Kanzaki Ryuji did not sleep.
The memory of the corridor—Sudo's lunge, the blinding speed of Sakamoto's intervention—played on a loop behind his eyelids. But what truly kept him awake was the quieter poison: the rumors still slithering through the grade, and the visible weight they had placed on Ichinose Honami's shoulders. Her smile was now a fragile thing, a dam holding back a tide of unspoken stress.
As Class C's vice-leader, the responsibility was a physical weight. He would not let the unity they had forged, the warmth that defined them, be corroded by slander and shadow games. Ryuuen? Class D? Some other phantom? It didn't matter. He had to counterattack.
And the most direct, legitimate weapon was the system itself.
Before first light, Kanzaki went alone to Hoshinomiya Chie's office. He laid out a meticulous, objective report: the hallway confrontation, the epidemic of malicious gossip, its specific targeting of Class C and Ichinose. He highlighted Sudo Ken's aggressive, nearly violent behavior and the growing body of circumstantial evidence pointing to Class D as the rumor's origin. His request was clear: official school intervention to investigate, clear their name, and sanction those who sought to breed conflict.
Hoshinomiya-sensei listened, her customary languid smile fading into an uncharacteristic gravity. "Understood, Kanzaki-kun. Leave it to the school."
The response was swift. Before morning homeroom, an announcement echoed through all first-year classes:
"Due to the proliferation of unverified, malicious rumors negatively impacting classes and individuals, the school officially refutes these claims. All related anonymous posts have been restricted. Furthermore, the school is investigating yesterday's incident which nearly escalated to violence. Relevant classes and individuals are to cooperate fully. Pending the investigation's conclusion, all students are urged to act rationally and cease spreading unsubstantiated information."
The grade erupted in muted shock. The administration had moved faster than anyone anticipated.
In Class D, Chabashira Sae delivered the notice with her usual frosty detachment, her gaze lingering for a fraction of a second on Sudo. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, muttering, "We didn't start it..."
Kushida Kikyo's face was a mask of relieved cooperation. "Thank goodness the school is stepping in! We'll cooperate fully, of course."
Hirata Yousuke echoed the call for calm and patience.
In Class C, Hoshinomiya delivered the news with theatrical flourish. "See? Justice prevails! The truth will out! Chin up, Ichinose-chan!"
Ichinose looked from her teacher to Kanzaki's resolute expression beside her. Understanding dawned. She drew a steadying breath and nodded, her smile gaining a sliver of its old strength. "Yes! Thank you, sensei. Thank you, everyone."
But the calm was superficial. The school's intervention hadn't ended the conflict; it had merely driven it underground, shifting the battle from rumor-mongering to a colder war of evidence and attestations.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka observed the shift with clinical disinterest. The framework of the incident was transparent to him: a maneuver to drain Class C's cohesion and exploit Class D's instability. The immediate problems were now twofold: pinpointing the rumor's precise source, and securing concrete evidence or witnesses for the hallway altercation.
During lunch, Horikita Suzune approached him, an unusual occurrence. "Ayanokoji-kun. Your analysis of this situation?"
"It's a coordinated action. The target is Class C. Class D is being utilized as a blunt instrument."
"Within Class D…" Horikita mused, her brow furrowed. "The rumors did originate from our class forum. The spread was… efficient."
"There is internal coordination," Ayanokoji stated flatly.
Horikita met his eyes, not asking for the coordinator's name. She had her own suspicions, a chilling hypothesis that was beginning to solidify in the space where trust had once been. The enemy wasn't just outside their walls; a fracture line had appeared within, and it was being deliberately pried apart.
"We need evidence," Horikita stated, her voice low. "Otherwise, Class D remains the obvious culprit."
Across the divide, Ichinose Honami was no longer passive. Alongside Kanzaki, she began a quiet, determined canvass of their classmates, trying to map the rumor's path and gather details of the conflict. Her proactive stance was a balm, slowly steadying Class C's frayed nerves.
Yet progress was minimal. The anonymous forum was a digital ghost. As for the conflict, the witness list was short and problematic: Sudo, Kanzaki, Shiraha, two vanished Class B students, and Sakamoto, who had arrived only at the climax. The Class B boys, when questioned, offered polished denials—they were merely "passing by, chatting," and had left well before any trouble.
The investigation stalled.
It was then that Kushida Kikyo "happened" upon Horikita and Ayanokoji's discussion. "Are you talking about yesterday? It's so worrying…" Her face was a canvas of appropriate concern. "How did Sudo end up in a fight with Class C? And those rumors… who could be so hateful?"
She turned to Sudo, her voice gentle. "Sudo-kun, what really happened? Did they provoke you first?"
Sudo scowled, the memory raw. "How should I know? They just started accusing us! If it weren't for…" He trailed off, the image of Sakamoto's paralyzing flick flashing in his mind.
"I see…" Kushida sighed, a masterpiece of sympathetic understanding. "There's such a deep misunderstanding… If only there had been another witness to clarify things for you."
Horikita listened in silence, her gaze analytical. Ayanokoji offered nothing, a statue of disinterest.
In Class B, Ryuuen received the updates. The school's intervention, the stalemate—it was all proceeding as anticipated. The official scrutiny would only deepen the mutual suspicion between C and D. His primary objective was already met. The upcoming arbitration was the next phase. He had another piece in play there, ready to move.
That afternoon, the arbitration convened in the Student Council room.
The air was thick with unspoken accusations. Representing Class C: Kanzaki Ryuji, Shiraha Chihiro, and their homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya Chie. For Class D: Horikita Suzune, Sudo Ken, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and Chabashira Sae.
Presiding was Student Council Vice President Nagumo Miyabi. He lounged at the head of the table with an air of bored authority. "Now that we're all here, let's begin. I am Nagumo Miyabi of Class 2-A, presiding in President Horikita's stead." His eyes briefly touched Horikita Suzune, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them.
He gestured languidly to the figure seated beside him, poised and still. "This is Sakamoto, Class 1-A, Student Council Secretary. He will be recording the proceedings."
All eyes shifted to Sakamoto. Kanzaki's gaze was guarded and complex—grateful for yesterday's intervention, yet wary of where his loyalties might lie in an official record. Sudo Ken looked away, a mix of resentment and begrudging acknowledgment warring on his face. Horikita studied his impassive profile, calculating. Ayanokoji's eyes moved between Nagumo and Sakamoto, a silent observer of the power dynamic.
Nagumo allowed the moment to linger before continuing. "Additionally, per school records, Secretary Sakamoto was present near the incident and intervened. He is, therefore, also a potential witness whose testimony may be called upon."
He leaned forward slightly, a faint, theatrical smile on his lips. "Now. Let's begin with statements from both parties regarding yesterday's events. Who would like to start?"
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