"We didn't get any results either."

Ichinose and Kanzaki returned with gloomy expressions after requesting cooperation from Class A.

That class is rigid.

It is no surprise that they could not be persuaded easily.

"Class D went slightly better. Though we still don't know if there are any witnesses."

"Even so, it's better that we were at least able to talk to them. And this plan is based on the possibility that someone might exist, right?"

That's right.

We will absolutely protect Shibata.

And remember this, Class C.

You laid hands on my friend, so I will personally destroy you.

* * *

The next day.

We went to the special building to examine the scene.

Though naturally, there were no new clues or evidence.

Ichinose and Kanzaki, who had accompanied me, also wore troubled expressions.

"We can't find anything..."

"If only we could at least find a hint..."

While muttering like that, we wandered around the special building.

Then I left the two of them behind and climbed the stairs to the second floor, where Shibata had supposedly been set up.

"It's hot..."

I muttered instinctively.

Although it was only early July, the special building had very few windows, causing heat to build up easily.

On top of that, there was no air conditioning, so the inside felt like a boiling pot.

"Wait... Ayanokōji-kun..."

Ichinose slowly followed behind me.

However, there was no energy in her face.

It seemed she was on the verge of collapsing from the heat.

"Ichinose. Your complexion is bad. You should return immediately."

I calmly stated the facts.

This was not a situation where Ichinose absolutely needed to be here.

And if she collapsed here, Shibata might end up blaming himself.

"No... I have to help Shibata-kun... I'm the leader..."

Ichinose climbed the stairs and reached the same step as me.

But her face was flushed and when I touched her arm it was clear she had a high fever.

"Just because you're the leader doesn't mean you have to suffer alone. Helping each other is what it means to be 'teammates' and 'friends.' That's something you all taught me."

"But... I want to be useful too... so please let me stay..."

Ichinose looked straight at me with serious eyes.

However, I wish she understood that this kind of sincerity can sometimes strangle herself.

"Kanzaki!"

I shouted loudly enough for Kanzaki, who was downstairs looking up at the ceiling, to hear.

He immediately responded.

"What is it?! Did you find evidence?!"

Judging from his somewhat careless tone, he too seemed to be suffering from the heat.

Summer temperatures are a natural enemy for those not used to them.

Not that I'm particularly resistant to heat either.

Sweat pours down endlessly and runs down my back, making everything uncomfortable.

"Ichinose is showing symptoms of heatstroke! Take her back to the classroom immediately and make sure she drinks water!"

After I shouted that, Kanzaki ran up the stairs.

His expression was completely serious.

"Is she okay?!"

"Yes. It's only the early symptoms. She should recover quickly."

"Understood. I'll take her back. What about you, Ayanokōji?"

"I'll stay here a bit longer and search for clues. The culprit might return to the scene."

"I see. Leave this to me."

"I'm counting on you."

After handing Ichinose, who had finally become quiet, over to Kanzaki, I climbed to the second floor.

The heat seemed even more concentrated than on the first floor, making my consciousness waver slightly.

But that wasn't important.

‘There are no surveillance cameras. That means the plan is possible.’

Yes.

My second plan is to force Class C to withdraw their accusation entirely.

There are no surveillance cameras in this special building.

Naturally, they likely understood this when they set Shibata up.

However, according to our prediction, the plan was not created by the supposed victims, Kondō and Komiya.

Someone else was behind them.

That person was Ryūen Kakeru.

However, while Ryūen likely confirmed things personally, the lower-ranked members probably know nothing.

That is why approaching only the underlings might make it possible to force a withdrawal of the accusation.

"Hm?"

Whoosh

‘What was that?’

You might not understand what I mean, but I myself don't understand what just happened.

Something clearly passed across my field of vision far ahead of me as I descended the stairs.

No, rather than crossing it, it would be more accurate to say something exited through the building's exit.

In any case, I definitely saw something in front of me.

"...Pink hair..."

I spoke the small clue I caught just before it disappeared.

In this school, I have only seen two people with pink hair.

The first is obviously our class leader, Ichinose Honami.

And the second is—

The girl I saw yesterday when I visited Class D.

She was wearing glasses and since I saw her from a distance I could not see clearly, but I remember that she had very delicate facial features.

I don't know her name, but I have a general idea why she came here.

Most likely—

She knows something about the incident.

First, I need to find that student.

She might be the hint that solves this case.

* * *

"That's probably Sakura-san."

After school.

After finishing the search in the special building, I contacted Hirata from Class D.

How did I meet him?

When I helped him recover earlier, we exchanged contact information.

I am quietly but steadily climbing the stairs toward becoming someone with strong communication skills.

"Sakura, huh. Thank you. That helps."

"I'm glad I could help. But why were you looking for her?"

Hirata asked curiously.

Indeed, I had skipped explaining why I was searching for her.

Quite the mistake for me.

"Actually..."

Then I explained what had happened.

Naturally, I left out the part where Ichinose nearly collapsed from heatstroke and was currently being cared for.

She probably has her pride as well.

"I see. Then should I talk to her first? Sakura-san doesn't really like talking to people, so she might feel uncomfortable meeting someone from another class like you."

"Understood. Just explaining the situation briefly and arranging a meeting will be enough. Good luck."

"Leave it to me."

Hirata smiled faintly.

Even if he fails to contact Sakura, it is still worth approaching her myself.

The fact that she came to that location suggests that some sense of responsibility influenced her actions.

She will probably be somewhat cooperative.

And even if that fails, no one has yet come forward with evidence or testimony.

In other words, Class B still has its savings and we could use those funds to execute the second plan immediately.

Now it's just like finishing a chess puzzle.

* * *

The next day.

"U-um... what did you want to talk to me about?"

The girl standing in front of me asked nervously.

She looked like a frightened kitten.

"It's about Class C. I believe I saw you in the special building before. Am I mistaken?"

"Y-yes... well... that's right."

She gave a hesitant confirmation.

However, she seemed extremely nervous.

Perhaps she lacked confidence, or perhaps she was afraid of something.

"I won't ask why. Everyone has their privacy. But I want to ask this one thing. Do you know anything about the conflict between Shibata and Class C?"

I looked straight into her eyes.

But she did not return my gaze.

"...Maybe... a little."

Sakura said that while looking down, but her voice was firm.

Whether it met my expectations or not was difficult to say.

From her back and from Hirata's description, I already knew she struggled with communication just as I once did.

On top of that, someone from another class requesting contact.

I had fully prepared myself to be rejected.

So this could be considered a remarkable achievement.

"Can you tell me more? If there is something you don't want to say, you can skip it."

"Last weekend I went to the special building for personal reasons. While I was there, I heard three students arguing... so I took a picture with my camera."

Seriously?

This was beyond my expectations.

We might actually win because of this.

Of course that was good news, but it was so sudden.

"Could you show it to me?"

I asked cautiously.

I did not want to challenge the student council trial without confirming the evidence.

"About that... the camera broke... I'm sorry."

"Broken, huh. The student council trial is the day after tomorrow. May I accompany you to get it repaired tomorrow? If you'd rather go alone, I won't stop you."

If a Class C student discovered the existence of that evidence and attacked her, I would have no way to face Hirata again.

That future must be avoided.

"I don't have any plans... and... I didn't want to go alone, so I'd appreciate it. Should we exchange contact information?"

"Let's exchange contact details. Once this matter is settled, you can delete it if you'd like."

"No, it's fine. Then... see you tomorrow."

"Yes. See you tomorrow."

My first contact with Sakura Airi went well.

The existence of evidence has been confirmed, so Class C can now be sealed.

After all—

Justice wins. Apparently.