Classroom of the Elite 4th Season: Second Year, First Semester Episode 4: To Whom the Blade Turns

Housen Kazuomi, a first-year, holds court in a karaoke room, his demeanor instantly predatory. He dismisses Horikita Suzune's attempt at an equal partnership, demanding a million private points as a non-negotiable fee. When Horikita refuses his terms, Housen escalates, splashing water directly onto her face. It is a crude display meant to humiliate, to mark her as beneath him from the start.

As Horikita and her classmates prepare to leave, Housen calls them back, now demanding two million private points. He understands the school's cutthroat system, using the vulnerability of the second-years to his advantage. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka watches, noting that Housen's cunning matches even Ryuen's strategic mind. Horikita, still unwilling to yield to such blatant extortion, again rejects his terms.

Frustrated by Horikita's defiance, Housen turns violent, lunging at Nanase Tsubasa and then brutalizing Sudou Ken. He throws Sudou against a wall, then punches him repeatedly, enjoying the fear and pain he inflicts. Nanase, shaken, tries to explain the school's new, more meritocratic system and the threat of protection points. This information only fuels Housen's sadistic pursuit of total control.

With Sudou incapacitated, Housen directs his full menace toward Horikita, stomping on Sudou to emphasize his power. Horikita, in a desperate attempt to protect her friend, tries to fight back, but Housen quickly overpowers her. He then produces a knife, holding it to Horikita's face, demanding five million points. He threatens to stab Ayanokoji Kiyotaka if she does not agree, pushing the confrontation to a terrifying precipice.

As Housen prepares to stab Ayanokoji, Nanase bravely steps between them. But this apparent act of protection is quickly revealed as part of Ayanokoji's intricate trap. Ayanokoji explains how he had anticipated Housen's actions, supplying him with a knife positioned to injure himself. In a chilling moment, Ayanokoji twists Housen's arm, forcing the knife into Housen's own neck, thereby incriminating him.

Ayanokoji calmly explains to a stunned Housen how Amasawa Miya facilitated his plan, ensuring Housen was the only one whose fingerprints would be on the weapon. With Housen now vulnerable to expulsion, Ayanokoji dictates his terms: an equal partnership between their classes and Housen as his partner for the next special exam. Housen, initially shocked, is ultimately impressed, a predatory grin replacing his fear. He finds Ayanokoji's cunning exhilarating.

The special exam concludes with Ayanokoji achieving a perfect score. Horikita Suzune, her hand bandaged from the confrontation, concedes defeat to Ayanokoji but questions Nanase Tsubasa's true loyalties. Nanase, now apologetic, reveals her actual goal: to expel Ayanokoji for a staggering twenty million private points, an incentive offered to first-year students. This twist exposes the hidden mechanisms of betrayal within the school system itself.

Ayanokoji is summoned by Tsukishiro, the acting chairman. Tsukishiro casually admits his failure to identify the White Room student he sent in, indicating that this student is not cooperating with him. He reveals that Ayanokoji's father wants him expelled, and Tsukishiro's role is to facilitate that. The chairman warns Ayanokoji that his father wishes him to fail, a chilling reminder of the forces working against him.