Sakagami-sensei clearly showed doubt about Sakura's testimony as a witness.
Even though there were assumptions and conspiracy theories, what Sakagami-sensei said wasn't entirely unreasonable.
"You, as a witness—why didn't you report this to the school immediately after the announcement? As far as I know, Class D spent a lot of time and effort searching for a so-called witness but came up empty. Yet now, right before the hearing, you 'suddenly' appear?"
"Also, from what I understand, the special teaching building is usually empty. What exactly were you doing there?"
"If just anyone can be considered a witness, then this whole thing is a joke."
Sakura wanted to respond to Sakagami-sensei's sharp questioning, but every time she looked at his piercing gaze and felt the eyes of everyone in the room on her, she became overwhelmed with anxiety. Her body trembled, and she couldn't form a complete sentence.
Thankfully, Horikita quickly stepped in and presented an SD card to prove Sakura's testimony was real. Horikita Manabu and the two homeroom teachers looked through the photos. Sakagami-sensei had the worst expression among them.
Seeing her testimony acknowledged, Sakura finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"But these photos don't prove who started the fight. In the end, this will just be a battle of words."
Sakagami-sensei didn't seem affected at all. He looked at Chabashira-sensei with a calm expression. "So, what do you think of my suggestion?"
"There's a witness, photos, and an injury report. Doesn't this prove I was wrongly accused? The students from Class C have been lying from the start!"
Sudou was immediately upset. If Sakagami-sensei's suggestion was accepted, he would still be suspended. While he wouldn't be expelled, he'd have to miss club activities and training.
Sakagami-sensei adjusted his glasses and stared at Sudou. "Oh? You should provide evidence when making claims. Do you have any proof that my students were lying? Just look at their injuries—wasn't it your violence that caused them?"
"I-I did hit them, but it was self-defense!"
Sudou stubbornly argued back.
"Heh. So you admit you hit them?"
Sakagami-sensei sneered.
Most people in the room probably had the same thought about Sudou's response: *Idiot.*
Seeing Sudou about to argue again, Horikita, looking extremely annoyed, shut him up with a sharp reprimand.
"This incident has already caused an uproar among the first years. Dragging it out any further won't benefit anyone. Don't you agree, Chabashira-sensei?"
Sakagami-sensei pushed his proposal again.
"I suppose we have no choice but to accept this compromise. With summer break coming up, there's no need to waste more time on this."
Chabashira-sensei made her decision.
Horikita came to the same conclusion but couldn't accept it emotionally. It wasn't because she felt guilty toward Sudou or because she was unhappy with the result of the hearing.
It was because, even after bringing Sakura in as a witness, they still had to settle for this compromise. Then what was the point of Sakura's 'sacrifice'?
At this moment, Horikita felt more guilt toward Sakura and Hikigaya—and deep doubt about her own abilities.
Even after everything they had done, nothing changed.
The situation turned out exactly as Hikigaya had predicted.
Was that why he tried to stop Sakura from getting involved?
If she couldn't even handle this, did she really have what it took to reach Class A?
"Horikita, is there really no other way?"
Out of nowhere, Ayanokouji muttered as if talking to himself, "From the very start, we were never able to find any evidence proving Sudou was 'innocent'—because it never existed. If only this had happened somewhere with security cameras, like the school building or the convenience store, then we could've had clear proof of what really happened. It would've also confirmed that Sakura was telling the truth. But the special teaching building has no surveillance at all. If there were cameras, things might've turned out differently."
Horikita turned to stare at Ayanokouji, her expression shifting as she quickly grasped the meaning behind his words. But for some reason, she instinctively glanced at Hikigaya, who was taking notes from the meeting.
Ayanokouji remained expressionless but had clearly noticed Horikita's gaze. Suddenly, he spoke again. His voice was completely calm, yet it carried a chilling weight—like a whisper from the devil.
"Horikita, don't you want to prove to him that you're not any worse than he is?"
His words stabbed straight into Horikita's heart, like a knife cutting deep and mercilessly.
Her face darkened as she turned and glared at Ayanokouji furiously.
"Now then, Horikita, as the representative of Class D, please share your opinion."
Tachibana Akane looked toward Class D and asked.
"I understand."
Horikita took a deep breath, then stood up. Before doing so, she shot Ayanokouji a sharp warning look, as if to say, "Just wait until we get back."
"Hey, Horikita!"
Sudou called out in panic. Even now, he was still clinging to the impossible hope that things could be overturned, refusing to face reality.
Horikita ignored him and continued speaking.
"In this conflict, I believe our classmate Sudou bears undeniable responsibility. The situation we're facing now is closely tied to his past behavior—his bad reputation and his short temper.
"He likes to fight, threatens others over the smallest things, resorts to violence easily, and has no respect for teachers. He constantly causes trouble for people around him. As someone who has personally been affected by his actions, I understand how frustrating it is. So in a way, what's happening now is the result of all those things adding up over time. This is his punishment, and it's well deserved."
Even though she was representing Class D, Horikita's speech was nothing short of a harsh critique of Sudou's personality and actions. Yet, aside from Sudou himself, no one in the room found her words inappropriate. In fact, many seemed to agree.
"What the hell are you saying, Horikita?!"
Sudou shot up from his seat, slamming his hands on the table, his eyes burning with anger.
"Sudou, it's exactly that ignorant and arrogant attitude of yours that put you in this situation!"
Horikita snapped back, her sharp gaze and firm tone completely overpowering Sudou.
"Sudou absolutely needs to reflect on his actions—his past mistakes, his reckless and selfish behavior, and how much trouble he's caused others. That's something that can't be ignored!"
Horikita's expression remained cold and composed as she locked eyes with the students of Class C. She didn't back down, even when meeting the shadowy gaze of their teacher, Sakagami-sensei.
"But that's about Sudou's past behavior. It has nothing to do with this incident. We believe that Class C deliberately set this up to frame him.
"That's why we refuse to accept a settlement.
"Even a single day of suspension is out of the question!"
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