-170- No other outcome

"————"

The entire venue suddenly fell silent.

It was a silence so profound that it seemed like even breathing had stopped.

Ryuen Kakeru's declaration caused errors in the calculation of results for all the classes.

In the face of such circumstances, the announcement of the exam results felt like an impending probation for everyone present, leaving every student blank-minded and unresponsive.

While the chaos unfolded in each class, the first-year class teachers pretended not to notice, but upon closer observation, subtle differences in their expressions could be discerned.

Mashima Tomonari stood at the forefront with the grade sheet in hand, his eyes closed, lost in thought.

Hoshinomiya Chie wore her usual cheerful smile, but her gaze lingered on Ichinose Honami before shifting to Hori, her eyes reflecting genuine joy, as if she had seen something amusing.

Sakagami Kazuma and Mashima Tomonari, on the other hand, had their eyes closed, but their expressions appeared extremely grim.

Chabashira Sae remained expressionless as always.

Amidst this, Mashima Tomonari opened his eyes and picked up the microphone.

"This week, we witnessed your efforts in this special exam."

"Whether it was confronting the wilderness head-on, doing your utmost to save points, or constantly trying to challenge the additional rules by exploring points and leaders, your various actions made this exam quite exciting for us."

"Allow me, on behalf of all the class teachers, to express our condolences to you. Well done."

Mashima Tomonari gave such a simple commendation.

Then...

"Next, I will announce the results of this special exam."

Mashima Tomonari's gaze swept across everyone present as he spoke in a deep voice.

"For these results, the school will ensure absolute fairness and justice, so we will not entertain any questions."

With that, Mashima Tomonari's voice resounded through the microphone.

"Then, starting from the last place, I will announce the rankings of this special exam until the first place."

The final results were finally about to be revealed.

As everyone looked at Mashima Tomonari standing at the forefront, announcing the exam results through the microphone, the reactions of each class naturally varied.

"Did you really betray us!?"

"Bastard!"

"What benefit do you gain from deducting points from our class!?"

The students of Class A, led by Totsuka Yahiko, couldn't contain their anger as they questioned the members of Sakayanagi's faction, earning them only cold laughter in response. Even Katsuragi Kouhei closed his eyes.

"Ichinose..."

"Did we really lose?"

"I can't accept this..."

The students of Class B surrounded Ichinose Honami, expressing their discontent and bitter smiles to the silent Ichinose Honami.

"Damn it!"

"It's all Ibuki's fault!"

"We said we shouldn't take her in long ago!"

The students of Class D were also plunged into regret, especially Hirata Yousuke and Kushida Kikyou, who lowered their heads one after another, their faces filled with pain, even causing Horikita Suzune to fall silent, and Sakura Airi looked at Hori, her face helpless.

As for Class C, because they collectively abstained, even Kaneda Satoru had returned to the ship, leaving only Ryuen Kakeru and Ibuki Mio's relationship, making it the quietest.

However, Ryuen Kakeru's lips were always curled with a faint curve, and Ibuki Mio glanced at the people from Class D who were glaring at her, then turned away, pretending not to see.

All the classes were caught in such chaos.

Although there were not many who could understand the entire process, at least in the hearts of everyone present, the results of this special exam had already been determined, right?

Class C would rank first with 175 points.

Class A would rank second with 170 points.

Class D would rank third with 135 points.

Class B would rank last with 130 points.

That was the result in everyone's minds.

Only one person spoke out about this result.

"You said that first place must belong to Class C, right?"

Just a second before Mashima Tomonari was about to announce the results...

Hori, in front of everyone present, said to the stunned Ryuen Kakeru with a calm tone.

"Well then, let me tell you too, Ryuen."

Hori made such an assertion.

"Class C will definitely be the last."

"There is no other outcome."

As soon as the voice fell, Mashima Tomonari's voice almost simultaneously rang out.

"Fourth place, Class C, 0 points."

When this result appeared on the beach and entered the ears of everyone present, the eyes of all the students widened.

"…!?"

Ryuen Kakeru's expression froze.

"0 points!?"

Ibuki Mio also lifted her head in shock.

But Mashima Tomonari paid no heed and continued announcing the results.

"In third place, Class A, with 120 points."

The members of Class A were left gaping.

"In second place, Class B, with 280 points."

The members of Class B couldn't believe their ears.

And then...

"In first place, Class D..."

Mashima Tomonari glanced towards Class D, paused for a moment, then announced indifferently,

"309 points."

That was Class D's score.

"Such are the results of this special exam."

Mashima Tomonari concluded with these words.

"As for the outcome, these scores will be added to the class points of each class, serving as a reward for your efforts over the past week."

"I hope all first-year students will reflect on and analyze this result, accept it, and apply it to the next exam."

"The first special exam for the first years concludes here."

With this, the announcement of the results was successfully completed.

However, this result left everyone confused and even panicked.

"W-What... What's going on!?"

"Someone explain this!"

"Why did it turn out like this!?"

The students were all at a loss.

Even central figures like Katsuragi Kouhei and Kanzaki Ryuji from Class D could only stare wide-eyed, unable to react for a while.

Even the students of Class D were utterly bewildered.

"Are we... first...?"

"309 points...?"

"Is this... a joke...?"

Led by Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken, the entire Class D couldn't get their heads to function properly.

"How...?"

Horikita Suzune was equally stunned, only turning her head hurriedly after a while, looking in a certain direction.

That direction was where Hori was.

The calm expression on Hori's face caught Horikita Suzune's eyes naturally.

Naturally, it caught everyone's eyes.

Recalling Hori's declaration just now, where else could everyone not know?

Everything was the doing of this man.

"What... What have you done!?"

Ibuki Mio still looked shocked as she questioned Hori.

"..."

The smile disappeared from Ryuen Kakeru's face, and he also turned to look at Hori.

Under Ryuen Kakeru's gaze, Hori turned his head and smiled suddenly.

"Didn't you want a surprise?"

"This is the surprise."

"How about it? Are you satisfied?"

Hori's faint smile spread like this.

Exceptionally clear.