Season 3 Episode 7
3 days left to the Class Poll...
School is over and in Class C, the atmosphere is tense over the fact that one among the whole class will be expelled.
Satou wanted to talk with Chiaki about giving a praise vote but she was silenced by her because they're not suppose to discuss this sensitive thing in class. Even Hondou heard a bit of it and became paranoid over the fact that his classmates and friends might mark him for expulsion.
"Tch! I don't like this situation!" Sudou grumbled about it as, "Ijuin! Wanna hit the gym with me so that we can work on your physical fitness?"
"Sure thing!" Ijuin packed his stuff and joined Sudou as they left together.
And now, "Is this going to last until the voting day?" Ike asked with worry as Yamauchi is seen doing some texting with a serious and suspicious look on face.
From a distance, Ayanokouji and Horikita noticed this as, "Yamauchi-kun seems to be behaving differently from yesterday..." Horikita thought as she spoke to Ayanokouji. "Everyone's being inconspicuous until voting day."
"Or maybe they're trying to form a herd for their own praise vote." Ayanokouji assumed.
"Is that really the only way to do it?" Horikita asked.
"I thought you are ready to cut someone out." Ayanokouji stated.
"You said the same thing as Ryuuen did!"
"For someone who called Ryuuen's attitude a bluff, your resolve is what it looks like."
"Nani?!" Horikita stood up with a bit of frustration on her face as, "So what are you going to do?" He asked as he turned to face her.
"I..." Horikita is unable to come up with something as she thought of this.
I haven't been able to contribute to the class as much as I would like...because I don't have enough awareness as a leader...
She then sat down with doubt and anxiety. "Nii-san...how should I face this?"
Ayanokouji just watched her think about it and also remembered something.
Flashback to morning...
Before the first lesson, Yousuke approached him. "Ayanokouji...can we meet at my dorm this evening? I need to discuss with you about something."
"Sure thing." He replied as, "Alright. See you then." Yousuke then returned to his seat.
Cutaway to evening now...
Yes, Ayanokouji is heading back to the dorms to meet Yousuke when, "Heya Ayanokouji-kun! Going back to the dorms now?" Looking behind, "Asahina-senpai."
"Ah? You're not with Honami today I see."
"Yeah. She's kinda busy trying to find a way to prevent one of her classmates from being expelled." He replied.
"Which is why I made the right choice to meet you now and tip you with something very important to regarding our cutesy Honami." Asahina then got close to him to give him the tip-off and she also got serious. "The day when the Class Poll was announced for your batch. Miyabi called for her with a special offer."
"President Nagumo?"
"Yeah. In order to save one of her classmates from being expelled, Miyabi is willing to offer her the 20 million private points in exchange for a dating session."
"A harsh condition attached to a deal that is too good to be taken up." Ayanokouji speculated.
"Yeah. It'll be terrible for Honami to be forced into a relationship with Miyabi. Who knows what will happen next..."
"And is it really okay for you to be telling me all this?"
"It's for my own class's sake." Asahina replied as she took a few steps back. "If Miyabi lends all those points to a freshman, it might be a burden for us later on. And that is why, you might be able to do something for Honami's sake. That is all I have to say. After all, you have a thing for her I can tell." She then left as he just watched her.
At the dorms...
Yousuke is already at the lobby area waiting as Ayanokouji stepped in and he noticed his presence. "Sorry for taking up your time!" He spoke to him as he stood up.
"I don't mind it. Shall we get going?"
"Right! Let's head to my room." Yousuke stated as they went to the elevator and he pressed the up button to go up. Soon enough, the elevator and it revealed Kouenji. "Oh, what a coincidence. If it isn't Hirata-boy and Ayanokouji-boy!"
They didn't expect his presence as he stepped out and looked at Ayanokouji. "Wanna grab dinner with me? I'm heading out to some fine dining at an expensive restaurant. I'll even treat you!"
"No thanks. Another time."
"Suit yourself and you'd best use all your wits and give it your all on this exam. That also applies to you, Hirata-boy." Kouenji then laughed and went to leave when, "You never change Kouenji. Even though you sometimes contribute to the class, your behaviour is the only thing that remains unchanged."
"It's not an exam that can change much, you know." Kouenji replied. "While you'll soon be spending time tending your friend's wounds, I trust you'll handle disposing of the unwanted garbage." He then left the dorms.
"It would seem that Kouneji already knows who to dispose..." Ayanokouji thought when, "KSH!" He looked to see Yousuke with his fist on the wall and he's seething in anger. Calming himself down, "Sorry...let's just go Ayanokouji."
It now cuts to Yousuke's room as he sat on his chair and Ayanokouji sat on his bed.
"To start off, it's almost the end of out 1st year." Yousuke spoke first.
"We've been sent to a deserted island and a mixed training camp. It's been a busy year." Ayanokouji spoke next.
"Yeah. But it's also a fun year." Yousuke added. "The class has come together in an unimaginable way when we first enrolled here."
Ayanokouji can agree with him and, "That's...until this exam appeared..."
"I knew you're gonna talk about that." Ayanokouji told Yousuke.
"Sorry...it's just I can't come up...with any solutions for this exam." He replied. "No matter how many times I think about it..." Yousuke clenched his fists a bit. "Is there really no way...to save the entire class?"
"Sorry, I can't think of anything either. After all, there are no loopholes and the only way to save someone is to pay the 20 million private points...which is beyond realistic."
"You're right...as of now, it's not enough even if the whole class pools the points together..." Yousuke replied and thought a bit.
This is just an exam to cut out someone who is unnecessary. But Hirata really can't decide that
Ayanokouji waited for him and then, "Say Ayanokouji, is there anyone in particular that you think...should be expelled? I just want to hear your opinion out." Yousuke asked.
"Not really. No matter who ends up going, we just have to accept it." He replied.
"You're so calm about this." Yousuke exclaimed as he looked away. "You're more suitable to be a class leader than I am."
"You're exaggerating." He replied.
"You may be modest. But after the Karuizawa incident, I really believe that." said Yousuke as he sat up straight.
That night...
Ayanokouji is making hot chocolate when the doorbell rang. Answering it, "Sorry for calling you at this hour Honami."
"It's really fine Kiyotaka!" She replied. "But it's pretty unusual for you to call me."
"Because there's something I really wanted to talk to you about directly." He replied as he let her in. "The floor is cold, so feel free to sit on my bed."
"Oh...arigato..." She sat on her bed as, "I feel like my heart's going to beat out of my chest..." And then, the kitten Felix appeared. "Mew."
"Aw...Felix...haven't seen you for some time..." Honami greeted him as he jumped on the bed and purred on her.
"What are you planning to do for this exam?" Ayanokouji asked her as he resumed his hot chocolate preparation.
"I'm thinking of a way to get through this exam without anyone in my class getting expelled." She answered as she pet Felix on his furry body as he lay on her lap.
"I heard that President Nagumo has given you a very big offer. He has the 20 million private points in his bank huh?" He brought up.
"I didn't expect you to figure it out." She replied.
"No matter how many points Class B has, there's no way you can reach that amount." He stated as he took the boiler and worked on his preparation. "Which makes the cooperation of a third party essential."
"Souka...Asahina-senpai told you everything did she?" Honami asked.
"She seems to be concerned about you." He added.
"It also means you not only heard about the huge offer but the conditions also right?" She asked.
"Yeah. I find it really stupid if you ask me." He then came out of the kitchen and gave her a mug of hot chocolate for her to drink as Felix went down from the bed and rubbed himself on Ayanokouji's legs as he sat on his chair with his mug of hot chocolate.
"How many points are you short on?" He asked as he took a sip.
"I don't know...I haven't even started gathering the points..." She replied as she sipped her drink. "It's also impossible for someone like me to-"
"I know. You suppose that it's natural that he'd ask for something in return."
"Yes. It's probably the only way for me and I can save my entire class." She replied.
"Souka." He replied calmly as she looked at him surprised at his calmness. "Um...Are you not going to hold me in contempt for it?"
"There's no need for that. Tell you what, I'll find a way for you." Ayanokouji assured to her.
"Really? By any chance, are you worried about me?" Honami asked with a smile.
"Um...you might think I'm an arrogant guy..." He replied and looked away a bit.
"That's not true! It actually makes me happy that you're willing to help me." She replied as she sipped her drink and looked at it. "But I might be in trouble. If you hadn't called me to talk about this, I might have been able to make a decision more readily." She then sipped some more for the chocolate is rich and warm to the taste. "Say...could it be that you're actually...an amazing person?"
"Sorry, it's just something I don't see myself as at all." He replied and now, Felix went to Honami and rubbed himself on her legs.
"If so, you're even more amazing!" Honami stated. "Because Ayanokouji, you are..." She suddenly paused as, "What's wrong?" He asked.
"No...it's nothing..." She replied as she looked at her drink. And then, "Everything you did for me...makes you amazing...like how you worked on the solution to get Case 1 for our group in the cruise ship exam, how you revealed to me Kushida-san's true colours so that you can protect me and even so...when Ryuuen and his followers tried to harm me and Karuizawa-san...you swooped in saved both of us."
"So that's why you believe I'm amazing..." Ayanokouji exclaimed. "Well, I'll take it as a compliment and like I said just now, I'll find a way to help you."
"Thank you...and thanks for the hot chocolate. Cheers?" She raised the mug to the front as he smiled and had a toast with her. After that, Honami returned to her dorm.
2 days left to the Class Poll...
Horikita has arrived and was startled to see the whole class behaving normally. After greeting Sakura, she went to Ayanokouji. "Did something happen?"
"So you feel it too?"
"Yeah...something feels a little off..." Horikita then observed the class. "Yesterday the atmosphere is tense but today, it's like the storm calmed down in an instant and in the end, it's like nothing ever has happened." Ayanokouji said nothing but thought of it.
A group of people finally colluded to kick one student out of the class, is it?
He then saw Yukimura look at him and gave him some gesture. "Another clique meeting." He thought correctly.
So after school...
The 5 students of the Ayanokouji Clique gathered at the same cafe where they studied together during the Paper Shuffle Exam for a discussion about today's unusual class behaviour with Ayanokouji explaining it.
"Naruhoto. You might be right, now that you put it that way." said Haruka.
"Should we probe someone for the time being?" Akito asked.
"Bad idea. If we snoop around, we'll be targeted." Yukimura warned him.
"Could it be...that one of us is already a target?" Haruka asked with a guess.
"D-Don't say that Haruka-chan!" Sakura replied.
"Yeah. If no one invited us to join, then it's possible." said Yukimura.
"What if they come and threaten us if we don't cooperate with them?" Akito asked.
"Of course we'll prioritize our group!" Haruka replied.
"But will you still do that if you end up being targeted as a result?" He asked her.
"That's..." Haruka looked down at the table with worry as, "But I don't think I'm willing to stay in school if it means betraying my friends..."
"I'll never betray my friends either!" Sakura declared. "I went through a lot in the early months and even now, I'm still doing my best to be a better person and friend to everyone!"
"Yeah she really is..." Ayanokouji thought and, "What about you Keisei?" Akito asked him.
"Fundamentally speaking, I share the girls' opinions. But reality is not that easy." He replied and explained this. "It may sound cool that you're trying to protect your friends and get expelled, but it'll still be painful."
All felt worried about it except Ayanokouji as he looked at them. "I also...don't wanna see them get expelled." He thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Yousuke is still in class feeling extremely conflicted on the inside. Outside, "Hirata-kun..." Mii-chan was most concerned when, "How long has he been like this?" From behind, Karuizawa showed up to also check on him.
"Ever since class ended, he hasn't even stepped out of the classroom." Mii-chan told her.
"Souka..." Karuizawa felt concerned for him too and, "Mii-chan. Can I ask you something? It's very important."
"Uh sure! Anything! What do you want to ask me, Karuizawa-san?"
Later that night...
Ayanokouji just came out of the shower when he received an incoming call from Karuizawa. Picking it up, "What is it?"
"Kiyotaka! Something awful is going to happen! You're being voted for expulsion!"
"Well why am I not surprised?" He replied
"Wait...are you saying that you knew already?"
"No...this is the first time I've heard of it."
"Why are you so calm about this?"
Ignoring that, "How many people are going to vote me for expulsion?" Ayanokouji asked.
"I'm not sure. But I get the feeling that half the class is on board with the idea." Karuizawa and she's sitting on her bed while talking with him on the phone.
"That's really troublesome."
"Yeah. So what are you going to do about this? I mean, you can do something, can't you?"
"I'm thinking about it."
"You're surprising out of loop, if I didn't get the info and tell you about it now, you would definitely be expelled without even knowing it was coming."
"Well then, thanks for the heads-up. Also, how did get this information?"
"After school, I went to see Mii-chan and she told me everything. Don't worry, she's one of those that won't vote you."
"Good to know. Thanks again Kei, I'm grateful about it and I'll think of something. I'll contact you again."
The call ended as Karuizawa looked at her phone. "Will he be okay?"
Well, he'll be okay because later on, he's at the boulevard alone and waiting for someone and soon enough, "I was wondering if you might call me today."
"I want to know who is the mastermind targeting me Kushida." He answered and she already arrived to meet up with him as she stood beside the park bench. "Unfortunately, even if I wanted to tell you, I can't. Because I'm the only one who knows the identity of the mastermind."
"So that's how it is." He replied with understanding.
"You should understand why I can't tell you." said Kikyou.
"The mastermind consulted you first. Then using your connections, you expanded their reach to our classmates that aren't close to me."
"It was a tough decision for me too. I didn't want you to get expelled but I also can't betray someone who has placed their trust on me." She replied with her fake innocence and sadness about him.
"You're lying about your own opinion on my current situation. However..." Ayanokouji thought of it and made his statement. "Then I suppose I can't force anything out of you. Sorry for calling you so late in the middle of the night."
"Oh? Giving up so easily? Can you find out the mastermind on your own?"
"I wonder...I have no confidence about it. So what other choice do I have?" Ayanokouji replied and started walking away. As for Kikyou, she thought of a moment.
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...
"Matte Ayanokouji-kun! I'll tell you!" He paused his walk and turned to face her. Currently, she just switched to her other mask. "The mastermind is Yamauchi-kun."
"Correction. The real mastermind is Sakayanagi."
Kikyou gasped at the real answer. "So you knew that much..."
"There's no way a mediator like you would be taking such a risk to be manipulated by someone as Yamauchi. You see, some time ago, Sakayanagi visited out class to see him before."
"I really wanted to avoid making her my enemy. As of now, she never suspected me for helping you taint her reputation back then." Kikyou replied now wearing her current mask.
"And you were not in class when Sakayanagi went to see Yamauchi." He added.
"Well I don't know what you're going to do with the information you got tonight but I hope you can pull through and survive the exam without getting expelled. After all, we're still in this deal right?"
"Of course. It'll be a shame that if I get expelled, then it'll have to be terminated."
"That's why I made the decision to tell you this information tonight. Anyway, if nothing else, I shall return to my dorm. See you tomorrow." Kikyou departed back as Ayanokouji decided to make a phone call.
"What is it?"
"I need you to do something for me." Ayanokouji explained it for a couple of seconds.
"Wakata. I'll do it tomorrow."
1 day left to the Class Poll...
Before class, Horikita received a message from her brother and it includes a meeting with him. She's now by the door that leads to the rooftop. After looking at the message again, she went out and met him. "Sorry to keep you waiting."
"I wonder how long it's been since just the two of us talked like this?" Manabu asked as he faced her.
"If we're not counting that time right after enrollment, then it's been about 3 years." Horikita answered him as she approached him.
"Souka. So it's been that long, huh?" He replied as she silently looked away feeling worried. "Now if you're asking about my private points, then you're wasting both our time."
"That's not it. I'm not asking you for that kind of support..." Horikita paused for a second. Then, "Nii-san...please give me courage! In this exam, everyone is desperate to save their own skin by being inconspicuous and wait for time to pass or form groups and try to control the votes. Either way, they're trying to keep themselves from getting expelled."
Manabu listened on as, "But I'm sure they'll certainly regret it one day. So I'm willing to stand up and face." Horikita then stood up straight. "I want to face this exam head-on and give a satisfactory answer!"
He said nothing for a second. "Let me ask you a question. How's school been for you?" That surprised her as, "Has it been fun?"
"Ah...um...sorry. I honestly don't know...but it's not boring. I did meet up with my friends at the pool during summer, hang out with them during our cruise, had class discussions with them at cafes where we also drank coffee and ate cake and even so, we celebrated the birthday of...him."
"Yes. When I found out about his birthday, we pooled our points together to give him a birthday present. We also did the same action when Christmas is around." Manabu remembered and stated this. "It appears you have conquered one of your weaknesses. You didn't care about what's going on around you. But now, you've broadened your horizons and managed to break free from your days in boredom."
"Somehow, you don't sound like yourself..." Horikita replied for she never expected him to say that.
"What is it that makes me who I am?" Manabu asked her. "You only value me by my grades, popularity, skills and abilities."
"That's because...to me, you've always been the goal I'm chasing..."
"Your goal? Then what does Ayanokouji look like in your eyes?"
"Well...he is a classmate that I regard as a first friend and ally and now, we're very acquainted with each other. And someday, I want to catch up to him and surpass him one day."
"Unfortunately, it is impossible for you to do that." Manabu corrected her. "But there's no need for you to catch up to him. It's fine if you just grow in your own way."
"In my own way..." Horikita pondered when he took a step forward and she stepped back trembling in fear. "Tell me, are you scared?"
"Yes...I am..." She replied.
"To close the distance, you need to take that step forward." He advised her.
"What should I do?"
"As your older brother, I'm going to give you the inexperienced, the answer." He told her as her eyes widen from his words. "So tell me, what are you planning for your class?" In an instant, Horikita's fear is gone and she made her move.
Around evening...
"The Class Poll is tomorrow." Chabashira-sensei reminded the class. "Make sure not to oversleep. If nothing else, class dismissed."
"Yamauchi's strategy wasn't bad. But regrettably, he took Sakayanagi's cue and made me his target." Ayanokouji thought as he looked at Horikita. "Okay, make your move Horikita. As you are now, you should be able to do it."
And she stood up to make her move. "Minna. Can you please give me a minute?" Everyone even the teacher who's about to leave had shifted their attention to her.
"What is this about, Horikita?" Yousuke asked.
"There's something I really need to tell you about tomorrow's vote." She replied.
"Huh? What is it all of a sudden?" Shinohara asked.
"Hey what's that for? Kanji and I had plans to hang out." Yamauchi stated with Ike nodding his head.
"You seemed awfully relaxed despite you knowing that someone might be expelled tomorrow." Horikita replied to him.
"Th-That's...That's because I've made up my mind, I guess?" He replied back while trying to remain calm.
"That's quite an admirable mindset but what I'm about to say is meaningless unless everyone in class stays." Horikita then walked to the front and stood before the teacher's desk and began. "Over the past few days, I've been thinking about who should stay and who should be expelled. And today, I'm able to come up with a clear decision. So I'm going to tell you right here and now."
"Wait Horikita! No one in our class should be expelled!" Yousuke interrupted her.
"Please let me finish." She ordered and continued on. "I've had some significant doubts from the beginning. This exam doesn't even provide a forum for discussion within the class. It will only be a battle where students will form groups and control the votes."
"Huh...she's right..." Satou thought.
"As a result, there is even a risk that excellent students who should have stayed in class may be expelled."
"She's got a point..." Sakura thought.
"In fact, this can't even be called an "exam."
"I have no idea on what has happened to you, but you sound like a different person and it's getting more compelling." Kouenji stated as he looked up attentively while behind him, Okitani remained worried. "So let's hear it then. What are you going to do Horikita-girl?"
"Originally, we should have discussed and narrowed down the number of the expelled. But realistically speaking, that's difficult." Horikita began and is ready to unveil it. "That is why..."
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"I'm would like to name someone who should be expelled."
Everyone gasped at her words as, "WAIT! You can't do that! You'll only throw everyone into chaos!" Yousuke protested firmly while standing up in horror over her words.
"Dude, you should at least listen to what she has to say." Sudou told him.
"Yes, yes. Even Red-hair boy is mature enough to understand the class situation." Kouenji supported him and Yousuke felt unhappy about it now.
Continuing on, "The student I have decided and should be expelled in this examination...
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"Is Yamauchi Haruki."
He can only gasp at this.
How tense can this Class Poll be? Oh well, there is still time for you guys to voice out your opinions about the Class Poll results. By the next chapter, all will be revealed. Specialized style.
I don't know Karuizawa got the info about Ayanokouji being marked for expulsion so thing I made use of that scene involving Yousuke and Mii-chan. Sounds like this girl is getting some screen time in the anime.
And yes, Ayanokouji will find a way to help Honami so that she won't have to worry about Nagumo.
Private Points List
Class 1-A
1. Arisu Sakayanagi-1,020,317
2. Kohei Katsuragi-1,400,180
3. Yahiko Totsuka-881,432
4. Masumi Kamuro-891,894
5. Masayoshi Hashimoto-880,145
6. Hayato Kito-871,379
7. Takuro Morishige-1,397,386
8. Koji Machida-1,410,372
9. Shigeru Takomoto-1,404,769
10. Miki Yamamura-900,021
Class 1-B
1. Honami Ichinose-3,470,000
2. Ryuji Kanzaki-1,092,980
3. Chihiro Shiranami-610,916
4. Yume Kobashi-1,007,960
5. Mako Amikura-578,601
6. Sou Shibata-626,403
7. Tetsuya Hamaguchi-1,065,197
8. Ryouta Beppu-1,075,798
9. Sayo Andou-1,030,222
10. Norihito Watanabe-558,911
11. Makoto Sumida-657,198
12. Susumu Moriyama-687,254
Class 1-C
1. Soshi Miyamoto-234,889
2. Satsuki Shinohara-235,259
3. Kokoro Inogashira-216,032
4. Nene Mori-244,976
5. Teruhiko Yukimura-700,125
6. Yosuke Hirata-667,920
7. Kei Karuizawa-613,308
8. Kayano Onodera-257,297
9. Kikyou Kushida-1,251,940
10. Ryotarou Hondou-222,736
11. Hideo Sotomura-501,589
12. Chiaki Matsushita-242,965
13. Rokusuke Kouenji-418,730
14. Haruka Hasabe-215,026
15. Haruki Yamauchi-188,750
16. Akito Miyake-203,234
17. Wang Mei Yu-217,093
18. Kyousuke Okitani-190,020
19. Maya Satou-155,097
20. Kanji Ike-223,580
21. Kiyotaka Ayanokouji-600,756
22. Suzune Horikita-702,537
23. Wataru Ijuin-261,463
24. Airi Sakura-175,108
25. Ken Sudou-215,215
Class 1-D
1. Kakeru Ryuuen-836,411
2. Mio Ibuki-829,874
3. Hiyori Shiina-400,258
4. Albert Yamada-245,245
5. Daichi Ishizaki-284,7848
6. Kyogo Komiya-306,834
7. Reo Kondou-319,353
8. Satoru Kaneda-344,109
9. Shiho Manabe-822,222
10. Nanami Yabu-824,798
11. Saki Yamashita-820,165
12. Rika Morofuji-304,756
13. Minori Kinoshita-300,883
Class Points
A-824
B-753
C-395
D-342
I shudder to think on how much drama I should add in the next specialized episode. Because literally, there was some drama in the anime and it was insane! Oh well, see ya!