Volume 10, Epilogue: Intro - The Dropouts

Saturday morning, the very day of the exam, had finally arrived.

It seemed that nearly every single class had managed to come to a decision.

Class A had chosen to expel Katsuragi and Class D had chosen to expel Ryen.

Class B was moving forward believing nobody would have to be expelled.

Of course, there was a possibility that none of that would turn out as planned. Everyone had a chance to face expulsion.

No one would know for sure until the results were revealed.

Even if a class were to work together to get rid of someone, it wouldnt matter much if they managed to gather enough praise vote from the other classes.

What was important now, was what you did with the little time we had left.

Even I wasnt one hundred percent safe.

There were no absolute guarantees like that in this exam.

Even though we were expected to be in the classroom at the same time as always, the exam was going to start a bit later, at nine.

It was currently just half-past eight.

Should this short time-extension be taken as the school showing us some sort of consideration or was there another reason?

Perhaps it was a trick to keep us on our toes until the very end.

You really didnt do anything?

What?

Im asking if you really just stayed on the sidelines and didnt involve yourself in any of this, even though you were in danger?

Does it look like Ive done something?

Not on the surface.

Theres your answer. I didnt do anything this time. Rather, youre the one who saved me.

Then it wouldnt be funny if you got expelled because of that.

Even more so if I got expelled after fighting back like you did.

This might just be the last conversation we would have as neighbors.

I suppose.

Horikita responded dismissively.

Just like this, the class welcomed the exam in silence.

At least, thats what I thought At the last moment, something happened once again.

Please listen up, everyone.

The one to break the silence was none other than Hirata. Yesterday, he had engaged in an argument with Horikita, but he hadnt actually done anything more than that.

He had only spoken aimlessly about voting for Horikita.

Of course, its possible that some of the students who admire Hirata may vote against her.

However, that would be too weak for a finishing blow.

Within Class C, Horikitas evaluation was relatively high.

Even though her frank, in-your-face way of speaking is sharp and prickly, it also gave off an impression of reliability.

After listening to what Horikita-san and everyone else had to say yesterday, Ive come to a conclusion. The primary focus of this exam is who we should cast our censure votes for, right?

Hirata was calm and composed as he spoke.

Is Is he still going to say something?

Looks like it.

If he wasnt, he wouldnt be trying to say something at the last minute like this.

What a waste. He doesnt have a plan. This is just him trying to delay the inevitable.

No, Its hard to say for sure

I could see traces of new-found determination in Hiratas eyes.

First of all, Id like to apologise for what happened yesterday, when I said that Id vote against Horikita-san.

Just as I thought, Hirata bowed his head to Horikita to apologize for his rude behavior.

There isnt anything you need to apologize for. What in the world are you doing?

I decided that you are necessary for the success of our class.

If thats the case, have you thought about who is unnecessary?

Yeah. I did.

Hirata spoke definitively, causing Horikita to falter for a moment.

Could you tell us who?

Ill tell you right now.

Hirata slowly got up from his seat and stood behind the teaching podium, just like Horikita had the day before.

I love this class. I think that each and every one of you are necessary. No matter what anyone says, or what any of you do, that wont change. But, I already know that wont solve anything.

After all his struggling, this was the answer Hirata had arrived at.

It seemed like nothing had changed from what he had told me yesterday.

I want everyone to cast a censure vote for me.

Hirata said what I thought he would say.

H-how could any of us do something like that!?

Mii-chan exclaimed, with other girls voicing similar thoughts in quick succession.

Itll be fine if Im expelled. Im prepared to do at least that much.

Think about what youre saying Have you gone insane?

Horikita unconsciously raised her voice, even though, given the situation, it wouldve been fine to let Hirata say whatever he wanted.

Youre gonna sacrifice yourself just because you cant decide who to expel?

You said it yourself right, Horikita-san? That if a student wants to be expelled, there wouldnt be anything else we need to talk about?

Thats-

So Im volunteering.

Nobody in this class actually wants to see you expelled. You act as a mediator to settle the classs conflicts. This is far too ridiculous.

Either way, I dont care.

It wouldnt be wrong to say that Class C was on the brink of chaos.

At this point, there were no surprises about who people would be voting against. The key question had changed from Who would get the censure votes? to Who would get the praise votes?.

Without Hirata, the future special exams would probably be far more difficult.

Thats the risk of losing one of the classs central figures.

Theres absolutely, totally, no way Im using a censure vote on Hirata-kun!

Shinohara and the rest of the girls collectively begun to speak up to defend Hirata.

Hiratas heart probably felt that much worse every time they spoke up for him.

Theres no reason for you guys to stick up for me. Ive already come to hate all of you.

His tone was the same as usual, but the words he spoke were cold.

So please let me make this easier on all of us.

I Ill vote for Hirata!

Yamauchi shouted.

If its for Hirata, I think everyone else should vote for him too!

He then continued to yell things like that.

I see. This is Yamauchi-kuns last stand

Yamauchi had probably contacted Hirata yesterday and pleaded about how he didnt want to be expelled, begging Hirata to help.

That may have been one of the reasons why Hirata had hardened his resolve to get expelled.

Then, after a long silence, Chabashira entered the classroom.

Well then, the class vote will now begin. Once your name has been called, please make your way to the voting room.

It didnt seem like we were going to be voting all at the same time in the classroom.

There was no guarantee that we wouldnt be able to see each others votes. It seemed that the school was doing what it could to ensure the votes remained anonymous.

Now, how would it turn out from here?

(Intro End)