Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's Method

"Mm-hmm, I see. So that's what you did."

After hearing Horikita and Ayanokoji explain how they'd tricked the three Class C students into withdrawing their complaint by setting up fake cameras, An Xiao nodded with a hint of admiration.

Of course, he wasn't impressed by the two people in front of him who'd come up with the idea. He was impressed by the three Class C students who'd fallen for it.

Judging by the footage An Xiao had taken earlier—and how surprised Ryuen had been when An Xiao later handed over the evidence—they must have checked out the area beforehand.

They should have known whether there were cameras there or not.

And yet they'd still fallen for it. An Xiao wasn't even sure what to say.

Besides, he didn't know what those three had been thinking. Even if they'd been caught on camera, Sudo would have shared the blame, since he'd thrown the first punch. Surely they could have used that to make trouble for Class D.

And most importantly, regardless of whether spreading rumors had really caused that much damage, shouldn't they have been suspicious when the three dared to stand under a camera and threaten them into withdrawing their complaint?

So what had they been thinking?

Were their brains really just for show?

Why had they withdrawn the complaint?

To An Xiao, the whole thing was full of holes. The fact that it had worked at all was practically a miracle.

The only part of the whole affair that had required any real skill was the way Ayanokoji had bluffed those three.

Thinking of that, An Xiao couldn't help glancing at Ayanokoji.

"Hey, what are you doing? Hurry up and explain your method," Horikita said, clearly displeased with An Xiao for staying quiet so long.

"Oh, sorry, sorry. I was thinking about something and zoned out."

An Xiao shook his head to clear it, then scratched it and said to Horikita, "Honestly, I never would've thought of your method."

At that, Horikita's lips twitched. She was just about to say something when Ayanokoji spoke up beside her. "This may not be the best time to say this, but I think An Xiao might mean something a little different from what you're thinking."

An Xiao looked at Ayanokoji in surprise, then nodded and turned to Horikita. "Seriously, luck accounted for at least half of your plan's success."

"If the other side had used even a little more brainpower, your plan wouldn't have worked."

Then An Xiao explained what he'd been thinking earlier.

After hearing him out, Horikita's head began to buzz. She stayed silent for a long time before finally asking, "Then what would your method have been?"

"My method..." An Xiao didn't answer right away. Instead, he asked them a question. "If someone accused you of stealing their money, what would you say?"

"If it were me, I'd let them check my belongings to dispel their suspicions," Ayanokoji said.

But after speaking, he noticed An Xiao giving him a strange look. Somewhat confused, he asked, "What is it?"

"Nothing." An Xiao shook his head, then looked at Horikita. "What about you? How would you respond?"

Horikita gave a cold laugh. "Where's your evidence? Making an accusation without any basis would only expose your stupidity."

Just as I thought.

An Xiao sighed, then looked at Horikita Suzune with amusement. "Don't you already know how to respond?"

Horikita froze, then understood what he meant. Her eyes widened slightly.

"Looks like you've figured it out."

"Your class handled it the way Ayanokoji described. My method would be the way you just answered."

"Your class fell into the trap of trying to prove your innocence from the very beginning, and you worked hard to prove you weren't responsible."

"Honestly, if it were me, and there was no camera footage or other evidence, what basis did they have to say I'd hit him?"

"What proof did they have that I was the one who hit him?"

"Just because they said so, that didn't make it true."

An Xiao spoke softly, but his words sent ripples through Horikita's heart. Even Ayanokoji looked at him a little differently.

After a long while, Horikita finally let out a soft laugh and looked at An Xiao with a hint of helplessness. "I suppose I failed this exam."

"Failing is a bit much." An Xiao shrugged. "No matter what your method was, the result is that you succeeded."

Horikita Suzune ignored his attempt to comfort her, gathered herself, and looked at An Xiao.

"Next time, I won't make the same mistake."

Definitely.

Seeing Horikita like that, An Xiao couldn't help laughing. He rummaged in his right pocket, took out a piece of candy, and waved it in front of her.

"Here. A reward for passing the exam."

"...Do you think I'm still a child?" Horikita said, her voice rising slightly for once. A faint blush spread across her face.

She walked over, stomped hard on An Xiao's foot, snatched the candy from his hand, and left without looking back.

"You really aren't a kid anymore. You can't even take a joke," An Xiao said helplessly. Then he looked down at his now-empty right hand, unable to keep a smile from tugging at his lips.

Those siblings really were alike.

Both tsunderes.

"Looks like you and Horikita really are close. At least, I've never seen her make that expression before."

Ayanokoji came over and said this to An Xiao.

"We're all right. You could say we're friends. By the way, want some candy?" An Xiao took another piece from his right pocket and held it out to Ayanokoji.

"Mm, thanks." Ayanokoji accepted the candy and thanked him, then casually asked, "Do you like candy, An Xiao?"

"Hmm? Me? It's all right. I have a bit of low blood sugar, so I usually carry some with me. After a while, it just became a habit." As he spoke, An Xiao took out another piece and popped it into his mouth.

"Oh, I see." Ayanokoji murmured. He unwrapped his candy and, imitating An Xiao, put it into his mouth.

"Oh, right. What made you decide to help Horikita?"

"About the things you mentioned earlier, wouldn't you have been more efficient if you'd handled them all yourself?"

"And wouldn't the final result have been better, too?"

"Cough, cough."

I choked. What bad luck.

That was what Kiyotaka Ayanokoji thought.

The author might be staying up late to play Valorant, so tomorrow's update will come in the evening.

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