Bullying is precisely the kind of thing that most stirs the compassionate heart of a Discipline Committee member and it's also the way Kagura Hikaru emphasizes his own stance.
Especially after Hina just made some thought-provoking remarks a moment ago.
Look, I already paid a price for you, we're clearly on the same side, so how about a bit more trust?
Although Ayakoji Chiyoko now regards him as an ally, she has not yet reached the point of considering him one of her own, she even brought up the Society Discussion Meeting only after it was established; before that, Kagura Hikaru hadn't heard a whisper about it.
His mention of this matter was intended merely to 'demonstrate loyalty', and not really with the expectation that Ayakoji Chiyoko would render him justice.
But unexpectedly, just as he brought it up, Ayakoji Chiyoko waved her hand and said, "I already know about that matter."
After finishing her words, she opened the door and said something to the Discipline Committee member outside.
A while later, several Discipline Committee members dragged in three male students with bruised faces, forcing them to kneel before Kagura Hikaru with rough movements.
"I'm sorry, I won't dare to do it again!"
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault, I'm sorry!"
"Please, let me go!"
The three male students cried and sobbed, kneeling on the ground and bowing repeatedly.
Kagura Hikaru was astonished, "What is this about...?"
"These guys are the ones who played that prank in your locker this morning." Ayakoji Chiyoko crossed her arms and looked disdainfully at the three, "Each one of them is a 'loyal fan' of Kiryu Hina, how ridiculous."
Just as he thought, once the post was made, Hina's supporters came knocking on his door.
But Kagura Hikaru was also well aware that the Disciplinary Committee wasn't usually so efficient, solving morning's incidents by noon; it was obviously Ayakoji Chiyoko showing him special care.
"...Thank you."
"Don't mention it for such a trifle." Ayakoji Chiyoko appeared unconcerned.
If he didn't consider what she had done, Kagura Hikaru might actually have been touched.
"Um... can we let them go now?"
He said helplessly.
"Are you thinking of making an example out of them?"
Ayakoji Chiyoko looked at Kagura Hikaru approvingly and praised, "Great minds think alike." and then ordered her subordinates to release them.
Watching the three male students scrambling out of the classroom, tripping over themselves in their rush to get away, Kagura Hikaru shook his head, not bothering to argue.
"If anyone else gives you trouble, let me know anytime, or tell any Discipline Committee member, we'll take care of it for you," Ayakoji Chiyoko instructed, "Until those guys give up, the Disciplinary Committee will be your solid backing."
Finally, Kagura Hikaru could understand why Ayakoji Chiyoko had such a strong control over the Disciplinary Committee.
He realized she possessed a special kind of personal charisma, like a mafia princess from a comic or novel, with power and capability, a chivalrous character, and even an attractive appearance.
No wonder so many people were willing to follow her, Ayakoji Chiyoko was undoubtedly the leader many dreamed of.
This 'big sister' was someone he could count on, someone who would really step up when needed.
Turns out, the reason Ayakoji Chiyoko called Kagura Hikaru over was just for this matter.
After she finished giving him a few words of instruction, Kagura Hikaru left the Disciplinary Committee.
He went downstairs, exited the old school building.
Walking on the courtyard corridor, some students recognized him, whispering behind his back, but Kagura Hikaru was indifferent.
He deeply understood that there were many things in this world that he could not control, such as the Earth's rotation, such as the thoughts of others.
Learning to ignore the prejudices of others is something one must come to understand from birth.
But if one could really manage to completely ignore them, then they wouldn't seem human anymore, they would be like a machine or a rock.
Kagura Hikaru was neither a machine nor a rock, so he couldn't do it.
To put it plainly, he was a little upset.
As the whispers behind his back grew louder, Kagura Hikaru's footsteps also became somewhat heavier.
He didn't think his heart was fragile, but no one could be happy when betrayed by an ally, causing trouble in their life.
Was this retribution?
Punishment for what he had done to Hina before and for what he was planning to do in the future.
Passing by a maple tree, a beam of sunlight shot through the gaps in the leaves, dazzling Kagura Hikaru, who in a daze seemed to see a girl running toward him from the light.
Kagura Hikaru looked on blankly as she ran closer.
"Ah, Mr. Kagura! I finally found you!"
"...Senior Ai Cheng?"
Kagura Hikaru was surprised to see Ai Cheng Hua Lian in front of him, catching her breath with hands on knees, "How did you know I was here?"
"Just, just now I ran into President Hina over there, she told me," Ai Cheng Hua Lian took a breath and lifted her head with a bright smile.
"Mr. Kagura, have you had lunch yet, would you like to join me?"
"I remember telling you this morning to stay away from me for the next few days."
"I know, but I won't listen!"
"...?"
Ai Cheng Hua Lian straightened up, staring into Kagura Hikaru's eyes: "Mr. Kagura, are we friends?"
Kagura Hikaru hesitated for a moment: "Probably, yeah."
"Then, is it right for a friend to abandon another in their time of need, in the name of self-preservation?!" Ai Cheng Hua Lian said indignantly, "Mr. Kagura, don't underestimate me!"
Kagura Hikaru was rendered speechless, at a loss for words.
Could it be that he was being cared for?
"I'm sorry, Senior, I overlooked your feelings."
"Eh? No, you're overreacting..." Ai Cheng Hua Lian blushed at the comment, nervously running her fingers through her hair along her cheek, "Also, could you not call me 'Senior'? It sounds too distant."
"Not even 'Senior' is okay?"
"Not okay!"
"I see, Ai Cheng. You can also call me Kagura."
Ai Cheng Hua Lian giggled, "Then, let's have lunch together, Kagura!"
"Alright." Kagura Hikaru nodded.
He went back to the classroom to grab his lunchbox, while Ai Cheng Hua Lian bought two sandwiches from the snack shop. About fifteen minutes later, the two met up again in the courtyard, sitting quietly under the maple tree on a bench to eat.
"Kagura, here's some hot soup." Ai Cheng Hua Lian opened her thermos, pouring out the warm, fragrant miso soup into the lid and handed it to Kagura Hikaru with both hands.
"Thank you." Without refusing, Kagura Hikaru took the soup and drank it in one go, then started on the white rice in his lunchbox while the taste lingered.
Looking down at the cup she got back, Ai Cheng Hua Lian's eyes locked onto the spot where Kagura Hikaru's lips had touched, her mind racing through a brainstorm about the nature of the universe and the philosophy of life.
After much internal struggle, she finally turned the cup to the opposite side, took a sip of soup, and tears of either relief or regret flowed down her face.
The chance for an indirect kiss had been wasted just like that...
Little did she know, Kagura Hikaru was secretly observing her under the guise of eating.
Meals eaten alone taste completely different from those shared with another person.
Is this what it feels like to have friends?
Funnily enough, before entering school he had planned his high school life as follows: become a ghost-like student unnoticed by others, study quietly, graduate quietly, hoping not even a single person would talk to him until the graduation ceremony.
The ideal quiet life he envisioned was now going in a completely different direction.
But the way it is now... seems pretty good, actually.