The next day, Monday arrived, and the students went to school as usual.
Even though the midterm exams were just around the corner, the atmosphere on campus wasn't tense. Students from all grades were discussing one thing: the violent incident that had occurred in the shopping district the day before.
Unlike the previous brawl, this incident not only had on-site video footage but also involved a scandal with school staff and two members of the student council. Its impact was far greater and more widespread.
Even in Class C, apart from a few who had received instructions from Ryūen, most were concerned about the incident. They just didn't dare to gossip about Ryūen openly, discussing it secretly amongst themselves.
After the first class of the morning ended, Hiyori sat at her desk organizing her notes, overhearing the 'faint' conversation between two girls behind her:
"Hey Fuyu-chan, have you seen the video on the forums? There was big news yesterday~! Ryūen will probably be expelled this time, right?"
"Shh~! Asagaya, you're being so loud! Shiina-san will hear you."
"It's fine. Hiyori-chan is so cute, she definitely won't snitch."
"..., what does being cute have to do with anything? Although Hiyori-chan does look really soft. I wanna pet her~"
"Right? Right?!"
Hearing this, Hiyori pursed her lips in resignation—while she could understand the girls' desire to get on her good side, their words were bordering on harassment.
Just as the girl was thinking this, Ibuki, who sat in front of her, suddenly turned around and asked with feigned curiosity, "Hiyori, the midterms are tomorrow. Will Ryūen be suspended?"
"He won't~ Ibuki-san." Hiyori Shiina replied with a smile, adding, "Besides, if you want to talk to me, you don't have to force yourself to bring up topics you dislike."
Hearing this, Ibuki froze. Her gaze darted away unnaturally for a moment before she composed herself and said, "That's not it. At the end of the day, Ryūen and his crew are just too arrogant and reckless. They act without thinking about the consequences. Hiyori, you should stay away from them."
"Thank you," Hiyori Shiina blinked, pressing her palms together. "I appreciate your concern, Ibuki-san."
"..." Ibuki fell silent for a moment, then quietly turned back around and slumped onto her desk, giving up on further conversation with Hiyori.
Today, once again, Mio Ibuki was easily handled by Hiyori Shiina.
Witnessing this scene, Symon couldn't help but tease her in his mind, "Hiyori, why do I get the feeling you're bullying her?"
"Don't you think Ibuki-san is cute, Mr. Ghost? As long as you can guess what she's thinking and give her a positive response, you can make her blush for a long time." Hiyori chuckled inwardly as she thought this.
"My dear girl, I suspect you're a bit more black-bellied than you let on. By the way, can you teach me that trick?"
"No way~" Hiyori made an 'X' with her index finger, her voice cute and playful.
"..."
Meanwhile, in the Class A classroom—
Arisu Sakayanagi sat in her seat, watching the video on her terminal and leisurely swinging her feet. Standing to her left and right were Masumi Kamuro and Masayoshi Hashimoto, respectively.
After finishing the video, Sakayanagi casually set her terminal aside, her light purple eyes narrowing slightly.
"Princess, is something wrong?" The one who spoke was Sakayanagi's current number one lackey, top yes-man, and an expert at reading people—Masayoshi Hashimoto.
"No, that 'Ryū-boy' has used this kind of trick once before. He's just as brazen this time around."
Arisu Sakayanagi said this with a curve to her lips, her eyes looking at Hashimoto with a hint of amusement.
She didn't dislike people like Hashimoto, nor did she mind offering a brief explanation; while sycophants are contemptible, when paired with a sharp eye and a diligent, hard-working attitude, they become very useful workhorses.
Assuming you can keep them fed.
Masayoshi Hashimoto was taken aback for a moment. After mulling over her words, he quickly understood that Ryūen was likely using this incident as a pretext again. He ventured a question:
"Your Highness, are you thinking about... the purpose of Ryūen's actions this time?"
A flicker of amusement crossed Arisu Sakayanagi's eyes, and a pleased smile graced her lips. She nodded slightly and said, "Information is limited. Since you've already guessed it, I'll leave the investigation to you. Don't disappoint me, Hashimoto-kun~"
"Of course, Your Highness." Masayoshi Hashimoto performed a knightly bow in a grand gesture, ignoring the various strange looks being secretly cast his way by the rest of Class A.
For Masayoshi Hashimoto, no matter what Sakayanagi asked of him, he would not refuse. If you asked why, there was one and only one answer: the chairman of the Advanced Nurturing High School's surname was 'Sakayanagi.'
This was a little secret Masayoshi Hashimoto had discovered by chance.
After seeking confirmation from Arisu Sakayanagi and verifying that the Advanced Nurturing High School was indeed her family's enterprise, Masayoshi Hashimoto had unhesitatingly knelt at her feet and sworn his loyalty—as long as he could graduate from Class A.
At the same time, in the Class B classroom.
Honami Ichinose was also surrounded by a group of curious girls, being peppered with questions about the student council:
"Ichinose, please tell us~" Chihiro Shiranami pleaded, hugging and shaking her arm, her eyes sparkling as she spoke in a wheedling tone.
"Sorry... yesterday was a holiday, so I'm not too clear on the details of the matter." Ichinose said, sounding somewhat unnatural.
Everyone present noticed it—she was lying.
_____
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