The Socially Anxious Witness

"Or perhaps, you could look forward to the brilliant performance of others, who knows?"

"That is true... After all, there are plenty of people in this class who want to be promoted to Class A."

Chabashira was already setting her sights on Horikita and Ayanokōji. She wasn't some god of wealth; if she had to rely on Shinjo for everything that came up, her money would eventually run out.

And by that time, Ayanokōji might still be keeping a low profile, Horikita would have gained zero growth, and without the capital to hire Shinjo, Class D would truly be finished.

"Then I wish you success in getting what you want. Honestly, I also hope Sudō is safe and sound; after all, I wouldn't want to lose such a good friend."

Chabashira crushed the cigarette butt in her hand:

"Are you worried about losing that 8,700 in personal points?"

Shinjo smiled without saying a word; the two things were not mutually exclusive.

On the other side, Kushida and the others were searching for potential witnesses.

Considering their relationship with Class B might be closer, they approached Ichinose first.

"Mhm... I understand the situation. Please rest assured, I will go back and ask my classmates now. If there is any good news, I will notify you immediately."

"Then thank you! Honami!"

"It's nothing, we're all good friends. Besides, if it's really as you say, the students in Class C have gone too far!"

After parting ways with Ichinose, they sought out some students from Class A and others from Class C they could talk to, but the results were all unsatisfactory.

Especially in Class C, one girl even stood Kushida Kikyo up. She didn't want to do it, but if Ryuen found out she was secretly meeting with people from Class D, she would likely face severe punishment.

While friendship was nice, protecting oneself was clearly more important.

So, after a full circle, Sudō's case had made zero progress.

However, should one say that hard work pays off?

Two days later in the morning, Kushida Kikyo obtained information about a witness from somewhere, and that person was none other than Sakura Airi from Class D.

But this Sakura happened to have severe social anxiety. It was evident from the fact that she was always alone and hunched over when speaking, never daring to look others in the eye.

"Sakura-san, could I borrow a moment of your time?"

"I... I... I'm sorry, I have other plans..."

"Actually, I have something very important to tell you, regarding Sudō..."

Before she could finish, Sakura tried desperately to escape. Being surrounded by a group of unfamiliar classmates only made her feel like her pores were opening and she couldn't breathe.

"No... I don't know anything... No..."

Just like that, Horikita's first negotiation ended in total failure, but this was inevitable. It was hard for a normal person to have a normal conversation with Horikita, let alone someone with social anxiety.

However, even if it had been Kushida instead, the outcome would have been the same.

Sakura tried her best to avoid the topic, but Kushida was a bit persistent. In a moment of carelessness, the camera Sakura had been clutching to her chest fell to the ground.

"No way... it's broken..."

"Ah? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..."

"It's... it's okay, it was my fault for being careless..."

Saying this, Sakura escaped from everyone's sight once again.

"Are you kidding me?! Why, of all people, does the witness have to be that gloomy person!"

Sudō kicked the desk in frustration.

"Sudō-san! Right now, I'm only guessing she's a witness; you can't call her gloomy!"

"Fine... I misspoke, but if this keeps up, we're in real trouble!!!"

Just then, Chabashira Sae walked into the classroom and called out to the few people in the back:

"Sudō, Horikita, Ayanokōji, and Shinjo, you lot come with me immediately. Regarding Sudō's matter, the school is going to hold a public hearing."

The group exchanged glances and followed her out. When they arrived at the door of the conference room, they found that the people from Class C were already waiting there.

Aside from the three students who had been beaten black and blue by Sudō, there was only their homeroom teacher, a middle-aged man with glasses named Sakagami Kazuma.

"Yo, the violent thug is here~"

Ishizaki whistled mockingly at Sudō, which made him flush with anger.

"What did you say?!"

"You aren't planning on using violence right now, are you?"

"You!"

Sakagami Kazuma pushed up his glasses and said with a sneer:

"Heh, what an ill-mannered student. Did your previous teachers only teach you how to fight?"

Although Chabashira Sae wasn't one to coddle her students, Sakagami was undoubtedly insulting her as well:

"The matter hasn't been cleared up yet."

"Sometimes facts are just facts, and no matter how much you try to argue, it's all a futile effort."

Clearly, this Sakagami knew exactly what was going on, and perhaps it should be said that this was just the kind of person he was, or perhaps he was simply matching the style of his own students.

It was obvious that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this teacher and Ryuen were birds of a feather.

After the two groups waited there for a few minutes, two figures slowly walked over from not far away.

When Horikita Suzune saw who was coming, her body trembled violently; she hadn't expected to run into her brother at a time like this.

Thinking back to how she had boasted to him about promoting to Class A, the reality was that in less than a month, she had caused him trouble yet again.

The usually unyielding Horikita Suzune became somewhat dispirited.

She didn't dare to look at her brother, and in fact, Horikita Manabu hadn't even glanced at her once.

Instead, he stared at Shinjo for a long time.

As for the girl with the purple twin buns beside him, it went without saying that she was Tachibana Akane.

"I didn't expect you to be the one in charge this time."

Chabashira and Horikita Manabu were old acquaintances; she held this capable, ambitious, and responsible young man in high regard.

Horikita Manabu spoke in a calm, magnetic voice devoid of emotion:

"Conflicts between students are generally handled by the Student Council. It just so happens that I have nothing pressing to attend to right now."

I doubt that... Is he actually worried about his sister after all? Come to think of it, is this guy actually a tsundere?

"With the Student Council President handling this personally, I'm sure we'll get a fair judgment!"

The Class 1-C side seemed very happy. Horikita Manabu's ability was beyond doubt, and if the Student Council President himself were to oversee this matter, it meant that it was impossible for Class D to bribe the judge.

Horikita Manabu arranged for everyone to take their seats, with Class D on his left and Class 1-C on his right, while the two teachers sat at the end of their respective rows, near the door.

As for Tachibana Akane, she stood respectfully behind and to the side of Horikita Manabu.