The moment Suzune called out, the door to the meeting room opened. A red-haired girl with glasses entered, her head lowered.
"A witness?"
Class D's homeroom teacher, Sakagami Kazuma, raised a brow and smirked mockingly. "Let me guess—she's from Class C?"
"That's right," Suzune responded calmly. "Sakura-san happened to be present at the Special Building that day, making her a crucial eyewitness."
"Oh? In that case, let's hear what she has to say."
As Sakura stepped further into the room, she felt the weight of countless gazes pressing down on her. Her legs wobbled slightly, but she forced herself to remember the words of encouragement Hikaru had given her during their practice sessions. Slowly, she steadied her breathing.
"I-I'm Sakura Airi… from Class 1-C," she said, clenching her fists tightly to suppress her fear.
"Alright, Sakura-san," Suzune said softly, giving her an encouraging glance. "Please tell us what you saw that day."
Suzune knew asking the timid girl to testify was a difficult task. Without her, however, the hearing would become much more complicated.
"Y-Yes." Sakura took a deep breath. "That day… I saw Class D's students attack Sudo-kun first. That's how the fight started."
"Hah. If you really saw that, why didn't you speak up earlier?" Sakagami scoffed, his tone dripping with condescension. His gaze shifted from Sakura to Chabashira Sae, then back again. "If you really had a witness, you could've gone to the Student Council right away. Why wait until now?"
"I… um…"
Sakura's confidence wavered at his words. But she quickly recalled the scenarios Hikaru had prepared her for. His voice echoed in her mind: When they push, stay calm and stick to the truth.
"It was… because my camera broke after that day. I was so focused on getting it repaired that I forgot to tell my classmates about the photo I took."
"Convenient," Sakagami sneered, shaking his head. "Sounds like you're just lying to protect your class. It's admirable in a way—sacrificing your integrity for your classmates—but lying isn't going to help you here, Sakura-san."
"I'm not lying!" she exclaimed, voice trembling but resolute. "My camera had… evidence from that day."
Her heart pounded as she turned to Suzune. "Horikita-san… may I show the photos now?"
Suzune gave a slight nod. "Yes. If you have proof, let's present it."
At the mention of "evidence," Sakagami's smile stiffened. His eyes flicked toward Ibuki, who remained eerily calm.
Sakura retrieved a memory card from her pocket. "I transferred all my private pictures elsewhere, so only the photos from that day remain."
"Secretary Tachibana, please project the images," Manabu instructed.
Tachibana stepped forward, accepted the memory card, and inserted it into the laptop connected to the projector.
Seconds later, an image appeared on the screen.
The photo captured Sakura's face in a selfie, but the background revealed a critical detail: Ishizaki and Komiya flanking Sudo, their arms raised, fists positioned aggressively. The context clearly suggested that they had been the instigators.
"I went to the Special Building that day to take some selfies," Sakura explained. "While I was looking for a quiet place… I saw them attacking Sudo-kun."
Her words finally out, Sakura slumped slightly, the tension draining from her body. She felt relieved to have fulfilled her promise to Hikaru.
After this, I get to see him tonight… The thought brought a faint blush to her cheeks.
Suzune seized the momentum. "If you look at the timestamp on the image, you'll see the date matches the day of the incident. This photograph clearly supports Sakura-san's testimony."
The room fell silent.
Sakagami's smile disappeared entirely. He shifted his gaze to Ibuki. Ishizaki and Komiya, meanwhile, exchanged panicked glances.
Finally, Ibuki stood and pulled out her phone. "If Class C is presenting evidence, we'll do the same."
The tension thickened instantly.
Sakura froze. Wait… They have evidence too? Panic surged through her.
Ibuki handed her phone to Tachibana. "Please play the video."
The students from Class C stiffened at her words. Sudo clenched his fists while Hirata and Chabashira exchanged concerned glances.
As the video began, the screen displayed footage taken from an unusually close angle. The shaky camera focused on Sudo, Komiya, and Ishizaki locked in a scuffle. Their conversation was audible.
"I won't give up the regular position—no matter what you do!" Komiya's voice sounded over the speakers.
"What are you talking about? I don't get it!" Sudo's confused voice followed.
"Stop hitting Komiya, damn it! If you've got a problem, deal with me!" Ishizaki shouted as Sudo lashed out at both of them with force.
The clip ended with Sudo's fist smashing into Komiya's face.
Silence fell over the room.
The mood shifted palpably. Sakagami slammed his hands on the table and stood up. "This is unacceptable! We've seen enough. Sudo is a danger to this school—he must be suspended!"
On the other side of the room, Ibuki crossed her arms, smirking faintly. Ishizaki and Komiya sighed in relief.
Manabu remained calm, though his glasses glinted ominously. "That is compelling evidence," he admitted, voice neutral. "How did you obtain this video?"
Ibuki kept her expression composed. "One of our classmates was storing materials in the science lab when they heard the commotion. They took out their phone and recorded the fight."
"How convenient," Manabu murmured.
Suzune's stomach twisted. This isn't good. The video looks damning.
"If you cannot present further counterevidence," Manabu said, addressing Class C, "Sudo's expulsion becomes inevitable."
The color drained from Sudo's face. Ishizaki and Komiya smirked.
Suzune's thoughts raced. She felt trapped.
Think, Suzune. Think!
Then she remembered Hikaru's words about the potential of surveillance footage.
"No," she said suddenly. "We would like to submit a second piece of evidence."
She reached into her pocket and retrieved her phone.
"I request permission to present additional proof."
Manabu raised an eyebrow. For the first time in the hearing, his expression shifted from stoic disinterest to mild curiosity.
She's grown, he thought. Finally, she's starting to grasp the true nature of these hearings.
"Proceed," he said.
Suzune stared at the screen of her phone.
Hikaru-kun… let's see if your guess about the security cameras was right.
*(TL/N - Special Building is Special Annex of the Science Building btw. I just shortened it.)
~~~
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