Read till the end.
Miura Yumiko POV:
"What? You're kidding! How did I fail?" Your seriously asking that? Horikita was the one who told you to come back to the study group but you refused.
"The threshold for failure on this midterm test was 40. The average score on the midterm test was 79.6. Divided by two ... Since we round that up, you needed a score of 40 or higher to pass."
"Forty." I was looking at his face, enjoying the look of despair internally.
"We only knew each other for a short time, but I appreciate your efforts. I'll issue your notice of expulsion after class."
"I'm gonna be expelled?"
"Wait a minute! Isn't there any way to save him?" Hirata asked. I mean there is, but you'll never know.
"A failing score means you're finished."
"Isn't there anything we can do? We can't let Sudō-kun be expelled."
Almost everyone was disheartened and I looked towards Horikita and saw her gritting her teeth, trying to come up with something. Kushida was asking everyone if they're going to let this happen and everyone seemed upset knowing they were incapable of doing anything. Soon, Ayanokouji stands up.
"Ayanokōji-kun?"
"Sorry. Gotta hit the restroom."
After he left, I waited for about five seconds before getting up.
"Miura-san." Kushida called out to me.
"Ah sorry, I'm going to go get something from the vending machine to cool off." I didn't bother waiting for a response and left, making my way to the rooftop. I could feel Horikita staring at me, so I glanced back and gave a little smirk and saw her narrow her eyes.
Now you may be asking, why the rooftop? Wasn't that in the anime? Well I had asked that god to create several occasions where it would happen just like the anime in the beginning and also combined one scene together form the anime and the Light Novel. You'll see what I mean.
I started walking up the stairs but stopped right by the opened door to hear two people talking to each other. After a couple of seconds I see Horikita coming up the stairs as well.
"What're yo—" I put a finger to my mouth, signalling her to be quiet. She walked towards me and also eavesdrops on the conversation as well. We continued to listen in silence until we heard Ayanokouji say one particular thing.
"I agree. The word "equal" is a lie. But we humans are thinking creatures." He says.
"What's your point?" Sensei asks back.
"That rules require, at least, the appearance of an equal application"
"He's about to pop the question." I said quietly.
"What question." Horikita asked me.
"You'll see. I wouldn't be surprised if he figured it out as well." I said with a smirk on my face, while Horikita furrowed her eyebrows, trying to figure out what she's missing.
That is until we heard what Ayanokouji said next.
"Sell me one point to add to Sudō's English test score." I looked at Horikita's expression and her eyes are widened in realisation as she's probably recalling what Sensei had told us on the first day.
"To buy things, you'll use points stored in the school's official computer system. At this school, you can buy anything using points."
"Let me see ... If you can give me 100,000 points right here and now, I'll sell it to you." We continued to listen as Sensei told Ayanokouji the price to buy the point.
"That's cruel, Sensei." Ayanokouji responded.
"That's part of the rules, too." Of course it is, or else our dear Chabs would've accepted easily for a mere 5 thousand points at the least.
"We'll pay too." Horikita said, revealing herself. So I did the same. "We don't know what penalty might be enacted on a class that loses students to expulsion. I've determined there may be considerable merit in keeping him around."
"I'm guessing you only thought that because Ayanokouji told you and got it through your thick skull." She glares at me in response. Probably trying to act cool in front of Sensei. "Something wrong." I tilted my head and said innocently.
"Miura, Horikita..." Ayanokouji mumbled.
"Hah. I knew you people would be interesting. Very well. I'll sell you Sudō's test point. You can let him know his expulsion has been rescinded yourselves." Chiyabashira-sensei stated. Pfft like I'm gonna pay.
"You're sure about this?" Ayanokouji asked sensei.
"I agreed to sell it for 100,000 points. I don't have a choice. In the history of this school, no Class D has ever advanced to a higher tier. Do you still intend to struggle for it?"
"I don't know how they feel but I will ascend to a higher class." Horikita responded.
"And how do defective like you, abandoned by the school, expect to aim for the top?"
"If I may be so bold, defective merchandise can often be fixed with the slightest of alterations. That is my feeling on the matter." It took Ayanokouji three special exams to get it through your head, as if it'll be that easy.
"Ehh, but Horikita, isn't your worth considered to be lower than merchandise." I said while placing my index finger on my cheek and tilting my head slightly.
"And what's that supposed to mean." She asked me, almost growling, seems she's fed up with me.
We then heard chuckling from Sensei and looked back at her.
"I look forward to seeing it, then. As your teacher, I'll watch over you warmly." If you call blackmailing Ayanokouji warmly, then sure...
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Right now the three of us are now sitting on a bench in a park. I was on the right of Ayanokouji, having a lollipop, while he was staring at his phone. I glanced at the phone to see him staring at the Class Points of all the classes. And Horikita was reading a book on his left side.
"Class A has 1,004 points. By comparison, we have measly 87 points. Honestly, aiming for Class A feels like a pipe dream." Ayanokouji said.
"I won't give up. I will advance to Class A." Horikita stated.
"We've got three years remember!" I said cheerfully while enjoying her lollipop.
"I see." Ayanokouji said plainly.
"What?" Horikita questioned.
"Well, I owe you one. Thanks for saving Sudō."
"Didn't I tell you? I did that for my own sake. Nothing more."
"Tsundere~" I said and when Horikita looked at me, I looked away.
"Hmmm? Is that really the only reason?"
"What are you two implying?"
"You knew Sudo's English midterm score would be borderline, so you intentionally lowered your score, didn't you? That's a very nice thing to do for someone you once pushed away."
"I told you, I did it to get into Class A."
"Yeah, okay. Whatever you say." Hmm? Why isn't he standing up? I thought while throwing my lollipop stick in the ground.
"Hey. I don't like your attitude, Ayanokōji-kun." Horikita says with her eyes covered by her hair.
"Eh?" I don't get it? He's supposed to be standing up right now.
"To regret in suffering, or to regret in despair..." She says while digging through her bag. "Which would you prefer?" She takes out a compass and points it at him.
Horikita stabs him, while his response is an "Ow." I started snickering lightly as Horikita walked away and he was rubbing his arm.
"Oi. Don't laugh at my suffering." I started giggle a little before looking at him with a cheeky smile. He sighed before looking forward and asked me: "Hey, Miura."
"Hmm." I looked over to him wondering what's up.
"Why are you hanging around someone gloomy and socially awkward like me." So that's why he's still here. To question me. I guess I'll get closer to him and give him a big hint.
Third POV:
"Your interesting." Miura responded to Ayanokouji with a smirk. They were alone and were silent till Ayanokouji continued talking.
"Is that really it?" He asked, wondering if there was something else she wants.
"Maybe. Maybe not... it's just I feel like no one understands me in the world."
Ayanokouji looks at her confused by what she meant.
"What do you mean?"
"All my life, no one knows how I actually feel. Not even I. If I even feel." Miura states. This confuses Ayanokouji more.
While she was talking her left hand made it's way over to Ayanokouji's right hand and grasps it. Ayanokouji looks down at it and looks at Miura to see an unreadable expression on her face with a mysterious glint in her eyes. She slowly starts getting closer to him.
"For some reason I always feel like I'm alone."
She slowly starts moving her legs, putting her right leg over Ayanokouji's legs, onto the other side and sits down on his lap, while continuously looking at his caramel eyes. His eyes widen a little at her bold move. Her left hand is still on Ayanokouji's right hand, while her right palm is resting on his chest. She starts bring her face closer to his before continuing.
"But with you it's... different."
After a few more seconds of looking at his eyes she moves her lips to his ears and starts whispering.
"Your like me on the inside. Cold... Manipulative...Cruel... You don't see humans as humans, winning is all~"
She said seductively, hoping to influence Ayanokouji at least a little. Which unbeknownst to our female protagonist, it did end up sending slight shivers up his spine.
She grips his hand tightly with most of her strength but makes sure not to break it, which results in no reaction from Ayanokouji, further proving her suspicions.
She stops and places a kiss on his cheek for a few seconds before moving away and getting off him. She turns around and takes a few steps forward.
Ayanokouji touches his cheek where he was kissed, before looking up to continue listening to Miura.
"That's why you interest me, and I want to keep feeling this way. Something I've never felt before."
She was silent for a few seconds before she started talking again.
"Ne, Ayanokouji..."
Ayanokouji didn't respond but simply looked at her as she turned around and looked at him with a genuine smile she hasn't made in almost forever.
"Will you let me... stand by your side I mean?"
Ayanokouji widened his eyes, while looking at her face. He didn't know what to think but something felt different. He didn't know if it was her or maybe it was him.
He didn't say anything as he just closed his eyes, while Miura turned to look away at the sunset.
They both stayed in a comfortable silence and didn't speak or move.