Friday soon arrived.
The atmosphere in the classroom was decidedly gloomy.
Ken Sudō sat in his seat, visibly restless.
His usual fearless swagger on the basketball court had wilted like a frostbitten eggplant.
Meanwhile, Horikita Suzune's desk beside him was piled high.
Tatsuya Sakuya craned his neck for a look and found printed school regulations covering it, along with several densely written defense outlines marked up in various highlighter colors.
He had to admit that Horikita Suzune was serious about her work. Once she decided to do something, she gave it everything she had and tried to do it well.
The faint dark circles beneath her eyes were proof enough.
"Listen carefully, Sudo."
Horikita Suzune gave him instructions with a solemn expression. Her voice sounded slightly hoarse; she must have rehearsed her defense thoroughly the night before.
"When we go to the Student Council later, whether it's Class 1-C's homeroom teacher or its students questioning you, try not to answer. I'll present all the facts. Understood?"
"Y-yeah, understood..."
Ken Sudō wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded repeatedly.
After all, he had no other options now. All he could do was follow Horikita Suzune's lead as a last-ditch effort.
Tatsuya Sakuya found the scene rather amusing.
To be fair, Horikita Suzune had probably spent the previous evening diligently preparing for today's debate, determined to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Tatsuya Sakuya was already imagining their expressions when they learned the complaint had been withdrawn.
"You don't look nervous at all. Are you confident you'll win?"
At some point, his deskmate Horikita Suzune had turned toward Tatsuya Sakuya and posed the question.
Before Tatsuya Sakuya could answer, an excited voice rang out from the front row.
"Why did this month's points suddenly come through?!"
"Seriously?"
"They really did!"