The Truth

"From the video, it really does seem to have nothing to do with Kato Satsu. After all, no man would have his back turned to a woman while trying to take advantage of her."

Though Tachibana Akane sounded confused, she still spoke honestly in the face of the facts.

Nobody in the room picked up the conversation. Everyone wore a thoughtful expression.

"The video clearly captures a scream. There's no doubt it was Yamamoto Sae's voice." (Chabashira Sae)

"The problem is Kato Satsu's actions. They clearly contradict Sae's account, but..." (The Class 2-C homeroom teacher)

"But according to Kato, Sae tore her own clothes. If she could have taken them off, why tear them?" (Miyabi Nagumo)

"Besides, with a nearly naked woman standing in front of him, Kato Satsu's reaction as a man was almost as if..." (Miyabi Nagumo)

"As if he knew in advance that Sae would do that, and acted that way on purpose to get himself off the hook." (Horikita Manabu)

Hearing their thoughts, Satsu couldn't help breaking into a cold sweat. These people were astonishing. They'd pieced together most of the truth just by speculating.

"Why don't I get everyone some tea? You can take your time thinking it over," Satsu asked tentatively.

He'd said something completely out of left field, trying to break the silence. As he spoke, he started to get up.

Horikita Manabu glanced at him, then asked Sae in a steady voice, "Yamamoto Sae, do you have anything else to say?"

"Based on the evidence so far, it's obvious that you're lying."

At those words, anger welled up in Sae. She slammed the table and shouted, "I'm lying? Why would I risk my own reputation to frame him? What kind of girl would do that?"

"You said you learned from your homeroom teacher that Kato Satsu and Kuraku had agreed to get you expelled."

Miyabi Nagumo interjected out of the blue, then looked at the Class 2-C homeroom teacher and asked as if seeking confirmation.

"I'm not mistaken, am I, teacher?"

The teacher gave a slight nod, confirming it. "That's right. Sae came to ask me about it, and I answered her honestly."

Nagumo finally relaxed. With the air of someone who'd seen through everything, he said,

"Kato Satsu had been at the school for only two days when word got around that he'd gotten two upperclassmen expelled. You were scared."

"So, to keep yourself from getting expelled, you decided to strike first and get him expelled instead. After all, the best defense is a good offense."

Nagumo propped his leg up on the table and studied Sae in a most relaxed pose. She, however, looked furious.

Satsu, sitting nearby, also looked smug. The situation was clearly in his favor now.

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before Sae was branded a false accuser.

But just then, a voice that grated on Satsu's ears reached him.

"You went to the homeroom teacher to ask about it. The teacher didn't tell you first. That means you were only checking whether the agreement was real."

Horikita Manabu had spotted the crucial detail. He said calmly, "So, who told you about the agreement between Kato Satsu and Kuraku?"

Suzune's brother really is something! He easily notices what everyone else overlooks. (Kato Satsu)

Satsu stared intently at Sae. He wanted to know what she'd do. Would she betray Arisu?

Sae visibly struggled with her decision, but in less than a minute, she seemed to resolve to go down fighting. She spoke agitatedly:

"It was Sakayanagi Arisu from Class 1-A. She told me about it, and she was the one who came up with the idea of framing Kato Satsu. I was just carrying out her plan."

As she spoke, she started crying again. "I was really scared. I don't want to be expelled! I don't want to be expelled!"

She cried just as sincerely as before, making it impossible to tell whether she was genuine.

Even so, not one person present showed the slightest sympathy.

Satsu was certain of it, thanks to his mind-reading ability. Even Tachibana Akane was thinking about what had really happened, not focusing on Sae.

"Tell Class 1-A to send Sakayanagi Arisu to the Student Council Office for questioning," Horikita Manabu said coldly.

Satsu wasn't surprised that Sae had chosen to name Arisu.

What truly surprised him was Hashimoto and Kamuro's reaction. They'd remained unruffled from beginning to end.

Their leader's plan had clearly failed, and they'd been dragged into the mess, yet they were still so calm.

Arisu had anticipated that Sae might fail! (Kato Satsu)

And she didn't tell these two about her next plan. I can't read anything! (Kato Satsu)

Now it was Satsu's turn to grit his teeth. All he could do was wait for Arisu to arrive, read her mind to learn what came next, and then figure out how to respond.

But if there really was another plan, why didn't I read it when I had dinner with her earlier? It can't be that someone could actually evade mind reading, right? (Kato Satsu)

This isn't a game. She can't just use cheats! (Kato Satsu)

Arisu entered the Student Council Office without a hint of haste, a composed smile on her face. Clearly, she'd anticipated this outcome.

The instant Arisu walked through the door, Satsu began reading her mind. When he learned the whole truth, he was struck as if by lightning.

This woman is terrifying! (Kato Satsu)

Her plan would have worked no matter which way things turned out. It's perfect! (Kato Satsu)

Once Arisu had taken her seat, Horikita Manabu began questioning her. "Sakayanagi Arisu, did you tell Sae about the agreement between Satsu and Kuraku to get her expelled?"

"And did you also suggest that Sae frame Satsu so he'd be expelled?"

Arisu answered fluently and without the slightest hesitation. She must have rehearsed it countless times in her head.

"I did, but I was only following Satsu's instructions."

At Arisu's words, everyone turned to look at Satsu. He felt as awful as if he'd just sniffed a middle-aged man's armpit.

"That day, I had dinner with him. Satsu told me about his agreement with Kuraku and asked me to help."

"He told me to steer Sae into doing that. Then he could turn around and accuse her of framing him, and get her expelled."

"The proof is that he has a black rabbit plushie at home. Its eyes are miniature cameras. He'd originally intended to use it to record a video of himself staying calm and doing nothing."

As Arisu spoke, she kept her eyes on Satsu. Her expression was playful, as if she were savoring his anger.

"But because Hashimoto and Kamuro were there, he didn't get to use it."

Damn it! If I hadn't resisted Sae's temptation, Hashimoto and Kamuro would have recorded me, and I'd have been guilty of assaulting a female classmate! (Kato Satsu)

If I had resisted, the miniature camera in the plushie would have been irrefutable proof that I'd set her up! (Kato Satsu)

The reason I didn't read about the next part of the plan earlier was that Arisu never thought I'd resist temptation, so she never planned beyond that! (Kato Satsu)

"Damn it!" Satsu gritted his teeth and spat.