Those words were like a bomb dropped into a placid lake, exploding through the solemn student council office in an instant.
The air seemed to freeze.
The expressions on the three Class C students' faces shifted like colors on a palette—from astonishment to humiliation and anger, then flushed red. Even their homeroom teacher, who had been watching the show from the side, had the amused smile at the corner of his lips stiffen for a moment.
Even a faint, almost imperceptible ripple appeared on Student Council President Horikita Manabu's iceberg-like face.
Natsukawa Sosuke had expected the content of this script long ago; after all, he had written that line himself. But when he actually heard Horikita Suzune recite it in that cool, serious voice devoid of even the slightest emotional fluctuation, he still nearly burst out laughing.
He could feel Horikita Suzune beside him tense up instantly after saying those words.
Horikita shot Natsukawa a vicious sidelong glare.
She saw that man with his head lowered, his shoulders trembling slightly. He was obviously holding back laughter.
Of course! This guy just wanted to make her embarrass herself in front of her brother! Earlier, he had shamelessly told her it was some kind of language strategy to "seize the initiative" and "break through the opponent's psychological defenses." It had all been a load of lies!
A wave of shame and indignation rose within her, but things had already come this far. She could only grit her teeth and continue acting out this scene.
"Y-You're talking nonsense!" Ishizaki Daichi was the first to recover, snapping back in embarrassment and anger. "We just didn't want to make a big deal out of it! We didn't want to actually hit anyone!"
"Oh?" Horikita Suzune sneered and, following the second line in the document, continued