Chapter 43

"Hey! Are you kidding me? You're the ones who started this! Just like with the last exam! What's wrong with fighting back?" Sudo's rude behavior made the Student Council President frown. "Horikita, is there really nothing else we can do?" Ayanokoji-kun stealthily tugged on Horikita's sleeve. I noticed it. There's no chance, gloomy pervert Ayanokoji-kun. Your Horikita isn't all-powerful. "I understand..." Horikita was silent for a moment, then slowly raised her head. "President! I believe Sudo is largely responsible for this incident. Why? Because he never thinks about his usual behavior or the trouble he causes those around him. He has a history of getting into fights all the time, and whenever he's dissatisfied with something, he immediately starts shouting and resorts to violence. It's obvious that when someone like that causes a disturbance, things will end up like this." "Y-You...!" Sudo looked stunned by Horikita's conclusion. "Please understand that this attitude of yours is the root cause of everything." Horikita met Sudo's gaze without flinching. "That's why I've been reluctant to help Sudo from the very beginning. I knew that even if I went out of my way to help him, he'd just repeat this sort of thing without a second thought." "Thank you for answering honestly. It seems the matter is settled, then." Sakagami-sensei nodded, looking satisfied. "Thank you! Please sit down." Secretary Tachibana urged Horikita to take her seat. Sudo let out an unmistakably anxious groan. Even a fool like him could foresee what awaited him. But Horikita didn't sit down. "He should reflect on himself, but not because of this incident. He should reflect on his past behavior and reconsider the person he's been. As for the incident we just discussed, I believe Sudo did nothing wrong. Why? Because I'm certain this wasn't an unfortunate accident, but something Class C deliberately engineered. I have no intention of putting up with this." "???" Sakagami-sensei and I both wore confused expressions. "In other words... what are you saying?" For the first time, the Student Council President looked directly at his younger sister. Horikita didn't avert her gaze. "If I haven't made myself clear, I'll say it again. We're asserting that Sudo is completely innocent. Therefore, we can't accept even a one-day suspension." "Horikita, are you kidding?" I frowned. Horikita wasn't the type to refuse to admit defeat, was she? "The eyewitness testimony is clear: Sudo was the victim. Please make the right decision." "Don't joke around! We're obviously the victims here! Student Council President!" Ishizaki couldn't sit still any longer. "That's enough. Continuing this will only waste time." Horikita Manabu glanced at them as they traded accusations. "What I've learned from today's discussion is that your accounts are completely contradictory. That means one side has told a truly vicious lie." Things were getting impossible to turn around. Good. "Class C, answer me this. Can you state with certainty that nothing you've said today was a lie?" "Of course." I answered with confidence. "And Class D?" "I haven't lied either. It's all true." Horikita's beautiful eyes looked straight at me. "Then we'll hold another review meeting tomorrow at four. Before then, if no one presents clear evidence that the other side lied, or admits their own wrongdoing, we'll make our decision based on the evidence currently available. Depending on the circumstances, we may also have to consider expulsion. That is all." Horikita Manabu delivered his final warning. Even so, the Student Council couldn't possibly make a ruling in Class D's favor. Horikita, your struggle is laughable! No, please, keep struggling! I want Ryuen and me to enjoy watching you despair. "Could we have a little more time before the review?" Horikita couldn't help protesting. "If your proposal is to extend the time before the review, the Student Council President has already given you ample time. In other words, you've already been given more than enough time, and extending the proceedings would be an exception." Chabashira-sensei folded her arms and answered as though she understood what the Student Council President meant. I didn't look at Horikita again. Without a word, I followed Sakagami-sensei out of the meeting room. This would surely be a long, grueling day for Class D.

Author's note: Minya's character art coming soon!

The First Volume: A Promising Start: 26 The most successful liars are those who make the smallest number of lies go the furthest

The most successful liars are those who make the smallest number of lies go the furthest. —Samuel Butler

"I told you, Kitazawa-kun, you don't have to treat me to a meal..." Across from me, Shiina pouted as she stared at the menu, looking reluctant. Of course, I wasn't about to pass up the chance to get to know her better, especially when this woman didn't have the courage to turn me down. That's right, after a court appearance, you had to treat yourself! How could I pass up a ready-made dinner... companion? "Wrong! I'm not treating you. This is a class-sponsored thank-you meal for everyone who contributed to the class." I pointed at Ishizaki and the other two, who were happily eating nearby. Naturally, Sakagami-sensei wasn't going to join us for a meal. After the meeting, he'd only exchanged a few words with Chabashira-sensei. "But I didn't say a single thing during the meeting..." Shiina pointed out the obvious inconsistency. It didn't matter. Aside from sexually harassing Horikita, Ayanokoji hadn't done anything useful either. Come to think of it, teasing his younger sister in front of his older brother—Ayanokoji, you really were something else. "But Shiina, you attended the meeting! And having you sitting next to me made me feel at ease. I wasn't even nervous when I spoke." I shamelessly came up with a pretty good excuse. Shiina covered her mouth and laughed. "You have some nerve. You rope me into scamming people and bullying girls, too? You lie without even thinking it through. Aren't you ashamed?" "This isn't a lie. I was just helping my friend argue her case. Besides, our class was the one being wronged." "Do you have a grudge against that girl named Horikita?" "No. I even kind of like her!" "Then why go out of your way to make things so difficult for her? You guys are so weird." "They say if a guy teases a girl, it means he likes her. Don't sweat the details..." "Are you planning to use violence to make Horikita submit, Kitazawa-kun?" Shiina asked curiously. It seemed every girl had a knack for gossip. "I didn't say that. I'm a gentle and polite person. Why would I do something like that? When it comes to dealing with girls, I usually do this..." As I spoke, I suddenly grabbed Shiina's delicate hand. "...!" Shiina almost let out a scream. She glanced nervously around, then gave me a panicked look that said there were a lot of people here, so I shouldn't pull a stunt like that. But I couldn't hold back. Staring at her, I said, "Hiyori, go out with me!"