Class B, Participating in the Incident

Kikyo's figure disappeared around the corner of the corridor, and the afternoon sun stretched Shimiya Kuki's shadow long across the polished floor. He turned and walked back into Class B's classroom; the soft click of the door closing seemed to shut out the brief ripples stirred up by the incident in Class D.

The atmosphere inside the classroom had regained some lightness, but the lingering echoes of the earlier discussion still hung in the air. Ichinose Honami didn't immediately return to her seat. She stood still, her clear gaze thoughtfully following Shimiya's figure. When he reached his seat by the window, Ichinose stepped over, her voice gentle but carrying a hint of inquiry:

"Kuki-kun," she said, naturally leaning against the windowsill, the afternoon sunlight gilding her strawberry-blonde hair with a warm gold. "About Sudo's matter... what do you think?"

Shimiya Kuki had just picked up a book from his desk. At her words, his movements paused slightly, and he looked up at Ichinose. His eyes remained calm and unwavering, as if the earlier episode was merely a turned page. He was silent for two seconds before speaking in his usual steady, flat tone:

"The conflict was deliberately chosen to take place in the gym back warehouse—a corner without surveillance." His fingertips unconsciously traced the spine of the book. "That in itself means at least one party came with premeditation to push a certain 'result,' rather than it being a simple, sudden clash."

He paused, his gaze drifting to the lush tree shadows outside the window, as if organizing his thoughts. "The school administration's preliminary judgment is unfavorable to Class D, and the surface evidence seems to support Class C's account. Therefore, probabilistically speaking, it's more likely that Class C actively guided the conflict toward this outcome."

"Eh?" Ichinose tilted her head slightly, her eyes showing earnest attention. "More likely? Then... there's another possibility?"

"Mm." Shimiya withdrew his gaze and fixed it back on Ichinose's face, his tone as flat as if he were describing the weather. "Conversely, if Class D is the one guiding things—then it depends on how the situation develops from here."

He analyzed clearly: "There are only two possible outcomes. One: Class D has a way to make Class C pay a price—point loss or reputational damage, for example—without harming their own class's core interests. Two..." Shimiya's voice carried no fluctuation, yet it exuded a cold sense of reality. "Class D chooses to sacrifice one student, but with the goal of making Class C suffer an even more severe, or equally heavy, cost."

"A more severe cost?" Ichinose repeated subconsciously, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, clearly uncomfortable with this ruthless possibility.

"For example," he said, looking straight at her, calmly laying out the hypothesis, "if Sudo's expulsion could secure the expulsion of three—or even just one—member of Class C. Then, from Class D's overall strategic perspective, this might not be... an unthinkable option." His tone carried no incitement or judgment, merely stating a cold logic.

"Using a classmate who already has a strong violent impulse and is like a 'time bomb' to the class," Shimiya Kuki's voice remained utterly flat, as if analyzing the value of an object, "to exchange for the expulsion of a key member of Class C. Moreover, from known information, Sudo's irritable personality is precisely 'very easy to guide and exploit.'" He paused, his gaze calm as he looked at Ichinose. "So, it's not entirely impossible for someone within Class D to think of and utilize this possibility."

"Eh?!" This time, Ichinose was genuinely startled. She instinctively stepped back half a pace, her clear eyes filled with disbelief and a trace of resistance. "Th-That's such a dark way of thinking! Kuki-kun..." She shook her head slightly, as if trying to shake off this unpleasant hypothesis, her voice tinged with confusion and inquiry. "Then... then, between Class C and Class D, who do you think is more likely to be the instigator of this incident?"

Shimiya Kuki showed no reaction to Ichinose's shock. He simply continued his analysis calmly: "Then how much do you know about Sudo?" He posed a question, his gaze carrying a scrutinizing edge.

Ichinose snapped out of her "dark hypothesis" and tried to recall. "Hmm... I've heard that Sudo has a very impulsive and irritable personality? There are rumors that he was involved in multiple violent incidents back in junior high. And... during that chance encounter at the library before, he almost got into a conflict with someone else... So, it seems highly likely the rumors are true." Her tone grew heavier.

"So, it's possible for Class D to abandon such a student to strike at Class C."

"Then which class does Kuki-kun think is the mastermind?"

Shimiya gently placed the book back on the desk surface, producing a soft tap, and delivered his conclusion. "My guess is: Class C."

"Class C?" Ichinose's gaze sharpened, clearly more convinced by this answer.

"Yes." Shimiya's voice remained steady, carrying an undeniable certainty. "The current core figures in Class D—whether it's Kushida Kikyo or Hirata Yosuke—their styles and personal traits don't seem like the type to actively sacrifice their peers. On the contrary..." He paused slightly, as if choosing his words. "The main figure in Class C, Ryuen Kakeru. He rules Class C with an almost 'tyrannical' style, using fear and force to control. Using such framing tactics to suppress a potential rival like Class D fits his logic and consistent behavior. The likelihood is high."

"Ryuen from Class C..." Ichinose repeated the name in a low voice, her expression turning serious, clearly having heard various rumors about Ryuen.

Just then, a bright and determined light flashed in Ichinose's eyes. She straightened her back, her voice clear and forceful, carrying a leader's decisiveness: "Kuki-kun, then let's get involved too!"

"Get involved too?" Shimiya finally showed a hint of surprise, his eyebrow twitching almost imperceptibly. He hadn't expected Ichinose to so directly propose meddling in another class's affairs.

"That's right!" Ichinose nodded vigorously, a look of energetic determination on her face. "I'm also inclined to believe this is Class C's scheme against Class D. So, Class B chooses to help Class D!"

She leaned forward slightly, pressing her hands on the windowsill, and began to clearly lay out her strategic considerations, her speech quick but full of power: "Kuki-kun, think about Class B's current situation. Class A is way above us, with an absolute point advantage, naturally suppressing us. Class C's Ryuen is aggressive and stops at nothing; he'll definitely target us in the future. If this continues, we'll likely fall into a disadvantageous 'two-against-one' situation—suppressed by Class A and targeted by Class C."

Her bright eyes met Shimiya's, sparkling with intelligence. "Since our ultimate goal must be to challenge Class A, allying with Class A at this stage is absolutely impossible. So, when choosing allies, we can only pick between Class C and Class D. If this incident proves to be Class C's despicable tactic, I definitely don't want to choose such an 'ally'!" Her words carried a clear moral stance.

Ichinose continued her analysis, her thinking clear: "So, I've decided to help Class D. On one hand, this can help a student who might be framed. On the other hand, by helping Class D, we can use this as an opportunity to try to shift the attitudes of Class A or Class C, creating a balance. At the same time, this is an excellent window to closely observe Class D's true strength and potential." Her tone held a hint of anticipation and exploratory drive.

"Moreover," she lowered her voice slightly, adopting a pragmatic attitude, "Class D's current class points are far behind ours, so their threat to Class B is relatively small, leaving more room for cooperation." She paused, her expression turning serious, her tone carrying strong aversion: "More importantly, I really dislike Class C's unfair competitive methods! If they can use a framed violent incident against Class D today, who's to say they won't use even more insidious tactics against Class B tomorrow?" At the end, she playfully winked at Shimiya, a confident smile on her face that seemed to say, "See? My analysis is spot-on, right?" That sunny mischievousness lightened the weight of the topic.

Shimiya Kuki listened quietly as Ichinose finished this long, logically clear exposition that balanced moral considerations with practical interests. He looked at the firm light shining in her eyes and that confident smile. He was silent for a moment. The rustling of leaves outside the window seemed to quiet down as well. Finally, he gave a slight nod, still wearing that calm, unwavering expression, but his voice carried a faint, almost concessive tone:

"Alright, then," he said flatly. "Since you've decided... let's get involved and give it a try."

"Heehee!" Ichinose immediately burst into a radiant smile, like sunlight breaking through clouds, filled with the joy of reaching a consensus and the excitement of impending action. She nodded firmly.