I'm in a real religion, why are all the people who confess to me girls?

Why should I be afraid?

The question, "Why should I be afraid?" brought a smile to Ninomiya's face.

She got it.

She understood everything. No wonder Tianyin treated the special exam like a game at the beginning; she really was playing a game.

It's not just Tianyin; everyone is playing a game called life. However, unlike them, Tianyin only has a walkthrough guide in her hand.

In Tianyin's eyes, all her actions were merely to satisfy Tianyin's gaming experience.

"I regret it a little; I should have used more force just now."

"Yes, that's true, but unfortunately, you don't have a second chance."

"

Chapter 141: The Prelude to Madness

After a long while, the door was finally pushed open from the inside.

With a relaxed smile on her face, the outcome of this internal conflict was already self-evident.

"How's it going? Is Ninomiya willing to cooperate in tomorrow's relay race?"

If it were before, Ichinose's first words would definitely have been to ask about Ninomiya's situation, but now Ichinose only wants to finish all the exams tomorrow and put a final period on her last time leading Class D in the special exam.

Whether it's perfect or not, and what ranking it achieves, is no longer within Ichinose's considerations.

"Don't count on her anymore. Fanbo, you only need to run your 1.2 kilometers in the relay race. I'll run the rest. As for you guys... those who don't want to take the exam, I'll allow you to leave now."

Amane's words were like a final ultimatum, and Ichinose instantly understood Amane's intention.

Rather than dragging along a bunch of burdens and pretending to be happy, it would be better for her and Tianyin to participate in this exam.

As for the others... she and Tianyin couldn't control their behavior. The decision of whether or not to participate was in their hands. As long as they were willing to take a gamble and wouldn't be expelled for their bad attitude, they could do as they pleased.

Faced with Tianyin's frankness, the group hesitated, looking at each other without making a decision. They wanted to go in and discuss it with Ergong, but Tianyin was guarding the door, and they had all heard the loud slap just now. No one would provoke Tianyin at this time.

Seemingly sensing everyone's thoughts, Amane took Ichinose's hand and left through the door.

After Tianyin left, the group rushed into the room as if they had been granted a pardon, and carefully closed the door behind them.

"Ninnomiya-kun, are you alright...?"

Netkura looked at Ninomiya with some concern. A bright red handprint on her face was clear proof that she had just been subjected to violence.

"I am fine."

"Is this what you call nothing? That Miyako bullies people just because she can fight. What's so great about her? Come on, let's go find Hoshinomiya-sensei. The handprint on your face is evidence that she assaulted you. With this, Miyako will definitely be expelled!"

Ninomiya looked up and glanced at the idiot who said such a thing.

Some things are better left unsaid.

Tianyin dared to act so recklessly because she had grasped her weakness. Otherwise, would Tianyin be an idiot who deliberately left evidence for her?

The reason Tianyin used so much force to leave marks on her face was simply to give everyone a warning.

Reporting to the school now and asking them to hold Tenon accountable would be the most foolish thing to do. If Kiriyama is also dragged into this, given his personality, he will definitely push everything away and leave it all to Ninomiya Yui. If that happens, it also means that Kiriyama will never be able to keep his promise.

Putting aside the change in attitude of others after they realize the deficit cannot be eliminated, if Ichinose really wants to drag her down with him, she will have no way to save herself.

Therefore, before Kiriyama fulfills his promise, he must not be implicated in anything under any circumstances.

"It's no use."

"How could it not work? The school said they would strictly investigate school bullying..."

"I told you! It's no use!"

Ninomiya's tough stance quickly cooled the atmosphere in the room, and the people around him began to look at him with hostility.

Unlike other leaders who rely on personal charisma or violence to lead their classes.

The reason Ninomiya received their assistance was because they shared common interests and were all working to eliminate the class's point deficit. In other words, they should be considered equal partners.

Ninomiya is at best a representative chosen by everyone to take the blame in case something goes wrong.

The group's relationship with Ninomiya wasn't particularly good, and compared to Ichinose, if Kiriyama hadn't specifically asked Ichinose to drop out of school, they would have unhesitatingly helped Ichinose sacrifice Ninomiya.

The students in Class D felt neither friendship nor any personal charm from Ninomiya, so naturally they had no tolerance for her.

"So what do you suggest we do tomorrow?"

Noticing the change in attitude of these opportunists, Ninomiya ignored it completely. Looking at the pairs of eyes full of disgust, she couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

Since we've come this far, why not go all out one more time?

"We are all withdrawing from the competition tomorrow."

"What? Ninomiya, are you sure you're not joking? If we all withdraw from the competition, it could very well be..."

"You yourself said it's 'very likely,' didn't you? Since it's not 100% certain that you'll be expelled, what are you afraid of? Besides, compared to 'very likely,' the group that loses our grades will definitely lose to the other groups in terms of average score. In that case, our mission will be accomplished, won't it? Ichinose is the group leader, yet only one person is willing to take the final exam with her. Doesn't that itself say something?"

Ninomiya's suggestion did sound plausible, but faced with the prospect of dropping out, these people hesitated. Not everyone was in a situation where they had no way out like Ninomiya. Whoever became the class leader was not a big deal to them. They had no reason to gamble their futures for someone else's sake.

"What? You don't believe me?"

Ninomiya realized that these people's minds were no longer as firm as before. Without needing to say more, Ninomiya understood that it was the chain reaction caused by Amane's slap.

This led these people to question her abilities.

If it were someone else, they might give up on forcing these people to make a decision, because it would be foolish to force them to make a decision when they already know that the other party has begun to distrust them. No one can predict what these people will do next.

But Ninomiya clearly didn't have such concerns. The reason was simple: Ninomiya originally intended to persuade them to withdraw from the exam with him. Once they agreed to withdraw, everything that happened afterward would be none of their business.

Even if someone wants to back out, what can they do? Would the school allow someone who has already withdrawn from the exam to rejoin and take it again?

Do not make jokes.

Therefore, Ninomiya only needs to find a way to persuade them once.

"It's not a matter of whether I believe it or not... but... this plan is too risky. Even if Ichinose eventually drops out, what if the school considers us to have a negative attitude..."

"Why don't you just say you were coerced by me? I'm not afraid of being expelled after failing, so what are you worried about? You should know that it's already come to this point, and even if you go back and beg Ichinose to let you go, it's impossible."

Ninomiya used a combination of persuasion and threats, and eventually succeeded in convincing these people.

"Then we'll do as you say, Ninomiya-kun."

……

On the other side, Amane led Ichinose to a higher floor and stopped in front of a dormitory.

"Fanbo, wait outside for a moment, I'm going to find someone."

"Okay, then I'll wait for you by the emergency exit."

Without asking any further questions, Ichinose turned and walked towards the emergency exit.

Tianyin then knocked on the door.

Who is it?

When a familiar yet slightly languid voice came from behind the door, Tianyin couldn't help but smile.

"it's me."

Upon hearing Tianyin's voice, a flustered sound came from behind the door. As soon as the door opened, a figure rushed into Tianyin's arms.

"Aaaaaah, Tianyin, you're finally here!!!"

Seeing Karuizawa's handsome face covered in little notes, even Amane couldn't help but laugh.

"You're still laughing at me!"

Karuizawa lightly punched Amane's chest twice in dissatisfaction. Such force was hardly a massage to Amane, but it gave her the opportunity for intimate contact.

However, she came here with something to say, so there was no time to joke around with her.

Upon seeing that Amane only smiled without saying a word, Karuizawa immediately realized that Amane had something to say, and obediently let Amane in.

When Amane entered the bedroom, she discovered that Horikita and the others were playing cards. Although the others had slips of paper on their faces, they didn't have as many as Karuizawa, indicating that Karuizawa had clearly lost quite a bit.

What brings you here today?

"Rinne, I have something to tell you."

Horikita raised an eyebrow at Amane's serious expression.

It's rare for something to make Amane so serious; it seems there's a problem with Ichinose.

"Horikita-kun, if you have something to do, go ahead and do it. I'll play a few rounds for you."

"Then trouble you."

Horikita casually handed the cards in his hand to the girl next to him, and after the meal, he got up, put on his shoes, and went outside the room with Amane.

"problem occurs?"

Horikita has been keeping a close eye on the changes on Amane's side. Although Amane hasn't said much to her, she has gathered a lot of information about the other members of Class D, all of which indicate that Class D is currently facing a situation of falling apart. Therefore, the changes on Amane's side have become of paramount importance. In Horikita's view, if Class D chooses to abandon Ichinose, Class D will be completely finished.

"I've already fallen out with Ninomiya, and things will develop in the worst possible way."

The worst possible outcome.

When Horikita heard Amane say that the worst-case scenario was going to happen, she couldn't help but gasp. According to Horikita's thinking, if they could ensure that their ranking didn't fall to the bottom, they wouldn't have to pay a huge price to save Ichinose.

But if things go to the worst, Tianyin will have to risk everything to solve the problem.

"If even you couldn't stop Ninomiya, then there's nothing we can do about how things have turned out this way. But... is this really the reason you came to me?"

Horikita didn't believe that Amane would make a special trip to meet her for something like this, because Amane had to pay almost all the price herself. Horikita had already given Amane everything she could, so Amane must have something more important to discuss with her.

"As expected of Rinne~"

Stop joking and just tell me.

Horikita took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for what Amane was about to say, fearing that she might lose her composure due to what she was about to say.

"When I plan to make Ichinose drop out of school, I'll make sure to drop out with her."

Even though Horikita had prepared herself mentally, she was still stunned by those words.

"No! I don't agree!"

Horikita's angry refusal echoed in the corridor.

Tianyin had anticipated this and covered her ears, thus escaping unscathed. However, what followed was not so easy to avoid.

"Amane, why did you do this? You definitely had other better ways to avoid Ichinose's expulsion. Why did you have to go down this path?"

Horikita quickly realized that this was not a case of things getting worse, but rather that Amane had deliberately created this situation.

But she couldn't understand why Amane would do that. Even if Class B used all their strength to save Ichinose, it would only be barely enough, and there would be no way they would have any strength left to save Amane.

If Horikita had to choose between Amane and Ichinose, she would choose Amane without hesitation, regardless of Ichinose's life or death. Without Amane, everything would be meaningless.

"Because I want to show everyone my abilities."

Amane's answer clearly failed to convince Horikita.

"But didn't you already demonstrate your strength at the sports festival? The best students in the entire school couldn't do anything to you even if they joined forces. Isn't that enough to prove your strength and power, Tianyin? Why do you still want to take such a risk? What if you get expelled... what am I supposed to do then?"

Horikita grabbed Amane's shoulders and looked her in the eye, trying to use her emotions to persuade Amane to give up this crazy idea.

But soon, Horikita realized that this was simply impossible, and Amane's determined gaze was more serious than ever before.

Even during the sports festival, Amane never had such an expression.

"No, Rinne, you're wrong. That's not my full strength. I want everyone to see a different kind of strength. I hate explaining my power to others, but... there are always some fools who dare to mess with me. I can only make them understand that neither violence nor cunning will pale in comparison to this other kind of absolute strength."

Amane gently embraced Horikita, pressing her cheek against Horikita's and whispering in her ear.

"As for your concerns, Suzune... I promise you I won't be expelled."

"But...but what if..."

"There's no 'what if'."

Tenon spoke with such certainty, yet Horikita felt no sense of reassurance whatsoever, as if the only option before her was to choose to believe Tenon.

"Then what do I need to do?"

"All you have to do is refuse to save me when I'm expelled from school."

Chapter 142: Welcome to the Opposition Lane