Make Horikita Suzune Apologize

Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, Class Trial.

"What are you laughing at? Have you given up on treatment because you can't refute my points? In that case—"

"Alright, alright, Class C, stop laughing too. How about this, Horikita-san? Let's stick to the old rules: apologize to me, and I'll forgive you."

Amasawa Reigetsu's voice wasn't loud, but it possessed a magical quality that made everyone stop what they were doing to listen intently, ruthlessly cutting off Horikita Suzune's further rebuttal.

"Gomen na—no! Why should I apologize to you?! You're the one who did something wrong this time! I've already seen through your scheme, so hurry up and declare this trial invalid!"

Horikita Suzune almost blurted out "gomen nasai" due to muscle memory, and her body reacted strangely; it seemed that every time Amasawa Reigetsu made her apologize, her heart would race—

"Zannen~ What a pity. The things Horikita-san is imagining have zero risk of happening in reality... By the way, the Student Council President personally handed this task to me."

"Did you hear that, Horikita-chan?"

Amasawa Reigetsu stepped down from the podium and walked straight to the right side of the long table, stopping in front of Horikita Suzune. The distance between them narrowed infinitely. Amasawa leaned in slightly, extended his index finger, and with a touch of playfulness and irresistible force, gently hooked Horikita Suzune's fair chin, forcing her to look up.

Amasawa Reigetsu looked down at Horikita's face as if admiring a piece of art he had just shattered, savoring the complex expression on Horikita Suzune's face—a mixture of disbelief, bewilderment, anger, resentment, and humiliation.

"You—!"

Horikita Suzune's pupils contracted violently. A sense of humiliation rushed to her head, but at the same time, she felt the strength drain from her body. Before she could process the physical change, Horikita Suzune gritted her teeth, ready to curse Amasawa Reigetsu for his shamelessness.

However, before she could enjoy the thrill of the fight, a cold palm quietly covered her lips from behind.

Ayanokoji Kiyoko had appeared behind her like a ghost, her movements holding an inescapable restraint.

"Mmph!"

Horikita Suzune's eyes widened, a muffled sound of protest escaping her throat. She knew Ayanokoji Kiyoko was one of Amasawa Reigetsu's people, but she hadn't expected such blatant betrayal.

Seeing this, Sudo, who was standing to the side, felt his eyes split with rage. A surge of hot blood rushed to his head; he had to protect the best Horikita-san in the world!

He charged forward like an enraged lion, not forgetting to loudly greet the parents of both Ayanokoji and Amasawa, and swung his fist toward them.

Amasawa Reigetsu: Big brother, can you stop fighting? I'm just teasing a girl, and you want to get expelled again? You're impossible to carry, truly impossible!

Just as Sudo's wind-whipping fist was about to make contact, Amasawa Reigetsu and Ayanokoji Kiyoko, as if they had a tacit understanding, released their hold simultaneously. The two stepped back unhurriedly, whistling as if nothing had happened.

This scene fell into the eyes of Ryuen Kakeru, and a look of gravity immediately appeared on his face.

"Amasawa Reigetsu from Class A, Ayanokoji Kiyoko from Class D. Their movement rhythm is unusual, and there's clearly an unusual bond between them. This combination needs to be watched closely."

Sudo's punch swung into thin air, and his momentum caused him to stumble forward twice, stopping right in front of Horikita Suzune.

He panted heavily, turned his head, and awkwardly locked eyes with Horikita Suzune, who had just regained her freedom and was still breathing heavily.

"Let's make a deal, a deal regarding you bunch of defective products. If Horikita Suzune apologizes to me, I'll give you one more day to find evidence. Otherwise... say goodbye to your classmate Sudo."

Amasawa Reigetsu returned to the podium and, seeing the Secretary—who had never seen such a spectacle and was staring blankly—couldn't help but find it amusing. He pinched the hand she hadn't placed on the table.

"Eh!? Oh! Boss is right. Horikita-san, as a leader, I hope you can protect your classmates well!"

Ichinose Honami realized she had been dazed and was startled by the Boss... but the Boss really likes pinching her hand, doesn't he? Could the Boss have a hand fetish?

Horikita Suzune felt Amasawa Reigetsu's playful gaze and took a deep breath, her chest heaving as if to suppress all the emotions in her heart.

Endure humiliation to achieve one's goal.

"Gomen nasai... Amasawa-sama."

Her body's reaction felt a bit strange; her hands wouldn't stop trembling, and breathing was a bit difficult. Is this what enduring humiliation feels like?

Horikita Suzune concluded that she was still damp.

Sudo Ken watched the scene of Horikita Suzune apologizing to Amasawa Reigetsu from the side, his heart breaking; he felt like an incompetent husband.

His fists tightened.

Amasawa Reigetsu, just you wait! I'm going to rip your scalp off!

With Horikita Suzune's apology, the Class Trial was temporarily adjourned. Amasawa Reigetsu kept his word and gave Class D one day to find evidence, and the crowd dispersed.

After leaving the Class Trial, Ryuen Kakeru recovered from the entertainment of watching the show and realized something was wrong.

"Wait, that's not right? Amasawa only made Horikita apologize, and he gave Class D a day of breathing room!? Damn it, I was misled! Amasawa Reigetsu is siding with Class D, not just looking for fun!!"

Ryuen Kakeru muttered to himself, then was shocked and slammed his fist against the wall.

"The outcome must be decided tomorrow... preferably before the Class Trial begins!"

Ryuen Kakeru began to think of countermeasures, while Shiina Hiyori, standing behind him, had her focus elsewhere.

"Misled...?"

Shiina Hiyori wrote the word on a sticky note.

Class D was not so quiet after the dispersal. Sudo blocked Ayanokoji Kiyoko's path, questioning why she betrayed the class to help Amasawa Reigetsu.

"Move, red-haired monkey."

"What the hell did you say? Do you think I won't hit you just because you're a girl?"

Sudo Ken was easily triggered and was ready to start killing again.

"Stop it, Sudo. Ayanokoji was doing it for my sake. If we had continued at that time, given Amasawa's personality, he really would have had you expelled."

Horikita Suzune stopped Sudo Ken.

"The priority right now is to find evidence; we only have one day."

"A wise choice, Horikita."

This was the first time Ayanokoji had ever praised her.

Horikita Suzune blushed.

Horikita Suzune, what are you blushing for, you teapot!?

Could it be?