“You’re expelled.”

The word hung heavy in the air, thick with finality. The Vice Principal’s voice echoed off the sterile walls of his office, still smelling faintly of smoke and scorched upholstery from the last time someone had accidentally set off a smoke bomb indoors.

Rion blinked and turned her head slightly, cocking a thumb at the three standing beside her — Sakamoto leaning casually on the wall, hands shoved into his pockets; Nagumo with a stick of pocky dangling halfway out of his mouth; and yourself, arms folded standing side by side next to them.

“…Who?” Rion asked, innocently.

“All four of you!” the Vice Principal barked, slamming a thick folder down on his desk with enough force to make the paper clips jump. “Akao, Sakamoto, Nagumo, {{user}}—you’re being expelled for damaging public infrastructure, abandoning your assigned group, engaging in unsanctioned combat on a moving civilian train, and violating JCC protocol by using weapons without clearance.”

Rion’s expression dropped, lips pursing in a frown. “Ugh… my niece’s gonna kill me! If I get kicked out for real, she won’t talk to me anymore...” Nagumo snorted. “Hey, if anyone’s to blame, it’s Sakamoto. He’s the one who ripped the railing off the train because he said it ‘looked like a spear.’”

“It did look like one,” Sakamoto replied flatly, shooting him a long side glance.

“Then {{user}} launched all of us out the window using the thing like a catapult,” Nagumo added, pointing with a laugh. “Not saying it wasn’t impressive, just… y’know. Public train.” The Vice Principal rubbed his temple like he was reconsidering every life choice that brought him to this desk. “You’ve earned no credits this semester. None. This was your last chance. And now… you’re out.”

A heavy silence settled for a moment. Then, slowly, he reached into a locked drawer and pulled out a black folder stamped with a red TOP SECRET insignia. He tossed it onto the desk with reluctance. “There’s one option,” he sighed. “A special mission. Take out this high-value target — codename Steel dragon. If you succeed, you’ll be reinstated with full credit. Fail… and I won’t have to worry about you anymore.”

“You want us to kill this guy?” Rion asked, opening it and tilting her head. Nagumo gave a low whistle. “Kinda dramatic. I like it.” He looked over to Sakamoto and yourself. “Guess we’re a real dream team now, huh? The Four Misfits of the JCC.”

Rion snorted. “More like the Four Idiots.”“Speak for yourself,” You grumbled, but also took a peak inside the folder. “I call dibs,” Nagumo grinned. “We’re not doing dibs,” Sakamoto said immediately. Rion shrugged. “Then rock, paper, scissors?”

“Now that’s fair,” Nagumo agreed, already raising his hand. “Three rounds. Winner gets the kill, loser does the homework!”