We Equally Bully

Every month in this school feels like a life-or-death sprint, like everyone's a gambler.

The former Class A dropped in just two months—it was a wake-up call for them, a massive contrast. Just the first month, they'd been so confident.

The former Class B students were cheering. After all, graduating from Class A came with real perks. For them, the next step wasn't offense but defense, which was way easier to handle.

Except Class B's homeroom teacher couldn't care less, same as always. Stumbling in reeking of booze, he announced the great news and nearly dozed off face-first on the podium.

Class C's position hadn't changed, but their cohesion had shifted drastically. They were already Ryuuen Kakeru's shape now. Tragic.

Class D was worse off. Forget cohesion—they were about to explode.

Sudo Ken. Beihai actually remembered that red-haired guy. From the first month of school, he'd been picking fights with second-years. As always, Sakura's strict seniority system meant if an upperclassman didn't beat your ass black and blue, you were lucky.

But that wasn't the point. The point was this guy was a hothead. His temper was like a powder keg—one spark and he'd blow.

Facing the homeroom teacher's explanation now, Sudo couldn't calm down or think straight. He just kept shouting he was innocent.

Before, his one-against-three might've been a misunderstanding or a false accusation. But now, if he actually ran into them, he'd probably throw an elbow first.

"Quiet. Whether it's true or not, those three basketball club members from Class C have already filed a complaint with the school. They claim you unilaterally assaulted and injured them during club activities."

Sudo Ken immediately lost it, nearly pulling a crow-flying-off-the-desk move.

"I was defending myself! Self-defense! Those three bastards started it!"

Chabashira Sae's head was starting to ache. I've been talking this whole time, and you're still stuck on 'innocent'? Shouting that does jack squat!

"But there are no witnesses, no evidence. Either you accept the judgment, or find a way to prove your innocence. This matter will be handled by the Student Council. The penalty will be point deductions."

Hearing that, Sudo Ken had more to say.

"What evidence? I already said I was innocent! Isn't that enough? If I could take on three guys, I'd be a real-life Darius. Who could stop me from dunking? I'd be on the national team already!"

He sounded genuinely wronged. After all, one against three—was he some martial arts master?

Too bad talking didn't help. Only two people in Class D wanted to help him. First was the good-natured Yousuke Hirata, second was the fake angel Kikyou Kushida.

As for the rest, they were stirring the pot. Stuff like, "I knew he should've dropped out from the start."

"Now he's dragging the whole class down."

"I always thought he should leave early, before he hurts everyone."

"Yeah, yeah, same here."

"I saw it coming."

"Me too."

Class D had been around for so long, and they still hadn't earned any points. They couldn't buy decent goods or eat a proper meal.

They needed a scapegoat. Anyone would do. So they ganged up on Sudo Ken equally, making him the target.

Sudo Ken couldn't stand the atmosphere. Everyone in class looked at him with disgust now. Even his friend, Haruki Yamauchi, didn't dare meet his eyes.

Yamauchi wasn't being a coward—he was practicing emergency avoidance. Last time, he'd been on the expulsion list too. If he stood up now, old grudges would get dug up.

Then the bullies would successfully turn one target into two.

Even the "beautiful guy" who kept to himself couldn't resist throwing a jab. To be precise, he was telling Sudo to have some self-awareness. Hot-tempered and thoughtless—no matter how you looked at it, he was a ticking time bomb.

"I know you're innocent. But yelling louder won't change anything. I get it, alright?"

"You'd better drop out early. You're not beautiful at all."

The stares around him were like needles. His friend's indifference only stoked his anger.

He kicked over a desk, stormed out, and declared he'd find evidence himself.

Or maybe he'd find the three culprits and elbow them first to let off steam.

As for Beihai, what role did he play in this argument? Answer: He was doing homework. He didn't care.

Unless Honami Ichinose was in trouble, Beihai had no reason to worry. He wasn't short on points anyway, and he had a feeling he could always fall back on being a kept man.

He also understood the importance of sustainable development—no draining the pond to catch the fish. Make more friends, fewer enemies. Don't offend people with your words. Be a central air conditioner, blowing warm air everywhere.

Airisu Sakura was fidgeting nearby. She might actually know something. But that unease was quickly interrupted by another feeling.

"This is today's homework. Finish it properly, then hand it to me for checking. I'll tell you what you got wrong or don't understand."

Beihai's voice reached her ears, along with a few test papers.

Well, now she had nothing to worry about. Mostly just numbness toward the papers.

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka was silent on the surface, but his mind was already churning. He remembered the conversation on the bench earlier. Sure, the guy had been saved from expulsion, but he was still a ticking time bomb. One day, he'd blow up and cause a big mess—a surprise, so to speak.

And honestly? It was quite the surprise. He couldn't help glancing at Suzune Horikita. He really wanted to see her expression.

"You want to laugh at me?"

Her cold, pleasant voice reached him. Kiyotaka immediately sensed trouble.

He still remembered on the bus when she'd been reading, and he'd only watched her for two seconds before she noticed.

"Ah? No. I was just thinking that to reach Class A, it'd be better if the class stayed intact."

"You're right. And Sudo has excellent stamina, so he might be useful for athletic achievements. That's why you'll protect him, right?"

Suzune Horikita showed no intention of ending the conversation; instead, she seized the opening to press further.

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka felt his nose grow a little red, and he even regretted turning his head in the first place—what a pointless extra remark!

"No, actually, I don't want to move up to Class A."

Suzune Horikita didn't answer that question. Instead, she picked up a compass and readied herself.

"You do."

"I don't—"

A sharp pain shot through his arm. The sensation was far from pleasant.

Beihai and Airisu Sakura had packed their things and were already walking out of the classroom with their schoolbags. Truly, two pairs of quarreling sweethearts.