Chapter 45

"It has to be in a place without security cameras." "W-why, why would there be a camera! Aren't there no cameras on the other floors? It's too strange to have one installed only here! Right!" Ishizaki began to panic. "It is true that school corridors generally don't have surveillance cameras. However, there are a few corridors where cameras are installed as an exception. Those are the ones in front of the staff office and the science lab. The staff office goes without saying, as there are many valuables inside, right? Then, the science lab stores many chemicals. Since there is a science lab on this floor, it is only natural that surveillance cameras are installed." Ichinose, your acting skills when lying are quite good; as expected, the prettier the girl, the better she is at lying. Although I don't know what kind of deal you made with Class D to step in and help, since you've already declared war, just wait for our retaliation! It won't be long... "Why don't you look behind you? There isn't just one camera, you know? If we had installed these, would we have prepared them on that side as well? And besides, in a situation where we can't leave the school, how would we even prepare them?" Once this was said, it was clear that you must have prepared them! And you idiots, Ishizaki, did you forget the task Ryuen gave you? "T-this, how is this possible... How could it be like this? We should have... checked it back then..." "This is the third floor. Is it really the third floor you checked? Could it have been the second or fourth floor? In fact, there are surveillance cameras installed here." Even though it was far away, I could see the sweat on Ishizaki's head. Make the call... Did you forget my instructions to the class? If there's a problem, come find Ryuen or me! I suppressed the urge to rush out and continued to test Ishizaki and the others, hoping they could grow from this incident. "Furthermore, do you know that you've already given yourselves away? Ordinary people wouldn't care about the presence of surveillance cameras, nor would they go and check for them. Saying such things means you've easily admitted that you are the culprits." Ichinose delivered the final blow. "T-then... could it be that at that time..." "That type of surveillance camera probably can't record sound, but the decisive moment when you started the fight was undoubtedly captured. Actually, the school is probably waiting, isn't it? Waiting for you to tell the truth. That's why they not only granted a postponement, but the Student Council President also came to confirm whether you were lying. Just by recalling the conversation at that time, don't you think everything was truly seen through by them?" "How could this be... I never heard of such a thing...! It's over!" Komiya leaned against the wall, his knees buckling weakly. And Kondo also clutched his head. "W-wait a minute. I still can't accept this. If the surveillance cameras left footage, couldn't you prove your innocence even if you did nothing? Even without specifically telling us, we should have known during the conversation. This must have been installed by you!" Ishizaki, your intelligence is coming online a bit late! And if that were the case, why would she tell you? According to her, this is a situation where you win by doing nothing. Is there any need to remind your enemies? "Innocence? That depends on what standard is used to define innocence. From the moment the incident occurred, it was determined that both sides would suffer. No matter who started it, both sides will eventually be punished. And regardless of the reason, Sudo hit the three of you. That cannot be changed. Of course, based on the camera footage, as long as it can be proven that Sudo didn't start it, the punishment should be minimized. But that would be troublesome, wouldn't it? If any bad rumors remain, the position of a regular player will be in danger. And in that case, it would probably be impossible to easily participate in the tournament, right?" "So what. Hey, then isn't the camera footage also troublesome for you? Since that's the case, we should just keep attacking. Because even if it's just for one day, as long as we can get Sudo suspended, that's enough." "If you do that, you will be expelled. Is that okay with you?" "If the surveillance footage is checked, the fact that the three of you lied together will also be exposed. If it comes to that, it will be expulsion nine times out of ten. Everyone understands that." "Wh-what...!" "Th-then, why doesn't the school... say that we lied?" Kondo asked weakly. "The school is testing us. They are testing whether we students can resolve problems among ourselves and what kind of conclusion we will reach. Don't you think this incident is very logical if you think about it this way?" "...Why, such a thing... I absolutely don't want to be expelled...!" "Hey, hey, Ishizaki. It's not too late yet, let's go tell the school that this is a lie! If we go and say it, maybe the school will forgive us!" "Damn it... don't joke around... you want me to admit I lied? If I'm going to be punished for it, I'd rather go down with everyone, prepared for the worst-case scenario...! That way Sudo will be finished too!" That's right! Ishizaki, that is the choice of a man! If the surveillance camera is real, the result is already set; admitting fault is betraying the class. And what are you afraid of? Even if it's recorded, it's just a video of Sudo unilaterally beating you; who started it doesn't matter at all, it's definitely excessive defense. "It's too early to draw conclusions. I'll give you one last chance. This is the only way to save Class C and Class D." "How could such a method exist!" "There is only one way to resolve this incident. That is to tell the school that you want to drop the charges. If you do that, the school won't force the surveillance footage out to make a judgment, right? If the charges are dropped, no one will be punished. If the school wants to take out the footage to confirm, then our Class D will support you. Because as I just said, if the footage becomes a point of contention, Sudo will also receive a suspension. In other words, Class C and Class D can conspire against the school. If we falsely claim that the situation at the time cannot be seen from the footage alone, then the school won't dig deeper, right?" Ayanokoji also stood up at the right time. "Huff, huff... let me make a call..." Ishizaki took out his phone, but was interrupted by Ichinose. Finally, he took out his phone; I smiled with relief. It seems these guys aren't beyond saving. Closing the recorder, it was my turn to appear. "It seems you won't listen, so we have no choice but to make our resolve. We will go to the school right now to confirm the footage and have you expelled." Ichinose also took out her phone, looking like she was ready to notify the school. "Go ahead and confirm it, the result will only be Sudo's expulsion." My cold voice came from the shadows behind Ichinose. "Kitazawa!?" X2 Then came Ishizaki's excitement and Ichinose's shock. Ayanokoji, who was on the side, shook his head, looking like this was going to be a big problem. That's right, once the main general takes the field, everything is over. Volume 1: First Signs of Brilliance : 27 We must give our lives to gain life. --Tagore "You... have you been listening the whole time? Kitazawa?" Ichinose confirmed, feeling a bit awkward. "That's right, it's rare that you filmed..."