Several days had passed siheir promotion to Css A, and the students had gradually adapted to their atus. Thanks to Iose Honami's efforts, the css remained dedicated to studying, avoiding pd maintaining their unity and drive.

  this, Hashima Hikaru felt satisfied. He believed that fully iing the css before the Special Exams was the ideal strategy. No matter what challenges y ahead, he was fident that he could keep the entire css on track, preventing any potential disruptions or resistance.

  Although they had mao reach Css A within the first month, their Css Points remained close to those of Sakayanagi and Katsuragi's Css B. There was no room for pcy—they o stay vigint.

  As Hikaru was pting the status of the other csses, a familiar floral st wafted toward him.

  "Hikaru-kun, we have a problem!"

  "?"

  Looking up, Hikaru saw Iose rushing over, her expression filled with urgency.

  "What happened? Is it about one of our cssmates?" he asked.

  "No, it's about Css C. Apparently, someone in their css has been accused of a serious case of violence, and the other party is demanding their expulsion," Iose expined, evident on her face. "Kushida just messaged me about it. Things in their css are getting chaotic."

  A case of violence?

  Hikaru's brows furrowed as he tinued questioning her. "Who is acg them?"

  "Kushida said it's Css D's Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Kyogo. They were seriously injured in the i and even have bandages ed around their hands."

  "That bad?" Hikaru murmured, his expression darkening. Hearing those names instantly reminded him of a certain person—Ryūen Kakeru.

  During his previous pn to set up the photo i, it was these very two who had

  been stationed by Ryūen as backup, waiting to ambush Ibuki.

  Cheg the timeline, Hikaru hat Ryūen's suspension should have ended, meaning he had likely returo css. Given that these two were his ckeys, the timing of this accusation was far too tal.

  This had to be Ryūen's doing.

  "But why is this something you're so ed about?" Hikaru turned his gaze to Iose, speaking in a calm tone. "It's not like it affects our css."

  Hearing his question, Iose immediately held out her phone, showing him a message from Kushida.

  Kushida Kikyo: Iose-san, we're trying to find witnesses who saw the i. you ask your cssmates to help? I really don't want Sudō to get expelled.

  "I see."

  After reading the message, Hikaru quickly uood. His gaze shifted to Iose's face—this was just like her. Given her kind nature, it was no surprise she wao help.

  If they could locate any eyewitnesses, it would indeed be useful in a case involving accusations of violence.

  However, testimony alone was far less persuasive than physical evidence. People could lie, and whether or not they could vihose with authority over the matter was another issue entirely.

  The previous case that led to Ryūen's suspension had already proven that much.

  Still, if Ishizaki and Komiya were seriously injured, enough to be bandaged up, it made sense why they were pushing for Sudō's expulsion.

  "Should we help?"

  Iose looked at Hikaru with hopeful eyes. She khat, teically, Css A and Css C were petitors, but she also had a good retionship with Kushida. More importantly, the thought of someone being expelled made her uneasy.

  "Hm… Iose-san, you give me a moment? I o weigh the risks and bes of getting involved."

  "Okay, I'll wait for your answer," she said early.

  Though eager to act, she wanted Hikaru's approval. If he refused, it was unlikely Css A would support the initiative.

  As Iose shifted her focus back to her phone, Hikaru began analyzing the situation.

  There was a high probability that this was orchestrated by Ryūen. Now that his suspension was over, his first target was Css C, which currently ranked higher. This was likely his opening move to recim his authority over Css D.

  If he succeeded in expelling a Css C student, it could bolster his reputation. Even if his cssmates didn't immediately rally behind him, it would definitely ge their perception of him.

  After all, his as—while ruthless—would have a tangible impa their standing. If Css C lost a member and Css D's Css Points weren't far behind, they could potentially regain their ranki month.

  This was a direct challeo Ibuki.

  pared to Ryūen, Hikaru felt that having Ibuki as Css D's leader referable. They had already colborated twice, and while Ibuki had an abrasive attitude, she wasn't reckless. More importantly, she didn't operate in the shadows the way Ryūen did.

  Ryūen, however, was uable. His prior attempt to ambush Ibuki proved he had no reservations about using dirty tactics.

  It would be best to suppress him before he could fully reestablish himself.

  After weighing the risks and rewards, Hikaru reached his clusion.

  Turning to Iose, he nodded. "I think we should help. Reply to Kushida and tell her that Css A will assist in finding witnesses. Have her send over the i's location aails—I'll inform our cssmates."

  "Mm-hmm!" Iose nodded enthusiastically and quickly typed a respoo Kushida.

  Meanwhile, in Css C, Kushida was subtly her surroundings.

  Since Chabashira-sensei had annouhe allegations, their css had been split into two fas. One, led by Hirata Yosuke, wao support Sudō and fight the accusations, believing they couldn't afford to lose a cssmate.

  The other fa, however, had the opposite view. They felt Sudō was a troublemaker—hot-tempered, aggressive, and never participating in study groups. To them, his expulsion might actually be beneficial.

  Even Kōenji had bluntly stated that expelling Sudō would be the more logical oute.

  Chabashira-sensei had informed them that the case would be reviewed by the Student cil in a week. If the accusations were upheld, not only would Css C lose Css Points, but Sudō would face expulsion.

  Kushida had been the oo suggest searg for witnesses. Si was a fight, there had to have been people who saw it. If they could find someo might shift the case in their favor.

  When Iose's firmation message arrived, Kushida's face lit up with a smile. She immediately stood up and announced, "Everyone, I just spoke with Iose-san from Css A. She's agreed to mobilize her cssmates to help us find witnesses."

  "Really?" Hirata looked relieved. Increasing their search radius could signifitly boost their ces.

  "Hikaru-kun is helping as well. We'll coordinate efforts with them after css."

  Kushida's eyes swept over the students who had agreed to participate in the pn—Hirata, Yamauchi, Ike, and even Ayanokōji, who had been invited by Yamauchi.

  Meanwhile, those who didn't care about Sudō's fate remained silent.

  "If we get more people involved in the search, we might have a better shot at success," Hirata stated seriously. "But we o act fast—we only have a week."

  "Right, this is really important. I don't want to see anyone in our css get expelled," Kushida added firmly. "Once Hikaru-kus here, we'll divide into teams and start looking for witnesses or aed clues."

  "Alright, let's begin right after school!"

  As phe proactive members of Css C remained after css. A few mier, the familiar figures of Hikaru and Iose appeared at the door.

  "Kushida-san, Iose-san. You're here," Kushida greeted them warmly.

  "Hello, Css C." Iose smiled and waved.

  Hikaru sed the room, immediately notig the empty seats. Many students had already left, clearly ued in participating.

  Seriously, even in this situation, they couldn't unite?

  "Hikaru-kun, Iose-san, thank you for to help," Hirata stepped forward. "Did you discuss the matter with your cssmates? Any leads?"

  "I've already gathered the relevant information," Hikaru replied.

  Exging a gh Iose, he then expined, "I checked where everyone in our css was yesterday. Three students were he Special Building but never went up to the sed floor, so they didn't withe i. One person bought a drink at the nearby vending maes but didn't stay long."

  "That's all the information Css A provide."

  Silence filled the room.

  Hirata stared at Hikaru's posed demeanor and Iose's calm expression. At that moment, he realized something.

  Hikaru had plete trol over his css.

  While Hirata struggled to get everyoo cooperate, Hikaru had already gathered a full report in mere hours.

  How could he even pete with that?

  ~~~

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