A few minutes later, a trial targeting Kaoru and Tachibana Akane was convened.
Presiding as judges were Kushida Kikyo and Karuizawa Kei, who jointly launched a righteous trial against the two sinners, accusing them of secretly leveling up behind everyone's backs.
Kushida Kikyo demanded that Tachibana Akane disclose the details of last night's events, claiming that everyone's first experiences should be shared.
Her own first time had even been witnessed by Horikita Suzune, so Tachibana Akane must bring her along next time.
Tachibana Akane was deeply embarrassed and kept whimpering.
Additionally, Karuizawa Kei subjected Kaoru to even harsher interrogation.
If Kaoru couldn't provide a reasonable explanation, then everything he had done to Horikita Suzune and Tachibana Akane would have to be done to her as well!
Hearing the judges' sour tone, Tachibana Akane's shame exploded, and she fled from the crime, hanging up the call without hesitation, leaving Kaoru alone to endure their torment.
That night, Kaoru spent a great deal of effort to finally placate them.
…
Thanks to ample funds, Class A of the first year remained peaceful, occasionally discussing the voting exam only in relation to other classes.
Kaoru originally intended to discuss Class B matters with Sakayanagi Arisu, but she seemed somewhat impatient, stating that she didn't care about this voting exam—the key was the special exam on March 8th.
For her, this exam truly held no points of interest.
"Although I'd love to take this opportunity to deal with Ayanokouji-kun, I can't use all my pieces on him just yet."
Sakayanagi Arisu frowned slightly, "You are my priority. Please don't forget that."
This was a warning for Kaoru not to let his thoughts wander and to focus his energy on her instead.
"I don't really understand why you're so fixated on him," Kaoru said. "If it weren't for me, you'd probably go after him first, right?"
"The genuine and the fake are destined to clash—that is my mission."
Sakayanagi Arisu was about to continue but grew irritated as she recalled her father's departure.
"Father must have told you about the White Room, right? I think this additional exam is the acting chairman's way of testing Ayanokouji-kun."
He'd heard the other party had been at the school for half a month, though Kaoru hadn't met him yet.
"D you know about outside matters?"
"If you're referring to Father and those people, I'm sorry, but I don't know everything. However, I am aware of the Producer's affairs."
"…"
Soon, it was lunch break, and Kaoru leisurely made his way to the library.
At this hour, the library was nearly empty.
Thus, a certain girl's figure stood out prominently.
Kaoru naturally walked over to the bookshelves.
Shiina Hiyori was selecting her reading material for the day and hadn't noticed his presence yet.
"Good afternoon, Shiina-san."
His greeting seemed to startle Shiina Hiyori, making her shoulders tremble and nearly eliciting a strange sound.
Recognizing him, her expression softened as a lovely smile bloomed on her face.
"It's been a while, Mitoma-kun."
Shiina Hiyori said, "What book are you looking for today?"
"Thus Spoke Zarathustra." Kaoru replied.
"That's a bit unexpected."
Shiina Hiyori seemed to let out a sigh of relief, "I thought you'd continue discussing novels by Mishima Yukio and Watanabe Jun'ichi with me."
After speaking, she realized the implications in her words, and a blush gradually spread across her cheeks.
She quickly pulled a book from the shelf to block Kaoru's line of sight.
"It's just discussing a few novels, Shiina-san. Your reaction is too exaggerated."
Kaoru shrugged indifferently.
He had merely been pointing out the deeper meanings in the novels while discussing them with Shiina Hiyori.
Instead, it was Shiina Hiyori who paid too much attention to certain details, becoming shy as she read, which made Kaoru want to tease her even more.
"You're mean." Shiina Hiyori murmured softly.
Seeing her take the book to the desk, Kaoru went to the other side of the bookshelf to find Thus Spoke Zarathustra and promptly sat down beside her.
However, Kaoru didn't disturb her reading.
If he continued to press further, Shiina Hiyori would genuinely get angry.
The two read quietly for about half an hour before Shiina Hiyori lifted her pretty face, checked the time, and realized that lunch break was nearly over.
"Let's head back together." Kaoru suggested.
Shiina Hiyori had no reason to refuse.
She packed her bag and walked alongside him.
"Mitoma-kun, is there something you want to ask me?"
The girl had long sensed his intentions.
"Regarding the voting exam, how is the situation in your class?"
In truth, Kaoru already knew quite a bit, as Manabe Shiho and others had provided him with information about Class C.
Shiina Hiyori shook her head: "I don't pay much attention, but everyone probably listens to Ryuen-kun."
"However, his behavior isn't exactly commendable. I imagine someone must be planning to cast a Criticism Vote against him?" Kaoru pressed further.
"That might be the case, but even if you ask me, I don't know much about who specifically plans to vote for whom."
Shiina Hiyori hesitated for a moment, "From what I understand, several small groups have formed in the class. Some oppose Ryuen-kun, while others support him."
As she spoke, she turned to look at Kaoru.
"Mitoma-kun, are you trying to gather information about Ryuen-kun?"
Her expression seemed to say, "I'll tell you, but I won't be happy about it."
Kaoru withdrew his gaze from Shiina Hiyori's face and sighed, "A little, but I just want to know who might be expelled from Class C. It would be troublesome if it's someone I know."
Shiina Hiyori was slightly taken aback.
Someone he knows in Class C?
Aside from Ryuen Kakeru, she had never seen him interact with anyone else in their class.
Soon, the girl turned her slightly flushed face away.
"No matter how difficult it is, expulsion is something our class can't avoid. We don't have enough points, unlike your Class A. So, no matter who disappears, I can accept it."
Including herself, Shiina Hiyori had never dwelled on the privileges that most people coveted in Class A.
"If Ryuen-kun hadn't enforced the voting, your class would probably vote for the person they dislike the most, right?" Kaoru said, "Like Manabe-san, Ibuki-san, and Nishino-san, for example."
Shiina Hiyori was somewhat surprised. He seemed to know their class quite well.
"I think so too. After all, it's an anonymous voting, and the classmates with the worst reputations in class are now trying hard to shake off their past influences."
Shiina Hiyori pondered for a moment. "If I had to say, Nanase-san was the first to change. It seems she started trying to build good relationships with classmates around summer vacation."
"Isn't she a delinquent?"
Kaoru asked in confusion, "I thought aside from Ryuuen-kun, Class C would cast all their votes for Nanase-san or Ibuki-san."
Shiina Hiyori shook her head. "Ibuki-san isn't a delinquent. Nanase-san might have been one before, but now she's just an ordinary student, similar to Karuizawa-san or Shinohara-san in Class D."
This time it was Kaoru's turn to be surprised.
How could this bookworm remember things outside of books?
Noticing his expression, Shiina Hiyori pouted slightly. "I've been here for a year after all. Is it really that strange that I'd recognize students from other classes?"
"Not strange. What's strange is that you still haven't found any book friends to chat with."
Kaoru felt puzzled.
He didn't think the first year was a literary desert, so why hadn't anyone discussed novels with Shiina Hiyori?
This question seemed to stump Shiina Hiyori, who lowered her head dejectedly.
"Be-because if I suddenly try to greet them, I get shy."
Kaoru was taken aback, a strange emotion welling up in his heart. Weren't you shy back then?
"Don't look at me like that. It's embarrassing. If I greet someone and get rejected, I'll feel bad for a long time."
Shiina Hiyori whispered, "I was really happy when you accepted my recommendations back then."
Kaoru felt guilty, remembering how he had thoroughly toyed with Kamuro in front of Shiina Hiyori at that time.
"But you don't need to worry about me, Mitoma-kun."
Shiina Hiyori smiled gently. "I probably won't be among those expelled, since I'm ranked quite low in everyone's candidate list."
Kaoru told her seriously, "Shiina-san, you should avoid saying things like that in the future. They might just come true."
"Eh?"
Shiina Hiyori blinked, not quite understanding his meaning.
He must be worried about me, right?
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