2nd July, Monday
I knocked on the faculty room after receiving a nod from Sudou and Sakura.
"Enter."
I quickly opened the door upon hearing Chabashira's voice.
"We have a witness with proof for Sudou's case." I went straight to the topic, getting a chuckle from her.
"That was quick… Alright, let's hear it."
Sakura began explaining everything as they had decided yesterday. She stopped and stuttered a few times, but it mostly went smoothly.
"I have already sent the photos of the fight as proof directly to you. B-But, I would like to keep myself anonymous…"
Chabashira raised an eyebrow first, but then smiled.
"Good job, Sakura. I'll pass on the information with the student council, though they'll need your identity. I'll make sure other students are not informed about it."
Well, it was nice to know that Chabashira was supporting us, albeit to the bare minimum.
I looked at Sudou and nodded, urging him to speak.
"S-Sensei, I'd like to file a counter complaint against Komiya, Kondou and Ichizaki for trying to exploit the school's rules and expel me."
Chabashira raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything and simply gave a firm nod.
"You'll have to go to the trial in a few days if class C doesn't show any other proof or witness against your case then. Be ready."
"Thats's it?" Sudou asked, surprised. He had expected to be questioned much more.
"You'll still have to prove much more in trial, but not to me. Leave now, if there's nothing more."
She practically pushed us three out of the room after saying that.
"Well, that was quick… Have you got the statements from senior club members?"
Sudou nodded.
"Yea, two of them have sent it and agreed to support me as well, three others are remaining, but they'll most likely agree too."
Komiya and Kondou hadn't really tried to hide the fact that they only joined the club to get in Sudou's way. The fact that they had only joined the club two weeks ago only solidified that claim.
"That's good… still, it's a shame that no one from class B or A is an active member of the basketball club, their statements would be quite significant."
Unfortunately, it seems like I'll have to wait a few more days before I can even hope to join a gym…
"Well, let's just go to class, just 15 minutes are left. I'll check your progress in studies till then."
———
4th July,Wednesday
I leisurely followed Cabashira, Horikita and Sudou into the Student Council room.
The four class C minions– three students and Sakagami, were already inside.
Our whole year was informed about Sudou's incident since it was directly tied to our class points and private points.
Initially, students of our own class seemed a bit angry towards Sudou, but after getting support from Kushida, Hirata, Horikita, me, and even Karuizawa, the herd mentality activated and not one person openly blamed Sudou, if not supported him.
Even class B was ready to help, but Kushida convinced them that things were under control.
Unfortunately, Sudou's position as a permanent member was temporarily on hold, and would likely be decided today.
"Now then, this is Class C's homeroom teacher, Sakagami-sensei."
Chabashira said, looking at Sudou's and Horikita's confused glances.
"And this is the Student Council president, Horikita Manabu."
Horikita stiffened a bit but quickly got hold of herself and started preparing.
Meanwhile, Sudou was completely shocked upon hearing the name Horikita, as if he had just received a clue about some of humanity's greatest secrets.
I lightly smacked him on the back of his head as Manabu started speaking.
"...you may begin the proceedings, student council secretary Tachibana."
Tachibana quickly summarised the whole incident to both parties.
"A student from class D has given evidence that they were a witness and have also given proof of the fact that Ichizaki had been provoking Sudou into the fight.
While Sudou's actions cannot be justified as self-defence, he cannot be punished for retaliating against three opponents. Moreover, as class D claims, if all this was planned to frame Sudou, then the case deepens further."
"Wh-What?! There were no witnesses to our fight! The witness has to be staged!" Komiya yelled.
"Hmm… how are you so sure about it? Almost feels as if you had checked the whole area before calling Sudou." I joked.
"Class D's witness has given legitimate proof of not only being present over there, but also of the fact that one of you attacked Sudou.
If you do not have any contradictory proof, don't waste the student council's time anymore." Manabu said in a firm tone, turning the whole trio's faces grim.
"Dammit, who the hell was this witness?" Ichizaki grit his teeth.
"None of your concern. The proof has been verified by the school itself." Horikita finally said something, still avoiding her brother's gaze.
"Moreover, here are some of the footage and other basketball club members' recordings as witnesses of Komiya and Kondou trying to get into Sudou's way intentionally during practice sessions.
I think all this proves our point that this attack against Sudou was a well planned trap to stop him from getting a permanent position in the team. That is why, if possible, I would like the student council to permanently ban all three of them from the basketball club." I quickly added, putting more pressure on the trio.
"Understandable. Class C has time till midnight to place any counter argument against this case. Failure to do so will result in permanent ban in the basketball club for Ichizaki, Komiya and Kondou, as class D requested, along with a 30 class points penalty." Manabu stood up, slamming his hand on the table.
Woah… I didn't expect it to be that easy. Is he taking our side because of his sister or something?
I looked at Horikita, who still seemed a bit stiff.
Probably not, their relationship seems complicated, to say the least.
Sudou seemed like he wanted to explode at those three, but managed to contain himself by giving me a fist bump.
Ow, that one hurt.
[Hidden mission: 'Sudou's Saviour' complete!
Description: Save Sudou from getting expelled, again.
Difficulty: B
Rewards:
New ability - [(C- Grade) Intermediate Basketeer]
+5 to each physical stat]
'Finally something good… I can perhaps join him on weekends.'
As we left the room, we found Ayanokoji, Kushida, and Ichinose waiting outside.
"How did it go, Sudou-kun?" Kushida asked, looking cheerful and serious at the same time.
*[Name: Kushida Kikyou
Class: 1-D
Physical stats:
Stamina - 110
Strength - 101
Combat technique - 84
Average physical stats - 98.33
Mental stats:
Academic ability - 254
Memorisation power - 246
Critical thinking - 273
Average mental stats - 257.67]
"The three idiots got banned from the basketball club, their whole class got hit by 30 class points penalty! I just stood there the whole time, though…"
"Good job controlling your anger, Sudou-kun." Horikita said, surprisingly, not sarcastic.
Sudou could only blink in response.
"That's great news! I hope Ryueen-kun will stop forcing his classmates to do these kinds of things from now on." Ichinose said.
"We should still remain careful. Class C has time till midnight to provide any counter against us, and I definitely don't think that guy will give up just like that." I said with a soft sigh.
"Agreed. Sudou-kun, lock yourself up in your room for today. You might be targete-"
Horikita was cut off by Sudou.
"No way in hell! My club is gonna choose players for the next match just two days from now. I am going."
'Talk about a perfect opportunity.'
"Say, Sudou, does your club only allow members to play?" I asked.
"Well, of course yeah. Though our official club time is only in the morning, so you can join us in the evening, if that's what you are asking."
"Count me in then."
Horikita just stared at me with her usual deadly glare, nothing new.
"If you want to play with us, you can just say it, no need to stare at us, Horikita."
"No thanks," She said in a indifferent manner. "Let's go, Ayanokoji-kun."
"Huh? But I want to go with them too."
Did he join us just to stir her up? Talk about daring.
"Haha, well, I'll take my leave then. Goodbye Kushida-san, Horikita-san, Ayanokoji-kun, Yamauchi-kun and Sudo-kun."
Ichinose called us all out by our names individually. I had recently read that doing so makes others feel special and attentive, but she had done it so naturally that she herself probably didn't knew that…
Or well, maybe she did. That's a social elite for you.
———
"So, are you gonna play too, Ayanokoji?" Sudou asked.
"Of course not, I don't like to play sports. I'll just watch."
"Oi, Sudou! Who are these guys?" A bald guy came running towards us.
"Yo Baldy, where's everyone else?
Ah, right, these two are Ayanokoji and Yamauchi. You two, he's… uh, Baldy."
Seishiro Nishida, Class 2-B, physical stats around 400, and mental stats around 80. Basically, a more balanced version of Sudou.
Though his height probably gave him some serious advantage. He was a few inches taller than Sudou.
"Well, it's the remaining second years against the third years again, to finalize the starters for the next match. I didn't go since I am already fixed as a substitute.
What happened on your side, though? Finally got rid of those two?" He asked with a smirk.
"Hell, yeah! I'll finally be allowed in the main team.
By the way, Shinji and Kuro are lazing around again, right? Let's have a 3 on 3 match then, Yamauchi and Ayanokoji wanted to play as well."
Sudou forcefully dragged Ayanokoji along. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in watching what he pulls, though.
He seemed a bit interested, too, otherwise, he would have managed to give some excuse by now.
"Heh, sure thing. I was getting bored. That said, do you guys know how to play?" Nishida asked.
"Well, I know the rules, but never played it seriously," I admitted.
I probably could get a much better idea in some time, thanks to my skill, but they didn't need to know that.
"Same here. Never played it before." Ayanokoji added.
He seemed to have expected this: "Well, no problem then, we'll just split them by teams."
"Oi, Shinji, Kuro! Get your asses here before I have you kicked outta the main team."
Two silver-haired guys slowly walked towards us, one about my height and the other even shorter. Both from class 2-D.
Shinji, the taller one, had all his stats around 250.
While Kuro seemed mostly average except for undetectable Combat ability and Critical thinking.
The guy seemed more like an assassin than a basketball player.
"You are so evil, man… Get us a break, we played a game just yesterday." Kuro said, rubbing his eye while yawning.
"Shut up. Sudo, pick one before they go sleeping on the floor again." Nishida said, smacking Kuro lightly.
"Uh… you know what? Just keep those two, I'll keep Yamauchi and Ayanokoji instead."
"Underestimating your senpais again, Sudou? I guess it makes sense since you haven't seen us play, huh? Let's put in some motivation then, 3,000 points for each player, the winning team splits them." Shiji said, licking his tongue.
[Mission: 'Humiliation'
Description: Win the match.
Difficulty: A-
Rewards:
Evolve ability - [(C- Grade) Intermediate Basketeer]
Penalty: None]
The heck? Why did this suddenly get so serious?
"Hell yeah! Don't ya dare chicken out later." Sudou fell for their provocation and dragged us in.
Ayanokoji and I glanced at each other helplessly, then, with a synced sigh, we agreed.
*These stats are subject to change. (In a shady ad's narrator's voice.)