(From Ryuen Kakeru's perspective)
Justice was nothing more than a fig leaf for the victors. I believed only in the law of strength.
In most people's eyes, violence was synonymous with evil. But in my world, it was the most direct way to achieve my goals.
"Ryuen, I—ugh!" Just as Ishizaki started to say something, a powerful punch slammed into his stomach. The impact surged through him like a tidal wave, leaving him unable to utter another word.
"I don't remember giving you permission to speak, Ishizaki." Releasing his grip on Komiya's hair, Ryuen looked down at Ishizaki, who lay on the floor, with an impassive expression.
"Stop, Albert."
At Ryuen's command, Albert ceased his attack and quietly returned to stand behind him, like a professional bodyguard.
"For now, I'll believe the three of you. But if I ever discover that you might betray me, I'll make sure you understand the consequences."
After issuing that casual warning, Ryuen sat back down and fiddled with his phone, chatting with someone.
When he received a reply, Ryuen wore an expression that said, "Just as I expected." Then he looked down at the three of them.
"You three, find out if there are any boys in our class who've been getting close to students from other classes lately. Make me a list. And remember, I don't want to see you causing trouble again."
Faced with these threatening words, the three of them didn't dare complain. Though their bodies still throbbed with pain, they hurried to their feet.
"Yes!"
The three of them fled the room. Ryuen relaxed on the sofa, his gaze a little distant. The next moment, as if he'd thought of something, a cruel smile curled across his lips.
"I don't know who you are or how you got that information, but just you wait. It won't be long before I drag you out of the darkness and let you experience true despair!"
As Ryuen made threats to himself, a petite girl sat quietly off to one side of the room, a book cradled in her arms.
"Ryuen, I don't think there's a traitor in our class. I still stand by my original opinion: they probably haven't betrayed us."
Shiina Hiyori spoke softly, her tone gentle.
Ryuen had called her over from the start, and she had witnessed everything he'd done to the three of them.
"Oh? You're saying there's nothing wrong with them?"
"That's right. Rather than that, I think it's more likely that someone from another class stole our information, or perhaps..."
"You mean... a listening device?"
Ryuen wasn't stupid. He understood what Shiina was getting at.
After thinking it over, Shiina didn't give him a definite answer. Instead, she hesitated for a moment before shaking her head.
"I'm not sure. But you already had someone inspect the equipment at the karaoke place. You know the result: they didn't find any devices."
"Besides, the school strictly forbids bringing things like that onto campus. Even if someone had brought one in, surely the teachers would have found it during the inspections."
Though Shiina's reasoning made sense, Ryuen merely snorted.
"Until there's conclusive evidence, I don't intend to rule it out. But as you said, the very presence of a listening device would be suspicious."
"If there really was one, who brought it in? Or did someone make it after coming to school?"
At this, Ryuen gave a self-mocking smile. "No, that's impossible. That's way beyond the realm of high school students. In fact, probably only desperate criminals or suspects would carry something like that."
"So rather than a listening device, I think it's more likely that there's a well-known traitor in our class. That's the most reasonable explanation."
"Do you really distrust your own classmates that much, Ryuen?" Shiina asked, puzzled.
"Hmph! Since ancient times, tyrants have always been accompanied by traitors."
Ryuen had a clear understanding of his own position. In his eyes, under his rule, there would always be one or two people who resented him. It wouldn't be impossible for them to use that as an excuse to provide information to other classes.
At the same time, Ryuen glanced at Shiina. "Aren't you one of those people, too?"
But Shiina didn't react with the vehement denial Ryuen had expected. Instead, she calmly replied:
"Although I don't agree with what you do, I don't hate you, at least."
"...Heh. I see..."
No one knew what Ryuen was thinking at that moment, but one thing was true.
Even if you're a tyrant, as long as you lead the people forward, there will always be learned scholars ready to argue your case.