"I would like to question the witness in question, Kamuro."
"Tch!"
Kamuro clicked her tongue and came forward.
"Sorry about gossiping about you like that on the forum. I will never do it again."
I shook my head and asked Mashima-sensei, "Sensei, since anything can be bought with points, does the school have some sort of receipt system for non-material things, like information?"
"There is a system of contracts."
Contract huh?
"Sakayanagi, do you mind signing a contract to keep quiet on the dirt you have on Kamuro, and not use her from now on?"
"Fufu~ I don't understand what you are saying."
Maybe Sakayanagi doesn't, but from Kamuro's expression, Sakayanagi definitely has some dirt on her.
"T-there's nothing like that! I already said sorry, didn't I? Don't drag me into this!"
"Is the dirt big enough for causing something serious, like expulsion?"
"Not at all! Stop assuming things on your own!"
So, the dirt is pretty serious. And Kamuro can't trust a contract that it will not expose her to the school and get her expelled.
Well, I don't trust it as well. The authenticity of any contract depends on its enforcer.
And I don't trust this school at all.
"Kamuro, you are right to not trust this school.
This is most likely not related to the school, but I would like to present my findings and assumptions to the class about this school.
First, it's an experimental institution on how far the government can push things. Invasive surveillance with cameras everywhere, in-built feature in our phones which allows anyone knowing our number to stalk us, ban on VPN apps, copying and testing China's Social Credit System, etc.
Second, it admits psychos like Kushida, Ayanokoji, Sakayanagi and such students who will take advantage of these systems, and with 100% guarantee on the future, take high positions in the society which they otherwise wouldn't be able to.
Third, it is aiming to condition others like us who will take high positions in the society in the future to be fine with such disgusting practices.
Fourth, every class has a psycho sprinkled in to ensure the school achieves its goals.
Kamuro, I want you to understand how Sakayanagi will work.
Right now, she has dirt on you and asked you to spread rumours while using your real name, thus clearing herself of the suspicion that she knew my circumstances too closely like a stalker.
In fact, though it's just a speculation, she might have ordered you to stalk me to gain information because she has mobility issues."
I looked at her.
"But, this will not be the end of it. In the three years of high school, she will have you do all kinds of dirty work for you.
And if you do it because you are being threatened, you are just giving her more dirt on you constantly.
Whatever dirt she has on you, it's not as big of a deal as you think it is because you are a minor.
But, using your real name to spread rumours. It will leave a bad record on your resume. No office environment will like an employee like that.
Even if you get a job with the 100% employment guarantee, it might not be a well paying one. Moreover, school doesn't guarantee that the company can't fire you.
Kamuro, this isn't simply a matter of high school, but getting involved with a psycho with such a high position in society will only make things worse for you as time goes on.
And with time, you wouldn't be able to use 'the mistake of a minor' as well."
Kamuro was now getting terrified, refusing to make eye contact and looking down.
"Fufu~ You are quite the conspiracy theorist, aren't you, Hajime-kun? You keep calling me psycho, so it's making me quite mad.
And I don't have any dirt on Kamuro as you are trying to imply."
"Then, are you willing to sign a contract—"
"'If you aren't in the wrong, there should be no problem doing this, right?' This is quite a common tactic for tricking others, you know?
I will not sign no such contract. Kamuro is my friend, and I won't let you manipulate us into breaking our friendship."
...She is playing the 'Power of Friendship?'
I don't think she ever truly had any friend in her entire life.
I turned back to Kamuro.
What kind of dirt does Sakayanagi has on her that it is making her this quiet?
"Did you know Sakayanagi before coming to this school?"
"No."
Hmm... So she did something very wrong on the first day of the school.
Damaging school property isn't that serious.
"Did she capture your photo in a troublesome matter that will badly affect your reputation?"
If she caught her in the act with someone, or took her photo which which will be her social death if spreaded, it will be understandable.
"No."
Hmmm... If that's not the case...
"Did she catch you while comming a crime?"
"No!"
So, a crime. It can't be anything serious like murder. Maybe dine and dash, or stealing something?
"Did you dine and dash?"
"No! Stop questioning me like I am some sort of criminal! Question Sakayanagi, she is the criminal—!"
"Did you steal something yesterday?"
"—! No!"
So she stole something.
I looked at Katsuragi. He will now stop it so that school doesn't get the confession.
"Kamuro, thank you for answering my questions. Sakayanagi, you wanted to have a bet with me, right?
If you free Kamuro, I will agree to it. Of course, not any bet, but a reasonable one, without any consequences on winning or losing. But you have to stop stalking me regardless. I don't want to ever interact with you after that."
Sakayanagi is extremely stubborn. She wouldn't back down even if Kamuro is exposed or expelled.
Since it Kamuro stole something, as long as she returns it and not repeat it again, I don't have any problem with it. In fact, she should be allowed to grow up after her mistake as long as it isn't affecting others.
In hands of Sakayanagi, she will only be continuously exploited and commit a mistake she can never return from.
"Fufu~ Isn't me not interacting with you a winning reward to you already? If I loose, I will leave you alone. But if I win, you will have to agree with one favour from me in the future."
"If you win, I will listen what favour you want from me. Accepting or denying it will be completely upto me.
As I said, I don't want to engage in gambling."
"Fufu~ A bet and gamble are very different things. Gamble doesn't have any certainty, but a bet has. I have the full certainty of winning."
"I don't care about your wordplay. Do you agree or not?"
"Alright, I agree. I am looking forward to our competition."
Finally, it ended.
Katsuragi said, "You two, and Kamuro, come with me to discuss the aftermath in private after the Club Fair. I will ensure that Sakayanagi keeps her word."
"Wow, Katsuragi-kun doesn't believe me? You don't have to worry, I am a woman of my word."
She is calling herself a woman... The level of her arrogance is over 9,000.
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