2-2 Chap 1 Part 4 Ichinose Scene

"I wonder if I'm wrong..." It wasn't as if Ichinose didn't understand Kanzaki. She understood it, but she was trying to hold her own ground. The difference between that and continuing without understanding him was like night and day.

"You do remember what I told you earlier, right?"

"Yes. 'Keep pushing on with your classmates, no matter what.'"

"From now own, other students might start changing the class themselves like Kanzaki. Or some students who are dissatisfied with you and think of trying to stop you will appear. Or even students who will betray the class. It would be no surprise no matter how the class changes. The Class 1-B that was protected by Ichinose alone no longer exists." These were words that would resonate more with Ichinose herself than anyone else in Class 2-C. "I want you to trust your friends no matter what happens, and continue fighting while prioritizing their safety."

"You don't need to worry, I will absolutely protect my classmates. If, a time comes when someone in our class *has* to disappear, I think the first to disappear will be me." Those weren't empty words. Ichinose would surely do that. She would take responsibility for having dragged the class down, and choose the way of expulsion before anybody else.

"I am glad to hear your resolve, but I have one complaint."

"Complaint...?" It didn't seem to have hit her, and she tilted her head in confusion.

"I will never allow you to get expelled." I need to remind Ichinose of something far more important. [TLN: allow could just as well be forgive, tbh.]

It is imperative that I have her continue running instead of coming to a halt this year. I looked into her eyes, and reignited the will deep in her eyes with a blazing flame.