Working Together

Horikita Suzune's cold voice suddenly cut in.

She tucked her loose black hair behind her ear, her porcelain-white face filled with impatience. "These are just allies on campus, not allies during events."

Yamauchi Haruki frantically ruffled his blond hair, crying out with a long face, "Please be simple and straightforward, I really don't understand!"

Horikita Suzune's slender fingers tapped lightly on the table, producing a crisp sound.

She slightly raised her chin, her purplish-red eyes sweeping over the crowd.

"Simply put, based on the class ranking, Class D' s allies are Class A and Class B."

Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting dappled shadows on her face and making her expression even more enigmatic.

"Without intervening in the direct competition between Class A and Class B," she leaned forward slightly, her black hair cascading down, "We can establish flexible alliances." A meaningful, cold smile suddenly appeared on her lips. "The power struggle between classes is never a black-and-white game—"

"You should know about 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'."

"Whether it was the early period of warring states or the later alliances and betrayals between Wei, Shu, and Wu, the alliances and betrayals of these warlords were often decided in the blink of an eye, based on factors such as region, strength, potential, and even old grudges."

Yamauchi Haruki suddenly straightened up, his hair sticking up in a messy updo, and his brown eyes suddenly lit up.

"Ah! If it's from Romance of the Three Kingdoms..."

He gestured exaggeratedly with his hands, almost knocking over the drink on the table, "I'll understand immediately if you put yourself in that situation!"

His voice rose with excitement, causing several girls in the back row to cover their mouths and giggle.

"It's like choosing different treatments during wartime and during periods of rest and recuperation!"

Yamauchi Haruki continued to explain with exaggerated gestures, but he didn't notice Horikita Suzune's slightly furrowed brows.

Hirata Yosuke coughed lightly at the opportune moment, his golden-brown hair gleaming softly in the sunlight, attempting to ease the atmosphere.

Horikita Suzune's fingertips paused in mid-air, like a conductor bringing a musical movement to a close.

"So what we need to do now," she suddenly stood up, her black hair cascading down, "Is obvious."

Her voice carried an undeniable decisiveness, instantly silencing the group.

"The first step," she held up a slender finger, her nails neatly trimmed, "Is after Ms. Chabashira Sae finishes speaking during the first class this afternoon."

Her gaze shifted to Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo, who both sat up straight simultaneously.

Kushida Kikyo placed her hands folded on her knees, her amber eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Hirata and Kushida asked their classmates for help.

Horikita Suzune paused, a cold smile playing on her lips, "Otherwise, given Sudo's reputation in the class..."

Ken Sudō clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white.

His red hair stood on end, like an enraged lion, but under Horikita Suzune's sharp gaze, he forcefully suppressed his anger, only managing to squeeze out a muffled groan through his teeth.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka remained leaning against the window, the sunlight gilding half of his body while the other half remained in shadow. His gaze swept lightly over Ken Sudō before quickly lowering again.

"The second step," Horikita Suzune held up her second finger, "After school this afternoon."

Her gaze lingered on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's face for a moment, and the latter nodded slightly.

"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and I will go to Class A, Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo will go to Class B."

Her voice suddenly softened, yet became even sharper, "A request for help, and a proposal for an alliance."

Yamauchi Haruki suddenly sprang up from his seat, the chair making a screeching sound.

"Hey, what about me?"

He grabbed his messy brown hair, looking as anxious as a primary school student who hadn't even taken his exam.

-Moon Chair Strange Two Umbrella Drizzling Si Leek Abandoning Mountain Passing Horikita Suzune He didn't even bother to glance at him.

"You?"

Her voice carried obvious disdain, "Just stay in the classroom with Ken Sudō."

She turned to Ken Sudō, her tone softening slightly.

"Think carefully about the specific circumstances of that day and see if there's any information that can be used."

"As for this matter, Sudo, you shouldn't get involved."

Ken Sudō let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping.

His voice was unusually deep.

"I understand, it wouldn't be good for me to get involved."

His clenched fist slowly relaxed. "I'll try my best to remember."

Hirata Yosuke stood up at the opportune moment, his gentle gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"Then, it's decided."

Chapter 97 96 Combined Force

Afternoon, class.

Chabashira Sae stood on the podium expressionlessly, her voice calm and flat.

"A fight broke out at school last week."

"Sudo got into a fight with the students from Class C."

The classroom erupted in chaos.

Chabashira Sae continued to explain calmly.

"Based on the ruling, Sudo may face suspension and a deduction of Class Points."

Throughout the entire process, she stood on the school's side, maintaining a professional and impartial attitude, neither showing favoritism nor making accusations.

"The specific details of the incident are that Class C filed a complaint first. They claimed they were unilaterally assaulted, but Sudo insisted that the other party provoked him first and that he was merely acting in self-defense."

"I did nothing wrong!" Sudo shouted, his neck stiff. "Those three started it!"

The students all cast skeptical glances at them.

Do you have any evidence?

Chabashira Sae.

"Evidence?" Ken Sudō's face turned red with anger. "When three people ganged up on me, how could I have time to take photos or videos?"

"The truth is still unclear," Chabashira Sae sighed. "If what Sudo said is true, the way it's handled will be completely different. So—" she looked around the class, "If there are any witnesses, please raise your hands now."

The classroom was completely silent.

Meanwhile, Horikita Suzune observed the entire scene.

Everyone's attention was drawn to Chabashira Sae's words.

Only one female student lowered her head.

Horikita Suzune remembered her.

Her name is Sakura Airi.

At this moment, he was hunched over, with his head bowed and eyes downcast.

I tried my best to make myself look inconspicuous.

She's always like this.

She only acts somewhat normally when she's with Tanaka Yukishin, Karuizawa Kei Hasebe Haruka.

"Looks like nobody saw it."

Chabashira Sae concluded, "The school will continue its investigation throughout the entire school. The final results will be announced next Monday. Classes will now begin."

Although classes have started, no one is paying attention.

The decrease in Class Points leads to a decrease in monthly allowances, which is closely related to their quality of life.

Some people were thinking about it for their classmates.

After class, Chabashira Sae left the classroom, and Ken Sudō rushed out as well.

Knowing his personality, he understood that staying there would only make things worse.

His friends are working hard for him; he can't continue to hold them back.

"It's all Sudo's fault!" someone complained. "My allowance is going to be cut again this month!"

"Exactly! He was the one who caused the fight last time!"

The voices of discontent are growing louder and louder, and the situation is on the verge of spiraling out of control.

At this moment, Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo stepped forward as planned.

"Gentlemen, could you please listen to me for a moment?"

Kushida Kikyo stood up, and the noisy discussions in the classroom gradually subsided.

She gently straightened her skirt and looked sincerely at her classmates.

"The teacher is right, Sudo did get into a fight."

Her voice was gentle yet firm, "But he was dragged into it, he didn't start it."

"Kushida, do you really believe what Sudo said?"

Kushida Kikyo took a deep breath and recounted what she had heard from Ken Sudō at noon.

"The Basketball Club is about to hold auditions for official players, and Sudo has a good chance of being selected. But a few classmates in the club are jealous of him and are deliberately causing trouble..."

The classroom was so quiet you could hear the pages turning.

If Sudo himself said the same thing, probably no one would listen attentively.

But at that moment, everyone was moved by Kushida Kikyo's sincere tone.

"I'll ask one more time," she said, pressing her palms together and bowing slightly, "If anyone witnessed what happened, please let me know. You can contact me anytime."

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

A male student suddenly chuckled.

"I don't believe it. Last week in PE class, Sudo was still bragging about his fighting experience."

These words were like a floodgate opening, and the classroom erupted in chaos.

"He almost got into a fight with someone in the hallway the day before yesterday!"

"She got angry when someone told her to cut in line at the cafeteria..."

"He used to brag about how to hit people the hardest..."

Kushida Kikyo's explanation failed to completely quell the doubts.

Everyone was anxious because the Class Points.

I believe him.

Hirata Yosuke suddenly stood up, sunlight streaming through the window and falling on his golden hair.

His voice was gentle yet firm.

"It's understandable to be suspicious of outsiders, but it's wrong to be suspicious of your own classmates. Shouldn't friends help each other?"

"I agree!" Yamauchi Haruki responded immediately, almost jumping up from his seat. "Sudo has improved a lot recently, everyone has seen it!"

For the sake of Kushida Kikyo Hirata Yosuke.

The classroom gradually quieted down.

Although they may not all truly believe it, at least on the surface, a consensus has been reached.

"I'll ask my friends," Wang Meiyu was the first to offer her opinion.

"I'll ask the seniors in the soccer club."

"I'll ask around too."

Kushida Kikyo Hirata Yosuke nodded gratefully.

Inspired by the two, the students began to spontaneously search for evidence.

Sakura Airi lowered her head, her fingers nervously twisting together.