The hearing for the incident between Sudō and Class C, in other words the real match between me and Ryūen, was only a day away. With the instructions I gave Hirata and Kushida, the entire class gained energy and courage and through my covert moves I also secured a witness named Sakura.

“Damn it, it’s still hot…”

Just thinking about how I’ll have to suffer through this damn global warming for days or maybe even months makes me want to give up on everything.

The moment I stepped out of the dorm lobby, a wave of scorching air hit me and my skin felt like it was burning. I endured it and passed through the tree-lined road thick with green leaves, then entered the school. That’s when I saw a poster on the bulletin board by the stair landing.

‘Oh… so it’s true Ichinose is helping.’

The poster said they were looking for students with information related to Sudō and the Class C group and it even mentioned they were willing to pay points as a reward to a strong tipster.

Class D is short on points so something like this would be impossible. That means it must be Ichinose’s operation. She did say she was helping Kushida. Still, it was unexpected that Class B would go this far for Class D. But with points on the line, even students who didn’t care might pay attention, so it’s a good choice.

If it goes like this, things will get a lot easier.

“Hi! Ayanokoji!”

As I was scanning the poster, Ichinose arrived at school and called out to me.

“That’s a pretty bold method. I didn’t think you’d even put up your own points to help Class D.”

“Hm? Ah, I see! That’s a good idea.”

“What? It wasn’t you?”

So it wasn’t Ichinose. Then it has to be someone from another class I don’t know. If it’s someone from another class connected to me, the only one would be Sakayanagi but that can’t be it. If it were her, she’d help in secret, not in a way this obvious.

“This is probably… ah, there he is! Hi, Kanzaki!”

Ichinose raised her hand and called out to a boy. Spotting her, he walked over with quiet steps.

“This poster, you put it up, right Kanzaki?”

“Yeah. I prepared it on Friday and put it up. Why?”

“No, she wanted to know who did it. Ah, let me introduce you. This is Kanzaki from Class B and this is Ayanokoji from Class D.”

“So you’re… Ayanokoji Aoi, the one who gave Class A a beating. I’m Kanzaki Ryuji. Nice to meet you.”

His tone was blunt but he looked earnest. Tall and slender, a different kind of handsome compared to Hirata. I felt something unusual from him.

This guy… not on Sakayanagi or Ryūen’s level, but he leaves a strong impression. Maybe one of Class B’s real talents. If I had to say, he’s the one I need to be most careful about in Class B.

I took his hand, slightly tense and we shook.

“I’m Ayanokoji Aoi from Class D.”

From the atmosphere, if Ichinose is the leader then this guy is the sub-leader. Unlike good-natured Ichinose, his eyes are wary, like he’s trying to see through me. I’ve been underestimating Class B, but if someone like this exists, I can’t ignore them as a variable.

“So, Kanzaki. Any strong leads?”

“Sadly, nothing useful yet.”

“Alright. Then I’ll check the board too.”

The board? Did they also put something on the school website bulletin board? I opened my phone and checked and sure enough, there was a post asking for witnesses. Only a few dozen had read it, but it’s far more efficient than Class D going around directly.

“But you wouldn’t offer points for Class D for nothing. Did Kushida agree to pay?”

“Ah, don’t worry about the points. We used them on our own. And judging by the responses, it might be hard to get new info… ah, I got two emails. They say they have some information.”

Since information came in, I looked too. One message said Ishizaki was a delinquent back in middle school. Ishizaki isn’t on the basketball team and he’s clearly used to fighting, so that supports how unnatural it is that they were supposedly beaten one-sidedly.

“Kanzaki, what do you think when you see this?”

“Maybe they let Sudō hit them on purpose. If you assume the three of them moved to trap Sudō, the story becomes consistent.”

“Yeah, that’s what I think too. As expected, Kanzaki, you hit the mark. If we find solid grounds for this, we might be one step closer to proving innocence. But even so, it’s still weak.”

“Right. Even if you clarify the suspicion, it only gets you back to zero. The fact he hit them one-sidedly still weighs heavily.”

Kanzaki Ryuji… he’s sharper than I expected, with good judgment and he’s calm too. I’d wondered how Ichinose could function as Class B’s leader without issues. Now I get it.

I couldn’t help being impressed and my anticipation for school life grew.

“I heard from Kushida. She said you persuaded the witness. Are you sure?”

“Because of personal circumstances, it’s hard to say more. There’s no other witness, so she’s the only one, but it doesn’t matter.” [TL: Just giving away the gender of the witness, damn okay.]

“I see. As expected of you, Ayanokoji. You probably have your own plan, don’t you?”

Hmm. I’m more curious about your thinking, especially Kanzaki’s.

“By the way, if you heard from Kushida, you know this is also a fight between me and Ryūen. If you help this much, won’t Class C target you?”

“Don’t worry. It’s already true that both Class C and Class A are aiming at us.”

“Ichinose is right. We have nothing to worry about. And if it’s competition based on the rules, that’s what we want too, but this time it’s a rule violation, an unforgivable act.”

Ichinose and Kanzaki want to fight fairly, against the school and against their peers. In other words, they’re the same type as Katsuragi and Horikita…

What a waste. Such a waste. Ichinose aside, Kanzaki is far too much of a waste. With that excellent ability, he lacks the boldness to break rules and the spirit to pursue innovation.

That also explains why Class B alone didn’t use last year’s test during the midterms. It wasn’t that they chose not to, they didn’t even know. Ichinose and Kanzaki never even considered there might be a variable and they studied earnestly with their classmates like Katsuragi. No wonder their class points fluctuation is the lowest.

Still, even if Ichinose is like that, Kanzaki is someone I need to watch. If he ever adopted Sakayanagi or Ryūen’s mindset… then Class B wouldn’t be easy anymore.

While I was thinking, Ichinose tried to pay the informant but struggled because she didn’t know how to transfer.

“Hmm, I’m not sure. How do you transfer points?”

“Want me to show you?”

“Ayanokoji, you know?”

“Well, during the midterms all sorts of things happened, so I learned naturally. You know the email address, right?”

I pointed to various things and explained how to send the transfer. Then Ichinose tapped the button leading to the points page and after it loaded, the page displayed.

“Ah.”

She let out a small sound, then held her screen out to me.

“There it is, it’s there. This, right? What do I do with this ID number?”

“With that ID number, you can temporarily issue a token key. If you send it, you’ll get a deposit request.”

“I see. Thanks. I keep owing you, Ayanokoji. Like that time too…”

Just then, the topic from before, with the lesbian incompetent, came up and I seized the chance.

“You remember what you said then, that you’d help me, right? I need your help now.”

“Really? With what?”

“It’s not a big deal. If any decisive evidence or information comes in by tomorrow, don’t tell Kushida or Horikita, give it only to me.”

“Only to you? Why?”

“Just do that. Depending on the evidence, there might be a way to make Sudō not guilty. The important thing is you hand it only to me.”

When I spoke with confidence, Ichinose and Kanzaki looked uncertain but nodded.

“Okay, I’ll do that. If it’s you, Ayanokoji, who beat Class A, you must have a plan.”

“I’ll do the same. I’m curious how you’ll resolve it.”

“Hehe, I’m glad you’re looking forward to it. Since this is a connection, want to exchange numbers?”

I got Kanzaki’s number and after a brief farewell, I left…

And as I recalled the phone screen Ichinose had shown me for an instant, I let the flustered expression I’d been hiding slip.

How… how is that realistically possible? Did I really see it correctly? Even if I misread it, could it be that clear? No simulation produces an answer like that.

Ichinose Honami… what kind of woman are you?

I was wrong. Completely wrong. Maybe the biggest obstacle for Class D reaching Class A isn’t Sakayanagi, Ryūen or even Kanzaki.

Thinking back again, my relationship with Ichinose Honami was never normal.

* * *

After morning homeroom, I called Chabashira-sensei to stop in front of the staff room. If it was inside the classroom, Sakura would stand out too much. Since she contributed to my victory, I’ll show her at least that much consideration.

“A witness? For the Sudō incident?”

“Yes. Sakura said she saw the Sudō incident from start to finish.”

Kushida called Sakura, who had been waiting behind us and Sakura walked over with a tense expression.

“Kushida says you witnessed the fight between Sudō and the Class C students.”

Sakura, looking uneasy, saw my face and steadied herself before speaking.

“Yes… I definitely saw it.”

Sakura slowly told the truth and Chabashira-sensei listened silently without interrupting once. Sakura might even be praised for this contribution. But Chabashira-sensei’s reaction wasn’t what we expected.

“I heard what you said. But it will be difficult to accept it as-is.”

“W-why, teacher?”

“Sakura, why are you only testifying now? When I asked during morning homeroom, you didn’t step forward. You weren’t absent then either.”

“That’s… because… I’m not good at speaking in front of people…”

“If you’re not good at speaking, isn’t it strange that you’re testifying now?”

From the teacher’s standpoint, it’s a natural response. It’s not like defending her here would help. But I trust Sakura. Or rather, I trust my ability to give Sakura courage.

And as if remembering my words, Sakura continued.

“My classmates were in a difficult situation… if I testify, it will help… I definitely regret not stepping forward at first… but! I want to testify for everyone. Please…”

I applaud my own ability to give her courage. Now even the teacher should feel Sakura’s resolve is real.

“Alright. If you are a witness, I am willing, as my duty, to report it to the school. But even if the school accepts your statement, Sudō will probably be found guilty.”

“W-why?”

I immediately spoke to calm the flustered Sakura.

“We know your words are true, but Class C won’t see it that way. Since you’re in Class D, they can claim you lied because you were afraid Class D would get a negative evaluation.”

“T-that can’t be…”

“Ayanokoji is right. A witness appearing right at the deadline, naturally invites suspicion. And since it’s Class D, even more. It lines up too perfectly, like it was arranged, that a classmate happened to be in a part of the school grounds. People don’t pass through there much and just witness an incident.”

If you judge fairly, that’s true. Any third party would think it was fabricated.

But that’s fine. Sakura is a chess piece to show it may not be that Class C simply got beaten. I have a separate card prepared to crush Class C.

“But a witness is still a witness. You can’t just declare it a lie. I’ll proceed for now. And on the day of the hearing, Sakura, you’ll likely have to appear as a witness. I’m not sure you can do that, since you hate getting involved with others.”

“Teacher, from what I understand, if Sudō himself agrees, up to two people can accompany him at the hearing.”

Here, I created an opening for me and Horikita to go in. Chabashira-sensei looked at me with interest.

“Ayanokoji… with you, I feel sure you can win the hearing. But you claim to believe in meritocracy, so why are you involving yourself? Is it to save Sudō?”

Naturally, I gave an answer that was like me.

“Targeting Sudō, whom I saved from expulsion, means targeting me. I will prove my ability by giving Class C a defeat even greater than what I gave Class A. I promise you, I will make Sudō not guilty in this hearing.”

At my confident tone, Chabashira-sensei smiled.

“It will be quite a difficult path… but you look convinced. Then do you only need to be the one accompanying him?”

“Horikita as well.”

“Fine. I’ll approve Ayanokoji and Horikita to accompany him at the hearing. Then… I’ll look forward to the picture you paint.”

With that, we left the staff room and went to Horikita, who had stayed in the classroom and explained.

“From tomorrow, it’s all-out war with Class C, so prepare thoroughly. Since Sudō’s expulsion is on the line, I’ll be expecting you.”

“…I don’t need your concern.”

Putting aside her feelings toward me, Horikita will prepare seriously for Sudō’s sake.

“I’m sorry… if I had stepped forward sooner…”

“Sure, the situation might have changed. But it wouldn’t have been a big difference. It’s just bad luck that the witness is from Class D. It’s not your fault.”

At my shameless acting and training, Horikita’s expression turned grim, but I just sneered like, so what.

“Besides, I will definitely make Sudō not guilty. Don’t look at anyone else. Just believe in me. I believe in Sakura, so you should believe in me too, believe in my ability.”

“…Yes… I’ll believe in you no matter what, Ayanokoji.”

One more day. Tomorrow the hearing begins. Everything so far has gone according to my schemes. After I get past the hearing and use the card I’ve hidden, my victory will wrap everything up.

Ichinose Honami. I’ll need to borrow your power to add the detail that completes this perfect finish.

* * *

After school, I went straight back to the dorm and called Sakayanagi. To explain my next plan. Hearing my story, Sakayanagi laughed, sounding very pleased.

“Hehehe, with that level of detail added, victory is assured and we can even obtain Ichinose’s private points, killing two birds with one stone. But is it really true? That Ichinose’s private points are that high… honestly, it’s hard to believe even coming from you, Aoi.”

“It’s certain. I saw it myself. So ask for a reward that’s not excessive, but not small either.”

“With this level of evidence… eighty thousand to one hundred thousand seems appropriate. I’ll ask the friend who created the evidence to contact Ichinose. As soon as we receive the reward, I’ll send you half.”

“Alright. Thanks for going through the trouble.”

“If I can enjoy the picture you’re painting, it’s no trouble at all. Then I wish you luck tomorrow.”

After the call ended, I flopped onto my bed and predicted the scenario that would play out tomorrow.

After imagining about three scenarios of beating Ryūen, I got a message from Ichinose with an email attached.

“It’s Ayanokoji. What is it?”

“It’s solid evidence, Ayanokoji! Hurry and look.”

I already have the evidence, so I don’t bother viewing it. But I react as if it’s the first time.

“This definitely strengthens the claim that Sudō wasn’t the only one at fault.”

“Right? Then tomorrow at the hearing…”

“No. I won’t use this at tomorrow’s hearing.”

“What? Even if it can’t completely avoid Sudō’s suspension, it would still deal a heavy blow to Class C!”

“Yes, precisely because of that. I’m going to make Sudō not guilty.”

Since he was definitely involved in the fight and threw punches, there’s no way Sudō can avoid punishment. Right. This fight isn’t about who gets punished less.

From the moment Sudō receives even the slightest punishment, I lose to Ryūen. Ryūen… designed a scenario that should have been unwinnable from the start.

But he chose the wrong opponent. From the moment I anticipated the incident you would create, I’d already been thinking of the solution.

“I’ll explain after the hearing. I need you and Kanzaki’s help, so set a time and place. It’s important, but you must never tell Horikita or Kushida.”

“Hmm… okay! Kanzaki also seemed interested in you after this morning and I’m curious how you’ll make him not guilty. I’ll cooperate.”

“Thanks, Ichinose. See you tomorrow.”

The stage is complete now. Ryūen Kakeru… you probably think you’ve already won, don’t you? Watch closely with those two eyes open.

I’ll show you that the moment you used violence, you were the one who fell into the trap.

I went to bed early, waiting for tomorrow.