Kanzaki Ryuji didn't sleep all night.
The near-conflict in the corridor yesterday, and Sakamoto's incredible yet highly efficient intervention, were deeply etched in his mind.
But what made him even more anxious were the malicious rumors still quietly circulating in the grade, and Ichinose Honami's barely concealed fatigue beneath her forced smile.
He couldn't let this situation continue.
As Class C's second-in-command, he felt a great sense of responsibility.
He longed to protect this class, to protect the hard-won unity and warmth, and would never allow it to be destroyed by malicious slander and despicable tactics.
Ryuuen?
Class D?
Or other forces hidden in the shadows?
No matter who the opponent was, he had to fight back.
And the fastest, most reliable way,
was to use the rules themselves.
Early the next morning,
Kanzaki Ryuji, without informing Ichinose-san,
went alone to his homeroom teacher Hoshinomiya Chie's office.
He fully and objectively reported the conflict that occurred in the hallway yesterday,
and the malicious rumors that had been widely spread in the grade recently, especially targeting Class C and Ichinose-san.
He emphasized Sudo Ken's provocative behavior from Class D, who almost resorted to violence,
and clues that the source of the rumors seemed to point to Class D.
He requested the school to intervene and investigate,
clarify the facts, protect Class C's reputation,
and deal with those who attempted to incite conflict and spread rumors.
Teacher Hoshinomiya listened to the report,
her usual lazy smile slightly receding,
a rare hint of seriousness appearing on her face.
"Hmm... I understand. Kanzaki, you can go back now. The school will handle this matter."
Her efficiency was unexpectedly high.
Before the first class in the morning,
the homeroom teachers of all First Year classes simultaneously announced the school's preliminary decision:
"Given the numerous unverified and malicious rumors circulating within the First Year recently, which have had a negative impact on the relevant classes and students, the school is now officially refuting them. All related anonymous posts have been temporarily blocked. At the same time, regarding the incident yesterday that almost led to physical conflict, the school has accepted the investigation and requests relevant classes and informed students to actively cooperate and provide clues. Before the incident is thoroughly investigated, we hope all students remain rational and stop spreading false information."
As soon as the announcement was made, the grade was in an uproar.
The speed of the official refutation and intervention by the school
exceeded many people's expectations.
In the Class D classroom,
Chabashira Sae announced the notice expressionlessly,
her gaze subtly sweeping over Sudo Ken.
Sudo's face was a little unnatural, and he muttered in a low voice:
"We weren't the ones who started it in the first place..."
Kushida, on the other hand, had a worried and cooperative expression:
"That's great, the school finally stepped in! We will definitely cooperate with the investigation!"
Hirata Yousuke also gently urged everyone again to remain calm,
and await the investigation results.
Over in Class C,
Teacher Hoshinomiya encouraged them with a slightly exaggerated tone:
"Did everyone see? The school stands on the side of justice! Those malicious rumors will disappear soon! Ichinose-san, cheer up!"
Ichinose-san looked at her teacher with some surprise,
then at Kanzaki's determined eyes beside her,
seeming to understand something, she took a deep breath and nodded vigorously:
"Yes! Thank you, Teacher! Thank you, everyone!"
However, beneath the surface calm,
undercurrents had not stopped.
The school's intervention
only shifted the struggle from open rumor spreading to more covert evidence collection and maneuvering.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka quietly observed all of this.
Although he had no part in the rumor section.
But the general outline of the incident was clear to him, the purpose explicit—
to create chaos and exhaust Class C and Class D.
Now,
the key issues were two-fold:
first, to find the exact source of the rumors,
second, to find concrete evidence or witnesses for yesterday's conflict.
During lunchtime,
Horikita Suzune unusually approached Classmate Ayanokoji on her own initiative.
"Classmate Ayanokoji, what do you think of this incident?"
She had clearly noticed something unusual about it.
"It's clearly planned by someone. The target is Class C, and Class D is being used as a pawn."
Classmate Ayanokoji replied indifferently.
"Inside Class D..."
Horikita-san mused,
"Those rumors, they did indeed start from our class's anonymous forum. Although the content was absurd, they spread very quickly."
"Hmm. Someone is colluding from within."
Classmate Ayanokoji added.
Horikita-san glanced at him, not pressing for the identity of the "insider," seeming to have her own suspicions.
"We must find evidence. Otherwise, Class D will be very passive."
At the same time,
Ichinose Honami of Class C also began to take action.
She no longer remained silent,
but actively, together with Kanzaki Ryuji,
began to visit and investigate,
trying to find the chain of rumor spreading and more details of the conflict from familiar classmates.
Her attitude gradually calmed the uneasy emotions within the class.
However,
the investigation did not progress smoothly.
Tracing the anonymous forum was fraught with difficulties.
And regarding yesterday's conflict,
besides the involved Sudo, Kanzaki, Shiranami, the two Class B students who had long since slipped away, and Sakamoto who only intervened when the conflict occurred.
There seemed to be no other direct witnesses.
The two Class B students naturally denied everything, claiming they had left the scene long before the conflict erupted.
They claimed they were merely "passing by and discussing."
The situation was temporarily deadlocked.
Just then,
Kushida Kikyo "happened" to join Horikita-san and Classmate Ayanokoji's discussion.
"Horikita-san, Classmate Ayanokoji, are you also discussing yesterday's matter?"
She had a perfectly appropriate look of worry on her face,
"It's really worrying... How could Sudo get into a conflict with people from Class C? And those rumors... Who could be so malicious?"
"Sudo,"
Kushida turned to Sudo, who was deep in thought beside her, and asked with concern,
"What exactly happened yesterday? Was it really the people from Class C who provoked first?"
Sudo Ken frowned tightly and said grumpily:
"Who knows what was wrong with them! They suddenly said we were spreading rumors and wanted to fight! If it weren't for... Hmph!"
He seemed to recall the scene where Sakamoto stopped him, and swallowed the rest of his words.
"Is that so..."
Kushida showed an expression of sympathy and understanding,
"It seems Class C has a deep misunderstanding of us... If only someone else had seen it at the time, it could have proven your innocence."
Horikita-san listened in silence, glancing at Kushida but saying nothing.
Classmate Ayanokoji remained expressionless, as if nothing concerned him.
Ryuuen Kakeru also learned of the school's announcement and the current deadlock in Class B,
everything was as expected.
The school's intervention would only muddy the waters further,
making Class C and Class D even more suspicious of each other.
His goal had been partially achieved.
Next, it remained to be seen what the arbitration meeting would yield.
He still had another "pawn" among his subordinates at the arbitration meeting.
That afternoon,
the arbitration meeting was held in the Student Council Room.
Class C's representatives were Kanzaki Ryuji, Shiraha Chihiro, and homeroom teacher Hoshinomiya Chie.
Class D's representatives were Horikita Suzune, Sudo Ken, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and homeroom teacher Chabashira Sae.
student council vice president Nagumo Miyabi presided.
The atmosphere of the meeting was slightly tense from the beginning.
Nagumo Miyabi sat at the head of the table,
"Well, since everyone is here, let's start the meeting."
He spoke languidly,
"I am Nagumo Miyabi, Class 2-A, student council vice president. Horikita-senpai has been busy recently, so I will preside over this arbitration."
His gaze lingered on Horikita Suzune's face for a moment.
Then, he pointed to the figure beside him, sitting upright and quietly organizing papers.
"This is Sakamoto, Class 1-A, Student Council Secretary. He will be responsible for recording this meeting."
Everyone's gaze instantly focused on Sakamoto, Secretary.
Kanzaki Ryuji's eyes were complex.
Yesterday, Sakamoto, Secretary, stopped the conflict, but would he record it truthfully?
Whose side would he take?
Sudo Ken, on the other hand, pouted.
He seemed to still hold a grudge against Sakamoto, Secretary's "meddling,"
but also had to admit that the other party had indeed helped him avoid greater trouble.
Horikita Suzune looked at Sakamoto, Secretary's calm and detached demeanor, secretly speculating about his stance and objective.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's gaze shifted between Nagumo and Sakamoto, Secretary, wondering what he was thinking.
Nagumo Miyabi took in everyone's reactions, smiled, and continued:
"Additionally, according to information held by the school, Sakamoto, Secretary, was present near the scene of yesterday's incident and intervened. Therefore, he can also be considered one of the 'suspected witnesses' to this incident. His testimony can be requested if needed."
"Now, first, please let both parties state the course of yesterday's incident and their respective claims."
"Who wants to start?"