The Hearing: Legends

Now, whether it was the one who had spoken out of turn earlier or the young representative who had egged on his companion, both looked as if someone had suddenly seized them by the throat. Their faces flushed red, then pale; their mouths hung open, but every word that followed was stuck in their chests.

Under the gazes of their colleagues—some frowning, others helpless—they awkwardly shut their mouths and slunk back into their seats, even the napes of their necks reddening.

Nase Fumino let her gaze rest on their faces for a second. Only after confirming they had fallen silent did she turn expressionlessly to the man who had spoken earlier. "Now, please repeat the question you wished to ask—after being granted permission to speak."

The entire venue's attention returned to the representative who had been used as a pawn, making him feel as though he were sitting on pins and needles.

He had no choice but to brace himself. Under Nase Fumino's silent gaze, enduring immense embarrassment, he dryly repeated himself in a tone far lower and stiffer than before. "Th-then, does that mean you are finally willing to admit that, regarding the issue of the Overseas Expedition, your side is unable to resolve it independently?"

Meeting the other side's gaze, which was mixed with embarrassment and a trace of exasperation, Mejiro McQueen slowly nodded. The motion was elegant, yet carried an unquestionable resolve.

She did not evade the question. Instead, she admitted it openly. "Yes. We are unable to resolve it independently."

The words were like a stone dropped into deep water, stirring a faint commotion in the opposing camp that was almost unsuppressable.

Yet just as that small stir was about to spread into certainty, Mejiro McQueen's gaze calmly swept across the people opposite her.

Then it