Reproach and Threats

Satsu hadn't slept well all night. His mind was consumed with how to explain to Suzune that he had stopped her from holding the study sessions.

In the long run, he really shouldn't have agreed to play along with Ayanokoji. He'd disrupted the course of events, and he had no idea whether Ayanokoji would still go buy past exam papers later.

Without attending the study sessions or having the answer key, the Sudo trio's academic performance would probably land them in Class E—expelled.

Having the Sudo trio expelled now would do Class D no good. And that was without even considering whether failing the exam and getting expelled would cost them Class Points.

Ike had his own role to play in the Uninhabited Island Exam, and Sudo went without saying—he could shine at the Sports Festival.

Even Yamauchi could play an important role in the upcoming voting exam.

All things considered, there was more to gain than lose by keeping the three of them around for now.

But whatever!

Hadn't I already done plenty to disrupt the course of events?

Satsu muttered to himself, "I dealt with the clerk who harassed Airi. I haven't even met the tyrant from Class C or that library NPC yet."

"What do I care what happens to Class D? Not offending Ayanokoji matters more than the whole of Class D."

All day, Satsu waited for Suzune to reproach him, but she didn't even seem to have any such intention.

That surprised Satsu. Had Ayanokoji still not reported back to Suzune?

With that question in mind, he kept his eyes fixed on Ayanokoji and Suzune, hoping to glean some information by reading their minds.

"What is it? Why are you suddenly looking over here?"

Suzune noticed Satsu's gaze almost instantly and asked him.

Seriously, does she have to be such a freak? She looks completely absorbed in her work, yet she can tell right away that I'm looking at her.

"I just suddenly felt someone staring at me with a lecherous gaze."

At her words, the corner of Satsu's mouth twitched involuntarily.

"L-Lecherous?!"

Satsu said, sounding a little angry, "How could I possibly be lecherous?"

"And could you look at me when you talk instead of working on that stupid problem?"

"What else would you call staring at a girl for no reason?"

As she spoke, Suzune looked up at Satsu and said, "So, what do you want?"

"Nothing! Can't I admire a beauty?" Satsu replied brazenly.

"Scientific research has proven that men who look at beautiful women live longer."

"Idiot!"

Suzune rolled her eyes at Satsu, then bent back over her work.

Although Ayanokoji had spent the whole time staring out the window in a daze, there was no way he hadn't heard his deskmates arguing.

Perhaps their argument reminded him, because only after Satsu and Suzune had finished did Ayanokoji stand and walk over to her. He said calmly,

"Horikita, could I speak with you privately? There's something I want to tell you."

Suzune had clearly been irritated by Satsu just moments ago, and her words came out sharp. "What? Kato's gone crazy today, and now you're going crazy too, Ayanokoji?"

Ayanokoji didn't seem to mind her hostile tone. "It's about the study sessions you're organizing."

Once she realized he had something important to discuss, Suzune calmed down. She stood and followed Ayanokoji into the hallway.

Fine, fine! So now he's finally telling Suzune!

Satsu grumbled to himself. He'd spent all day on edge, thinking every time Suzune so much as stirred that she was about to come yell at him.

But on second thought, it made sense. If Ayanokoji had reported back to Suzune last night, that would've been too soon. Who reported a failed mission the moment they got it?

Just as expected, barely two minutes later, Suzune stormed back in.

She slammed both hands onto Satsu's desk and demanded, "Kato Satsu! What on earth is the matter with you?!"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb with me!"

Seeing Satsu pretend not to know what she was talking about, Suzune's anger flared. "I'm talking about the study sessions!"

"If you don't want to help, fine, but you even threatened Ayanokoji, saying you'd give him trouble if he helped me!"

"Ah! That's what you told Suzune!" Kato Satsu exclaimed.

Looking at the innocent Ayanokoji beside her, Satsu felt as if a stampede of horses were racing through his mind. But what was done was done. There was no point arguing now, so he gave the explanation he'd prepared earlier.

"I just don't think there's any need for you to help them."

Suzune froze. "I don't understand your logic. What's wrong with me helping them?"

"It's just that..."

Before Satsu could finish, Chabashira called from the doorway, "Kato Satsu, come to the office for a moment."

Ichinose stood beside Chabashira, looking at Satsu thoughtfully.

"That's that. I've got something else to take care of now."

Satsu stood and left. Suzune was unhappy, but since it was Chabashira-sensei calling, she couldn't very well say anything.

She turned to Ayanokoji and said, "Keep working on the task I gave you."

"But... I told you, Satsu..." Ayanokoji declined tactfully.

"Don't worry about him. I'll deal with him." Suzune's tone was firm, leaving little room for refusal.

"But..."

"Hmm!"

When Ayanokoji tried to refuse again, Suzune picked up the click pen on Satsu's desk and gave him a threatening "Hmm!"

"You're afraid of Kato's threats, but not the violence right in front of you?"

"All right... I understand," Ayanokoji conceded.