After the mixed training camp ended, we were enjoying a brief period of rest.

That said, it was already February.

The end-of-year exams were on the 25th, so we couldn’t afford to slack off.

But I had a boyfriend who also happened to be an excellent tutor, so I wasn’t worried about that.

Today as well, we studied while chatting in the room.

“I hope no one fails.”

“Yeah. Failing means immediate expulsion here too. Still, Horikita and Hirata are continuing the regular study sessions, and lately Yukimura has been helping out too. We’ve also been participating as instructors, so it should be fine.”

“Acting as instructors, huh. That’s fine, but when you and Hirata are both there, the girls’ attendance rate goes crazy.”

“In that case, it might be better to mainly join the sessions hosted by Horikita…”

Even if that’s the motivation, we don’t want to turn away students who want to study.

It would affect future participation too.

“Ah, Kiyotaka-kun, about this part…”

A difficult problem came up, so I asked him for help.

He sat beside me and checked the question.

Close enough that our shoulders touched.

A faint, refreshing cedarwood scent drifted from him.

Even though I was used to it, being this close and seeing the profile of someone I liked still made me happy.

This distance when being taught… it made sense why tutors and students sometimes ended up getting close.

“Chiaki, are you listening?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Kiyotaka-kun.”

I needed to focus.

I took a sip of mineral water and refocused, continuing to study.

“Alright, let’s stop here.”

“Good work.”

He brought me a fresh bottle of water.

I opened it, drank, and let out a deep breath.

“Kiyotaka-kun, here.”

Good timing.

I handed him a wrapped package.

“Chocolate. Thanks.”

“You got a lot of chocolate even though you have me, so maybe it doesn’t feel special.”

I knew what he’d say, but I said it anyway.

“That’s not true. Thanks, Chiaki.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll be expecting a return gift, okay?”

“I’ll try.”

With Valentine’s Day passing like that, our studies for the exams progressed smoothly.

* * *

After the exams, the results were announced at the start of March.

No one looked downcast.

That meant everyone had worked hard.

As expected, no one failed—not even Ike, who placed last.

According to Chabashira-sensei, there would be one final special exam on March 8, but if we cleared that, we could finish the year with zero expulsions.

…That’s what we thought.

The very next day, March 2, Chabashira-sensei announced something with a grim expression.

An additional special exam.

Its name: “Class Vote.”

Its contents were utterly unreasonable.

From the 40 classmates, each person would vote for 3 students deserving criticism.

And also choose 3 students deserving praise from the entire grade.

The student with the most praise votes in the class would receive a “Protect Point,” which could nullify one expulsion.

But the student with the most criticism votes… would be expelled.

Ties wouldn’t help.

Runoffs would continue until someone was eliminated.

In other words, one person would definitely be expelled.

…Unless we could gather 20 million private points to cancel it.

But that was impossible.

“Ayanokōji-kun… how much do we have saved?”

“…Since October, we’ve been collecting about half of everyone’s monthly allowance as class savings, except Koenji. About 1.4 million per month. Over five months, plus March, that’s around 9.5 million. Not enough.”

“That’s… impossible…”

Hirata looked devastated.

For someone who cared so much about the class, choosing someone to expel must be unbearable.

“No, everyone still has personal savings. Please take out your devices.”

“What!? You said you wouldn’t take more than the class savings!”

Yamauchi objected.

But this was an emergency.

Fortunately, most agreed.

Even Yamauchi eventually gave in.

But most students hadn’t saved much.

Even combining everything, it barely reached 11.5 million.

Far short of 20 million.

“No good.”

“Wait, maybe we can borrow from upperclassmen…”

“That’s unlikely. They have their own exams.”

“We have to try. Maybe Nagumo-senpai…”

“…Alright. I’ll leave it to you.”

I just hoped he wouldn’t impose unreasonable interest.

“We should also consider the worst case.”

“That means… deciding who gets expelled?”

“Hirata-kun, Ayanokōji-kun is right. The chances of borrowing 9 million are low.”

“But we can’t decide that ourselves!”

“Then leave it to individual votes?”

“…If someone must go, that’s the most natural way.”

“That’s naive. People will manipulate votes—”

“That’s enough, Horikita.”

Kiyotaka calmed her down.

He wasn’t shaken, but said it to settle things.

The meeting ended.

“Kiyotaka-kun, what will you do?”

I linked arms with him as we left.

“At least you won’t be expelled.”

“And you?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Good.”

That was my biggest concern.

“The logical approach is to eliminate the least useful student overall.”

“Will Hirata accept that?”

“That’s the issue. He’s a good person, but that makes him unsuited for this exam.”

Even perfect people had weaknesses.

“But there’s an upside. It’s a chance to remove dead weight.”

“That’s harsh… but I agree.”

No class point penalty either.

It really was an opportunity.

“Have you decided who?”

“Yeah. I might need your help.”

Of course.

I’d follow his decisions completely.

* * *

The next day, as I entered the classroom, my friends rushed over.

“Chiaki!”

“Are you okay!?”

“Maybe you should rest…”

Maya, Kei and Nene looked worried.

“Didn’t you see it?”

“See what?”

“The online forum—actually, don’t look!”

That word alone was enough.

Something bad had been written.

“Hey Matsushita. Heard you did compensated dating in middle school?”

Yamauchi sneered.

I stayed calm.

“I didn’t.”

“Really?”

“I don’t need you to believe me. My friends do, and that’s enough.”

“Tch. Boring.”

He left, only to get punched by Sudo and Ike.

“Yamauchi’s the worst.”

“I’ll make sure he gets the most criticism votes.”

“I’m fine, really.”

They were furious, but I felt reassured.

Then Kiyotaka entered.

Yamauchi immediately spread the rumor.

“Ayanokōji, your girlfriend did compensated dating!”

“Cut it out, Haruki.”

“Know your limits.”

Sudo and Ike defended me.

“Kiyotaka…”

“Chiaki isn’t that kind of person. Don’t be fooled by rumors.”

“Shut up! Idiot!”

Yamauchi ran off.

“Chiaki, are you okay?”

“Yeah. I knew you’d believe me.”

I kissed him without hesitation.

The tense atmosphere eased immediately.

“Stop flirting this early.”

“Had to clear the rumors.”

“Or you just wanted a pretext?”

“Oh, Ike knows words like ‘pretext’ now?”

“Shut up!”

Peace returned to the classroom.

…But the rumors didn’t end there.