The Cruel Midterm Exam (2)

"I am Student Council President Horikita Manabu. I apologize for interrupting the first-year midterm exams, but there is a matter that must be announced beforehand." As Horikita Manabu's voice faded, many students in the class were left wondering what it could be, though Ayanokoji seemed to sense something and looked toward Kitahara.

He wasn't the only one; that "little angel" was doing the same. However, from what I understand, that guy Ayanokoji didn't share this impending "credit" with her. It seems she won't be able to secure the entire class's...

"The Student Council has determined that during this exam, a student from Class D of the second year privately sold the midterm exam papers to first-year students. As a result, this student is being penalized with a deduction of 500,000 private points and 100 class points."

"Given that this is a first-time offense for the first-year student involved, she is hereby issued a warning. Any further infractions will result in expulsion."

As Horikita Manabu's words fell, the entire class turned their gaze toward Kushida Kikyo, their eyes filled with worry.

Kushida Kikyo stood frozen at her desk upon hearing the news. She hadn't expected things to turn out so differently from what she had anticipated. She knew that once the school discovered the leak, they would never use the original papers, meaning her actions would fail to gain the attention of her classmates and might even invite their condemnation. At this thought, Kushida Kikyo shuddered, her eyes turning fierce as she glared at Ayanokoji.

[No wonder you told me to say I bought the test papers myself. So you had an escape route planned all along. And here I thought you were genuinely kind enough to help me. It seems you and Horikita are cut from the same cloth—you both deserve to be expelled.]

Noticing Kushida's gaze, Ayanokoji's expression remained unchanged, for he already knew his plan had failed from this moment on. While he might have to face Kushida's retaliation, the most troublesome question now was who had orchestrated this.

Thinking this, Ayanokoji's eyes drifted toward Kitahara, trying to find a flaw in his composure.

"If that's the case, doesn't that mean the answers I memorized are useless?" Under the influence of Sudo's remark, the class gradually began to react.

Soon after, Horikita Manabu's voice came over the broadcast again. Although a small number of people still looked toward the front with hopeful or even desperate eyes, most already knew the final outcome.

"Due to the leak, the school has no backup papers..." Horikita Manabu paused here, allowing a flicker of hope to ignite in some. Seeing this, Kitahara couldn't help but sigh: "President, you really are a god of emotional manipulation. Every move you make is just perfect."

"However, because a student from Class A, Sakayanagi, provided the school with a set of papers in time and they passed the academy's review, the exam will proceed as scheduled. Furthermore, Sakayanagi from Class A is awarded 8 million private points."

"The announcement is now concluded. Will all homeroom teachers please organize their students for the exam immediately."

Hearing this, Kitahara fell into silence. He hadn't expected the school to award Sakayanagi so many points. By his estimation, she should have received at most 5 million. It was hard not to suspect that the Chairman was giving his daughter a bit of extra pocket money.

However, Kitahara quickly adjusted his mindset. Since he and Sakayanagi had a 55/45 split, her getting more meant he would also reap greater benefits. As expected, teaming up with Sakayanagi was the right move.

"How could this happen? How am I supposed to pass this exam now?"

"Yeah, Kushida, how did you get caught?"

"I didn't study for this exam at all because I trusted you, Kushida!"

"Is this it? Am I going to be expelled?" The people around began to clamor, the very same people who had been praising her moments ago. Seeing this, Kitahara said speechlessly: "Look at that. They really are a lost cause. The atmosphere in Class B is much better suited for me. I'll leave this mess for Ayanokoji and Horikita to handle."

Kushida Kikyo, the subject of the crowd's discussion, stood up with red-rimmed eyes and said, "Everyone, I truly don't know how I was discovered. It is my fault for failing to help you all." Kushida Kikyo wiped away tears as she spoke.

Seeing this, the students of Class D didn't continue to blame her, instead saying, "It must be that second-year senior's fault. If it weren't for him, Kushida wouldn't have been caught."

"That's right, it must be his fault!" The surrounding people chimed in one after another.

Seeing this sudden shift, Kitahara was speechless once again. He hadn't expected Kushida Kikyo to have conditioned them to this extent. Is there really no bottom line? If that senior knew, he'd probably cry himself to sleep in the bathroom.

Watching the class grow increasingly rowdy, Chabashira, who was standing at the podium, finally spoke up: "Everyone, return to your seats and prepare to start the exam."

Although the exam process went smoothly, it was completely different from the confident demeanor they displayed in the original story. Now, they were scratching their heads throughout the exam. I'm truly curious how many people will be expelled this time. I wonder if it will be like the original, where only Sudo faced this crisis.

Even though the papers Sakayanagi provided were relatively simple, for those guys... I can only say goodbye. Heh, in the original story, one could use 100,000 points to buy a missing point, but now, even I don't know how many points they'll be short.

Ever since the exam ended, the atmosphere in the class had become inexplicably heavy. Everyone was worried about whether they would be the "lucky one." By the time the day to announce the results arrived, their emotions were on the verge of collapse, as the unknown is often the most lethal. Only when the results are known can one finally find true relief.

Amidst the tense atmosphere of the class, Chabashira-sensei walked in slowly, stood at the podium, and looked down at them with a sudden smile: "It seems I underestimated you. You really do bring me constant surprises. You've truly shown me just how bad a class can get. Not only are you the worst in history, but I doubt anyone will ever surpass you in the future."

Facing Chabashira's mockery, no one in the class dared to respond. Seeing this, Chabashira continued: "Although our time together was short, it ends here."

"Sudo, Yamauchi, and Ike Kanji, prepare to pack your things. Come to the office after school to complete your expulsion procedures."

Upon hearing this, the students displayed two completely different reactions. Those not being expelled breathed a sigh of relief, while the three facing expulsion stood frozen in place.

"How could this be? Why am I being expelled?" Ike Kanji shouted loudly.