Dust Settles

"There... there are photos taken at the time on here."

The memory card was connected to the device, and the photos were projected onto the screen.

Images flashed across the projection one after another before finally stopping on that selfie.

The girl still wore a smile, but when the image was enlarged, everyone present was instantly drawn to the scene in the lower-right corner of the photo.

Sudo stood facing off against the three students from Class C.

The truth was already laid bare, but Sudo had indeed used violence.

Class C's homeroom teacher, Sakaue Kazuma, wore a mocking smile.

He did not leave it at that and continued, "Even if our students provoked him first, the fact that Sudo Ken injured someone remains. He cannot be completely exempt from punishment."

"Then Sudo will receive a two-week suspension, while the three Class C students will each receive a one-week suspension. I believe that is fair."

The smile on his face did not diminish in the slightest, still carrying a trace of ridicule.

Chabashira Sae nodded without objection and said calmly, "Then we'll proceed as you suggest. There is nothing to complain about."

"Ha... wha—"

Sudo wanted to speak again, but Ayanokoji Kiyotaka beside him stopped him.

He could only silently accept the outcome.

"Ahem... very well, then I shall announce the verdict."

Horikita Manabu sat upright at the front of the hall. His steady voice carried through the quiet conference room as his gray eyes calmly swept over everyone present.

"After considering all evidence, this conflict began when three Class C students deliberately surrounded and provoked Sudo. The three Class C students are each suspended for one week. Sudo Ken acted in self-defense, but his excessive violence caused injury. He is suspended for two weeks, and his expulsion is revoked."

He paused, his gaze falling on Sakaue Kazuma.

"The Student Council recognizes this ruling. If no new evidence is presented, this hearing is concluded."

Sakaue Kazuma naturally had no objections. He smiled, rose to his feet, and left the conference room.

Chabashira Sae also got up quickly and left.

The three Class C students wore smug smiles as they brazenly looked over at everyone from Class D in provocation, unable to conceal the contempt in their eyes.

"You..."

Just as Sudo was about to lash out, the three had already turned around and left the conference room with Sakaue Kazuma.

Sudo clenched his fists and stared fixedly at the backs of the Class C students, rage churning in his chest.

Ayanokoji quietly reached out, inconspicuously catching his arm and giving a slight shake of his head to tell him to calm down.

"Don't act rashly. The punishment has already been decided. If you start something again, your punishment will only become more severe."

Kushida hurried forward as well, softly trying to console the agitated Sudo.

Most of the others were preparing to get up and leave.

Sakura Airi seemed somewhat nervous, all of her earlier courage gone without a trace.

The photos that had continuously flashed across the screen had not only captured evidence of the conflict, but had also displayed all the private portraits she had taken to everyone present.

The conference room was gradually emptying, with only a few people remaining. She unconsciously clenched her fingers, her shoulders drawing inward slightly. Behind her glasses, her eyes darted about in panic, too afraid to meet anyone's gaze.

She had thought she would only need to present one crucial photograph as evidence. Never had she expected her hidden beauty to be exposed before everyone like this.

Horikita Suzune noticed Sakura's unusual state and frowned slightly, but for the moment, she did not know what to say to her.

Ayanokoji silently watched Sakura, knowing that this incident affected her far more deeply than the outcome of the hearing itself.

Sakura did not linger. With her head lowered, she hurried through the empty conference room and fled outside.

The Class D students did not stay long either, leaving one after another.

"That's great, it's finally over."

The Class D students did not stay long either, leaving one after another.

"That's great, it's finally over."

A relieved smile appeared on Kushida's face. As she walked out of the school building, she let out a long breath and turned to the people beside her.

"It's really great that Sudo doesn't have to be expelled. Once we have time, why don't we all go relax at the school pool together? It just opened."

Hirata, who had been waiting downstairs for quite some time, immediately agreed and nodded in support of the suggestion.

Though Sudo still seemed somewhat frustrated, the crisis had passed, and he did not object.

Horikita Suzune's expression remained indifferent. She did not immediately state her position, her gaze unconsciously sweeping toward the far end of the corridor.

Ayanokoji quietly listened to everyone's discussion without joining in, merely observing in silence.

"Hoshinomiya, do you want to come too? Eh? Saka... Sakayanagi, do you want to come as well?"

Kushida sounded somewhat excited, a flicker of surprise appearing in her eyes when she saw Sakayanagi Arisu.

"No, we still have a date to go on," Hoshinomiya Rinyu calmly declined.

An elegant, gentle smile rested on Sakayanagi's lips. She lightly shook her head, her pale violet eyes briefly sweeping over Ayanokoji beside them before she replied to Kushida.

"Thank you for the invitation, but unfortunately, the two of us have other plans, so we will not be joining you."

After saying their goodbyes, the two groups went their separate ways.

The two of them had been waiting outside the corridor the entire time, quietly watching the hearing conclude.

With a calm, faint smile on her lips, Sakayanagi looked at Hoshinomiya and spoke softly, too quietly for anyone else to hear.

"Do you remember the invitation you made to me before? I just heard that Class D intends to go to the pool together. What a coincidence."

Hoshinomiya turned to look at her, his expression calm and open.

"Then it works out perfectly. We can fulfill our agreement at the same time."

Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes curved slightly, a hint of mischief hidden within them.

"Oh? Are we going on our own, or simply blending in with the Class D group?"

Hoshinomiya Rinyu turned toward her, his tone calm, though there was a faint smile in his eyes.

"I'll leave it to Arisu."

Sakayanagi Arisu raised a brow in slight surprise. Her cheeks flushed a little, and her pale violet eyes curved gently, though she still maintained that composed and elegant demeanor.

"Oh? You are putting the choice in my hands? Then let us go to the pool with Class D. The more people there are, the more interesting it will be."

"Though... that talk about a date just now from Hoshinomiya-kun... was rather unexpected."

Sakayanagi lowered her eyes slightly. Her composed smile remained in place, but her voice softened a little, carrying a trace of amusement.

"Because I said I wanted to have Arisu's free time all to myself."

Hoshinomiya Rinyu's eyes curved as he spoke his feelings with complete frankness.

"My... I'm looking forward to it."

P.S.: Sorry!!! Dear readers, I've had a fever these past two days. I apologize to everyone here.

Please keep urging me to update and support me more. Thank you.