Class 1-D's Countdown and the Nice Guy's Other Side

It was Akane Tachibana of Class 3-A. Behind her, a tall figure entered with steady, unhurried steps.

His eyes were deep and cold behind half-rim glasses, his short black hair neat and sharp. Every movement carried the imposing presence of someone accustomed to authority.

He was the Student Council President of Advanced Nurturing High School, Horikita Manabu.

Class 1-D, still grumbling moments before, fell silent as though an invisible hand had seized everyone by the throat.

Several students seated along the aisles even shrank back instinctively, afraid of drawing his attention.

Horikita Manabu ignored the wary looks around him. He walked straight toward the podium and stopped in the aisle beside the front row.

He had not said a word, yet merely standing there, he seemed like an insurmountable mountain, silently holding the entire room in check.

His authority was unmistakable.

"Ken Sudō, Class 1-D."

His level voice rang through the silent classroom.

"H-here..."

Facing the Student Council President, the highest-ranking student in the school, Ken Sudō could only swallow the curse on the tip of his tongue. He rose stiffly from his seat.

"This morning, three students from Class 1-C filed a formal complaint with the Student Council. They accused you of a malicious assault in the Special Teaching Building and submitted medical assessments of their injuries."

Horikita Manabu regarded Ken Sudō without expression.

"In accordance with the school's dispute procedures, the Student Council is here to verify the basic facts of the incident with you."

"They're lying through their teeth!"

Ken Sudō gritted his teeth, fists clenched so tightly they cracked, and hurried to defend himself.

"The Class 1-C guys invited me to the Special Teaching Building to talk about club activities. They threw the first punches. I only fought back in self-defense!"

"Self-defense? Then was there a