Framing and Cover-up, Secrecy and Compromise Amidst Chaos

Taking advantage of the moment Hirata was searching others, Haruki Yamauchi slipped over to Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. His face was frantic, his tone hurried and laced with a hint of desperation: "Ayanokoji-kun, help me, I'm begging you!"

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji turned his head to look at Haruki's panicked expression, his tone flat and devoid of any ripples: "What is it?"

Haruki hurriedly lowered his voice, gripping Ayanokoji's arm tightly, his eyes filled with terror: "I... I don't know who stuffed Kei Karuizawa's underwear into my pocket. If Hirata-kun searches me next, he'll definitely think I'm the one who stole it. I really didn't do it, I don't know who put it there! Ayanokoji-kun, please, just help me hide it, or... or say that you accidentally picked it up. I'm begging you, I don't want everyone to think I'm a thief!"

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji frowned and gently pulled his arm away. His tone remained flat, yet carried a trace of unquestionable refusal: "I cannot help you. This matter has nothing to do with me, and I will not take responsibility for something that isn't mine." Having said that, he subconsciously took a step back to maintain his distance from Haruki, his expression cold as he stopped looking at him, clearly not wanting to be implicated in the affair.

Rejected by Ayanokoji, Haruki Yamauchi completely lost his composure; his legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to the ground. He looked at Ayanokoji's cold back, then glanced at Hirata, who was slowly approaching. A sense of despair surged into his heart, his face turning deathly pale, and his entire body began to tremble even more violently.

"Yamauchi-kun, it's your turn." Hirata's voice was gentle, yet carried an irresistible authority. He had already finished searching the other boys and only Haruki remained. Seeing the panic on Haruki's face, a flash of doubt crossed Hirata's eyes, but he didn't dwell on it, assuming Haruki was simply nervous about being suspected.

Haruki's body went rigid as he slowly extended his arms, allowing Hirata to search him. Hirata's movements were gentle, and he quickly felt the foreign object in the pocket of Haruki's jacket. He paused for a brief moment, his fingertips stalling, before he inconspicuously retrieved the underwear and quickly gripped it in his palm, ensuring no one around could see.

Hirata's gaze swept over Haruki's pale face and panicked eyes. He knew clearly that if he revealed the underwear now, Haruki would be condemned by everyone and perhaps even ostracized by the class. The internal conflict within Class D would only intensify, which was exactly the result the enemy wanted, and he had his own reasons for needing to protect his classmates.

Thinking this, Hirata discreetly stuffed the underwear into his own pocket, then looked up and flashed a gentle smile at the group, saying loudly: "Everyone, rest assured, no abnormalities were found on Yamauchi-kun. So far, all the boys and their tents have been searched, and the missing item has not been found."

At these words, everyone was stunned. The girls wore expressions of disbelief and began to question him: "How is that possible? Hirata-kun, did you miss something? How could you not find it?" "You must have gone easy on him! Maybe Yamauchi-kun really did steal it, and you're covering for him!"

Hirata kept his gentle smile, patiently explaining: "Please trust me, I have searched thoroughly, and it truly wasn't there. Perhaps Kei accidentally misplaced it, or maybe the wind was strong last night and blew it into the woods. We can search the area around the campsite again; we might find it. Besides, I believe in the boys of Class D. They are upright people who wouldn't do such sordid things. Let's not suspect each other anymore, so as not to damage our harmony."

Although Kei Karuizawa was still somewhat unwilling, she looked at Hirata's firm gaze and recalled his character, eventually nodding: "Hirata, I believe you. Let's search the surrounding area again."

Seeing Kei relent, the other girls stopped questioning. The boys breathed a sigh of relief, their eyes filled with gratitude as they looked at Hirata—they all knew that he had likely found something but intentionally concealed it to quell the disturbance and prevent further internal conflict within the class.

Hirata signaled for everyone to spread out and search around the campsite, then quietly pulled Haruki Yamauchi aside to a secluded patch of shade. He lowered his voice, his tone serious: "Yamauchi-kun, I know you didn't do it. I've already taken the underwear, so you don't need to be afraid."

Upon hearing this, Haruki's eyes turned red instantly, and he hurriedly bowed to thank Hirata: "Hirata-kun, thank you, thank you for helping me. I really didn't steal it, I don't know who put that thing in my pocket..."

"I know." Hirata patted Haruki's shoulder, his tone softening significantly. "It's possible you were framed. The reason I didn't make a scene is that I don't want you to be ostracized, nor do I want internal conflict in Class D to give our enemies an opening."

Haruki nodded quickly, tears spilling over: "I understand, Hirata-kun. I will be careful from now on."

"Good." Hirata nodded, took the underwear from his pocket, and quietly tucked it deep into his backpack. "Let this matter end here. Don't tell anyone else, including the other students. I will investigate the ins and outs of this matter in secret. You should also keep an eye on the people around you, especially Mio Ibuki. If you notice anything unusual, tell me immediately."

"Right, I'll definitely keep watch!" Haruki nodded eagerly, the stone in his heart finally dropping as he felt immense gratitude toward Hirata.

The two returned to the group, and Hirata said to everyone: "Everyone, search carefully, especially the edge of the woods and around the tents; we might still find it. Also, those on watch, please be vigilant today to prevent similar incidents from happening again."

Everyone agreed and dispersed to search around the campsite. Mio Ibuki stood in the crowd, watching everything unfold, a flash of doubt and frustration crossing her eyes—she had clearly stuffed the underwear into Haruki's pocket, so why did Hirata say he hadn't found anything after searching? Had Hirata failed to find it, or had Haruki moved it?

She felt anxious inwardly but dared not show it, forced to act as if nothing had happened while searching with the others. Secretly, however, she observed every move Haruki and Hirata made, trying to find a flaw. Meanwhile, Suzune Horikita stood to the side, watching Mio's expression and recalling Ayanokoji's warning from last night, a flicker of vigilance in her eyes—she was certain this matter had to do with Mio, and that Hirata's silence was likely to quell the disturbance while he investigated in secret.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji remained at the edge of the crowd, his expression calm as if everything that had just happened had nothing to do with him. But only he knew that he had already seen through it all—Mio framing Haruki, Hirata providing cover; this chaos was merely the first step in Ryuen's plan to disrupt the order of Class D. And he had already planted the seeds of a counterattack in his heart, waiting for the right moment to completely tear away Mio's disguise.