Volume 17, Chapter 1: Price of Victory, Part 3

The day after the sports festival’s concrete rules were explained, morning at homeroom time.

Just like the previous day, the atmosphere in the class was anything but lighthearted.

That was because of the three empty seats. Just like yesterday they continued to be absent huh. It’s not rare for anyone to rest from school because they’re not feeling well. But everyone is likely thinking that these three people are resting for a different reason.

In the case of consecutive absences, students are usually required to visit the clinic in Keyaki Mall and get a medical examination. On the other hand, if they have a medical examination then there will be no big problems. In other words, even if it’s not a fever, if you appeal to having some sort of condition then the clinic will receive you for two or three days.

It’s just that the three haven’t had a medical examination from the clinic from what Chabashira-sensei said in homeroom time.

The two aside from Kushida have contacted her, but how long this will be tolerated is unclear. The problem is if they continue to rest tomorrow and onwards. Haruka’s absence was related to Airi’s expulsion. Wang-chan’s was because her feelings for Yousuke had been disclosed. Kushida was absent because her true nature had been made clear. None of these had anything to do with illness.

What would happen if this continued for three days, five days, a week? The school obviously wouldn’t think of it as a coincidence. They might even embark on an investigation. Just as Chabashira-sensei herself said, sooner or later it will also have a big effect on class points.

Several cracks were already starting to open in places that couldn’t be seen.

Wang isn’t the only one who suffered from Kushida’s exposure. Ike and Shinohara, a newly formed couple, has been dragged into the fire. That’s also a cause for concern. They don’t even seem to be speaking with Kei, Matsush*ta and Mori who actually talked behind their backs.

Their names weren’t explicitly called there, but the fact that Satou and Maezono haven’t been speaking with Shinohara could well be due to the same reason.

The usual groups are changing. This was originally a class with strong bonds between the girls.

The fact that a gap is opening between them right now is obvious.

This should be the time to start deciding the members for the team contests in order to score more points. But this class still hasn’t reached that point yet.

If they tried to make the teams as it is now, the internal rift would progress even faster. It’s precisely because she understands that even Horikita hasn’t brought it up. Having said that, it’s impossible for mediation to happen here. Not only Horikita, even Yousuke knows that.

In spite of all that, time flows and our morning homeroom ended.

Right after that, I received a message on my tablet.

“I have something to discuss. Follow me.”

It was a short instruction from Chabashira-sensei.

Shortly after Chabashira-sensei left the class, I stood up as if I was going to the toilet.

In an all-out display of the power of my seat at the very back and right next to the hallway, I was not seen by anybody. When we turned a corner heading to the staff room, I saw Chabashira-sensei position herself with her back towards the wall.

“It’s rare for you to call me out like this. Do you have urgent business?”

For a second, I thought that it would be related to the three absentees but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

“Right. I have something I need to tell you. It’s about Sakura.”

“Airi?”

It’s already been a week since Airi left this school. Time has passed.

Was there anything she would have to tell me now?

“Of course, the school has gone through the procedure regarding her expulsion. Sorting her luggage and absorbing her private points. Well, those necessary items… there’s an aftermath.”

Though she presented it in a straight way, her words were a little ambiguous.

Was it because of her feelings at her class being short of one student?

“Things purchased within the school fundamentally belong to the student. The person decides how to treat them. There’s no problem with leaving it or bringing it. Expulsions are formally accepted within the staff room, but… something unthinkable happened before that.”

“Unthinkable, you say.”

“Yeah. After the unanimity special exam, evidence of Sakura using 5000 of her private points was found. I should say that it’s difficult to decide what to do with it.”

“Private points are seized on expulsion aren’t they?”

“Yeah. But that’s only valid once it is formally accepted. The school thinks that this is a very gray area. For example, if she had transferred those private points to a certain student then it shouldn’t be acknowledged.”

“That’s true. If someone gave all their private points before being expelled then it could be a problem. But are you saying that Airi gave someone 5000 points?”

“No, not that. Sakura-“

I heard an unthinkable way to use private points.

As I listened to her explanation, I realized that I wasn’t unrelated.

“-So that’s why I thought to tell you, since you have something to do with it. Of course, you have no duties related to this case. If you refuse then I’ll deal with it.”

Airi acted in the short amount of time after her expulsion was decided.

As I carried a hunch on what I would answer, I decided what I should do.

“It’s not such a big amount anyway, so please leave it like that.”

“So you’ll pay up for it instead?”

“There’s no problem with that, is there?”

“No. Since those private points will have been used by you for your own convenience, the school probably won’t see it as a violation.”

“Understood.”

I understood that sensei was promising that it wouldn’t be a problem.

“I’d like to ask one thing. This is related to you… isn’t it?”

Chabashira-sensei asked as she sent a slightly probing glance at me.

“No it’s not. Perhaps she drew this conclusion by herself in that limited amount of time.”

Of course, I don’t know the details yet myself, but as time passes an answer will naturally appear.

“Anyway, small problem or not, having it settled is good news for me. The class situation isn’t all good with how it’s been.”

The picture of her worrying about her class like a homeroom teacher did not suit her at all.

“What’s with those eyes?”

“Nothing. Indeed, the class is unstable as you say. I intended to forcefully correct it, but I may not need to.”

“What do you mean?”

“Please watch attentively. The picture of the students growing one by one.”

Chabashira seemed a little unsatisfied, but she nodded quietly.