Sudo Incident

As Ryuuen's most loyal lackey, Ishizaki followed him around every day, reporting all sorts of things. One day, Ishizaki casually mentioned that Sudo from Class D had become an official member of the Basketball Club.

For the first time, Ryuuen assigned Ishizaki and the others a task: Ishizaki was to take several Basketball Club members from their class and pick a fight with Sudo from Class D.

It was a simple, clumsy plan. Ishizaki and the others would provoke Sudo, get beaten up one-sidedly, then extort Class D.

The plan went smoothly. To prevent Sakura Airi from Class D from photographing evidence like she had in the original story, Ryuuen specifically arranged for Kushida Kikyo to draw Sakura away while Ishizaki carried out the plan.

The Student Council worked efficiently. The day after Ishizaki was beaten, it launched an investigation and held the first hearing.

This was Ryuuen's first time seeing Horikita Manabu. He sat sternly in the center of the room, wearing black-rimmed glasses. Aside from their surname, he shared Suzune's hair color as well. Tachibana Akane stood behind him, an upperclassman with purple hair tied into two round buns. Though officially the Student Council secretary, she was in fact Horikita Manabu's secretary.

Ryuuen's undisguised scrutiny caught Horikita Manabu's attention, but he said nothing and proceeded normally.

"Class C students Ishizaki, Kondo, and others have accused Class D student Sudo of violently assaulting them and causing serious physical injuries." As he spoke, Horikita Manabu swept his gaze across everyone present from Class D, lingering on Horikita Suzune for two extra seconds.

"I told you, it was self-defense, self-defense! They provoked me first! They were jealous because I became an official member before them!" Sudo rose from his chair and slammed a palm onto the table.

"I understand." Horikita Manabu's voice carried no particular emotion, but he acknowledged Sudo's anger.

Ryuuen knew Class D definitely wanted to drag the hearing out until the second or third session. During that time, they would have enough time to investigate and resolve the incident.

Ryuuen believed that even without Sakura Airi's photographs, Ayanokoji could certainly get Sudo through this incident safely.

The sooner they reached a settlement, the better. Ryuuen had never expected to bring down Class D through this matter. He merely wanted to drive a nail into them.

Following Ryuuen's instructions, Ishizaki argued, "We simply wanted to discuss basketball skills with Sudo. He abused his strength to bully us. All of us were injured, while Sudo was completely unharmed. We demand that Class D compensate us."

They were not demanding compensation from Sudo, but from Class D. Both Horikita Manabu and Ayanokoji realized from Ishizaki's words that this was not a simple violence incident, but something premeditated.

"The three Class C students claim that they wished to discuss basketball skills with Sudo but were assaulted instead. Sudo denies this, claiming that the three Class C students called him out and provoked him. The two sides' statements are inconsistent. The only confirmed fact is that Sudo's actions resulted in injuries to Komiya, Kondo, Ishizaki, and the others." Looking through the records in his hand, Horikita Manabu read out the claims and circumstances of both sides.

"Does Class D have any defense or evidence? You may speak."

At this moment, Horikita Suzune was still lost in thought, head lowered as she stared at nothing in particular.

"They're just jealous of me!" Sudo continued shouting.

"Silence! Let the defense speak!" Horikita Manabu forced Sudo back into his seat with a look.

With so little time, Class D had made no preparations. Horikita Suzune had not even known Horikita Manabu would attend, so she was especially nervous. Ayanokoji analyzed the situation. Chabashira had only dragged him in at the last minute to make up the numbers. At this stage, Ayanokoji had not yet made a deal with Chabashira and had no intention of advancing to Class A. Even if he had some ideas, he could not easily put them into action right away.

Just as Ayanokoji's hand was about to touch Horikita Suzune's waist and give her a little stimulation, Ryuuen spoke.

"I don't like wasting time, and you don't need any defense. No matter what caused this incident, it won't change the outcome of the conflict. Given that Sudo is uninjured while my Class C classmates were beaten, I represent Class C in demanding that Class D pay Ishizaki and the other two one hundred thousand points for medical expenses and emotional damages. Then we will withdraw the complaint." Ryuuen's words rang through the room.

This demand was too favorable—so favorable that Chabashira, Class D's homeroom teacher, could hardly believe it. She too had considered the possibility that this incident was Class C's scheme. If they lost the case, the worst outcome would be Sudo's expulsion, a massive deduction of Class Points, and a steep decline in Class D's evaluation. Yet Class C only wanted one hundred thousand points and would withdraw the complaint. It was practically a private settlement.

Strange. Too strange.

One hundred thousand was one student's monthly income. Yet for someone as free-spending as Sudo, he did not have that much on hand. Since Class D had not yet united, crowdfunding could help gather one hundred thousand points for him, but it would have a huge negative effect on the class.

"Why should we pay for Sudo's mistake?"

"Exactly! A violent maniac like Sudo should just get expelled."

There would inevitably be plenty of complaints within the class. Therefore, the best solution would be for Ayanokoji and Horikita Suzune to pay the compensation.

After weighing the pros and cons, Horikita Suzune, acting as Class D's representative, said only one word throughout the entire hearing: "Fine."

Everyone was satisfied. Ryuuen achieved his goal, Sudo escaped disaster, and the Student Council completed its task. Yet many people present could not understand what this incident had truly been for. If it was merely for one hundred thousand points, there had been no need to go to such lengths.

Horikita Manabu was thinking. Ayanokoji was thinking. Even Ishizaki was wondering what Boss Ryuuen was really trying to do. Horikita Suzune, meanwhile, was thinking, At least I didn't embarrass myself in front of my brother.

After borrowing fifty thousand points from Ayanokoji, Horikita Suzune gathered the full one hundred thousand and transferred it to Ryuuen.

"Now I have your contact information too, Suzune." Ryuuen toyed with the Student ID Card in his hand as though spinning a pen.

Horikita Manabu frowned at Ryuuen. That "Suzune" sounded far too intimate, brazenly exposing Ryuuen's improper intentions.

Horikita Suzune frowned as well. She really is family with Horikita Manabu. Even their frowns look alike, Ryuuen could not help thinking.

"Don't call me Suzune. We aren't that close." Horikita Suzune's tone was icy as she hurriedly distanced herself from Ryuuen. She did not want her brother to mistakenly think that she and Ryuuen had a good relationship.

Ryuuen did not care and led the Class C students away first.

"Boss, don't tell me you like that Horikita from Class D. Then what about Shiina?" Ishizaki had also heard what Ryuuen said to Horikita and assumed Ryuuen had orchestrated this whole thing to chase a girl.

Ryuuen stopped and stared at Ishizaki. "I want them both!"

Tch, what a scumbag. Ishizaki and the others could only think it. If they actually said it aloud, they would definitely get beaten up.

After returning to class, Ryuuen transferred the one hundred thousand points to Ishizaki and the others. They had been injured carrying out this task, after all, so some compensation was necessary. It had been theirs to earn in the first place, and Ryuuen did not care about such a small amount.

Yet those few points delighted the three of them immensely. It was not because the amount was especially large, but because Ryuuen had given it to them. In their hearts, it was a reward from Ryuuen, recognition that they had completed the task and acknowledgment of their abilities.

Ryuuen had not thought that much about it. He was still considering how to mess with Class D in the next exam.