"Let's get moving, too! We can't let them occupy the broadcasting room forever. If this goes on too long, it'll cause even more chaos."
Jumonji Katsuto urged Kudo Mitsunobu to hurry up.
"Though it's already caused quite a stir."
Kudo Mitsunobu glanced at the students who had even stopped attending class, then quickened his pace to catch up with Jumonji Katsuto.
By the time they reached the broadcasting room, the entrance was already crowded with people. They were the last two to arrive.
"Saegusa, what's the situation?"
Jumonji Katsuto was the first to ask Saegusa Mayumi, wanting to get a handle on things.
"They've occupied the broadcasting room and are demanding that we improve the treatment of the Course 2 Students."
Saegusa Mayumi said with a troubled expression. They didn't actually need to be in such a hurry. She had already finalized the plan, and it was supposed to go before the School Council for a vote soon.
But who could have guessed that this would happen now?
"Have you considered forcing your way in?"
Watanabe Mari said bluntly. She had arrived only a few minutes before Kudo Mitsunobu and the others, so she hadn't taken part in the earlier discussion. In her eyes, these people were already criminals. There was no need to hold back.
Besides, given the strength of the people inside, those present could break in and subdue them all in just three minutes. They wouldn't cause much damage.
"We can't do that. They seem to want a peaceful solution, too. Forcing our way in will only make the conflict worse."
Ichihara Suzune shook her head, clearly disagreeing with Watanabe Mari's suggestion.
None of the suggestions made so far seemed reliable or practical, and the atmosphere among those present grew tense.
"Should we consider accepting their proposal and agree to negotiations, while first resolving the issue of their occupying school facilities?"
"Besides, everyone here wants to put an end to the hostility between the Course 1 Students and the Course 2 Students, don't they?"
Kudo Mitsunobu offered a suggestion, trying to find another way to resolve the situation.
"That's a good idea." Saegusa Mayumi immediately voiced her approval of Kudo Mitsunobu's proposal. After all, of all the solutions they had discussed, this was the most practical.
"I agree."
Even Watanabe Mari, who had been quite forceful moments earlier, agreed after giving it some thought.
"Then that's settled!"
Jumonji Katsuto's nod meant the solution had been decided. After all, the three most powerful figures at school had agreed, leaving no room for anyone else to object.
Even the hardliners led by Hattori Hanzo had no choice but to drop the matter.
"That leaves contacting the people inside. Does anyone here have their contact information?"
"If not, I'll go borrow a megaphone!"
Kudo Mitsunobu looked around. Everyone shook their heads. Only Shiba Tatsuya pulled his mobile terminal from his jacket pocket.
The call rang a few times before the other end picked up.
"Shiba, what did you want?"
A girl's voice came through the phone. Shiba Miyuki's expression immediately darkened, while a hint of amusement appeared on Kudo Mitsunobu's face.
Shiba Tatsuya naturally noticed his sister's change in mood, but this was no time to explain why he had a girl's number saved on his mobile terminal.
"Sayaka, are you in the projection room right now?"
"Yes. What is it, Shiba?"
Shiba Tatsuya lowered the mobile terminal from his ear and looked to the others, asking silently how he should respond.
Kudo Mitsunobu reached out, signaling for Shiba Tatsuya to hand him the terminal. Shiba Tatsuya passed it over without hesitation.
"Sorry, Sayaka."
"I'm Kudo Mitsunobu, vice president of the Student Council."
After Kudo Mitsunobu introduced himself, Mibu Sayaka fell silent for a moment.
"What do you want? We won't come out until the school agrees to our demands."
"I'm calling to tell you that we've agreed to your request for negotiations."
"Otherwise, we'd be forcing our way in right now."
Kudo Mitsunobu spoke coldly. His attitude was understandable, since he had always disliked fools who couldn't see reason.
There was a long silence on the other end. They were probably discussing whether to accept.
"We accept your offer to negotiate," Mibu Sayaka's voice came through the phone again.
Kudo Mitsunobu felt his mood sour even further. They were the ones who had asked for negotiations, yet now they sounded as if the Student Council were begging them.
"Then come out of the projection room right away so we can discuss the details. This situation is also disrupting the school's normal operations."
"Wait. How will you guarantee our safety?"
Mibu Sayaka interrupted Kudo Mitsunobu.
"Sayaka, although the Student Council has agreed to your request for negotiations, you don't really think you can do something like this and get away without punishment, do you? You don't expect us to forgive you just like that, do you?"
Kudo Mitsunobu's sneer deepened.
"But we only wanted to demand the treatment we deserve."
"You caused a disturbance on campus, used magic in violation of the rules, and recklessly incited students. Do I need to list all your offenses?"
"If you want to demand better treatment, you can come straight to the Student Council. But after what you've done, there's no way this can be settled easily."
"I can guarantee that the negotiations will be fair, impartial, and open. But we can wait until afterward to judge you for your crimes."
Kudo Mitsunobu had no interest in lying to them and promising that they would be forgiven. He told them the truth. If they still refused to see reason, there would be only one outcome for them.
The people on the other end seemed unnerved by Kudo Mitsunobu's icy tone. His uncompromising attitude made it clear that this was their final warning. They had only two choices: accept or refuse.
A while later, the door opened.
The Course 2 Students inside filed out, led by Mibu Sayaka, who had just spoken with Kudo Mitsunobu.
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