Sudo Fails

Class D was lively that morning because the midterm exam results were being announced that day.

Qiuyue hadn't deliberately lowered his scores. He really wanted to know whether things would unfold just like in the original story, with Sudo failing by one point.

Teacher Chabashira strode into the classroom, and the students grew extremely tense.

"I'm going to announce the midterm exam results now. If I wait until after school, there won't be enough time to take care of the paperwork."

"Huh...?"

Most of the students had more or less guessed the outcome. They fell silent, but those who had failed clearly hadn't given up hope yet; they all wore the grim expressions of people ready to face death.

Teacher Chabashira paid no attention to the students' reactions. Instead, she pinned the paper in her hand to the blackboard.

"Yeah!"

Sudo jumped up happily. The chart on the blackboard showed that even his lowest score, in English, was 39.

Not a single student had a red line marking a failing grade in any subject.

Ike and Yamauchi also stood up to celebrate with their friend Sudo.

"Sudo, I think you're celebrating a little too soon."

Teacher Chabashira said this, then took a red pen from her pocket and drew a long red line through Sudo's name beside his English score.

"That's right, Sudo. You failed English, so the school will expel you."

"What?! Teacher Chabashira, you're joking at a time like this, right? Isn't the failing mark 34? I got 39!"

"No. The failing mark for this midterm exam is 41, so you really did fail, Sudo."

"That's impossible! You're lying, aren't you? I don't believe you! No, I can't accept this!"

Teacher Chabashira said nothing. Instead, she let her actions speak for her.

She wrote a simple division problem on the blackboard, then pointed at it to show Sudo.

82.6 ÷ 2 = 41.3

"The failing mark for this midterm exam is half the average score. That's why this is the mark you needed to pass.

"Well? I haven't told a single lie. What a shame, Sudo. This is as far as you go."

Two points short? That's because I didn't hold back on my score, right? Let's see what you do next. Will you buy the points like you did before?

Qiuyue thought this as he turned to look at Horikita and Ayanokoji.

"How can this be...? I... I... Am I really going to be expelled?"

"Sudo, make sure you write your withdrawal application before the end of the school day so I can process it. That's all."

"Teacher Chabashira, is Sudo really going to be expelled? Just because he failed? Is there any way to make up for it?"

Hirata stepped forward, trying to save Sudo despite their past disagreements.

"It's school policy. Anyone who fails an exam will be expelled, so there's nothing we can negotiate about Sudo's expulsion."

"...But... what do we do..."

Teacher Chabashira looked at the lifeless class and sighed, preparing to leave.

"If there's nothing else, homeroom is over. And Sudo, remember to come to the staff room after school to pick up your withdrawal application. That's all."

Qiuyue frowned.

Still no one's making a move? Could things really unfold just like in the original story, with Ayanokoji going after her to buy points? Did I not cause even the slightest butterfly effect? Was I worrying for nothing?

"...Teacher Chabashira, wait. There's something I need to ask you."

"Horikita? Well, this is a first. You're actually speaking up now. Let's hear what you have to say about Sudo."

"No, that's not what I wanted to ask. I want to know if anyone in the other classes failed and is going to be expelled."

"So that's what you're asking. It's not confidential, so I'll tell you: unfortunately, ours is the only class with anyone who failed. The other classes have no one."

"...I see. Knowing how strong our opponents are is important, too.

"Then I have another question, Teacher Chabashira. If someone in our class is expelled, will the class be punished? If so, please tell me what the punishment is."

"Hoh, no wonder your English score is so low. You'd already anticipated that Sudo might end up in this situation, so you deliberately scored so low? Though it doesn't seem to have helped."

At Teacher Chabashira's words, everyone looked at Horikita's scores. Aside from her English score of 51, which stood out, her other scores were absurdly high.

"...Horikita... you..."

Sudo looked at Horikita with a complicated expression. Then, as if he'd realized something, he gave a self-mocking smile, lowered his head, and clenched his fists.

"Don't change the subject, Teacher Chabashira. You still haven't answered my question."

"Heh. The school hasn't specifically asked us to keep this information confidential, but it hasn't said I can tell you, either, Horikita.

"But I'll make an exception and tell you. I have a feeling you'll surprise me again in a moment. You seem to have anticipated this situation.

"If someone is expelled from the class, the class will be punished by losing 200 Class Points. Now that you know, what will you do, Horikita?"

Teacher Chabashira's words rekindled Sudo's hope, and everyone looked at Horikita expectantly.

Is she going to buy the points? Will she? Horikita...

After hearing Horikita's words, Qiuyue began analyzing the situation.

Things really are different! Horikita brought it up right there in class. Was it Ayanokoji's suggestion, or had she thought of it herself?

I'd guessed things might develop this way, but if Horikita came up with it herself, how had Ayanokoji helped her grow so much in such a short time? Had something happened?

There were too many questions. My thoughts were getting tangled, and I felt like I was starting to imagine things. Maybe I was just overthinking it.

The class, Sudo, and even Teacher Chabashira were all stunned by Horikita's words. Then Teacher Chabashira burst out laughing.

"Ha ha ha ha! You're asking me to sell you points! Ha ha ha, that's impressive. I never would've thought of that."

"Teacher Chabashira, you only need to tell me whether it's possible or not."

"Heh, Horikita, school policy says points can buy anything the school offers. In theory, it is possible.

"But it won't be cheap. Can you manage it?"