"Sorry to keep you waiting."

After school.

I had arranged to meet Sakura.

Since she disliked standing out, we chose a bench near the fountain as the meeting spot.

The same place where I once spoke with Hirata.

"N-no. I just got here too... so shall we go?"

"Yeah."

We were heading to an electronics store inside Keyaki Mall.

Apparently, Sakura had accidentally broken her favorite digital camera that contained the evidence.

The internal memory was unharmed so the evidence itself was still saved, but she couldn't display the images in its current state.

My role was basically that of a guard and escort.

It didn't seem like something I needed to be overly tense about.

"Ayanokōji-kun... why are you going through the trouble of helping with something this bothersome?"

While we were walking, Sakura suddenly asked.

"To ensure the safety of you and the camera. There's a possibility that people from Class C might target you."

"Just for that?"

"Yes. Just in case. Was that unnecessary?"

"N-no, that's not it! Thank you..."

Apparently she didn't see it that way.

Well, this is only cooperation for this one issue. No need to make things stiff.

When we arrived at Keyaki Mall, we headed straight to the electronics store.

However, Sakura's steps were somewhat heavy, as if she was hesitating about something.

We stepped onto the escalator and moved to the upper floor.

Since the building had an open atrium, we could look down at the first floor.

There were still only a few students there.

"Sakura. Did something unpleasant happen?"

I spoke to Sakura, who was standing two steps above me on the escalator.

Her back trembled slightly.

"N-no. I'm fine. It's just up ahead."

"...I see. If you say so."

Well, everyone has things they find hard to talk about.

It's not something I need to pry into.

Soon after, we arrived safely at the electronics store.

As its name suggested, all kinds of appliances were being sold.

Unfortunately none of them particularly caught my interest.

Sakura pointed.

"Over there..."

She slowly walked toward a reception counter.

Apparently it was the repair counter.

"..."

Suspicious.

That was my immediate thought.

The moment Sakura approached, the expression in the clerk's eyes changed.

Just moments ago he had looked lazy, but suddenly his eyes turned dull and unpleasant.

"Yes..."

Sakura was speaking with the clerk.

Then she picked up the pen he handed her.

"Wait."

I grabbed Sakura's shoulder from behind.

"Hyaa?!"

Startled, Sakura let out a somewhat silly sound.

The clerk smiled strangely at that.

"You're writing your contact information for when the repair is finished, correct?"

I asked while looking at the form on the counter.

"Y-yes."

"In that case, would it be alright if I wrote it instead? When it's ready I'll deliver it to Sakura. Or they could contact me and I'll come pick it up. How does that sound?"

I asked both the clerk and Sakura.

"B-but... I can't trouble you that much..."

"Right! Besides, things like this should be written by the owner..."

The clerk sounded cheerful, while Sakura seemed uneasy.

That confirmed it.

I couldn't let Sakura write it.

"No, I don't consider it a burden. Besides, Sakura is helping us for the sake of our classmate. I want to do what I can."

And it seemed that a small sense of justice still remained within me.

My instincts were screaming that I would regret it if I let things remain vague.

"Or... would it trouble you? If you can't trust me, we can write a contract—"

"If you put it that way... then thank you. After talking with you a bit, I don't think Ayanokōji-kun would do anything terrible. Besides, there wouldn't be any benefit for you."

It seemed she understood.

And Sakura was fundamentally a good person.

Even though she disliked standing out, she had cooperated for Shibata's sake.

So I would repay that favor.

"So that's how it is. I didn't say it earlier, but I'll say it now. Would there be any problem for the store if I write my address and phone number on this form? Legally speaking there shouldn't be any issue."

"W-well... hahahaha..."

The clerk forced a laugh.

But his eyes weren't smiling.

He looked at me like I was his mortal enemy.

"Or is there some reason... that it absolutely must be Sakura?"

When I asked that, the matter was finally settled.

Though I did notice that his last glance wasn't directed at me but at Sakura.

* * *

"Sorry. I acted on my own."

After leaving the store, I apologized to Sakura.

I don't like imposing my own judgment even if it's for someone else's sake.

"I-it's okay. That clerk... no, it's nothing..."

"Now I'm curious."

"It really is nothing! Anyway... let's stop here for today."

"Understood. The hearing is tomorrow. I'm counting on you."

In the end, since the hearing was tomorrow, we used some points Ichinose had given me to extend the repair deadline until tomorrow morning.

As a result I would have to come here first thing in the morning to retrieve the camera.

But that couldn't be helped.

If it meant saving a friend, it was a small price.

* * *

The next day, after school.

The student council's hearing was about to begin.

"Everyone, don't be nervous. Let's just do what we can."

For this moment at least, even Hoshinomiya looked like a dependable homeroom teacher.

"Sorry for causing trouble... but with you three, I believe it'll be alright."

Shibata, who had looked anxious before, now seemed to have regained some confidence.

Or perhaps he was acting brave because Ichinose, the girl he liked, was also present.

Either way, it was helpful that he stayed in that state.

I turned my gaze toward Sakura, who was waiting outside the student council room until the time came.

I had already told Kanzaki and Ichinose two nights ago that she would be the cooperating witness.

"Sakura-san, try not to be too nervous."

"Th-thank you. I'll do what I can."

"Yeah. We appreciate it."

The two of them spoke kindly to her.

In the hearing about to begin, they would play an important role.

Alright.

This time we will definitely finish off Class C.

"Well then... shall we go in?"

At Hoshinomiya's words, the four of us entered the student council room.

"Class B entering."

Hoshinomiya announced in a serious tone unlike her usual joking demeanor.

In front of us sat the student council president on the chair at the far right and across two tables sat the members of Class C.

Those present were the two supposed victims and their homeroom teacher, Sakagami-sensei.

"Then we will now begin the hearing regarding the conflict between 1-B and 1-C. Tachibana, the explanation."

The student council president declared it in the same dignified voice I had heard at the entrance ceremony.

Come to think of it, his name was Horikita Manabu.

I wonder if he is related to Horikita from Class D.

No, that defective one could not possibly be of the same type as him.

"First, I will explain the outline of the incident."

From there, the female student called Tachibana explained the case.

Both Class C's claims and Class B's claims were read out carefully and thoroughly.

"With this background in mind, we will now determine which claim is the truth. First, the two students from Class 1-C—"

At that point, the two self-proclaimed victims stood up.

But then the two of them—no, all three including Sakagami—noticed something strange.

What was strange?

All of Class B were wearing confident expressions.