Part 1

After Tsukishiro had left the staff room and before classes had begun for the day

Mashima-sensei, Hoshinomiya-sensei. Id like to borrow the two of you for a bit.

Chabashira called out to her two fellow teachers. They were both friends and rivals who, in the past, had competed against each other at this very school.

Having known each other for a long time, the two of them gathered their important documents and followed Chabashira out of the staff room without asking any questions. They walked down the hallway together as they headed to where the students would be waiting for them.

Its depressing, isnt it? We have to announce an exam where someones gonna get expelled.

Hoshinomiya was the first one to break the ice.

With a deep sigh, her gaze fell upon the attendance record.

I wonder whos gonna disappear

Even though it wasnt easy, Hoshinomiya was still trying to face the facts.

Im not sure someone will. There arent very many ways around it, but they still have some options.

You mean, overriding the expulsion with twenty million points, right?

Despite saying this, Hoshinomiya was also well aware of the reality of the situation.

As things stood, none of the classes had that many points.

If theres a bright side, I guess its nice that they dont have to pay 300 class points as well. Forced expulsions are something theyre still experimenting with. That might be obvious though.

It would usually cost twenty million private points as well as 300 class points to override an expulsion, but this time, the class points were exempted from that.

Although, that alone wasnt enough to sway the students and teachers into accepting the mandatory expulsions.

In any case, I cant help but feel dissatisfied about Acting Director Tsukishiros way of doing things.

Well, youre not alone on that, Sae-chan. He just popped up out of nowhere and, like, started doing whatever super unreasonable thing he wanted, didnt he?

Hoshinomiya snuggled up to Chabashira as if she was clinging onto her, only to get pushed away with an annoyed expression.

Complaining isnt going to change anything. If you say too much, your neck will fly.

Are you really one to say that to us, Mashima-kun? You were really going at it with the Acting Director yourself. It made me super-duper nervous. And after all that, youre saying we cant do the same?

Chie is right. That man could fire the teachers for all he cares. He probably knows theres always plenty of replacements. In fact, thats probably what he wants.

Maybe he plans to get rid of the teachers who oppose him, like Mashima-kun, and then hire new ones who are more convenient to him.

Chabashira and Hoshinomiya were considering the idea that Tsukishiros speech in the staff room mightve been a plot to weed out the teachers who oppose him.

Mashima didnt disagree with the idea either.

You too, Sae-chan. You went through so much to reach Class C, so dont go doing anything crazy, kay?

You seem pretty calm even though weve started to close the gap.

No way Sae-chan, youre not fantasizing that your class might make it all the way to Class A, are you?

Hoshinomiya stared at Chabashira with peering, round eyes, forcing Chabashira to turn and look away.

While Hoshinomiya had a habit of absentmindedly saying things sometimes, in most cases, her words had actually been carefully calculated.

Having been acquainted with her for such a long time, Chabashira knew about this tendency of hers all too well.

No. Even Im not that foolish.

Oh good. If you had said yes thatd have been like, way too much for me!

Hoshinomiya playfully waved her hands in front of her, acting like she had been overcome with surprise.

Mashima couldnt stand listening to their silly conversation any longer.

They were like carnivores facing off against each other on the savannah. Only one would come out on top.

Are you two still fussing over what happened back then? How many years need to pass bef

Mashima-kun. The amount of time thats passed has nothing to do with it.

Shes right. Its completely irrelevant.

Although Mashima tried cutting in to mediate, the two of them quickly glared him down and forced him to back off.

Even though Mashima had boldly stood up to Tsukishiro, there were still some adversaries he wouldnt dare to confront.

I see. At any rate, Im in no place to say anything here, but dont bring your personal feelings into these upcoming exams, okay?

We wouldnt do something like that. Right, Chie?

Of course not. Right, Sae-chan?

Chabashira and Hoshinomiya were still trying to sound each other out, but on the surface, they glossed it over as though nothing had happened.

Just refrain from doing anything careless, Chie. Thats all Im going to say.

With that, Chabashira quickly wrapped up the conversation and walked away, headed off to Class C.

The two of them stood silently as she left.

You arent really bringing your personal feelings into this, are you?

Mashima spoke up as they watched Chabashira leave in a sour mood.

Dont lump me in with her, Mashima-kun. Ive already gotten over any lingering attachments I had. But that girl hasnt changed at all since back then. Shell never be able to move past her days as a student. Thats why shes still stuck up on that good-for-nothing first love of hers, but she would never admit to that.

Youve got a terrible look on your face.

Eh? No way. Do I really?

Hoshinomiya then took out a folding mirror and made a sweet smile.

Okie-dokie! I look super cute today too. Dont you think so?

Dont ask me.

How heartless! Well, whatever.

As Hoshinomiya put away her mirror, Mashima offered her a piece of advice.

Be careful not to have the carpet pulled out from under you. This years Class D No, Class C is different from usual.

While there was still a gap in class points, even the teachers wouldnt be able to predict how the future special exams would play out.

You may be right, but Im not too worried since I have Ichinose-san on my side. Besides

Besides?

If they seem like theyre getting close to reaching us, Ill pummel them back down myself.

You wouldnt poke your nose into a competition meant for the students would you?

I wouldnt do anything like that. Its just, Im not gonna go easy on Sae-chan. I just wouldnt want to interfere to the point where the teachers start to fight amongst themselves.

You sound serious.

Thats because I cant afford to lose, especially to Sae-chan.

Ever since their student days, that was just the type of relationship they had.

Both as friends, and as rivals.