The Evening Breeze Carried Her Words Away

When Ju Fan suddenly asked that, Sakagami looked bewildered, unsure what he was up to. He glanced around at the students from Class D and got their confirmation.

"Though I don't know what you're up to, the evidence and testimony provided by the students of Class D are correct."

"I'm glad you can vouch for them, Teacher Sakagami. Our testimonies contradict each other completely, which means one of us has told a malicious lie. Student Council President, how does the school deal with someone like that?"

"Of course, we'll take appropriate measures. If necessary, we'll also consider expulsion."

Horikita Manabu's words felt like he'd said nothing at all. So he would decide how they were dealt with on a case-by-case basis?

"Sorry, Student Council President, but I need a clear answer, not a vague response like that."

"Shinomiya, don't be rude to the Student Council President. The matter is already settled."

"No, it isn't, Teacher Sakagami. If you want a clear answer, I can give you one. The side that lied will be suspended for a month and have an appropriate number of points deducted. Are you satisfied with that, Shinomiya?"

Horikita Manabu didn't respond to Teacher Sakagami's remark. Instead, he continued with what he'd been saying. A month's suspension, huh? Sudo was already facing a month's suspension as punishment. And now you're showing blatant favoritism. If Class C—Ju Fan's side—had lied, that would amount to no punishment at all. You're making your bias painfully obvious.

"A month's suspension, huh? That'll do. Consider it a punishment for them. Suzune, give Secretary Tachibana the recording you prepared. It's our strongest evidence."

That's right. Before the hearing, Ju Fan had already given Suzune a copy of the recording. That was why she'd been so calm during the hearing. She already knew this was a debate they couldn't lose, no matter what.

There was no need to show any particular emotion. The only question was what punishment the Class D students would receive.

"A recording? How is that possible? There weren't any cameras installed there. How could there be a recording?"

As a homeroom teacher, Sakagami naturally knew the school's layout. He was also well aware that there were no cameras in the Special Building.

"That's classified. If you want to know, look into it yourself."

The proof was in the pudding. The moment Secretary Tachibana played the recording, the debate was already over. No, it had been over from the start. The moment they chose to fight in the Special Building, the outcome was never in doubt.

The recording clearly showed what had happened that night. It was easy to see who had started the fight and who had provoked whom first. The picture quality was excellent, too, making it feel as though you were right there at the scene. Even their voices had been recorded clearly. You really couldn't go wrong with a system-made product.

"Teacher Sakagami, please help us. We don't want to be suspended for a month!"

"Please help us, Teacher."

"I'm afraid we've lost this time. At this point, even I can't help you. Fourth Palace Ju Fan, was it? I'll remember that name."

"Then this hearing is officially over. Sudo from Class C has been found not guilty and will bear no responsibility. The three students from Class D will be suspended for one month for their involvement in the fight. The class will also have an appropriate number of points deducted. That's all. Any objections?"

"No!"

In any case, the matter was settled. Even if the Class D students had objections, there was nothing they could do about it. It was a shame they'd only been suspended for a month. Ju Fan had originally wanted them expelled. Every student feared expulsion. That would make the other classes think twice before trying something like this.

Unfortunately, Horikita Manabu was known for being conservative, so of course he wouldn't agree to that proposal. Still, a month should be enough to teach them a lesson. He wondered what the mastermind behind them would think.

"Shinomiya, you bastard. If you had evidence like that, why didn't you bring it out sooner? You scared the hell out of me!"

Sudo's face was full of relief. He looked so excited he was on the verge of throwing his arms around Ju Fan. Maybe he was doing his best to rein in his excitement.

"Then why don't you think more carefully about how you act? This went smoothly only because it happened to take place in the Special Building. Otherwise, Sudo, you might already have been suspended. At the very least, think about the consequences before you act."

"Sorry, Lord Ju Fan. I know I was wrong. Please stop lecturing me. But changing my personality and habits won't happen overnight, so I hope you'll keep putting up with me."

Perhaps he'd realized just how big a mistake he'd made. Sudo looked exceptionally sincere, and he seemed to regret his actions. It was hard to say how long he'd keep up this enthusiasm, though.

But as long as he remembered this lesson and kept moving forward, he would grow stronger. This experience would surely become a fond memory for him someday.

"I understand that you mean to change, Sudo, but I shouldn't be the only one you thank. Suzune helped you a lot at the hearing, didn't she? And so did everyone in class. You should thank them, too."

"That's right. Everyone helped me a lot this time. Horikita, thank you so much for helping me. I really appreciate you speaking up for me at the hearing."

The two of them usually couldn't stand each other. The fact that Sudo could lower his head to her now showed that he'd changed.

"You don't need to thank me. I didn't do this for your sake. It was something we had to do to advance to Class A. If anything happens to anyone in our class, I'll step in. I'm sure Ju Fan would do the same. So all you need to do is work on improving yourself. That would be the best way to thank me."

It was rare to hear such kind words from Suzune. Maybe this was her way of showing goodwill. Either way, after what had happened, Sudo would become a valuable ally in their efforts to advance to Class A.

Afterward, Sudo returned to basketball practice without a hitch. You could tell just how much he loved basketball. No wonder he was in such good shape.

"It's over. This hearing was basically your one-man show. I couldn't help at all, could I?"

"No, just being there helped me a lot."

After all, Horikita Manabu had shown up because Suzune was attending the hearing. Anyone could hear the bias in the way he spoke.

"Are you saying I'm just a useless ornament?"

"No, that's not what I meant... Actually, you know I'm socially anxious. I can barely speak properly in front of strangers. Having you there to support me today was what made this debate a success.

"After all, having evidence and being able to use it are two different things."

Ju Fan wasn't lying. He was just exaggerating a little. He only acted that way when everyone around him was a stranger, like he had at the start of the school year. As long as even one person he knew was there, he wouldn't be like that.

"Is that so? Then from now on, I'll keep doing this for you..."

Ju Fan didn't hear Suzune's final words clearly. But one thing left a deep impression on him: her smile at that moment had been radiant as a flower, and he couldn't forget it...