"Yukinoshita, are you sure what you're doing is right?" I said as I walked behind her under a sun that felt like it could burn my skin.
"Yes… I don't think there's any other choice," she replied without even looking at me, as if she was certain I would just follow her and not run away.
After the Student Council gave a 3-day deadline to present new evidence before issuing a final verdict against Sudo, Yukinoshita decided to immediately start investigating again. She said the best method was to go back to where the whole case began.
The special annex.
So she dragged me there after class ended. Even though I thought re-investigating wouldn't bring anything new, I didn't really have any other choice but to comply.
We easily reached the special annex, which is known for its calmness unlike the noisy corridors full of students. Its only flaw is the lack of air conditioning, so spending time there in this heat feels like sitting in hell.
No, that sounds exaggerated.
We arrived at the annex, where I saw Ayanokouji sitting on a bench in the hallway with his jacket beside him, trying to loosen his tie.
He was also suffering from the heat—but what was he doing here?
"Where is Horikita-san?" Yukinoshita asked while turning her head left and right as if searching for something.
Without speaking, Ayanokouji pointed with his eyes toward the end of the corridor, where Horikita was standing, checking the surroundings and inspecting every corner.
So they agreed to meet here. That means the group is complete—no need for me to be here then.
Yukinoshita walked toward Horikita, leaving just me and Ayanokouji alone.
I looked around. There was no one else, so I decided to sit on the bench, keeping a proper distance between us.
Sweat gathered on my forehead, so I unbuttoned another button of my shirt from the top.
Summer was approaching, and with it the summer vacation. I should make good use of it.
No time to think about that. The Sudo case still hasn't been resolved, and there isn't much time left.
I stretched my legs forward and put my hands in my jacket pockets in a comfortable position while waiting for Yukinoshita to finish and for me to leave.
My fingers touched something strange in my pocket—it felt like a wrapper.
I pulled it out and opened my hand in front of my face. It was gum.
I had bought it earlier to enjoy after lunch, but I never got the chance.
Anyway, it wasn't too late.
I carefully opened the wrapper, took one piece wrapped in thin paper, tore it, and put it in my mouth.
This gum reminded me of Komachi. We used to have competitions to see who could make the biggest bubble.
Of course, I let her win sometimes. The first rule of being a good brother is to lose to your little sister so she stays happy.
Wait… why do I suddenly feel strange? I feel a bit sad.
I noticed an annoying gaze from the side—it was Ayanokouji.
Why is he staring at me like that, like he's observing me? Does he want gum?
I raised the gum pack toward him so he could take one, but he kept staring like an idiot.
What is this? Has no one ever offered him gum before? Well, no one has offered me gum either… but I'm sure I wouldn't look this blank.
"Do you want one?" I said.
"…Can I take one?" he asked.
"Yeah…"
He slowly reached out, hesitated, then took one piece.
I put the pack back in my pocket while he kept staring at the gum in its wrapper.
Does he think it's poisoned? For your information, I ate one too.
He carefully opened it like he was examining it for the first time, then put it in his mouth and started chewing.
"…It's strawberry flavor," he said.
"Yeah…"
I actually wanted coffee-flavored gum, but it seems they haven't made it yet.
Factories should think about that product—they'd make a fortune.
We sat quietly on the bench in the hallway until the two girls returned after finishing their search.
When Horikita approached, her expression turned slightly annoyed and she tilted her head.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Can't you tell just by looking?
"We're chewing gum," Ayanokouji said.
"You two look like goats chewing like that…" Horikita said mockingly.
What disrespect. Is she trying to start a fight?
"Horikita, do you want gum?" I said, pulling out the pack and raising it slightly.
"No."
"…I won't give it to you anyway," I said—but she had already refused from the start.
Damn, it would've been better if she accepted.
She kept staring at me irritably, furrowing her brows slightly. I stared back at her, like a staring contest.
"Yukinoshita, do you want gum? I can give you some," I said without breaking eye contact with Horikita.
"Hikigaya-kun..." Yukinoshita began in a cold voice that immediately made us stop and look at her.
"Stop acting like a child in elementary school…" she said while crossing her arms.
"A cheap attempt to annoy me…" Horikita added arrogantly.
How arrogant. No one is trying to annoy you.
"Anyway, it seems there's no lead at all…" Yukinoshita said.
"Yes, this makes finding the truth harder," Horikita replied.
Well… that was obvious from the beginning. There's nothing in the annex. Coming here was pointless.
"…It would've been easier if there were cameras in the hallway," Ayanokouji said.
What is he talking about? If there were cameras, everything would've ended before it even started.
I felt something strange—like his words weren't just participation, but… guidance.
No, maybe I'm imagining it.
"You might be right…" Horikita said, thinking. "I have an idea…"
I immediately raised my head. What? Was I imagining things? Did I swallow the gum wrong? What's happening?
"What is it, Horikita-san?" Yukinoshita asked.
"What if we place fake cameras and make those three think they were there from the beginning… It might force them to withdraw the complaint. I don't think they would detect the trick," Horikita explained.
After hearing her plan, it seemed reasonable and had a high chance of success—but not this time.
"No, that won't work," I said while staring at my shoes.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Horikita said angrily after I rejected her idea.
"Hikigaya-kun is right. I don't think it will work. Class C's leader wouldn't fall for something like that," Yukinoshita added, also rejecting it.
"Why do you think that? We don't need to call their leader. We just need to lure those three here," Horikita insisted again.
Just like before… I don't think this will change anything.
"No. Class C is complicated. Any external contact is reported directly to their leader," Yukinoshita explained.
Based on what Shina from Class C said, after their demotion, their leader became more suspicious. He even ordered them to report any contact from other classes.
So we've hit another dead end.
Maybe there's no point waiting here for something to happen.
Face the sword with the sword… and deception with deception.
"Then… why don't we change the method?" I said calmly."Instead of searching for evidence that doesn't exist, we can create it ourselves."
"Huh… what do you mean?" Horikita asked, confused.
"Horikita-san, please let Hikigaya-kun explain," Yukinoshita said.
I don't know how to explain it properly, but I'll try.
"For example… what if a rumor spreads that Class D has found decisive evidence proving Sudo's innocence and proving Class C's guilt? What would happen then?" I said.
They didn't answer, just stared.
"They would try to intercept it before it reaches the Student Council. That alone could prove their guilt," I continued.
Horikita began thinking.
"But what guarantees they'll come after it?" she asked.
"The short deadline. If they're on the edge of expulsion, they won't have time to think." I even think their leader will come himself.
I still remember his face that day—his arrogance and pride. He wouldn't trust anyone now, especially after being disappointed by his subordinates when a witness appeared.
He would come personally.
"That makes sense… but what's the success rate?" Horikita asked.
"You don't need a percentage if it's the only hope," I said.
If we have no options, circumstances will choose for us.
"So what do we do now?" Yukinoshita asked.
"I think we need someone trustworthy with strong social connections who can spread the rumor quickly," I said.
We need someone with a huge social network. None of us really fits that.
"That would be Ichinose from Class B," Ayanokouji said. "She has many friends and has been involved from the beginning."
Ichinose… Class B's leader. I'm not sure if she's the right choice, but spreading the rumor through someone outside Class D would increase credibility.
It seems suitable.
"That works… Ayanokouji-kun, can you talk to her?" Yukinoshita asked.
"…Alright… I'll try," he replied.
"Then who will be said to have the evidence?" Horikita asked.
Ah… I forgot to decide that.
"I will," I said.
"Why you?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Because I'm the Student Council secretary…"
Horikita stared at me with a frown, scanning me up and down as if reassessing me.
What is this? Is there something wrong with my clothes? I make sure they're clean every day.
"…Fine," she finally agreed.
Looks like it's settled.
"Let's leave now. It's too hot here—Ayanokouji looks like he's about to collapse," I said.
"Alright," Yukinoshita replied, glancing at me strangely as if waiting for me to say something else.
But there was nothing else to say… at least for now.
The girls walked away, leaving me and Ayanokouji alone on the bench.
I didn't expect them to accept this easily… maybe they were just tired of searching.
But I know one thing: even this plan is not enough. Even if we find a lead, it still won't be enough to convict him. If it were, the case would've ended when the witness testified before the Student Council.
So we are literally creating our own evidence.
I looked at Ayanokouji, who hadn't moved, as if he understood there was still a missing piece… and was waiting for it to appear.
"Ayanokouji… I need your help."