Classroom of the Elite: Stalemate

Vol.1 : Chapter 4.5-Lies are Bound to Crumble

Currently, Horikita, Ichinose, and I were gathered in my flat, indulging in the dinner I had prepared for all of us.

"So, Ichinose-san," Horikita began, "Ayanokoji-kun informed me that your class is eager to assist us in identifying those who witnessed the incident. Am I correct?"

Ichinose flashed a smile before responding.

"Indeed, we are willing to assist in any way possible. However, locating someone who saw the incident might be challenging, but we'll do our best."

Though I understood that this discussion held little to no point without evidence or details we weren't yet aware of, for some reason, Horikita insisted on holding this meeting as soon as possible.

With Ichinose's response, Horikita nodded in gratitude. "I see. Both Ayanokoji-kun and I really appreciate your help, Ichinose-san. Though I must inform you that we already have someone from our class as a suspect."

This last sentence surprised Ichinose, and she raised her eyebrows in question. "How fast! And how did you manage to do it?"

"Well, nothing too extraordinary," Horikita replied.

"We just noticed a significant difference in this person's behavior. However, we still have to confirm this little theory of ours."

Class B's leader nodded in understanding.

This time, it was I who supplied the conversation with another question.

"Ichinose, I've been meaning to ask you, one of the reasons why you decided to help us is because Ryuuen already tried attacking your class, didn't he?"

This statement made Class B's leader rethink her behavior, almost wondering aloud where she might have slipped.

"You didn't slip anywhere, though," I reassured her. "It's just a theory. Besides, you're not obligated to answer."

She just kindly smiled at me. "Haha, I see. It's almost like you read my mind, Ayanokoji-kun. As for your question, in reality, the answer is yes. Ryuuen-kun indeed tried to attack my class the same way he attacked yours, though I have to say we managed to dodge the bullet there."

While Ichinose was saying this, with the corner of my eye, I saw Horikita slightly smiling at the first sentence, almost as if she had the same thought in her mind.

'Girls indeed are strange.'

"Well, I can imagine your class surviving such an attack," I said. "As far as I know, your class is quite united, especially around you."

On this sentence, she lightly blushed.

With Ichinose already starting to answer, Horikita interrupted her with another question. "Ichinose-san, how did you manage to avoid Ryuuen-kun's attack? Please tell me."

As she said this, Class B's leader put on a thoughtful expression while also wondering aloud.

"Well... You could say we got really lucky. The person they targeted was waiting for some other people from our class, so when they tried to provoke him into a fight, other guys from our class arrived."

"And what happened after this?"

"Umm, from how Kanzaki-kun described the situation, they instantly walked away while cursing them. I suppose they feared that others will report their behavior and will testify against them."

With Ichinose saying this, Horikita visibly relaxed and asked another question. "I see. So, you think that even some hints of risk and pressure will make them withdraw?"

"Hmm, most likely," Ichinose confirmed. "Though the place where they attacked your classmate has no cameras, so it will be hard to do something without someone to testify in your defense."