Everyone in Class B who knew Ichinose could tell—she was lying.
Noticing this, many gave up asking. However, some persisted, patting their chests and promising, "Don't worry, Ichinose, we won't tell anyone. Can you tell us if that Ryūen guy will actually be expelled? And that Kiriyama is just too soft."
When one person started, others naturally followed.
Soon, some who were initially hesitant also tried to offer assurances. Ichinose was visibly wavering and said hesitantly, "Ryūen-kun probably won't be expelled, and Vice President Kiriyama didn't do anything wrong either."
Chihiro Shiranami asked curiously, "Is it really okay for that staff member to have been beaten up like that?"
Ichinose shook her head and said with a smile, "Actually, that person..."
"Ichinose, that's enough!"
The one who cut Ichinose off was Class B's second-in-command, Ryūji Kanzaki.
Pushing through the crowd to stand before Ichinose, Ryūji Kanzaki asked in a calm tone, "Ichinose, let me confirm something first: Did the student council ask you to keep this confidential?"
Ichinose thought for a moment before shaking her head. "No, I just heard it from somewhere else."
All she knew was that the staff member had been harassing a certain female student for a long time. Nagumo was the one who told her this, and he hadn't asked her to keep it a secret.
"Then I advise you to say nothing."
Ryūji Kanzaki turned around, his calm gaze sweeping over the Class B students, and spoke in a clear voice:
"This incident isn't just a competition between students; it involves a staff member and has become public knowledge. Yet, neither the student council nor the school has released any information or made any official statement."
At this point, Ryūji Kanzaki looked back at Ichinose and said in a serious tone, "Ichinose, don't tell me you still haven't realized the gravity of this situation."
As the heir to the emerging conglomerate 'Kanzaki Heavy Industries,' Ryūji Kanzaki had grown up in high society and could easily perceive how unnatural the reactions of the school and the student council were.
Only he could instinctively realize that in this situation, if Ichinose were to say something she shouldn't and it got leaked, it would be tantamount to throwing her into the eye of the storm.
For the first time, Ryūji Kanzaki began to have doubts. He doubted whether his decision to give up leadership was correct. He doubted if Ichinose could lead Class B to Class A. He doubted if this overly kind girl could even protect herself.
Should he take over Class B's affairs?
Just as Kanzaki was thinking this, Ichinose, surrounded by her classmates, stood frozen in place. Recalling Nagumo's casual tone on the phone yesterday, she gradually sensed that something was wrong.
But what good would this do Nagumo?
Besides, a staff member who had long been harassing a female student was beaten up by a student—would saying that out loud really have such severe consequences?
Kind and naive, Ichinose couldn't understand. She could only tentatively ask Kanzaki, "What if I had said it?"
"You don't have the authority to comment on or define the incident. Depending on the severity of the issue, it's possible the school and the Student Council President would have to clean up your mess, and you can forget about being the Disciplinary Committee Chairman." Ryūji Kanzaki stated this calmly.
Hearing this, the surrounding classmates exchanged glances, lowered their heads, and dared not cause a commotion any longer.
Ichinose also realized the seriousness of the matter. She took a deep breath, bowed, and said, "I understand. Thank you very much, Kanzaki-kun!"
...
The scene changes. It was now noon.
In the Class C classroom, Hiyori Shiina was, as usual, enjoying a carefully prepared bento with Symon, chewing and swallowing in small bites.
At the same time, someone suddenly entered the classroom from outside and, without any hesitation, sat sideways in Ibuki's seat—that's right, it was Ryūen.
Hiyori Shiina looked up and asked, "Coming at this time, is there something urgent, Ryūen-kun?"
"There's bad news," Ryūen said, his eyes filled with anger. "That bastard Kiriyama told Nagumo about the stalking."
Hiyori Shiina tilted her head and asked patiently, "Specifically? What did he say?"
Ryūen said coldly, "He didn't say much, just mentioned the staff member stalking a female student."
As he spoke, Ryūen explained how he had discovered Kiriyama's betrayal.
Following along through the girl's senses, Symon listened carefully, gradually piecing together the situation:
Just a little while ago, when Ryūen went to the student cafeteria to eat, he overheard someone from Class B lament, "It's a shame we couldn't get that Ryūen expelled this time."
Realizing the direction of public opinion was off, Ryūen quickly figured out someone had leaked information. After confirming there were no changes on the forums, he immediately zeroed in on Kiriyama from the only four people who knew.
After some intense questioning, he learned that after the incident yesterday, Nagumo had gone to Kiriyama and asked him what Ryūen had said to him in the video.
As it turned out, Kiriyama couldn't handle the pressure at all and immediately spilled about the staff member stalking the female student. He also backstabbed Manabu Horikita and Ryūen by revealing that the recording had been sealed away and that Manabu Horikita had asked him to keep it a secret.
After hearing Ryūen's account, Symon couldn't help but complain internally: "Seriously? Can't he lie? Can't he be vague? Just how incompetent is that Kiriyama? After pledging his loyalty to Nagumo, he still had to stab his allies in the back twice."
With that, Symon conferred with Hiyori, swapped control of the body, and looked at Ryūen, who was waiting for 'her' advice. After a moment of thought, he spoke directly:
"We originally had plenty of time, but because Kiriyama tried to be clever, there's no time left for rumors to spread and negative public opinion to fester."
"Right now, contact Manabu Horikita. Have him contact the school administration and try to settle this matter during the lunch break."
"No matter what happens, the truth of this incident and the right to explain it must remain in the school's hands."
"If it leaks out prematurely and puts the school in a passive position, there's no way you can keep your position as Disciplinary Committee Chairman. If the school gets furious, you... and even I... risk expulsion."
At this point, Symon suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, Ryūen-kun, how many points did you make from this?"
"..."
Ryūen fell silent for a moment. Recalling how the electronics store owner had tricked him with a spare terminal, he ultimately didn't have the gall to brag, stood up, and left the classroom.
Watching Ryūen disappear from view, Symon paid no mind to his rudeness. He picked up the nearby chopsticks, put a piece of fish in his mouth, and while chewing, quipped internally, "Looks like Ryūen took a huge loss on this one."
"Mmm... more than that..."
Sensing the strange sensation coming through her senses, Hiyori tentatively asked, "Mr. Ghost, how do you usually endure this? Does this feeling seem strange to you?"
Symon paused at her words. After some thought, he decided to answer truthfully: "No, usually at times like this, I just need to enjoy it."
Hiyori Shiina: "..."
_____
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