As Ryuen's most loyal lackey, Ishizaki followed him around every day, reporting all sorts of things. One day, he casually mentioned that Ken Sudō from Class D had become an official member of the basketball club.
That was when Ryuen gave Ishizaki and the others their first assignment: Ishizaki was to take several Class C students from the basketball club and pick a fight with Sudō.
It was a simple, crude plan. They would provoke Sudō, let him beat them up one-sidedly, then extort Class D afterward.
The plan proceeded smoothly. To prevent Airi Sakura from Class D from capturing evidence like she had in the original story, Ryuen specifically arranged for Kikyo Kushida to lure Sakura away while Ishizaki carried out the plan.
The student council worked efficiently. The day after Ishizaki was beaten, it launched an investigation and held the first hearing.
This was Ryuen's first time meeting Manabu Horikita. Wearing black-rimmed glasses, he sat sternly at the center of the room. Aside from their surname, he shared Suzune's hair color. Behind him stood Akane Tachibana, an upperclassman with purple hair tied into two buns. Officially, she was the student council secretary; in practice, she was Manabu Horikita's secretary.
Ryuen's undisguised scrutiny caught Manabu's attention, but he said nothing and simply continued with the procedure.
"Ishizaki, Kondo, and the other Class C students have accused Ken Sudō of Class D of violently assaulting them and causing serious physical injuries." As Manabu spoke, his gaze swept across everyone from Class D present, lingering on Suzune Horikita for two extra seconds.
"I told you, it was self-defense! Self-defense! They provoked me first! They were jealous because I became an official player before them!"
Sudō sprang up from his chair and slammed a palm onto the table.
"I understand."
Manabu's voice carried no particular emotion, though he acknowledged Sudō's anger.
Ryuen knew Class D would want to drag the hearing out until the second or third session. That would give them enough time to investigate the incident and find a way to resolve it.
Even without Sakura's photographs, Ryuen believed Kiyotaka Ayanokoji would ensure that Sudō got through this safely.
The sooner this matter reached a settlement, the better. Ryuen had never expected this incident to bring down Class D. He only wanted to drive a nail into them.
Following Ryuen's instructions, Ishizaki argued, "We only wanted to discuss basketball with Sudō. He abused his advantage and attacked us. All of us were injured, while Sudō came out completely unscathed. We demand compensation from Class D."
Not compensation from Sudō, but from Class D. Both Manabu Horikita and Ayanokoji realized from Ishizaki's words that this was not a simple case of violence. It had been planned.
Looking over the records in his hand, Manabu read out the claims and circumstances presented by both sides. "The three Class C students claim that they wished to discuss basketball with Sudō, but were assaulted instead. Sudō denies this. He claims that the three Class C students called him out and provoked him. The accounts from both sides conflict. The only fact that can be confirmed is this: Sudō's actions resulted in injuries to Komiya, Kondo, Ishizaki, and the others."
"Does Class D have a defense or any evidence? You may speak now."
Suzune Horikita was still lost in thought, her head lowered as though she had no idea what to say.
"They're just jealous of me!" Sudō continued shouting.
"Silence. Let the defense speak."
With a single look, Manabu forced Sudō back into his seat.
With so little time, Class D had made no preparations. Suzune had not even known that Manabu would attend, leaving her especially tense. Ayanokoji assessed the situation. Chabashira had dragged him here at the last minute simply to fill a seat. At this point, he had not yet made a deal with her and had no intention of advancing to Class A. Even if he had some ideas, it was difficult to put them into action immediately.
Just as Ayanokoji's hand was about to reach for Suzune's waist to give her a little push, Ryuen spoke.
"I don't like wasting time. You don't need any defense, either. Whatever caused this incident, it doesn't change the outcome of the conflict. Sudō is completely unharmed, while my Class C students were beaten. On behalf of Class C, I demand that Class D pay 100,000 points in medical expenses and compensation for emotional distress to Ishizaki and the other two. Then we'll withdraw the complaint."
Ryuen's words struck the room like a hammer.
The demand was so favorable that Chabashira, Class D's homeroom teacher, could barely believe it. She had also considered the possibility that this entire affair was a Class C scheme. If Class D lost the hearing, the worst-case scenario would be Sudō's expulsion, a massive loss of Class Points, and a steep drop in Class D's evaluation. Yet Class C was demanding only 100,000 points and offering to withdraw the complaint. It was practically a private settlement.
Strange. Too strange.
One hundred thousand points was a student's monthly income. Sudō, who spent money recklessly, did not have that much on hand. Class D had not yet united as a class. They could raise the money for him, but doing so would create a great deal of resentment.
"Why should we pay for Sudō's mistake?"
"Exactly. A violent thug like Sudō should just be expelled."
There would inevitably be plenty of complaints within the class. The best solution, then, was for Ayanokoji and Suzune Horikita to pay the settlement themselves.
After weighing the pros and cons, Suzune, representing Class D, spoke the only word she said throughout the hearing.
"Fine."
Everyone was satisfied. Ryuen had achieved his goal, Sudō had escaped disaster, and the student council had completed its duty. Still, many of those present could not understand what the point of the incident had been. If it was only for 100,000 points, there had been no need to go to so much trouble.
Manabu Horikita was thinking. Ayanokoji was thinking. Even Ishizaki was thinking about what Ryuen was really after. Suzune Horikita, meanwhile, was only thinking, Thank goodness I didn't embarrass myself in front of my brother.
After borrowing 50,000 points from Ayanokoji, Suzune gathered the full amount and transferred 100,000 points to Ryuen.
"Now I have your contact information, Suzune."
Ryuen idly spun her student ID around his fingers as though it were a pen.
Manabu frowned at Ryuen. That familiar use of Suzune's given name was far too intimate, openly revealing Ryuen's improper intentions.
Suzune frowned as well. They really are siblings. Even their frowns look alike. Ryuen could not help thinking.
"Don't call me Suzune. We are not close enough for that."
Suzune's tone was icy as she hurried to distance herself from Ryuen. The last thing she wanted was for her brother to think that she and Ryuen had a good relationship.
Ryuen did not care. He took the Class C students and left first.
"Boss, don't tell me you like that Horikita girl from Class D. Then what about Hiyori?"
Ishizaki had heard what Ryuen called Horikita and assumed the entire scheme had been orchestrated so Ryuen could chase a girl.
Ryuen stopped walking and stared at Ishizaki.
"I want them both."
What a scumbag. Ishizaki and the others could only think it. If they actually said it aloud, they would definitely get beaten up.
Once they returned to class, Ryuen transferred the 100,000 points to Ishizaki and the others. They had been injured while carrying out the assignment, so compensation was necessary. In the first place, they had earned the money, and Ryuen did not care about such a small amount.
Those points thrilled the three of them. It was not because the amount was particularly huge. To them, the points were a reward from Ryuen—recognition that they had completed their first assignment and proven their worth.
Ryuen, however, had not thought that deeply about it. He was still considering how to make trouble for Class D in the next exam.
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