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★★★
It's just that...
Horikita Suzune followed them to the courtroom, but she was thinking about the difference between herself, Chabashira-sensei, and Hirata.
Why could Hikigaya disclose the same information to Chabashira-sensei or Hirata, but not her?
Had Hikigaya not trusted her yet?
...
Thus, the trial meeting between the two classes began.
At the round table, the people from Class D of Grade 1 confronted those from Class C.
Chabashira-sensei confronted the teacher from Class C, who was a male teacher with glasses, quite thin, with long fingers.
After sitting down, he naturally exuded the air of a teacher.
This made people a little uncomfortable.
But he smiled, appearing confident.
Ishizaki Daichi and the others didn't look nervous at all, but it could be noticed that even after a week, they deliberately kept the bandages from their injuries on.
At least outwardly, they fully played the role of pitiful victims after being beaten.
Hachiman knew very well that Sudo was the victim, the hot-tempered guy, but because of his usual behavior, fewer students were willing to believe him.
So this time he was framed, but if something else happened next time, it would also be disadvantageous for Sudo.
The first thing to do was for Sudo to change his attitude and gain the trust of others, otherwise, he might take the blame for any trivial matter.
Hachiman analyzed in his mind.
"You're all here."
At this moment, a boy wearing a red uniform and green pants walked in through the door of the room.
He was dressed the same as everyone else.
The school uniforms for Grade 1 and upper grades were the same set and would not change.
So, even Student Council President Horikita Manabu was a member of the students.
It's just that...
He brought pressure the moment he entered.
Neither humble nor arrogant, extremely calm.
It was the familiar Horikita Manabu.
Although a student, Horikita Manabu, as the Student Council President, had the authority to be on equal footing with faculty and staff, and sometimes even to direct their actions.
Hachiman then looked at his companion.
"..." Horikita Suzune's aura seemed quite good.
It seemed this Horikita was no longer the useless person her brother looked down upon.
Full of momentum.
However...
Horikita Manabu's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and as he passed Horikita Suzune, he withdrew his gaze.
But...
She wilted.
At this moment, Horikita Suzune turned into a timid Horikita.
Her gaze quickly lowered, not daring to meet her brother's eyes.
Horikita didn't know, however, that just by being present, she had already played her part.
Because according to the information obtained from Sakayanagi Arisu, the Student Council President didn't always need to personally preside over trials.
However, the list of attendees for the trial would be submitted, so Horikita Manabu would see that his Horikita was participating.
Then, the probability of him attending was extremely high.
And now he had indeed arrived.
So all preparations were complete.
Hachiman then straightened his chair.
...
"Now, let's begin the accusation from Class C against Sudo of Class D of Grade 1 regarding the fight."
"What do you have to say?"
Horikita Manabu sat in a high position without speaking, but his assistant, Akane Tachibana Secretary, had already begun to preside over the meeting.
Akane Tachibana was a girl with purple hair, tied into two bun-like hairstyles.
She looked quite cute, but from the way she held the documents and read them, she seemed to be a practical person.
"It's rare for the Student Council President to attend."
Sudo sat on the outermost side, then Hachiman, then Chabashira, and Horikita Suzune was closest to the Student Council President.
At the beginning, Chabashira-sensei started the conversation.
"Although I'm usually busy, as the Student Council President, it's necessary for me to attend trials like this." Horikita Manabu politely replied.
But Hachiman had already analyzed it.
Chabashira Sae had been at this school for a long time, so she had also heard of this person, who was called the most outstanding Student Council President in history.
And saying this now meant that Horikita Manabu usually wouldn't attend such small trials, but would arrange for Akane Tachibana or other Student Council members to be present.
So, Horikita Manabu might care more about his Horikita than everyone imagined.
Isn't that just like Hachiman?
Hachiman also cared a lot about Komachi.
It's just that, in this case, he could experience the complex emotions of being a brother a little.
And putting Horikita Suzune on the list of defenders was to lure the Student Council President to attend.
And now that he had arrived, he seemed a little disappointed.
As a brother, Hachiman was also very worried about his Horikita, and at the same time, he hoped that Horikita would achieve something.
It would be great if she could support him in the future.
Although he felt that Komachi would definitely support him, letting his 'Horikita' work like that felt improper.
Hachiman's feelings were complex.
Thinking this.
Hachiman looked at Horikita Suzune.
At this moment, a hint of brotherly feeling arose in Hachiman, so he could understand Horikita Manabu's feelings.
At the same time, when he had previously asked Horikita Manabu for information about Chabashira-sensei, he had replied for free.
He would return this favor now.
So.
He focused on Horikita Suzune.
Horikita Manabu's presence was perhaps in hopes of seeing Horikita Suzune grow a little.
So, what about Suzune's state?
No good.
This Horikita was in a cowering state.
Thinking this.
"Chabashira-sensei, can you switch seats with me?" Hachiman said.
"?"
Chabashira-sensei glanced at him.
So she nodded, then stood up, and Hachiman sat next to Horikita Suzune.
But Horikita Suzune continued to keep her head down.
Looking weak.
"If you can't pull yourself together, then you won't have any growth." Hachiman said in a low voice.
"Hmph."
Horikita Manabu continued to sit in a high position, seemingly indifferently about to withdraw his gaze.
Actually, he probably understood that his Horikita just cowered when she saw him.
It seemed that his Horikita hadn't changed much since she first enrolled.
"Are you going to turn a battle that should be an absolute victory into a defeat?" Hachiman continued.
"..." Horikita Suzune.
Horikita's eyes seemed to return a little.
But, she didn't seem to have recovered her usual cold demeanor from when she instructed Kushida.
It's rare for your brother to come specifically, so you should at least put on a show, right?
And haven't you always wanted your brother to acknowledge you?
Then don't be such a coward.
Giving up on yourself will not earn anyone's approval.
Indeed, there seemed to be no other way.
Horikita Suzune was now caught in fear and inferiority towards her brother, in other words, she was trapped in her own world.
So, was there a way to awaken her?
Yes, there was.
He could use verbal attacks, but of course, she wasn't paying much attention now.
Her soul seemed to not have returned yet.
Then... perhaps he could only choose to stimulate her physically.
...
The Student Council President didn't make everyone stand.
On the contrary, only Akane Tachibana Secretary was standing, and because Hachiman had switched seats with Chabashira, he was now sitting next to Horikita Suzune.
The distance between them was very close.
And there was only one effective and universally acceptable way to stimulate a person without being disliked.
Hachiman watched Horikita.
Horikita Suzune was sitting there very timidly, still with her head down.
And Hachiman had already made his move.
His palm seemed to hesitate for a moment, and he also felt Student Council President Horikita Manabu's gaze sweep over.
But Hachiman began to act.
Using the experience gained from Kushida holding his hand, he applied it at this moment.
He placed his hand on Horikita Suzune's waist.
Then.
Kneading?
Using pain to awaken her?
No, that method was too vulgar.
So.
He chose tickling.
This was a game he had played with his Horikita, and Hachiman was actually quite good at tickling people's sensitive spots.
And the proof was...
"Ah…ha…" Horikita Suzune had not expected such a thing to happen.
"Ha…ah…Hikigaya…you…ha…you…ha…what are you doing…slap—"
But the effect on Horikita Suzune seemed to be unexpectedly exceptional.
She couldn't even speak a complete sentence.
And then she subconsciously stood up, ready to escape.
"…" The others looked on in surprise.
Including her brother, Student Council President Horikita Manabu.
However, unlike the others who were surprised, Horikita Manabu still leaned his elbows on the table, wearing his glasses and looking over, appearing–expressionless.
"Ha…ah…hmph—"
Horikita Suzune stood up, finally breaking free from Hikigaya's hand.
She was looking at him with an angry gaze.
But there was no need to worry about that.
Didn't you see the Student Council President was expressionless, and Teacher Chabashira, though surprised for a moment, suddenly turned away and seemed relieved?
This meant that they all realized that Horikita had been practically useless in terms of combat power before, but now, at least her consciousness had recovered.
She could speak.
She could also get angry.
"Horikita, I have already told you the surefire plan." Hachiman said.
"And now this is your stage. Otherwise, did you come as a defense lawyer just to watch the show?"
"Defense, huh…"
Horikita was initially angry.
But then she suddenly realized that she had just acted like a weakling sister again.
And in such a situation, how could she gain her brother's approval? How could she still say, 'I am no longer the useless sister my brother knew'?
Therefore.
She had to prove herself.
...
Horikita Suzune wanted to prove herself.
So.
Horikita Suzune stood up and looked at Komiya and Ishikazi Daichi.
"Are your injuries definitely caused by Sudo?" Horikita Suzune asked.
"Yes, Sudo was heavy-handed, and we were in pain for a while." Ishikazi Daichi replied.
"Oh, so you're saying Sudo injured you to this extent?" Horikita Suzune said.
"Then please withdraw from school." Horikita Suzune then looked at Horikita Manabu.
Although facing her brother directly was very stressful.
However.
Her performance just now probably made her brother consider making her withdraw from school again, right?
And she still wanted to gain his approval.
"I want to plead Sudo's innocence."
"Because everything is a false accusation from the students of Class C."
"Furthermore, they initially planned the assault, and now that everyone is here, Student Council President, I would like to request that you penalize Class C for this false accusation."
Saying this, Horikita Suzune stubbornly raised her head.
And the Student Council President finally changed his posture.
He had not reacted when he saw his sister being tickled, but now he seemed ready to make a statement.
However.
"Hey, hey, hey…"
Upon hearing Horikita's voice, the Class C Teacher, the slightly thin man wearing glasses, immediately looked over.
"Please do not arbitrarily make such false accusations against our Class's students!" the man quickly said.
"This is a communication and struggle among students. As teachers, we should not interfere, Teacher Sakagami." Teacher Chabashira, however, intercepted him.
"…" Sakagami
What's wrong with Chabashira Sae? Her attack power suddenly increased.
She was already in her second term teaching Class D.
And this school prioritizes ability, and the teachers are no exception.
Their salaries and benefits are also linked to their Class.
As the Teacher of Class C, Sakagami had always been wary of Chabashira.
However.
Chabashira had done nothing in the previous term.
Meaning she had no attack power before.
But now.
She's starting to output?
"What evidence do you have to prove Sudo's innocence?" Horikita Manabu said.
"Don't arbitrarily change the topic."
"We have a witness to Sudo's fight." Horikita Suzune said.
"In other words, an eyewitness. They can confirm that Ishikazi Daichi, Komiya, and Yoshimoto from Class C deliberately framed Sudo."
"And also made a false accusation in return." Suzune said.
"Yes, yes, yes! I'm definitely innocent!"
Sudo Ken, who had been unable to join the conversation, immediately spoke up to defend himself, "Komiya and the others are jealous that I became an official Basketball Club member as a freshman. So they must be trying to mess with me!"
However, it was clear that his defense did not hit the core issue.
"That's impossible." Ishikazi Daichi quickly said.
"We are the innocent ones. Everyone knows Sudo is violent. And our injuries are still there!"
In fact, they had already rehearsed for this trial.
But the content of their rehearsal was all about accusing Sudo, and now this counter-accusation caught them completely off guard.
Because it wasn't following the script.
They couldn't keep up with the act.
"Do you have any evidence? Or rather, you say you have an eyewitness, but do you really? Let him come out and show himself!" Teacher Sakagami said.
"Or are you just trying to defraud the students of our Class?"
"And even if you casually find a so-called witness, they might be fake!"
"And if it's perjury, then Class C will hold you accountable." Teacher Sakagami said, going all out.
"Teacher Sakagami!"
Teacher Chabashira looked over.
Because Teacher Sakagami had already started interfering in student matters.
The other party was an adult and had also graduated from this school.
Therefore.
He was also sharp-minded.
He started to prompt Ishikazi Daichi and the others.
Because Class D of Grade 1 had been searching for eyewitnesses to Sudo's fight all last week, but unfortunately, even with so much effort, even using the Student Council bulletin board, they still hadn't found any eyewitnesses.
So based on this, Sakagami reminded them that the current statement might just be a defense tactic by Class D, used to trick them into revealing the truth.
So he told Ishikazi Daichi and the others to be careful not to say the wrong thing.
And the other party probably understood.
Because if Class C was proven to have made a false accusation, the consequences would be severe.
Even to a point he couldn't accept.
So he wanted to save himself.
The above was Teacher of Class C, initiating the debate between the two sides of the trial.
Normally, both sides of a trial can have defense lawyers.
But Class C did not.
On one hand, besides Ryuen's arrangements, there was also the presence of the reliable Teacher Sakagami.
This Teacher would desperately steer things in favor of Class C.
Ryuen was able to integrate the Class so quickly, partly due to Ryuen's own methods, but certainly also with Sakagami's covert support.
In other words, Teacher Sakagami believed that Ryuen's current Class could climb up.
And if they could climb up, he could also gain a lot of benefits, including an increase in salary and wages, as well as dignity and personal respect.
Because Class C and Class D were pretty similar, both being trash Classes, so he didn't have much face.
…
"Bring out the evidence." Horikita Manabu said calmly.
"If it's a witness, then call them out. And if it's evidence, then present it."
If it was just a debate earlier, it could only be described as average.
Student fights were nothing new, and there was a set procedure for handling them.
However, because it was now a conduct examination, the point deductions would be more severe.
Result.
Are there any more surprises now?
But Horikita Manabu was no longer focused on his sister.
He had shifted his gaze to another person.
That male student had not yet stated his position.
Earlier, he had proactively exposed the Class evaluation points by destroying the surveillance, and now, for a mere fight, Horikita Manabu felt that the other party had other maneuvers, and should not just do nothing like this.
And under Horikita Manabu's gaze.
"Then there is." said Hikigaya, who had just swapped seats with Teacher Chabashira again and touched the Student Council President's sister in front of him, speaking up proactively.
"Horikita Suzune is that eyewitness, and this is the data she recorded." Hachiman said, then took out an SD card from a camera.
"…" Horikita Manabu did not reply immediately.
Instead, he looked at Akane Tachibana.
Akane Tachibana immediately understood and went to collect the SD card.
Then she operated the equipment, preparing to project the contents of the SD card onto the projector.
"…" Sakagami, however, remained calm.
He had actually realized that the situation was becoming dangerous.
Because if it was just an eyewitness, they might not have come forward voluntarily for various reasons.
But if it was recorded data or something… is that kind of data very scary?
Because once such data is exposed, it would be absolutely detrimental to Class C.
Then they could have used the evidence to refute Class C's trial from the beginning.
And not have to drag it out until now… even until the Student Council President was present!
In other words.
Was Class C actually tricked?
Teacher Sakagami thought of the terrible situation and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
…
As Akane Tachibana Secretary operated it, the contents recorded on the SD card were projected.
It showed several students from Grade 1 Class C staying at the special experimental teaching building.
"Don't worry, he'll come."
A brown-haired delinquent threw his cigarette butt on the ground and stomped it out, saying with disdain,
"That kind of idiot who gets provoked by a simple sentence, after seeing the letter we wrote, how could he possibly hold back?"
"You're right."
The red-haired, medium-length-haired delinquent who had spoken first also smiled, "If this guy wasn't so stupid, why would we have gone after him?"
"Hey, say less!"
Ishizaki Daichi of Class C reprimanded, "Sudo is coming soon, be careful not to let him hear us. Otherwise, if Ryuen's plan is ruined, none of us will have a good outcome."
"I know."
Hearing Ryuen's name, the brown-haired delinquent's body trembled slightly, and he nodded.
"Bastard! Where are you? Come out!"
Just as the red-haired guy was about to speak, an enraged voice came from the staircase below.
Then, it showed Sudo being held down, then being beaten by Ishizaki Daichi, and then Sudo starting to fight back.
And Komiya…
"It's over."
Witnessing such a scene, Ishizaki Daichi and the others also looked terrified.
Because it recorded everything from the very beginning, including the mention that this was Ryuen's plan, their initial attack on Sudo, and… the injuries on both sides when they left.
In other words.
When they separated, they didn't have those injuries, so the injuries they later showed to the Student Council for examination would be exposed as self-inflicted.
"Damn it! So I was framed!"
Sudo, on the other hand, immediately flared up.
He had originally been trying to restrain himself, wanting to avoid losing points, so he was acting in self-defense.
He was sure it was self-defense, he felt certain it was self-defense.
But now, it wasn't even self-defense.
He was framed from the beginning!
Because in the video, Ishizaki and his group said it was Ryuen's plan.
So it was that hateful Ryuen!
"Everyone, quiet down." Horikita Manabu said.
"Now the evidence is conclusive."
"The Grade 1 Class C's accusation of Sudo assaulting someone has been classified as a false accusation."
"As per custom, 100 Class evaluation points will be deducted." Horikita Manabu said.
"However, this incident involved the Student Council and showed contempt for the Student Council, so I will deduct an additional 100 points."
"At the same time, because this occurred during the behavior assessment exam, the severity of this incident will also increase, and the same point value as the Student Council's punishment will be deducted."
So wouldn't that mean 100 plus 100, then doubled, making it 400 points!
"How could this be…"
Ishizaki Daichi and the others instantly looked at Teacher Sakagami.
But Sakagami's face had already turned pale.
Because the Student Council President's words were not finished, "Then, after the results are announced, the Class evaluation points will be released the next day, and then, your Grade 1 Class C will become Class D."
"This is the first time I've encountered such a situation during my term."
Indeed.
Dropping down in the first month of enrollment.
This was also a first for the school.
However.
"This must be a mistake somewhere!" Teacher Sakagami quickly said.
"I think there must be a problem somewhere!"
"Then where is the problem, Teacher Sakagami? As a Teacher, your current actions have crossed the line." Horikita Manabu said expressionlessly.
"This…" Sakagami was momentarily speechless.
Because this school was different from the outside world.
The Student Council had great authority, sometimes even surpassing the teaching staff.
So in some situations, these Teachers were no match for the Student Council President.
"Then, since you had this evidence so early, why didn't you reveal it sooner, and only brought it out at this point?" Teacher Sakagami said, enduring the pressure.
"Therefore, I suspect this is also a conspiracy by Class D!"
"They deliberately let us blow it up, and then they counterattacked!"
This was a reasonable explanation.
At the same time, everyone instantly looked at Hikigaya Hachiman… well, at Horikita Suzune, who had just been named as the eyewitness.
This fox-eyed girl.
Because, since she was the eyewitness, why did she not provide evidence until now, and only brought it out at such an important moment, to make Class C's punishment even more severe?
What a terrifying mindset.
However.
"…" Horikita Suzune.
Horikita Suzune, who was always alone, was used to solitude, and she didn't care about others' gazes, so even with everyone looking at her, she could remain calm.
However, her inner thoughts were not like that.
Because.
She didn't know why Hikigaya-kun, who was clearly the eyewitness himself, pushed it onto her.
It was like taking the blame.
But now, she couldn't deny it at all.
"Perhaps Horikita didn't expect your Class C to be so shameless." Hikigaya-kun said at this opportune moment.
"To even deliberately worsen your injuries to falsely accuse a student from our Class."
"So, your Class C had no bottom line from the start."
"And we have always been acting in normal self-defense."
"Student Council President, you agree, don't you?" Hachiman said.
So, everyone turned their gaze to the Student Council President.
The President no longer rested his chin on the back of his hand.
He gently pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose.
"The ruling is valid." he said.
Which meant the punishment requirements would not be changed.
"And Grade 1 Class C, although the school prioritizes ability and allows for some simulation of entering society early, there are some actions that, even if you were in society, would not benefit you."
"I hope you can learn from this."
Saying this, the Student Council President walked straight out.
"President!"
Akane Tachibana, the Secretary glanced this way and quickly followed him, holding her notebook.
However, this also marked the end of the trial.
…
"So, not only am I innocent, but Class C lost 400 points?"
Sudo only reacted now. "So our Class actually moved up?"
"Yes." Hachiman said.
"Sudo, you endured humiliation and persevered in self-defense, protecting the Class's points. I am very moved."
"Heh!"
Sudo immediately felt vindicated.
"I told you, I was acting in self-defense, I'm fine!"
"Damn Ryuen!"
So, it was all Ryuen's doing, right?
"By the way, do you have any past grievances with Ryuen?" Hachiman continued to ask.
Normally, asking a victim is not a good thing, because the wrongdoer is absolutely at fault.
However.
If there's absolutely no connection, then it's hard to say.
And the reason Ryuen chose Sudo was…
"This…" Sudo Ken's expression seemed a bit awkward.
This suggested that he had actually been bullied by Ryuen in private.
Because Sudo looked rough and fierce, but he was actually all bluster.
Hachiman had noticed this on the first day of enrollment.
"Hikigaya-kun."
Horikita Suzune looked at Hachiman at this moment.
Because.
Although their Class ultimately won the trial, she hadn't forgotten that she was never informed that the other party had obtained evidence of Sudo's fight, and she only truly knew he had evidence 10 minutes before the trial began.
As a result.
Just now, she was also made an eyewitness without being informed by the other party.
So, she was thinking about what position the other party had put her in.
Not trusted.
But casually used to take the blame?
Hachiman did not reply to Horikita at this moment, but looked at Sudo.
"You two talk, you two talk." Sudo now had some discernment.
"I'll leave first. Thank you, Horikita, for recording that evidence for me, otherwise I would have been in trouble."
Saying this, Sudo ran off directly.
Because of the assault incident, he was not only criticized by his classmates in Class but also struggled in his club.
The club president had directly revoked his status as a starting player.
And now, he had to tell the upperclassmen the results announced by the Student Council.
His character was absolutely fine!
His physical ability was fine, and his pursuit of Basketball was absolutely fine!
…
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