Shattered Hope

"So! If the school really knows, why didn't they just tell us directly?"

"Because the school wants to test our ability to solve problems independently. To that end, they not only gave us a buffer period but are also testing what kind of conclusion we can ultimately reach."

[Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's Perspective]

The time agreed upon with Horikita arrived as scheduled. I placed the fake surveillance cameras I had purchased using a large amount of points borrowed from Class B and arrived at the designated spot, looking down at Ishizaki and his two companions from a superior vantage point.

The scorching sun, the sharp, oppressive language—all these factors combined to produce the terrified expressions on the faces of the three, as well as their slightly trembling hands.

Even though Ayanokoji Kiyotaka knew that Horikita's plan had an extremely dangerous flaw, under such high-pressure circumstances, few people could remain calm, let alone three high school students.

"If you just think carefully about yesterday's conversation, don't you think the school saw through the truth long ago?"

Recalling the words spoken by the man named Chiba Yu last night, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka knew that they were already like an arrow on a drawn bow; they had no choice but to fire.

For this reason, they could only gamble—gamble that the factor he... they considered a dangerous flaw would not appear at this moment.

"I... I don't want to be expelled!"

"Hey, Ishizaki! Let's go to the school and admit we lied. Maybe the school will show mercy and let us off."

Just as the three began to show signs of discord and even started clutching their heads in frustration, Horikita Suzune, who had been hiding in the background, stepped out.

She told the three that as long as they personally withdrew their accusations and aligned their testimonies, even the school would be unable to continue pursuing the matter.

Facing the dual pressure from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Horikita Suzune, the three, already on the verge of a mental breakdown, were unable to think clearly.

I see. It seems the outcome has been decided...

"Heh, tell me, Suzune, what exactly are you and your little puppy saying to the students of my class?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka opened his eyes wide, looking at the man who had suddenly appeared not far away—the one known as the tyrant, Ryuen Kakeru.

The fatal flaw in Horikita Suzune's plan had arrived on the scene at this very moment!

"Ry... Ryuen-aniki!"

At this moment, Ishizaki and his two companions seemed to see a faint glimmer of light in the darkness, casting hopeful gazes toward the man named Ryuen Kakeru.

This is trouble...

"Ry... Ryuen, heh, I just didn't want to see anyone punished by the school because they didn't know the full picture."

This is bad, Horikita. If only you could control your facial expressions while saying that.

Watching the wavering look on Horikita Suzune's face, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka could only feel helpless.

"That sounds nice," Ryuen sneered. "Tell me, Suzune, didn't this whole thing start because the monkey in your class hit a student in my class first? Yet now you're saying it was someone from my class who started the provocation. Do you have any proof?"

"Of course I do! Everything they said just now was recorded by this voice recorder." Horikita Suzune righteously pulled a recorder from her pocket; she had brought it just in case.

"Tch!" Ryuen snorted, saying dismissively, "I don't think a confession made under your threats has any substantive validity. If you think it's useful, then go ahead and hand it over to the school."

Ryuen's refusal to acknowledge the facts left Horikita Suzune fuming, but she had to admit that Ryuen was right—the school might even respond with the same logic. For a moment, the situation reached a stalemate.

"Alright, you three, come back with me!"

Ryuen glared fiercely at Ishizaki and the others. Under that ruthless gaze and threat, the three didn't dare say another word and scurried along behind him.

Ryuen looked at Horikita Suzune with a grin, the triumph and sarcasm in his eyes intensifying. "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you this time, Suzune. We'll see each other again this evening."

Watching the four of them leave, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka slowly walked to Horikita Suzune's side and asked nonchalantly, "What do we do now?"

But it was obvious that Horikita Suzune had lost her earlier composure. Her brows were deeply furrowed, yet she suppressed the agitation in her heart and said to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, "It's fine. Let's go back first and take it one step at a time."

Horikita Suzune clenched her fists, her body trembling slightly. For the first time, she realized just how difficult this man named Ryuen was to deal with.

"So, your plan failed?"

Just moments ago, on his way back after buying some things, Chiba Yu happened to run into Ayanokoji Kiyotaka in the elevator. From his account, Chiba Yu learned that their plan had been thwarted by Ryuen, and as expected, it had failed.

However, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also told him that Horikita Suzune seemed to have other plans, signaling him not to worry.

To be honest, Chiba Yu wanted to tell him directly that he wasn't worried about this at all. If he had to be involved in this incident, it was only because Sudo still owed him 30,000 points.

"Did Horikita tell you what the plan is?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka shook his head. "No, but she told me to let you know not to worry; she will resolve this."

Although he was curious about the plan Horikita mentioned, Chiba Yu's reason told him it was best not to ask. Otherwise, he might accidentally get dragged into a much larger game.

"Then I wish you success."

"Ding!"

The elevator reached their dormitory floor. Under Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's gaze, Chiba Yu stepped out first, and judging by his demeanor, it was as if he had anticipated that their plan would be discovered by Ryuen all along.

Back in his room, Chiba Yu lay on his bed alone, as if everything around him had nothing to do with him. He was the only real entity in this world, quiet and leisurely.

Looking at the terminal in his hand, an encrypted folder appeared before his eyes.

Inside was a processed video. Under the reflection of the lights, Chiba Yu's pupils began to dilate, and he muttered something to himself.

"Seriously... it really is such a hassle..."

In the leisure of the afternoon, the boy lying in the room let out a sigh, his hand half-covering his face as if he had made a certain decision.

As time passed, the final judgment was about to begin...