The Savior Hidden Behind the Scenes

"We maintain our original stance: Sudo is innocent!"

"Heh, bold words, but you need evidence to back that up."

"Isn't the recording we just played evidence?"

"Oh? You should know that any recordings or similar materials obtained under duress by a witness are inadmissible."

"Tch!"

In the conference room, Horikita Suzune faced four people alone, including Mr. Sakagami. To be honest, her chances of winning were slim, especially since the other side flatly denied the contents of the recording, leaving them in a dire situation.

As for the method Horikita Suzune had mentioned earlier, it was likely just to appease them. From the current situation, the tide was completely against them, or so Ayanokoji Kiyotaka thought.

"Class D, if you cannot produce evidence to prove Sudo's innocence, then according to the rules, we will impose different penalties on Class D and Class C based on the circumstances. Do you have any objections?"

Horikita Manabu sat high on the dais, his expression stern as he scanned everyone below. His gaze lingered on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka for a few moments.

"Ngh!"

Horikita Suzune clenched her fists tightly, glaring fiercely at the three members of Class C. She felt utterly frustrated, but she knew that without perfect evidence, a comeback was impossible, leaving her with no choice but to sit silently in her seat.

"Sigh..." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sighed inwardly, but he still made no move.

Sudo glared viciously at Ishizaki and the others across from him, but given the setting, he dared not act out.

In contrast, Komiya and his group looked smug. After Ryuen's warning last night, they knew that as long as they didn't do anything foolish, they were guaranteed to win today.

Mr. Sakagami even adjusted his glasses with an air of self-importance, a haughty, victorious smile playing on his lips.

At that moment, just as everyone was silently waiting for the verdict, a burst of laughter echoed through the room, causing everyone to turn their heads.

Ryuen was leaning arrogantly against the conference room door, scanning everyone inside with an excited expression.

"We are currently in a meeting. Unauthorized personnel, please leave the premises immediately." Tachibana frowned and quickly warned the suddenly appearing Ryuen.

But Ryuen wasn't intimidated; he walked into the conference room as if he owned the place. "My apologies, everyone, but I didn't come here to cause trouble today."

"Then hurry up and lea—"

"It's fine, Tachibana. Let him speak." Horikita Manabu interrupted her and signaled for Ryuen to continue his performance.

Seeing the Student Council President so cooperative, Ryuen was even more satisfied. He cast a wicked grin at the three members of Ishizaki's group, who were sitting quietly, then looked at Horikita Suzune with a beaming smile.

"Don't be nervous. I'm here today to do something that will be music to your ears, Class D."

"Heh, don't tell me you're here to withdraw the complaint against Class D?" Horikita Suzune retorted bluntly.

"Exactly. You're right."

"Heh, if you're just here to mock—wait, what did you say?" Horikita Suzune's eyes widened slightly as she stared at Ryuen in disbelief, completely stunned.

"I said, Class C is withdrawing this complaint. That shouldn't be a problem, right, Student Council President Horikita?"

"Ryuen! Have you really thought this through?" Mr. Sakagami stood up anxiously to ask.

Ryuen merely waved a hand at him. "Don't worry, sir. This is the result of careful consideration. Compared to this matter, the Student Council President's opinion is far more important."

At that moment, not only the members of Class C but even Horikita Suzune, who prided herself on her composure, was stunned. She immediately turned to look at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who was sitting quietly to the side, her heart churning like a stormy sea.

What on earth did this guy do behind my back?

Compared to Horikita Suzune's shock, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was surprised by this sudden turn of events, but his face remained devoid of emotion, as if this had been within his expectations all along.

For a moment, the image of a certain person flashed through his mind—someone who hadn't contributed to this matter directly, yet was inextricably linked to it.

Could it be him? But how could he have pulled it off?

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's thoughts raced, yet he maintained an expression of calm indifference.

"So, may I assume that Class C considers this incident closed and will no longer hold any grievances regarding this case?" Horikita Manabu seemed to understand something and quickly phrased his question.

"Of course. Once the complaint is withdrawn, Class C will no longer pursue this matter."

With Ryuen's words, it meant that everything was coming to an end.

After declaring the matter closed, Horikita Manabu dismissed the meeting and cleared the room. As everyone walked out, they were mostly bewildered, having no idea what had actually transpired.

"Boss Ryuen, are we really just going to..."

"Shut up!"

At Ryuen's bark, the three members of Ishizaki's group instantly fell silent.

"I really didn't expect this, Suzune. You actually had this kind of power. Honestly, I underestimated Class D this time."

Everyone, including Ayanokoji, was gathered in the hallway. Ryuen's words acted like a fuse, igniting Horikita and the others.

"If you knew that, you should stop playing your little games."

"Clap, clap, clap!" Ryuen applauded. "I admit, Class C lost this time. But aren't you heartbroken to waste such a good trump card on such a trivial matter?"

"What are you talking about? Didn't Class C withdraw the complaint because you realized you had lost?" Horikita Suzune frowned, not understanding Ryuen's insinuation.

At that moment, Ryuen looked as if he had discovered something incredibly exciting and couldn't help but laugh. "So that's how it is. It seems you've been kept in the dark by that guy too. How pathetic, Suzune."

"What are you trying to say?"

The next second, Ryuen held his phone out in front of Horikita Suzune and pressed play. A burst of chaotic noise filled the air from the device.

"Ryuen! We might have... been seen!"

The voice reached the ears of those present, stirring up a wave of unease, but the recording continued to play immediately after.

"Argh!" A muffled groan rang out, accompanied by the sound of fists striking flesh, making it easy to deduce what had transpired at that moment.

"Good, you're starting to look more and more like a victim. Remember, perform exactly according to the plan. If you reveal any flaws or betray me, you know what will happen..."

With that, the recording came to an end, and Ryuen put his phone away.

"See? A rat has infiltrated our class without us knowing and even managed to steal the content of our conversation. Isn't that interesting?"

While Ryuen was lost in his own self-satisfaction, Horikita Suzune and the others fell into a heavy silence.