"You... you're just twisting logic! How can you compare eating with exams? Failing exams means expulsion—your Class D has fifteen students facing that right now, doesn't it? What right do fools who can't even copy answers correctly have to lecture me?"
Kiriyama flushed bright red after being called out by the first-year student.
He couldn't hold back a hysterical roar.
A simple debate would've been one thing, but he realized his opponent always managed to outmaneuver him verbally.
That alone might have been tolerable—after all, debates are about presenting opposing viewpoints.
But that girl, Miyako Amane—she was downright infuriating. Not only did she refuse to back down when she had the upper hand, but she also pressed him step by step into an increasingly awkward position.
It got to the point where Kiriyama had to shamefully turn to those around him for support.
Yet, to his disbelief, every member of the student council pretended not to notice.
He was supposed to be their ally!
Now, bullied by two first-years, not a single one spoke up for him. Even Tachibana Akane had Horikita Manabu backing her—so what about him?
Confronted with what seemed to him like nonsensical, obstinate questioning, Kiriyama simply shut down.
But then, Amane showed him exactly what happens when you let your mind go blank against a stronger opponent.
What followed was Amane, while hurling sarcastic jabs at Kiriyama, shifting the blame squarely onto the school—a move that left everyone present utterly stunned.
When Kiriyama snapped out of it and realized he'd fallen completely into her rhythm, he scrambled to defend himself.
But under the coordinated attacks of Ayanokōji and Amane—one dismantling, the other striking—he crumbled completely. And so, the scene from the beginning played out.
Amane glanced at Ayanokōji.
Ayanokōji signaled for her to take the lead.
"So, Committee Member Kiriyama, you do know that failing exams leads to expulsion? How impressive."
Amane gave a slow, sarcastic clap, her eyes widening dramatically with her rising emotions.
She looked… oddly cute.
"But did you know that not eating can actually kill you? When Ayanokōji-kun first bought the test papers, he only intended to use them as study materials."
"How could anyone have known the school would reuse the exact same exam from two years ago? Who bears more responsibility here? I don't think I need to spell it out."
Amane crossed her arms, looking rather imposing.
Though the tightness made it a little hard to breathe.
"Study materials? When your so-called 'study materials' are identical to the actual exam, how could you not realize something was wrong? Cheating is cheating! No matter how you spin it, using old exams as tools is still cheating!"
Kiriyama's chest heaved violently—he was clearly fuming.
Amane shot Ayanokōji a look.
"May I ask, Kiriyama-senpai, what does the school define as cheating?"
"Hah? You're spouting nonsense without even knowing the school's definition? Cheating is defined as using prohibited methods during the exam period—"
Kiriyama's words cut off abruptly.
"Why stop there? Allow me to finish for you."
Ayanokōji pulled out a copy of the school's rule handbook from his pocket.
"The school defines cheating as: 'using unauthorized means during an examination to obtain scores or benefits one does not deserve. If cheating is confirmed, all improper gains will be confiscated, the student will be expelled, and all prior academic records and contributions will be nullified.'"
Ayanokōji recited the passage verbatim.
"You knew all along—"
Kiriyama's face turned a shade of purplish-red.
He knew he'd been cornered again.
"First, we did not refer to the reference materials during the exam itself, so it doesn't constitute cheating. Moreover, before the exam, we had no way of knowing the exact contents of the test—we couldn't have prepared specifically. Unless, of course… someone leaked the questions."
As soon as Ayanokōji finished, Amane picked up seamlessly.
"If I recall correctly, didn't Chabashira-sensei know the contents of the exam? Committee Member Kiriyama, are you suggesting that Chabashira-sensei leaked the questions to us?"
Chabashira, who had been sipping her tea, choked violently the moment Amane dragged her into it.
"Cough cough! Miyako-san, what nonsense are you spouting? Cough… How could I have leaked the exam to you? I didn't even discuss the exam content with you until right before it started, isn't that true?"
As soon as Chabashira finished—
"Hear that? Chabashira-sensei is innocent. She merely failed to properly fulfill her duties as an instructor by not informing students of exam details in a timely and effective manner."
"That's dereliction of duty, not leaking exam content."
Amane's words made Chabashira's face pale. She hurriedly tried to defend herself, but her mouth opened and closed several times before she finally gave up.
In her haste to deny leaking the exam, she'd inadvertently admitted to negligence. Now, Amane was publicly calling her out for dereliction of duty.
Furious but unable to refute it, Chabashira could only shoot a pleading look toward Ayanokōji.
She tried to silently signal him to rein Amane in a little.
If this continued, Amane might even drag the school itself into the mess.
But faced with Chabashira's desperate gaze, Ayanokōji simply shrugged.
Can't you see Amane's on a roll?
If you want to stop her, you try.
Before Chabashira could act, Amane had already started targeting the school.
"The school also bears undeniable responsibility in this exam. Why would they use the exact same midterm paper from two years ago?"
"It's precisely because the school reused the exam that our study materials turned into what you call 'evidence of cheating.' Shouldn't the school take some responsibility as well?"
Kiriyama felt chills down his spine. Has she lost her mind? Even if the school were at fault, did she actually expect them to publicly admit it?
Besides, not just two years ago—the first midterm for first-year students had always used the same test.
There had never been any issues before. But this time, they'd run into Amane, and everything was falling apart.
Even if the school's exam policy was flawed, what could they, the student council, do? They couldn't change school regulations.
"I can't believe you have the nerve to blame the school! By common sense, are exam papers considered study materials? Those were clearly cheating tools you bought with points!"
No sooner had Kiriyama spoken than Amane stood up and walked straight toward him.
"Wait—what are you doing? This is the student council! And there are cameras… I suggest you return to your seat at once."
"Amane-san, please calm down!"
Seeing Amane raise her hand, Ichinose quickly wrapped her arms around Amane's waist, trying to prevent a violent confrontation.
But to her surprise—
Amane just scratched her head.
"Ichinose, why are you holding me? Huh? Wait… you're not trying to take advantage of me, are you? I never took you for that kind of person, Ichinose-san!!!"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.