After speaking, Chabashira-sensei picked up a piece of chalk and wrote a series of numbers on the blackboard.
Then, pointing at one of the numbers—62—she said, "Since you're so eager to know, Horikita, pay close attention. Let's take Japanese Language as an example. This 62 represents the class average for that subject."
As she spoke, she began writing a formula next to the 62.
62 ÷ 2 = 31.
It was a simple calculation that everyone was familiar with.
"I believe you all understand what this means, right? Half of the average score is the passing threshold. In other words, any student who scored below thirty-one in Japanese Language has failed."
At first, when Japanese Language was mentioned, no one reacted much.
After all, this was the subject where, thanks to Hirata's request, most people had deliberately lowered their scores.
Even if someone's score wasn't great, with the average being what it was, how low could it possibly go?
But when everyone saw the class ranking for Japanese Language scores, they were immediately stunned.
Koenji and Amane were tied for first place.
Yukimura was in second. There were about ten others with scores in the seventies and eighties.
These students had likely intentionally lowered their scores too. But, afraid of lowering them too much and risking expulsion, they'd only gone halfway.
The direct result was that the average score wasn't as low as everyone had expected.
Still, even with a sixty-two average, half of that was just thirty-one. Japanese Language was so straightforward—how could anyone possibly score less than thirty-one, even by pure luck?
How could anyone not even manage thirty-one points?
Then, Chabashira picked up the chalk and drew a line.
There were actually four people below thirty-one.
This meant that even in Japanese Language, a subject where most of the class had been suppressing the average, some had still fallen behind.
The other subjects went without saying. Seeing this, Horikita opened her mouth, but no words came out.
She had deliberately lowered her own score to sixty, so why were there still students failing?
This inevitably brought up the topic of Hirata's study group. Hirata's study sessions were voluntary.
The bottom third of the class—the ones who should have been the focus—hadn't attended Hirata's study group at all. They figured it was pointless since they wouldn't understand anyway, and it was better to just relax in their rooms playing on their phones or games.
But when the expulsion notice came from Chabashira, they couldn't accept the harsh reality.
What a pitiful bunch.
To study or not is everyone's own choice—that's fair enough.
But if they don't even have the courage to face the consequences...
Well, that's just downright pathetic.
Amane's gaze shifted toward the silent Sudo.
Could he really hold back?
Seeing that no one was left to speak up for them, Sudo slammed his textbook onto the desk and stood up.
"Chabashira-sensei!!! This is too much! Getting expelled over failing one exam? What kind of ridiculous school has a rule like that?"
Sudo's roar made some of the girls flinch and glance fearfully in his direction.
"Ridiculous? Isn't it normal for students to be expelled for failing? I don't know what you have to complain about, Sudo. Besides, I already warned you beforehand..."
"Hah? I never heard you say we'd be expelled for failing the exams!"
Sudo retorted loudly.
Chabashira was taken aback. She had anticipated that some might lose control of their emotions over being expelled.
But she never expected Sudo would go so far as to twist the facts to avoid facing reality.
"Sudo-kun, please calm down. Chabashira-sensei did indeed mention that failing this exam would lead to expulsion."
Seeing Sudo pushing the situation toward chaos, Hirata quickly stood up, trying to quell the argument. He wanted to help everyone pass, but that didn't mean he would unconditionally side with his classmates while ignoring the objective truth.
"Exactly! Chabashira-sensei already told us. What are you getting so angry for? If your grades were even half as big as your temper, you wouldn't be getting expelled."
When Karuizawa saw Hirata speak up, she immediately chimed in.
In no time, many turned their criticism toward Sudo.
The accusations and mockery relentlessly needled at him.
CRASH!!
Sudo violently kicked his chair to the floor.
"Shut up! All of you, just shut the hell up!"
He glared ferociously at Karuizawa, who had been the most vocal with her taunts.
Karuizawa, who had been dishing out sarcastic remarks, suddenly fell silent as if someone had grabbed her by the throat.
Seeing this, Hirata shot a look toward Ayanokoji, but Ayanokoji gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
Hirata felt a pang of disappointment. He had hoped Ayanokoji would try to talk Sudo down. But Ayanokoji refused to draw fire onto himself at this moment.
Still, Hirata could understand his reasoning. If he were in Ayanokoji's shoes, he'd hesitate too before risking a beating to intervene.
Not to mention, Ayanokoji and Sudo weren't exactly close friends.
It was understandable that he'd refuse.
Just as Hirata prepared to speak up again and urge Sudo to calm down, Amane stood.
"Chabashira-sensei, how long are you going to let this gorilla throw a tantrum? Doesn't the school have a security department? Are you really going to allow this guy to mess around and break school rules like this?"
Amane's rapid-fire questions snapped Chabashira out of her stunned silence.
"If we can't resolve this through conversation, then I'll have to call security."
Chabashira began dialing a number.
At that moment, Sudo suddenly strode forward.
When he was less than a meter away from Chabashira, he abruptly reached out, trying to snatch her phone.
THUD.
It was a surprise attack.
Yet, Koenji, seated beside Chabashira, instantly caught Sudo's wrist.
"My, oh my? Planning to lay hands on a woman? Dear me, you truly are redefining the word 'worthless,' aren't you?"
Koenji smoothed his hair with one hand as he slowly rose from his seat.
"You bastard! Let go! This has nothing to do with you!"
Sudo tried to break free several times, but when he realized he couldn't escape Koenji's grip, his face twisted in disbelief.
His entire life, whenever someone dared to argue with him, one punch was all it took to make them fall in line.
But ever since coming here, he'd faced repeated setbacks in the one area he took pride in—his strength.
The endless humiliation made Sudo feel like his self-respect was being trampled into the dirt.
Wasn't this a school that valued ability above all?
He'd use his strength to show them—Sudo Ken's power wasn't something you could measure with textbook addition and subtraction.
"If you have what it takes to break free, then by all means, try. Or perhaps, my red-haired gorilla friend, if you get on your knees and beg me now, I might consider letting you go."
Before Koenji could finish, Sudo threw a punch with his other fist straight at Koenji's face.
It connected!!
A grin of triumph and excitement spread across Sudo's face.
Even if it was a cheap shot, a win was a win!
But that grin didn't last long before it froze on his face.
His full-force punch was caught firmly in Koenji's other hand.
A hint of mockery even flickered across Koenji's expression.
"Tsk, tsk, what is this? Are you trying to imitate a girl throwing a tantrum? This level of force isn't even enough to qualify as a light massage for my legs."
--+--
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.