Ito left his chair, walking to the class podium with a plain expression.
Everyone watched silently since it was expected, though I just wanted to get back to my room.
"Hey guys, I have something to say," Ito stopped and took a deep breath.
"I got called by the homeroom teacher of Class Beta and of our class. I'm sure you already know what I'm getting at."
Most people were downcast. It seemed that getting caught up in a fight was a big deal in this school—that was because of the anti-bullying laws. Everyone, including me, turned our eyes to the offenders.
"This is all you guys' fault."
Everyone was thinking about it, but no one could speak up because the situation changed, until that person did—that was the catalyst.
"But it isn't our fault. It's Miyamura's fault, h-h-he started it."
One of the boys that fought in the cafeteria spoke up, he was throwing Miyamura under the bus.
"Yeah, it's Miyamura's fault."
People who blamed Miyamura grew more and more. Naturally, I didn't pick a side. I preferred to stay on the sidelines.
Moreover, today was still my first day so I felt that I had no right to mention my own opinion.
"Everyone, calm down," Ito said, his voice being stern yet warm.
Ito's voice was rigid, yet it carried a warmth that put people at ease—like a mother warning her children.
"What happened has happened. No point blaming anyone."
"…It's still his fault."
Some people still murmured though Ito's stern eyes kept them in check.
"The only thing we can do now is move forward and find a compromise, so it doesn't escalate."
Ito's thought process made sense, because in truth there was no use crying over spilled milk.
However—
I'm sure of it. This compromise is probably the plan of Class Beta.
"I'll be going to the faculty room after school today. Does anyone want to come with me?"
No one moved an inch as he said those words.
"Anyone is fine. I just need two people."
Five minutes passed yet no one even breathed heavily, talkless of raising their hand.
Might as well go. I mean who knows? The faculty room might be fun.
I raised my hand, and Kagura subsequently raised her hand.
I had a feeling she was just waiting for someone to raise their hand first to make the whole process faster.
I mean, it was weird that the vice class president didn't want to go.
We left the class shortly after. I had memorized the map of the school, but it still felt better to let Ito lead.
I mean I was just here to observe, so there was no point in me going forward.
"Thanks again, uh—Nakamura. Don't worry we'll be back soon."
Did he forget my name? Like come on dude it was just yesterday.
Was my introduction that bland? The tone and facial expression were good so…
"Nakamura," Kagura said.
"Yeah?"
"So I was wondering, are you good at arguing?"
"Huh? Uh no."
"What about negotiations?"
"Nope."
"I see, then we're pretty much screwed."
"Huh? What about you guys?" I asked.
"We're pretty useless in that aspect," they voiced simultaneously.
"Eh!"
"So we thought you agreed because you're good at it."
Look at them, speaking with so much pride. I might be good at observations and deductions but I'm useless at everything else that isn't mental!
I couldn't believe that they hopelessly put their fate in someone who couldn't even articulate a good sentence without fumbling my words.
"Well, I'm very much terrible at arguing and negotiating," I said.
"Are you?" Kagura asked.
"I am."
"Are you really?"
"I very much am."
"Sure," she looked skeptically at me.
"How about we just agree to disagree?"
"Fine. Pwah ha ha ha ha ha!!!" She laughed so much that she fell to the ground and even held her stomach.
Huh? Wait a minute? She just manipulated me.
"I thought you said you were bad at arguing and couldn't negotiate."
"I, uh—let's just go to the faculty room."
It was all fun and games, however one thing made me wary. Ito never laughed, even during swim class he was stoic even when he joked with Miyamura.
It made me question just how serious this case really was.
Why'd he need us? He seems charismatic and confident enough to go alone. So why invite us?
Emotional support?
The only reason I can think of is that this case is very serious. I'm sure it is because of the school's anti-bullying law.
This will be tricky.
On reaching the faculty room, we found two Class Beta students already there.
This was bad because we were the accused, and I had even thought we could maybe sway the teachers with our words if we came early enough.
But that was now out of the question.
"Sorry for coming late, sensei."
"Since Class Epsilon is also here, we can begin. Now, Class Beta offered us video footage, so I'll ask questions according to the footage to ensure its credibility. Class Epsilon hit first. Is that correct?" Jackson-Sensei was the mediator.
They have footage? This further proves that this was planned. Also, why are they allowing her to be the mediator? She's our homeroom teacher.
"…Yes," Ito answered while looking at the floor.
"Class Beta didn't attack back. Is that right?"
"…Yes."
"Did–"
"I think this is already decided. We don't need any further clues—this proves that we are in the right," a student from Class Beta spoke up.
"Shimizu Asahi, I advise you to shut up while I'm talking."
Shimizu was one of the students from the cafeteria–his face was slightly bruised though from a glance you could tell he was a Class Beta student.
He had blonde-dyed silky comma bangs and wore earrings and along with a number of accessories–4 rings, two on each hand, and a silver watch and bracelet.
He also wore his complete uniform and kept a composed look.
"Yo teach, I thought she was on our side," Shimizu continued to talk.
Despite what he said, his voice was rather calm and deliberate–he seemed like a rather reliable person.
"She is neutral, it's just our side is the more correct side. Just shut up and watch," a person I assumed to be Class Beta's homeroom teacher replied.
"Since the matter is this large, I'll have to involve the student council," Jackson-Sensei continued.
"I understand, but can we not come to a compromise?" Ito pleaded.
"And why would we do that?" Shimizu smirked.
"Just think of it. It's easier, isn't it."
"Never tell me to think ever again in your life," he glared, suddenly snapping, his voice still calm but growing colder.
"I'm sorry."
The teachers are barely saying anything, are they part of Class Beta's plan?
No, because then Ito would have complained, does that imply that they must stay neutral and must not intervene?
Maybe the student council is like a court, so the teachers are simply police officers then.
"Yeah, you better be," Shimizu's voice went back to the way it was before.
"So do you agree to compromise?"
"Yes, this won't reach the student council if we can get Suzuki's Acc. name."
"Is this boy a buffoon?" Jackson-Sensei shook her head in disbelief.
"Idiot," the other Class Beta student punched his head.
"Oww!"
"I apologize for his stupidity."
"Hey!"
"Shut up," the other Class Beta student said.
"What we actually want is the suspension of every student in Class Epsilon," the other student said with tsurime eyes though they looked natural.
It was then I had a closer look at him–he had brown hair that was styled to the side like a side part that covered his eyes and wore his uniform similar to Shimizu.
(There's an illustration here, the other student is grinning slightly with his hands spread wide and it also shows everyone from Class Epsilon having a nervous sweat on their face except Kagura who is visibly shaken and Shimuzu who is grinning silently.)
"...!"
In an instant the tide of the conversation shifted. Everyone, including the teachers, was completely silent.
It was such a shocking and unforeseen development that we all couldn't move an inch.
"For how long?" Kagura managed to ask.
"For an indefinite amount of time, depending on how we feel."
Everyone was silent in the room, even I was speechless though only Kagura was visibly shaken.
"Would you look at the time?" the class Beta student said as he looked at his hand which had no watch. "Well, Jackson-Sensei I have some things to attend to, I believe we can leave since we have said my conditions."
"Yes, you may leave."
"Hey wait," Kagura said.
"What? Do you agree to our terms?"
"No, but can't we just—"
"Kagura, I know you're popular and all but don't think you can flaunt it here. Maybe that buffoon might care—"
"Hey," Shimizu said. "What are you trying to say?"
"But I don't. Now if you'll excuse us," the other student from Class Beta ignored Shimizu and continued.
The students of Class Beta left without looking back at us, as if saying that they had already won.
Ito remained silent. His face was unreadable—somewhere between stoic and shocked, though that combination didn't quite make sense.
Kagura, on the other hand, was so surprised that she was shaking.
As this was going on, I looked at Jackson-Sensei who smirked at me.
Was that my imagination? Hmm…
We eventually left, but the weight of what had just happened lingered in the air. Even Ito, usually composed, seemed lost in thought.
After arriving, we found out no one was there, then Kagura reverted back to her happy-go-lucky energy as if it was a suit she could put on.
It was most likely done to make me and Ito feel better and was honestly impressive.
"Well, that was something, huh?"
"..." Both I and Ito were silent.
"Hey, come on. Don't be glum. Turn that frown upside down."
"..."
"Don't be sad. After all, I was the one that was useless there. Sorry," Kagura bowed deeply.
Well, you did more than me–I didn't even say a word.
"No, you weren't," Ito replied.
"I was, I couldn't even convince them."
"That wasn't why I called you and Nakamura. It's because we need a plan for this. I came to the realization that this was planned."
This guy noticed, huh?
"Yeah, you're right but what do they want?" Kagura asked.
"That's what I don't know, I sure they want to reduce our—Nah, that's not it," Ito changed what he was about to say as he looked at me.
"Don't worry we will find out why soon. Anyway, I gotta go."
"Yeah, see ya."
They both left me in class, each lost in their own thoughts. As I gathered my things, I couldn't help but think everything was too stressful for a first day.
"What a drag."
I left and headed back to the dorms for some much-needed rest.
***
Author's Note:
I don't really have anything to say, so just stay hyped. Anyway, remember to comment, leave a review, and share.
Thanks for reading the chapter and see you in the next one.