In our classroom without Kushida-san, March 8—the day the final special exam of the first year would be announced—had arrived.

The first expulsion.

And before the shock of it had even settled, another special exam.

Everyone seemed more tense than usual.

Up until now, we had feared those two words—expulsion—and done everything we could in our studies and exam preparations.

But somewhere deep down, we probably all thought expulsion might just be a joke, or some kind of prank.

But reality was different.

Kushida-san’s seat was gone.

The only trace she left was in our memories.

…Can we really win like this?

No, Sakayanagi’s class should be in the same position.

Calm down… calm down.

Repeating that to myself, I listened carefully as Chabashira-sensei explained the exam.

The final special exam of the first year was the “Selection Event Exam.”

It was a class-versus-class competition, and the matchups would be announced today.

First, each class would submit ten events they were confident in.

As long as the event wasn’t too obscure, anything was allowed.

Academic tests, athletics, even rock-paper-scissors.

The point was to choose what you could win.

On the day of the exam, those would be narrowed down to five events per class.

Then, from the ten total events, the school would randomly select seven.

Those seven events would be competed in.

Each event won would steal 30 class points from the opponent, and the class that won more events would receive an additional 100 class points from the school.

We currently had 770 class points, and Class A had 869.

In other words, if we faced Class A and won, our promotion to Class A would be guaranteed.

“…So, we’ve finally obtained the right to challenge for promotion to Class A.”

Horikita looked fired up.

But not everyone felt the same.

I looked toward Hirata, the one who usually held the class together.

He was still shaken by Kushida’s expulsion.

As someone who valued harmony and had protected it, this exam must have hit him hard.

If Hirata was shaken, the class morale would drop.

Even if he looked calm on the surface, anyone could tell his mental state was unstable.

Chabashira-sensei added more explanation—about the “Commander.”

The Commander couldn’t directly participate in events but could influence them.

The method of involvement would be set when selecting events—for example, answering one question in an English test.

If the involvement was too significant, it could be rejected by the school.

But it could serve as a trump card.

However, if the class lost, the Commander would be expelled.

In that case, Horikita, who had a Protection Point and good judgment, seemed like the best choice.

After explaining smaller rules—like each student could only participate once—homeroom ended.

The class discussion should have started immediately… but it didn’t.

Because Hirata wasn’t moving.

“…Everyone, listen. I’ll take on the role of Commander. I also have a Protection Point, so there’s no risk of expulsion. Does anyone object or want to volunteer instead?”

Horikita stood and declared it.

No one objected.

There was no better candidate right now.

“Then let’s narrow down the events. Before that, Sudō-kun, could you stand watch at the front?”

“Yeah, sure… wait, are people eavesdropping!?”

“It’s to eliminate that possibility. Your strengths are already obvious.”

Sudō grinned proudly and stood guard like a loyal watchdog.

“Now then, for events—think of something you’re absolutely confident in. If you don’t have one, there’s no need to force it.”

“Anything’s okay? Like karaoke or speed eating?”

“Yes. But proven results will be prioritized. Like having won a piano competition.”

Even so, this was former Class D.

Not many students had dedicated experience.

Some, like Miyake, Sotomura and Onodera, quickly submitted ideas.

Club members were strong in this kind of exam.

I had done various activities in the past too.

But I wasn’t confident I could win now.

I couldn’t beat someone who had continued into high school.

After thinking, I wrote down “beach volleyball” and handed it in.

If paired with Kiyotaka-kun, we wouldn’t lose.

Though honestly, he’d probably win anything.

“…Sorry, I can’t think of anything I could win.”

Hirata stood, packed his things and left quickly.

Everyone watched him with concern.

That’s how much trust he had built.

“Ayanokōji-kun… can’t you do something to cheer him up?”

Mii-chan asked him.

He was the closest male friend Hirata had.

“…Sorry. There’s nothing I can do.”

“But you’re the closest to him.”

“I know. But this started because of me. I exposed Kushida and pushed for her expulsion. Hirata can’t accept that. I knew that and did it anyway.”

“But it wasn’t your fault…”

“Thank you. But I don’t have the right to talk to him now.”

He fell silent.

Mii-chan couldn’t say anything more.

“…Hey, Chiaki. Can you come with me after school?”

Kei spoke to me from the seat in front.

She seemed serious, so I nodded immediately.

* * *

“So, why did you call me?”

“Well… you and Ayanokōji-kun have already done it, right?”

“…You called me out for that?”

Before an important exam too…

I frowned, and Kei waved it off.

Then, after checking no one was around, she whispered.

“I haven’t even kissed Yōsuke-kun yet.”

“Seriously?”

I couldn’t help blurting that out.

They’d been together longer than us.

And still no kiss?

…Then I realized.

But saying it out loud might make her think the same about me.

That our relationship was fake.

“Well, it’s complicated. He probably doesn’t see me romantically.”

“…And you?”

“…Same. I wasn’t dating him for love.”

…So that’s how it was.

“I’ll tell you because it’s you. I used to get into trouble a lot. So I asked him to be my boyfriend for protection. Being his girlfriend gave me status.”

“That sounds like something he’d accept.”

“He’s too nice.”

She smiled.

Not quite love… more like respect.

“So you can’t just leave him like this.”

“Exactly! Even if I’m a fake girlfriend, I can’t just sit by while he’s struggling.”

She smiled brightly.

“So what do you want me to do?”

“Just watch and back me up if I mess up.”

“Easy enough.”

We found Hirata sitting on a bench, head down.

A shadow of his former self.

“Yōsuke-kun.”

Kei approached him without hesitation.

I watched from a distance.

“Kei… what is it?”

“Mind if I sit?”

She sat beside him.

Still, there was distance between them.

“Sorry you have to see me like this.”

“Like this?”

“…I knew someone had to be expelled. But I still can’t accept it. Maybe there was another way… If I had gotten points from Nagumo-senpai… or convinced Ayanokōji…”

That would’ve been difficult.

“I’m useless… I haven’t changed at all.”

“…You still regret middle school, don’t you?”

“Of course I do! If I had done more, Sugimura wouldn’t have—!”

His voice broke.

“I controlled everyone with violence… I tried to fix things… but…”

“Yōsuke-kun.”

“…I’m powerless.”

He lowered his head again.

“Maybe you failed back then.”

“…Yeah…”

“But that’s why you saved me.”

He looked up.

“That incident wasn’t good. But you learned from it. You tried to help people. That’s why I’m here.”

Her words were sincere.

“Kushida’s expulsion is sad. But giving up now isn’t like you. If you’re weak, then next time, let’s make sure no one gets expelled.”

“…But I…”

“Keep regretting it. And make sure it never happens again. You can do that. I guarantee it.”

She smiled shyly.

Tears fell from his eyes.

I turned away.

Watching more would be rude.

Just before I left, I heard his voice—lighter than before.

“Thank you, Kei.”