บท 5: Expelled Students' List [Revised]
After Yamauchi Haruki left, the whole classroom fell into chaos.
Students whispered amongst themselves, exchanging shocked and bewildered glances.
Horikita, maintaining her calm demeanor amidst the turmoil, focused her gaze on Kushida. "So, you acted as the moderator, Kushida-san?" she enquired, her voice steady and inquisitive.
Kushida's eyes widened, and she shook her head vigorously.
"N-No. I just wanted to help Yamauchi-kun," she stammered, her voice laced with urgency.
"He told me that he was in distress. So..... I just wanted to do something!" She cast a pleading look around the classroom, hoping for some understanding.
Horikita's expression remained unmoved.
"Kushida-san, it is a fact that you have the most influence over this class," she stated, her tone matter-of-fact. "If you call for students to use their criticism votes on someone, many people will follow you."
Kushida's face paled, and she bit her lip.
"B-But!..." she started, her voice trembling.
She looked around the classroom, her eyes darting from one student to another, seeking support.
Horikita's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You are not that stupid to not notice what would happen if you helped Yamauchi-kun," she said, her voice now tinged with a hint of sternness. "You knew very well what would happen, but just ignored the problem, didn't you?"
Kushida's hands clenched into fists at her sides.
"T-That's....I...." she trailed off, unable to meet Horikita's piercing gaze.
She looked down, her face flushing with embarrassment.
Horikita sighed softly, the tension in the room palpable.
"Well, as Yamauchi-kun admitted it himself in the end and apologized to the whole class, you should reflect on your actions too," she said, her tone softening slightly. "That being said, the undeniable truth of the matter is that Yamauchi-kun is the main offender."
The room was silent for a moment, the weight of Horikita's words settling over the students.
Kushida's shoulders slumped, and she nodded slowly, a look of remorse spreading across her face.
"It's admirable of him to come forward and confess his mistakes, but as I have told earlier, I still believe that he is the one we should cast our criticism votes on." Horikita declared, her unwavering stance seemed to resonate with the students.
But some people would disagree with their own stances on this matter. It was indeed an admirable deed for someone like Yamauchi.
They perceived his betrayal as a desperate move by him on the spur of the moment, and his admittance as self realization of his mistake.
In some's eyes his evaluation must have increased a little bit.
Naturally, the first ones to protest were his friends, Sudo and Ike.
Sudo stood up, his expression defiant. "Wait a minute, Suzune. Sure, Haruki screwed up, but he owned up to it. That takes guts, you know?"
Ike nodded vigorously in agreement. "Yeah! He came clean, and that should count for something. Maybe he made a mistake, but he's trying to make up for it."
Horikita remained calm, her gaze shifting to Sudo and Ike. "I understand your perspective," she said, her voice measured. "However, we must consider the consequences of his actions. Admitting to a mistake is commendable, but it doesn't erase the harm done."
Sudo frowned, his fists clenched. "So you're saying we should just ignore the fact that he tried to make things right?"
"No," Horikita replied, shaking her head. "What I'm saying is that we must hold people accountable for their actions. Yamauchi's apology is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't absolve him of responsibility."
A murmur of agreement rippled through some students, while others remained silent, their expressions conflicted.
"You all realize that we can have this back and forth for the whole day. But, by protecting one person, you're abandoning someone else. That's why this exam cannot be dealt with, by using arguments based in emotion. It's something that requires an analytical approach. Moreover, I have made my suggestion based on the reasons I have mentioned earlier."
Horikita continued.
"I'm sure some of you might not like what I'm saying right now. If so, those of you who wish to vote against me may do so. Or if you wish to vote against Yamauchi-kun, do that. Or against Ayanokouji- kun. or anyone else whom you'd rather use your criticism votes on. I just thought that I should give you all my personal opinion on the matter. Please take what I've said into consideration when you make your own decisions."
As everyone was immersed in their own thoughts and words of agreement or disagreement were delivered out in the open, a student, caring for his classmates more than anything, stood against it, with all his might. He even showed his true colors, which stunned the whole class.
A calm, emotionless student, looking outside through the window, contemplated about the unexpected variables in his plan.
A female student, hearing about this turmoil in class 1C from one of her spies, chuckled a little in amusement.
Thus a single action from Yamauchi Haruki disrupted everyone's thoughts and put them into a predicament.
And, eventually, they would come to know what was the result of such action.
***
It was Saturday, the day of the exam.
Some students would be expelled from this school by the voting process.
Tension was palpable, hanging in the air around everyone, despite having reached a consensus on a selected student.
Each class had some form of discussion on who to expel.
But the result is what mattered.
Around the time for the result declaration, everyone in class 1-C waited anxiously for Chabashira.
It was already ten minutes past the specified time, and anxiety was growing.
As I entered the classroom from the back door, everyone's eyes fell on me. It was quite natural, I guess. The public stunt I pulled yesterday must have stirred different kinds of gossip about me.
Ignoring them, I sat down at my seat. Ike, seemingly concerned, called out to me.
"H-Hey, Haruki. Where were you just now?"
"Hm? Toilet."
"A-Ah, okay."
He seemed like he wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out of his mouth. I was sure that was the case for Sudo too.
I wasn't really concerned about that too much. In the novel, Ike and Sudo stood up in support of Yamauchi, even though he didn't admit his mistakes until the last minute.
'Agh! My head hurts from that all-nighter yesterday. And it might take a while for Chabashira to arrive.'
"Hey Kanji."
"Y-yes!"
"...I'm going to take a little nap. Wake me up when Chabashira-sensei comes, okay?"
"Alright."
.............
He was too stiff around me now. Well, whatever. Let's wait for the results.
.
.
.
After another 10 minutes, Chabashira entered the classroom, and Ike woke me up.
"Sorry to have kept you all waiting. I will now announce the results for Class C. Everyone, please take your seats."
It was time for announcement. One of these 40 students would be expelled today. It might have been me, if this was the original novel, but.....
Would Yamauchi's expulsion repeat itself? Or someone other than him would be the sacrifice? Or would it be a totally different outcome?
"First, I will announce the names of the three students with the highest number of praise votes. In third place is… Kushida Kikyou," said Chabashira.
Yeah, her popularity took a damage yesterday, but she is still the idol of this class.
"Next…in second place…" said Chabashira, reading the results a little slower. "Hirata Yousuke."
"B-But, if Hirata is in second… then who is in first?" Ike commented.
Ditto as the novel. And in the first place,........
***
As I packed my bag, loud cries could be heard in my surrounding.
Some people sighed in relief, some agonized over the unexpected result, some were taken aback, some were mourning in grief, and some were as calm as a millpond.
I checked my phone for confirmation of my assumptions.
In-Class Voting Results :
EXPELLED STUDENTS =>
Class A = Totsuka Yahiko
Class B = N/A
Class D = Manabe Shiho
.
.
.
Class C :
Praise Vote Ranking :-
3. Kushida Kikyou
2. Hirata Yousuke
1. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka
Criticism Vote Ranking:-
3. Sudo Ken (15 criticism votes)
2. Yamauchi Haruki (19 criticism votes)
1. Sakura Airi (20 criticism votes) ***Expelled
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