How scary. Good thing we're friends!

"As you can see, Sudo doesn't trust me. You can ask him yourself from here."

Ichinose finally arrived about half an hour later. Maybe it was just his imagination, but Suzune sounded a little helpless when she said that. Still, she didn't seem angry about it. If anything, she even seemed a little proud.

"Then, Sudo, why don't you tell me what happened?"

"Shinomiya, you have to believe me. This really wasn't my fault."

"Mm, I believe you. Now tell me the whole story."

Ju Ji had already learned everything from the surveillance footage in the Special Building. Sakura had been there when Sudo and the others fought, too, though she'd seemed a little flustered. Everything seemed to have happened just like in the original story. That made things easier. But for special reasons, he still couldn't reveal the cameras, so he needed to hear the story from Sudo himself.

"Shinomiya, you're the best. I knew you'd believe me. You really are my best friend. Actually, I beat up some guys from Class D last week. So my teacher just told me I might be suspended. They're preparing to punish me now."

"But that means it was entirely your fault, doesn't it?"

"No, the ones at fault were the Class D students who came looking for a fight. I just turned the tables on them. Then they claimed I was the one who picked a fight. It's a complete false accusation."

"I said I'd believe you, but calm down first. Could you explain what happened in a little more detail?"

"Actually, my coach told me he was going to put me on the starting lineup for the summer tournament, and I'd made up my mind to become a regular player. It happened that night. Komiya and Kondo, who are also in the basketball club, called me over to the Special Building. They said they had something to discuss with me. I could've ignored them, but we were in the same club, and we were always arguing, so I thought it was time to settle things. I meant to talk it out, of course.

"But then there was this guy named Ishizaki waiting for me. They said he was their friend. They said they couldn't stand that I was the only one becoming a regular player. They threatened to make me pay if I didn't quit the basketball club. When I refused, they attacked me. In the end, I took them down before I went down myself. Shinomiya, you have to help me!"

Maybe he was so nervous that there were tears in Sudo's eyes. Ju Ji heard the full story from him, and it was exactly the same as what he'd seen in the surveillance footage. Sudo hadn't tried to hide anything. That was all he needed to know.

He couldn't tell Sudo yet that he had evidence, because Sudo might let it slip given his personality. At least on the surface, they had to act as if they hadn't found any evidence proving Sudo was innocent.

That would prevent Class D from possibly withdrawing their complaint and make it look as though the situation favored them. To Ju Ji, the people in Class D were merely potential customers who might become friends someday. They couldn't compare to Sudo, who was already his friend. He had to make them understand that there would be a price to pay for going after his friend.

"Sudo, on the surface, they're clearly the ones at fault here. But this happened because of the way you usually treat people. If you'd worked on that, this wouldn't have happened. Since they dared to report you, they must have prepared thoroughly. Your word alone won't convince the school. But trust me, Sudo. I won't let you get suspended. Go back and get some rest for now. Tomorrow, we'll discuss what to do with the others in our class. The school should've given you time to defend yourself, right?"

It was already late. Going around and bothering their other classmates wasn't a smart move.

"The school said I have until next Tuesday to prove that they started the fight. If I can't, they'll decide it was my fault and suspend me until summer vacation. They'll also deduct Class Points from our class."

It seemed the school had a thorough process in place for this sort of thing. Besides the suspension and the Class Points, Sudo's chance to become a regular on the basketball team would be gone for good. That was something Sudo, who dreamed of becoming a professional player, would find hard to accept.

"Until next Tuesday, huh? That's a little far away... No, we've still got plenty of time. Leave this to us."

"I'm counting on you, Shinomiya!"

After that, Ju Ji and Suzune said goodbye to Sudo.

"'Special Building'—that's an interesting phrase. Ju Ji, you didn't actually foresee something like this happening, did you? But why didn't you tell him you had evidence? That would've solved everything."

"Foresee it? How could I? I'm not a god. I bought permission to install cameras because there are dangerous chemicals in there. I was worried someone might take them out and hurt other students. As for why I didn't say so right away, it's because Sudo was partly at fault, too. He needs time to reflect on his attitude, or something like this will happen again. I suspect this was Ryuen's test, just like Ichinose said."

"Is that so? Then I'll reluctantly believe your explanation. That's not your real motive, though."

Suzune claimed she believed Ju Ji, but her face plainly said, As if I'd ever believe you. A month ago, she might have believed his high-minded explanation. But now that she knew him well enough, she didn't believe a single word.

"Honestly, I just want the people who go after my friends to pay for it."

"How scary. Good thing we're friends."

Suzune dramatically covered her chest, pretending to be afraid. But it was so fake. Couldn't she at least change her expression? She looked so calm that she didn't seem scared at all.

"No, you don't look scared in the slightest."

"Then how should I act? Should I scream, 'How scary!' and cling to you while trembling?"

"No. For the sake of my life, let's not. And what do you mean, cling to me? Shouldn't you run away in fear?"

To be honest, Ju Ji was rather tempted by Horikita's suggestion. But when he thought of how violent she usually was, he decided to protect his life and turn her down. Who knew what would happen if he actually agreed?

Would she give him a look of disgust and call him a pervert? Or, when she came over to hug him, would she take the opportunity to punch him in the stomach? Neither outcome was what he wanted. But since it was already dark, he didn't see Suzune's cheeks turn faintly red as she said it...