Empty Promises Only Fool Honest People

Shi Cheng still ended up enjoying the lavish feast Horikita Suzune had promised him after getting one over on her.

Horikita Suzune was someone who kept her promises; she simply could not bring herself to deceive others.

Though she was furious that Shi Cheng had tricked her, she could only grit her teeth and swallow her anger.

Before Horikita Suzune could continue her investigation, the school's suspension of point distribution received a clear explanation.

The sun was shining brightly that day. It was beautiful weather.

But it was not so friendly for the students of Class D.

Because Chabashira Sae was about to announce something important.

Standing on the podium, Chabashira Sae spoke slowly and calmly, as though she had expected this to happen.

"Members of Class C's basketball club have reported to the school that Sudo Ken assaulted them unilaterally and caused serious injuries."

"What?! Those guys really tattled? Are they elementary schoolers or something?!" Sudo Ken froze for a moment, then slammed his fist on the desk, his face full of disbelief.

So it really was you.

Horikita Suzune turned her head.

Chabashira Sae listened to his idiotic words without changing her expression, then said flatly, "Anything else you want to say?"

Sudo Ken finally realized what was happening and hurriedly tried to clear himself of responsibility.

"I was acting in self-defense. There were three of them."

Chabashira Sae explained the severity of the situation. "But you were completely unharmed, while they sustained rather serious injuries."

Sudo Ken did not understand the implication at all. He even said smugly, "Of course. That's because I'm strong."

Knowing Sudo Ken was already too hopelessly stupid to save, Chabashira Sae no longer expected anything useful from him.

"It seems someone among you is lying. If there are witnesses, this matter will be easy to resolve."

Following Chabashira Sae's words, Kushida Kikyo had just risen to her feet.

Before she could voice her anxious words, she was interrupted.

"Wait a moment."

Kushida Kikyo's mouth twitched, and she swallowed the words that had reached her lips.

"Oh? Is there something you want to say, Shi Cheng?" Chabashira Sae looked at him expectantly.

She was surprisingly generous. She was not holding a grudge.

Shi Cheng's gaze drifted upward slightly.

It was his mistake. This did not qualify as generosity yet.

It seemed he still needed to keep working at it.

Shi Cheng pointed at the camera above them. "Teacher, that isn't just for decoration, is it?" As long as it was within the permissible scope, she would answer any question.

Although she did not know what it had to do with this matter, Chabashira Sae nodded. "Of course not. Otherwise, how could it clearly record every mistake you make?"

Kushida Kikyo, who was still standing and had yet to sit down, shot him a flash of anger.

So you weren't even sure at the time.

You dared to trick me!

"In other words, the cameras did not record the fight at all. Otherwise, this would not have dragged on until now." Shi Cheng ignored her, looking perfectly relaxed.

He had already found a way to deal with it.

"You're right." Chabashira Sae still had not caught on.

Too lazy to explain, Shi Cheng instead looked at the equally stunned Sudo Ken. "Where did you fight?"

Sudo Ken scratched his head and recalled, "In the General Building."

Shi Cheng took out the School Guide and checked it once more, then remarked, "How nice. There isn't a single camera nearby."

Sudo Ken felt as if cats were scratching at his heart. "Shi Cheng, just say what you mean!"

After all, he was covered in mud right now and desperately needed to clean himself up.

"Don't rush. Teacher hasn't finished speaking yet." Shi Cheng handed the floor back to Chabashira Sae.

Chabashira Sae glared at him.

Who are you deliberately baiting here?!

But duty required her to continue. "This matter will be handed over to the Student Council for handling one week from now."

I'm done. Your turn.

Chabashira Sae looked at him.

Shi Cheng did not disappoint and took over the conversation.

"This is actually easy to deal with. Just carry on as usual afterward. The school cannot accuse you without clear evidence."

"Huh?" Sudo Ken blinked, clearly unable to grasp it.

Considering his head was packed full of muscles, it really was asking a lot of him.

"Since they're the ones making the accusation, they need evidence. Are they supposed to rely on nothing but their mouths?"

At that point, Shi Cheng gave an example.

"If something valuable of mine went missing and I thought Class C stole it, would that mean they really did it?"

Sudo Ken understood immediately.

Excitedly, he clenched his fist and smacked it into his palm. "I get it."

"Good." Shi Cheng instructed, "As long as you refuse to admit anything afterward, they cannot do anything to you."

"Don't worry!" Sudo Ken patted his chest.

He was not stupid.

There was no way he would fall for the same trick twice.

Chabashira Sae watched the two of them discuss it right in front of her.

Were they really treating her as if she did not exist?

Chabashira Sae was furious, but there was nothing she could do.

After hearing Shi Cheng put it that way, she felt it might actually work.

Still, she could not lose a teacher's dignity. "Since you know what you're doing, I won't say any more."

Whether it would actually work, however, still depended on the Student Council's response.

The Student Council did indeed respond, and quickly at that.

Since they could not make a direct judgment, the parties involved naturally had to gather and explain the situation.

Then Class C arrived.

Not a single person from Class D came.

Even Chabashira Sae failed to appear.

The sudden situation left everyone present dumbfounded.

President Horikita's expression did not change. He had always maintained a calm image.

After waiting a while longer, he instructed, "Tachibana Akane, go find out what is going on."

"Yes." Tachibana Akane, with two buns atop her head and a notebook in her arms, acted immediately.

The moment she left the meeting room, she could barely maintain her stern expression.

She said unhappily, "First-years these days really are not cute. They actually need an upperclassman to personally invite them!"

After muttering that, she puffed up her cheeks and strode toward Class D on her long, pale legs.

Before long, she arrived at her destination.

Hearing the sounds of laughter and horseplay coming from inside, her expression darkened further.

Even if the school had judged them to be the worst class—

—they should not just give up on themselves!

But remembering that she was there to handle official business rather than lecture them, Tachibana Akane took a deep breath to calm herself down.

She walked to the door and announced herself loudly.

"Hello. I am the Student Council secretary. Can someone tell me why you are not attending the meeting?"

At the sight of a stranger, the noise in the classroom instantly stopped.

Then, after realizing who she was, everyone turned in unison toward Shi Cheng in the back row.

After all, he had come up with the plan. If someone came looking for them, he should naturally be the one to handle it.

Following their gazes, Tachibana Akane looked toward the back row.

Then she immediately spotted the spiky red hair.

His delinquent appearance was unmistakable.

Tachibana Akane recognized Sudo Ken at a glance.

Putting on an upperclassman's authority, she asked, "Sudo, why are you not attending the meeting?"

Though she was small, the aura she had accumulated over the years was formidable.

Sweat immediately formed on Sudo Ken's face as he looked toward Shi Cheng.

He silently begged him for help.

Shi Cheng was helpless. Do I really have to handle even something this minor?