Days like exam days are always the hardest and most stressful for students of all levels, especially psychologically. But in this school, exams have a special taste—a bitter one that ruins peaceful days. Failing a single subject means expulsion.
Does one mistake really deserve to destroy an entire student's future?
That's not fair.
All Class C students passed their exams smoothly. There were no sudden problems at all, but the heavy pressure in the atmosphere still didn't disappear. The tension remained as long as the results hadn't been announced.
Anyway, there was no need to wait any longer—the awaited day had finally arrived. The day our results would be announced.
It was a quiet morning. No time or energy for arguments or noise; everyone was thinking about the problem they might face.
Chabashira-sensei entered the classroom as usual right after the bell rang, holding a carefully rolled paper in her hand.
The results sheet.
It's really hard to accept the idea that your results will be announced in front of everyone, where they can clearly see them. At least they should give us some privacy.
"Sensei, will you announce our results?" It seemed most students had already reached their limit of patience, as Yamauchi stood up to find out his future.
"Sit down and calm yourself. I'll announce them now." As if sensing the students' tension, the teacher quickly placed the large sheet on the blackboard and fixed it so everyone could see it.
The atmosphere of anticipation disappeared, replaced by tension as students began searching for their names and scores.
No one spoke. Everyone just stared.
My eyes moved quickly across the numbers and letters, searching for my grades. Most of them were above average.
Even math—I got 55. A new record.
I finally felt relieved after confirming I had avoided expulsion this time. Now there was only…
I tried to check the other students' scores, but chaos broke out in the classroom again.
Most students burst into celebration.
Is it really over?
It seemed like everyone had checked their results and felt safe.
But Chabashira-sensei had a different opinion. She tapped the blackboard slowly until the class quieted down again and regained attention.
"Sorry to ruin your celebration, but there is a problem…"
Her heels echoed as she walked through the silent classroom.
She stopped in front of the board, opened her marker, and drew a line under Sudou's name.
"The passing grade for this subject is 40, and you scored only 39."
Her gaze slowly fell on Sudou, who didn't say a word and kept staring in shock.
"What do you mean, sensei?" Hirata was the first to react, standing up to question her.
Because if what she said is true, then that means…
The teacher began writing some calculations on the board. I didn't understand them, but the result was 40.
"This is the passing threshold. Sudou needs one point to avoid failing and expulsion."
All eyes gathered on Chabashira-sensei as she spoke about expulsion in a cold tone, as if it were something normal.
"What?" Sudou finally spoke, his voice broken with denial.
"Sensei, isn't there any way to cancel the expulsion?" Hirata continued desperately.
"If you can provide 20 million private points right now."
The moment she said that number, most students understood it was over. Even if 40 students gathered all their points, they still wouldn't reach even two million. Our current situation was too weak.
Canceling expulsion was impossible.
"Isn't there any other way?" Hirata continued resisting, his voice shaking while his friends didn't move at all.
Are they going to abandon Sudou just because they survived?
"No. There isn't." Chabashira-sensei closed her notebook and stood in front of the class again.
No one spoke. It felt like everyone had already accepted it before it even happened.
Even Sudou was frozen in shock. After trying his best in studying, everything collapsed because of a single point.
"Sudou, follow me to the teachers' office to complete the procedures." Chabashira-sensei left the classroom calmly after dropping the bomb on everyone.
"Guys, there must be another way to help Sudou-kun!" Kushida stood up, trying to push the class to act again.
"Yes, Kushida-san is right! Let's cooperate and help our classmate!" Hirata also stood up, weaker than usual but still trying to gather support.
"It's over…" Sudou's voice came out broken and defeated.
No other choice. These are the rules—we can't ignore them.
Silence covered the classroom again, as if they were searching for a solution or simply mourning Sudou's fate.
Then a loud chair sound broke the silence. Everyone turned toward the source.
Ayanokouji was standing.
When he noticed everyone looking at him, he seemed uncomfortable.
"Sorry… I just need to go to the bathroom." He apologized and quickly left the classroom.
That guy… maybe his stomach hurts from stress.
Or maybe he found a solution.
Horikita also followed him. I saw her rushing after him through the hallway window.
Well… this isn't over yet.
There might still be a way—like buying a single point. It's allowed in this school.
But how much would it cost? I know Chabashira-sensei's methods aren't cheap.
Still… does Sudou deserve that kind of investment?
I stood up quickly and left the classroom. Sitting in the middle had already drawn attention, but I didn't care.
Hirata noticed me and tried to follow, but I signaled him to stay.
I stepped into the hallway. They had already left. Where should I find her?
I moved toward the stairs quickly—but suddenly, I heard light footsteps behind me.
I turned around. Yukinoshita was following me.
"Hikigaya-kun, what are you going to do?" she asked without hesitation.
"I'm looking for the teacher."
"Do you think buying a point is enough?" she asked, already thinking the same thing.
There's no other option.
"I don't think Sudou is worth paying for…" I said honestly.
Private points are too important in this school. They can even determine your class rank.
"He might deserve a chance, but not like this."
"Are you going to abandon him?" Yukinoshita's eyes widened slightly.
I shook my head.
"No."
She seemed relieved.
"What are you going to do then?"
"Find the teacher first."
She had already left after dropping that bombshell. She probably expected someone would come to negotiate.
Teachers' office… no, she wouldn't stay there with others around.
A place where she can talk privately—but still easy to find.
I looked up toward the stairs.
"Upstairs?"
"Yes."
We both started heading toward the rooftop.