NOVEL WEB Chapter 14: Discussion.
"They started it!" Sudo yelled.
'Perhaps I spoke to soon...' Yuto sighed.
Allowing Sudo to speak freely could prove to be disadvantageous for their group. However, with Suzune unable to act due to her brother's presence, Yuto knew they needed to find a way to change the dynamics of the situation without causing unnecessary conflict.
He glanced at Ayanokoji, silently communicating his plan. Ayanokoji nodded imperceptibly, understanding Yuto's intentions. They had developed a sort of telepathic understanding over time, allowing them to coordinate their actions without exchanging a single word.
As Yuto watched Horikita begin to behave strangely, twitching uncontrollably, he bit his lip in frustration. "I'm so jealous of Kiyo-chan right now," he muttered under his breath, knowing that Ayanokoji's actions were necessary but still feeling a pang of envy.
Horikita's glare at Ayanokoji went unnoticed by Manabu, who turned a blind eye to her odd behavior. she stood up and asked the 3 class C students, "Under what circumstances did Sudo-kun call you out."
As Horikita and the others began to explain the situation, detailing how Sudo had called them after basketball practice and their subsequent decision to call Ishizaki as a precaution, Komiya interjected, claiming they had not intended to fight. Yuto saw an opportunity to challenge Komiya's assertion and stepped in, his tone teasing yet pointed. "If you didn't want to fight, why would you bring Ishizaki? Whose reputation is built on fighting in middle school," he questioned.
Komiya attempted to defend himself, stating it was for insurance, but Yuto wasn't convinced. "And yet, you didn't fight? Why the 'insurance' when in the end, you didn't even fight?" he pressed, his tone dripping with skepticism.
"I thought Ishizaki would intimidate Sudo-kun!" Komiya replied defensively.
Yuto allowed Horikita to take control of the conversation again until she mentioned a student who had witnessed the entire fight. The room fell silent as the Class C students looked visibly concerned. Just then, Sakura entered the room and explained her eyewitness account of the incident.
However, the Class C's homeroom teacher accused Sakura of being forced to act as if she had seen everything when she hadn't. Horikita's anger flared at the insinuation, but before she could respond, the teacher dismissed her words, accusing her of taking advantage of her classmates' good intentions.
Horikita's frustration boiled over as she raised her voice, insisting that Sakura had come forward in good faith. But the teacher interrupted her, dismissing her protests and suggesting that Sakura was trembling out of fear.
Yuto's anger surged at the teacher's dismissive attitude and smug demeanor. More than that, he cut of Horikita! when the teacher started talking about Sakura trembling being forced into such a situation, Yuto cut off the teacher with a scathing remark delivered in the same smug tone. "Why of course she would be trembling when a creepy old dude keeps talking about how she is acting and not giving her a chance to continue with her testimony," he retorted, his words effectively silencing the teacher and sparking a wave of fury in the teacher's eyes.
As Sakura presented her evidence, a selfie showing Sudo being ganged up by the three Class C students in the background, Yuto couldn't help but smirk in satisfaction. Horikita expressed her gratitude to Sakura for her contribution.
The teacher, revealed to be named Sakagami by Manabu, proposed a compromise: two weeks of suspension for Sudo, and one week for each of the Class C students. Sae appeared to agree with the proposal, while Sakura felt uncertain about the impact of her involvement. Horikita's expression betrayed mixed feelings, while Sudo seemed annoyed but ultimately satisfied with the outcome.
Sakagami began to conclude the meeting, but Yuto couldn't let it end without voicing his objections. "No, this compromise wouldn't be fair," he interjected boldly. Manabu looked intrigued by Yuto's interruption, while Sakagami frowned at the disruption. "I believe that Class D's representative should be the one to speak. Unless she agrees with your statement," Sakagami challenged, expecting Horikita to respond.
To Sakagami's surprise, Horikita acquiesced. "I do agree with Kazu-... No, Yuto over here," she admitted, allowing Yuto to continue. Seizing the opportunity, Yuto pressed on. "Everything Sudo has done was self-defense. I believe he is a free man, and instead, I think Sudo should receive compensation for being ganged up by three people."
His words hung in the air, challenging the proposed compromise and advocating for justice on behalf of Sudo.
"And what if Sudo-kun was the one to show aggression first?" Sakagami asked, a smirk playing on his lips.
"He didn't, though. It was a setup by Ryuuen," Yuto chuckled nonchalantly, brushing off Sakagami's insinuation.
"A setup? How funny. Seems like we have a clown in the room!" Sakagami retorted, his laughter echoing around the room.
Unfazed, Yuto calmly opened his phone and played an audio clip. As Sakagami and the Class C students continued to laugh, the atmosphere suddenly shifted as everyone fell silent upon hearing the audio.
[Kondo: "Who the hell are you to call us Idoits huh?! Want me to beat up your pretty face you bastard?"
Yuto: "seems like this one really lacks basic intellect."
Ishizaki: "Kondo, his Kazuki Yuto and we should avoid this conflict and ask Ryuuen what to do and leave for now."]
Yuto maintained his smirk as everyone in the room was left aghast, including Horikita and Sae. Ayanokoji, though outwardly composed, couldn't hide his surprise at Yuto's possession of the information. Apart from Sudo, no one from their side knew that Yuto had been present during the incident; he had kept that detail to himself. The Class C students, on the other hand, were sweating profusely, clearly rattled by the unexpected turn of events.
Sakagami attempted to regain control of the situation. "Well, umm, you know, anything can be fabricated with AI these days," he stammered.
"Bullshit," Yuto retorted, his chuckle laced with skepticism. "If that audio was truly AI-generated, I bet your students wouldn't be drowning in their own sweat."
"Enough," Manabu interjected, his voice commanding.
The room fell into a tense silence. "I shall make my decision by 4:00 tomorrow. That is all," Manabu announced, effectively ending the meeting.
_____________________________________
"Why didn't you tell me you had something like that audio?" Horikita demanded in a commanding tone, her grip tightening on Yuto's ear. 'Like brother, like sister...' Yuto thought, wincing as his ear was being pulled. "Suzune! I was just trying to surprise you, I promise! Can you stop pulling my ear? It hurts!"
Horikita shot Yuto a glare. "If it hurts, why are you grinning, you perverted masochist?"
"I'm not a masochist! It's only with you!" Yuto protested, trying to ease the tension. Horikita's cheeks flushed slightly as she punched Yuto in the gut. "Hey! Punch me again and I'll complain to the student council about you manhandling me!" Yuto threatened, rubbing his sore stomach. Horikita furrowed her brow, raising her fist threateningly.
Before she could strike again, Manabu's voice interrupted. "Oh, you're still here..." he remarked, his presence catching them off guard.
Yuto seized the opportunity, feigning tears. "LOOK! Brother-in-law, your sister is attacking me!" he exclaimed, earning surprised reactions from Sakura and Tachibana. Manabu's expression shifted slightly, his frown indicating he had forgotten he allowed Yuto to call him that. Tachibana let out a startled shriek at the unexpected revelation. Horikita blushed furiously as she punched Yuto's head. "Idiot!" she spat out.
Meanwhile, Sakura approached Horikita cautiously, whispering, "Horikita-san, are you dating Kazuki-kun?" Horikita's eyes widened in shock as her cheeks flushed even brighter. "NO! YUTO IS JUST AN IDIOT!" she exclaimed defensively, attempting to deflect the question.
"I'm not so sure about that," Manabu said, adjusting his glasses.
Yuto couldn't help but grin triumphantly, turning to Horikita. "See! I'm smart! Our brother just said so!"
Horikita's hand twitched, poised for another punch, but she restrained herself in the presence of her brother. Meanwhile, Manabu redirected his attention to Sakura, stating firmly, "A truth without proof is just a lie."
Sakura's expression reflected her anxiety as Ayanokoji stepped in. "I believe her," he asserted, his voice steady.
Yuto wanted to echo Ayanokoji's sentiment, but before he could speak, Horikita pinched him sharply, causing him to wince in pain. Manabu ignored their exchange, slamming his hand against the wall near Ayanokoji. "Can you prove it?" he demanded, his tone intense.
"That's a good question," Ayanokoji admitted, his demeanor composed.
While Ayanokoji and Manabu engaged in conversation, Yuto found himself chuckling softly under his breath. 'Masochist, huh? Maybe she's right about that...' he mused internally, earning another sharp pinch from Horikita in response to his laughter.