The Perfect Solution

She crossed out box 1, as well as the lines and arrows extending from circle 1 and circle 2 towards box 1, and put a checkmark on each of the lines between circle 1 and circle 2 and rhombus 1 and rhombus 2.

"But their testimonies all point to the key point that [Sudo-kun hit someone], and since all three students in Class C were injured, the Student Council prejudicially and unilaterally demanded that [the perpetrator]—that is, Sudo— provide evidence to support his claims."

"But that's impossible, which is why we're at a disadvantage."

Therefore, my solution is--

Karuizawa Kei crossed out Ryo 2, which is Sudo's claim.

"We reject Class C's explanation and retract Sudo's claim that he acted in self-defense. As for the rest, we will leave it to the Student Council to decide."

"Wait, what kind of method is this?!"

Upon hearing this, Kanji Ike was the first to stand up, his excitement genuine.

"Isn't this just letting Sudo wait to die?"

Ken Sudō looked incredulous, but he didn't react immediately, seemingly still reeling from Yamauchi Haruki's influence.

Apart from a few quick-thinking individuals, the other students in the class raised their questions almost simultaneously.

Previously, Karuizawa Kei rejected Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo's methods, and they thought she had some good strategy... but they didn't expect her to just sit and wait for death without putting up any resistance.

You have to understand that the fate of the entire Class D is now tied to Ken Sudō. If he suffers, Class D will also fall into an absolute slump.

Karuizawa Kei's suggestion at this time... could it be that she has always disliked Ken Sudō, and therefore disregards the class's interests, intending to take this opportunity to eliminate him?

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 103, Chapter 97: The Perfect Solution

"Karuizawa, your method doesn't seem much better to me. [Rejecting Class C's argument and withdrawing Sudo's proposal, leaving the rest to the Student Council to decide] -- This strategy is tantamount to surrendering and waiting for death."

Horikita Suzune was also one of those who raised questions.

As soon as she spoke, the other students who were complaining immediately fell silent.

Horikita seems unusually active today; it's best they don't disturb her—it wouldn't be good if they bothered her and became her next target.

Her extreme offensive power was already a tacit consensus among the entire Class D.

Despite being directly refuted by Horikita Suzune, Karuizawa Kei showed no embarrassment at being contradicted.

"Horikita, I have my reasons for proposing this method."

"If we want Sudo to get out of his disadvantaged position of being asked to provide evidence, we can only make him retract his testimony; if we still want to convict Sudo, then the students in Class C need to provide evidence to support their claims—if one party denies the testimony, the Student Council cannot convict someone based solely on the other party's statement."

"And now that no evidence can be found to corroborate the facts, they will be the ones at a disadvantage."

"What if they really do have evidence to prove Sudo's wrongdoing...?"

"If Class C really had that kind of thing, they would have brought it out long ago. Would they still give us time to struggle?"

Upon hearing this, Horikita Suzune fell silent, while the other students in Class D successively revealed excited smiles.

From this perspective, Karuizawa Kei's approach doesn't seem like a passive acceptance of defeat, but rather a strategy of strategic retreat.

Moreover, judging from the final results, this was far better than other methods that involved considerable risk.

If successful, not only will Sudo be free from the danger of being accused, but the other party may also be charged with false accusation, and they could even turn the tables on each other.

"Great, Sudo, now you're safe!!"

Kanji Ike turned around and looked at Ken Sudō sitting at the table behind him, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

It's clear he's genuinely happy for his friend.

"Yes, yes." Wu

But Ken Sudō's expression was strange. Not only was he still influenced by Yamauchi Haruki, but he also suddenly thought of something else.

He remembered that when he first returned to the classroom, Karuizawa seemed to repeatedly confirm something with him. He felt very impatient at the time, so he just answered in accordance with what the other person wanted to hear.

But the truth... seems to be somewhat different from what he admitted.

"But Sudo has already told the Student Council council his position. If he suddenly changes his story, the Student Council will definitely have a bad impression of us—are you sure they will still consider our interests and ask Class C for evidence?"

Then, Horikita Suzune brought up another question.

"Furthermore, when the day of the deliberation actually arrives, the students in Class C will definitely keep provoking Sudo. Given Sudo's fiery temper, it's almost certain that she'll protest in public. This will only worsen the Student Council's negative impression of us. Are you sure your method will still work then?"

Coupled with her already lukewarm, even indifferent, tone, Class D, whose enthusiasm had just been rekindled, fell silent once again, as if doused with cold water.

Yes, this method is based on the premise that Ken Sudō can back down, but given his fiery temper, especially after being provoked by the students in Class C...

That's unlikely.

Ken Sudō's volatile temper is also a consensus reached by the entire Class D.

He was completely incapable of doing work that required such patience and restraint.

Despite being refuted a second time, Karuizawa Kei remained calm. She had anticipated this and had already prepared a solution.

"This matter--"

She looked at Horikita Suzune, about to explain, but Ken Sudō's voice suddenly interrupted her.

"Um, there's something I misspoke earlier."

The tall boy stood up, scratched the back of his head with one hand, and looked embarrassed.

"Actually, when Chabashira-sensei called me out earlier, it wasn't because the Student Council wanted to see me. She asked for my opinion on this matter privately, and I told her that I acted in self-defense."

"So, the Student Council members didn't actually hear you admit to this?"

Karuizawa Kei turned to look at him, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but it quickly returned to calm.

"Yes."

"Are you sure you haven't misspoke or misremembered this time?"

Horikita Suzune chimed in, her sharp eyes fixed on Ken Sudō's eyes.

"No, that's right."

When Horikita Suzune looked at him like that, Ken Sudō immediately felt a chill run down his spine. He suddenly had the feeling that whatever he said was wrong.

"I was just getting impatient with the noise, so I went along with Karuizawa's suggestion. I did only mention this to Chabashira-sensei this morning."

Having received his accurate assurance, Karuizawa Kei and many of her classmates breathed a sigh of relief. Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo, who had been wearing long faces, finally showed relieved smiles.

That makes things much simpler.

However, Horikita Suzune's doubts were not dispelled.

"Perhaps Chabashira-sensei will submit Sudo's proposal to the Student Council. What difference would that make from Sudo stating it directly?"

"If on the day of the review, we present a different proposal than the one in point 8, will they assume we are disrespecting the Student Council and thus lower our evaluation?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone stopped laughing.

Moreover, not only did they stop laughing, some students also developed resentment towards Horikita Suzune.

Why is Horikita fixated on these strange details when the issue could have been resolved much earlier?!

But before anyone could voice their complaints, Karuizawa Kei revealed her solution.

"But this is ultimately different from [hearing it with the Student Council's own ears]. We can just pass the question on to Sudo then."

"Huh??" ×

"Wait! Weren't we supposed to protect Sudo?"

It was Kanji Ike was the first to step forward again.

After realizing Yamauchi Haruki's true thoughts, something about him seemed to change.

Then, Karuizawa Kei turned to him and explained very simply.

"What I mean is—just like before, when Chabashira-sensei asked, Sudo was very impatient, and being an honest idiot, he didn't realize the seriousness of the matter, so he just agreed to Chabashira-sensei's request."

"The claim of '[legitimate self-defense]' is not his own thought, but rather a thought he was induced to accept, and should not be adopted."

"As for Sudo's bad temper..."

Karuizawa Kei glanced at Hoshino En in the corner, then looked at Ken Sudō sitting next to her, a kind smile on her face.

"On the day of the deliberation, I will attend with Hoshino -kun. I think Sudo's temper shouldn't be as hard as the school's desk, right?"

Search {: [-> Dead Cedar⊙∵◇Everyone: "..."

This... this... is this a threat?

They all looked towards the corner of the classroom, their gazes falling on the dented desk of Hoshino En, and then on Ken Sudō gaze remained fixed on that desk.

His throat bobbed, and his face showed undisguised terror.

... The effect seems to be quite good!!

After hearing Karuizawa Kei's remedial measures, Horikita Suzune had no objections and sat down; but Kushida Kikyo suddenly stood up again.

"Etc!"

Just when everyone thought she had some objections, this "good friend" of everyone's suddenly looked troubled and said something.

"If we use that method, won't this all fall on Chabashira-sensei's fault? Is that... really okay?"

So, you're actually worried about this??

The students in Class D looked at the girl with shoulder-length short hair and couldn't help but admire her.

Kushida- san is such a kind Little Angel!!!

Upon hearing Kushida's statement, Karuizawa Kei also showed a troubled expression in front of the whole class for the first time. Because of Ken Sudō's correction, she had just come up with this idea and had not considered the follow-up.

She frowned and thought for a while, while her classmates all watched her intently.

The air in the classroom was gradually swallowed up by the quiet atmosphere.

When the bell rang to signal the end of class and the familiar sound of high heels came from outside the classroom, Karuizawa Kei finally looked up, sighed, and said with regret.

"Kushida, your problem... I can't think of a good solution for now. But Chabashira-sensei, as our homeroom teacher, asked us for 100,000 Private Points last time, so it's time for her to sacrifice herself for us."

Chabashira Sae had just reached the door, said, "..."

Wait, what sacrifice? What did I just hear?

Are these guys planning a rebellion?!

She pushed open the front door and looked into the classroom—it was exactly the same as when she left; Karuizawa Kei was still in charge.

Oh, there seems to be an empty seat in the back; that's... the one for the Yamauchi.

Where did he go?

Wait! What happened to Hoshino's table? Why is there a dent in it??

The noise of her opening the door startled the class, and the students in Class D all saw their homeroom teacher, whom Karuizawa Kei had just declared a scapegoat.

Some students were startled, while others looked at Karuizawa Kei.

But Karuizawa Kei ignored Chabashira Sae who walked in, and finally looked at Ken Sudō and said.

"Sudo, this is the second time the whole class has helped you. Third time's the charm, please don't do it again."

"Moreover, because their methods were relatively crude this time, we still have some breathing room; if their plan had been more sophisticated, we might have been completely overwhelmed. In that case, the others might just have missed out on their earnings and have to eat wild vegetables for another month; but you might face expulsion from school."

jiu★, er>■□￥￡←QuN: "If you don't want to face that kind of risk, then change your temper and stop being a flaw for others to attack Class D."

"Yes, yes, I understand."

Although it was the kind of criticism he least wanted to hear, the other party had just given him a way to save his life, so Ken Sudō had no complaints at all. He quickly nodded in agreement.

After finishing her remark about Ken Sudō, Karuizawa Kei glanced at the whole class, ignoring Chabashira Sae who was making a [Dominance Claim] to her, and continued speaking.

"Furthermore, after this incident, our Class D must hold a criticism meeting and a reflection meeting: not only about Sudo's matter, but also our failure in the April [Behavioral Norms Exam], and our existing shortcomings. These issues must be clarified and resolved."

"This is all for the sake of earning more Class Points, living a better life, and fulfilling everyone's original purpose for joining this school—the [100% Employment and Advancement] benefit. I think no one here would object to that, right?"

The classroom was silent, but almost everyone was beaming with excitement, their eyes burning as they looked at Karuizawa Kei on the podium.

Seeing no objections, Karuizawa Kei finally smiled with satisfaction.

She then looked at the Chabashira Sae to the side and politely gave up her seat.

"Chabashira-sensei, you can have the podium back now. Your class is next."

Chabashira Sae: "..."