Riot (5)

Watching the boy disappear into the stairwell the moment he finished speaking, Kushida recalled how she had acted these past few days and let out a faint sigh.

"Maybe what my master has really needed all along is the resourceful, courageous me... Is that it?"

Her bewildered gaze fell on Horikita Suzune, who was being teased nearby. In the past, she would have been gloating like crazy.

But now, for some reason, the hatred that had once filled her heart had faded like water.

Instead, at some point, a boy she found herself wanting to chase after day and night had taken up residence in her heart.

Meanwhile, the situation elsewhere was extremely perilous. This time, the Out-of-Control Ones were on a completely different level.

By the time Ayanokoji rescued Mashima Tomoya from Class A, the other Out-of-Control Ones had already heard the noise and were pouring out of the stadium toward the jungle.

Though the two homeroom teachers worked together to direct everyone, the students cooperated well, and at first no one fell behind or behaved strangely.

After all, they all understood that the Out-of-Control Ones pursuing them posed a deadly threat. Who would dare waste time when their lives were at stake?

But trouble was inevitable once the group grew large. As they passed a fork in the path, someone from one of the classes made a remark.

"Class B's homeroom teacher is only good for dragging along injured people and holding us back. When it matters most, she's completely useless. Now everyone has to rely on the weakest homeroom teacher, from Class D, to lead the escape. What a disgrace."

The remark instantly set everyone's emotions ablaze.

Class A, already arrogant and self-important, was the first to speak up. After making snide remarks about the other three classes, they even insisted that their own leader, Katsuragi, should take charge.

Katsuragi flatly refused and reprimanded the classmate who had spoken. But his response made Hashimoto Masayoshi, who had been planning to follow him, quietly shake his head.

"That guy's way of handling things is a complete failure. Not only will he lose the trust of his own class, he'll also make the other classes think Class A is even more pretentious.

"As for the usually united Class B, well, when they heard someone taking the opportunity to insult their class, their collective fury nearly sparked another riot. If Ichinose and Kanzaki hadn't joined their homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya, in doing everything they could to stop them, another outbreak might already have begun.

"Class C, on the other hand, was the calmest of all. Perhaps because Ryuen's brutal rule had briefly come to an end, the students, having been taught by Inamori Hiyori, were as quiet as ever.

"As for Class D, the other three classes didn't dare say much because of Kushida. Her reputation and strength spoke for themselves.

"Besides, I heard that a few upperclassmen recently broke several of the school's athletic records after following the secret training Kushida had taught them. One of them even publicly declared war on Ryuen Kakeru.

"Though he was still in the hospital, his courage and self-confidence made him a one-of-a-kind figure at the school for now.

"And so, while the four classes managed to avoid coming to blows, their open arguments continued without end.

"While Chabashira Sae was still trying to calm everyone down, Hoshinomiya, who was tending to the injured nearby, drew a deep breath. Her eyes showed that she had made a momentous decision.

Seeing how none of the students would back down, she knew she had to do something, both to keep the Out-of-Control Ones from catching up and to prevent anyone from discovering the darker side of her.

"Quiet!"

Hoshinomiya's rare shout rang out. Her sharp voice, edged with coldness, silenced everyone at once.

As she felt the many disapproving and approving gazes turn toward her, Hoshinomiya returned to her usual gentle, quiet manner and spoke in an apologetic tone.

"Maybe you're right. At a moment when our lives are on the line, I haven't acted like a homeroom teacher and led the way. Instead, I've held everyone back by bringing along the injured, putting your safety at risk. I'm truly sorry."

"But as a teacher, I can't bring myself to abandon them. I believe many of you feel the same way."

"Chie, are you planning to split up?" Having been classmates for years, Chabashira immediately understood what was on her mind.

Hoshinomiya smiled faintly, but didn't answer. After a pause, she continued, "So I came up with a solution that might satisfy everyone. But before I explain, I hope the people who've always cared about and respected me won't try to talk me out of it. Can you do that?"

As she spoke, she cast a pleading glance at Chabashira and at the students in Class B, who had always treated her as a friend.

When they all silently nodded, Hoshinomiya continued, "I'll take the injured students along another path, while Sae will lead the rest of you along the second main road."

"Both paths end at the docks on the coast. We'll meet there. Is that all right?"

At her words, the people who had been arguing moments before lowered their heads and fell silent. They weren't heartless, after all. If their lives weren't in danger, no one would have wanted to say such things.

What's more, whoever was first to openly support her would surely end up disliked by everyone else.

Hearing the Out-of-Control Ones drawing closer, and seeing that no one was willing to take the blame, Chabashira pressed a hand to her forehead and said helplessly, "Fine. This time, I'll make the decision for everyone and take responsibility."

When they heard that the usually cold and indifferent Chabashira-sensei had taken the lead, everyone felt a jumble of emotions.

"You take the injured and go ahead. I'll leave with the others a little later and see if we can lure them onto another path."

Hoshinomiya nodded silently in gratitude. The others had no objections; if anything, they thought it was only right.

And so the group split into two and began their separate escapes.

"Boss, the plan on this side has gone as you instructed. The group has split into two."

"Nicely done~ Keep me updated on their locations."

"Yes."

After ending his call with Sadokura, Rinya smiled meaningfully. "Another fascinating day~ Heh..."