Ayanokoji's Plea, Kushida's Double Standards

Ryuen's Purpose

"Today, I have something to inform you about. Sudo, who's sitting over there, apparently had a dispute with students from C Class a few days ago. To put it simply, they got into a fight."

Chabashira Sae announced everything about the conflict between Sudo and C Class, as well as the outcome: Sudo would be suspended, and Class Points would be deducted.

There was no bias whatsoever in her words. Her calm demeanor even carried a sense of mature beauty.

"Then... may I ask why there still hasn't been a conclusion?"

Hirata raised a perfectly reasonable question.

"The complaint was filed by C Class. They claim that they were subjected to a one-sided beating by Sudo. However, during the school's investigation, Sudo stated that he hadn't been the one to start trouble. Rather, the C Class students had called him out and picked a fight with him."

"I didn't do anything wrong. It was just Self-defense. They threw the first punch."

Sudo slammed the tabletop and spoke without the slightest trace of shame.

Even his close friends, Ike and Yamauchi, cast reproachful looks at him.

Chabashira Sae nodded coldly. "Then provide evidence."

"What evidence? How could I possibly have something like that?"

Only after hearing Sudo's words did Chabashira Sae turn back toward the D Class students. "That is why the truth is still unclear. The School Authority is explaining the situation to every class in search of witnesses. If anyone saw them fighting, could you please raise your hand?"

No one in D Class responded. Yeyue discreetly glanced toward the back right.

A girl with long hair tied back and glasses lowered her gaze slightly.

Only then did Yeyue reveal a faint smile. It seemed the Butterfly Effect had not caused too great a change. Sakura Airi had probably still witnessed Sudo fighting.

"So there are no witnesses in this class."

Chabashira Sae's tone could not help but sink a little, and she sounded somewhat disappointed.

"In any case, the final verdict, including whether there are witnesses or evidence, will be issued Next Tuesday. That concludes the morning meeting."

Chabashira Sae walked out of the classroom in Black High Heels, giving Yeyue a discreet glance.

Even she Did Not Expect so many things to happen in D Class before the Special Exam arrived.

"Is it because of Sudo that we'll have to live on zero points again Next Month?"

The classroom was immediately engulfed in noisy commotion. Every student In the class threw accusing looks at Sudo, including his friends Yamauchi and Ike.

When money was involved, two months of friendship was not nearly firm enough. Or rather, Yamauchi and others would criticize him when criticism was due, but they would still hang out together afterward. They had not thought much more deeply about it.

"Everyone, could you please listen to what I have to say for a moment?"

Kushida naturally could not let such a chance to stand out pass by.

"Perhaps Sudo really did fight, but he was only dragged into the incident."

"Dragged into it? Does Little Kushida believe Sudo's story?"

"Yes." Kushida smiled and Nodded, her gaze resolute. "Actually, Sudo came to see me yesterday. He's about to be selected as a regular player in the Basketball Club, so some people got jealous of him. They called him out and used their numbers to threaten him, hoping to drive him out of the Basketball Club."

The Basketball Club at this school was of National Level. For Sudo to be selected as an official member so soon after enrolling was indeed exceptionally impressive.

However, considering Sudo's usual attitude, no one could place their trust in his words.

"Little Kushida... don't let Sudo fool you. He's definitely lying to justify himself. Not long ago, he was bragging about fighting in Junior High. He even happily explained where it hurt the most when you hit someone."

"I once saw Sudo bump into someone else. He immediately grabbed the guy by the collar, and his expression was terrifying."

Because of his usual behavior, Sudo had already become the target of everyone's criticism. They began listing all the grievances they had against him.

"I believe him!"

The one capable of standing against the entire class was naturally Hirata. He stood up and spoke encouragingly.

"I can understand being suspicious of another class, but I think it's wrong to doubt a companion from the very beginning. Shouldn't friends do everything they can to offer help?"

"I agree too. What if Sudo was falsely accused? Wouldn't that be too pitiful?"

Karuizawa Kei raised her right hand high in agreement, and Mori Nene and the other Girls quickly followed suit.

Most people were easily swayed by the crowd. Compared with the Boys' rationality, Girls were more easily infected by this kind of emotion.

The atmosphere In the class could not help but shift into, "Anyway, let's all figure out a way to help Sudo. Anyone who doesn't is a bad person." The criticism against Sudo temporarily stopped as well.

Although it was only superficial cooperation, Hirata truly maintained the group known as a class.

Of the people involved, perhaps only Hirata and Kushida truly possessed the will to take action.

Even Karuizawa was merely using her influence to echo Hirata. She was likely one of those hoping Sudo would be expelled.

After School, Yeyue returned directly to his dormitory.

After the Student Council invitation last time, Hirata had also realized that Yeyue was not someone willing to give himself For The Class. He did not come to seek Yeyue's help and instead chose to shoulder everything himself.

In Sakurajima, where seniority was valued, the older one was, the higher one's salary, regardless of personal ability.

Naturally, young people had their own standard for judgment.

That was an invisible kind of class status.

Although everyone knew Yeyue was quite capable, with grades surpassed only by Horikita, Yukimura, and Kouenji, he was not a class leader. As Long As Hirata did not speak up, no one dared use morality to pressure him into doing anything or challenge Yeyue's Class Influence, which was second only to Hirata's.

Thus, Yeyue was free. He only needed to casually find a reasonable excuse to refuse without making others feel awkward, and that would be Just Fine.

Being able to freely choose his own methods while retaining a certain degree of influence was better than Ayanokoji's approach of hiding himself completely. But everything was relative; the downside was that people from other classes would easily notice and guard against him.

Those unfamiliar with him would naturally harbor some complaints behind his back, but Yeyue did not care. What employee did not complain about their boss in private?

As Long As he could obtain what he wanted, they were all minor matters.