Before school ended the next day, Hashima Hikaru was organizing what he wanted to say and anticipating possible scenarios. This was an important first test to see how Kushida would respond.
There was also the interaction with Horikita Suzune. Since she had now been nominated as the key spokesperson for the hearing, how would she handle D Class's challenge? This was also a crucial question.
If they had decided Ryūen couldn't rise up, they needed to ensure everything was foolproof.
While Hashima Hikaru was deep in thought, Ichinose Honami suddenly spoke up beside him.
"Hashima -kun, do you have plans again today?" Her tone carried a hint of testing.
"Oh, yes, I have some things to take care of this afternoon." Hashima Hikaru glanced at the pink-haired girl beside him, whose blue eyes were fixed on his profile, seemingly wanting to say something.
"I was going to ask Hashima -kun to join our study group. You haven't come for several days now." Ichinose Honami's tone seemed to carry a slight reproach. "Last time Shibata-kun even asked me if you were avoiding us."
"Of course not. Please tell them not to think that way."
Hashima Hikaru smiled faintly. Although he enjoyed spending time with his classmates, there were clearly more important matters waiting for him to handle right now.
Without class competition, the caregiving work could all be left to Ichinose Honami—she was the most suitable candidate.
"Anyway, I'll come when I have time. Ichinose-san's grades are so good, you're more than capable of tutoring everyone," Hashima Hikaru smiled, complimenting the girl beside him. "So I'll just have to trouble you a bit more."
"I understand. I'll keep everyone focused on their studies."
Ichinose Honami nodded her small head, but couldn't help feeling a wave of disappointment.
Hashima Hikaru used to spend most of his time with her. When this frequency noticeably decreased, the girl found it somewhat hard to adjust.
Whether it was having dinner together in the dormitory or participating in study groups, when she couldn't see that familiar smiling face within her line of sight, the pink-haired girl often felt like something was missing from her heart.
Although she knew very well that the most important thing right now was uniting the class, keeping everyone closely connected to smoothly pass the three years ahead so they could graduate together.
But Hashima Hikaru's presence had already begun to shake Ichinose's heart. Despite him being her comrade-in-arms, the girl always had a strange feeling that he might one day leave her and go to someone else's side.
If such a thing were to happen, would she still be able to prioritize the class?
After asking herself multiple times, Ichinose Honami couldn't find any answer. She could only temporarily seal this emotion in a secret corner of her heart. At least for now, she was still Hashima Hikaru's closest female friend, wasn't she?
After school, Hashima Hikaru said goodbye to Ichinose Honami and left the classroom.
When he arrived at the Zelkova Shopping Center's coffee shop, he found that slender, black-haired figure already inside.
Is she even faster than me?
"Good afternoon, Horikita-san," Hashima Hikaru greeted her as he entered the coffee shop.
"Good afternoon, Hashima -kun."
Horikita Suzune turned around, her calm eyes sweeping over Hashima Hikaru's face before she asked: "Where are the seats you reserved?"
"Over there by the street. The view is excellent."
Hashima Hikaru led Horikita Suzune to seats near the transparent glass in the coffee shop, then very gentlemanly pulled out a chair for her.
"Thank you."
After they sat down facing each other, the young man took the menu and asked about her preferences: "What would you like to drink, Horikita-san?"
"Just plain water is fine."
Horikita Suzune had come today to refine her plan, so she didn't want to consume anything that might interfere with her thinking.
"Well, alright then."
Seeing her beautiful face maintaining a serious expression, Hashima Hikaru didn't want to press the issue, so he told the server they wanted one glass of water and one coffee with sugar.
After the server left, Horikita Suzune spoke first.
"I'm going to explain my original approach for the hearing. If you think there are any issues, you can point them out directly."
"Okay."
Hashima Hikaru's expression became much more serious, as this was also one of today's objectives.
"First is the frame-up argument," Horikita Suzune explained her thoughts, her demeanor serious. "The other side had two people, while Sudō-kun was alone. Even if forced into a physical confrontation, two people clearly have the advantage."
"Before a fight, the side with more people would have a general psychological expectation, since having more people fighting fewer usually increases the odds of winning."
"Although Sudō is a member of the sports club, one of the students bringing the accusation is also from the basketball team, and the other is Ishizaki-kun, who is rumored to have been a fighter in middle school."
"But the end result was that Sudō-kun emerged unscathed, while both those students were bandaged, with injuries that seemed very serious. No matter how you look at it, this doesn't seem reasonable."
"Indeed."
Hashima Hikaru touched his chin. In a two-against-one scenario, unless the solitary individual had physical qualities that could overwhelm the opponents or possessed combat-related skills, achieving such an outcome would be unlikely.
Based on the current information, this seemed highly improbable.
"That's the first point. The second is about the specific reason for the meeting," Horikita Suzune looked at the contemplative expression on Hashima Hikaru's face and continued. "Sudō mentioned they were the ones who invited him, while their statement says Sudō actively sought them out."
"This should be a key point of contention."
Hashima Hikaru immediately understood, and looking at Horikita Suzune's face, said: "To convince the student council that you are indeed innocent, you absolutely cannot yield on this topic."
"Yes."
Horikita Suzune nodded, feeling satisfied with Hashima Hikaru's speed of thought.
"The third part is about the witness. If we steer the conversation to this point and then have the witness appear and submit evidence, we will complete our response to this hearing."
This approach covered all the key points she had identified, leaving virtually no loopholes.
Having said all this, the black-haired girl looked directly at Hashima Hikaru across from her, wanting to confirm his opinion.
Since you gained my brother's recognition, let me see your analytical abilities.
"Indeed, it's a very good analysis. You've considered all the points that need attention. But has Horikita-san thought about another possibility?" Hashima Hikaru smiled, looking directly into the eyes of the black-haired girl.
"What is it?"
"All your contingencies are based on the current situation. But has Horikita-san considered what if the other side holds evidence?"
Upon hearing this, Horikita Suzune immediately responded: "That's impossible. If the other side had evidence, why wouldn't they present it before the hearing? This way, they wouldn't need this process at all and could directly obtain the punishment."
Yes, most people would think that way.
Hashima Hikaru tapped his finger on the table. He still remembered Ryūen's face when facing suspension. If this attack against C Class truly left no evidence, then getting Sudō expelled wouldn't be so easy.
Because the student council has considerable discretion in implementing punishments. In a controversial situation, they might impose equal penalties on both sides. But since they're calling for Sudō's expulsion, it can't be that simple.
"Has Horikita-san considered why they are demanding Sudō's expulsion?" Hashima Hikaru's tone was light, as if he had just casually thought of this.
"?"
Hearing this question, Horikita Suzune's face showed confusion, and she began actively recalling the contents of the student handbook.
According to regulations, when conflicts between students escalate to physical altercations, different punishments are imposed based on the severity, ranging from suspension to expulsion.
But for the maximum punishment of expulsion to be applied, the hearing process must be completely uncontroversial, and the violent act must be of an extremely malicious nature.
Since both individuals from the other side were bandaged, C Class students generally believed this was already the most malicious violent incident, which is why they were somewhat concerned about the expulsion demand.
But if this thought is traced back further, has this incident really reached the level of expulsion?
Or do they really possess some evidence that could directly characterize this violent incident, leaving no room for dispute and forcing everyone to accept it?
Not submitting evidence now doesn't necessarily mean there isn't any. If it's presented directly at the hearing, it represents official certification. Once determined, there's truly no room for maneuvering.
Thinking through to this point, Horikita Suzune's expression became somewhat grave. These considerations were outside her thinking parameters. The girl had originally planned to respond as the situation developed, yet hadn't anticipated other possibilities.
Seeing the black-haired girl's changing expression, Hashima Hikaru took a sip of coffee and said calmly: "It seems Horikita-san has realized something. We still have plenty of time, so you can think about it slowly."
The young man glanced outside with his peripheral vision, his smile growing increasingly gentle.
The target had arrived. Now to see how she would react.
Meanwhile, outside the coffee shop, Kushida Kikyō was shopping with her two followers when her gaze casually surveyed the surrounding stores and suddenly caught a familiar figure.
Black long hair, delicate features, and a perpetually cold expression.
It's that Horikita woman.
Who is she meeting with at the coffee shop?
As her gaze shifted slightly to the side, Kushida Kikyō's pupils suddenly dilated, for she saw someone who absolutely should not have been there—Hashima Hikaru !
Why would he be having coffee with Horikita Suzune???
And he's even smiling!!!
What's going on???
Due to her extreme shock, Kushida Kikyō's body even trembled slightly. She began frantically searching her memory for scenes where Hashima Hikaru and Horikita Suzune appeared together, but apart from the time when rules were sold, there weren't any others.
Do these two know each other privately?
A mixture of shock and anger began spreading through Kushida's heart. She felt she absolutely had to do something now, or she definitely wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.