I came, I saw, I lost! (Classroom of the Elite Fanfiction)

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"You've finally arrived," Horikita Manabu said in his usual professional tone, seated at the head of the table. His sharp gaze swept over them as they entered.

Inside the student council room, only two people were present—Horikita Manabu himself and his secretary, Tachibana Akane.

Tachibana stood a little behind Manabu, holding a folder with a rather devout expression.

Her presence, rather than that of a student council secretary, seemed more like a personal assistant entirely dedicated to Horikita Manabu himself.

Among the student council members, only the two of them were present. The vice president, Nagumo, was strangely absent.

The accusers from Class C had yet to arrive.

Ayanokouji took in the room's atmosphere. It was quiet, almost unnervingly so, like the calm before a storm. Meanwhile, Kumagawa strolled in without a care in the world, his usual smile plastered on his face.

『Good morning! Ah, wait—I meant good afternoon! But honestly, who cares? Morning, afternoon, evening. 』

"Sit down." Manabu's tone was firm, cutting through Kumagawa's nonsense.

『Yes, yes. 』

Kumagawa flopped into a chair without hesitation.

Ayanokouji and Chabashira remained standing for a moment before eventually taking their seats as well. Chabashira leaned against the wall, arms crossed, observing quietly.

Horikita Manabu turned his gaze toward Ayanokouji.

"I assume you were informed of why you are here?"

"Yes." Ayanokouji gave a simple nod.

Manabu then shifted his attention back to Kumagawa. "Before the accusers from Class C arrive, I assume you have done your due diligence in preparing a defense?"

『Due diligence? Now that's a heavy phrase. I mean, just hearing it makes my head hurt. It sounds like something only diligent, responsible people do. 』

"Are you saying you came here without any preparation?"

『Don't misunderstand. I wouldn't be so reckless. I've got a plan.』

"A plan?"

『Yep! A flawless, perfect plan that will make everyone happy. Okay, maybe not everyone. But someone will be happy. Probably. 』

"...Can you get serious for once? Kumagawa."

『Of course, even a person like me can get serious or not get serious once every thousand years or so. 』

Ayanokouji watched the exchange quietly.

Even now, Kumagawa showed no hint of tension. Was it confidence, or had he simply given up?

Before Manabu could respond, there was a knock at the door.

The accusers had arrived.

The door opened, and Yajima Mariko stepped in, accompanied by her homeroom teacher. Although the bandages were gone, faint bruises still remained on her cheek and wrist.

The moment her eyes landed on Kumagawa, her body tensed. It was subtle, but her shoulders stiffened, and she instinctively took a small step closer to her teacher. Even if she didn't say anything, her reaction spoke volumes.

"You're late, Sakagami-sensei."

Chabashira greeted the bespectacled man with her usual bluntness.

"My apologies, Chabashira-sensei, it's quite difficult to move quickly when dealing with a student who has been... emotionally affected by such a traumatic experience."

Sakagami Kazuma, the homeroom teacher of Class C, responded in a rather provocative manner. Adjusting his glasses with an air of smugness, he wore a knowing smirk, as if he were already confident in the outcome of this hearing.

He placed a reassuring hand on Mariko's shoulder, emphasizing his point. She remained silent, but her fingers gripped the hem of her sleeve tightly.

Ayanokouji observed the interaction carefully. It was clear that Sakagami was deliberately setting the tone—positioning Mariko as the victim before the discussion even began.

"Then let's start the hearing quickly," Manabu's expresssion remain unchanged, maintaining his usual composed demeanor and said, "The two from Class C, please take a seat. The discussion is about to begin."

At that moment, Tachibana Akane stepped forward.

"Next, we will conduct the hearing between the student council and the individuals involved in last week's sexual assault and violence incident, as well as their respective class advisors. I, serving as the secretary of the student council, will preside over the meeting."

Her voice was clear and firm.

She held up a folder and began reading from the documents within.

"The individuals involved in this incident are Kumagawa Misogi from Class D and Yajima Mariko from Class C.

She continued explaining the details of the reported incident.

"According to Yajima Mariko, the accuser, she was reportedly shoved against a wall by the accused and restrained, leaving visible bruises. Mariko claimed she had been afraid for her safety and had managed to escape before anything worse could happen."

Ayanokouji shifted his gaze toward Mariko. She kept her head down, hands clasped tightly together. Her posture remained tense, as if forcing herself to stay composed.

After listing the allegations, Tachibana moved on to the opposing statement.

"However, according to Kumagawa Misogi, the accused denied any malicious intent, claiming that Mariko had been the one to approach him first."

She placed the document down and looked toward Mariko.

"Based on the above facts, we hope to determine which party's claim is true."

Tachibana exhaled lightly, maintaining her professional demeanor.

"Now, please allow me, as a representative, to first confirm the testimonies of the individuals involved."

Her gaze fell directly on Mariko.

"Yajima Mariko, you claim to have been unilaterally attacked and physically restrained against your will. Is this true?"

Mariko hesitated for a brief moment, then nodded.

"Yes." Her voice was small but firm.

"In your report, you mentioned that the accused's actions left you with multiple bruises. Can you confirm whether these injuries were sustained as a direct result of his physical restraint?"

Mariko slowly lifted her wrist, showing the faint discoloration still visible on her skin.

"I... I didn't have these bruises before that day," she said. "He grabbed me, and no matter how much I struggled, he wouldn't let go. I was scared."

Sakagami-sensei let out a small sigh, shaking his head.

"This is completely unacceptable. A student should never have to feel unsafe in their own school."

Chabashira, however, didn't react to his words. Instead, she simply glanced toward Kumagawa.

『Wow, scary. I mean, with the way you're talking, even I'm starting to wonder if I really did something bad.』

Kumagawa's tone was lighthearted, but he showed no real amusement. He rested his chin on his hand, watching the scene unfold with his usual unreadable smile.

Tachibana turned her attention to him.

"Kumagawa Misogi, do you admit to physically restraining the accuser?"

『Nuh-uh. 』

Kumagawa suddenly raised a finger, wagging it playfully. 『Before we get to that, I'd like to ask something first. Is it okay for me to feel heartbroken right now? Because if there's anything that really got hurt that day, it was probably my heart.』

Mariko flinched slightly.

『I mean, a confession is already embarrassing enough, right? But then being accused of this right after? That's just cruel.』

The room went silent.

Ayanokouji observed quietly. As absurd as Kumagawa's words sounded, there was a strange logic to them. If the sequence of events involved a confession gone wrong, then the emotional stakes would be different from a sudden, unprovoked assault.

Sakagami frowned. "Are you trying to shift the blame onto the victim?"

『No, no, not at all. I just think it's important to remember the context of the situation, you know? Otherwise, wouldn't that be unfair to me? 』

"Unfair? You physically restrained a girl. That alone is more than enough to warrant punishment."

『Oh? So just touching someone means I'm automatically in the wrong? That's kinda scary, don't you think? I mean, what if she grabbed me first?』

"That's irrelevant. The difference in strength between a boy and a girl is—"

『Ah, so it's a gender thing. 』

Sakagami's lips pressed into a thin line.

Horikita Manabu, who had been quietly observing, finally intervened.

"We will proceed with confirming both perspectives. Yajima Mariko, please provide a clear account of the events leading up to the alleged assault."

Mariko took a breath, seemingly gathering her thoughts.

"It started when I approached Kumagawa-san to talk," she began. "But then things escalated, and before I knew it..."

『... 』

Given the situation, people tend to lean toward the victim's side.

This was the effective use of a feigned victim strategy. Especially when the accusation was sexual assault—against a 16-year-old girl, no less.

After all, according to common sense, one wouldn't harm oneself. If someone sustained injuries, it must be due to some external force they couldn't resist.

Taking advantage of this common belief—harming oneself to deceive others and achieve a predetermined goal—was a textbook example of manipulation.

Therefore, in a situation where both sides lacked concrete evidence to prove the source of one's injuries, the wind naturally shifted toward the alleged victim.

As if timed perfectly, Sakagami sighed.

"As their teacher, it pains me deeply to see my student treated like this. I hope the student council president and the school will ensure justice for her, and that the guilty party receives the punishment they deserve."

His words carried a weight of certainty, as if the matter had already been settled.

Tachibana, maintaining a professional tone, addressed the room.

"Before proceeding further, we must evaluate the evidence provided by both parties. To ensure a fair ruling, I will ask each side to present any supporting proof regarding their claims."

She turned toward Sakagami and Mariko first.

"Class C, please submit any evidence you have that supports the accusation."

At that, Mariko hesitated slightly before glancing up at her teacher. Sakagami, adjusting his glasses, took out a printed document and placed it on the table.

"We have Mariko's medical report from the infirmary, which confirms the presence of bruising consistent with physical restraint."

Tachibana took the paper and examined it carefully before passing it to Horikita Manabu.

"Additionally," Sakagami continued, "we have witness testimony from students who saw Mariko running away in distress. They can confirm that she appeared frightened after her encounter with Kumagawa."

Tachibana noted this down.

"Understood. And what about the accused?" She shifted her attention toward Kumagawa. "Kumagawa Misogi, do you have any evidence to counter these claims?"

Kumagawa blinked innocently.

『Evidence? Hmm. That's a tough one. You see, I usually prefer to live in the moment rather than collect things like proof.』

He smiled lazily, as if this were some minor misunderstanding rather than a serious accusation.

"In other words, you have no evidence?"

『Ah, well, let's not be too hasty. Evidence isn't just about things you can touch, right? There are also things you feel—like instincts, gut feelings, or maybe even the deep, deep sorrow of a broken heart. 』

Sakagami scoffed. "Are you trying to make a joke out of this?"

『Not at all! I take heartbreak very seriously.』

Ignoring his nonsense, Tachibana continued, "To clarify, do you deny the accusations entirely?"

『Of course I do. I didn't do anything wrong. 』

Tachibana sighed softly before speaking again.

"To ensure fairness, we will now proceed with witness testimonies. However, I must clarify—witnesses from the accuser's own class are prohibited, as they may be biased. Only neutral third parties or those unrelated to the class dispute will be allowed."

At Tachibana's signal, the door opened once more.

Two male students entered the room.

Tachibana glanced down at the document in her hands before announcing their presence.

"These are the witnesses called to testify regarding the incident."

Naoki, a tall student with short hair, walked in confidently, while Yasumi, slightly shorter with a mild demeanor, followed behind with a more hesitant expression.

The two took their places, standing in front of the student council members.

Tachibana looked at them.

"Please state your affiliation and what you witnessed on the day of the incident."

"I'm Naoki Shimizu, a first-year student from Class A."

"I'm Yasumi Sawada, also from Class A."

Kumagawa looked at the two as they introduced themselves, and a vague sense of familiarity crept into his mind.

He had seen them before.

Not in any particularly memorable way, though.

『Ah. It's you two. 』He snapped his fingers as if recalling an old friend's name. 『You're the guys who were bothering me in the cafeteria the other day, right? What was it again? Oh, right, you were talking about something boring while I was eating. 』

Tachibana, noticing the exchange, turned to Kumagawa.

"Kumagawa Misogi. Do you have something relevant to add?"

『Not at all. 』

A brief silence followed.

Tachibana sighed, clearly deciding not to entertain his nonsense any further.

She acknowledged the two witnesses with a nod before continuing.

"Now, please describe what you saw on the day of the incident."

Naoki was the first to respond as he recalled the events.

"Well, Yasumi and I were just hanging out near the school courtyard that afternoon. Nothing special, just talking about some random things—classwork, club activities, the usual. We weren't really paying attention to anything in particular."

He paused for a moment, glancing at Yasumi, who nodded in agreement.

"But then, all of a sudden, we saw someone running out of one of the school buildings. It caught our attention right away because... well, it wasn't just normal running. It was frantic, like she was trying to get away from something. And when we got a better look, we saw that it was Yajima Mariko."

Yasumi, who had been quiet so far, spoke up next.

"She looked completely shaken. Her clothes were... disheveled. Like someone had grabbed her, or—" he hesitated before continuing, "—like she had struggled with someone. And she was crying."

Naoki nodded firmly.

"Yeah. She ran past us so fast that we barely had time to react, but it was obvious something was wrong. She was breathing heavily, like she had been holding it in until she got outside, and she kept looking over her shoulder. Honestly, it freaked us out a little."

Tachibana listened intently before asking, "When exactly did you see her?"

Yasumi answered first this time.

"Around the late afternoon, maybe an hour or so before the end of club activities. We didn't check the time, but the sun was still out."

He hesitated for a moment before adding, "But we saw her coming out of the building in a completely disheveled state. That means something must have happened inside before she ran out."

Naoki nodded in agreement.

"And like we said, she was completely shaken. She didn't even stop when we called out to her. It was like she just wanted to get as far away from that building as possible."

The atmosphere in the room grew heavier as the two finished their statements.

Chabashira's expression wasn't good. Even though she had remained composed so far, her sharp gaze flickered slightly.

Ayanokouji quietly analyzed the situation.

The witnesses were from Class A, a class that had no direct involvement in the incident. Because of that, their words carried weight—they weren't people with an obvious reason to lie. And their testimony was simple but effective: they saw Yajima Mariko running out of the building in a disheveled state, shaken and distressed.

It didn't prove Kumagawa's guilt directly, but in a case like this, perception was more important than truth.

Given how humans naturally process information, it was easy for their words to reinforce what everyone already assumed.

A young girl, running out of a building in fear, her clothes in disarray—without any additional context, most people would instinctively conclude that something terrible had happened inside. And since she had already named Kumagawa as the culprit, that assumption only grew stronger.

The argument was built on suggestion rather than evidence. Yet, at a glance, it seemed irrefutable.

Both Ayanokouji and chabashira then look toward Kumagwa. He wondered how he would get out of this situation.

『Man, what a crazy misunderstanding, huh? 』

However, watching him so easily accepting the accusation without any consideration made them uneasy—it seemed Kumagawa actually enjoyed it when he was at a disadvantage, or when he was in a crisis.

'Did he just not think about wanting to win?' Ayankouji thought.

Even now, it seemed like he was simply amusing himself with the situation. Was he able to stay this relaxed because he wasn't concerned about winning or losing?

It was possible.

If he had no particular attachment to the outcome, then naturally, he wouldn't feel pressure.

"Then, before we proceed further," Tachibana spoke up, turning her attention away from Kumagawa. "Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, you were the last person to be with Kumagawa Misogi before the incident took place. As such, you may be in a position to provide additional information."

"You're asking me to act as a witness?"

"Yes."

Just like Tachibana said earlier, testimonies from members of the same class were prohibited in hearings like this to avoid bias. However, as Ayanokouji had not been involved in the incident itself, he could be considered an exception.

Unlike the Class A students who had only seen the aftermath, Ayanokouji had been with Kumagawa prior to it. That meant his testimony had the potential to serve as a counterweight to the current narrative.

Tachibana continued, "Given your proximity to the accused before the alleged event, do you have anything to report regarding his actions or behavior that day?"

Ayanokouji considered his words carefully before answering.

"Kumagawa was acting the same as always. Everyone in Class D already knows his routine—he goes to the convenience store almost every day."

Tachibana looked at him. "And you were with him at that time?"

"Yes. I happened to go with him that day."

"For what reason?"

"I was curious. He buys Shounen Jump every week, so I wanted to see what was so great about it."

『What a shame. That day, the shipment got delayed. 』

Ayanokouji gave a small nod. "Right. When we got there, there was no Shounen Jump in stock."

"And then?"

"That's when I saw a girl approaching Kumagawa. It was Yajima Mariko."

Tachibana adjusted her glasses. "You're certain it was her?"

"Yes. She walked up to Kumagawa and started talking to him. After a short conversation, they walked off together. I didn't follow them after that."

"So you can confirm that Kumagawa and Yajima Mariko willingly walked off together?"

"Yes."

"And she showed no signs of distress at the time?"

"None that I noticed."

She turned her attention back to Yajima Mariko.

"Mariko, when you approached Kumagawa Misogi that day, was it of your own will?"

"...Yes."

"So you willingly approached Kumagawa Misogi. For what reason?"

Mariko's grip on her skirt tightened. "...I wanted to confess to him."

"..."

'What did she say?'

For a moment, Ayanokouji doubted his own ears. He quickly replayed her words in his head, making sure he hadn't misheard. But no matter how many times he went over them, the answer remained the same.

She had confessed to Kumagawa.

The idea was so absurd that his usually composed mind struggled to process it.

Liking Kumagawa was like willingly diving headfirst into a pit filled with spikes, while smiling. No, even that analogy didn't feel extreme enough. It was more like deliberately setting oneself on fire just to see if it felt warm.

Was it possible she was mentally unwell? Or maybe she had some kind of unique taste that defied conventional understanding?

He glanced toward Chabashira. Her expression was still frozen in disbelief.

Even though this was the second time she had heard it, it seemed she still couldn't fully accept it.

"To clarify, you approached Kumagawa of your own volition to confess your feelings?"

Mariko bit her lip but nodded again. "Yes."

Tachibana let out a quiet breath as she organized the details in her mind. Then, with her usual composed demeanor, she summarized the sequence of events.

"To reiterate—Yajima Mariko willingly approached Kumagawa Misogi to confess her feelings. Shortly after, she was seen running out of the building in a distressed state, her clothes disheveled, by Naoki Shimizu and Yasumi Sawada of Class A. These witnesses have testified that she appeared completely shaken, though they did not see what happened inside the building."

She glanced at the documents in front of her before continuing.

"Meanwhile, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka of Class D has provided testimony that he was with Kumagawa prior to the encounter and witnessed Yajima approaching him of her own volition. However, as he was not present during the alleged incident itself, his testimony does not directly confirm or refute the accusation."

Tachibana turned to Kumagawa.

"The student council will now hear the defense of Kumagawa Misogi. Do you have anything to say regarding the accusation against you?"

All eyes in the room turned to him.

At this stage, both sides had presented their claims. Without concrete evidence, the hearing would end in favor of the alleged victim. As previously stated, the purpose of this hearing was for both parties to provide supporting evidence for their arguments.

If Kumagawa failed to do so, it would mean the case would be decided based on public perception alone—an outcome that heavily favored Class C.

Everyone present understood this.

Which meant that Kumagawa's next move would be the key to this hearing.

Yet, despite the pressure, Kumagawa didn't seem particularly bothered. He sat there, leisurely tilting his chair back, as if he were just a spectator rather than the accused.

『Hmm... Evidence, huh? You know, evidence is a tricky thing.』

He tapped his fingers against the table.

『Alright, let's say for a moment that truth and lies are like ramen. 』

Silence.

Chabasira pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ramen."

『Ramen. 』 Kumagawa nodded seriously, as if he had just presented a groundbreaking theory. 『Imagine you go to a ramen shop. The chef swears up and down that his ramen is the best. Perfect broth, handmade noodles, a work of art. But when you take a bite, it tastes like someone boiled a sock. 』

"...And this relates to the case how?"

『Isn't it obvious? Just because someone says something is true, doesn't mean it is true. Likewise, just because someone claims to have evidence, doesn't mean it actually proves anything. A bad bowl of ramen is still a bad bowl of ramen, no matter how much the chef insists it's the best in the world.』

Manabu folded his arms. "So you're saying Class C's evidence is bad ramen?"

『That's right. Cheap broth, overcooked noodles, toppings that don't even match. 』

Sakagami scoffed. "Then what about your evidence?"

『Mine is even worse. Instant noodles, expired seasoning packet, and water that isn't even hot enough. Honestly, I wouldn't eat either.』

Ayanokouji raised an eyebrow.

After all that, he just admitted his own case was flimsy.

Sakagami seized the opportunity. "You see, President? This is exactly what I meant. The accused can't even defend himself properly. He's clearly guilty."

"Are you saying that just because he lacks evidence to prove his innocence, that automatically makes him guilty?" Manabu remained expressionless.

"Of course. If he had an alibi, he would have presented it by now." Sakagami adjusted his glasses. "If he had witnesses, he would've called them. Instead, all he's done is spout nonsense. You can't possibly expect us to take his side when he has nothing to support it."

He turned back to Kumagawa, looking at him as if he were scolding a foolish child.

"Kumagawa, you need to understand—thinking like that is naive."

Ayanokouji considered Sakagami's words.

On the surface, his reasoning made sense. Without evidence to support his innocence, Kumagawa was naturally at a disadvantage. In situations like these, the one making the accusation had the upper hand simply by existing.

But was that really enough to declare guilt?

Of course it was.

It wasn't about fairness or truth—it was about perception. When faced with a claim of wrongdoing, the burden always fell on the accused to disprove it. And in cases like this, where the accusation was particularly damning, the accused was already halfway to being condemned just by being named.

Sure enough, Class C came prepared.

Ayanokouji had been watching Kumagawa closely throughout the hearing. From the beginning, he had never shown the slightest concern about the situation.

He didn't even look frustrated or pressured—just amused. And now, that amusement seemed to deepen.

Ayanokouji's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Kumagawa's expression.

His smile—it was growing wider.

That, more than anything, put him on edge.

Not just him.

The mood in the room shifted. It was subtle, but everyone seemed to notice it. Even though Kumagawa was just smiling as usual, there was something unnatural about it.

No one could quite put their finger on it, but a faint unease began creeping in.

『So... Are you saying you want substantial evidence...? 』

Kumagawa's voice was light, almost playful.

Then, with a small cough, he cleared his throat.

『Ehem. Well, if that's the case, then I guess I have no choice. 』

His unusually straightforward statement made everyone in the room tense up.

"Y-you... do you really have evidence?" Sakagami frowned, adjusting his glasses. His confident expression wavered as he observed Kumagawa's face. There was something deeply unsettling about the way he smiled.

Besides him, Yajima Mariko had gone pale, small beads of sweat forming on her forehead. The two witnesses from Class A exchanged glances, their previous certainty beginning to crack.

Trying to reassert control, Sakagami pushed up his glasses and scoffed.

"That's impossible. The Special Admission Building doesn't have security cameras inside. If you're claiming to have evidence, then I'd love to hear where you supposedly got it from."

『You're right, of course. The inside of the building has no surveillance cameras, and the surrounding ones didn't catch the actual scene. 』

"The school has already reviewed the footage. There was no recorded evidence of Yajima Mariko leaving the Special Admission Building. That's precisely why the testimonies of the witnesses from Class A are crucial in determining what happened." Tachibana revealed the bad news.

Ayanokouji observed the exchange in silence, analyzing the situation.

'They really prepared well for this.'

Class C had been thorough, ensuring that there was no direct evidence that could contradict their claims. The fact that Mariko's escape hadn't been captured by the surrounding cameras only added to the credibility of their witnesses. If there was no footage, then their testimonies carried more weight.

It was meticulous.

And yet—

『Oh, I agree! You're absolutely right. The footage doesn't show Mariko-chan leaving. Which is exactly why the witnesses are so important!』

He tilted his head, his smile widening.

『But tell me, everyone... Are surveillance cameras the only way to record something?』

Kumagawa pulled out his phone.

—!!!

A clear and crisp sound effect played as a video appeared on the screen.

"T-that's...!"

The moment the footage started playing, Horikita Manabu, Chabashira, Tachibana Akane, and Ayanokouji all showed visible reactions.

As for Class C and the two witnesses from Class A—including Sakagami Kazuma—all four of them widened their eyes in shock.

The video on Kumagawa's phone displayed a clear recording of the area in front of the Special Admission Building.

It was footage taken on the day of the incident

The video clearly showed Yajima Mariko and Kumagawa entering the building together.

And before long—

It captured Yajima Mariko leaving the building. Unlike the earlier testimonies, the footage showed her walking out normally.

There were no signs of distress. No disheveled clothing. No evidence of panic or struggle. Just a calm, composed Mariko leaving the building on her own.

Kumagawa paused the video at that moment.

Then, with a smirk, he zoomed in—focusing on Yajima Mariko's completely unharmed appearance.

『Hmm... Does this look like someone who just ran away in terror to you?』

Silence filled the room.

Everyone's eyes were glued to the screen.

It was undeniable.

The Yajima Mariko shown in the footage was completely different from the one described by the witnesses.

Sakagami Kazuma's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. The two witnesses from Class A exchanged glances, their faces pale.

Yajima Mariko sat frozen in place, her fingers gripping the hem of her skirt so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Tachibana Akane adjusted her glasses.

"Kumagawa Misogi, where did you obtain this footage?"

『Oh, just a little something I had lying around. You see, I may be a terrible human being, but I have my habits. Coincidentally, my habit seemed to be collecting dashboard footage.』

He tapped his phone screen, bringing the video back up.

The footage came from a dashboard camera mounted on a parked car. The angle directly faced the entrance of the Special Admission Building, providing a clear, uninterrupted view of everything that happened outside.

Manabu, who had remained silent up until now, finally spoke.

"Explain."

『Oh, if you insist. But be warned, it's not a very exciting story.』

Despite saying that, he continued anyway.

『See, it all started because of Weekly Shounen Jump. I'm a man of routine, you know? Every Monday, I go to the convenience store to pick up the latest issue. It's my little tradition. But when I went that day, it wasn't there. The clerk told me the shipment was delayed and would arrive the next day.』

He sighed exaggeratedly.

『Truly, a tragic moment in my life. But, well, what can you do? I figured I'd just come back the next day.』

His eyes flickered toward Ayanokouji.

『And, as our dear friend Ayanokouji-kun testified earlier, I did exactly that. Tuesday came, and I went to the store again. And guess what? Still no Shounen Jump. Can you believe that? A whole week without knowing what happens next in One Piece!』

He shook his head in mock despair before continuing.

『And then, right when I was wallowing in my misery, Yajima Mariko-chan showed up. She said she wanted to talk, so I followed her to the Special Admission Building.』

Kumagawa then gestured toward the footage.

『That's when I saw it. The shipment car parked nearby. But more importantly, the dashboard camera was still running. And I thought to myself, "Oh, what a perfect little security camera."』

『Of course, I didn't touch it. That would be illegal, after all. So I left it alone. But then—! The very next day, I heard the news. I was accused of something so awful, so heinous, so horrifying that it nearly brought me to tears!』

He wiped an imaginary tear from his eye.

『But alas, there was nothing I could do. Because if I tried to say anything, they'd just say I was making excuses. So, I waited. I waited for Monday to come around again. 』

He tapped his phone screen once more.

『And when it did, I went straight to the store, just like always. And lo and behold, the shipment had arrived, just like before. Which meant—!』

He dramatically pointed at the screen.

『The car had been there again, just like before! So, I simply retrieved the footage. And wouldn't you know it? It showed exactly what I needed it to show. 』

Ayanokouji quietly observed the reaction in the room.

As expected, Kumagawa's reasoning was strange. No, not just strange—completely absurd. Who else would tie their alibi to something as ridiculous as a delayed manga shipment? And yet, despite how ridiculous it sounded, it made perfect sense coming from him.

That also explained his behavior over the past week.

He hadn't done anything. He didn't resist the accusations. He let them pile up without showing any concern. And now, it was clear why—he had been waiting.

Waiting for Monday.

Ayanokouji hadn't paid attention to the convenience store's delivery schedule. It was irrelevant to him.

'So that's why he skipped class on Monday.'

While everyone else was preparing their arguments, gathering witness testimonies, and strengthening their case, Kumagawa had been doing absolutely nothing.

Because he didn't need to.

The moment he retrieved the footage, the game was over.

Now, it was Class A and Class C's turn to respond.

"W-wait, this doesn't prove anything!" Sakagami Kazuma immediately snapped back, his voice sharp. "This only shows her leaving the building normally! That doesn't mean nothing happened inside!"

"That's right!" Naoki Shimizu from Class A quickly backed him up. "Just because she wasn't in distress at that moment doesn't mean she wasn't harmed later! What if she just held it in until she got far enough away? It happens all the time in cases like this!"

Their desperate justifications filled the room, but they lacked the same confidence they had before.

The foundation of their argument was crumbling.

Horikita Manabu's calm voice cut through the tension.

"Tachibana, read the testimonies from Class C and Class A again."

Tachibana, still visibly shaken by the sudden turn of events, hesitated for a moment. She hadn't expected such a quick reversal. Until just moments ago, the trial was proceeding in a way that almost guaranteed Kumagawa's guilt. And yet, with one ridiculous but undeniable piece of evidence, the entire situation had shifted.

But the moment Manabu spoke, her instincts as the student council secretary took over.

"Understood."

She quickly flipped through the documents, gathering herself before reading aloud.

"The testimony from Class C states that Yajima Mariko fled the special admission building in a distressed state, her clothes disheveled, and was seen crying as she ran."

She turned to the next page.

"The witnesses from Class A—Naoki Shimizu and Yasumi Sawada—testified that they directly saw her running out of the building in a panic, visibly shaken, and unresponsive when called out to..."

"....."

Tangible evidence was presented before their eyes.

As a result, it was already certain.

Sakagami Kazuma fell into a complete silence.

Tachibana turned her eyes toward the members of Class C and Class A.

"Would you like to explain this discrepancy?"

Silence.

Naoki Shimizu and Yasumi Sawada looked at each other, their faces pale. Yajima Mariko's hands trembled on her lap. Sakagami Kazuma's usually composed expression cracked, his fingers twitching slightly as he adjusted his glasses.

They hadn't expected this.

"T-there must be some kind of mistake...!" Naoki clenched his fists.

Sakagami, trying to regain control of the situation, quickly followed up.

"That video—! Who's to say it wasn't edited or tampered with? After all, it's just a dashboard camera. How do we know that footage is real?"

『Ah, see, now you're thinking like a true skeptic! I like that! I really do!』

He gestured toward Manabu.

『But I'm just a useless good-for-nothing. I wouldn't know how to prove that, so let's ask someone who does. Say, Student Council President, is there a way to verify the authenticity of this footage?』

Horikita Manabu, who had been quietly watching, nodded.

"The school has access to software that can check for video manipulation. If necessary, we can analyze the footage immediately to determine its validity."

Sakagami's jaw tightened.

That was bad.

If the video was confirmed as real, then their entire argument would collapse.

Sakagami's mind raced for an alternative, but before he could speak—

"No..."

A weak voice cut through the room.

Everyone turned to Yajima Mariko.

She was trembling.

"The video... It's real."

"Then, are you saying that your testimony was false?" Tachibana's eyes narrowed.

Yajima squeezed her eyes shut, her voice barely above a whisper.

"...Yes."

Sakagami's head snapped toward Yajima, his expression twisting in disbelief.

"What... What are you saying all of a sudden?!"

His voice wavered. He hadn't expected her to break.

Yajima Mariko didn't answer. She kept her head down, her shoulders trembling under the weight of the situation.

"It seems the outcome has been determined," Horikita Manabu declared, his voice final. With that, the hearing was over.

Tachibana, keeping her composure, took a step forward as the student council's representative.

"Yajima Mariko, as well as Shimizu Naoki and Sawada Yasumi—your testimonies have been proven false.

Yajima's face drained of all color.

Naoki and Yasumi looked as if they wanted to protest, but no words came out.

Sakagami exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

And then—

Horikita Manabu spoke again.

"Given the severity of this case, as well as the potential consequences if your false accusations had succeeded, the punishment is expulsion."

A heavy sentence.

Expulsion.

"But—"

Manabu cut off any argument before it could form.

"However, given the complexity and sensitivity of the case, there remains one option available to you."

He glanced in Kumagawa's direction.

"You may appeal to the accused and seek his pardon."

Yajima, Naoki, Yasumi, and Sakagami all turned their gazes toward Kumagawa.

Ayanokouji took in the scene.

So that was how the school handled situations like these.

By placing the decision in the hands of the victim, they ensured two things—first, that the accused had the power to decide their accusers' fate, and second, that the school itself remained uninvolved in the moral implications.

If Kumagawa chose to forgive them, then there would be no backlash against the administration. If he didn't, then the punishment would be carried out under the justification of protecting the integrity of the school.

Since the student council wielded considerable authority, it was unlikely this decision had been made without influence from above. Perhaps the principal, or even someone from the government, had a hand in it.

And now, all eyes were on Kumagawa Misogi.

"Please...!"

Yajima Mariko's voice was weak. Sakagami Kazuma, always so composed, had lost his earlier confidence. The witnesses from Class A, who once stood firm in their statements, now had their heads lowered, unable to meet anyone's gaze.

"You have to understand, we just—" Yasumi tried to justify himself, but his words died under Kumagawa's gaze.

"We'll do anything!" Naoki pleaded. "We don't want to be expelled!"

They were begging.

Begging for mercy from the person they had tried to destroy.

And yet—

『Come on... You guys don't need to get so worked up. 』

Kumagawa waved his hand dismissively, his usual carefree tone making the weight of the moment even more unbearable.

『I never planned to go that far. 』

All three of them looked at Kumagawa in schock, but they instnatly feel relieved inside.

"Really!"

A collective sigh of relief spread through the room.

But it was premature.

Because Kumagawa Misogi was still smiling.

That same, easygoing smile.

『I was only going to make sure you'd never be able to take another step forward in this school again. 』

『But if you expect me to go all the way, I must comply. 』

The relief vanished instantly.

Yajima let out a shaky breath. Her knees looked as if they might give out. Yasumi visibly paled, gripping his arm like it was the only thing keeping him upright. Naoki swallowed hard, the desperation in his eyes now replaced with dread.

Kumagawa turned to Horikita Manabu, still grinning as if he was simply following orders.

『President, I'd like to formally request their expulsion! Since they asked for it and all.』

His tone was light. Cheerful, even. Like he was making a casual club request.

Silence.

Complete, crushing silence.

Kumagawa turned toward them, his smile unwavering.

『You don't need to thank me. 』

His voice was gentle, almost reassuring.

『As a fellow student, it's only natural for me to help make your wishes come true. 』

Yajima's breath hitched. Yasumi clenched his fists. Naoki looked like he was about to be sick.

Yajima from Class A finally snapped.

"You bastard...!"

"You were toying with us this whole time, weren't you?! You planned this from the start—!"

『Planned? 』 Kumagawa tilted his head. 『That's a little unfair, don't you think? If you had just told the truth from the beginning, none of this would've happened. 』

You—!"

『In fact, isn't it strange? You lied, fabricated evidence, and tried to ruin my life... but now that you're facing the consequences, I'm the bad guy? 』

They flinched.

『You really should take some responsibility. After all, I'm just giving you exactly what you wanted.』

He spread his arms wide, as if he were truly granting them a favor.

『It's not my fault. 』

『』『』『』『』『』

After the announcement of the results, Yajima Mariko and the two students from Class A left the student council room with dead expressions.

Kumagawa's antics had probably shattered whatever spirit they had left.

Sakagami Kazuma followed behind them but paused at the door. He turned to Chabashira.

"...Was this really necessary?" His voice was low, but the bitterness was unmistakable.

Chabashira remained silent for a moment before answering.

"You brought this upon yourselves."

Sakagami stared at her for a moment longer, then exhaled sharply. "I see..."

With that, he turned on his feet and walked out, leaving the student council office.

Chabashira, however, didn't linger. She didn't comment on Kumagawa's nasty and deplorable actions. Frankly, she didn't even want to think about them.

Even though she was generally indifferent toward her students, as a teacher, what he had done just now was—

She decided not to finish that thought.

"Good work today," was all she said before excusing herself, leaving only four people behind.

Kumagawa, Ayanokouji, Horikita Manabu, and Tachibana Akane.

Manabu stepped forward, his gaze settling on Kumagawa, who was looking out the window. The sky was overcast, heavy with the promise of rain.

"That was impressive," Manabu said. "Your unconventional approach to this case was effective. Congratulations on your victory."

Kumagawa didn't immediately respond. He kept his eyes on the sky, watching as the first drops of rain began to fall against the glass.

Then, without turning around—

『Well, now that they're expelled, they'll leave this school. They'll start over somewhere else, make new friends, and eventually graduate like nothing ever happened. This entire incident will just disappear, like it was never even there in the first place. 』

Ayanokouji, who had been silently observing beside him, took in his words.

The logic was simple. The expelled students wouldn't suffer forever. They would move on. They would rebuild. In time, this whole event would fade from their memories, just another bump in the road.

But why did that matter?

Ayanokouji wasn't the only one left wondering.

Manabu, arms crossed, stared at Kumagawa with an confused expression.

"What do you mean by that?"

Kumagawa finally turned away from the window to face them.

『No matter how you spin it...』

His gaze met Manabu's directly.

『I lost once again. 』

A declaration not of triumph, but of absolute defeat.

『END』

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