"Two students from the Basketball Club, Komiya and his companion, claim that you, Sudo, called them to the Special Building, where you provoked and beat them without being provoked. Is that true?"
"Those guys are lying. I was the one who got called to the Special Building."
Sudo immediately denied Secretary Tachibana's question.
"Then, Sudo, could you tell us what really happened?"
Secretary Tachibana's wording clearly favored Class C (Ju Ji). Otherwise, she would have asked, "Can you provide any evidence?" instead of asking for "what really happened."
"After training at club activities that day, Komiya and Kondo called me to the Special Building. I thought it sounded like a hassle, but I was already fed up with the way that guy usually acted. So I went to meet them."
No, Sudo, that wasn't the right way to put it. It sounded like you'd gone there looking for a fight. I'd hoped Sudo would use his head, but in a way, he was an idiot too. Still, he'd only said what he wanted to say because I'd asked him to earlier, so I'd have to take the blame for this one.
Look, even Suzune and Teacher Chabashira were dumbfounded by Sudo's explanation, their faces pained. Without actual evidence, there was no way to argue in his defense.
"Sudo, there are a few problems with the way you've put it. I'll explain what happened from here. Could you sit down for now? Is that all right, Student Council President?"
"Of course. The Student Council will consider the defense's arguments as appropriate."
Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, which seemed to catch a dazzling glint of light.
"As I understand it, Sudo and two students from Class D had a verbal argument at the club. When they invited him to the Special Building, Sudo went without hesitation so they could understand each other and settle the dispute through conversation. Isn't that right?"
"Of course!"
"But when you arrived, there were three people there. A third person named Ishizaki had joined them and claimed to be your friend. They threatened to make you suffer if you didn't quit the Basketball Club. When you refused, they tried to attack you. But the three of them were no match for you, and they ended up getting beaten instead. Is that right?"
"That's right, Shinomiya. That's what I wanted to say. You explained it perfectly."
Ju Ji wanted to point it out, but compared to that, Sudo's earlier explanation had been completely hopeless.
"That's a lie. Sudo called us over, which is why we went to the Special Building."
"Komiya, please refrain from interrupting. We're listening to the account from Class C right now... Shinomiya, please continue."
Sudo looked furious, but because Ju Ji had asked him to, he didn't join the argument this time. In a way, he wasn't beyond help. He was at least a decent tool if all he had to do was follow instructions.
"That's only what I heard from the people involved, so I can't confirm that it's true. Fortunately, though, we have a witness here. Sakura, could I ask you to help us?"
"Of course, Ju Ji. I was looking for a place to take pictures in the Special Building when I happened to witness the incident. I got scared and hid... but I saw with my own eyes that Komiya and the others from Class D were the ones who attacked him."
Sakura's body trembled a little as she spoke with so many people watching her. Even though she'd changed her appearance, she still wasn't entirely used to this.
"Tachibana, put up those photos."
"Yes, President."
At Horikita Manabu's signal, Secretary Tachibana took the SD card Sakura handed her and inserted it into a laptop. She displayed the photos on the projector. They were the pictures Sakura had taken in the Special Building, including one showing the three Class D students surrounding Sudo and picking a fight with him.
"It's been confirmed that Sakura was a witness, and the date on the photos has also been verified as the day of the incident. Komiya, do you have anything else to say in your defense?"
"Sudo beat us to a pulp. We were injured this badly, while he doesn't look hurt at all. Isn't that obvious proof?"
All three of them had bruises that looked like they'd been beaten, and there was no doubt about that. Sudo, on the other hand, had barely any injuries. It certainly seemed like strong evidence. But...
"Do you really have proof that Sudo was the one who beat you? In my experience as a martial artist, fighting more than one opponent makes things exponentially more difficult. And Ishizaki, who has plenty of fighting experience, was there too. I don't believe Sudo could have won that easily."
"We weren't trying to fight him."
"I'm sorry, but if you can't prove that Sudo caused those injuries, we can't accept your claim."
Suzune was unusually forceful during the argument, leaving Komiya and the others completely speechless.
"So Class D has nothing more to say? Then..."
"Wait, Student Council President. As a teacher, I should do my best not to interfere, but wouldn't it be unfair to the injured students in my class if this goes on? May I say something?"
"You have my permission!"
"Those photos do prove that Sakura was there, but they don't tell us which side attacked first. Student Council President, don't favor your sister's class just because she's in it. We can't reach a verdict yet.
"Since that's the case, how about a compromise, Teacher Chabashira?"
"A compromise?"
"I had Sudo give false testimony, and there isn't enough evidence to determine which side was at fault. So here's my compromise: my side had three people, one of whom is good at fighting. I believe we share some responsibility. How about suspending Sudo for two weeks and the Class D students for one week? The difference in punishment would depend on whether they injured the other side."
Given the circumstances, it was a fairly reasonable compromise. That would settle things, with both sides receiving an appropriate punishment. But I had no idea how many Class Points a suspension would cost. For those aiming to move up to Class A, it could be fatal.
"Sorry, Teacher Sakagami, could you wait a moment? There's something wrong with my watch. Please give me a moment to adjust it... All right, first, I'd like to ask you something, Teacher Sakagami. Can you guarantee that the evidence and statements you've presented are all accurate?"
Before you continue