Chapter 073 Student Council, Proxy Witness Horikita Suzune
The announcement regarding the conflict between the clerk and a student didn't attract much attention. After receiving 3 million personal points, Hikigaya chose to remain silent. In truth, whether he received the hush money or not, he wouldn't have said a word anyway. Since the matter involved Airi's personal privacy, he didn't want her swept into a whirlwind of public opinion.
Currently, for the first-year students, everyone's focus was centered on the class rivalry between Class B and Class C.
Only one day remained before the Student Council's deliberation deadline. Class B still hadn't found any witnesses or evidence, and their faces were filled with dejection.
"Everyone, don't lose heart. We still have one day," Ichinose Honami encouraged them, maintaining an optimistic smile.
"Forget it, Ichinose. There won't be any witnesses," Himeno Yuki said grimly, having already given up the struggle. "Even if there were, people from other classes have no reason to help us."
The Class B students looked at her with pity.
"Ichinose, if it really doesn't work out," Kanzaki Ryuji suggested reasonably, "let's negotiate with Class C before the deliberation starts. At worst, we'll just pay them some points."
"I've already spoken to Ryuen from Class C about this," Ichinose Honami said, her brow furrowed. "But he refused to negotiate... unless we hand over all the class's points and have Himeno-san kneel and apologize to Manabe Shiho."
Even with her good temper, she couldn't accept such an outrageous demand.
"That's too much...!"
"They actually want Himeno-san to kneel and apologize!"
The Class B students were filled with righteous indignation.
Himeno Yuki clenched her fists, her heart filled with self-reproach for putting the entire class in crisis.
"I'll go ask friends in other classes again for any news." Ichinose Honami clung to the last shred of hope for outside help.
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Noon
"It's quite rare for you to seek me out at this hour." Horikita Suzune had a strange look in her eyes. "Don't you have to go to the library to accompany Shiina-san in reading?"
"I already told her I have business today..." Hikigaya had an odd expression. "Horikita, isn't your focus a bit off?"
Horikita Suzune used silence to skip the topic. Hikigaya knew her straightforward personality didn't care for beating around the bush.
"Before we talk, I want you to look at this." Hikigaya took out his phone and opened a photo.
"This is...?!"
At first glance, it looked like a selfie, but it was heavily pixelated so the subject couldn't be identified. However, in the top right corner of the photo, one could clearly see Himeno Yuki and Manabe Shiho's group pushing and pulling each other.
"Hikigaya, where did you get this?!" Horikita Suzune was overjoyed.
"From a witness who wishes to remain anonymous." Hikigaya didn't reveal any information about Airi.
"Are they worried about Class C's retaliation?" Horikita Suzune's eyes flickered; she found it understandable. She then turned to Hikigaya with a puzzled look: "What about you? Why not give the evidence directly to Class B? You could get that 1 million point reward."
"I told you, I don't participate in class rivalries," Hikigaya spoke the truth. "Besides, I find it a hassle. I want you to step forward and contact Class B."
Beyond those reasons, there was one more critical factor: he had previously accepted 1.5 million points from President Horikita, who had hinted that he should find opportunities to help Horikita Suzune grow.
Hikigaya saw this as a perfect training opportunity.
"You want me to contact Class B?" Horikita Suzune frowned. "You should know I don't like dealing with people."
She had thought that if evidence were found, Hikigaya would hand it over. She never expected him to be thinking the exact same thing.
"For some personal reasons, I don't want to have too much contact with Ichinose-san."
Horikita Suzune was stunned. After a moment of thought, she asked tentatively, "Ex-girlfriend?"
"Pfft! No! How did you reach such a ridiculous conclusion?!" Hikigaya was flabbergasted. "No matter how you look at it, Ichinose and I... would never have that kind of relationship!!"
He wanted to avoid her simply so she wouldn't recognize him as the shop clerk from that time, which would stir up her painful memories.
"Hard to say," Horikita Suzune said, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. "I'm joking."
"Horikita, you aren't suited for humor." Hikigaya said seriously. "Mind your own business!" Horikita instantly reverted to her cold face.
"There~ please keep that icy look. It's much easier on the eyes."
"Hikigaya, are you a masochist?" Horikita was speechless.
"Anyway, I'll leave this to you." Hikigaya sent the photo to her phone. "And remember, don't mention my involvement."
"Fine, you really are a strange guy..." Horikita Suzune shook her head.
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The Third Day
At the appointed time, representatives from Class B and Class C arrived at the Student Council.
"Ichinose, give up while you still can. I don't want much; Class B just needs to pay 4 million points in settlement fees." Ryuen Kakeru opened his mouth with a greedy demand right off the bat. Manabe Shiho and the others behind him glared arrogantly at Himeno Yuki.
"Ryuen-kun, don't get ahead of yourself. The deliberation hasn't even started yet." Ichinose Honami was calm, showing no sign of panic.
"Hmph! Despicable cowards!" Himeno Yuki glared at Manabe's group. It was clearly them who started it, but the moment she fought back, they played the victim—it was a total scam!
The two hostile groups entered the Student Council meeting hall. Horikita Manabu sat in the center. Before he even spoke, he exerted a stern aura. Both sides felt the pressure, especially Manabe's group, who appeared restless due to their guilty consciences.
"Hmph! Don't act like idiots!" Ryuen hissed at Manabe and the others, barely stabilizing them.
"Tachibana, summarize the previous session."
"Yes, President."
The secretary, Tachibana Akane, stood and read: "June 12, 3:45 PM. Himeno Yuki of Class B and Manabe Shiho, Yamashita Saki, and Yabu Nanami of Class C had a physical conflict in front of the vending machine in the school backyard... Is this accurate?"
Himeno Yuki looked nervous but nodded truthfully. The three from Class C glanced at each other and gave stiff affirmations.
"Wait a moment!" Ryuen emphasized loudly. "It wasn't a 'physical conflict,' it was unilateral intentional injury by Himeno Yuki!"
"No! You guys were the ones who started it!" Himeno Yuki panicked and retorted.
"Liar! You're the one making false accusations! Himeno fiercely pushed Manabe down!" "Exactly! Both of us can testify to that!" The three girls from Class C fluently recited their rehearsed lines.
"I..." Himeno Yuki was anxious and angry, yet unable to defend herself.
"Quiet! I will ask, and you will answer!" Horikita Manabu stopped the bickering and adjusted his glasses. "Now, I ask both sides: do you still stand by your previous statements?"
"Class B trusts Himeno Yuki 100% and maintains a plea of innocence!" Ichinose Honami declared. "Hmph! Class C stands by the original accusation!" Ryuen sneered.
"Very well. Since the testimonies are completely contradictory, it means one of you is lying. Have you considered the consequences of deceiving the Student Council?" Horikita Manabu's sharp eyes scanned both groups.
Himeno Yuki was uneasy but her gaze didn't waver. As for the three from Class C, their shifting eyes clearly betrayed their guilt. Horikita Manabu already knew the answer. However, the Student Council was not a court; it had no duty to uphold absolute justice. It served only as a neutral body to adjudicate the results of class competition.
"Now, both sides present supplementary evidence. The Student Council will make a final judgment," Horikita Manabu said.
"This is an injury assessment issued by the school nurse for the second-years." Ryuen handed over a report, looking like victory was in his grasp.
"The second-year nurse?" Tachibana Akane's eyes widened.
"Because the first-year nurse, Hoshinomiya, is Class B's homeroom teacher. To avoid bias, I went to a second-year teacher. That's reasonable, isn't it?" Ryuen explained.
"Ryuen-kun, I didn't expect you to go this far..." Ichinose Honami's expression turned grave. Up until now, his calculations had been flawless, giving him the complete upper hand.
"Brainpower is also a form of strength," Ryuen mocked. "Those of you without the brawn or the brains don't deserve the position of Class B!"
"I'm sorry, but it seems I'm going to disappoint you this time." Ichinose Honami took a deep breath and said firmly, "I request a witness proxy to attend this meeting!"
"Wh-what?!" "Where did a witness come from?" Manabe and the others panicked instantly.
A black-haired cold beauty stepped into the hall.
"Class 1-D... Horikita Suzune?!"
Tachibana Akane's eyes flickered, and she instinctively looked toward her President.
Horikita Manabu remained expressionless on the surface, but a hint of interest flashed deep in his eyes. He thought to himself: Well done, Hikigaya. It seems those 1.5 million points weren't wasted.
"..." Ryuen Kakeru's face was gloomy as he watched Horikita Suzune's sudden entrance. He had an ominous premonition and couldn't help but warn her: "This is a duel between Class C and Class B! As an outsider from Class D, are you sure you want to meddle in this mess?"
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