"It's not Class D's turn to speak yet. Class D, please maintain meeting discipline. Please remain silent when others are speaking."
Horikita Manabu looked at Horikita Suzune's furious expression, and his own expression turned a few shades colder.
Even Amane hadn't spoken yet, and his foolish younger sister had already raised an objection. Was such an objection useful? Since the other party had already chosen to change their statement, they must have prepared an excuse to fob off Class D.
Otherwise, wouldn't that be slapping their own face?
If she couldn't even think of this, could Suzune really lead Class D to Class A? Even if entrusted to Amane, Amane probably wouldn't be able to make Suzune lead the class to continuous victories.
Warned by her own brother, even Horikita Suzune could only swallow her anger and sit back down for now.
"Shiraha-san, do you have anything else to add?"
Horikita Manabu's gaze turned to Shiraha.
Shiraha gently shook her head.
"Then please have Shiraha-san take a seat. Does the Class D representative have any objections to Shiraha-san's statement?"
After Shiraha obediently sat down, Ichinose finally breathed a sigh of relief.
If it was just Horikita Suzune, it would be fine.
She was worried that Amane would directly choose to conflict with Shiraha-san. Shiraha already felt some guilt, and if Amane played the emotional card, it was predictable that Shiraha would definitely have her psychological defenses broken by Amane.
At that time, perhaps the promise she made to Ryuuen would change... She should have communicated with Amane after all.
"Amane."
Horikita Suzune quietly reminded Amane.
Amane, however, shook her head.
Seeing this, Horikita Suzune could only stand up herself to answer for Amane.
"Regarding this harassment incident, we submitted evidence long ago. Everything can be spoken through evidence. Even if someone is driven by profit to change their testimony, we still have one witness who can prove what happened that day. Sakura-san, would you please recount what happened that day?"
Horikita Suzune looked expectantly at Sakura Airi beside her.
But she didn't notice that Sakura Airi's expression was a bit off.
"I..."
"Say whatever you want to say. No matter what you say, I won't blame you, Airi."
Amane patted Airi's hand, encouraging her to speak.
Amane already knew what Airi would say, but even so, she hoped Airi could bravely face her choice.
"Amane-san... I, I didn't see anything that day. I just took a photo and then hid in fear. I don't know what happened at all... I'm sorry."
Who was this apology for?
Sakura Airi's words even made Chabashira-sensei a bit unsettled.
"Sakura, this isn't a playhouse. What we're discussing now are just supplementary proofs for this case. The true situation still requires further investigation and verification. If found to have committed perjury, the consequences will be very serious."
Chabashira-sensei's warning made Airi lower her head like Shiraha, biting her lip tightly. After a long hesitation, she finally replied.
"I know."
"Bastard! What the hell happened? How could you betray your own classmate? Amane saved you once! If it wasn't for Amane, you would have left Class D last time! Is this how you repay Amane? This is just..."
Horikita Suzune's furious scolding made Airi start to cry softly.
"Secretary Tachibana, please take Sakura-san to the next room. Suzune, your current state is not suitable for continuing the meeting. Ichinose, please take responsibility for escorting Horikita Suzune out temporarily."
Horikita Manabu spoke with disappointment and issued his orders.
Tachibana Akane comforted Airi and left the conference room.
Ichinose was about to get up when Horikita Suzune directly turned and left the seat.
"You don't need to see me out."
With a bang.
The conference room door was heavily shut.
"What rude behavior. I can't imagine such a person attending a meeting like this."
Kanzaki Ryuji crossed his arms and offered his assessment of Horikita Suzune.
"Classmate Kanzaki."
Ichinose originally wanted to persuade Kanzaki to exercise some restraint.
If others didn't know, how could she not know how highly Horikita Suzune was regarded in Amane's heart?
Kanzaki's rash evaluation would only provoke Amane, forcing Amane and Class B into an adversarial position.
"Ichinose, I know you're a kind person, but when facing such a rude individual, your kindness won't change her."
"Have you said enough?"
Amane's cold voice came from the opposite side.
Nagumo Miyabi showed a satisfied smile.
Yes, this was it. Last time he had suffered a setback at the hands of this demon, and Kiriyama had even developed Amane's post-traumatic stress. As soon as he heard that Miyako Amane would also be attending this meeting, he directly took sick leave and didn't come.
What a pity.
He was probably going to miss something spectacular this time.
"..."
Kanzaki Ryuji closed his mouth.
It was his first time talking to Amane-san face to face.
Unlike the cute image of Amane-san that circulated privately, the Amane-san in front of him now exuded an intimidating aura.
"Since you've said enough, it's my turn to speak."
Amane-san stood up from her seat and looked around.
The three students from Class C remained silent throughout, heads bowed, as if under instruction, letting Classes B and D speak freely. This alone indicated that all the unusual changes today were inextricably linked to Class C.
"Very impressive."
Amane-san's words stunned everyone who was prepared to listen to her speak.
"I had considered that Class C might play some tricks, but I didn't expect your actions to be so swift, and to even get Sakura-san to change her testimony in such a short time. I have to admit, Ryuuen is indeed a step ahead; there's nothing more to say about that. However... doing this carries considerable risk. Are you prepared for it to be exposed?"
Amane-san's cold gaze turned to Kanzaki and Shibata.
"Miyako-san, you had better watch your words. You said Ryuuen made Shiraha-san and Sakura-san change their testimonies. To me, that's simply absurd. Do you have any evidence?"
Sakaue-sensei tapped the table lightly with her fingertips, trying to put pressure on Amane-san.
"I will find the evidence. Please don't be impatient. I'm actually looking forward to seeing where you'll put that old face of yours when I present the evidence."
After Amane-san finished speaking, she didn't even look at the purple-faced Sakaue-sensei.
She casually picked up her and Suzune's backpacks, then walked out of the conference room.
Horikita Manabu frowned.
With the absence of two witnesses from Class D, the meeting couldn't proceed, meaning another meeting would have to be scheduled.
Wait... Horikita Manabu suddenly realized something.
"This person, who appeared to be unhappy with the others recanting, was actually retreating to advance, intending to buy time to gather evidence... A good judgment. However, Ryuuen is a difficult person to deal with. I wonder if Amane-san can find his weakness..."
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!
