Hikigaya's face showed no change in expression, but he was genuinely surprised by Horikita Manabu's influence among the third-year students.
It wasn't just the authority that came with being the student council president. More importantly, it was his leadership skills and the trust he had earned.
He had built such a strong foundation among the students!
Among the first-years, Hikigaya couldn't think of a single person who held that kind of influence. The top-class third-year students were all exceptional in their own ways, whether in academics or special talents. For someone like Horikita Manabu to earn their respect so completely, it was clear that he had reached the very top of this school.
"I'll handle it."
After picking their meals, Hikigaya was about to pay when Horikita Manabu spoke up and paid for both of them instead. Hikigaya quickly thanked him.
Horikita Manabu chose a seat by the window, where there were fewer students around.
The two of them ate in silence, without exchanging a single word. It wasn't until they had finished their meal and Horikita Manabu wiped his hands that he suddenly spoke.
"Hikigaya, I heard things have been quite lively among the first-years lately."
Hikigaya nodded, understanding exactly what he was referring to.
"Yeah, everyone's trying to find a possible witness."
Because of the incident involving Sudou, Class A, Class B, and Class D were all taking action. Even Class C, despite their usual stance, was forced to get involved under pressure. Ryuen, in particular, had been using harassment tactics to disrupt Hirata and the others.
The situation had thrown the entire first-year grade into chaos. From an outsider's perspective, it even looked like Class D had teamed up with Class A and Class B to target Class C.
"Make sure you don't push too far."
Horikita Manabu's tone was calm.
Hikigaya understood what he meant. Tachibana Akane had also brought up this issue in private. That's why they had been turning a blind eye to some of Class C's actions—overreacting would only escalate the situation, making things spiral out of control.
It seemed Horikita Manabu had been keeping an eye on the first-year situation as well. His comment was a reminder for Hikigaya to handle things carefully.
It was just a simple exchange, but after thinking for a moment, Hikigaya suddenly spoke up.
"President, about the fight between Class C and Class D... there's something I don't quite understand."
Horikita Manabu gave him a deep look before nodding.
"In this incident, Class C students were the ones who filed the complaint, accusing Sudou from Class D. The only evidence presented was their testimonies and their injuries. Without any objective third-party proof, the judgment placed most of the blame on Sudou. That seems a bit... subjective, doesn't it?"
Hikigaya continued, "I know Sudou has a short temper, and his past behavior makes people assume the worst about him. But that alone doesn't prove he was the one mainly at fault this time. And since we don't have any concrete third-party evidence, there's no way to verify whether Class C's testimonies are even true."
"Are you saying... I deliberately sided with Class C?"
Horikita Manabu's face remained unreadable.
"I'm just questioning the basis of the judgment. The only 'evidence' is the injuries on the Class C students. Naturally, most people would sympathize with the ones who got hurt rather than the one who walked away unscathed. But I don't believe you're the type to let emotions influence your decisions."
"So if we look at this case from a neutral and logical standpoint, neither side actually has clear 'evidence' of what really happened or who threw the first punch."
Hikigaya recalled the doubts he had during the first hearing. At the time, he hadn't thought too deeply about it, but now he realized that something didn't quite add up.
Even Hikigaya found this dispute unsettling, and he was sure that Horikita Manabu wouldn't have missed something off about it either.
Someone as fair and strict as Horikita Manabu, especially in his role as student council president, should have taken a more objective and cautious stance on such a controversial case.
But the actual ruling seemed biased—almost as if the judgment was based on the fact that "a Class C student got injured" and "Sudou has a bad history," leading to the conclusion that Sudou from Class D was "guilty."
Of course, Sudou himself was a big factor in this outcome. His terrible attitude in the meeting room played a major role in how things turned out. He brought it upon himself.
But this was Horikita Manabu.
Would he really be so easily swayed by personal biases?
At least, from Hikigaya's understanding so far, he had always believed that Horikita Manabu was not the type to act based on emotions or subjective assumptions.
That was why this whole thing confused him—Horikita Manabu's handling of the case didn't quite match his usual way of doing things.
He wanted to know the reason.
"I didn't expect that in just two or three months, you'd come to understand me this well, Hikigaya."
Horikita Manabu lifted his gaze, his sharp eyes locking onto Hikigaya. "It seems I underestimated your ability."
"So, are you dissatisfied with the ruling? Do you want to fight for your classmate?"
Hikigaya shook his head.
"In reality, many things can't be judged purely with 'absolute logic.' No matter how rational a person is, they will inevitably be influenced by their own thoughts. That's something no method can completely eliminate. So, I have no objections to your ruling. In fact, if I were in your position, I probably would've made the same decision.
But if you were truly biased toward Class C, then there would have been no reason to give Sudou a one-week grace period.
And that... is what I don't understand. In this situation, what exactly is your role, President?"
Because in this dispute, Horikita Manabu could have simply remained a bystander. Or rather, he could have acted as an impartial judge. There was no reason for him to get involved. It was completely unnecessary.
"That's a sharp observation. You're the first to notice."
Horikita Manabu sounded impressed.
"No, actually, Tachibana-senpai noticed it too. The difference is, she trusts you unconditionally, so she chose not to say anything."
Hikigaya stated the truth.
Hearing this, Horikita Manabu was momentarily taken aback. But he quickly returned to his usual composure.
"Hikigaya, as a student at this school, what do you think is the most terrifying thing?"
Instead of answering Hikigaya's question directly, Horikita Manabu posed another one.
"The most... terrifying thing?"
Hikigaya narrowed his eyes. "Probably... expulsion."
Horikita Manabu folded his hands on the table and nodded slightly. But then, his tone turned serious.
"As a student, expulsion is indeed a frightening thing.
But as a person... would you still fear it?"
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