The Crisis Hanging Over Class D

"Surely it was those defective products from Class D again!"

Totsuka Yahiko raised his chin slightly, his eyes filled with disdain and the lofty superiority of someone from Class A.

At the podium, Teacher Mashima had just announced the dispute that had occurred on campus. The classroom's previously quiet atmosphere was shattered by that blurted remark.

Quite a few Class A students turned at the sound, their gazes falling on Totsuka Yahiko.

"Who else but Class D could cause this kind of trouble?" Totsuka Yahiko folded his arms, his tone utterly unrestrained. "Those defective products who were weeded out in the selection process are bound to cause problems."

A few snickers of agreement rang out in the classroom, and some of the Class A students clearly shared that view.

Sakayanagi Arisu sat at a nearby desk, leaning slightly against the back of her chair. She did not join the conversation, merely listening quietly to the discussions around her with a faint smile on her lips.

Hoshinomiya Rinyu stood near the back of the classroom. Having happened to be there, he happened upon this scene. He did not step forward to interrupt, simply standing silently where he was and coldly observing Class A's innate sense of superiority.

Although Teacher Mashima also felt that Totsuka Yahiko's words were not entirely without merit, he could not allow such one-sided opinions to spread unchecked.

He frowned and spoke up to stop the increasingly noisy discussion in the classroom.

"The truth of the incident has not yet been investigated. Do not casually jump to conclusions about another class."

The discussion gradually died down, but many had already formed a fixed impression in their minds. Any trouble was naturally blamed on Class D.

Not long after the dismissal bell faded, Kushida Kikyo appeared at the classroom door. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood behind her. Her expression carried a hint of anxious desperation as she looked into the room, searching for Hoshinomiya Rinyu.

Quite a few Class A students noticed Kushida Kikyo at the door and turned to look at her.

Kushida Kikyo spotted Hoshinomiya Rinyu at once and gave him a small wave.

Seeing this, Hoshinomiya Rinyu gave Sakayanagi Arisu beside him a slight nod, then walked through the crowd and left the Class A classroom.

Only after reaching the corner of the corridor on the other side did he speak, his tone calm. "What happened?"

When Kushida Kikyo saw Hoshinomiya, the tension in her expression eased slightly, but the anxiety between her brows remained. She lowered her voice to keep others from hearing.

"Hoshinomiya, Sudo got into a fight with several Class C students. The school has tentatively determined that Sudo was the one who initiated it and bullied them, but Sudo says those three deliberately lured him out before the conflict happened. We don't have any evidence, though. Most people think Sudo started the fight—even our own classmates..."

Her voice was very low, and concern was written all over her face. The threat of expulsion hung over Class D right now. She wanted to do something, yet felt completely helpless.

Ayanokoji, standing beside her, nodded as well, tacitly confirming her words.

Hoshinomiya Rinyu looked at the troubled Kushida, then at Ayanokoji, who had yet to say anything.

"Hoshinomiya, could I ask you to help us ask around among the Class A students? The conflict happened in the open area behind the special teaching building. Quite a few students traveled between the cafeteria and the special teaching building that afternoon. Maybe someone from Class A happened to pass by and saw the whole thing. If we can find a witness, we can prove that Sudo wasn't the one who started the fight."

She looked up at Hoshimiya Rinyu, a faint glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"I'm curious. Why did you come to me? Why not ask Ichinose from Class B? She's always helpful and has extensive connections. She should have been the most suitable choice."

Kushida froze slightly at his words, and the faint hope on her face dimmed.

"We already went to Ichinose and asked her to help us inquire among the Class B students. But the results weren't promising. No Class B students passed through the open area behind the special teaching building that afternoon. No one witnessed the conflict."

Ayanokoji nodded lightly beside her and calmly took over.

"Ichinose's connections are indeed impressive, but even she couldn't find a witness who could testify. The Class B lead has been completely exhausted. Class A is the only one we can rely on now."

His expression as he looked at Hoshinomiya was utterly indifferent. His dark eyes held neither pleading nor pressure. He simply watched the other man quietly, as though assessing his inner deliberations and waiting for his answer.

Hoshimiya Rinyu's gaze swept over the two of them, and he fell silent for a moment.

"So the Class B leads have been exhausted, and all you can do now is place your hopes on Class A, is that it?"

"Mm." Kushida nodded heavily, her eyes full of anxiety. "If we can't find a witness in Class A either, Sudo will have almost no chance of turning things around."

"Please, Hoshinomiya."

As soon as she finished speaking, a lazy set of footsteps sounded from the far end of the corridor.

Several figures strolled over. It was Ryuen Kakeru, followed by Ishizaki Daichi, Ibuki Mio, and Yamada Albert.

Ryuen had both hands in his pockets, an amused smile at the corner of his lips. His gaze fell directly on Kushida and Ayanokoji. He had clearly heard their conversation just now.

"Well, if it isn't everyone from Class D. Looks like you're still running around over that Sudo guy's problem."

The students passing by subconsciously slowed their steps at the sound, all their gazes converging on them.

A new confrontation had begun.

Ryuen's gaze passed over Kushida and Ayanokoji before landing on Hoshinomiya Rinyu beside them. He raised a brow with interest.

"Oh? You're from Class A... Hoshinomiya, right?"

"Ah, Ryuen." Hoshinomiya looked at him calmly and spoke in an even tone.

"I never expected someone from Class A to get involved in Class D's troubles."

Ryuen sneered and took half a step forward, deliberately raising his voice so that every onlooker could hear him clearly.

"What, is Class A planning to lend a helping hand out of kindness? Or are you hoping to get something out of this little farce?"

"What I want to do is my freedom. There's no need for Ryuen to concern himself with it." Hoshinomiya's tone was calm, his expression utterly unruffled.

He stared directly at Ryuen, neither backing down nor making any unnecessary move.

"You bastard..."

Before Ryuen could speak, Ishizaki exploded first. He charged forward half a step, fists clenched tightly, his face full of menace as he looked ready to close in on Hoshinomiya.

Just as the atmosphere grew increasingly tense, light footsteps sounded from behind them.

Sakayanagi Arisu approached slowly on her cane, followed closely by Kamuro Masumi, Hashimoto Masayoshi, and Kito Hayato.

The arrival of this group from Class A instantly drew everyone's attention.

Sakayanagi's gaze slowly swept over everyone present before finally settling on Hoshimiya Rinyu. A faint smile rested on her lips.

"My, what a lively scene. I heard the commotion from afar and came over to have a look."

Hashimoto stood against the wall with both hands in his pockets, wearing a faint smile like he was enjoying the spectacle. His tone was somewhat teasing rather than stern.

"Oh? Hoshinomiya, I didn't expect to see you here. To think you'd be standing here, getting involved in a dispute between Class D and Class C."

Kamuro Masumi stood quietly behind Sakayanagi, calmly sweeping her gaze over everyone present. She said nothing, silently observing the situation.

Kito Hayato, meanwhile, wore a fierce expression and said nothing.

When Ryuen saw Sakayanagi's group, the amusement on his face deepened. He raised a hand and pressed it onto Ishizaki, stopping his subordinate from charging forward.

"Well, what a rare guest. Sakayanagi, why are you here too?" Ryuen spoke lazily, his gaze shifting between Hoshinomiya and Sakayanagi. The sneer on his lips was impossible to suppress. "What? Have you taken a liking to this kid?"

A soft chuckle rippled from Sakayanagi's lips. She slightly turned the wrist holding her cane and looked up at Ryuen.

"What people from Class A do is not for someone from Class C like you to interfere with."

The murmurs from the students gathered around the corridor instantly quieted.

Hashimoto remained against the wall, though his spectacle-watching smile faded slightly as he watched the changes in Ryuen's expression with interest. Kamuro Masumi stood behind Sakayanagi without a word, calmly monitoring the movements of the Class C students.

The amusement on Ryuen's face did not fade, but a trace of coldness appeared in his eyes.

Just as he was about to say something, the crisp sound of high heels striking the floor came from the far end of the corridor.

P.S. I've successfully signed a contract too! Eighty thousand words is just around the corner, hehe. Thank you all for your support. I'll work hard on writing this.