomonari didn't pay much attention, since Chabashira Sae had always been like that at school. After exchanging a glance, they lowered their heads again and went back to doing what they were doing.

Hoshinomiya Chie stared at Chabashira Sae's almost fleeing figure and sneered. She knew very well what the other was worried about.

Koenji Rokusuke, a freshman who would never have been placed in Class A in previous years, has almost single-handedly lost 80 Class Points in just half a month since the start of the semester. Don't underestimate these 80 points, because the previous year's Class A only lost 60 points in the first month.

Gently fiddling with her manicured nails, Hoshinomiya Chie Karuizawa Kei her gaze to the documents on the table. After discovering the secret of the school's points system, Hoshinomiya Chie realized that this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Make sure Class B surpasses Class A in the first month.

This has never happened before in the past decade or so.

Just imagining this fact made Hoshinomiya Chie tremble with excitement.

If this were to happen, Class A's Chabashira Sae, would be absolutely branded with shame. She wouldn't even need Hoshinomiya Chie's intervention; Chabashira Sae herself would have to bind herself to the cross.

Because in that case, she would have achieved two seemingly unattainable accomplishments, one positive and one negative.

As students, they ultimately destroyed the class's hope of making it into Class A.

As the class advisor, he led Class A down from the peak from the very beginning.

Unfortunately, Karuizawa Kei didn't make any more moves after that, instead focusing all her time on the clubs she and other students had created.

Not enough.

Hoshinomiya Chie estimated the difference in Class Points Class A and Class B. Even with Koenji Rokusuke, Class A was estimated to have over 800 points left.

If there are no other interferences, this year may be the year with the smallest gap between Class A and Class B.

But--

Hoshinomiya Chie recalled Chabashira Sae's actions back then, how she destroyed nearly three years of hard work by the entire class because of her own selfishness. The system of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School determined that, apart from Class A, the other three classes were destined to be losers.

She ran her long fingernails across another name on the list.

[Yagami Takuya]

"Ayanokoji, are you coming after school today too?"

"... If it's troublesome."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka lowered his head slightly as he looked at the girl with a sweet smile on her face. Upon hearing his words, she quickly waved her hand, her slightly flustered appearance quite adorable.