External Punishment

The chaos at the poolside spread like ripples from a stone thrown into water, growing wider and wider.

Sudo Ken's over-the-top "cramp" wails sounded especially grating and foolish against the crash of Ryuen's kicked sign and the girls' startled cries. Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki stood frozen, faces ashen, minds blank. Ichinose Honami, Hirata Yosuke, Karuizawa Kei, and the others watched the abrupt turn of events and the undisguised malice on Ryuen's face, finally realizing this was far from a simple "cramp." Horikita Suzune's cool expression was frosty, her gaze like a blade stabbing at Sudo writhing on the ground and the petrified Ike and Yamauchi.

Kazama In stood at the edge of the commotion, his dark eyes calmly observing everything. Chaos, stupidity, malice... all within his expectations. He was like a chess master behind the scenes, having already laid out his board, waiting only for the pieces to fall as he willed.

Time rewound to when Kazama In first learned of Sudo and the others' foolish photo-taking plan.

He contacted Student Council President Horikita Manabu immediately.

"President, Class D's Sudo Ken, Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sotomura plan to sneak into the women's changing room during the summer Water Park trip to plant hidden cameras." Kazama In's voice came through the encrypted line, utterly flat.

"...Utterly idiotic." Horikita Manabu's voice carried a chill. "What do you plan to do? Stop them early?"

"No." Kazama In's answer was decisive. "Stopping them early won't teach them enough of a lesson. They need to taste the brink of success, then be utterly crushed just as they're closest to their goal. That's more effective than any lecture."

"...You want to use someone else's blade?" Horikita Manabu grasped his intent instantly.

"Yes. I need a sufficiently 'vicious' disruptor to expose their plan publicly and ensure the photo-taking fails. Target: Ryuen Kakeru."

"Ryuen? Why would he help you?"

"Tell him: Class D has fools playing with fire, location is the Water Park women's changing room. Give him a chance to publicly humiliate Class D, strike at Sudo (a continuation of the last incident), and 'show goodwill' or 'flex' toward me. He can't refuse." Kazama In's voice was cold calculation. "In exchange, he can 'act freely,' as long as there's no real physical harm or irreversible privacy breach. Also, the possible alternate entry point in the women's changing room's vent needs to be sealed in advance."

"The vent?" Horikita Manabu was slightly surprised by Kazama In's thoroughness.

"Double insurance. Sudo's plan might include using the ventilation ducts. I need to ensure nothing goes wrong. This requires... Sakayanagi Arisu's help. Her subordinate Kamuro Sumire's skills can handle this small matter silently and effortlessly."

"...You've even factored in Sakayanagi?" Horikita Manabu's voice carried a hint of complexity.

"Mutual benefit. I owe her an 'apology.' She's happy to see me in her debt, and even happier to cause trouble for Class D. She won't refuse the vent matter." Kazama In's thinking was terrifyingly meticulous. "Finally, the micro-camera left inside the 'Cleaning in Progress' sign is the only 'evidence.' It will be found, but it's not enough for expulsion. Enough to make those three lose face completely, receive severe punishment, and allow the school to impose reasonable penalties."

Thus, an invisible net was quietly cast.

Horikita Manabu, as Student Council President and through specific "information channels," leaked Class D's fools' plan to Ryuen Kakeru, hinting at "room to act freely."

When Sakayanagi Arisu received Kazama In's "request to help seal the women's changing room vent," a knowing, delighted smile spread across her face. "Onii-chan is finally going to 'pay his debt'~" She immediately instructed Kamuro Sumire to infiltrate the Water Park before the event began and silently seal the ventilation ducts completely.

Upon hearing the news, Ryuen Kakeru indeed grinned savagely. "Class D's scum... just when I was getting bored! Kazama In... wants to use my hand to clean house? Or wants to watch me perform? Hah, whatever! This fun, I'm in!"

At the poolside, Ryuen's kick of the sign was like lighting a fuse. Ignoring Sudo's "cramp" and the girls' accusations, his gaze provocatively swept over Class D, finally landing on Kazama In, his voice dripping with mockery: "Class D trash, this is all you're good for? Sneaking photos in the women's changing room? Disgusting taste!"

"Ryuen! Don't spout nonsense!" Horikita Suzune snapped, but her confidence was clearly shaken; she too had guessed the truth.

"Nonsense?" Ryuen laughed exaggeratedly, pointing at the crushed remains of the micro-camera on the ground that Albert had stomped. "Then what's this? A cleaner's new toy? Want me to have Ibuki read out the memory card for everyone to enjoy?" Ibuki Mio cooperated with a cold smile.

Class D's faces changed drastically! Solid evidence! Sudo's wailing stopped; his face was ashen. Ike and Yamauchi wished they could crawl into a hole.

Just then, Kazama In's phone rang. The special ringtone made his dark pupils contract slightly. He pulled out his phone; the screen showed "Horikita Manabu." He answered and held it to his ear.

Horikita Manabu's steady voice came through, just one line: "Kazama, it's time to end this farce. Let me see your 'handling' ability."

Kazama In was silent for a second, then replied with only one word: "Good."

Hanging up, Kazama In's gaze swept over the chaotic scene—Ryuen's arrogant provocation, Horikita Suzune's anger, Ichinose and the others' shock and worry, Sudo and the others' despair... He let out a soft sigh, barely audible, yet carrying a sense of helplessness born of total control.

He took a step forward, and under the stunned, confused, and even faintly hopeful gazes of everyone, he calmly walked toward the center of the conflict—the standoff between Ryuen and Class D.

"That's enough." Kazama In's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange penetrating quality, instantly overpowering all the noise. He stood between Ryuen and Horikita Suzune, his gaze calmly fixed on Ryuen. "Ryuen, your 'performance' was quite good. Your goal is achieved. Time to leave."

Ryuen squinted, looking at this "Arbiter" who stirred the winds and clouds yet stood apart, his grin widening. "Oh? The Vice President Kazama speaks? What, want to protect your Class D 'treasures'?"

"Not protect." Kazama In's voice was utterly flat. "It's ending this farce. You kicked the sign, crushed the thing—that's enough 'help.' Keep going, and it benefits no one." His words carried a pointed meaning, reminding Ryuen to know when to stop, or the Student Council's involvement might drag him in too.

Ryuen stared at Kazama In for a few seconds, as if weighing his options. Finally, he snorted. "Hmph! Boring! Let's go!" He waved his hand grandly and, like a victorious general, swaggered out of the pool area with Albert and Ibuki, not forgetting to shoot Sudo and the others a look of utter contempt before leaving.

The pressure from Ryuen's side vanished, but the low atmosphere within Class D grew even heavier. Everyone looked at Kazama In, waiting for his "handling."

Kazama In didn't look at Sudo or the others. Instead, he raised his head, his gaze fixed on the rooftop of the Water Park's main building, and spoke clearly: "President, you've watched the show long enough. Time to come down and pass judgment."

Everyone followed his gaze.

There, by the rooftop railing, two figures had appeared without anyone noticing.

Student Council President Horikita Manabu stood in casual clothes, yet his bearing remained steady. Beside him stood Secretary Tachibana Akane, wearing an elegant, fitting purple one-piece swimsuit with a sun-protective shawl over it, holding a document in her hand.

The two quickly descended to the pool area via the staff elevator. Horikita Manabu's presence instantly made the atmosphere even more solemn and tense.

"President..." Horikita Suzune looked at her brother, her expression complex.

Horikita Manabu gave her a slight nod, his sharp gaze sweeping the entire scene before finally landing on the collapsed Sudo Ken, Ike Kanji, and Yamauchi Haruki.

Tachibana Akane stepped forward, opened the document, and read in her usual clear, calm tone:

"Upon investigation by the Student Council, Class D students Sudo Ken, Ike Kanji, and Yamauchi Haruki, during this summer Water Park trip, conspired to commit and carried out the following serious violations of school rules:

1. Forging a 'Cleaning in Progress' sign to illegally seal off the women's changing room area, disrupting public order.

2. Intending to illegally install hidden camera equipment inside the women's changing room, severely infringing on others' privacy, an act of extreme malice.

3. After the plan was exposed, attempting to use false excuses (Sudo Ken claiming a leg cramp) to confuse the situation and obstruct the investigation.

Evidence is conclusive, including the remains of the photo-taking equipment seized on-site (discovered and destroyed by Ryuen Kakeru and others, preventing a privacy breach), relevant witness testimony, and intelligence gathered in advance by the Student Council."

Tachibana Akane's voice was like a cold gavel; with each charge read, Sudo and the others' heads drooped lower, their bodies trembling harder.

"Now, in accordance with School Rules Chapter 7, Articles 3, 9, and 12, the ruling is as follows:

1. Sudo Ken, Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki, and Sotomura will have all remaining personal points for this semester deducted."

2. The four individuals are hereby issued a severe warning within the school, which will be recorded in their files.

3. This incident will be publicly criticized throughout the entire school as a warning to others.

Should any similar or more serious disciplinary violations occur in the future, immediate expulsion will be enforced without leniency!"

As the verdict was pronounced, a dead silence fell over the poolside. Only the sound of splashing water and the distant clamor of tourists could be heard.

Sudo Ken collapsed completely to the ground, his head buried low. Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki were ashen-faced, trembling all over. The immense shame and punishment, like ice water poured over their heads, brought them to their senses and filled them with unprecedented fear.

Horikita Manabu took back the documents handed over by Tachibana Akane, his gaze sharp as he looked at Kazama In, then swept over all the Class D and Class B students present. His voice was authoritative: "As students, you should prioritize your studies and moral character! Such despicable acts are disgraceful! I hope all students will take this as a warning! The Student Council will notify Class D's homeroom teacher, Chabashira, separately. You are dismissed!"

With that, Horikita Manabu and Tachibana Akane turned and left, leaving behind a heavy silence by the poolside.

The sun was still blazing hot, and the pool water shimmered with rippling light, but the joyful atmosphere had long vanished. The foolish misdeeds, under the combined effect of The Arbiter's chess game and the disruptor's fangs, were completely exposed to the sunlight and received their due judgment. Kazama In stood still, his jet-black eyes reflecting the clear pool water, as well as the dejected backs of Sudo and the other two. This summer poolside farce had come to an end with the harshest public punishment.