March 3rd. 8:30 am. Block F. Main Classroom.

"Any sort of physical fights or aggression will earn you expulsion."

We're off to a great start. This new rule is surely due to the subsequent events that have taken place over the previous days.

Kawahara giving a slap to Akimiyashika, Yukishiro giving a slap to Rayazaki and Hinagiku attempting to kill Yukishiro. Expulsion might be considered an exaggeration, but with all things considered, it's only fair.

"Cursed words will earn you a walk into the principal's office. The third time this happens, you get suspended. After that, I shouldn't have to mention what happens."

Expulsion...

Though, why so much hate against cursed words? Cursed words are for the mentally-strong only. You can't curse unless you have a pair of balls.

That's why girls don't curse.

"I won't tolerate offensive arguments, even if it's for the sake of something that's being debated."

Yuka-sensei's referring to yesterday, most likely.

There were a plethora of offensive arguments yesterday, so she's taking action against them...

Plus, she's writing these on the board, which means that we should write them down on our notebooks.

My table partner is way ahead of me when it comes to that... Because I'm not going to take note of what's being told to us right now.

"Threats or anything similar to that will not be overlooked either. Behave civically. Also, I'm not talking about your behavior in class only. Anything your supervisors report me will not be overlooked as well."

Taking into consideration how corrupt our supervisor is, I would say this is basically the equivalent of nothing.

I don't know for certain about the girls' supervisor.

"Lastly, please take the exams seriously! I mean both of the exams! The normal one and the special ones! What are you all thinking!? Honestly!"

There might just be certain individuals who will fail the upcoming special exam. If that's the case, then they will be out of the program.

By certain individuals, I'm referring to those who have 3 supply exams accumulated.

Speaking of which, I have no idea what the last supply exam was. But I suppose that doesn't concern me since I didn't fail.

"Please invest yourselves more and more into the exams! In life, if you let every single opportunity pass by, you are done for. Understand that."

"Yes, sensei!"

Ryoken semi-loudly shouted that. For some reason, he's in high spirits.

No... It's not for some reason. Kawahara threw the blame on him when it was Kawahara who did the room invasion in the first place. Ryoken said that he was trying to be morally good, but how has he been with that?

Though... I'm probably his enemy now. I did blame him.

"Join in groups once more, we are resuming the investigation."

There were only two groups left... Why do we have to join as groups once more...?

Regardless of that, two individuals, containing immense brightness in their attitudes, approached us with jubilant smiles while carrying their desks.

The way they looked at each other reflected a passionate bond yet despite showing that, I would only go as far as labeling them as friends.

"Aniki! You ready to lose?!"

"Not happening, Kuzan."

Yesterday night, I delivered my bet to King George. Kuzan surely has done the same.

That's right. As we speak, this is the almighty important battle.

I want my damn money back and Kuzan's money along as well!

"We'll see about that!"

Midst this, my table partner was chuckling shyly. Oh, I know why. Apparently, the sacred word that Kuzan speaks to me every time is a comedy reliever.

After connecting their tables, Kuzan and Kanawari faced us.

Kanawari, very much like Kuzan couldn't hold her tongue and decided to fire a barrage of questions.

"Hey, why don't you two try and talk to each other? Is there some sort of grudge going on?! We can help you two out, right, Kuzan?!"

"I didn't think Aniki would be this anti-social... That's no good! You'll die a virgin at this rate!"

Shut the fuck up...

You shouldn't say that when you'll never succeed in reproduction, Kuzan.

"You're speaking nonsense... I'm socially selective, that's all."

Yes. This is all there is to it. Being socially selective has been a thing for ages.

Confusing someone who is anti-social and someone who is socially selective is often common nowadays and that's why those who confuse these two vastly different stereotypes need to know the difference...

"He's anti-social. Those words he just spoke, those are the words only someone who is anti-social would say. But of course, the anti-social person would never admit this."

"Eh, really now?!"

That stupid Kuzan...

"No, she's lying. She didn't even explain why that was the case and that's because it's not the case. Don't listen to dumb illogical arguments, Kuzan..."

Can this just get started already? Why is everyone taking so long to form their groups...

I don't get this. Just hurry up, you slowpokes.

"Ara, that's because I don't have to explain it. You're already on the defense. What's wrong? Feeling intimidated already? Pathetic."

"Intimidated? By you? Not even a fly would feel intimidated. Delusional bitch."

How delusional do you have to be to consider yourself intimidating when you are just as socially selective as I am?

She's not anti-social, she's just like me, socially selective. Her own arrogance makes her become subjected to this.

"Sssshhh!! You can't curse now!"

"Kana, he doesn't get it. Let him curse all he wants. That's the only thing he's good at."

What the hell is her problem even? I haven't talked to her yet she goes against me every single time.

There is not a single time she doesn't do this. I don't particularly care, but it's annoying when you expect reasonable treatment after what you do.

How much of a hypocrite can you be?

"Attention! I'll begin. Well, group 4, who will be representing the group as a whole?"

Group 4 consists of Sana, Kan, Tsudo, and Shizuku. Needless to say, but their choice would influence how I would act.

Yes. I know that this is technically a group and that it's already been decided who will represent the group, but that doesn't mean I can't do anything to change that.

"I am!"

The one person in this class that I first met, spoke calmly yet highly. Our dialogue still remains a mystery to me.

What did Kan mean when he said that I shouldn't interact with the rest? We all had that stupid idea of our desired way of interacting but in the end, we all went along with the flow.

However, some didn't. Kan, for sure, is part of those 'some'.

"Kan, you heard the rules, right?"

"Yeah, yeah. I got them, teach. I wasn't planning on arguing since I don't really care about this. Not my problem. But, I'll represent my group's choice accurately."

His mood seems always to be the same as always. His face looks so stoned due to the amount of weed he smokes.

Wait, is he high?

Also... I haven't had a smoke in centuries. I could really use a kush...

All the more motivation to win this bet. Sorry, Kuzan, your Aniki can't go easy on you today.

The need to blaze keeps on rising!

"Sooo... Ikkiri did this. Obvious. Yeah, no doubt here. I'm done. Thanks for the chance, teach."

Definitely high.

However, still extremely bold. Who the hell thought that this was a good idea?

"Sensei, can I take his place? I suspect that Kan might be in the incorrect condition to represent us..."

Sana's assumption is correct. He can't even present single reasoning for his group's choice.

He's so stoned that he's rumbling onto himself while on his seat. Sana, however, couldn't take his ridiculous performance and proudly stepped up.

"With all due respect, go ahead."

Sana's semi-long brunette hair shone perfectly along with her feminine figure. Her slender build synergized well with her charming factors, such as her well-taken care appearance and her dulcet voice.

"First of all, I'm sorry about Kan's inexcusable performance."

"That's fine. He did say your group's choice, right? Or was it another one?"

Kan was too high to give a damn about the actuality of the situation. The way he looks at the classroom's ceiling with his head crooked reversely makes me wonder if he entered a lucid dream state...

Damn Kan, share a bit.

"Yes, our group's choice remains the same. However, I'll explain why we opted to choose Ikkiri as our target. Also, there is no personal bias here..."

Sana mainly looked towards Akimiyashika and Hinagiku. Those two are definitely the type of people to believe that this is a biased decision.

"No offense to Ikkiri, but... Why exactly aren't you arguing back? You said that it's fine and whatnot, but I don't believe that. You're hiding something, aren't you...?"

Ikkiri, as always, was engulfed in her own unhappiness and gloominess. Her body remained motionless while firmly looking down at all times. Unspoken perhaps yet she most likely feels a great deal of dolor.

"No..."

That lone answer was quite insufficient. Ikkiri's dead voice tone only bothered to transmit the word of denial.

"Why not?"

It didn't take more than a second for Sana to insist on the abjected Ikkiri.

Someone is blaming you. Not once, but twice yet you still refuse to fight back? You authentic moron, this is why whoever did this picked you as their target. Your attitude doesn't possess any strengths; only weaknesses.

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

"I'm really not hiding anything. You're the one who's doubting me, Sana..."

"That's because you are weird. So weird. But that's partial to the topic. Your attitude should mean that you are hiding something. You're just faking this for attention, aren't you? I'm sure it must feel great to have all of this attention just for yourself!"

"That's wrong... I really didn't do this, okay?!"

For the first time, she fought back. Her small shout towards Sana, who was blaming her, was heard loud and clear throughout the whole classroom. Despite this, Ikkiri quickly reverted her heated gaze to the bottom once more.

"We'll see about that. It's all very convenient how there isn't anything leaking to the actual culprit. You sure thought this out well. With no evidence to link with, you will never be found out. Genius, I dare say. Except you aren't fooling anyone. Well, that's our group's opinion. Thank you for listening."

With Sana's speech out of the way, group 5's decision had been made clear. Ikkiri would be their target.

Unlike group 3, group 5 went as far as claiming that this is all staged. Ikkiri could very well be faking her reactions.

It's possible. However, is it unlikely? I don't know. Because I don't know Ikkiri in the first place nor do I care enough to get to know her.

Group 1 has voted against Tateyana. Group 2 has voted against Tatsu. Group 3 has voted against Ikkiri. Group 4 has voted against Yukishiro.

Until now, there were four different votes, but with group 5's choice, that's not the case anymore. There are only three different votes.

It goes without saying, but what is the point of going through such simplicity? What for?

Kuzan's noticeable smirk rose up to the surface as soon as Sana ended her speech. Why is that though?

What could possibly make him smirk on such occasion?

I know why. Kuzan betted on Ikkiri for sure. Our group will choose Ikkiri as our target and Kuzan will win the bet. Even if I supposedly choose the obvious choice, which is, Ikkiri, right now... Our bet will end in a draw.

Nevertheless, that's not the case.

Because I haven't betted on Ikkiri.

"And last, but not least, group 6."

As soon as Yuka-sensei said those words, I took a short notice on my table partner's impatience. She was ready to jump off and announce who would be the leader.

Essentially, who would be the first to act, would undoubtedly be the one who portrayed the group's choice.

And Kuzan, as for you... You are still far too naive.

Thus, before my table partner could utter a single word, with the unbelievable speed in the eyes of many, I spoke with maximum haste.

"I'll be speaking for my group."

I didn't look in her direction, but it wouldn't be an exaggeration to think that she's fuming or feeling violently revolted right now. As a matter of fact, she didn't take this very well.

"Excuse me, but I'll be speaking for our group! This is not what we agreed on."

"I never agreed with what you said though. Also, I said it first, that's what matters right, Yuka-sensei?"

Don't think everyone will just succumb to you just because you show an aggressive attitude behind your words.

How dumb do you have to be to assume that everyone will just blindly follow your orders? Your vanity isn't a momentum of admiration, it's a rock you carry on your leash every day.

"Precisely speaking, since I want to get this to be done with, yes. As long as you speak for your group entirely."

My group doesn't matter.

Her objection is transparent to me right now. She's saying words that I am purposely ignoring right now.

I've entered a state of mind where there is only one path ahead.

Victory lies beyond.

"Our choice is Tatsu. We agree with Sagasuga's reasoning. Out of everyone in this room, who is the most likely to censure Ikkiri? Tatsu is one exam away from being expelled. This is no joking matter. No hard feelings, Tatsu? Tatsu, why are you lying to yourself?"

How can you not have hard feelings when your partner has an incident like this?

I don't care if Tatsu is usually not this spiteful or not. Arkalee has an optimism that I'll never have. So what if I'm negative?

That's not a reason for me to not see things objectively

"It's not a lie. I'm not as immature as you think I am. I would not hold a grudge over something like this. If she missed it, she missed it. Stomachaches, happen, you know?"

"They sure happen. But what an unfortunate coincidence. Out of all the people in this classroom to be screwed over, you were the one. What a saint you must be. Accepting a defeat like that? Except... If I recall correctly, you exhibited a great deal of worry for your own potential victory. While Ikkiri was absent you tried to take the exam by yourself. Tell me, what sense does it make for you to say that there were no hard feelings when you tried to make your situation better?"

I understand that you have a need to lie because you don't want to be caught, but you acted so prematurely, Tatsu. You should've done this a month or so later.

Our previous exam was recent. You didn't think this out well enough.

"What does that have to do with anything?! Are you really arguing that just because I tried to make my situation better, that I am harboring hatred for her?"

"If not, then why would you try to make your own situation better? You know that it was a pair battle yet you attempted to ask for individual competition. Why did you think that?"

It doesn't make any sense to ask for something like individual competition when your partner can't even be present. What was he thinking?

"That's... Look, I didn't want to lose. Can you really blame me, man? My partner is useless, whether she's absent or not."

For once, Ikkiri's reaction stopped being so motionless as she started to tremble. Yet, that was about it. Her facial expression looked completely stressed out in the process, but I couldn't care less.

"You didn't want to lose. Yet despite that, you knew you couldn't turn it into an individual type of competition without your partner. How lamentable. If only Ikkiri was there. The fact that you even attempted should mean something. I refuse to believe otherwise. Whether Ikkiri's useless or not, you weren't even given the chance to fight. Defend yourself all you want, it won't change the fact that Ikkiri's absence cost you the exam."

It's completely partial whether or not the possibility of Tatsu winning the exam would increase if Ikkiri was there or not. What isn't partial is the fact that Ikkiri was not present.

Seriously, Arkalee? You're expecting someone to not be spiteful when you are in a classroom full of spiteful people in general?

"Is that your final choice, Daniel?"

This would put an end to this. Kuzan was looking at me with fury. The same could be said for my table partner, but she's above Kuzan's fury. Kanawari was mildly confused about what exactly was going on.

"Ye--"

"Wait just a moment! That's not our decision! He came up with this choice by himself!"

And of course, she would argue. The possibility was there and it would happen, of course. Why would it not happen?

"Daniel, is this true?"

"No, it's not. We four reasoned that Tatsu was the most logical choice and I have presented our reasoning for it. Ignore her, please. She's lying, right now. Because she individually thinks otherwise."

It was the opposite. Only I think otherwise. But I'm ready to argue.

"I am not lying!! Kana, Kuzan, what is our group choice?!"

To her defense in this argument, she turned to Kuzan and Kanawari, obviously.

However, I've also taken that into consideration.

"Sensei, she's trying to manipulate the credibility by asking the rest of the group the choice. If they answer otherwise, then it means that she most likely has managed to get them on her side here. Please don't assume that she's speaking the absolute truth."

"I am speaking the truth! Come on, Kana, Kuzan!"

Under the pressure, Kanawari was showing visible stress because all eyes were on her. She's not such a clear speaker like Kuzan, who immediately replied back.

"Our group choice was Ikkiri..."

"Yeah! Our group choice was Ikkiri! I don't know why Daniel suddenly changed it..."

That's not enough though.

Therefore, I argued back.

"We never reached a consensus in the first place. You are all saying 'group choice' but this was solely done by her and her alone. Not Kuzan, not Kanawari, but you. However, at some point, we all agreed that Tatsu was the one. Therefore, we reached a visible consensus. Anything that happened after that isn't in my knowledge."

We never agreed to anything.

It's nothing personal, honestly. I just need to make sure that the ultimate opinion that gets selected is mine.

Even if that means arguing to the point where I make everyone in my group hate me in the process.

"Why are you lying so much!? We did agree! Kuzan, Kanawari and I all complied! You as well!"

"No such thing. You are lying."

"For the last time, I am not! Kuzan, am I lying here?!"

"No!"

Kuzan would never disagree. Otherwise, he would lose his bet.

"Kana, am I lying, right now!?"

"No..."

But she's lying though. I never complied. She said that I did when that was not the case.

You shouldn't have mentioned that and now you are going to pay the cost.

"Kuzan, why are you lying? She never asked you if that was what you truly thought. You first argued that Tateyana was the most optimal target. Same with Kanawari."

Tateyana surely must be feeling angry now, but I won't stop.

"Only she argued that it was Ikkiri. There was never a group choice, to begin with. Because we never reached a consensus. That's why my opinion should speak for the group itself. I've presented sound logic and reasoning and took the initiative to represent the group as a whole. No one else bothered to do this."

"That's because----"

She tried to speak, but I interrupted her without a second thought. Hyunda, I agree with your idea about equality. I really do. But, I can't apply it to every single person. I'm sorry.

"It's the truth. I took into consideration the factor that we agreed about Tatsu being a logical target. You just took everyone's opinions for granted. Though, I wasn't expecting Kuzan and Kanawari to lie along with you. I'm disappointed."

Almost instantly, the three of them looked at me like I was pure trash. With eyes that screamed fury and rage.

They obviously aren't taking this well and they aren't supposed to.

"Daniel, I can't believe you! You are calling us liars?!"

"What the hell is wrong with you!?"

What's with that question, Kuzan? You of all people should know why I'm doing this.

"That's because you both are liars. Hey, just admit it... She told you two to side with her, right? It doesn't make much sense for you two to side with her when you had your own choice."

This little drama was only for one purpose. Which is why I stopped talking with these three individuals and started talking to the only individual that mattered.

"Yuka-sensei, shouldn't my opinion, which was arguably the whole group's choice, be selected?"

....These many eyes on me... What the hell is this...

Look elsewhere... Stop trying to perceive my actions as if any of you can hope to comprehend.

Though, Hyunda should have a fair guess on what this is about. Because he's the only one who isn't paying attention to this event.

"I don't know, Daniel. You are saying something completely different in comparison to what they are saying. You're not making this easy... I'll let Lus speak and if she presents a better logic than you, then her choice will be chosen."

"I see."

I took my seat and ignored the raging individuals who were seated right next to me. My table partner looked like she was ready to rip me to shreds, but even she is not that dumb.

With the new rules established, what are you going to do?

Without much choice left, she rose from her seat and spoke vigorously with a loud voice.

"Ikkiri's definitely the target and THIS IS our group choice, not an individual one... Please don't get that wrong. As to why Ikkiri's the target, I'll have to agree with Sana's logic. It makes the most sense for her to create this event. I mean, come on... All she has to do is fake her reactions. Wasn't she always eager and enthusiastic in the first place? What changed that? I highly doubt that she would succumb to all this pressure. Or am I wrong, Ikkiri? Talk to us, please!"

She's desperate. Her points aren't even that good.

The fact that she abandoned her well-known independence in ideals and agreed with Sana just goes to show how stressed she is. She doesn't take well lies, apparently.

Plus, her highly-pitched comments are a symbol of impatience.

"Why are you all claiming that it was me who has done this... I would never do something as horrible as this to anyone.... So why do you think that I would do this, especially to myself!?"

Perfect.

Ikkiri's fighting back. Had enough, huh? That's a start.

Don't let her boss you.

"You probably have an attention deficit. It's not that rare, come on. What are the odds of someone with an extremely high attention deficit being here right now? Considering how you've acted these two months, it's not a blunder to assume that you have one. You attention whore!"

Hahahaha, she's sooooo pissed off that she doesn't realize what she has just said!

"Lus! That's enough! I'm not taking your opinion into consideration."

"Why not?!"

"Your points are too offensive and personal. No matter how I look at it, Daniel's points contain more logic than yours."

Posture and attitude are incredibly convenient when it comes to making points.

Kawahara, whenever you are pitched against a wall and everyone hates you, you never back down and whenever you really want to win in an argument you go through every length possible just to not lose.

In the middle of an argument, your attitude remains calm and collected.

"Am I allowed to argue back...?"

I'm surprised she didn't persist. She's smart in this regard at least. This was starting to turn into an offensive argument. No, it was already offensive enough.

She made Ikkiri sulk as soon as she said those two malicious words.

"No. But thank you for respecting my rules. This has turned offensive enough. Therefore, I'll be taking Daniel's opinion for your group as a whole."

Serves you right. This is what you get for acting so high and mighty all the time.

What are you looking at me for? Do you think you scare me? There's nothing you can do against me.

Fight me physically? I'll fucking end you.

Fight me verbally? I'll murder you on the major third degree.

Normalcy nowadays implies that against girls you need to hold back, but what the fuck for?

Delicacy?

Kindness?

Manners?

Tact?

Sensitivity?

Respect?

Integrity?

Solidarity?

Diplomacy?

I don't care about any of those.

I'll always treat you the same way as you treat me.

"Well... We have a draw. There are two votes for Tatsu and two for Ikkiri, which ironically are paired with each other and were paired up with each other in the previous exam. What a weird coincidence."

This is just the first half of the bet. What matters is what comes after this.

Kuzan, Kanawari, and the salty bitch are looking at me with feverish eyes. Surely in their minds, I'm dying or something like that.

"Umm, what will happen now that a draw has happened? Do both of them receive the blame...?"

Arkalee asked that. If both of them receive the blame, then both Kuzan and I win the bet. Which will make my efforts all go down the drain.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing, but... It's just not a bad thing.

"No. They won't receive the blame equally. After all, this wasn't some sort of elimination contest. I was just taking into consideration the overall opinions out of everyone. I can't leave the outcome of this to be decided when there isn't any anecdotical evidence, to begin with. That's just dumb."

"Then..."

"However! The fact still remains. With this mini-event, I am starting to understand the situation more and more. As of now, there will be no one receiving the blame since both sides are biased, but I will conduct individual investigations on every single one of you throughout this month and beyond. This is why, effectively from this day onwards, according to the alphabetic order, at the end of the class, the first student will have to stay with me."

Are you serious now...

This was just an investigation, and a minor one at it too?

"With that said, please go back to your original seats now!"

In extreme disappointment, I sunk my forehead deeply on my cold desk. The sensation was aggravatingly glacial as it calmed my thoughts at the same time.

What the hell...

What was all of this for...?

I'm hearing Kuzan and Kanawari moving their desks away without saying anything. Usually, they are talkative, but I'm assuming that they are angry at me. Of course they are. I called them liars.

But, the bet doesn't end here. The bet will only end when there is a selected culprit. Thus far, there is not one.

I acted on the premise that this event would be the conclusion, but that was slightly premature, I suppose.

Ohhh... I forgot to say something to her.

She's glowing with fury right now. Just by being this close to her, it's as if I'm being virtually killed. If this made any sense.

"3-1."

I slowly realized yesterday what she meant when she said '1-2' the other day.

She's keeping a track of how many times she gets rekt.

"Hm? What was that? I thought I just heard something... That's weird... Has my hearing gone off? I could've sworn that a voice was heard loud and clear a few seconds ago."

I get it.

She's pretending that I don't exist. If only it worked like that. Your temper; I know it well.

"You couldn't even win with three people on your side. Actually, you resorted to their help. What happened, Miss independent?"

The song is alright, I guess...

"Why do I keep hearing such trashy words from just thin air? This is why the world is getting more and more toxic. Because there is such a gigantic piece of trash that doesn't know its place!"

Still pretending, huh? Since my forehead is still connected to the surface of my desk, I'm not looking in her direction, but I can already imagine her petit-looking face going from pretty to rampant in a rhapsody of swirling emotions.

"You don't know your place then."

My table quaked. Most likely from a strong kick, which made my position impossible to be in. With such a strong kick, I had to elevate my head up high and confront her with a single glance.

However, she was the one who said the words and not me.

"Ebatʹ tebe!"

I regret knowing what she just said.