The next day, I spent the time until lunchtime trying to calm myself down. As soon as the bell rang to signal lunchtime, I rushed to the broadcasting room, leaned against the equipment inside, and waited for Ogino.
"..." *click*
As the doorknob was turned and the door opened, a male student peered inside... and his eyes met Ogino's.
"Huh? I'm pretty sure you're Ishigami-kun... right? You got first place in the first semester's final exams... why are you here?"
"You don't have to pretend to be someone you're not... I'm the one who called you here, after all."
"Oh, really...? So what do you want? You even sent me something like that."
"To put it bluntly, stop doing things like that."
"...So you're saying you don't intend to cherish it?"
"That's up to you."
Perhaps sensing an opening in my statement, Ogino's face showed a mixture of anticipation and relief.
"Hmm, I see, I see. But we have our own obligations, you know. It would be a problem if we suddenly couldn't supply you with girls. Hey Ishigami, I'll send you a girl too... so can you just keep quiet?"
Ogino... just like that time, made the suggestion with a nasty smile.
"What do you think of people...?"
"Don't get so angry. If you want, I can even specially get you a girl who's just your type..."
"I don't need something like that... Ogino, you really don't intend to quit, do you?"
"...Ishigami, I know what you're after."
"...the aim?"
"Don't play dumb. I specifically called you to the broadcasting room...it's only natural that I'd be wary. You were planning to broadcast this conversation over the school's PA system, weren't you?"
He didn't answer Ogino's question, but instead prompted him to continue.
"...And then?"
"Hahaha! Too bad for you, but I turned off the circuit breaker in the broadcasting room before coming here. So your plan failed! But it'll be terrible if it gets out after you leave here, it'll be a pain to cover it up... Hey Ishigami, you seem to be getting along well with those two disciplinary committee members lately, huh?"
Ogino's words made my body stiffen involuntarily.
"A member of the disciplinary committee... and a weirdo who's friends with two of the most disliked people in school, Ishigami-kun? If you spill the beans about this, who knows what will happen to those two?"
Ogino was even more of a scumbag than I had imagined. So much so that he could easily involve innocent girls in his schemes. But...
"I know you're...a coward."
"teeth?"
"It's a common story, isn't it? If you tell a secret in a place with broadcasting equipment, the switch is on and everything gets broadcast... That's why I specifically called you here. Ogino, despite your despicable actions, you're cowardly and have little caution. The fact that I caught you so easily is good proof of that. And, someone with something shady being called to the broadcasting room... they're almost certainly wary that their conversation will be broadcast throughout the school."
"...So what? That's obvious, isn't it?!"
"So, my goal was for you to realize that fact. You turned off the power before you came here. That's why you let your guard down and spoke your true feelings, and even threatened me with a straight face..."
"...What are you trying to say?"
"The reason I summoned you here is because this room is the only soundproofed room on campus."
"...teeth?"
Ogino's expression clearly indicated that he didn't understand, and I continued.
"So... my goal was to get you to say whatever you wanted. Without being distracted by outside noise, to tell me in your own words... what kind of person Ogino Kou is..."
I picked up the portable battery I had hidden away. The broadcasting equipment and the battery were connected by two cords.
"W-what is that?!"
Ogino raised his voice, as if trying to shake off the thoughts that had popped into his head.
"I've made a few modifications to this equipment... If the power goes out, it automatically switches to this battery for power supply."
"So, when the power goes out... you..."
"So, even if you turn off the circuit breaker, this equipment will still work normally... meaning our conversation just now was completely overheard."
...…
"You... you actually did it!?!?!"
Ogino's scream echoed throughout the school.
"Wait, is this for real?"
"Ogino's the guy from the drama club, right?"
"Wow, so this is what Ogino is like, he's the worst."
The whole class started to get excited when they heard the conversation between the two of them being broadcast over the school's PA system.
"Miko-chan, this..."
"Ishigami..."
...…
Ogino contorted his handsome face and glared at me.
"Grrr, Ishigami, you! How dare you... do you mean you don't care what happens to those two?!"
"..."
"So you're going to abandon your friends? Wow, that's quite a sense of justice..."
"I'll protect you."
"...a?"
"I will protect you both... until you are no longer in danger."
"You...!"
Immediately afterward, the conversation with Ogino was cut short by the teachers who stormed into the broadcasting room. At first, some teachers suggested that the matter should be handled within the school for the sake of the school's reputation, but because the entire student body had heard it via broadcast and Ogino's actions were criminal in nature, they were forced to call the police. As I watched Ogino being led away by the teachers, I let out a deep sigh.
"..."
There's nothing wrong with you.
You can't lose next time.
(Chairman, Shinomiya-senpai...it's all over now. I've always wanted to change, to break free from my weak self. I think I've changed a little. I was able to keep going because of your words. Thank you so much for supporting me.)
I was led to the staff room by the remaining teachers. I had intentionally escalated the problem, used the battery without permission, and would probably face some kind of punishment... but my heart was filled with contentment.