A Good Story, Good Design, and Good Evidence

"Class C has filed a complaint stating that Sudo from Class D intentionally provoked them and left after beating the three of them into serious injuries. Regarding this, does Class D have anything to say?"

Sudo was just about to speak when he was held back by Ayanokoji beside him; he couldn't let him make things even more chaotic here.

However, Suzune Horikita seemed to have gone blank, keeping her head down and remaining silent.

With no other choice, Ayanokoji had to nudge Shinjo on the side.

"Well, it can't be helped. I'll speak on behalf of Class D, is that alright?"

"Please, go ahead."

Ishizaki, sitting opposite them, clearly recognized Shinjo. Come to think of it, he really had to thank the guy for today's events.

If he hadn't dropped a hint, Brother Ryuen wouldn't have been able to prepare so thoroughly—selecting the targets, choosing the location, and even fabricating the evidence...

[Even if you talk until the sky falls today, there's no way you're getting Sudo off the hook!!]

"Huh? Ishizaki, why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

Called out by name, Ishizaki hurriedly looked away and spat:

"Pah! Do you think you're some kind of handsome guy or beauty?"

"Then why are you looking at me like that? Oh! I get it. After Ryuen went back last time, he took his extra anger out on you, and now you're holding a grudge against me, right?!"

"That... what does that have to do with you?"

"Ha! I knew it, that big brother of yours..."

Seeing the topic veering off course, Sakagami on the side hurriedly spoke up to save Ishizaki:

"This student, aren't we supposed to be discussing the issue of Sudo's assault? You seem to have gone off-topic, haven't you?"

"Exactly! What does our class's business have to do with you?!"

Shinjo spread his hands, indicating that it truly was none of his business, but he just felt that Ishizaki's expression was provocative, which was why he had asked that question.

"Regarding the issue of Sudo's assault... I want to say that this is a complete frame-up, a blatant frame-up. As for this, I'd like to see what evidence Class C has to prove that Sudo beat you three unilaterally?"

Manabu Horikita didn't respond, instead handing the floor over to Class C.

Having made full preparations long ago, they were clearly not going to be stumped by this question. While pointing at the injuries on their own bodies, they produced a photograph.

"First of all, Sudo himself should have admitted that he threw punches. Furthermore, someone happened to see him with the three of us that day, and this photo is the ironclad proof of Sudo grabbing my collar and assaulting me!"

The photo was extremely clear; the lighting, composition, and angle could all be described as perfect.

Although in the eyes of a photography expert, this would undoubtedly deepen the suspicion of a deliberate setup, compared to that, the fact that Sudo had committed assault was an indisputable reality.

Manabu Horikita clearly saw through some of the tricks, but evidence was evidence. Compared to Class D's empty words, Class C's preparation was indeed very thorough.

Moreover, the injuries on those three people couldn't be faked; the Health Department teachers had even specifically prepared an infirmary ward for them and issued medical reports.

[They really filled in the missing evidence this time. A good story, a good design, good evidence... they really caught everyone off guard.]

"Now, does Class D have anything else to say?"

"This is a frame-up! Yes! I admit I threw punches, but that's because they from Class C hit me first! I was just acting in self-defense!!!"

Sudo broke free from Ayanokoji and hurriedly stood up to defend himself.

Manabu Horikita adjusted his glasses, glanced inadvertently at where his sister was sitting, sighed inwardly, and said:

"Then, can you provide relevant evidence?"

"Evidence!..."

At most, they had found one witness over these past few days, but that witness seemed to have no intention of testifying for him at all!

And so, Sudo deflated like a punctured ball, unable to say another word, his entire demeanor becoming dejected.

"Regarding evidence, we are still collecting it, so..."

Shinjo and Ayanokoji didn't say anything more either. The current situation was clearly unfavorable for Class D; no matter how capable the two of them were, there was nothing they could do right now.

"See? Student Council President, they can't find any evidence at all! We request again that a dangerous element like Sudo be expelled!"

Class C hurriedly took the opportunity to stir the pot.

"Regarding such a severe incident, once verified, the school will inevitably handle it strictly. However, the school's disciplinary action will not be officially executed until next Tuesday, and I will be personally responsible for the review at that time."

"The evidence is already conclusive now, isn't it..."

"Are you questioning the decision of the Student Council?"

Hearing someone sounding unconvinced, Akane Tachibana naturally took the initiative to become Manabu Horikita's mouthpiece.

Seeing this, Komiya from Class C didn't dare to say anything more; it was only a matter of waiting a few more days anyway...

Just as everyone thought the meeting was about to adjourn, Manabu Horikita spoke again, asking the empty air:

"Do you have nothing to say on your end?"

?????

Hearing this, Suzune Horikita felt a surge of excitement. She had thought she wasn't worthy of appearing in her brother's eyes, but to think, her brother was actually still paying attention to her?!

And so, she struggled to open her mouth:

"I..."

"Well, not yet. Do you intend to go over and have a cup of tea?"

Just as she managed to utter a single word, she heard Shinjo, who was standing to the side, pick up the conversation.

"That sounds good, let's go together, Tachibana."

"Yes! President."

????????

Suzune Horikita looked toward her brother in a daze, but Manabu Horikita had already left the conference room with his little secretary, following Shinjo.

The people from Class C had no intention of lingering here either, so they also stood up and left.

Because Sudo was in such a terrible mood, he could go without anything else, but not basketball! He had finally become a regular player, yet now he was at risk of losing his eligibility due to the persecution of a petty person.

Thus, he told Ayanokoji, "I'm not feeling great, I want to go out and clear my head," before walking out with his head hung low.

"Horikita, are you alright?"

"I..."

Suzune Horikita didn't know if she was alright. If what just happened wasn't a hallucination, did that mean her brother really hadn't been paying attention to her?

And why was he with Shinjo...

Wait!

My brother said "over there," but that "over there" clearly didn't refer to Class D! So what could it be?

With Manabu Horikita no longer present, Suzune Horikita's intelligence once again took the high ground.

The listless aura surrounding her revived as if dead wood had encountered spring.

Sae Chabashira naturally noticed the curiosity in Horikita's eyes and simply spoke up to explain it to her:

"The Odd Jobs Agency. You should have heard of it, right? The Odd Jobs Agency is the club that guy created, specifically responsible for handling matters that are difficult for ordinary people to deal with, but the prerequisite is that you have to pay."

"The Odd Jobs Agency?!"

How could Horikita forget that name? Even her brother had personally given a presentation for this Odd Jobs Agency, which was enough to prove that the place had already earned his approval.

That was why she had been looking for an opportunity to join the Odd Jobs Agency; because she felt she wasn't qualified to stand by her brother's side, she hadn't wanted to join the Student Council.

However, she had been unable to free herself due to constant trivial matters, so she had never personally gone to visit it.

And now, Teacher Chabashira was actually telling her that the Odd Jobs Agency was the club created by that Shinjo. How could she possibly remain calm?

"Teacher Chabashira, are you telling the truth?"

Chabashira nodded:

"But there is one prerequisite I must tell you: the Odd Jobs Agency is the Odd Jobs Agency, and Shinjo is Shinjo. As for the rest, you'll have to go to the fourth floor of the Activity Building and ask him yourself."

"The Odd Jobs Agency..."