Before entering, Sudou still had his usual defiant and annoyed expression. But the moment he stepped into the student council office and took in the situation, he immediately sensed a shift in the atmosphere.
Especially with Horikita Manabu and Sakagami-sensei staring directly at him, their gazes heavy with scrutiny. Under the invisible pressure, Sudou instinctively pulled his hands out of his pockets. It seemed like his brush with expulsion last time had taught him to control his temper—at least somewhat.
Or maybe, after seeing Ishizaki, Komiya, and the others present, he realized that things weren't looking good for him, so he had no choice but to hold himself back.
The hearing proceeded with both sides presenting their testimonies.
Ishizaki, Komiya, and their group stuck to the same story as yesterday, accusing Sudou of assaulting them and violently beating them. The injuries on their bodies were their so-called proof.
"You bastards! What the hell are you talking about?! You guys were the ones who set me up and provoked me first!"
Sudou shot up from his seat, angrily refuting their claims.
"D-Class student, do not interrupt when others are speaking. If you have anything to say, wait until they've finished their testimony before responding."
Horikita Manabu gave Sudou a cold warning.
"The hell?! They tried to force me to quit the basketball team! When I refused, they started shoving me! I was just defending myself—it was self-defense!"
Sudou was furious at their lies and completely ignored Horikita Manabu's warning.
"President, see? This is exactly what happened back then. The moment he got into an argument, he lost his temper and started throwing punches. All the injuries on us were caused by him!"
Ishizaki, rather than getting into a shouting match with Sudou, wisely turned to Horikita Manabu and played the victim.
"You liars! You were the ones who started it!"
Sudou kicked over a nearby chair in anger, looking like he was about to charge at them for another round.
"Sudou, sit down!"
Chabashira-sensei, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke, her voice cold and sharp.
Sudou was about to argue, but Horikita Manabu cut in. "It looks like this hearing has reached a conclusion."
"But... but I haven't—"
Sudou tried to speak, but Horikita Manabu raised a hand, stopping him. His gaze was indifferent as he looked at Sudou. "At first, there were doubts about Class C's accusations since it was three against one. But with the way you've been acting—losing your temper and acting aggressively—it's hard to tell whether it was really 'self-defense,' as you claim, or just 'lashing out in anger.'"
Chabashira-sensei remained expressionless, but the cold air around her made it clear how she felt.
"Besides, there were no security cameras in the area where the fight took place, so we can't determine exactly what happened or who started it. Given the situation, the student council will give you one week to find proof that you're innocent. If you can't, we will accept Class C's claim and impose a serious punishment—suspension."
The room fell completely silent.
"Suspension?!"
Sudou's eyes widened. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he panicked. "If I get suspended, what about my basketball training and the upcoming games?"
"You should ask Hikigaya about that," Horikita Manabu said, turning to him. After all, Hikigaya had been handling similar matters lately.
Hikigaya sighed and stepped forward. "According to the rules, students who are suspended cannot participate in any school activities, including club activities and competitions."
"What?!"
Sudou exploded with rage. "Basketball is everything to me! I—I can't accept this!"
But no one in the room responded to his outburst.
"President, how long will the suspension last?"
Hikigaya suddenly spoke, drawing everyone's attention. Even Chabashira-sensei seemed to realize why he asked.
Horikita Manabu swept his gaze across the room before finally settling on Sudou, who still looked like he wanted to fight. "According to the rules, the suspension should last three weeks."
Hearing "three weeks," Chabashira-sensei visibly relaxed. But then Horikita Manabu continued.
"However, due to your behavior just now—your attitude toward the student council and your disrespect toward the teachers, your shouting, your destruction of property, and your complete lack of remorse—the punishment will be extended. Instead of three weeks, your suspension will last until the summer break."
Chabashira-sensei, who had just let out a sigh of relief, suddenly looked grim. On the other side of the room, Sakagami-sensei smiled in satisfaction, while Ishizaki, Komiya, and the others from Class C looked like they had won.
Hikigaya frowned at the decision, glancing at Horikita Manabu in confusion.
As for Sudou, he seemed completely unable to accept reality. To him, a suspension was a suspension—whether it was three weeks or until summer break, it made no difference.
Once all the students from Class C and Class D had left, only Horikita Manabu, Tachibana Akane, and Hikigaya remained in the student council office.
"Do you have a question?"
Horikita Manabu seemed to notice Hikigaya's confusion.
Hikigaya thought for a moment, then nodded. "If I put aside my personal stance and look at this as just a student council member, I find something strange."
Ishizaki and the others claimed that Sudou beat them so badly they were seriously injured. Given the difference in numbers, the situation seemed ridiculous. Plus, Ishizaki and Komiya weren't exactly weak—they wouldn't go down with a single punch. Still, just because something is strange doesn't mean it's impossible. Even if you consider the possibility of a setup, there's something that doesn't sit right with Hikigaya.
"Normally, shouldn't the burden of proof be on the accuser? Class C is claiming that Sudou attacked them first, and their injuries do support that claim. But since there's no security footage, there's no definitive proof."
Hikigaya looked at Horikita Manabu. That was what bothered him. If Class C was the one making the accusation, shouldn't they be the ones responsible for providing evidence?
Why was Sudou, the accused, the one being forced to prove his innocence?
He didn't think someone like Horikita Manabu would make such a basic mistake.
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