Fated to Meet(COTE X Tomodachi Game)

Chapter 7: Below the red line/ Expulsion

It was the day of the test, and I was as tired as I always was.
I haven't slept well since I got to this school, and I never really slept well before I came. There are nights where I'll stay up, un able to sit still, my mind racing.
I met Ayanokoji at the lobby, and we walked together. We both remained silent, probably because of yesterday's events.
Kushida had failed with her plans to become friends with Horikita, and Horikita had lashed out at me in front of our classmates.
I honestly wasn't sure if we could all pass this test, there would most likely be one or two who failed. But I guess I should trust that tutoring was enough.
——-
When we arrived, the class was silent. Kushida shot me an apologetic look as I passed her. She had called me yesterday to apologize for making Horikita hate us.
It was fine though, and Ayanokoji didn't seem to be worrying about it either.
We all waited in silence for the teacher to arrive.

We had to get above a 50 to stay in the school. Anything below that, and you would fail.
"I did all I could this time," whispered Horikita.

She was probably on edge, wondering if what she did would pay off. I knew it would, but theres something else I'm worried about.
Chabashira walked into the room.
"Okay, we will now begin your first test, anyone who score below a 50 will be expelled from this school."
It had begun, and I was so tired, that I was afraid I would fall asleep before the test was even given to me.
——
After it was over, other students began to confide in their friends.

"Man I'm really not sure...it making me feel anxious..."
"I'm sure I at least got above a 50...probably..."

Hirata decided to calm everyone down.
"I'm sure no one failed this test, especially since we had help from Horikita. There's no need to worry. We should just wait for tomorrows results."

"Right..."
Students agreed with him and began leaving the classroom.
"Let's go," said Ayanokoji from behind me.

Horikita stopped walking for a moment. "Well haven't you two already become so close, so do me a favor, and keep me out of your future schemes."
She meant it to be threatening, probably.
But, she kept going.
"You really shouldn't interfere in others people's business, you should have turned Kushida's offer down even though it was to get her hel-"

Slam!
Before I knew it, I had slammed my hands on the table. I looked back at Horikita who just stared at me, with some other students who hadn't left the classroom yet.
I looked down and began to grab my stuff.
"Sorry..." I muttered.

She just left after that, and so did other people.
"We can go."
"Okay."
"You should get some sleep."
"...probably."
—
(Ayanokoji POV)
I met up with Katagiri the day after the test to walk to school.
We had been meeting like this every morning since we started at the school.
I'm sure at this moment in time though, he didn't know why. But that's okay.

He had a break yesterday when Horikita tried to lecture him. I was sure it was because a lack of sleep.
We mainly walked in silence today, because he most likely thought I had seen what happened yesterday as bad, something he didn't want me to see.

I wasn't going to make any attempt to talk to him about it. So we continued like this until we were both in our seats.
"Sorry...about yesterday."
So he was scared of me thinking bad of him.

"It's fine, but you should probably get more sleep."
"Don't worry, I got a good bit last night."
Chabashira walked in a little earlier then usual, the test score in hand.
She unraveled it on the white board, and everyone leaned in to take a look.

She took out a red marker, and divided the students who failed from the students who passed.
Only one name fell below the red marker:

Katagiri Yuuichi.
—
"Uh...sensei does that mean..." said Ike

It did mean that. Katagiri would be expelled. But I felt that it wasn't going to be that simple.

Horikita stood up and looked at Katagiri.
"I thought you said you had studied."

"Don't worry," said Katagiri. He looked rather angry.
"I'm not going to be expelled."

Everyone looked at the teacher when he said that.
"He's right. Katagiri Yuuichi is not going to be expelled."

Everyone in the class begin murmuring.
"On my way to this classroom, someone from Class A, I will not name who, stopped me. They asked if they could see our class scores. I said no, but then asked that if Katagiri Yuuichi had not scored above a 50, could they save him with points."

I was interested to hear this. Everyone in the class began to talk again, while shooting looks at Katagiri.
"I said yes, and said that they needed to pay 500,000 points to save him, and they obliged immediately and paid the points."

"Who..."
"Why would they do that....?"
"Does Katagiri have a friend in class A?"

Katagiri looked angry, and muttered something that I wasn't sure who else could hear.

"I didn't ask for this..."
It seemed only me and Horikita could hear him, because she looked confused.

"I didn't ask for any of this, Kokorogi..."

He looked down, with a glare in his eye.

"Now, I will explain your first special exam at the Advanced Nurturing High School."
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Next chapter: Special Exam 9-5-22
A/N: