"Even if you do this, I won't forgive someone who betrayed me."
That's right.
Although Amane chose to ignore this pitiful creature named Airi.
She would not choose to forgive her actions.
Betrayal, in Amane's eyes, was a wrong choice with only two outcomes: 0 or 1.
"I know... I know that even if I do this, Amane-san won't forgive me. I deeply regret what I did. I know... I know that I don't deserve to stay. Even if I'm lucky enough to stay this time, there will be next time and the time after... Thinking about these things keeps me awake all night..."
"What do you want to say? If it's to express remorse, then forget it. I have no intention of holding you accountable, but I won't help you with anything again in the future. This is the price of betrayal. I hope Sakura you can take care of yourself."
Amane said, then turned and walked towards Horikita's direction.
"I'm unwilling to just be a burden that constantly causes trouble for everyone. I will definitely work hard to become stronger and eventually grow into someone who can help Amane-san."
Sakura Airi's cry received no response.
Amane didn't even bother to turn her head.
Because at this moment, Sakura Airi's value in her mind was "zero."
Just a useless pitiful creature.
"Are you moving back tonight? Amane, you haven't been back for several days."
"Eh? Has it been that long? But I think staying at Sakayanagi's place is quite nice too."
Sakayanagi? Miyako-san, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you privately…
"Wait a moment…"
…First Year Class C.
Ryuuen sat on a chair in the classroom.
Below him, all the students of Class C sat neatly.
Facing Ryuuen's sudden summons, an uneasy expression appeared on everyone's faces.
They were afraid that Ryuuen would vent his anger on them because of the failure of his plan.
"Our operation failed this time, it failed completely, but I, Ryuuen Kakeru, am not someone who cannot accept failure. I believe many people hate me, detest me, and wish I would die—"
Ryuuen's grim gaze swept over every face in Class C.
"However, I want to tell you here that I, Ryuuen Kakeru, am the only one who can lead you idiots to Class A. Whether you are willing to accept it or not, this is the truth. If you're not convinced, you can come up and challenge me anytime. I, Ryuuen Kakeru, accept all forms of challenges."
No one dared to stand up and resist Ryuuen.
Ryuuen's violent rule had long been deeply ingrained in people's hearts.
It was even deeply rooted in the minds of these people in Class C.
After several months of oppression, they had become docile sheep.
"Since no one is standing out, I'll assume you're willing to accept my leadership… But now there's a traitor among us. What should we do?"
"Of course, we find it. Everyone hates it when a mouse appears in their home, right?"
As soon as Ibuki spoke, many people immediately became vigilant, because they didn't know whether Ryuuen really intended to find the so-called traitor, or if he planned to use this as an excuse to settle scores with some people he disliked.
"Ibuki is right. Since that hateful traitor used a recording to transmit information, there must be evidence of that on his phone. Now I need to check everyone's phone chat records and voice recordings."
Ryuuen's demand was extremely excessive.
Normally, there would definitely be some people who would stand up and object.
Although they would eventually obey Ryuuen, their main purpose was to show their disapproval of Ryuuen's attitude, not to resist him.
But today, it was surprisingly quiet.
No one wanted a stranger to look at their privacy.
But facing Albert, who came to collect their phones.
No one dared to refuse to hand over their phone.
But there are always exceptions.
"Why are you looking at my phone?"
The orange-haired girl stood up, confronting Albert with a strong attitude.
"Nishino, are you the traitor?"
Nishino Takeko was the person in Class C who most clearly resisted Ryuuen.
If it were anyone else, Ryuuen would have praised her backbone somewhat, and might even have invited the other party to join his small group.
Unfortunately, Nishino was neither scholarly nor martial, and Ryuuen simply looked down on such a useless person as her.
Therefore, he tacitly allowed Nishino's usual criticisms of him. Who would care about the emotions of an ant?
"I'm not a traitor. I just don't want others to easily see my phone's privacy."
Albert looked at Ryuuen with a troubled expression.
Ryuuen pondered for a moment. He thought that the worthless Nishino shouldn't be the traitor.
Being a traitor in Class C, among other things, the first hurdle was courage. Although Nishino dared to stand up and speak, every time Ryuuen became slightly more assertive, Nishino could only reluctantly accept it.
Such courage clearly did not meet the calibration for a traitor. Secondly… a traitor wouldn't be foolish enough to be so obvious.
He even began to suspect that Nishino was being used, and the traitor deliberately pushed Nishino out to divert Ryuuen's attention.
"It's fine, Albert. You continue collecting from others. I believe Nishino is not a traitor."
Ryuuen at this moment completely trusted his judgment… First Year Class B.
Compared to Class C, Class B, led by Ichinose, received an even harsher punishment.
Even Class B, which had some financial backing, was completely drained by this sudden and severe ruling.
Ichinose Honami, as the primary person responsible, stood bewildered on the podium at this moment.
She didn't understand why Class B had become like this, why Class B would betray her, and why they had to accept such an excessive ruling.
What she found even more unacceptable was…
Shiraha Chihiro's expulsion.
"Did I… make a mistake?"
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