"Did you really think the school was joking with you?"
Everyone's expressions changed at once.
Some were indignant, some terrified, and some despairing.
But without exception, no one dared speak disrespectfully to Chabashira Sae again.
After all, according to school rules, assaulting or insulting a teacher was absolutely forbidden.
With that sword hanging over their heads, no one wanted to incur the school's wrath at a time like this.
The oppressive atmosphere lingered.
Nearby, the students who had taken the Black Sphere Exam began returning one after another.
"Sudō!"
Kanji Ike spotted Ken Sudō.
He was about to go over and ask what had happened, but Sudō's gloomy expression startled him, and he swallowed his words.
Kushida Kikyo spotted Su Wei, who was standing with Sakayanagi Arisu and Kamuro Masumi, seemingly talking to them in hushed voices.
She hesitated, then was just about to go over and check on him, while also trying to get a sense of what was going on.
"Kushida."
Behind her, Matsushita Chiaki suddenly called out to her.
"You've been in contact with Su Wei for a few days now, haven't you?"
"Judging by your reaction just now... did you know something all along?"
Kushida Kikyo cursed inwardly. What a nuisance.
Then, in an instant, she put on a perfectly forced smile.
"Ahaha... It's really nothing."
"I did find out about the Black Sphere Exam before Hirata-kun, since I was one of the unlucky first group of examinees..."
"But I was so scared back then that I didn't dare say anything... Sorry."
"I see."
Matsushita Chiaki watched her for a while, then finally nodded and didn't press her further.
Meanwhile.
Su Wei paid no attention to the undercurrents in Class D.
His gaze swept across the scene.
Ken Sudō, surrounded by Kanji Ike and the