Chapter 71 Summary
The fluorescent lights of the school’s main hallway flickered just enough to make the shadows on the polished floor dance, as if the building itself were holding its breath. Kiyotaka Ayanokouji stood at the far end, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, scanning the crowd of students who shuffled between lockers and classrooms. The murmurs of conversation rose and fell like a tide, each wave carrying rumors of the upcoming student council election, the sudden transfer of a mysterious student from Class C, and the unsettling whisper of betrayal that had already begun to spread through the ranks of Class D.
Suzune Horikita approached, her steps measured, her expression a mask of determination that rarely cracked. She stopped a few paces away from Kiyotaka, the faint scent of her perfume mixing with the sterile scent of disinfectant that lingered in the air. “We need to talk,” she said, her voice low enough that only he could hear. “There’s been a development with the transfer student. And Kiyomi Togashi… she’s not what she seems.”
Kiyotaka tilted his head slightly, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “You’re right. The pieces are moving faster than we anticipated.” He glanced toward the bulletin board where a fresh poster announced the student council election, the names of candidates bolded in black ink. The election was supposed to be a simple formality, a way for the school to maintain the illusion of democracy, but in the hands of the elite, it had become a battlefield for influence and control.
“Class C’s transfer,” Suzune continued, “is a girl named Airi Sato. She’s been placed in Class D, but her background is… unconventional. She arrived with a dossier that suggests she’s been groomed for leadership. The council is already talking about using her as a pawn to shift the balance of power.”
Kiyotaka’s eyes narrowed. “Airi Sato… I’ve heard that name before. She’s connected to the same network that facilitated the transfer of the previous Class C students. If she’s being used as a pawn, then whoever’s pulling the strings must have a larger agenda.”
Before Suzune could answer, a familiar voice cut through the hallway’s hum. “You two look like you’re plotting something.” Kikyo Kushida appeared, her bright smile lighting up the space as she leaned against a locker, her arms crossed over her chest. “I heard about the election, and I thought you might need a third opinion.”
Kikyo’s presence was always a paradox—her outward cheerfulness often concealed a keen intellect that could dissect any situation with surgical precision. “What’s the plan, Ayanokouji?” she asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Kiyotaka turned his gaze toward her, his expression unreadable. “We need to understand Airi’s true purpose. If she’s a pawn, we must determine who’s moving her. And we need to keep an eye on Kiyomi Togashi. She’s been acting strangely, aligning herself with the opposition in ways that don’t make sense for her usual self-interest.”
Suzune’s jaw tightened. “Kiyomi’s betrayal could be the key. She’s always been a wild card, but this time she’s gone too far. She’s been seen meeting with Yōsuke Hirata in the library after hours. Hirata’s secret plan has been whispered about for weeks, but no one knows the details.”
Kikyo’s smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful frown. “Yōsuke Hirata… He’s the one who’s always been quiet, keeping his cards close. If he’s collaborating with Kiyomi, then whatever they’re planning could destabilize the entire hierarchy. We can’t let that happen.”
The three of them moved toward the library, the hallway’s chatter fading behind them as they entered the quiet sanctuary of books and whispered study sessions. The library’s high windows let in a soft, diffused light that made the dust motes swirl like tiny galaxies. At a table near the back, a lone figure hunched over a stack of papers, the faint glow of a laptop screen illuminating his face. It was Yōsuke Hirata, his dark hair slightly disheveled, his eyes flickering between the screen and the notebook in front of him.
Kiyotaka approached, his steps silent on the carpeted floor. “Hirata,” he said, his voice calm, “we need to talk.”
Yōsuke looked up, his expression guarded. “I was expecting you,” he replied, his tone measured. “What’s on your mind?”
Suzune stood beside Kiyotaka, her eyes never leaving Hirata’s face. “We know you’ve been meeting with Kiyomi Togashi. We know there’s a plan. If you’re trying to undermine the student council election, you need to understand that we won’t let you succeed.”
Hirata’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “You’re perceptive, Horikita. I admire that. But you’re missing the bigger picture.” He gestured to the notebook. “This is a proposal for a new governance model—one that eliminates the artificial hierarchy imposed by the school’s administration. It’s not about power for its own sake; it’s about creating a meritocratic system where true talent rises naturally.”
Kikyo leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. “And Kiyomi’s role in this?”
“Hirata,” Kiyotaka interjected, “you’re not the only one with a plan. Kiyomi’s betrayal is… complicated. She’s been playing both sides, but her ultimate goal seems to be aligning with you because she believes your vision will give her a chance to rise beyond the constraints of her current position.”
Hirata’s eyes narrowed. “She’s a wild card, indeed. But she’s also a liability. If she’s discovered, it could jeopardize everything.”
Suzune’s voice hardened. “Then we need to control the narrative. The election is tomorrow. If we can expose the true nature of your plan, we can prevent the chaos you intend to unleash.”
A sudden rustle at the far end of the library drew their attention. Airi Sato entered, her presence commanding despite her youthful appearance. She wore the standard school uniform, but the way she carried herself—confident, almost regal—set her apart. Her dark hair was neatly tied back, and her eyes, a striking shade of amber, scanned the room with an intensity that made even the most composed students feel uneasy.
Airi approached the table, her gaze flickering between Kiyotaka and Hirata. “I heard you were discussing the election,” she said, her voice smooth and measured. “I’m here to ensure that the process remains fair. I’m not a pawn; I’m a participant.”
Kiyotaka inclined his head slightly. “Your presence is noted, Airi. But fairness is a concept that can be twisted. What is your true intention?”
Airi’s smile was thin, almost imperceptible. “My intention is to see the school’s hierarchy crumble from within, to expose the artificiality of the system. I was placed here not as a pawn, but as a catalyst. If the student council election proceeds as planned, it will only reinforce the status quo. I intend to disrupt that.”
Kikyo’s eyes widened. “You’re aligning with Hirata’s vision?”
Airi shook her head. “Not exactly. My goals intersect, but my methods differ. I intend to use the election as a platform to reveal the underlying mechanisms that keep us all in check. I will expose the manipulation, the hidden agendas, and the way the school uses us as test subjects for social experiments.”
Suzune’s brow furrowed. “And what about Kiyomi? She’s been working with you, Hirata, and now you?”
Airi glanced toward the window, where the setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink. “Kiyomi is a survivor. She’s learned to adapt, to use the system to her advantage. She sees this as an opportunity to secure her own position. She’s not a villain; she’s a pragmatist.”
The conversation hung in the air, heavy with implication. Kiyotaka felt the weight of each word, each intention, each hidden motive. He knew that the student council election was more than a simple vote; it was a crucible that would test the resolve of every student, every hidden agenda, and every secret plan that had been brewing behind the school’s immaculate façade.
A sudden buzz from Kiyotaka’s phone broke the tension. He glanced at the screen, a notification from an online forum that read: “Classroom Of The Elite chapter 71 online – discussion heating up!” He smiled faintly. The world outside the school walls was already dissecting the events that were about to unfold. Fans were speculating, theorizing, and sharing spoilers. The phrase “read Classroom Of The Elite chapter 71 free” floated across the screen, a reminder that the story they lived was also a story being consumed by countless readers.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket, his mind already racing ahead. “If we want to control the narrative, we need to act now,” he said. “We need to expose the true nature of the election, the hidden alliances, and the manipulations at play. We need to make sure that the students understand what’s at stake.”
Hirata nodded, his expression serious. “I agree. But we must be careful. If we expose too much, we risk destabilizing the entire school. The administration will clamp down hard, and the students will be left in chaos.”
Kikyo placed a hand on his shoulder. “Then we do it strategically. We reveal the key points that will make people question the system, but we leave enough ambiguity to keep the balance. We need to create a controlled disruption.”
Suzune stepped forward, her voice firm. “We’ll use the election itself as the stage. We’ll leak information, we’ll plant doubts, we’ll make sure the candidates are forced to address the real issues. And we’ll make sure Kiyomi’s betrayal is exposed for what it is—a self-serving move that threatens the collective.”
Airi nodded, her amber eyes glinting. “I’ll use my position in Class D to spread the word. I have influence among the students. I can rally them, make them question the official narrative.”
Kiyotaka felt a surge of confidence. The pieces were aligning. The student council election was tomorrow, and the stakes were higher than ever. He imagined the auditorium filled with students, the air thick with anticipation, the candidates stepping up to the podium, each trying to sway the crowd. He could already see the murmurs, the whispers, the sudden gasp when a hidden truth was revealed.
He turned to the group. “We each have a role. I’ll coordinate the timing, ensure the leaks happen at the right moment. Suzune, you’ll confront the administration, force them to answer for the manipulation. Kikyo, you’ll handle the media, the online forums, the fan theories that are already circulating. Airi, you’ll rally the students, give them a voice. Hirata, you’ll provide the ideological framework, the vision that will inspire change.”
The group exchanged determined looks, each understanding the gravity of their mission. The school’s corridors seemed to pulse with a new energy, as if the very walls were listening, waiting for the inevitable clash.
Later that night, the school’s auditorium was bathed in a soft, golden glow. The seats were filled with students from every class, their faces a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The stage was set with a podium, a microphone, and a large screen that displayed the names of the candidates. The election was about to begin.
Kiyotaka slipped into the back row, his presence barely noticeable. He watched as the first candidate, a charismatic boy from Class A, stepped up to the podium. He spoke about unity, about the importance of cooperation, about the school’s mission to cultivate elite individuals. The crowd clapped politely, but there was an undercurrent of doubt.
When the second candidate, a quiet girl from Class B, took the stage, she spoke of fairness, of merit, of giving every student a chance to shine. Her words resonated, but the audience remained cautious, as if waiting for something else to surface.
Then, just as the third candidate, a confident senior from Class C, began to outline his platform, the auditorium lights flickered. A hush fell over the room. The screen behind the podium suddenly displayed a series of documents—confidential memos, hidden correspondences, and a video clip that showed Kiyomi Togashi meeting with Yōsuke Hirata in the library, whispering plans that hinted at a radical restructuring of the school’s hierarchy.
A gasp rippled through the crowd. The murmurs grew louder, turning into a roar of disbelief. The candidates froze, their rehearsed speeches shattered by the sudden revelation. The screen continued to scroll, showing evidence of the secret plan that Hirata had drafted—a blueprint for a new governance model that would dismantle the current system, replace the artificial class divisions with a merit-based council elected by the students themselves.
Kiyotaka felt a surge of adrenaline. He had timed the leak perfectly. The information was now out, undeniable, and the students could no longer ignore the truth. The election, which had been a mere formality, had become a battlefield of ideas.
Suzune rose from her seat, her eyes blazing with determination. She walked to the front, her voice cutting through the chaos. “We have been manipulated,” she declared. “The administration has used us as pawns in a grand experiment. The student council election is not about choosing leaders; it’s about exposing the lies that have kept us divided.”
The crowd erupted, chanting her name. Kikyo, perched on a balcony, began to livestream the scene, her commentary weaving together the live events with the fan theories that had been circulating online. “Classroom Of The Elite chapter 71 discussion is heating up,” she announced, “and we’re witnessing it in real time. The spoilers are no longer just speculation—they’re reality.”
Airi stepped forward, her presence commanding the room. “I am not a pawn,” she said, her voice steady. “I am a catalyst. The system you’ve been forced into is a construct, and it’s time to break it. We will rebuild, not on the foundations of deceit, but on transparency and merit.”
The students, now fully aware of the hidden machinations, began to voice their own grievances. Some shouted for the removal of the administration’s control, others demanded a new council that truly represented all classes. The atmosphere was electric, a mixture of anger, hope, and the raw desire for change.
In the midst of the uproar, Kiyomi Togashi emerged from the shadows, her expression a blend of defiance and fear. She looked at Hirata, then at the crowd, and finally at Suzune. “I did what I thought was necessary,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din. “I wanted to survive. I thought aligning with Hirata would give me a chance to rise. But I see now that I was part of a larger game.”
Hirata stepped forward, his eyes meeting Kiyomi’s. “We both wanted change,” he said, his tone softer than before. “But we chose different paths. The truth is out now, and the only way forward is through honesty.”
The auditorium fell into a stunned silence. The students looked at each other, processing the cascade of revelations. The election, which had been a simple vote, now felt like a turning point—a moment where the future of the school could be reshaped.
Kiyotaka watched the scene unfold, his mind already calculating the next steps. He knew that the battle was far from over. The administration would not relinquish control easily. They would attempt to suppress the uprising, to reassert their authority. But the seed of dissent had been planted, and it would grow.
As the night wore on, the students began to organize. Committees formed spontaneously, each tasked with drafting proposals for a new governance structure. Airi took charge of the merit-based council, outlining criteria for leadership that emphasized competence, integrity, and collaboration. Suzune led a group focused on transparency, demanding that all decisions be recorded and made accessible to every student. Kikyo managed the communication channels, ensuring that the narrative remained consistent and that misinformation was countered swiftly.
Hirata, humbled by the turn of events, offered his blueprint as a starting point, willing to adapt it based on the collective input of the student body. Kiyomi, having faced the consequences of her betrayal, pledged to support the new system, hoping to redeem herself by contributing to a fairer environment.
The following morning, the school’s bulletin board displayed a new announcement: “Student Council Election Postponed – Open Forum for Governance Reform.” The administration’s attempt to regain control had backfired, as the students had already taken ownership of the process.
Kiyotaka slipped away from the crowd, his thoughts drifting to the countless online discussions that would soon erupt. He imagined fans typing “read Classroom Of The Elite chapter 71 free” into search engines, eager to catch up on the latest developments. He pictured analysts dissecting the events, writing “Classroom Of The Elite chapter 71 summary” and “Classroom Of The Elite chapter 71 analysis” for blogs and forums. He could already hear the whispers of “Classroom Of The Elite chapter 71 spoilers” and “Classroom Of The Elite chapter 71 manga scan” circulating among the community, each fan theorizing about the implications of the election’s disruption.
He smiled, knowing that the story he and his friends had lived would now become