-51- Emerging hope

At this moment, all the students in the class directed their gazes to the grades displayed on the blackboard.

On it, the scores of Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken were clearly recorded in the last three rows.

Whether it was due to last-minute cramming or some effectiveness, Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken, although failing in some subjects, didn't fail in all subjects.

Out of five main subjects, Ike Kanji failed in one, Yamauchi Haruki failed in one, and Sudou Ken failed in two.

Ike Kanji's failing subject scored 29 points, Yamauchi Haruki's failing subject scored 28 points, and Sudou Ken's two failing subjects scored 26 and 33 points respectively.

The passing score was 35 points.

So, Ike Kanji was short by 6 points, Yamauchi Haruki by 7 points, and Sudou Ken by a total of 11 points, making a total of 24 points they were lacking.

"Even if I sell scores to you, you'll need to buy these 24 points to pass," Chabashira Sae said, seemingly toying with them.

"Do you really have enough personal points to buy these 24 points?" 

That was the final barrier blocking Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken.

Understanding this, the three became desperate.

"Then... how do we sell these scores?"

"At least give us a price!"

"Quick, tell us!"

Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken urgently asked.

But the answers they could get were undoubtedly fatal.

"This is indeed a difficult problem. After all, I've never sold scores before," Chabashira Sae said, folding her arms and looking at the expressions of all the students, smiling as she spoke.

"Alright, I'll give you a discount. How about one point for a hundred thousand?" 

How was it?

Wasn't it obvious?

"One point for a hundred thousand...!?"

Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken all held their breath.

"One point for a hundred thousand..."

The rest of the class was speechless as well.

One point for a hundred thousand.

What did that mean?

It meant that Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken needed to pay a total of two million four hundred thousand personal points to buy passing scores and cancel their expulsion from school.

Two million four hundred thousand.

In terms of cash, it was the equivalent in Japanese yen.

Such an amount was a nightmare for high school students.

Even though the school provided each student with a hundred thousand personal points at the beginning of the school year, the total personal points for the entire D class, with 40 students, amounted to only four million.

In other words, for Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken to stay in school, they would need to pay more than half of the personal points in the entire class.

But how could they possibly afford it?

Even if the three split the cost among themselves, it would still be far beyond their capabilities.

Moreover, their reckless spending the previous month had already depleted their personal points. Whether they could even produce ten thousand personal points, let alone the initial hundred thousand, was unknown.

Two million four hundred thousand?

They simply couldn't afford it.

"This... this is too expensive! We can't afford it!"

"Can't you make it cheaper!?"

"You're just being unreasonable!"

Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken shouted one after another.

But Chabashira Sae paid no attention.

"This is your last chance to stay in this school. I've given you the opportunity. Whether you can seize it is your own business, not mine."

Chabashira Sae made the conclusion without a trace of mercy.

"Either pay enough points, or come with me now to complete the withdrawal procedures. It's your choice," the ruthless judgment drove Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken to the brink of madness.

"What... what should I do...!"

"Points... why do I have to spend so many points...!"

"Damn it...!"

Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken were utterly desperate.

Just when they had glimpsed a glimmer of hope, they were plunged back into despair. For these three, it was too cruel.

Not only Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken, but even the other students regretted deeply.

"If only we knew personal points were so important, I wouldn't have spent them so recklessly..."

"Yeah..."

Students expressed their regret one after another.

Chabashira Sae didn't wait patiently.

"Well? Are you going to pay the points or not?" Chabashira Sae's urging sounded like the devil's whisper to Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken.

Just then...

"I'll help pay the points too!"

The one who spoke these words and raised her hand was Kushida Kikyou.

"I still have around fifty thousand personal points left, and I'm willing to pay them all!"

Kushida Kikyou's voice, compared to Chabashira Sae's, was like an angel's redemption.

"If it's not enough, I can borrow from friends in other classes. The personal points of other classes haven't been depleted, and there will be new personal points credited this month. With the leftovers from before, I believe there will be a way!"

Kushida Kikyou stepped forward with a strong and determined voice, firmly declaring her stance to extend a helping hand to Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken.

Nanaya Hori raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling somewhat surprised.

He didn't expect this girl, who concealed her true nature behind a mask, to be willing to go to such lengths to help Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken stay.

What was the reason behind this?

As Nanaya Hori pondered, Hirata Yousuke also stood up.

"I'm also willing to contribute some personal points," Hirata Yousuke said, equally determined. "I can also borrow from friends in other classes and seniors in the clubs."

If that was the case, then raising two million four hundred thousand might not be impossible.

With the personal charm of Kushida Kikyou and Hirata Yousuke, it was believed that there would be many willing to lend them points, right?

"I hope you all can also provide some help."

"Please, help our friends around us."

Kushida Kikyou and Hirata Yousuke appealed to the students in the class.

In this situation, the students in the class looked at each other.

Then...

"I... I can only come up with five thousand."

"I can only offer three thousand."

"I... I can give a little bit."

"Count me in!"

Students raised their hands one after another.

This was the result brought about by the personal charm of Kushida Kikyou and Hirata Yousuke.

Even though the students in the class didn't like Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sudou Ken, they were willing to comply with Kushida Kikyou and Hirata Yousuke's requests.

Therefore, hope finally seemed to emerge.