Invitation from the Student Council

The infirmary was filled with a faint scent of disinfectant. Ichinose Honami stood by the hospital bed, listening to the school doctor's instructions: "Rest assured, there is no danger to his life. It's just a mild concussion and some superficial wounds. He'll recover after a few days of proper rest."

Hearing this news, the heart that had been hanging in Ichinose Honami's chest finally settled. She looked at Wu Qiao, who lay on the bed with his eyes tightly shut and his face pale (though, in reality, he was simply sleeping soundly after his plan had succeeded), and felt a complex mix of emotions.

In the end, she did not wake him, nor did she say a single word. She merely cast one deep, lingering look at him before turning and walking out of the infirmary with resolute steps.

Since she had failed to prevent the harm from occurring, she would use every ounce of her strength to seek justice now that it had happened.

She... needed to start acting with decisiveness now.

Just as she stepped out of the infirmary, Ichinose Honami nearly collided with someone coming the other way. It was Ayanokoji Kiyoha, who was carrying a packed meal, seemingly prepared to visit Wu Qiao.

Their eyes met, and they simply nodded in greeting before passing each other. Ichinose Honami did not linger; her objective was clear.

Soon, guided by her classmates, Ichinose Honami confirmed the location of the incident. It was a stairwell corner in the school building, and fortunately, it happened to be within the range of a surveillance camera.

Armed with this crucial lead, she did not hesitate to head straight to the student council office to find the current student council president, Horikita Manabu, and sternly requested to view the surveillance footage from that time.

Relying on the goodwill and high reputation she had cultivated, she quickly located and comforted several key eyewitnesses. Faced with ironclad evidence and testimony, the school administration reacted swiftly.

That afternoon, a special hearing regarding the incident was held. Representatives from all four classes were in attendance, and the atmosphere was heavy. Kito Hayato of Class A stood in the defendant's seat, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, his eyes darting around nervously.

The surveillance footage played clearly on the large screen. In the video, Wu Qiao was standing at the top of the stairs with his back to Kito Hayato, playing on his phone, when Kito Hayato suddenly reached out without warning and shoved him down the stairs.

"No... that's not it! I just felt like he was blocking the way and I was feeling irritable, so I just pushed him casually! Really! I didn't mean for him to fall that hard!" Kito Hayato stammered in his defense, attempting to frame the incident as an unintentional accident.

However, under the weight of the video playback and the unanimous identification by the surrounding witnesses, Kito Hayato's excuses appeared pale and feeble.

Ultimately, the verdict was delivered: Kito Hayato was found guilty of negligent injury.

In addition to the disciplinary action he would personally face, Class A was required to provide compensation to the victim, Wu Qiao, including medical expenses and damages for emotional distress, with the specific amount to be negotiated privately between the two parties.

After the meeting adjourned, the crowd gradually dispersed. As Ichinose Honami prepared to leave the room, the calm voice of Horikita Manabu came from behind her: "Student Ichinose, please stay a moment."

Ichinose Honami stopped and turned around, looking somewhat puzzled.

Horikita Manabu stood by the window, his gaze deep as he looked at her: "During the handling of this incident just now, I saw your decisive action and your determination to protect the rights of your classmates. Your judgment and impartiality are exactly what the student council currently lacks."

He paused, then said solemnly: "Ichinose Honami, I am formally inviting you to join the student council. Are you willing to come?"

Ichinose Honami was stunned. She had not expected that in her initial simulated memories, Horikita Manabu—the president who had rejected her application to join the student council—would now take the initiative to extend an olive branch.

Was it because her attitude in handling the Wu Qiao incident today had shown him a different side of herself?

After a brief moment of shock, Ichinose Honami took a deep breath, her eyes becoming serious and firm. She did not rush to accept, but instead bowed slightly, responding politely and solemnly: "President Horikita, thank you very much for your appreciation and invitation. But this is a very important matter for me; please give me some time to prepare, and I will give you an answer after careful consideration."

Walking out of the conference room, the sunset in the hallway stretched her shadow long.

Ichinose Honami clenched her fists. To protect those around her, gentleness and kindness alone were not enough; one also needed the corresponding means and status.

Whether it was Wu Qiao's accident or Horikita Manabu's invitation, everything seemed to be pushing her toward a path she had never imagined.

In the quiet corridor outside the infirmary, the sunset spilled onto the floor through the clear glass windows, yet it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere lingering in the air.

Sakayanagi Arisu and Ayanokoji Kiyoha stood side by side against the window. One was petite, with a frail temperament that nonetheless carried an unquestionable air of authority; the other had a detached expression, like a bystander who had nothing to do with the situation.

Sakayanagi Arisu tilted her head slightly, watching the sparse figures moving on the playground outside, and tapped her cane lightly against the floor.

"Did you orchestrate this?" Her tone was light, carrying a certainty as if she saw through everything.

Ayanokoji Kiyoha looked straight ahead, her expression devoid of any fluctuation, and simply shook her head: "No, I don't know either."

"Heh." Sakayanagi Arisu let out a cold laugh, withdrew her gaze, and turned to look at the girl beside her. A sharp glint flashed in those eyes filled with wisdom. "Whether you're playing dumb or truly don't know, it doesn't matter. That boy named Wu Qiao usually keeps such a low profile he's practically invisible, yet he happens to have an accident at this critical juncture, and it just so happens that Ichinose catches us in the act. This time, our Class A has lost quite thoroughly."

She paused, her fingers unconsciously stroking the exquisite handle of her cane, her tone tinged with self-mockery and resentment: "That idiot Kito was used as a pawn without even realizing it. Not only did he lose personal points, but the class's reputation has also been tarnished. Ichinose's performance this time is truly impressive; it seems the 'goody-two-shoes' of Class B has finally learned to bare her fangs."

Ayanokoji Kiyoha did not respond, simply listening quietly. She knew, of course, that what Sakayanagi said was the truth; Class A had indeed suffered a major setback.

But that guy Wu Qiao... was it really just good luck?

The image of Wu Qiao's usual harmless demeanor, occasionally punctuated by strange remarks, surfaced in her mind. She couldn't help but feel that things were not that simple.

"Ayanokoji," Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly called her name, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness, "that Wu Qiao, you two are quite close, aren't you? Aren't you curious why he would suddenly target Class A? Or is this, too, part of your 'ordinary' plan?"

"I said, I don't know," Ayanokoji Kiyoha replied calmly, her tone devoid of any emotion. "Besides, we only see each other occasionally during morning exercise; we aren't exactly close."

"Is that so?" Sakayanagi Arisu covered her lips and chuckled, clearly not believing her words. "Forget it. Regardless of the truth, Class A will remember this loss. Ayanokoji, our game continues. I hope you won't disappoint me. After all... I can't wait to see that calm mask of yours shattered."

With that, Sakayanagi Arisu took one last deep look at Ayanokoji Kiyoha, then turned and walked away slowly, her cane tapping with an elegant yet slightly labored gait.

Ayanokoji Kiyoha stood where she was, watching the petite figure disappear at the end of the corridor. She lowered her head, looking at her open palm, her eyes flickering slightly.

Wu Qiao... what exactly are you plotting? Behind this seemingly accidental conflict, what kind of schemes are hidden?