During lunch break, Natsukawa Sosuke was about to head to the cafeteria when someone stepped in front of him.
It was Horikita Suzune.
She seemed somewhat different from usual today. Her cold face remained largely expressionless, but a light she could not conceal shone deep within her sharp eyes.
"I found it."
Without any unnecessary pleasantries, she handed Natsukawa a folded printout. Her movements were steady, carrying the confidence of someone who had everything under control.
Natsukawa Sosuke took the paper and unfolded it for a look.
It was a convenience store purchase record.
"This is the purchase record for Ishizaki Daichi of Class C at twelve thirty on the day of the incident." Horikita Suzune's tone was flat, but it could not hide her pride at being on the verge of success. "He bought bandages and adhesive bandages. The timing was before they went to trouble Sudo that afternoon."
She looked at Natsukawa, the corners of her lips lifting slightly into a faint curve bearing the air of a victor.
"This is irrefutable evidence that they planned to hurt him. With this, we can leave them speechless before the student council tomorrow."
This time, she—Horikita Suzune—had relied on her own judgment and initiative to find the trump card capable of overturning the entire situation.
She expected to see a trace of surprise on Natsukawa Sosuke's face, or at the very least, approval.
Yet Natsukawa Sosuke's reaction disappointed her.
He merely looked calmly at the receipt, his expression utterly unchanged, as though it were nothing more than a worthless scrap of paper.
After a moment, he raised his head and looked at Horikita.
"What if," he said softly, his words like a bucket of ice water instantly poured over Horikita's head, "he has a perfect explanation?"
"...What?"
The hint of