A Tyrant's Will

Volume 2: Chapter 7.3 - The Hidden Hand

Horikita and Ryuuen arrived at the student council room fifteen minutes before deliberation was scheduled to begin. They were there to discuss the terms of their new contract. Aside from Vice President Nagumo, the room was empty. There was no sign of the teachers, the student council president, or anyone else.

"Now this is an unexpected sight. Ryuuen and Suzune, together? What seems to be the big occasion, hmm?" Nagumo said, lounging casually in his chair.

"Suzune's given up, so we've come to discuss terms. Seems all that big talk she threw around on Friday was just for show," Ryuuen replied.

"Really? Is that true, Suzune?" Nagumo asked.

Horikita gave a small nod.

"And here I was, getting all excited for today. What a letdown," Nagumo sighed in disappointment.

"Expecting anything from her was your first mistake, Nagumo. She's from Class D. What can someone like her even hope to accomplish?"

Horikita bit her lip, resisting the urge to retaliate. Deep down, she knew she had been thoroughly outplayed. Her only option now was to stall Ryuuen and keep him in the student council room for as long as possible, buying enough time for Ayanokouji and the others to act. That was her only hope.

"Do you really believe that, Ryuuen? Just because someone's from Class D doesn't mean they're incapable. After all, weren't they the ones who came up with the idea of using fake witnesses to extend the trial? And since Hamaguchi pointed fingers at Ike and Yamauchi, they must have known those two would take the stand as well," Nagumo remarked.

Horikita looked up in surprise. Everything Nagumo had said was accurate, despite having only heard the details from an outside perspective.

"Strange, isn't it? On Friday, Suzune claimed that Class D had no idea Ike and Yamauchi would testify for Class A. But Hamaguchi's testimony suggests otherwise. Looks like someone in Class D is more intelligent than we gave them credit for."

"Good, Ryuuen. I was starting to worry you were losing your edge. As it happens, I've come to the same conclusion," Nagumo said with a smirk.

"Not much faith in your protégé, huh? Do you really doubt her that much?"

Nagumo grinned and crossed his arms. "I know what she is and isn't capable of. Someone like her could never come up with such an underhanded scheme."

Horikita tried to follow the conversation, but she was completely lost. It felt like they were deliberately speaking over her head. Still, as long as it kept Ryuuen distracted, that was all that mattered.

The student council room door opened once more. Class A's homeroom teacher, Sakagami-sensei, entered, followed by Chabashira-sensei.

"Oh, my. It seems those two boys from before aren't here," Sakagami-sensei remarked.

"Indeed. What happened to Hirata and Ayanokouji, Horikita?" Chabashira-sensei asked.

"They're not participating."

"Not participating, huh?"

Chabashira-sensei glanced at the empty seats, a puzzled look on her face. She seemed genuinely concerned by their absence, as if the proceedings would be meaningless without them. Horikita had a gut feeling that her teacher's reaction had less to do with Hirata and everything to do with Ayanokouji.

Apparently, Ryuuen was thinking something along the same lines.

"Why does it matter? Hirata and Ayanokouji barely said a word last time, so their absence shouldn't make a difference. Unless you're implying one of them came up with the idea to use those two 'witnesses'?"