When the next day came, since Hikaru Hashiba had deliberately chosen a time when there was no group study session, he simply said a quick hello to Ichinose Honami and Shibata after school, then grabbed his schoolbag and hurried out of the classroom.
Although the class rankings had changed, the classrooms hadn't been moved, so getting to Class C still only required crossing one classroom.
Since school was almost over, the hallways were still fairly crowded. As Hikaru Hashiba walked toward Class C with his schoolbag, there was a chance he'd run into someone he knew.
For example, Hirata Yosuke, Class C's leader, whom he'd helped look for witnesses before.
The handsome boy was just coming out of the classroom with his friends when he happened to run into Hikaru, who was heading straight toward them.
"Ah, Classmate Hashiba?"
Hirata looked a little surprised. After all, he rarely saw this key member of Class A around here.
"Good afternoon, Hirata."
Hikaru greeted him with a smile. After interacting with Hirata a few times, he'd gotten a general sense of his personality. He was the sort of good-natured guy who, even when he wanted to act in the class's interests, didn't want to pressure his classmates—or perhaps simply couldn't bring himself to put pressure on them.
That was why, despite being the class leader, he didn't command unquestioned respect. Some people even doubted him.
"Are you heading downstairs this way today?"
Hirata studied the boy's expression and asked tentatively.
He was actually quite interested in Hikaru. The day they'd searched for witnesses to the Sudo Incident, he'd seen firsthand the confidence with which Hikaru had taken control of everyone in his class, and Hirata couldn't help feeling envious.
"No, I came to see someone in your class. If you're not in