"Well then... as the student council president, I'll explain the details myself."

With that, President Nagumo began speaking to us.

"The reason you were gathered here... is to carry out a special exam."

"A special exam?"

It makes sense that Nanase-chan would question it.

After all, we had just enrolled and yet only we were being made to take an exam.

"The rules are simple. From today until the second semester, you must get a certain second-year student expelled. If you succeed, the reward will be 20 million Private Points paid by the chairman."

Needless to say, the target has to be Kiyotaka-senpai.

"I have a question. Who exactly is this 'certain student'?"

"We'll decide that by drawing lots right now. One person from the 157 second-year students... so, does anyone want to draw the lot?"

While answering Takuya's question, President Nagumo prepared a box for the drawing.

Since the opportunity is here, Ichika-chan will give it a try!

"Yes~! Please let Ichika-chan draw the lot!"

"Amasawa, huh... fine. Whoever becomes the target will depend entirely on your luck... the responsibility is heavy."

When he agreed, President Nagumo briefly glanced toward Acting Chairman Tsukishiro.

Of course, I didn't miss that.

Anyway, I reached into the lottery box.

Inside were supposedly 157 slips of paper with the names of the 157 second-year students carefully written on them...

But of course—

There's no way that's actually true~!

'I can see right through it~! Every single slip has Kiyotaka-senpai's name written on it!'

So I'll tease President Nagumo and Acting Chairman Tsukishiro just a little.

"I've drawn one~!"

"Is that so? Whose name is written on it?"

"From Class 2-D..."

President Nagumo and Acting Chairman Tsukishiro probably expect me to say Ayanokōji Kiyotaka.

In fact, the paper I drew really does have the name Ayanokōji Kiyotaka written on it.

But you know what?

This is where Ichika-chan's mischievous side strikes!

"...Kushida Kikyo-senpai."

"Huh!?"

"W-what..."

Just like in the original world, when I casually said the name of the senpai I used to tease all the time...

As expected, President Nagumo and Acting Chairman Tsukishiro couldn't hide their confusion.

"Amasawa-san... I'm sorry, but could you show me that paper?"

Acting Chairman Tsukishiro said that, but if he saw the paper the lie would be exposed.

'I guess I'll have to tell the truth~...'

Honestly, I didn't want Kiyotaka-senpai to carry the risk of expulsion at this timing.

"Ah! I made a mistake~! It's actually Ayanokōji Kiyotaka-senpai from Class 2-D! Sorry~!"

"I see..."

When I said the name Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, both Takuya and Nanase-chan reacted.

Takuya with jealousy.

Nanase-chan with hatred.

"Looks like the target has been decided. Alright, I'll explain again. Expel Ayanokōji Kiyotaka of Class 2-D before the second semester. Whoever accomplishes this will receive 20 million Private Points from the chairman as a reward."

Now that Kiyotaka-senpai had officially been decided as the target, President Nagumo explained the special exam again.

"By the way, since only one representative came from Class 1-B and Class 1-C, you may choose one additional person to cooperate with you in this exam."

Hmm... Utomiya-kun will probably talk to Tsubaki Sakurako.

But who will Takuya talk to?

"That concludes the explanation. Does anyone have any questions?"

"Hey, President Nagumo, Chairman... what kind of guy is this Ayanokōji anyway? Is that bastard really worth 20 million points just for expelling him?"

As expected, Hōsen-kun asked the first question.

He seemed doubtful that expelling Kiyotaka-senpai could really be worth 20 million Private Points.

"Hmph. You'll find out directly... go meet Ayanokōji Kiyotaka yourself and see."

"Oh yeah!?"

When President Nagumo answered smoothly, Hōsen-kun backed off.

Maybe he decided it would be easier to confirm it himself than listen to complicated explanations.

"This might be a strange question, but... is a test like this really humane?"

This time, the one asking was Nanase-chan.

"Nanase, think about it calmly. This school is a merit-based high school run by the government. Tests like this can easily happen... and there may be even more in the future."

This time, Ishigami-kun answered instead of President Nagumo.

"I see..."

Nanase-chan backed down.

But she still looked like she wasn't entirely convinced.

"Looks like no one else has questions. Alright, dismissed. I wish you all good luck."

With that said, President Nagumo left the student council room together with Acting Chairman Tsukishiro.

Immediately, silence filled the room.

Left behind were only the chosen new students, each of us harboring different feelings toward the sudden announcement of the special exam.