The Shocking Truth Behind: Did Arisu Sakayanagi Actually Drop Out? (Latest COTE Spoilers Explained)

The question of "Why did Sakayanagi drop out?" has become one of the most persistent and confusing rumors circulating among fans of the Classroom of the Elite (COTE) light novel series, especially as of December 2025. This intense speculation is not based on an actual event of her departure from the Advanced Nurturing High School, but rather on a massive, high-stakes gamble she made against the series' protagonist, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, which could have sealed her fate.

The truth is, as of the latest volumes, Class A's brilliant leader, Arisu Sakayanagi, is still a student, but the conditions she agreed to—and the consequences of her loss—are so severe that the question of her expulsion is entirely warranted. The possibility of her dropping out was a central plot device used to raise the tension to an unprecedented level, directly challenging Ayanokoji's philosophy and control over the school's environment.

Arisu Sakayanagi: Full Character Profile and Biography

Arisu Sakayanagi is one of the most formidable and intriguing characters in the Classroom of the Elite (Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e) series. Her entire existence at the Advanced Nurturing High School is a calculated move to challenge the one person she believes is her true equal: Kiyotaka Ayanokoji.

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• Full Name: Arisu Sakayanagi (坂柳 有栖)
• School: Advanced Nurturing High School
• Class: Class 1-A (Year 1), Class 2-A (Year 2)
• Position: Class Leader and Strategist
• Age: 16 (at the start of the series)
• Appearance: Short, petite girl with long lilac hair and violet eyes. She is almost always seen in the standard female uniform.
• Personality: Multifaceted, combining keen intellect, strategic brilliance, and a certain degree of ruthlessness. She possesses an unwavering belief in her own genius, which she claims is "true genius" compared to Ayanokoji's manufactured ability.
• Health Condition: Arisu suffers from a congenital heart condition, which requires her to use a cane for mobility. This condition has been a subject of fan speculation regarding her future at the school.
• Key Relationship: Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. She is the only student who knows of his past in the mysterious "White Room" and views him as her destined rival, driven by a desire to prove her superiority.
• Father: Sakayanagi is the daughter of the Chairman of the Advanced Nurturing High School.

The High-Stakes Challenge: Sakayanagi's Expulsion Condition

The widespread query about Arisu Sakayanagi dropping out stems from a decisive confrontation she initiated with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. This was not a spontaneous decision but the culmination of her long-held desire to face him in a true battle of minds.

The Final Showdown and the Ultimate Bet

Arisu challenged Ayanokoji to a final, decisive battle in a special exam. The stakes she proposed were astronomical and personal. She made a clear, non-negotiable condition: if Ayanokoji were to win the challenge, Arisu Sakayanagi would drop out of the school. This condition instantly elevated the exam from a simple class competition to a battle for her entire academic career and, arguably, her purpose for being at the school.

For Sakayanagi, this was a necessary step. Her goal was never just to graduate from Class A, but to defeat the "White Room" masterpiece. By putting her own expulsion on the line, she forced Ayanokoji to take the battle seriously, pushing him to use his full capabilities—something he rarely does against his peers.

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The Outcome: Did Arisu Sakayanagi Lose?

The outcome of this pivotal challenge is the key to understanding her current status. While the specifics of the battle are complex, the result is clear: Kiyotaka Ayanokoji emerged victorious. This meant that the condition she herself set—her expulsion—was technically triggered.

However, the series' narrative is rarely straightforward. While Ayanokoji won the exam, the subsequent events and political maneuvering prevented her immediate, formal expulsion. This twist is what keeps her in the school but has drastically changed her circumstances, leading to the confusion among those who only heard about the initial challenge's terms.

The Real Consequences: What Happened to Sakayanagi After the Loss?

If Sakayanagi did not drop out, what were the actual, lasting consequences of losing the high-stakes exam against Ayanokoji? The latest information from the series provides a clear picture of her current, precarious position within the school hierarchy.

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Loss of the Protection Point

The most significant and concrete consequence of her defeat was the loss of her Protection Point. The Protection Point is an incredibly valuable asset that grants a student immunity from expulsion. By losing this point, Arisu Sakayanagi's position at the school became immediately vulnerable. This means that while she remains a student, she is now subject to the same expulsion risks as any other student who makes a critical error in an exam.

For a strategist like Arisu, the loss of this safety net is a massive blow. It forces her to be far more cautious and strategic in future exams, knowing that one misstep could lead to the very expulsion she gambled with.

The Worsening Health Speculation

Another persistent theory fueling the "drop out" narrative is her congenital heart condition. As a student with a known health issue, there has been ongoing speculation among fans that Arisu might be forced to leave the school due to her worsening health conditions, regardless of her academic performance. While this remains a fan theory and has not been confirmed as the reason for any departure, it adds a layer of genuine risk to her character's future, making the idea of her dropping out seem plausible to many readers.

Sakayanagi's Future: What is Her Fate in Year 3?

As the series progresses into the third year, Arisu Sakayanagi's role remains crucial, though fundamentally altered. Her defeat by Ayanokoji did not crush her spirit; instead, it solidified her respect and determination.

She is no longer purely focused on the singular goal of defeating Ayanokoji to prove her "true genius." Her new trajectory involves navigating the complex political landscape of the school without the safety net of her Protection Point. This forces her to evolve her strategic thinking, relying purely on her intellect and the loyalty of her Class A students.

The character's journey has shifted from a grand, ideological battle to a more grounded, high-risk survival game. She is now a key player in the larger conflict that will define the final year, potentially forming temporary alliances or facing new, unexpected rivals. Her continued presence, despite the terms of her loss, is a testament to her importance and the series' commitment to keeping its most brilliant minds in play, even if they have to sacrifice their ultimate safety net to do so.

In conclusion, the answer to "Why did Sakayanagi drop out?" is simple: she didn't. She lost a high-stakes bet that *should* have led to her expulsion, but a combination of plot developments and her own political maneuvering allowed her to remain. The real story is the dramatic consequence of her loss: the forfeiture of her Protection Point, which has fundamentally changed her role in the ongoing war between the classes.