(Author: Kiriha-kun basically holds a stance of welcoming anyone who approaches and not chasing after anyone who leaves, so scenes involving unfriendly characters are extremely difficult to write.
Horikita, I’m talking about you.) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The next day, after school.
Having arranged to meet up via email with Ichinose—aka Bankai-chan—I was currently heading toward the Special Building where the incident took place while chatting with her.
After all, Class D was probably investigating the area as well to see if there were any clues to resolve the issue.
“―Still, I really didn’t expect that not just me, but the seniors too would secure a spot for the Inter-High team competition.
The future of the Karate Club is bright, and that’s what matters most.” “That’s amazing, Honjo-kun!
Congratulations!
Ah, but from our perspective in Class B, it’s a bit complicated, I guess.
The gap in Class Points just widened even further.” “Well, shouldn’t Bankai-chan and her group just grow in their own way?
Don’t worry, when it comes to solidarity, our class loses catastrophically!” “I don’t think that’s something to be proud of…
Um, if I remember correctly, Sakayanagi-san and Katsuragi-san are currently competing over who becomes the leader, right?” “That’s only a matter of time, though…
Jeez, that guy Katsuragi had to go and fail the Student Council screening.
Thanks to that, the Katsuragi faction has been completely lifeless lately, and it’s so boring I can’t help it.” “…Ah…
I see, so Katsuragi-kun too.” “?
By ‘too’…
does that mean Bankai-chan as well?” “…Yeah.” Bankai-chan looked somewhat downcast…
Something had caught my attention back with Katsuragi too, but as expected, it’s a strange story.
Both Katsuragi and Bankai-chan are top-tier capable students in our year.
Naturally, compared to the Student Council President, flaws could be found, but since Tachibana-senpai is able to serve as secretary, their ability shouldn’t be an issue at all…
Ah, wait, no, Tachibana-senpai!
It’s not like I think you’re incompetent, so please don’t get teary-eyed and angry inside my mind!
Perhaps mistaking my slightly awkward demeanor, Bankai-chan waved her hands with a smile.
“Ah, sorry for bringing up such a gloomy topic!
It’s not like I’ve given up on joining the Student Council, so please don’t worry about it, Honjo-kun.” “Ah, I see.
…Well, if you persistently keep running for it, your enthusiasm will reach the President eventually.” “Yeah, I’m sure it will!
All right, I’m gonna give it my all too!” For now, I gave Bankai-chan some comforting words…
but to be honest, whether it’ll actually come to fruition is pretty doubtful.
Considering the conditions I was given when I borrowed points for my gamble match, the President likely rejected the two of them for reasons unrelated to their abilities or character.
“Even so…
it’s so hot here in the Special Building.” “Hmm?
…Ah, true.” Before I realized it, we had arrived at the Special Building.
Even though it was the middle of summer, with the windows tightly shut and no air conditioning turned on, this place had turned into a hell practically inviting people to get heatstroke.
I’ve been pathologically resistant to both heat and cold since long ago, so I could handle it fine, but Ichinose was drenched in sweat, using a plastic writing board as a makeshift hand fan.
…Good thing I didn’t bring Arisu along.
“Ah, looks like someone’s really here.
Those students—I think they’re from Class D.” “Let’s see…
Wait, isn’t that Horirin and Cozy?
They’re definitely Class D students.” “Are they your friends?” “Cozy is.
…Though I didn’t think for a second he’d be at the crime scene.” Setting Horirin aside, why on earth is Cozy at the scene of the incident?
What happened to his non-involvement policy?
“Hey, Horirin and Cozy, what are you two doing over there?” At my call, the two of them turned around to look at us.
…Hmm?
Horirin probably hates me, so I can tell there’s hostility in her gaze, but at the same time, it’s mixed with confusion and interest.
“Got a moment?
If you’re in the middle of a sweet and sour date, we’ll beat it right away though—” “That is definitely not the case.” Horirin cut off Bankai-chan’s words with a prompt denial.
Wow, that response time was practically on par with a fast-buzzer quiz show.
“Ahaha, right.
It’s a bit too hot to be a date spot anyway.” “Rather than sweet and sour, it’d be a sour date.
In terms of sweat, that is.” “Please stop, Honjo-kun, you’re making me imagine unpleasant things…” “Do you have business with us?
If you just came to poke fun at us, I’d like you to leave.” Faced with our ridiculous exchange, Horirin asked with her vigilance fully on display.
Yeah, yeah, a person-repelling kid as always.
I don’t dislike kids like that, though I don’t particularly like them either.
“You guys are Class D students, right?
I heard that yesterday, while I wasn’t around, you came to Class B looking for information on witnesses.” “Same here.
…You’re trying to prove the innocence of your classmate, right?” “Even if we were conducting such an investigation, does that have anything to do with you two?” “Frankly, nope.” “Well, that’s true…
but I just got a bit curious and came to check on the situation.
If it’s alright with you, could you tell us the details?” “…I can only assume there’s an ulterior motive.” Well, regarding this incident, both Class A and B are complete outsiders, but even so, this girl leaves absolutely no room for negotiation.
“Is there really a need to be so vigilant?
It seems they really just came out of pure curiosity.” “I have no intention of catering to other people’s curiosity.” Even as Cozy tried to reason with her, Horirin—whose friendliness stat was sitting at 0—stepped back a little and began staring out the window.
Apparently, she meant for us to do whatever we wanted.
And Cozy, while I’m acting 100% out of curiosity, it seems Bankai-chan came to help out of 100% pure goodwill, you know.
“Tell us.
The teachers only told us that a fight broke out.” Cozy seemed slightly hesitant, but he explained the full story of the incident to us.
Apparently, Sudo-kun is talented enough to be a candidate for a regular spot in the Basketball Club, and basketball members from Class C who envied him called him out here and attacked him.
When he fought back and repelled them, they submitted a false report to the school.
Cozy and his group came looking for any potential clues, but unfortunately, there are no security cameras in the Special Building, making it impossible to tell which side is giving false testimony.
…If Ryunkel is pulling the strings from behind the scenes, he undoubtedly targeted this camera-less location specifically to cause the incident.
“You guys…
believe in Sudo-kun, right?
Since you’re friends, that’s only natural, but for Class D, this whole ordeal is a case of false accusation.
…However, what will you do if it turns out Sudo-kun was lying?” “Naturally, I will make him report it honestly.
That lie would undoubtedly end up strangling his own neck, after all.” If she had answered that they would cover it up here, even Bankai-chan wouldn’t have felt like helping.
As proof of that, she let out a breath of relief.
“…Are we done now?
You should have learned all the information you wanted to know.” “…Hey, if it’s alright, why don’t we help out too?
The more hands we have, the more efficient everything will be, right?” “Why is the conversation flowing in that direction?” “This school makes classes compete against each other, so this kind of trouble won’t be a one-time thing—it could happen in the future as well, right?
If the side that lies ends up winning, that’s a huge problem.
…Besides, now that I’ve heard about it, I personally can’t just overlook it.” As expected of Bankai-chan—a true personification of good in her driving principles.
Not to mention Arisu whose inside is pitch black, even that Katsuragi wouldn’t think of helping Class D for a reason like that.
Although it feels weird to say it myself, she’s vastly different from me, who just came to stick my nose in half-for-fun.
“I’ll lend a hand too.
Since my class is currently busy with internal strife, it’ll be my personal cooperation, though.” “Do you not have a place in your own class?
If so, how pitiful of you.” “To use a chess metaphor, I’m the Queen, so instructions only get passed to me in truly critical situations.
Even if I don’t move directly in the faction struggle, Katsuragi stands no chance against Arisu.” “…Katsuragi?
Arisu?” Are you serious, Horirin-chan?
At least look into the central figures of your rival classes…
Ah, come to think of it, was this girl a loner?
Since no one would tell her, and Class D seemed to have had a rough time, she probably didn’t have the leisure to gather information either.
“Kohei Katsuragi-kun and Arisu Sakayanagi-san.
In Class A, these two have each formed a group, and they’re apparently competing over who will lead the class.” “Even though Class A is always in a position to be targeted, internal strife sure makes you quite carefree.” “Well, as long as there’s no threat on the outside, isn’t it only natural to bicker on the inside?” Finding it might get interesting, I intentionally threw fuel on the fire.
While Bankai-chan and Cozy remained nonchalant, the hostility radiating from Horirin spiked dramatically.
…Or rather, Cozy, why don’t you join the conversation a bit instead of standing there like an ornament?
“You can get as carried away as you like for now.
If you’re resting on your laurels at the top spot, dragging you down shouldn’t be too difficult.” “If you seriously intend to drag us down, it’d be wiser to keep quiet so as not to cause unnecessary vigilance, you know?
…Well, I am expecting things, though.
If you guys grow enough to become a threat, Arisu—who is currently bored—will probably be delighted too.
…Well, so with that said, I’m free, so I’ll help out—” “I refuse.” Thought so.
I had a faint feeling it would turn out like this.
Well, it’s not like I couldn’t coax her into it if I tried…
but it’s not really something worth going that far for, yeah.
“Ichinose-san aside, you don’t possess a single element that makes you trustworthy.
It would be unbearable if you messed things up carelessly, so please leave immediately.” “Wow, talk about being intensely disliked.
…Well, if I’m uninvited, it’s whatever.
See ya, Bankai-chan, Cozy, Horirin.” “Wait.
It’s been bothering me this whole time, but stop calling me by that ridiculous name.” “It’s not ridiculous at all, how rude.
It’s Horikita Suzune, hence Horirin.
Cute, right?” “I told you to stop.
There is no reason I should be called by an absurd nickname by you.” “Ehh…
Why do I have to take orders from the likes of you?
Whatever I call you is my own freedom, right?” If she had asked nicely like Bankai-chan, that would be one thing, but if she talks down to me from above, of course I’ll refuse.
The only one allowed to order me around is Arisu—for now, at least.
“…Shall I make you listen by force?” “By force?
Someone of your level?
Why don’t you save your sleep-talking for when you’re actually asleep.” Ah, I’m hopeless too.
Since I’ve never had a girl direct this much hostility at me before…
I just can’t help wanting to pour oil on the fire.
The Arisu inside my mind is cheering me on, telling me to keep going.
“Alright, alright, stop, stop!
If people trying to resolve a violence incident resort to violence, that’s completely putting the cart before the horse.
Honjo-kun, don’t provoke her more than necessary either!” “Fair point, my bad, my bad.” While I apologized only for the sake of appearances without a single shred of actual remorse, Horirin turned away with a sullen expression.
This girl has a high sense of pride…
That’s fatal when going up against Ryunkel.
“Do you really dislike ‘Horirin’ that much?
…Alright, then let’s play a game.” “Are you fooling around?
We don’t have the time to deal with something like—” “The rules of the game are super simple!
…Try winning a complete verdict of innocence for Sudo-kun.
If you do, I’ll call you by your normal name.” “”!?”” …Hmm.
Judging by their expressions, Horirin and Bankai-chan seem to understand just how difficult that is.
Cozy’s expression remains completely blank, so I can’t tell about him, though.
Even if Class C is lying, Sudo-kun—who actually used violence and caused injuries—will likely receive some kind of punishment like suspension.
If that happens, the talk of him becoming a regular player will probably be wiped clean…
In other words, unless they win complete innocence, it’s essentially Class C’s victory.
In my assessment, there’s no way Sudo-kun will get complete innocence through conventional means…
through conventional means, that is.
“Will you accept my challenge?
Honestly, if you can’t handle a crisis of this level, you’re no match for me or Arisu…
But well, if you really hate it that much, I don’t mind calling you Horikita unconditionally, you know?” “…Fine.
I’ll accept that match.” As expected, a woman with high pride who is weak to provocation…
Not that I feel like mocking her for it.
When a seemingly impossibly difficult trial stands in the way, and a risk-free escape route is provided on top of that, most people would choose to run away.
The ones who can fight without running away here are either absolute idiots or people with an extraordinarily strong core.
“In exchange, I’ll have you change the demand for when I win.
Thinking about it carefully, whatever you call me is none of my concern anyway.” “Hmm…
What do you want?” “I’ll have you tell me the number of points you possess and how you collected them.” …Hoh, so that’s how it is.
“…Why do you want to know something like that?” “Today, I asked our homeroom teacher about the maximum amount of points any single student has ever gathered since this school was founded.
…The answer that came back was you.
Although she wouldn’t tell me the concrete amount.” I see, so that’s why she directed a look of interest at me in the beginning…
Or rather, personal information is leaking out again; the compliance in this school is as non-existent as ever.
“…Fine, if Sudo-kun gets acquitted, I’ll tell you.
Well then, good luck, I’m rooting for you.” Concluding with a fearless smile, I left the Special Building.
Given Horirin’s personality, she probably wasn’t very eager about this matter initially, but now she’s likely gotten serious.
Bankai-chan seems like she’ll help out too, so after that, using a bit of brainpower shouldn’t make bringing about an acquittal too difficult.
…However, there is just one area of concern.
…I wonder if security cameras can be obtained within these school grounds?
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: The angel inside Kiriha-kun’s heart = Tachibana-senpai The devil inside his heart = Arisu-chan Because the difference in power is far too great, they don’t appear at the same time to fight each other.