Chapter 203

"This is for you, a Valentine's Day gift."

As they spoke, the girls handed out chocolates one after another.

This scene feels strangely familiar... Oh right, Hirata just experienced the same treatment, and now it's my turn?

I was laughing at him just a moment ago, but now the tables have turned.

"Thanks."

Shuichi Kanda nodded politely, then accepted all the chocolates and stuffed them into his desk without even looking at them.

This polite yet perfunctory attitude left several girls feeling somewhat disappointed.

After a whole morning, Shuichi Kanda didn't actually receive many chocolates, because due to his personality, he didn't interact much with students from other classes.

This made Shuichi Kanda silently breathe a sigh of relief. He had no idea what Hirata planned to do with all the chocolates Hirata had received.

It was noon, and after having lunch, Shuichi Kanda and Miyake walked together toward the first-year school building.

"Hey, Kanda, wait a minute."

The unexpected visitor made Shuichi Kanda raise an eyebrow, then gestured for Miyake to leave first, while Shuichi Kanda spoke with a smile.

"Isn't this Sekishiko Zi? What are you doing in the first-year classroom building?"

The figure that came into view was Akane Tachibana, a senior from Class 3-A.

"I just think someone like you won't get a gift on Valentine's Day. No need to thank me; after all, taking care of a junior is something an excellent senior should do."

As she spoke, Akane Tachibana took out a plainly packaged box from her school uniform pocket.

"For you."

"Then thank you very much, Sekishiko- senpai." Shuichi Kanda smiled helplessly; this was truly an unexpected gift.

"By the way, how's the third grade going?"

Speaking of this, Akane Tachibana sighed, "Ishikura and Class B have been working really hard since the training camp started, but with Horikita leading the way, we'll definitely be fine."

As she continued, a considerable degree of confidence appeared on Akane Tachibana's face.

"You're making it sound like you got all the credit, "Shuichi Kanda said, speechless.

"If there's anything I can help you with, just let me know, though I might not be able to help you." Shuichi Kanda joked as he looked at Akane Tachibana.

"Hmph, I don't need your help." Akane Tachibana turned her head away haughtily. "Oh, by the way, Horikita said he'll remember what he promised you."

"Okay, that's good. I also trust Horikita Manabu's reputation." Shuichi Kanda nodded. "By the way, how's your teaching going with Honami?"

"Oh my god, what's wrong with you, child? Don't you trust me?"

"Alright, alright, I was being nosy. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now." Shuichi Kanda waved the chocolate in his hand. "Anyway, thanks."

When he returned to the classroom, Shuichi Kanda noticed that the atmosphere in the class was somewhat unusual.

"What's wrong?"

This question was, of course, directed at the neighbor next door, Horikita Suzune.

Looking at the box of chocolates in Shuichi Kanda's hand, Horikita Suzune closed her book. "Just now, Ichinose called out to Sakayanagi on the forum, saying that she would explain the previous rumors after school today and invited Sakayanagi to attend."

Shuichi Kanda was dumbfounded after hearing Horikita's words. Holy crap? Is this something Honami would do?

After a brief moment of stunned silence, Shuichi Kanda immediately took out his phone and opened the School Forum.

Sure enough, the first post after opening the forum was Ichinose's declaration of war against Sakayanagi, and the content was similar to what Horikita had just said.

The pinned comment below the post was Sakayanagi's reply: I will arrive as promised.

Seeing that Ichinose had made a decision, Shuichi Kanda little relieved. It seemed that she had thought a lot these past two days. It was truly remarkable that she could bravely face the past and take this step. Honami.

You seem quite pleased?

"Really? Is it that obvious?" Shuichi Kanda smiled.

"You seem to be in a good mood today. Did something happen?" Horikita asked with a puzzled expression.

"Heh, you don't understand."

Shuichi Kanda but remained silent.

Horikita frowned again, but remained silent.

The afternoon classes ended quickly, and during the pre-dismissal group meeting, Chabashira-sensei still reminded the students about the mock exam the next day.

After school, Shuichi Kanda left the classroom without even packing his bag and headed straight for Class B's classroom.

However, there was still a distance between the original Class D and Class B. Although the class had been promoted, the classroom had not changed, and Shuichi Kanda's seat was also a little far from the door. So, after Shuichi Kanda left the classroom, a crowd had already gathered together.

Shuichi Kanda also had to exert a lot of effort to squeeze into the Class B classroom.

The people in the center of the crowd are Sakayanagi from Class A and Ichinose from Class B.

"You've arrived, Classmate Sakayanagi." Ichinose's expression seemed calm, but she was a little nervous inside.

He glanced around the crowd, but still couldn't spot Shuichi Kanda.

"After all, it was Ichinose who personally invited me, so of course I had to come."

Unlike Ichinose, Sakayanagi's face was full of smiles. She had thought her plan was about to fail, but Ichinose had unexpectedly taken the bait at this moment, which was a pleasant surprise.

At that moment, Ichinose also saw Shuichi Kanda in the crowd, and her initial nervousness immediately subsided.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, now that things have come to this, can you tell me why you did all this?" In any case, Ichinose wanted to find out why Sakayanagi was targeting her.

"This is, of course, to save the students in Class B!"

Ichinose nodded. "Let's assume that's how it is, but could you please explain in more detail?"

"Of course." Sakayanagi smiled. "Ichinose, as far as I know, you should have more than 20 million points, right?"

As soon as Sakayanagi spoke, the audience erupted in uproar. Ichinose actually had 20 million points?

Ichinose frowned but didn't say anything, but Kanzaki couldn't help but speak up first.

Where did you get this information from?

"I've only heard about it, but that's not important. I just want to know, Ichinose, is it true?"

Sakayanagi didn't answer Kanzaki's question at all, but instead turned his attention to Ichinose.

In reality, this wasn't information that needed to be kept secret. If the students in Class A wanted to find out, they would always find some clues.

Class B uses a system where students periodically collect their personal points for future use, and Ichinose is the custodian of these points because the students in Class B trust her.

So there's no need to hide it. Ichinose nodded. "You're right. Our Class B regularly collects the points from the students and stores them here with me. Also, the ten million points I earned in the VIP Exam are in my possession."

Upon hearing Ichinose's admission, Sakayanagi immediately showed a pained expression.

"This is really dangerous, everyone in Class B. Aren't you worried about letting Ichinose have such a large number of points?"

"Sakayanagi, shut up! We know Ichinose better than you do!" Faced with Sakayanagi's accusation, the students of Class B immediately stood up for her.

"Is that so? What do you think, Ichinose?"

Sakayanagi remained clear about her goal, her gaze never leaving Ichinose.

Standing on the podium, Ichinose slowly turned around to face the students of Class B.

"... I'm sorry, everyone!"

"Why are you apologizing, Ichinose? You don't need to apologize at all, right?"

Shibata from Class B was startled by Ichinose's actions and felt somewhat shaken.

"For the past year... there's something I've been keeping from everyone..."

"Wait, Ichinose, you..."

Kanzaki could say anything, Shuichi Kanda grabbed him.

"Kanda, you..."

"This is Honami's decision. If you consider yourselves her allies, shouldn't you support her?"

Kanzaki was taken aback by Shuichi Kanda's words, then nodded. "You're right."

Then Kanzaki looked at Ichinose: "Ichinose, no matter what, we will support you!"

"I think there are some strange rumors circulating about me these past few weeks. Only one of them isn't a lie, it's true. That's... the one in the letter that said I was a criminal."

After Ichinose said those words, Sakayanagi revealed a satisfied smile.

Shuichi Kanda also smiled, but unlike Sakayanagi's smug smile, Shuichi Kanda's smile was one of satisfaction.

Finally, you've taken this step, Honami! Congratulations!

Is this true?

The noisy interior suddenly quieted down.

"It seems the group of overly accommodating people here have absolutely no idea what Ichinose has done before. Could you explain in detail? Ichinose, what exactly did you do wrong?"

"I--"

Ichinose took a deep breath, then looked at Shuichi Kanda. Seeing the encouraging look in Shuichi Kanda's eyes, Ichinose continued, "The thing I kept from everyone before—I'll tell you now."

And so, Ichinose revealed her past, which had never been made public before.

"The crime I've been hiding all along is... stealing—"

Ichinose, a top student, stole something.

Faced with this fact, not only Class B, but also many onlookers who came to watch the spectacle were discussing it extensively.

"Honami-chan... you stole something... really, really?"

"Um... I'm sorry, Komako."

While apologizing Ichinose recounted how the incident began.

The audience, including all the students from Class B and those from other classes, listened attentively to Ichinose's monologue. Occasionally, someone would ask a question, Ichinose one.

Having said everything, Ichinose bowed her head once again to all the students in Class B.

"Everyone, I'm sorry, as a leader, I'm so pathetic..."

"That's not true, Ichinose."

"After hearing what you just said, I'm even more certain now— Ichinose is indeed a good person! Right, everyone?"

"Hmm! Perhaps Honami-chan did something bad in the past, but--"

Bang!

The cane struck the floor, its sharp sound echoing throughout the room.

Damn, you scared me! If you don't want it, you can throw it away. Don't leave it here to disgust people.

"Shut up, everyone in Class B. You guys are really behaving inappropriately."

Sakayanagi covered up the voices supporting Ichinose.

"What a boring farce, recounting even unnecessary details of the past in an attempt to elicit sympathy? Regardless of circumstances, theft is theft, and there is no room for sympathy for crimes."

Sakayanagi's words caused Kamuro, who was standing next to her, to lower his eyelids.

Seeing Kamuro like this, although he felt it was a bit unfair, for some reason, Shuichi Kanda couldn't help but want to laugh.

"Yes, Classmate Sakayanagi, you're right."

"It's a fact that you committed a [criminal act]. In that case, it's also quite possible that you stole a large number of personal points you currently possess just before graduation."

"Puff!"

Shuichi Kanda's laughter interrupted Sakayanagi's words.

"According to you, people who have done wrong will definitely do wrong again. In that case, why don't you write to the Prime Minister and put all those who have committed theft in prison forever? That way, they won't have the chance to steal again. Anyway, they can't guarantee they won't steal again after they get out of prison, can they?"

Shuichi Kanda's words were tinged with amusement, but in reality, he was using a fallacy of semantics; the two things were completely different.

However, although they are not the same thing, the students around them seemed to think that this was indeed the case.

"That's right! Even people who are imprisoned get released Ichinose was not actually punished for it, so the sin that Ichinose should pay for never existed!"

Shuichi Kanda's words were immediately echoed by the students of Class B.