Class C's Hearing

Point Issuance Day came around soon enough. It was June 3.

They had been at the school for two months, and everyone had passed the final exams, so they were sure to receive points the following month.

Unfortunately, Class D didn't receive any points this time.

Even Class B, formerly Class A, didn't receive any.

Confused, everyone began asking their teacher what was going on and why they hadn't received points this month.

Chabashira's face darkened as she explained the truth.

"Someone in our class harassed a female student and was caught in the act by someone from another class. They're demanding compensation. If we can't pay, they'll have the student expelled."

Everyone was stunned. Who could've done something so despicable? They'd pulled this right when the points were being issued, and now everyone was being dragged down with them.

Yamauchi lay facedown on his desk, feigning sleep, looking a little guilty.

It was obvious he was the culprit who had harassed the female student.

Horikita frowned. Something about this seemed unusual, so she hurriedly asked the question on her mind.

"Why didn't Class B receive any points either?"

Chabashira saw that this so-called leader wouldn't even address her as a teacher and immediately gave her a frosty look.

"Before asking someone a question, shouldn't you show a little respect?"

Horikita didn't think she'd done anything wrong. Crossing her arms, she stood her ground and spoke to Chabashira Sagi.

"I don't think I've done anything wrong. At least I'm better than certain teachers who do nothing but smoke and drink."

"If this teacher had offered us some help from the first month, things might not have gotten this bad for our class."

Chabashira Sagi was so angry she laughed.

"So you're blaming me for not helping you in the first month?"

"Why don't you think about what you did wrong?"

"Everyone started on equal footing, without knowing how the school worked, and you still managed to do so badly on the exams."

"Don't flatter yourself, Horikita Suzune."

Just as the two looked ready to clash, Akasaka hurriedly stepped between them, holding one back with each hand. His voice was cold.

"What's the point of arguing about this now? We should focus on figuring out how to resolve the situation."

"Otherwise, no one's getting any points this month."

Everyone snapped out of it and hurried to find out who had harassed the female student.

They swore they wouldn't beat the crap out of the guy.

Yamauchi trembled, and became even less willing to come forward and confess.

The same thing had happened in Class B as well.

But things were much better for them than for Class D. At least the culprit had come forward voluntarily, and none of his classmates blamed him.

After all, they were Class A—no, Class B now.

Their students were clearly the best behaved, and Totzuka also explained exactly what had happened.

Everyone understood that it had been a trap.

A honey trap set by Class C.

The classmates who had been envious of Totzuka couldn't help laughing.

Totzuka Yahiko's face turned bright red.

"Stop laughing! I'm a victim too, you know!"

Totzuka immediately threw himself into the leader's arms, sobbing.

Katsuragi Kohei had no choice but to comfort him.

Meanwhile, in the Student Council Office.

Student Council President Horikita Manabu had received a report of sexual harassment.

Horikita Manabu pushed up his black-rimmed glasses.

"Tachibana Akane, tell the first-year students from Classes C, B, and D to assemble."

"The Student Council will hold a hearing with Class C. Until then, the points for all first-year students will be delayed."

"Yes, President."

After hearing the president's instructions, Tachibana Akane went to carry them out.

Soon, students from all three classes had gathered in a conference room.

The complainant was Class C.

The accused were Yamauchi Haruki from Year 1 Class D and Totzuka Yahiko from what had formerly been Class A, now Class B.

They had allegedly harassed Manabe Shiho from Year 1 Class C.

There was also plenty of evidence, including fingerprints.

The other side was demanding 5 million Personal Points from each class to settle the matter privately. Otherwise, they wanted the two students expelled.

The two classes erupted as soon as they heard.

"Are you kidding me? 5 million Personal Points? You might as well rob us!"

Totzuka shouted accusations at Ryuen across the room.

Ryuen gave a mocking smile and shrugged, unconcerned.

"You don't have to pay. You can always choose expulsion."

"But I should warn you: if you choose expulsion, your class will lose 300 Class Points too."

"You—!"

Totzuka was left speechless.

Class D wasn't faring any better.

They'd finally passed the midterms and earned some points.

They hadn't even received them yet. Where were they supposed to get 5 million to help Yamauchi settle the matter?

Even if they had the points, they didn't want to pay.

A guy like Yamauchi deserved it!

The girls especially—whether Karuizawa Kei, Hasebe, or Sato Maya—they all wanted Yamauchi expelled. Why would they spend points to save him?

Yamauchi instantly became everyone's target.

The immense pressure of public opinion crashed down on him like a tidal wave, filling him with despair.

He didn't want to be expelled!

There were so many pretty girls at this school. He didn't want to leave!

Yamauchi desperately protested, trying to explain away what he'd done. He said he'd been tricked, that he hadn't harassed a female student, and that he was innocent!

Unfortunately, it was no use.

With Yamauchi's reputation, even if he really hadn't harassed her... no one would believe him.

He just seemed like the sort of guy who'd do something like that. Nothing he said was credible.

Besides, the other side had evidence.

Yamauchi's fingerprints were on the girl's jacket, which all but proved what he'd done.

But Yamauchi kept making excuses, which only made the girls hate him more.

When he saw that no one intended to help him, Yamauchi was utterly overcome with despair.

Akasaka simply watched everything unfold, making no move to stop it.

He could have saved Yamauchi. After all, he had a camera, and it had captured the whole thing.

But...

Why should he save Yamauchi Haruki? There was nothing in it for him.

Just then, Chabashira seemed to make up her mind.

She stubbed out the cigarette in her hand and strode forward with resolve.

Akasaka saw this and felt his heart sink.

He had a bad feeling about this...

Chabashira walked up to Ryuen Kakeru, pulled out her phone terminal, and spoke with a grim expression.

"I'm willing to pay 5 million Personal Points to save Yamauchi!"

Seeing the teacher on the other side offer her own Personal Points to save someone, Ryuen burst out laughing.

It was a delighted laugh.

Meanwhile, Akasaka was cursing under his breath.

Why did you have to butt in, Chabashira?