Chapter 45: [Past] Chabashira Sae
Chabashira Sae will never forget what happened that day; it was like a nightmare.
Her heart also stopped forever on that day.
"What will be carried out next is a special unanimous test for all."
After hearing what the teacher said, the students in the class immediately started clamoring, because this was a sudden special exam without prior notice.
Moreover, the gap between Class 3-B, where they are currently, and Class A was only a few dozen points, and the gap between Class C and Class D was not that big either.
It can be said that this gap was not surprising no matter which class graduates from Class A.
"Quiet!"
The teacher's stern words immediately stopped the sudden commotion.
"Because this is not a complicated test, there is no need to remind you in advance. The test will start soon. Please continue to remain quiet."
After saying that, the class teacher took out a bag and started collecting the students' cell phones one by one.
The students who saw this scene all became very alert.
Because once the mobile phone is taken away, it means the end of private communication, which makes them feel insecure.
"Don't worry, the rules are simple—choose the options given, and you can pass the level if everyone agrees. There are only five questions, and if you're quick, you can finish it in less than an hour."
After confiscating the mobile phones, the class teacher saw the nervous expressions of the students and comforted them gently.
But no student felt relieved.
Having experienced nearly three years of brutal battles, they did not believe what the teacher said at this moment. They thought there must be something special about this exam, especially since their mobile phones had been taken away.
"By the way, if you pass the exam, you will be awarded 50 class points. However, if you still fail to complete the assignment by the end of the exam, 300 class points will be deducted. The exam lasts a total of 5 hours."
Is this what you mean by "don't worry"?
The students silently criticized the teacher's words. How could they feel "at ease" at all?
"To help everyone understand the exam rules, we will now conduct a sample test."
The class teacher said this after distributing the equipment in his hand to each student in order.
[Lose 5 class points, each person gains 10,000 personal points]
[Agree][Against]
"No communication is allowed during the answering process. The voting time is 60 seconds. Any time exceeding the time limit will be counted as timeout. Each student has a total timeout of 90 seconds for the entire exam. Those who exceed the time limit will be expelled immediately."
"If there is no consensus, there will be a 10-minute mandatory discussion period."
The disturbing rules came out of the class teacher's mouth, but the students in Class B did not feel very heavy at the moment.
[ Agree: 0 votes]
[Against: 37 votes]
The class teacher, who had already anticipated this result, nodded:
"Finally, voting is anonymous, so don't worry."
Although the class teacher kept saying "don't worry", the students did not dare to be careless at all, as the rules of this special exam were weird in every way.
But fortunately, the next four topics did not make them feel stressed. Within 10 minutes after each vote, Watanabe, the leader of the class, was always able to integrate opinions and make the right decision.
Until—
[One person in the class who dropped out also received 100 class points]
[ Agree][Against]
The frightening yet familiar word "drop out" was reflected in every student's eyes. Some students chose to oppose without thinking, while other students thought about the point gap with Class A and chose to agree.
[ Agree: 14 votes]
[Against: 23 votes]
"No, why should I choose to agree?"
As soon as the mandatory discussion time began, someone started talking like crazy.
"Are you stupid? We are only a few dozen points behind Class A. If one person drops out, we can catch up. Isn't that great?"
"That's true..."
Hearing this answer, the student scratched his head, but soon he realized that something was wrong.
"So, Class A can also choose to drop out one person? Wouldn't that still not make the gap?"
"So this is like a gamble. We have to bet that Class A will not choose to drop out of school. What is Watanabe's opinion?"
Everyone turned their eyes to Watanabe, the leader of the class for the past three years, who was currently looking down in deep thought.
Having fully understood the personalities of the students in his class over the past three years, he felt confused for the first time, but he still wanted to give it a try:
"I want people to choose against it if they can."
"Why?"
This was the first time someone in the class directly opposed Watanabe's opinion.
"This is a great opportunity, isn't it? Why give it up?"
"…Yeah, but I don't think Class A will necessarily choose to oppose it. In that case, wouldn't it be better for us to give up? Are the memories we have created together in the past three years all false?"
Watanabe wants to play the emotional card.
"Okay...ok."
The prestige that the classmate had built up in the class over the past three years was by no means false, and he quickly gave up the argument.
10 minutes passed in a flash and the next round of voting began.
[ Agree: 3 votes]
[Against: 34 votes]
He knew this would be the result; it was an anonymous vote after all.
"It seems like someone doesn't want to give up."
"Yes."
The student who had just given up the argument breathed a sigh of relief, but he actually still wanted to argue.
"Then in the next round of voting, everyone should choose to agree."
Watanabe said, having already made up his mind.
The atmosphere in the classroom was surprisingly quiet at this moment, and everyone was quietly waiting for time to pass.
[ Agree: 37 votes]
[Against: 0 votes]
Human beings are creatures that tend to harbor a sense of luck. Before the final result comes, no one will believe that they are the one who will be expelled from school.
"Everyone listen to me."
Seeing that it was finally a situation where one person had to drop out, Watanabe stood up and said,
"In the next round of voting, I would like to ask everyone to vote for me."
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
For the first time, Chabashira Sae couldn't help but join in the discussion.
"You are the leader of our class, how can you drop out here?!"
Very good reason, and soon other students were echoing her words.
"What Sae said is right! Watanabe has always been the leader of our class and has led us from Class D to Class B. Even Class A is within reach now. How can we let Watanabe bear the consequences of expulsion?"
Hoshinomiya Chie supports her best friend.
Most people are refuting Watanabe's idea, which is really ridiculous.
"It's okay. I'm ready."
Watanabe's attitude was surprisingly tough, and seeing him in this state, no one knew what to say.
Just as Watanabe understood them, they also understood Watanabe.
This is a man who won't look back once he decides on something.
At the same time, most of the students in the class breathed a sigh of relief, because they knew that the sword of Damocles called "dropping out" would no longer hang over their heads.
[ Agree: 35 votes]
[Against: 1 vote]
As a vote recipient, Watanabe cannot vote for himself.
"Who is it?"
Some people acted in angry gestures, venting their emotions wantonly in the hope of getting opponents to stand up and confront them.
"Don't let Watanabe down, okay?"
There are also people who stand on the moral high ground and try to persuade the unknown opponent.
"Sae-chan, are you okay?"
Seeing her best friend and close friend Chabashira Sae looking distracted, Hoshinomiya Chie tried to comfort her.
But the seeds of doubt had been planted, and she sensed that something was wrong with the other party.
Could it be that the real culprit behind the negative votes is…
"…It's okay…I just feel a little…uncomfortable."
After hearing this answer, Hoshinomiya Chie had to put aside her worries.
The next round of voting is coming soon.
[ Agree: 35 votes]
[Against: 1 vote]
There is no change, the result is still 35:1.
Some people have already gotten fed up with this:
"If you have the guts, come out and admit it, right? You have the guts to vote against but don't have the guts to admit it, right?"
No one answered him. Everyone looked at each other, and no one knew what was going on.
Watanabe glanced at Chabashira Sae and noticed that something was wrong with her, so he spoke:
"This is my own decision, and I hope everyone can respect me. Even if I am expelled, the memories I have with everyone in my class will be my most precious treasure. This school is not the end of my life, right?"
He said this casually, but Chabashira Sae knew that he was talking to her.
Watanabe's eyes swept across her several times.
Only the parties involved can understand the facts—
He already knew that the opponent was her.
However…
[ Agree: 35 votes]
[Against: 1 vote]
The result still did not change.
"Sae-chan, are you really okay?"
Hoshinomiya Chie asked again.
"…Fine."
But anyone with a discerning eye could see that she was in a very bad condition at the moment. Her pale face and sweat all over her face all confirmed the torment she was experiencing.
"I say, that person couldn't be you, could it be you, Chabashira?"
Finally, a third party noticed Chabashira Sae's expression at this moment.
As these words came out, dozens of pairs of eyes turned their heads or sideways to stare at Chabashira Sae.
"Really? It seems to be her."
"I saw her confess her love to Watanabe before."
A student whispered to the student at the next table.
There is not much time left, and the next round of voting begins.
[ Agree: 35 votes]
[Against: 1 vote]
"Watanabe, please persuade your girlfriend!"
"Don't waste our time, finish this exam quickly!"
"How about we vote for Chabashira?"
Someone came up with this idea.
"What do you think, Watanabe?"
This will undoubtedly require the approval of the class leader.
However... the only response from that classmate was silence.
"No way…?"
An atmosphere of fear quickly spread. If Watanabe couldn't cast this vote, then they...
Isn't that just shooting oneself in the foot?
Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8…
[ Agree: 35 votes]
[Against: 1 vote]
There was not the slightest change. Whether the target was Chabashira Sae or Watanabe, the ticket shape remained the same from beginning to end, as if mocking everyone in Class B.
There is actually another way now, which is to find out students other than these two who voluntarily want to drop out.
Yet no one dared to stand up and say this.
Because it's easy to think of answers like this:
"In that case, I'll vote for you. Who told you to bring this up first?"
The person who proposed this plan is inherently at a disadvantage.
There was no sound, and silence enveloped the class.
…
5 hours passed quietly.
Class B was deducted 300 class points and fell to Class D.
The other three classes chose to drop out one student in exchange for 100 class points.
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