Horikita Manabu took the phone from Miyabi Nagumo's hand.
After confirming that the content in the photo was indeed identical to the first-year midterm exam papers, even Horikita Manabu had little left to say. His gaze shifted to Hirata.
"Hirata, are you aware that you've violated school regulations prohibiting the buying and selling of exam papers? Not to mention leaking exam content and answers. Actions like these could invalidate the entire class's midterm results."
Manabu's words struck heavily at Hirata's heart.
Hirata clenched his fists tightly, his face etched with frustration and unwillingness. Yet he still did not speak up about the real source of the exam papers.
"President, doesn't this make things easier to handle? If Class 1-D is implicated in cheating as a whole, we can simply have them retake the exam."
"Preparing new exam papers and arranging everything will take at least three days. Tomorrow's the weekend—that gives them five extra days to review. With that, Class D shouldn't have so many failing students again."
Nagumo's suggestion drew a slow, thoughtful nod from Manabu.
The school's stance was clear: rules were not to be bent.
But having fifteen students expelled from Class 1-D was absolutely unacceptable—it would trigger public controversy and backlash.
Caught in the middle, the student council was stuck in a difficult position. But now, someone had produced evidence of Class D's cheating.
By arranging a retake, the number of failing students would drop significantly. That way, the school's regulations would be upheld, and Class D's failing students would still face consequences.
It seemed like the ideal solution.
As for Hirata?
Violating two major school rules in a row… expulsion would likely be the only path left.
Manabu felt a tinge of regret.
But everyone must take responsibility for their own actions.
"Hirata, if you have nothing more to say, I will announce the student council's ruling regarding Class D."
Manabu gave him one last chance to speak.
"I don't deny buying the exam papers. I sent the photo, and I bought them from an upperclassman. Even if I'm expelled, it's fine. But I hope… if there's a retake, the student council will allow me to take the exam one last time."
If only… he had a little more time.
He was sure he could help everyone pass this time.
He alone being expelled would be enough.
"Dream on, Hirata. You're getting kicked out, right? And you still want to take the exam? What a joke."
Yamauchi's mocking words stabbed at Hirata again and again.
Hirata hung his head in pain, but he didn't try to defend himself.
"Chabashira-sensei, what's your take on this?"
The question didn't come from Manabu, or Hirata. It came from Amane, seated in an inconspicuous corner.
Chabashira-sensei, who had been sipping tea from her thermos, seemed surprised to be addressed. She glanced at Amane.
"What is there to say? The facts are clear. Some actions simply break school rules—no amount of talking changes that. Besides, a retake might not be such a bad thing for Class D."
She shrugged.
That simple gesture extinguished the last bit of hope Amane had in her.
Did Chabashira-sensei really not know who bought the exam papers?
Did she not realize what Hirata was facing?
Did she not understand how crucial Hirata was to Class D at this moment?
No.
She knew all of it. But she had no intention of helping Class D in that way.
All she wanted was the best outcome for the class.
Who brought it about didn't matter to her.
"Miyako, do you have anything else to add?"
Although Manabu acknowledged Amane's capabilities, he still didn't believe she could overturn such solid evidence.
"Why don't you first announce the student council's decision? Then I'll decide whether I need to voice my opinion."
The expression on Amane's face began to fade, replaced by an intensely oppressive aura.
That pressure spread, shifting the atmosphere in the room. The first to feel it was Ichinose.
Goosebumps rose on her skin, as if she'd stepped into a cold, silent space that wrapped around and swallowed her.
Within a few breaths, Ichinose found it hard to breathe; her heart began to race as if something terrifying was about to happen.
Anxiety and fear made her instinctively put some distance between herself and Amane.
Even if it was rude, she didn't hesitate. She knew if she stayed that close, she'd be the first to break down in that room.
That overwhelming pressure even wiped the smirk off Nagumo's face. He watched Amane with curiosity.
So Class 1-D had someone like this hidden among them?
Things might just get a little interesting.
Though his expression remained somewhat dismissive, inside, Nagumo was on high alert. Even Yamauchi, sitting on Amane's other side, shrank back fearfully, putting a gap of two seats between them.
Just by calmly staring at Manabu, Amane had stirred up this much tension. As the one under her gaze, Manabu felt his throat go dry.
He knew it was probably just psychological, but his instincts made him avert his eyes, avoiding direct contact with Amane's sharp presence.
In just a few breaths, Amane had overpowered everyone in the room through sheer presence alone.
"The student council's ruling regarding Class 1-D's expulsion candidates and other class members is as follows: During the investigation, it was discovered that Class D engaged in the illicit purchase of exam papers for cheating purposes."
"Therefore, the expulsion process is suspended. All midterm exam results for Class 1-D are voided. The retake date will be announced later."
"Student Hirata Yosuke of Class 1-D, for participating in the purchase of exam papers and aiding in cheating, is hereby expelled."
After reading the verdict, Manabu looked up and scanned the faces around him.
Hirata's pale complexion.
Chabashira-sensei's indifference.
Yamauchi's gleeful expression.
And Amane's icy calm.
"We will submit this outcome to the school administration. The soonest we can receive confirmation is tomorrow morning. Even on a weekend, the student council can process expulsion procedures."
Manabu's eyes rested on Hirata.
He pitied this boy who had fought so hard for his class.
A shame, really.
He'd fallen in with the wrong crowd. If Class 1-D was full of people like Yamauchi, there was no way it could rise to Class A. Not with Hirata, not with Suzune, and not even with him, Horikita Manabu, leading it.
"Does anyone object to this ruling?"
Tachibana let out a quiet sigh of relief.
It was finally over, ahead of schedule.
Following procedure, she asked everyone present. Usually, after the student council president announced the verdict, no one raised objections.
So a slight smile appeared on Tachibana's face. She didn't expect any surprises now.
Just as she was about to announce the meeting adjourned,
Amane slowly rose from her seat.
"I object."
--+--
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.