When Natsukawa Sosuke entered the Class D classroom the next day, a distinctly different, boisterous atmosphere greeted him.
"Did you hear? Not only is Sudo fine, but he also got Class C docked 100 points!"
"Really?! Then our points from last month are safe, right?"
"More than safe! This is a complete victory! Horikita-san is amazing!"
A group of students, led by Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki, were gathered together, excitedly discussing yesterday's outcome. Since they didn't know the specific details within the Student Council, they could only piece together a rough version from Sudo Ken's embellished description.
But that was enough.
In their version, Horikita Suzune had transformed into a 'Gyakuten Saiban' (Ace Attorney), single-handedly refuting Class C's conspiracy flawlessly and ultimately winning the victory.
Hirata Yosuke also walked over to Horikita's seat, a sincere smile on his face: "Horikita-san, you really worked hard this time. If it weren't for you, Class D might have really fallen this time."
Facing her classmates' praise and admiration, Horikita Suzune simply sat in her seat, calmly reading a book, her face devoid of any expression.
However, her heart was far from as calm as it appeared on the surface.
A tremendous sense of shock, like a tsunami, still surged within her heart.
She knew very well that yesterday's victory had absolutely nothing to do with her own abilities.
Although the initial phrase, "three against one and got counter-killed," made her so ashamed she wanted to crawl into a hole, every precise strike against the loopholes in Class C's testimony, even the potential questions from Class C's Class teacher and how to refute them—everything was clearly written in the script that man had given her beforehand.
All she did was act as a puppet, a script-reading machine.
Yet, even so, as she personally experienced it, watching those three people from Class C, under her seemingly absurd but trap-laden questions based on the script, go from initial composure to panic, and finally to collapse, she still felt a chill to the bone.
That was no longer mere strategy or tactics.
It was an almost terrifying understanding and control over human weaknesses and psychological warfare.
Horikita Suzune savored the joy of victory, but at the same time, she finally understood that Natsukawa Sosuke's unfathomable depth far exceeded her imagination.
Subconsciously, she cast her gaze towards the man diagonally opposite her.
He was already in his seat, propping his chin with one hand, idly gazing out the window, as if the merriment in the classroom, caused by him, had nothing to do with him.
At this moment, Horikita Suzune's attitude towards Natsukawa Sosuke finally underwent a slight change.
It was no longer mere utilization or apprehension.
Instead, it was a near-convincing reliance, born from recognizing the insurmountable chasm between them, just like facing her brother—just follow behind him, just do as he says, just... Natsukawa Sosuke didn't pay attention to the complex gaze beside him. His eyes swept across the lively classroom and finally settled on an inconspicuous corner.
Sakura Airi was sitting quietly in her seat.
Perhaps influenced by the cheerful atmosphere in the class, a faint, genuine smile of happiness graced her face.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, she subconsciously looked up, her gaze meeting Natsukawa's.
Upon realizing it was Natsukawa, Sakura Airi's expression instantly changed, that faint joy immediately transforming into a somewhat shy and dependent, slightly naive smile directed only at him.
Natsukawa Sosuke returned a smile.
He was genuinely happy for her. At least, in this timeline, she didn't suffer the "public execution" in the Student Council as a witness, forced to expose her secret, unlike in the original story.
As for the missing compensation, let it be.
As long as she can smile happily like this, it's more important than anything... In stark contrast to the lively atmosphere in Class D, the mood in Class C's classroom was so oppressive it felt like water could drip from it.
Ishizaki Daichi, Komiya Yōgo, and Kondō Reion's seats were now empty. They had been suspended.
The other students in the class kept their heads down, not daring to even breathe heavily. Everyone could feel a storm brewing in the heart of their class's dictator.
However, to everyone's surprise.
Ryuuen Kakeru sat in his seat, looking at the empty positions, not only showing no signs of anger but instead a cruel smile, full of pleasure.
He turned to Albert, who was like an iron tower beside him, and said, "Albert, it seems there's quite an interesting fellow hidden in our neighboring Class D."
Albert said nothing, just nodded.
"It's just one failure, I can afford to lose," Ryuuen Kakeru's fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk. "Besides, we didn't gain nothing."
His eyes became sharp and excited.
"Through this failure, I've confirmed at least two things. First, those Student Council people aren't fools who only look at results. Second, among those Class D wastes, there's actually a clever person who can see through my plans, and even use the rules to turn the tables on us."
The losses this time, in his opinion, were completely insignificant.
It was merely a small tuition fee that had to be paid to test the school's rules and probe the opponent's true strength.
Ryuuen Kakeru stood up from his seat. He scanned the classroom, looking at the students who dared not meet his gaze out of fear, his eyes gleaming like a beast that had discovered new prey, filled with bloodthirsty excitement.
"The game truly begins now."
...As the bell for class rang, the lingering warmth of the celebration in the Class D classroom gradually subsided.
With the crisp sound of high heels, Chabashira Sae entered the classroom.
However, today, she surprised everyone a little.
Her perpetually icy face now, unusually, showed a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
"First, congratulations."
She stood at the podium, speaking in a slightly approving tone: "You successfully preserved last month's class points, not letting your efforts go to waste."
"Especially in this incident," her gaze fell upon Horikita Suzune, "Horikita-san's performance in the Student Council was excellent and commendable."
After speaking, her eyes, always filled with indifference, subtly glanced towards a certain corner in the back row of the classroom, with a knowing, half-smile.
Natsukawa Sosuke still maintained his indifferent demeanor, but he had already received the profound meaning contained in that gaze.
"Alright," Chabashira Sae retracted her gaze and continued, "Regarding the delayed individual points from last month, they will be transferred to your accounts immediately. It seems your lives can finally get better."
These words, like a drop of water in hot oil, instantly caused the recently quiet classroom to erupt in excitement once more.
"Awesome!"
"Finally, money to eat!"
Amidst excited cheers, the Class D students once again directed countless grateful and admiring gazes towards their hero—Horikita Suzune.
Only Kushida Kikyo, among the cheering crowd, cast a slightly different glance towards Natsukawa Sosuke and Horikita Suzune in the back row...