The Socially Anxious Witness

"Or perhaps, you might look forward to a brilliant performance from someone else, who knows?"

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

Sae Chabashira was already setting her sights on Horikita and Ayanokoji. She was no goddess of wealth; if she had to rely on Shinjo for everything that happened, her money would run out sooner or later.

And by then, if Ayanokoji were still hiding his true identity, Horikita had failed to grow in the slightest, and she lacked 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 Sudo is safe and sound; after all, I'd hate to lose such a good friend."

Sae Chabashira crushed the cigarette butt in her hand:

"You're just reluctant to lose those 8,700 private points, aren't you?"

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

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

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

"Mhm, 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 from Class C went way too far!"

After parting ways with Honami, they reached out to some students from Class A and others from Class C they were on speaking terms with, but the results were all unsatisfactory.

Especially in Class C, one girl even stood Kikyo Kushida 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.

Friends were great, but protecting oneself was clearly more important.

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

However, should one say that hard work pays off?

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

Yet, this Airi Sakura happened to have severe social anxiety; it was evident from how she always kept to herself and how she hunched her body and dared not look people in the eye when speaking.

"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 discuss with you, regarding Sudo..."

Before she could finish, Airi Sakura tried desperately to run away. 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 difficult for a normal person to have a normal conversation with Horikita, let alone someone with social anxiety.

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

Airi Sakura tried desperately to avoid the topic, but Kikyo Kushida was somewhat persistent. In a moment of carelessness, the camera she 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... it's okay, it was my fault for being careless..."

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

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

Sudo kicked the desk in anger.

"Sudo-san! Right now, I am only guessing that she is a witness; you cannot call her gloomy!"

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

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

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

The group exchanged glances and followed her out. When they reached the entrance 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 Sudo, there was only their homeroom teacher, a middle-aged man with glasses named Kazuma Sakagami.

"Yo, the violent thug is here~"

Ishizaki whistled mockingly at Sudo, which made him blush with rage.

"What did you say?!"

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

"You!"

Kazuma Sakagami 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 Sae Chabashira wasn't the type to coddle her students, Kazuma Sakagami was undoubtedly insulting her as well:

"The matter has not been fully investigated yet."

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

Clearly, this Sakagami knew exactly what was going on. Should one say 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 here for a few minutes, two figures slowly walked over from not far away.

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

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

The usually unyielding Suzune Horikita became somewhat dispirited.

She didn't dare to look at her brother, and in fact, Manabu Horikita had never once glanced in her direction.

Instead, he stared at Shinjo for a long while.

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

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

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

Manabu Horikita spoke in a magnetic voice that was neither sad nor happy:

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

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

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

The Class C side looked very pleased. Manabu Horikita's ability was beyond doubt, and if the Student Council President himself were to oversee this matter, it meant that Class D would at least be unable to bribe the judge.

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

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