After Sakura revealed her hidden side to Hikaru, the dynamic between them shifted. She began to take the initiative in their versations, discussing photography and sharing ss of her daily life.

  Hikaru weled the ge. Now that a foundation of trust had beeablished, he could use Sakura as a pnted observer within Css C, giving him insight into their activities. Unlike Suzune or Kushida, Sakura posed no risk of interfering in css strategies, which made iing with her much simpler.

  The uping Student cil hearing about Sudo's altercation was scheduled for this week. Whether Css C could clear his name remaio be seen, but Hikaru was more curious about how the entire process would unfold.

  By the time Friday m arrived, Css A's remained calm and rexed. Aside from the witness statement colle Hikaru ducted on the day the fight was reported, there had been no further a. As far as his cssmates were ed, the hearing was irrelevant to their css.

  That said, there was oher person besides Hikaru who was ied ie.

  "Good m, Hikaru-kun!" A familiar, cheerful voice greeted him as he ehe .

  "Good m, Iose-san. Have you had breakfast?"

  "I did! Blueberry bread and milk. I feel energized for the entire m." Iose smiled, her expression tent.

  "That's good to hear. Breakfast is the most important meal, after all."

  As Hikaru retrieved his textbooks, Iose spoke again, this time more softly. "The hearing's happening today, right? We'll finally know what happened with that fight. Do you think they'll win?"

  "Hmm… hard to say."

  He pced the book down and g her expression. It was clear that she was genuinely curious about the result.

  "I guess it depends on how well they perform during the hearing. Besides verifying the accusations, these hearings often e down to which side presents a more ving argument to the Student cil."

  "Yeah… I just hope Kushida-san ha well."

  "We'll find out soon enough."

  Hikaru smiled faintly. He knew Sakura would appear as the crucial witness. He'd even helped her practice her statements a few times to ensure she wouldn't freeze up during the hearing.

  Let's see how well she ha.

  ---

  Meanwhile, the Student cil's feren was already occupied by all the key partits.

  At the head of the table sat Horikita Manabu, arms crossed on the desk in front of him. Beside him stood the Student cil secretary, Tachibana Akane. Her eyes sed the people seated on both sides while she clutched her ever-present notebook.

  On the left side sat Css C's representatives, led by their homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae. Alongside her was Sudo Ken, the accused, as well as Horikita Suzuhe css's chosen spokespersoo them sat Hirata Yosuke, who wasn't directly involved but wao support the css.

  Opposite them sat Css D's representatives: their teacher, Sakagami Kazuma, along with the two injured accusers, Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Kyogo. Both boys still had bandages ed around their heads and arms, making their injuries appear far more severe than they were. Seated behind them, rather than Ryuen Kakeru, was Ibuki Mio, who was now serving as the css's spokesperson.

  Earlier that m, Ryuen had given her final instrus. He expihat this hearing was Css D's first offensive move against Css C—aimed at getting Sudo expelled and l Css C's Css Points. If the pn succeeded, Css D would recim its former standing.

  Ibuki had no desire to participate in Ryuen's schemes, but she uood that this wasn't a simple, straightforward case. Her nerves were on edge as she clutched the phone Ryuen had given her.

  "This video is your trump card," Ryuen had said with a smug grin. "It's the key to sinking that red-haired idiot. You know how to use it, right? After all, you did something simir to get me suspe time."

  "Yeah, I know what to do," Ibuki had replied, gripping the phoh a mixture of dread and resolve.

  Now, sitting in the hearing room, she tightened her grip on the device.

  "Since everyone has arrived," Tachibana began, her voice calm and formal, "we'll proceed with the hearing regarding the violent ihat occurred st week. I will serve as the chair, while the Student cil President will listen to the arguments and issue a final ruling."

  She paused, flipping open her notebook. "The accusers, Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Kyogo from Css D, cim that they were lured to the Special Building by Sudo Ken from Css C, where he assaulted them. Sudo dehese allegations, stating that he was the one who was called there and that he acted in self-defense."

  "Sihe facts are disputed, we'll now proceed with the debate. Let's begin."

  Tachibana closed her notebook aured toward the Css C side.

  Sudo immediately shot to his feet. "I didn't start anything! Those two kept harassing me because they're jealous that I became a regur on the basketball team. They came after me during practid picked a fight—"

  "Please remain calm," Tachibana interrupted. "Shouting doesn't add credibility to your statement."

  Sudo bit his lip and sat down, shoulders tense.

  "The defending party has the right to question the accusers first. Is your representative ready?"

  Suzuood up without hesitation. Her eyes flicked toward her brother before turning to face the two boys across the room. She recalled Hikaru's advice during their meeting at the café: This is your opportunity to shine. Make the most of it.

  "I'm ready to proceed."

  "Go ahead," Tachibana prompted.

  Suzune inhaled deeply and fixed her gaze on Komiya. "You cim Sudo called you out to the Special Building. What reason did he give?"

  "He said he o talk to me about something," Komiya responded smoothly. "So I went."

  "And why did Ishizaki apany you? He isn't in the basketball club."

  "That's a question for Sudo, not me," Komiya said with a frown. "I asked Ishizaki to e along because I was worried. Sudo had been hostile toward me ever since I joihe club."

  Komiya ched his fists. "I was peting for a regur spot, but Sudo got chosen instead. He told me during practice that I should give up or I'd embarrass the team. When he called me to meet, I thought he might try to threaten me, so I brought Ishizaki for prote."

  "Yeah!" Ishizaki chimed in. "That guy's temper is scary. We figured it was safer if I tagged along."

  "You're lying!" Sudo shot up again, his fists ched. "I never said anything like that! I got the regur spot fair and square!"

  "Please sit down," Tachibana said firmly.

  Suzune gave Sudo a subtle nod, signaling him to remain calm. Theurned back to the boys.

  "I see. So yht Ishizaki as a precaution," she said, her voice steady. "Let me ask something else: When the fight broke out, why didn't you fight back? There were two of you against one. By all logic, you should have had the upper hand."

  Komiya exhaled sharply. "We didn't want to fight. We knew getting into a fight would result in suspension or expulsion, so we tried not to resist."

  "But if you were merely defending yourselves," Suzune pressed, "why are you the ones with injuries while Sudo has none?"

  "It's obvious!" Komiya snapped, his tone shifting to one hteous indignation. "He was out of trol! I told you—he wanted me to quit peting for the regur spot. When I refused, he started hitting us!"

  Ishizaki scowled. "Yeah! That guy's a violent maniac. He kept hitting us even wheried to back off!"

  Suzune's mind raced. Their answers were perfectly rehearsed. The story flowed so smoothly it almost sounded pusible.

  Almost.

  She g her brother. His face was unreadable.

  "Let's proceed with the phase," she said at st. "We have a witness who crify what happened."

  Suzuuroward the feren's door and raised her voice.

  "Sakura-san, please e in."

  (TL/N - Special Building is Special Annex of the Sce Building btw. I just shorte.)

  ~~~

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