Shadows of Truth

The Student Council Office felt suffocating as the trial began, the air heavy with tension. Two students stood guard outside the door, ensuring privacy for the ten people inside. Representing Class C were Sae Chabashira, their homeroom teacher, along with Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, Suzune Horikita, Kudo Shinichi, and Ken Sudou, the accused. On the other side, Class D was represented by their homeroom teacher, Kazuma Sakagami, and the plaintiffs: Kyogo Komiya, Reo Kondou, and Daichi Ishizaki. Manabu Horikita, the student council president, and Akane Tachibana, the presiding case officer, sat at the front, overseeing the proceedings.

Akane Tachibana adjusted her glasses and spoke first. "We will now hold deliberations regarding the violent incident that occurred last Tuesday. As Student Council Secretary, I, Tachibana Akane, will preside."

Sae Chabashira raised an eyebrow, her tone dry. "The student council president, showing up for a little brawl like this? Wonders never cease, I suppose."

Manabu Horikita's expression didn't change. "Due to my busy schedule, I miss some agendas. But as a rule, I attend when I can."

"So it's just a coincidence?" Chabashira asked.

"Yes," Manabu replied simply.

Ayanokoji glanced at Horikita, noting the slight tension in her posture. She hadn't expected her brother to be here, and it was throwing her off. Kudo, standing beside Ayanokoji, kept his eyes on the Class D group, already analyzing them.

Tachibana opened her notes. "To both sides, listen. I wish to ascertain which version of the events is the truth. Is that acceptable?"

Manabu nodded. "Please begin."

Tachibana continued, her voice firm. "Komiya, Kondou, and Ishizaki, you insist you were called to the special annex by Sudou and then attacked by him. Sudou denies this, claiming Komiya called him there. Your stories contradict each other. The only fact we can confirm is that Sudou injured Komiya, Kondou, and Ishizaki. They are the victims."

Sudou stood up, his voice loud and angry. "I'll admit I hit them! But they started it!"

Komiya crossed his arms, his tone flat. "I don't recall doing that."

Ayanokoji's eyes narrowed slightly. The focus on the injuries was bad for their case, and Sudou's outburst wasn't helping. He glanced at Horikita, but she didn't respond, her gaze distant.

Sudou kept going, his temper flaring. "You damn well did! I was defending myself. You kept running your mouths—jealous 'cause I'm on the list for basketball regulars! At practice, you always get in my—"

"Silence, please," Tachibana interrupted sharply.

Sudou clicked his tongue and sat down, his face red. Kudo leaned toward Ayanokoji, whispering, "He's digging his own grave."

Tachibana continued. "Without new testimony or evidence, we will proceed under these assumptions. Is this acceptable?"

The room stayed silent. Manabu spoke, his voice calm. "It seems there was no need for discussion."

Tachibana nodded. "It's clear from their injuries that the violence was one-sided. I believe I should base my decision on that. Class C's claim of self-defense is contradicted by Sudou's lack of injuries and the condition of Ishizaki and the others."

Ayanokoji, sensing the tide turning against them, acted quickly. He pinched Horikita's side, making her jump. "Eh? Aya—what? S-stop it! What are you—hey…" Her face flushed as she swatted at him.

Ayanokoji stopped, his voice low. "If you don't fight, we're going to lose."

Horikita blinked, snapping back to reality. She took a deep breath and stood. "I beg your pardon. I would like to question the witnesses. May I?"

Tachibana looked at Manabu. "President?"

"I'll allow it," Manabu said.

Horikita faced Komiya. "What were the circumstances under which Sudou called you out?"

Komiya frowned. "Huh?"

"Answer me," Horikita pressed.

"After practice ended, he said he wanted to talk to me," Komiya said.

"And what was Ishizaki doing in the special annex with you?" Horikita asked. "He's not in the basketball club. There was no reason for him to be there."

Komiya hesitated. "I… wanted insurance."

"Insurance?" Horikita repeated.

"Everyone knows Sudou's violent," Komiya said. "He's a big guy, too!"

"You thought he might attack you, then?" Horikita asked.

"That's right," Komiya replied.

Horikita's eyes narrowed. "So you brought Ishizaki, who was known as a strong fighter in middle school, as a bodyguard?"

"I did it to protect myself!" Komiya insisted.

Kudo stepped forward, his voice calm but sharp. "If you were so worried about Sudou's violence, why meet him in a secluded place like the special annex? That sounds more like a setup than a precaution."

Komiya's face twitched, but he didn't respond. Horikita continued, building on Kudo's point. "I have some knowledge of martial arts. Fighting multiple enemies increases the difficulty exponentially. For you to be beaten so one-sidedly, especially with Ishizaki present, makes no sense."

Komiya's face paled. "Well, that's just because we didn't want a fight!"

"If you had no desire to fight and weren't fighting back, it's unlikely all three of you would be hurt," Horikita countered.

Chabashira nodded. "That does sound like common sense."

Komiya's voice rose. "Common sense doesn't apply with Sudou! He's an incredibly violent guy!"

Horikita didn't back down. "There was a student who witnessed the entire fight." She turned to the door. "Would the witness step forward, please?"

The door opened, and Airi Sakura stepped inside, her hands trembling as she walked to the center of the room. Tachibana looked at her. "Would the witness please state her name?"

"C-Class 1-C, Airi Sakura," Sakura said softly.

"Please take your seat," Tachibana said.

Sakura sat down, looking uneasy. Horikita gave her a reassuring nod. "Sakura-san."

Sakura looked at Horikita, her voice shaky. "I did see it. The Class D students attacked Sudou-kun first. I'm… sure of it."

Sakagami frowned. "Sakura, was it? If you really saw it, why didn't you step forward sooner?"

"Well… because…" Sakura stammered.

"Honestly, you Class C's," Sakagami started.

"I'm just… telling the truth…" Sakura said, her voice barely audible.

Sakagami pressed harder. "Sakura Airi. Are you sure you're not being forced to lie for your class? To save Sudou?"

"Eh?" Sakura's eyes widened.

Horikita stepped in. "The fact that Sakura-san is here proves she witnessed the incident. If she hadn't, she wouldn't be sitting here, even if we'd asked her to."

"Oh?" Sakagami said.

"If we just needed someone to make a statement, don't you think I would've chosen someone else?" Horikita added.

"Perhaps you chose her to lend credibility," Sakagami countered.

"Credibility?" Horikita snapped. "Stop twisting everything. Sakura-san came here in good faith—"

"Stop taking advantage of your well-meaning but weak-willed classmates," Sakagami interrupted.

"That is not what I'm doing!" Horikita shot back.

Sakagami gestured at Sakura. "But look at her trembling! Don't put any more burden on—"

"I have proof!" Sakura blurted out. "I do have… a proof!"

Sakagami sighed. "Please don't dig this hole any deeper."

"This is proof I was in the special annex that day!" Sakura said, holding up an SD card.

Sakagami looked surprised. Manabu spoke. "Display it."

"Yes," Tachibana said. She closed the windows to dim the room, and the contents of the SD card were projected onto a screen. The first image showed a selfie of Sakura, the same one Ayanokoji and Kushida had found earlier.

"That day… I was looking for somewhere deserted to take pictures of myself," Sakura explained. "It's dated, too."

Sakagami shook his head. "Dates on a digital camera can be altered. It's rather insubstantial as proof."

Manabu pointed to the next image. "But, Mr. Sakagami, this picture is different."

The screen showed a photo of Sakura with the fight in the background—a split-second capture of Sudou and the Class D students mid-conflict. Sakura spoke up. "With this… I hope you'll believe I was there that day."

Horikita nodded. "Thank you, Sakura-san."

Sakura smiled weakly, relieved to be done. Tachibana reopened the windows, letting light flood back into the room.

Sakagami adjusted his stance. "I see. It seems you were telling the truth about being present. But we still don't know who instigated it. This doesn't prove you saw everything."

"But…" Sakura started.

Sakagami grinned slyly. "Might I propose a compromise?"

Chabashira frowned. "A compromise?"

"Despite your pictures, you still have no definitive proof," Sakagami said. "However, it appears the Class D students may bear some responsibility. How about a two-week suspension for Sudou, and a one-week suspension for the Class D students. How about it? The difference in punishment reflects the harm done."

Ayanokoji glanced at Sakura, noting her bowed head. Without her testimony, Sudou's suspension would've been a month or more. It was a decent compromise, but not enough.

Sakagami turned to Chabashira. "Ms. Chabashira, what do you think?"

"It seems the conclusion has already been reached," Chabashira said.

Sakagami looked at Horikita. "That's that, then. Class C representative Horikita-san, please tell us your opinion."

Horikita stood, her voice firm. "Very well. I believe Sudou-kun, the instigator of this incident, has a serious problem. He never thinks about the trouble his actions cause those around him. Incidents like this are inevitable."

Sudou's eyes widened. "Wh-why you…"

"I want you to realize that it's your attitude that's at the root of all this," Horikita continued. "He should reflect, but not about this incident. He needs to re-evaluate who he's been in the past."

"Horikita?" Sudou said, confused.

"In regards to this incident, I believe Sudou-kun is free of guilt," Horikita said. "This wasn't an unfortunate event—it was an intentional set-up by Class D. I assert Sudou-kun's complete innocence in the matter."

Sakagami laughed. "Haha… an intentional set-up? How funny. I think the president's little sister is—"

Horikita raised her voice. "As the witness testified, Sudou-kun is a victim. Please make the correct judgment."

Komiya stood up. "We're the victims, Mr. President!"

Sudou shouted back. "Shut the hell up! Listen up—"

The room erupted into chaos, voices overlapping with accusations and rants. Manabu's voice cut through the noise. "As I thought, this was a waste of time. Everything you say is completely at odds. Which means one side is offering false testimony."

"I agree." Tachibana said.

Manabu looked at Class D. "Let me ask Class D… can you say with absolute certainty that your testimony today is the truth?"

Komiya nodded quickly. "Y-yes, of course!"

Manabu turned to Class C. "What about you, Class C?"

"Certainly," Horikita said.

Kudo stepped forward, his voice steady and confident. "One truth always prevails. We'll prove ours by tomorrow."

Manabu adjusted his glasses. "Then I'll give my judgment tomorrow at 4:00. If I receive no proof of your opponents' lies or admissions of your own guilt by then, I'll be putting expulsion on the table as well. That is all."

–

The corridor outside the Student Council Office was quiet as Ayanokoji, Horikita, Kudo, and Sakura stepped out. Horikita walked ahead, her expression determined. Ayanokoji caught up to her. "Do we have a chance?"

"I don't intend to lose," Horikita said. "I won't give up." She walked off, leaving the others behind.

Sakura fidgeted, her voice small. "I'm sorry. I should've spoken up from the start, but I didn't have… the courage…"

Ayanokoji looked at her. "Hold your head high, Sakura."

"But…" Sakura started.

Manabu and Tachibana stepped out of the office. Manabu glanced at Ayanokoji. "You're still here? When you showed up with Suzune, I assumed you had some strategy in mind."

"I'm neither Zhuge Liang nor Kuroda Yoshitaka," Ayanokoji said. "I have no strategy."

"Went rogue in proclaiming his innocence, then?" Manabu asked.

"I guess it's a wild idea, huh?" Ayanokoji replied.

"It is," Manabu said. He turned to Sakura. "Sakura, was it?"

Sakura gasped. "Yes."

"If you can't prove it, it's just a lie," Manabu said. "Your mask is nothing but a shackle."

"I… I only told the truth," Sakura said.

Ayanokoji stepped in. "I believe her."

"Eh?" Sakura looked at him, surprised.

"I see," Manabu said. He adjusted his glasses and swiftly moved, pinning Ayanokoji against the wall with his right hand. Ayanokoji dodged effortlessly, unfazed. Tachibana and Sakura gasped, but Manabu's expression didn't change. "Can you prove it?"

"That's a good question," Ayanokoji said.

–

The special annex corridor was stifling, the heat making it hard to think. Ayanokoji and Horikita stood near the spot where the fight had happened, with Kudo nearby, scanning the area. "It's hot here," Ayanokoji said.

"Heat like this makes it hard to think rationally," Horikita replied.

"Which makes it the perfect spot to set a trap for Sudou, I guess," Ayanokoji said. "Well? Think you can come up with a good plan?"

"I'm thinking about it," Horikita said. "Sakura-san's testimony bought us time. If we could just find something more decisive…"

Kudo spoke up, his tone thoughtful. "I notice there aren't any security cameras here."

Horikita nodded. "That's true. If there had been a camera, we'd have definitive proof."

"Yeah…" Ayanokoji said.

"Of course, if there had been cameras, things never would've come to this in the first place…" Horikita trailed off, her eyes widening as an idea hit her.

Ayanokoji glanced at her. "What's wrong?"

"There's something I want to try," Horikita said.

–

The next morning, Ayanokoji walked into the Class C classroom. Sakura was at her desk, glancing nervously at his seat. "Sakura?" he said.

She jumped, turning to him. "Y-yes?"

"Morning," Ayanokoji said.

"Oh, um. Morning," Sakura replied, looking away with a sigh.

"What's wrong?" Ayanokoji asked.

"Huh?" Sakura said.

"You won't have to testify today," Ayanokoji said. "There's no need to be so tense, is there?"

"R-right…" Sakura said, clenching her fist against her chest.

"We might be able to save Sudou and everyone in the class," Ayanokoji said. "You're the one who made that possible."

"Eh?" Sakura looked at him again.

"I trust you," Ayanokoji said. "So if you ever need help, I'll be there for you."

Sakura blushed slightly, her voice soft. "Thank you…"

Ayanokoji walked past her to his seat. "It's not just me. I'm sure Horikita, Kudo, Kushida, Sudou, and everyone in the class trusts you, too."

"Yeah…" Sakura said. "Um, there's been something on my mind. It might not be something I should talk to you about, but…"

Ayanokoji's phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Kushida: Everything's ready. I sent the email. He looked at Sakura. "Sorry, Sakura. I'd be happy to hear you out later if that's okay."

"Sure," Sakura said, nodding.

–

At the special annex corridor, Ishizaki, Komiya, and Kondou arrived, grumbling about the heat. "So damn hot…" Ishizaki muttered.

"Why the special annex?" Komiya said.

"I wonder what Kushida-chan wants to talk about," Kondou said.

"Think she wants to ask me out?" Komiya grinned.

"Yeah, right! You punk!" Kondou said, smacking him.

"Ow! Not so hard! Damn it, let me go!" Komiya yelped.

Ishizaki sighed, then looked up the staircase and froze. Ayanokoji stood there, watching them. "Huh? What are you doing here?" Ishizaki asked.

"Kushida won't be coming," Ayanokoji said.

"Huh?" Ishizaki said.

"That email she sent you was fake," Ayanokoji said. "I asked her to send it."

"Why would you do that?" Ishizaki demanded.

"It was the only way to get your attention, right?" Ayanokoji said. "I wanted to talk with you."

Ishizaki crossed his arms. "Listen up. Sudou called us out here and beat us up. That's the truth. He should accept his punishment like a man. So long."

He turned to leave, but Horikita stepped out from behind them, blocking their path. Kudo appeared beside her, his expression calm but sharp. "Is that what you want?" Horikita said. "If you leave now, you'll regret it for the rest of your lives."

"Tsk," Komiya said. "What the hell is your deal?"

"Let's go," Ishizaki said.

Horikita glanced toward Ayanokoji, then pointed. "What's that over there?"

The Class D students followed her gaze. A security camera was mounted on the wall, its lens pointed directly at them. Ishizaki's eyes widened. "Ah."

Horikita's voice was cold. "What's the matter? You seem a bit shaken."

"A security camera?" Ishizaki said.

"The special annex contains a science lab," Horikita said. "There are hazardous chemicals here. Why wouldn't there be cameras?"

Ishizaki looked around and spotted another camera in the corner. "How… wait a minute. If there's footage of us on those cameras, they'd know you were innocent either way. You'd have no reason to tell us about it."

Ayanokoji stepped forward. "The moment the incident happened, both parties were doomed to suffer for it. Sudou did hit you—that's a fact, no matter the reason."

"So you'd be hurt by the footage, too," Ishizaki said.

"Of course, Sudou will be punished," Ayanokoji said. "But you three might be expelled. You told a malicious lie and got the whole school involved. What would you expect?"

Kudo crossed his arms, his tone analytical. "Think about it logically. If those cameras recorded everything—and they would've, given the lab's security protocols—your story falls apart. The footage would show exactly who started the fight, down to the second. You really want to risk that?"

Kondou's face paled. "No way… I can't be expelled."

"Ishizaki, let's go tell them it was a lie," Komiya said. "If we admit it, the school might let us off the hook!"

"What're we gonna do, Ishizaki?" Kondou asked.

"Shut up!" Ishizaki snapped.

Ayanokoji held up a hand. "Your conclusion seems a little too hasty. There's still a way to save both Class D and Class C."

"Like hell there is—" Ishizaki started.

"Just take the incident off the table," Horikita interrupted. "It's simple. If you withdraw your complaint, it'll be like it never happened."

"No one can be punished for an incident that never took place," Ayanokoji added. "If we both tell the same story, the school can't pursue it further."

Ishizaki hesitated, reaching for his phone. "Hold on a minute. L-let me just make one call… hey!"

Horikita snatched the phone from his hand, glancing at the screen. "Can't you decide anything by yourself?"

"Give it back!" Ishizaki lunged for it, but Horikita dodged easily.

"How pathetic," she said.

"Why, you—" Ishizaki grabbed her uniform, his face red with anger.

"Resorting to violence?" Horikita said, glancing at the cameras.

Ishizaki froze, then let go, stepping back. "Damn."

"Ishizaki, we've lost," Komiya said.

"Let's accept Horikita's offer," Kondou added. "We can't afford to be expelled."

Ishizaki grit his teeth. "Fine. We'll take it back."

–

Later that day, Ayanokoji walked through a quiet school alley when Sudou jogged up to him, a wide grin on his face. "Hey, Ayanokoji!"

"How'd the hearing go?" Ayanokoji asked.

"I don't know what happened, but the Class D guys withdraw the complaint outta nowhere!" Sudou said, scratching his neck.

"I see," Ayanokoji said. "That's good."

"You think Horikita made something happen?" Sudou asked, his tone full of admiration.

"Probably," Ayanokoji replied.

Sudou laughed, clapping Ayanokoji on the shoulder. "She's pretty amazing. Well, I'm off to practice—gotta catch up!" He waved and jogged off, disappearing around the corner.

–

Kudo and Horikita walked back from the hearing, the campus quiet as evening settled in. "That fake camera trick worked better than I thought," Kudo said, hands in his pockets, feeling somewhat proud. "You played it well, Horikita."

"It was a calculated risk," Horikita said, arms crossed. "But we can't rely on bluffs forever."

A mocking laugh interrupted them. Ryuuen Kakeru stepped out from around a corner, his smirk sharp, "Well, well," Ryuuen said, his voice dripping with amusement. "That fake camera stunt was clever, Class C. Didn't think you had it in you, Horikita. And you, detective—you're a sneaky one."

Horikita's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

Kudo met Ryuuen's gaze, his expression calm. "Not here to congratulate us, I'm guessing."

Ryuuen's smirk widened. "Oh, I'm impressed. But don't get too comfortable. You tricked my idiots today, but now you've got my attention. You'll be facing me next."

"I've handled worse." Kudo said, his tone steady.

Ryuuen laughed, turning to leave. "We'll see." He waved a hand as he walked off.

 "Enjoy your win while it lasts."

Horikita's fists clenched as he disappeared. "He's going to be a problem."

"He already is," Kudo said, smiling. " But we'll deal with him."

–

Ayanokoji sat on a bench near the dorms, checking his phone. A message popped up from Sakura, marked urgent. He opened it, his expression shifting slightly as he read: Ayanokoji-kun, help! That clerk from the shop—he's following me! I'm near the mall—I don't know what to do!

Ayanokoji stood, pocketing his phone, and headed for the mall, his pace quickening. Trouble was coming, and he needed to act fast.