Chapter 68: Sudo: I'm the Damn Victim
[Hayama placed his hand on his chin, speaking seriously as if deep in thought: "Hikigaya making friends and being called by his name… it feels hard to get used to."]
[Hikigaya shot him a look that said 'don't pick a fight,' then shook his head, replying nonchalantly: "Don't talk about you not being used to it. Even I'm not used to it…"]
[Yuigahama: "Someone as rotten as Hikki actually has people who accept him!"]
[Hikigaya: "I'm telling you, I'm changing, you idiot. Are you even watching the video seriously…"]
[Yukinoshita smiled faintly, retorting sharply: "Hikigaya-kun, please mind your behavior. Even if it's just in the video, if something like that happens, it's illegal!"]
[Hearing Yukinoshita's slightly angry words, Hikigaya lowered his head, muttering: "It wouldn't… and what even happened…"]
[Though his voice was soft, Yukinoshita heard it.]
[Yukinoshita wasn't angry. Since realizing her outburst last time, no matter what happened in the video, she hadn't gotten upset again.]
[After all, it could be dealt with after the video ended.]
[In Class 1-D, Sakura Airi saw herself like this and, for a moment, blushed deeply.]
[Even without others saying it, she knew this feeling well. It was the same unique emotion she'd felt toward Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, and now… it appeared again in the video.]
[Though the boys in class knew Hikigaya Hachiman didn't exist in reality, after seeing Sakura Airi's feelings, they gradually stopped approaching her. Instead, the girls were intrigued by her, wanting to see her without glasses. Of course, the boys in the distance kept watching too.]
[Sakura Airi didn't let them have their way. Seeing herself change with Hikigaya's help in the video, she'd started to change too—at least, she was no longer the girl who couldn't refuse others.]
Compared to the past few days, the class atmosphere was noticeably heavier today. When Hikigaya stepped into the classroom, the usually noisy Class D was unusually quiet, making him wonder if he was late.
Confirming the bell hadn't rung, Hikigaya returned to his seat under nearly everyone's gaze. As soon as he set down his bag, Hirata spoke up: "Have any of you found key clues for Sudo-kun these past few days?"
Hirata stood, looking around at his classmates, but was met with downcast expressions. He knew how bad the situation was but continued playing the encourager: "Since Sudo-kun was framed, we'll definitely prove his innocence!"
Though some classmates nodded in agreement, most knew deep down that Sudo was currently seen as the aggressor. Without enough evidence to clear him, the outcome was likely set.
As everyone's mood sank, Horikita turned, her usual haughty gaze fixed on Hikigaya.
"How's Sakura's side?"
"I've secured her witness testimony, but as you said, she's not the key."
Horikita nodded. She believed her words that day were correct. Since the other side deliberately framed them, a witness from their own class wouldn't resolve everything.
"Did you get the photo I sent?"
"Yeah… if it wasn't Sudo, then Ryūen's really ruthless."
Hikigaya had closely examined the photo's injuries. Bandages covered hands and feet, clearly Ryūen's doing, but…
If they were self-inflicted, they wouldn't be that severe. If they couldn't even walk normally… even a tyrant like Ryūen couldn't pull that off.
There was only one truth, and it was Hikigaya's specialty.
Ishizaki and the others were indeed injured by Ryūen, then used bandages to make others think the injuries were severe. This half-truth, half-lie was the easiest to fool people with.
'But… such a shoddy lie, acting, everything—it can all be answered by the school's cameras. The student council probably already knows the truth.'
'Dragging it out this long only proves how harsh this school is. If Class D can't prove Sudo's the victim, the school will accept the default result.'
Seeing Hikigaya deep in thought, the girl glanced at him and continued: "These past few days, I've been tracking Ishizaki and the others, trying to expose their fake injuries, but… they're too cautious, so I only got that photo."
Hikigaya nodded. Since they'd gone this far to frame them, they wouldn't make such basic mistakes.
As they talked, Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo approached, asking about Sakura's situation.
Of course, aside from Sudo's guilt, Ike and Yamauchi's curiosity stemmed from seeing how beautiful Sakura was without glasses, wanting to know more.
Hikigaya saw through it but didn't call it out.
He nodded, signaling everything was fine.
Ike and Yamauchi, too prideful to openly ask about her, turned to Sudo.
Sudo seemed frantic. These days, his mood had been up and down. Every night before bed, he'd think about being framed, unable to sleep.
Hikigaya: "Do you trust me?"
Sudo: "What kind of nonsense is that? Of course I do!"
Hikigaya: "For you, the less you know right now, the better."
Keeping the victim's mindset, the feeling of being framed, might play an unexpectedly strong role at the hearing.
Hearing the boy's words, Sudo nodded obediently.
Hikigaya took out his phone, sending Sudo the photo of Ishizaki and the others—the one Horikita took.
"This is what they look like now."
"This… how's that possible?"
Sudo looked incredulous. Though he knew they were framing him, he hadn't laid a hand on them, yet the photo made their injuries look convincingly real.
As if in despair, Sudo clutched his head in pain. Ike and Yamauchi realized now wasn't the time to discuss Sakura and quietly returned to their seats.
Hikigaya just patted Sudo's shoulder.
"Are you satisfied? Retreating like this and getting expelled?"
"Of course I'm pissed."
"Have you found your reason for staying in this school?"
"Sort of… but is now really the time to talk about this? The hearing's tomorrow."
"Of course it's not ideal, but there's no other way."
Every time, Hikigaya tried to understand the school in advance, to prepare countermeasures, but surprises always came first.
Sudo's case was the same. If they hadn't been given a week, Hikigaya Hachiman would've been helpless.
Unfortunately… Hikigaya had found the evidence.
Glancing at Hirata and Kushida, still calming the class, Hikigaya looked at Sudo calmly.
"You know, Class C went all out to frame you. You… need the same resolve to face this hearing."
Sudo nodded firmly.
"Since Ishizaki's injuries are from a secondary beating, then… Sudo, you can do the same, even if it's just an act."
"I don't get what you're saying."
"Like this…"
Hikigaya clenched one fist and slammed it hard into his other hand.
Both hands turned red from the impact, and Sudo seemed to suddenly understand.
He gritted his teeth and nodded.
As the bell rang, the classmates returned to their seats. The day passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, dusk was already reflecting on Hikigaya's face.
Today, he had nothing left to do.
With the hearing tomorrow, he decided to return to the dorm, organize his clues, and get a good night's sleep.
As usual, he walked back with Sakura. Today, she seemed more cheerful, less reserved around him.
"Hachiman, are we doing anything else today?"
Hikigaya shook his head, telling her to follow his lead at tomorrow's hearing and rest well. That was enough.
After escorting Sakura to her dorm, he planned to head to his own.
"Kamuro, you can leave early today too."
Kamuro appeared out of nowhere. As a former thief, sneaking around and hiding were her simplest skills, though they didn't work on Hikigaya.
"Tomorrow's the hearing. Your class's Sudo…"
"I know."
"I hope you don't disappoint the princess. And…"
"And what?"
"Nothing, idiot. Good luck."
As an outsider, Kamuro couldn't attend the hearing. Whatever she wanted to say had to be said now.
Watching the side-ponytail girl walk away, Hikigaya was momentarily stunned, then returned to his dorm.
'What a blunt girl.'
Time passed quickly, but oddly, Sudo didn't come to school all day.
Horikita glanced at Hikigaya, her expression puzzled: "What did you say to him?"
"Just some jokes to help him relax."
Horikita nodded helplessly at his uncertain tone: "So unreliable. The hearing's about to start. If Sudo's not here, it'll be trouble."
Hikigaya nodded in agreement but quickly shook his head: "He'll come."
For someone like Sudo, Hikigaya wasn't worried about him bailing. After all, he was someone who could admit his mistakes, he was more of a man than Hikigaya himself.
There were still plenty of issues, but the biggest problem was…
"Horikita, if your brother Horikita Manabu becomes the judge for this dispute, you…"
"He won't. My brother isn't the type to be interested in such things."
Before Hikigaya could finish, Horikita firmly asserted her conclusion.
"No, you're wrong."
At the mention of Horikita Manabu, Horikita's tone grew noticeably agitated: "What am I wrong about? My brother… he just doesn't care about trivial matters like this or people like me. That's why I have to keep climbing up."
Hikigaya didn't know how to explain to the girl in front of him. While her understanding wasn't wrong—Horikita Manabu was indeed that kind of person—she was mistaken about one thing.
Horikita Suzune was definitely not someone Horikita Manabu was uninterested in.
"Anyway, be mentally prepared."
Horikita Suzune still looked unconvinced by the boy, but she nodded stubbornly.
The day's classes ended quickly. Today, Sudo's case would be deliberated, and without a doubt, all involved parties had to attend the hearing room.
Horikita had left for the hearing room the moment class ended, while Hikigaya took his time, slowly heading to the hallway to wait for Sakura to get ready.
He stood with his eyes closed, arms crossed, leaning against the wall as if meditating.
"Hikigaya!"
A girl's voice called from afar, but just by the way she called him, he knew… it wasn't the person he was waiting for.
Kushida Kikyo stood before the boy. Seeing Hikigaya with his eyes still closed, seemingly spacing out, she pouted in mild irritation.
"Hikigaya, are you slacking off? Today's an important day, you know!"
"Of course not, Kushida. Haven't you heard that before a big event, you should close your eyes and rest your mind?"
"Such a slick talker…"
Kushida lowered her head, giving Hikigaya a pitiful look.
"Sudo-kun and Sakura-san are counting on you! You have to clear his name!"
'Something feels off.'
Though he thought this, the boy deliberately put on an enthusiastic front and responded: "Oh, yeah!"
"There's no enthusiasm at all…"
Kushida pouted, but a smile spread across her cheeks.
She leaned close to Hikigaya's ear, speaking in a delicate, charming voice: "Hikigaya-kun, if Sudo-kun comes out innocent, let's go to the new water park together. After all… You still owe me a date…"
Her eyes seemed to say, You're my prey, a feeling that terrified Hikigaya.
He was about to tell Kushida he already had plans, but the blonde girl had already moved out of earshot.
Before leaving, she flashed her sweet smile and waved at him.
Of course, Sakura, standing in the distance, saw everything. Who knows if she overheard their conversation?
Though Kushida had spoken close to Hikigaya's ear, her voice wasn't exactly hushed.
"Hachiman …"
Sakura, head lowered, approached the boy.
Just one glance told him something was wrong with her. For the upcoming hearing about Sudo, this was far from ideal.
But in just a few seconds, Sakura seemed to muster her confidence, her eyes regaining their spark.
Who knows what she was thinking in those few seconds?
"Ready, Sakura?"
Sakura nodded. This was her first time being involved in a dispute since coming to this school. For someone who'd always been alone, it took immense courage.
But… she didn't regret it now.
She'd once been terrified, wanting to pretend she'd never been to the special classroom building, never seen that scene.
But now, she was truly grateful she'd gone there that day. Perhaps by some twist of fate, she came to this school and that building to meet this boy.
That alone was enough.
"Can you… give me some encouragement?"
Looking at the girl's stunning face paired with her innocent smile, Hikigaya shyly turned his gaze aside, then gently placed his hands on her shoulders.
"You can do this…"
Their heartbeats surged in that moment. Though both avoided each other's gaze, Sakura occasionally stole glances at the boy.
Walking shoulder-to-shoulder to the hearing room, they took a deep breath and stepped inside together.
As expected, his guess was spot-on.
At that moment, Student Council President Horikita Manabu sat in the center, undoubtedly the judge for this hearing.
He glanced at Horikita Suzune, who'd arrived early and sat with her head lowered, silent like an emotionless robot. Only when she saw the boy did she show a slightly embarrassed expression.
She regretted it a bit. Though she'd prepared mentally, she'd believed her brother wouldn't care about such matters.
On the other side, matching the photo, Ishizaki and the other two were covered in bandages, as if their entire bodies had suffered severe injuries.
Hikigaya wasn't surprised, but Sakura's mouth dropped open, clearly shocked despite having seen the photo.
Hikigaya calmly led Sakura to their seats. At this point, with Class C's homeroom sensei Sakagami Kazuma and Class D's Chabashira Sae present, nearly everyone was there.
Except for Sudo.
Next to Horikita Manabu stood a purple-haired loli. If he remembered correctly…
Her name was Tachibana or something.
Horikita Manabu nodded lightly, and Tachibana began: "This meeting will be chaired by me, Tachibana Akane, the student council secretary."
Chabashira seemed surprised, looking at Horikita Manabu with a faint smile.
"I didn't expect a small scuffle to warrant the student council president's presence. Quite rare."
Horikita Manabu scanned Horikita Suzune and Hikigaya Hachiman, then fixed his gaze on Chabashira Sae.
With his hands crossed on the table, he replied calmly: "Due to my busy schedule, I rarely attend hearings, but when I have time, I do come."
He gave a meaningful smile. Hearing this, Chabashira returned a smile and shook her head helplessly.
"Just a coincidence, then?"
"Precisely."
Their exchange left Horikita Suzune completely deflated.
Though she desperately wanted to ignore her brother and perform well in this hearing, she couldn't…
With her brother, she just couldn't stay calm.
Even recalling the boy's words, she could only lower her head helplessly.
In this state, Horikita couldn't function normally, and Hikigaya knew it.
Tachibana: "We will determine which side's testimony is true. Are you ready to begin?"
Tachibana glanced at Horikita Manabu, who lightly looked at Sudo's empty seat before saying softly: "Begin."
Bang!
Sudo burst through the door, drawing everyone's attention.
His body was covered in blood, his face and nose swollen, with obvious wounds visible everywhere.
Even with bandages, his condition was far more severe than Ishizaki's group.
As if… he were the victim of this incident.
And in fact… he was.
Ishizaki and the others stared at Sudo, dumbfounded, unable to speak. Even Hikigaya and Sakura were stunned.
'Don't tell me… this guy actually did it.'
Recalling his words from yesterday, Hikigaya wanted to slap himself.
Clearly, it was just a joke, but Sudo took it seriously.
Sudo… what a man.
Tachibana, shocked by the red-haired hedgehog's appearance, froze for a few seconds before recovering and continuing: "Komiya and the others claimed Sudo called them to the special classroom building and attacked them. Sudo denied this and claimed Komiya called him there."
"There's an obvious discrepancy in their testimonies, but one thing is certain: Sudo attacked Komiya, Kondo, and Ishizaki, injuring them. The victims are the aforementioned three."
Before Horikita Suzune could speak, Horikita Manabu turned to Class C.
"Now, I need an explanation from you…"
For a moment, Class C was stunned. Ishizaki hadn't expected Sudo to be this ruthless, doing something like this.
(End of this chapter)