However.
Even by the twentieth vote, Horikita Suzune still had not taken action.
Is it no good anymore?
Ayanokouji watched everything that was happening.
He could almost conclude.
Horikita Suzune was already unable to take action.
It wouldn't be wrong to see this as Horikita Suzune's defeat.
He originally thought Horikita Suzune would be a fellow with more talent, but in the end, she only amounted to this much.
Forget it.
Next, he would officially be the opponent for Hikigaya and the others.
Ayanokouji still remembered the words Horikita Manabu had said: become a person who can leave memories for others!
Then,
Leave a deep impression on the people in this school!
Ayanokouji turned to look at the people in the class.
With his strength, he wouldn't miss a single detail.
Starting from the sixteenth vote.
It was basically only Ike Kanji blaming everyone; others were just following along, though the frequency of their speaking was getting lower and lower.
It was almost as if only Ike Kanji was doing a solo act.
Clearly.
The closer it got to the end of the exam, the greater the pressure one had to face.
The hatred toward Horikita Suzune and him was real, but on the other hand, they were hesitant about what to do if the exam really failed.
In their hearts, they still harbored the idea of reaching Class A, or they couldn't bear to lose the high monthly individual points.
It was a natural thing.
The person whose determination was firm enough.
Was only Ike Kanji, who was directly facing the risk of expulsion.
However.
If no one could unify the opinions.
The final result would likely be that no one is expelled, ending in failure.
However.
The closer it got to the end of the exam, the greater the pressure one had to face.
The desire for Class A.
The loathing of Horikita Suzune and him.
The doubt about one's own methods.
The panic about the possible future.
Confusion, hesitation.
This is precisely when a person's heart is most fragile.
After all.
The person who needs to be persuaded is also not Ike Kanji; as long as he can gain the agreement of the others, it won't be hard to guide them.
Ayanokouji suddenly stood up and spoke.
"Everyone, can you listen to me say a few words?"
"Noisy, Ayanokouji you're the same, the one to be expelled next exam will be you!"
"..."
Ayanokouji completely ignored Ike Kanji's roar.
"I believe everyone knows that as long as there are still people voting 'oppose,' neither Horikita nor Ike will be expelled, and the exam will inevitably fail."
"Since that's the case, I think everyone doesn't need to waste time; just wait peacefully for the exam to end, it's really a bit noisy."
In Ike Kanji's state.
Simple dialogue had no meaning.
There were three purposes for this sentence.
First was to remind them, strengthening the fear of the exam in everyone's hearts.
If a decision cannot be made, the exam will inevitably fail.
As for what the result would be.
The group, whose speaking frequency was getting lower and lower, surely already had some thoughts.
Second, it was to point out that Horikita's expulsion was almost impossible.
During these three years.
The bond built between Horikita Suzune and Sudo and the others far surpassed that of anyone else; following Ike Kanji was just a waste of time.
On the other hand.
It was to attract a response from those who wanted to reach Class A.
With Yukimura's obsession with reaching Class A, he would inevitably take the bait.
"What do you mean by that?"
Yukimura suddenly became a bit angry: "Letting us rest, is it okay if the exam fails? Why are even you saying that, Ayanokouji?"
"Isn't this also the truth? If things just continue like this, failure is inevitable, isn't it?"
Ayanokouji hinted that there was a new possibility.
They didn't have to continue like this.
Yukimura froze for a moment, and sure enough, he took the bait again.
"Hmm? Ayanokouji, do you have some thoughts?"
"Actually... as things stand today."
Ayanokouji responded expressionlessly:
"In reality, I have been the one leading the class."
"What do you mean?"
"During the uninhabited island exam, I perceived Ryuuen's strategy and poured water into Ibuki's camera to make it useless."
"During the sports festival, I perceived the possibility of Kushida's betrayal and neutralized Ryuuen's movements in advance."
"During the project selection exam..."
Ayanokouji calmly recounted the past.
He emphasized his contributions to the class.
It wasn't to show off his strength, but to increase the credibility of his words.
In truth, he had always been commanding the class from behind the scenes, possessing the strength to contend with the likes of Ryuuen and Katsuragi.
It was to leave such an impression, and Horikita Suzune was unable to say a single word.
"As expected..."
Yukimura's expression was somewhat complicated.
The relay race at the sports festival, the first place in the last math exam.
And the final theme-based special exam of the second year.
The fact of Ayanokouji's great strength didn't feel particularly unexpected; instead, it seemed like many things could finally be explained.
No wonder Horikita Suzune stayed close to Ayanokouji and often provided cover for him.
In reality.
Ayanokouji had been the one dominating the class from behind.
At the front of the classroom.
Horikita Suzune came to her senses, opening her mouth but not knowing what to say.
It wasn't that her achievements were being snatched away.
Rather, she was still thinking at this moment: should she strive for Class A, or just hand everything over to Ayanokouji for convenience?
Therefore, Horikita Suzune didn't know whether she should speak up.
"However, it's a bit of a pity."
At the end, Ayanokouji spoke with a somewhat lamenting tone:
"The original plan was to hide my strength and deliver a surprise attack in the final exam of the second year to rise to Class A, or at least Class B, and then start defending in the third year, but unfortunately..."
He didn't finish his sentence.
But many in the class looked toward Ike Kanji. Although not a single word mentioned Ike Kanji's mistake, everyone knew it was Ike Kanji's problem.
If not for Ike Kanji's mistake, the last exam would undoubtedly have been a great victory.
Of course.
It was Class D that proactively created the bottom-tier elimination system.
Creating an environment of tension and panic for those at the back, like Ike Kanji.
The precipice.
Even people like Yukimura would not think of this; they would similarly only attribute the fault to Ike Kanji's lack of ability.
"So what?"
Ike Kanji slapped the table and suddenly glared at Ayanokouji.
"Ayanokouji is very strong, that's true, but if you put it that way, Ayanokouji has actually been slacking off all this time, hasn't he?"
"Why should a guy who has been slacking off stay in the class, while we, who have been giving our all for the class, have to be expelled?"
"This is simply too unfair!"
As he spoke.
Whether it was true or false.
Regardless, Ike Kanji himself felt somewhat wronged.
He had clearly put in his greatest effort, but if his strength was insufficient, what else could he do?
Why should people who work hard be expelled?
While the guy who slacks off can remain safe and sound.
However.
On the other side, Ayanokouji remained expressionless.
Knowing which words would lead to what kind of response, everything Ike Kanji said was within expectations.
The key to communication between people is.
Who can better gain the other's trust and provide the interests they desire.