[Coming Out]

Risa was the first one to notice the change in her friend, who seemed to be somewhat depressed after the fifth period class, without being noticed by Shimizu. This was because she had been glimpsing Shimizu in every way she could. 

Eventually, when her suspicions were confirmed, Risa took a step forward. 

It was right after afternoon homeroom, as she hurriedly prepared to go home. 

"Chairwoman, may I have a word? " 

"What is it? "

The Chairwoman is getting ready to leave. 

Risa stood in front of her desk and continued to speak. 

"I thought the Chairwoman was a little strange today." 

"What? Did I look like that? " 

Shimizu, who was more or less aware today was a little strange, suddenly felt like she had been hit right at the heart. Moreover, the other person was someone she had grown increasingly uncomfortable with in recent days. As she stopped to get ready to go home, her heart started to race. 

"About your textbooks." 

"Umm. I forgot it at home......." 

"It's unusual for the Chairwoman to forget her textbooks." 

"Of course, I forget things at least once in a while." 

Naturally, the Chairwoman's attention turns to the lost textbooks.

Perhaps the person in front of her is the culprit. 

That is what she suspects. 

However, she quickly decided to forget her suspicions. 

Considering the straightforward affection Risa had for her, it was hard to imagine that she would ever engage in such a perverse act as hiding in the shadows and doing something with her personal belongings. Putting aside her feelings, Shimizu still remembers friendship with the person in front of her. 

"...... But Chairwoman, did you really forget something today? " 

"Huh?" 

However, my body also tensed up when I heard the words that followed. 

What does that mean? was the thought that came to my mind. 

"Chairwoman, I really need to talk to you." 

" ...... " 

The Chairwoman's mind was filled with the words of Rose, whom she had heard over the phone today. 

The blonde Lolita, who had put her own situation on the line and talked about the fragility of friendship in a pompous manner. Shimizu shook her head as if telling herself that it couldn't be true. 

" ..... Chairwoman" 

"Risa, I'm sorry, but I have cram school today....... " 

In order to give herself some time to think, the Chairwoman decides to withdraw from the classroom. 

She begins to quickly get ready to leave. 

As she does so, a student calls out to the them. 

"Risa, are you on your way home now? " 

"We're on our way home too, but if you want, we can go hang out somewhere. " 

"Have you been to the new coffee shop near our school? I heard the tea is really good!"

"Oh, I heard that too! " 

They are two female students in a friendly group to which the Chairwoman belongs. 

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The girls approached the two of them, lively and exchanging words. 

Then they happily talked to Risa. 

This sequence of lively conversation had been pointed at the Chairwoman until last week. Because the girls who have come up to her have built a group in the class around her. A group of so called well behaved girls who can study well. 

Together with the group of slightly lighter, playful types, with Risa standing at the center, this is the upper group of girls who lead not only the 2A class, but also the second year. In the classroom, there is a middle group of about ten girls below this group, followed by the bottom group, which is the lower caste group. 

And at the bottom of the class, Matsuura-san, who has become an invincible person, stands tall. 

Today, she is absent from school due to a hangover from playing with hostesses last night. 

"...... Not the Chairwoman, but me?" 

A question leaked out from Risa-chan, who is sensitive to the subtleties of others. 

Although they are both in the top caste group, due to their different tastes and preferences, the group members of the Chairwoman and Risa's groups tend to be discreet about their after school activities. While they can be seen frequently getting involved at school events and at the end of exams, they are surprisingly distant from each other in their everyday activities. 

The only exceptions are Risa and the Chairwoman. 

"The Chairwoman  seems to be very busy with cram school these days." 

"She's studying hard after school every day because she's aiming for Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. "

"We study too, but not as hard as you do." 

"Do you think that any national university is too much of a dream?" 

The Chairwoman's group of good friends responded in a light hearted manner. 

Their appearance was no different from when they had been bustling around by the Chairwoman's side just last week. However, their attention was focused on Risa-chan without a single exception.

" ...... "

This made Risa feel uncomfortable. 

Immediately afterwards she was reminded that the Chairwoman had forgotten something. 

If the two events had occurred on different days, she might not have been so concerned. However, they had occurred at the same time today, as if they had been precisely timed. 

"...... Hey, can I have a word? " 

Risa's attention turns to the Chairwoman group of close friends. 

Her hand reached for the bag on her shoulder. 

Removed were her textbooks and notebooks.

They were covered with dirt in places, and were placed in a clear plastic bag to isolate the dirt. Holding this up in one hand, Risa asked the girls. 

"Do you know about this ? " 

".........." 

The Chairwoman gasped. 

It was what she had been frantically searching for today. The familiarity of the subject names written on the covers of the notebooks, for example. The fold marks and old stains on the textbooks, which everyone uses the same ones, were also familiar to her. 

Although the textbooks were oddly stained, it was easy to determine at a glance that they belonged to the student. 

On the other hand, the Chairwoman's group of close friends also widened their eyes in surprise. 

However, their surprise was not as pronounced as that of the Chairwoman.

Their surprise was short-lived, and they immediately responded to the question. 

"What's wrong with the textbooks and notebooks ?" 

"They're kind of dirty, are they okay? "

"I don't know why you put them in plastic, but shouldn't you wipe them off as soon as possible?" 

"I know, textbooks are pretty expensive to buy."

"I have some tissues. Do you want to use them?"

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The Chairwoman's gaze, wavering between the two, eventually turned to Risa. 

"Risa, you're not going to drag my friends into this, are you? " 

"What? No, no, no. I found this in the bathroom trash....." 

"Bathroom? Why are my textbooks and notebooks in the bathroom?  

"I don't know. But maybe they're there because someone moved them." 

The Chairwoman's textbooks and notebooks were found in the bathroom trash. 

This fact attracted the attention not only of the girls in the center of the situation, but also of their classmates who were present in the classroom after school. If the owner had been Matsuura-san, it would not have attracted so much attention. Everyone must have agreed that such a thing could happen. 

However, it was a female student of the top caste these days who came up for discussion. 

She is one of the top students not only in the 2A class, but also in her grade. 

If her personal belongings were found in the trash in the bathroom, it would be an incident. 

The top caste male students, led by Takeuchi-kun, are looking at the situation from a distance, wondering what is going on. The lower caste students, who would normally go home without a care in the world, are sitting in their seats listening to what is going on. 

"Risa, why did you check the bathroom trash cans?" 

"If you ask me why right now, I'd be in a tough spot. But I did it because I thought it would help the Chairwoman. If things like this keep happening, it will affect your studies, too, right? "

" ...... "

Risa smiles smugly. 

In contrast, a look of doubt floats on the face of the Chairwoman. 

The atmosphere in the classroom changed dramatically with the two of them in the center. 

All the students present in the room were also tense. 

In this situation, there was one person who could not help but speak out. 

"Well, if that's the case, let's all think about it together." 

Yes, it was Nishino. 

The famous Futsumen of Class 2A, even though no one had asked him to do so. 

Like a detective in a boys magazine, he stood up from his seat with great enthusiasm and turned to the seat of the Chairwoman, which was two seats away from his own. He was acting like a big man with his hands in the pockets of his pants. 

Hey, stop it, was Takeuchi's inaudible cry. 

A boy gets involved in a dispute between girls. 

It is a taboo thing to do.

Even Takeuchi is showing a calm attitude this time. If by any chance the fight should escalate into a fistfight, he is ready to intervene. But otherwise, he is positioning himself in such a way that it would be wrong to intervene. 

"Shut up Nishino !" 

The Chairwoman snapped. 

Witnessing the strong refusal, Takeuchi felt relief. 

He thought that if he was told to go to such lengths, Nishino would pull his own weight. 

However, he is not a Futsumen who would be put off by this level of rejection. 

"Don't say that and listen to me." 

"......" 

Unperturbed, Nishino continued. 

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He is very strong and tough. 

He seems to feel Shimizu's shouts only as a friendly nod.

"I understood the situation from the sequence of events. The Chairwoman's textbooks and notebooks had been thrown into the bathroom trash by someone. This kind of behavior, if left unchecked, will gradually become more and more extreme. I think it is important to deal with it as soon as possible." 

Risa-chan also made a point that she had been avoiding stating. 

In the past, he was the one who had dirt shoved into his seat, so what is he talking about? However, since the person involved was a female student in the upper caste, no voices were raised from other places. 

Not wanting to be caught up in the futsumen's reasoning, everyone kept their distance. 

"Hey, hey, hey, hey. Why is Nishino interrupting?" 

"Right? It's none of your business!"

"Why are you trying to make the problem bigger when the Chairwoman is in trouble?" 

"You're right, it's more annoying!"

However, there was a backlash from the Chairwoman's group of close friends. 

They verbally condemned the Futsumen. 

On the other hand, it was Risa who showed tolerance. 

"Do you know something, Nishino-kun?" 

"I'll make a simple suggestion. Why don't you ask for a fingerprint analysis?" 

"Eh ... " 

"Contamination by filth is equivalent to destruction of property. If you call the police, they will not be reluctant. From the looks of it, there are marks on the textbooks and notebooks where the students have persistently rubbed dirt on them. The location of the stains and fingerprints may reveal something."

Looking over not only Risa-chan and the Chairwoman, but also the Chairwoman's close group of friends, the Futsumen spoke nonchalantly. The action was another irritating act, with his hands pulled out of his pockets and spread wide in an exaggerated manner. 

"What, do the police go into that much detail?" 

"Fingerprint investigation itself is normal for problems of this magnitude. The police will come and start field verification as soon as you make a report. The teacher may be annoying, but the school will investigate. I don't have the authority to refuse. Let's call them. " 

"Oh, I see......." 

Nishino picked up his own phone and spoke about his experiences. 

Risa was overwhelmed by Nishino's words, and she was impressed by his appearance. 

"However, the results of investigations are often handled privately. Detailed information is almost never passed on to us. A brief verbal explanation is given after the fact. However, I have some connections in this regard. If you ask me, I can probably get you detailed data." 

It was sometime ago when he was working over the case of Tarosuke. He recalls and talks about the business card of the person in charge on the police side that he met with at the scene. He was not sure how far he would get, but he figured that if he had contacted them through Marquis, they would not be indifferent. 

He would be in debt to the other party. However, Nishino was not willing to give up anything if it was for the sake of the Chairwoman. Depending on Francisca's efforts, he might have to leave Japan in the near future. These circumstances were also pushing him to do so. 

"Wait, wait, wait, wait. Isn't it dangerous to go to the police? " 

"It could get the school in trouble, and it could affect the Chairwoman's chances of going on to higher education." 

"Is Nishino okay with the Chairwoman's getting attention from the police?"

"I mean, it's definitely not true that he has connections with the police, is it?" 

Immediately a group of the Chairwoman good friends voiced their opinions. 

All of them were plausible opinions. 

"A textbook and a notebook, the damage is several thousand yen at the most. However, if the damage report is accepted and an investigation is conducted, the culprit will be punished by imprisonment for up to two years or a fine or penalty of up to 300,000 yen." 

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Nishino, however, was not bothered by this, and continued to talk nonchalantly about his experiences. 

He is a man of good character who has worked with the police on many occasions in the past and is well versed in this kind of knowledge. His complaints come out smoothly, without bothering his head. This is another frustrating story for those on the other side of the argument. 

"Naturally, a criminal record will also be attached. Further education and employment will be hopeless." 

He speaks with his eyes looking around the classroom, not only at the Chairwoman close group of friends. It was as if he were speaking to each and every one of his classmates. A few of the students who had the misfortune to meet his gaze responded by turning their heads away in a panic. 

Ordinary students would have been more than a little depressed. 

However, the Futsumen did not seem to mind. 

They remember the rewarding attention they are given and talk about it as if they were here to talk about it. 

"However, destruction of property is a custodial offense. If the charges are dropped in a settlement, the case will not be prosecuted. No criminal record will be attached, and the student will not be disadvantaged in entrance examinations or employment. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, nothing will have happened. " 

A few of the students who were present, intuiting that it was all just a mouthful anyway, checked the crime of destruction of property on the web at the White House Encyclopedia site. One of them was exasperated to discover that the statutory penalty for the crime was exactly what Nishino had said it was. 

He must have done his research before he did it, or something.

"So before you call the cops, I have a suggestion." 

After looking around the classroom, Nishino's attention turned to the chairperson. 

Stared squarely at by the Futsumen, she looked up from the phone in her hand in a panic. On the display, a browser is shown without fail, and the words destruction of property can be seen. 

Shimizu hid this with her own body and raised her voice in a loud manner. 

"What? " 

"Problems in the world are often born from trivial misunderstandings. In this case, shouldn't we consider whether or not there is enough crime to warrant punishment? I think that would be the fundamental solution to the problem." 

If Takeuchi had insisted on the same thing, the problem might have been allayed. 

However, the proposal was made by the Futsumen. 

The Chairwoman's arms were covered in goosebumps as she heard a series of dressed up phrases like crime and punishment. Considering the attention her classmates were giving her, it was quite a burden for her to respond. 

Then, even as she hesitated, a voice came up from elsewhere. 

"I think it's okay if I call the cops on?" 

"Ri, Risa? Are you serious?"

"I mean, a crime is a crime, right? And the fact is, the Chairwoman is in trouble." 

Risa-chan was, as usual, crazy about the Chairwoman.

Although she is calm when she talks like this, inside she is burning with anger because her beloved's textbooks and notebooks were thrown away in the bathroom trash can. She was probably more furious than the person whose personal belongings had been thrown away without permission. 

"But ..... " 

"Don't worry, if you don't feel comfortable calling the cops, I'll call them for you." 

"That's not what I meant!" 

And when Nishino succeeds, it is Suzuki who is pissed off. 

At any rate, it makes him want to make a fuss about it. 

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Suzuki saw it as a good idea to agree with Risa when it came to a caring stance toward the Chairwoman while putting down Nishino. Frankly speaking, he was a good-looking guy who did not care either way whether he reported the incident or not. What was important was to score points with the Chairwoman. 

As a result, the two students at the top of the caste took the initiative and insisted on reporting the incident. 

The atmosphere of the entire classroom begins to lean toward calling the police. 

"As Risa says, I think I should make it clear. We'll be eighteen next year ? It's a good year, and we should be wise about what we shouldn't do." 

When it came to a stance that allowed him to be considerate of the chairman while lowering Nishino, it was Suzuki who saw that it was good to go along with Risa. To be honest, it doesn't matter whether you report it or not. The important thing is to earn points for the chairman. 

As a result, the two top caste students insisted on the report first. 

The atmosphere of the entire classroom begins to lean towards contacting the police. 

"If it were outside the school, they would call the police." 

"I heard that these days, bullying usually involves calling the police, right?" 

"Putting aside Nishino's connections, shouldn't we call the police?" 

"I think the Chairwoman's notebooks are more valuable than textbooks."

"Oh, that's what I thought too."

"So I guess we should call the police." 

Nishino's aggressive moves accelerate the law abiding mindset of the 2A class. 

The Futsumen attempted to solve class problems amicably by using their sense of guilt and social demerits. In contrast, Risa chan and Suzuki-kun, who uphold the love of the Chairwoman, loudly insist on reporting the incident to the police. Modern legal rules without mercy strike the as-yet-unseen culprits. 

Because of the Futsumen's attempts to show off, Class 2A is in trouble. 

"No, I want you to wait a minute. That kind of short-term thinking is not......" 

It would be a disaster to have criminal records among his classmates. 

This is the kind of trouble Nishino is in. 

This is not the kind of youth he wants. He begins to panic, even though he has taken the initiative himself. The opinions that have come full circle have now begun to undermine his ideal youth. Receiving a pattern that has never been seen before, the Futsumen begins to wonder how he could have stopped it. 

And this was the same for the Chairwoman close group of friends. 

"Wait a minute! Isn't it funny calling the cops?" 

"Yes, it is! Then why didn't you call them Nishino?"

"Right? No one wanted to call the police at the time of Nishino!"

"Isn't it terrible that you change your attitude depending on the person?" 

"Are you going to continue to call the police or not, depending on who you are dealing with?" 

They protest by citing the presence of Nishino. 

In the past, he had been covered in filth in his seat by some blonde Lolita. In the end, the whole incident was left in the dust, and with the help of the school's intention, it was treated as if it had never happened.

"........." 

The Futsumen was surprised at the lift from an unexpected source. 

He did not expect to be named by the girls in his class. 

Then, in response to the girls reaction, there was a change in Risa. The attention, which had been directed toward the Chairwoman and Nishino, shifted to the Chairwoman group of close friends. Although there was a smile in her eyes, it was hidden behind her lips, and her teeth were gritted against each other. 

Then, just as her jaw creaked, she asked, her voice also louder. 

"You are friends of the Chairwoman, so why are you talking like that? " 

It was a remark that was as unkind as Matsuura-san, who had revealed her true colors. 

It was an uncharacteristic comment from Risa, the leader of the women's group. 

She has always prioritized the amicable relationship among the girls group. That is why she has always had the support of her classmates. That is why everyone in Class 2A was surprised at her attitude of criticizing the Chairwoman friendship group, even to the extent of creating waves around them. 

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"You're the ones who threw away the Chairwoman's personal belongings, aren't you?" 

"Eh ... " 

Now it was the Chairwoman turn to be surprised. 

Wait a minute, how could that be? 

Questions filled Shimizu's mind. 

She couldn't believe what Risa said. 

"Hey Risa, why do you say that?" 

"That's right ! " 

"Why do we need to throw away the Chairwoman's textbooks? I don't get it." 

"I mean, we're about to call the police. Isn't it weird to make assumptions?"

"Right? If you had actually seen it..." 

However, after the reactions of her friends, which she witnessed immediately afterwards, the Chairwoman understood that Risa's words were true. 

Two close friends in the same class who were lively arguing back and forth about this and that. 

Their expressions showed impatience without a single exception. 

Having had more opportunities to work with Nishino in recent years, the Chairwoman has repeatedly witnessed people at crossroads in their lives, for better or for worse. That is why today, too, she noticed that the familiar behavior of her schoolmates was different from the usual. 

At the same time, noticing her own emotions, which were less shocking than she had expected, the Chairwoman felt somewhat strange. 

What was suddenly recalled to her mind were Rose's words that she had heard over the phone.

[As soon as you're not worth hanging around, people will leave.]

What she said may have been correct. However, when I think about the circumstances that were pointed out to me by my grudge, this was a rather annoying to the Chairwoman. Why did I even remember what that woman said at this point in time? 

"I'm not getting anywhere with this and I'm calling the police." 

Risa pulls a phone out of her pocket. 

The Chairwoman close group of friends shouted in rapid succession. 

Suzuki takes a step forward to comfort Shimizu. 

Nishino fired up his cynicism. No one was listening. 

Watching such a scene, the outside crowd begins to exchange words with each other. 

Class 2A is the busiest class today. 

When this happens, the bustle in the classroom is uncontrollable. The division and unity of the upper caste can affect the middle caste and below. This is not the same as the Nishino's desk smelling like poop. The students are buzzing over the future of the classroom. 

In the midst of all this, if there is one person who can throw a stone, it is only one person in Class 2A. He is Takeuchi, the number one handsome guy in the class. 

"Uh, can I have a word?" 

The buzzing and noisy classroom was suddenly filled with the sound of a fresh voice. 

It was the evening after the rain, and just like the dazzling western sun shining through the clouds, the handsome voice of a handsome man caught the attention of all the students present. As soon as they heard just one voice, everyone's attention turned to Takeuchi-kun. 

That was no exception for Risa and the Chairwoman. 

After confirming that the attention of those around him was focused on him, Takeuchi continued. 

"Sorry for the abrupt side entrance. I just don't see how contacting the police at this point is going to solve the problem. Whether or not you do eventually contact them, but before you do, can I offer one opinion of my own?" 

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" ... What is it ? Takeuchi-kun" 

It was Risa who answered the handsome man's complaint. 

The classroom fell silent.

The sight of the two top caste students, who always wear their smiles in other places in the classroom, facing each other with tense faces, is a very unusual sight for the middle caste and lower caste students who do not have private relationships with them. 

It is like a glimpse into the private lives of the top caste and the attention is heightened. 

"Even if what Risa says is true, there must be a good reason for it. We all know that the Chairwoman are getting along just fine. That said, I still think there's a reason why it had to come to an uproar."

"Ah, you're the quintessential Takeuchi. You say good things." 

Immediately, Nishino stuck his neck out. 

He is inwardly pleased that his own opinion has caught on. 

When that opponent is a respected classmate, the joy is well deserved. 

Takeuchi-kun, however, brushed it off. 

Risa-chan also continues the conversation without giving a damn about the Futsumen. 

"Then why don't you just include that in your explanation to the police? I think that would be easier for them to talk to us than us asking them. Just because we called the police doesn't mean we instantly have a criminal record, right? " 

"I think Risa has a point. But I think it's not too late to make a judgment after checking with the person in question. In some cases, it's not just about the girls, but also about your family." 

By citing his family, Takeuchi-kun forces the Chairwoman close group of friends to come to the negotiating table. While Risa, is determined and wants to report the incident, the handsome man wants a peaceful resolution. 

He doesn't think the Chairwoman would seek severe punishment against her friends, either. However, he is not sure how the fact that the police came to inspect the scene will resonate on campus. Takeuchi did not want the class to become strained because of it. 

As a result, he is a good-looking guy whose opinions overlap with those of the Futsumen. 

"I mean, even if you confirm it, it doesn't necessarily mean you're being honest, does it?" 

"I guess we'll never know until we confirm that, right?" 

Risa and Takeuchi, their gazes cross. 

A slightly annoying atmosphere drifted through the classroom. 

Immediately after, a loud voice was raised. 

"I'm really, really getting tired of all this!" 

It's from one of the Chairwoman good friends in the group. 

She glares at Risa. 

"It was Risa and the Chairwoman who caused all this trouble in the first place! You two are causing a bad atmosphere in the classroom, and now we have to think about it too, you know? So why are you talking so high and mighty like that!"

It was completely annoying. 

However, from the girls point of view, the deteriorating relationship between Risa and the Chairwoman is a matter of life and death. The head of their own friendship group has fallen out with the head of the girls group in their class. Naturally, they have to think about what to do in the future. 

As a result, they decided to go along with Risa-chan. 

"Why do you think we threw the Chairwoman textbooks down the toilet? It's all because Risa is on bad terms with the Chairwoman! If I have to choose between Risa and the Chairwoman, I will choose Risa!" 

"Eh ... "

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The mental breakdown of one of them was caused by the family being quoted. 

Risa's eyes went from annoyed to dazed. 

The remaining two are struggling to keep up their own appearances.

"Hey, hey! What are you suddenly starting to say!" 

"That's right! We didn't go that far, did we?" 

"We didn't throw it away, we just, you know, put it in the trash because it was in the hallway!"

"Don't drag us into this!" 

The Chairwoman group of good friends instantly became lively. 

Witnessing the raucousness of the group, the Chairwoman muttered to herself. 

"Um, I'm not trying to be a bad friend to Risa, but ...... " 

"I don't have anything against the Chairwoman either, okay?" 

Soon after, Risa voiced her agreement. 

When this happens, it is the Chairwoman close group of friends who have no idea. 

"Then why is the Chairwoman avoiding Risa?" 

"The other day she put her hand on your boobs, right?" 

"And Risa is looking at you in a weird way!" 

"Whenever she tries to talk to you, you just run off to the bathroom!"

"You two are definitely fighting, aren't you?" 

The topic of conversation jumps to the relationship between Risa and the Chairwoman. 

A few voices of agreement begin to emerge here and there from the other students. However, almost none of the students below the middle caste, both male and female, agree. Most are from the upper caste, mostly girls. This is the group that is more noticeably affected by their relationship. 

And among them was Takeuchi-kun. 

"I was kind of annoying about that too." 

The handsome man's eyes turn to Risa-chan and the Chairwoman. 

When this happens, it's Risa who is in a complete change of pace. 

"Oh, no, it's that..." 

"It's rather annoying, Risa! She's definitely fighting with the Chairwoman, isn't she?" 

"Why do you still care about the Chairwoman at this point in time?" 

"I really don't get it!" 

"You've been avoiding her!"

"That's right !" 

In response to Risa's hesitation, the three regained their momentum. 

Here and there, they raise their voices. 

"Yes, there may have been some things that made the classroom atmosphere worse. I'm sorry about that, and I'm sorry too. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have thrown my personal belongings in the trash, don't you think? If that's the case, why didn't you just talk to me about it beforehand?" 

As for Risa, she seems to be stuck on the fact that the victim was the Chairwoman. If it had been her own textbooks and notebooks that were thrown away, she might have already stepped down at this point. That's the kind of storytelling that makes me think so. 

When it comes to this, the Chairwoman close group of friends are also eager to refute her. 

"You say that and even Risa did terrible things to Matsuura-san!" 

"That's the annoying part! Isn't it annoying that we're the only ones who threw away the textbooks and they're being hung for it? " 

"In terms of bullying, what Risa did was worse!" 

"Well, you know........." 

Matsuura-san's presence here was a sparkling success. 

Her presence goes around and torments Risa-chan. If she had heard it, she would have gloated that it was exactly right. The gazes of all her classmates are also directed to Matsuura's empty seat. 

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"In that sense, it's not only Matsuura-san, but also Nishino-kun, right?"

"Seriously! It wasn't just the textbooks and notebooks that were thrown away!" 

"And everyone was just pretending not to notice, right?" 

"Why do you always come at me when you are the Chairwoman?" 

"If we're going to report it, shouldn't we report you too?" 

"You're right. What's the statute of limitations on blackmail?" 

"Matsuura-san would hate Risa and would definitely file a damage report or something."

"Nishino, you should file one too. We'll testify!" 

After confirming that the other party has not said anything, the Chairwoman close group of friends attacked out. 

When this happens, Risa can't come up with a good response. It was true that in the past, she had spoken of a powerful complaint against Matsuura-san. Regardless of the circumstances leading up to it, she is aware that she has threatened the other party as well. 

And when it comes to this, it is the Chairwoman who is in a pinch than anyone else. 

In the past, she has taken Nishino's upper and lower first molars with her fists. 

Moreover, she was smart enough to know that injury is not a custodial offense. If she had reported the damage to the Futsumen, she would be booked without question. In a panic, she used her phone and checked the statutory penalty for the crime of injury imprisonment for not more than fifteen years or a fine of not more than 500,000 yen. 

" ..... "

It's the Chairwoman, who is trying to look nonchalant, but inwardly begins to panic with a gasp. 

I'm sorry, father. I might be arrested. 

The statute of limitations is ten years. The Chairwoman trembles unbeknownst to the others at the mention of this. 

The tacit understanding that existed in Class 2A is crumbling because of the Futsumen. 

The caste system begins to fray. 

I don't want to go to school tomorrow, is a view shared by the students present. The thought of the atmosphere in the classroom, which will no doubt be awkward at first, brings a look of love and depression to their faces. The reaction of those below the middle caste is especially noticeable. 

From their point of view, it is a fire on the other side of the river. 

But the smoke will surely rain soot across the river. 

If the other person is upper caste, it is not even possible to pay this off in front of their faces. 

"... I understand." 

When this happened, Risa could not remain silent. 

She clenched her fists and became a determined face. 

Then she took a step toward the Chairwoman. 

Everyone in the classroom took notice of Risa's behavior. 

"Risa-chan ... " 

Takeuchi was the first one to speak up as soon as he could. 

Worst of all, he is thinking to get himself beaten up instead. As a matter of fact, he is the one who is more innocent than anyone else in the classroom. 

Whether it is the bullying over Nishino, or the trouble between the girls, or this or that, he has solved all the problems that have occurred in the classroom in the past through discussion, leading to an amicable outcome. 

He is an undeniably handsome man in both name and reality. 

The same Futsumen is standing by his side. 

Betraying the assumptions of those, Risa said in a loud voice

"I like the Chairwoman! And I mean that in a sexual way!" 

The full force of her coming out resonated powerfully in the after-school classroom. 

Risa's appeal reached the ears of everyone present in vivid detail. 

Without a pause, the classroom became silent. 

Eyes turned to her and the chairperson of the committee with an Oh, what's that? Only the two people involved and Nishino understood what was going on. None of them could hide their confusion when they heard Risa's thoughts for the first time. 

Apparently, it was unexpected for everyone. 

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"That's the reason why me and the Chairwoman are so awkward! I confessed my feelings to her, but she didn't feel the same way, so I was just making things difficult for her. We didn't fight, and moreover, I don't hate her! I love her so much!" 

"Ri, Risa...... " 

Shifting her gaze from the phone at hand, the Chairwoman directed toward her eyes. 

It is directed at her good friend standing in front of her. 

"I'm sorry, Chairwoman. I guess it was all my fault." 

"No, no, that's not true." 

"But I did confess to you, and it was annoying for you too." 

"Yes, I was confused, but not so much as to be annoying......." 

Confessing to the person you love in the classroom after school, coming out in front of everyone. 

This is another one of those events that make you feel like an adolescent. 

When it comes to this, there is one guy who can't keep quiet. 

Yes, it's Nishino. 

"I think, why don't we settle this right here and now? It's not good for both of us, and it's not good for our classmates, for their relationship to be on edge. Even the Chairwoman has already made a decision about her feelings, hasn't she? " 

"Wha ... " 

The longing for such a very adolescent behavior, to get involved in other people's love stories, made The Futsumen take an annoying step on the side. Why are you pushing for the relationship between the Chairwoman and Risa-chan is the rush that came to the forefront of everyone's mind who was present. 

The Chairwoman was absolutely mortified. 

But Risa-chan was the only one who was different. 

She turns her eyes, full of anticipation and anxiety, toward Shimizu. 

Perhaps that's why the Chairwoman was so annoyed. 

"I understand." 

"Chairwoman, could that be ......" 

Shimizu said in the midst of her classmates attention. 

It was her true and honest feelings. 

"Sorry Risa, I can't reciprocate your feelings." 

The Chairwoman responds with a deep bow of her head and a refusal. 

Risa's muttering in response is weak. 

" ...I see." 

The tone of her voice was very unreliable, a complete change from when she was arguing with the Chairwoman close group of friends. This seemed to make Shimizu feel uneasy. She raised her head in a great hurry and also spoke. 

"But I think Risa is an important friend ! " 

"Thank you, Chairwoman. I feel the same way about you." 

Risa had a small smile on her face. 

It was the face of a woman who had been dumped by someone she liked. 

Even so, Risa-chan, who never showed any signs of negativity and acted stout-heartedly, looked cool to everyone present. Her slightly fragile expression, which was a complete change from her usual energetic demeanor, made the hearts of all the boys in attendance swell with excitement. 

A few of the female students were also nervous. 

"Looks like it's settled." 

96

And everything is ruined because of Nishino. 

Immediately afterwards, the normal voice of a Futsumen echoed through the classroom. 

Everyone's attention, which had been directed at the two of them, is now focused on Nishino. While it was a sad and annoying heartbreak from Risa-chan's point of view, it was an act that felt like some sort of stage play to those around her. 

It is cruel because of one casual remark by Nishino. 

"Wait a minute! What about all that annoying stuff we've been having to deal with then?"

"That's right! We've been thinking about it for days and decided to go with Risa!"

"I mean, isn't the Chairwoman pulling too hard? I feel sorry for Risa!" 

"Isn't that right? They've been acting so weird for the last week or so! " 

The Chairwoman close group of friends were just as annoying. 

They were completely bummed out. 

Classmates genuinely voiced their concerns about their relationship. 

"Is this why Risa never had any experience?" 

"I might want to see the two of them making out, just for the heck of it." 

"Oh, come on, she can hear you!" 

"I'd be so nervous if she confessed her feelings for me"

"I know, it's annoying when she looks at you like that."

"I hear there are a lot of bi girls these days, right?" 

"Come to think of it, Gabu from group B was in love with Rose, too, wasn't she?" 

"Don't you think those two have been less involved lately?"

"That was annoying to me too." 

"Gabriella's not getting involved one way or the other anymore." 

"And Rose was rather withdrawn from the get-go." 

It seemed to be received rather favorably. 

At least I didn't hear any negative feedback. 

I don't want to make the classroom any more annoying. 

With the help of such thoughts of all the classmates, the Chairwoman good friends group's comments were swept under the rug. The Chairwoman and Risa-chan also read the air in the classroom and exchanged words to show their friendship with each other to those around them. 

"...... By the way, Risa, do you like, uh, girls?" 

"No? The only one of the same sex I've ever been interested in is the Chairwoman." 

"Eh ... " 

97

"Takeuchi, I think you're just plain cool, don't you? You were so helpful earlier when we were getting into trouble and you spoke up for the class. Thank you so much. It's just that I find the Chairwoman more attractive." 

"I see ... " 

However, it doesn't mean that it all didn't happen. 

The Chairwoman group of good friends left the classroom as if they were fleeing. 

◇ ◆ ◇

That day, Nishino went home in a more sentimental mood than usual. 

The cause was the confessional commotion between the Chairwoman and Risa-chan that he witnessed in the classroom after school. Although it did not result in a success, the scene he witnessed was an irreplaceable event that colored a page of his youth. 

At the same time, he felt a touch of sadness in his heart at the thought that such an event would be far away from him in the future. Depending on what he hears from Francisca, he will be leaving Class 2A in the near future. 

" ...... " 

Going home without Rose or Gabriella. 

The exhaust note of cars passing by on the street reaches Nishino's ears more distantly than usual. He watches the students on their way out of school, wearing the same uniform, bustling past on the street, as if he were gazing at something dazzling. 

It was a bit of an annoying feeling of ennui. 

But his pensive mood was short-lived. 

Inside his pants pocket, his phone began to buzz. 

He took out the casing and turned his attention to the screen. 

There it displayed the name of the host club where he had worked until the other day. 

He quickly use the phone and receives a call. 

"Hello, are you Yuya, from the club?" 

"Oh no, Mr. Nishino, thank you for your help." 

What he heard from the other end of the line was a voice that was somewhat feral and dusky compared to the tone he had assumed. If Futsumen's memory serves him correctly, it was the voice of Ohno, a yakuza who had taken up residence in the neighborhood. 

"It's you. ......" 

"Oh, did you notice? Yes, it's me, Mr. Ohno." 

"What are you doing here, going out of your way to use the store's phone?" 

"I'm calling in regards to the lost thing of this girl, Shimizu." 

"Oh ... " 

The Futsumen thought about hanging up the call right away, but when he heard Shimizu's name, he decided to listen to what the other person had to say. As for the Chairwoman's forgotten items, he cannot be neglected before he has said this and that to the person in question. 

"The scarf in question has been at the cleaners since this morning and I hope to have it for you tomorrow. I am sorry for the rush, but I hope you can wait a little longer. I, Ohno, will take full responsibility for it and make sure it is delivered to you."

"Will you deliver it ? " 

"Is that wrong?" 

"..... Well, do as you please." 

"Thank you very much" 

"However, in the unlikely event that you cause any trouble for the Chairwoman or her family, this is the end of my relationship with you. In some cases, I will take appropriate measures as well. If you still don't mind, do what you want." 

98

"Leave it to me already. I will deliver it safely and securely." 

In case he is approached by the police, it would be a mental strain on him. 

"But do you have the address?" 

"Well, yeah, there's no problem with that." 

"That's another annoying thing to say." 

"No, no, it's not that annoying. We have a person who attended the same school as you did, and who was wearing the same uniform as you. We used them as our contacts to locate the person." 

"You expect me to believe you?" 

"...... I would never do anything wrong, so please, please excuse me." 

"Oh well, I'll take your word for it now." 

"I, Ohno will surely be of service to you!" 

What is known cannot be helped, and Nishino nodded his head and complied. 

He agreed, considering it his own fault as well. 

The Futsumen ended the call unilaterally, confirming Ohno's voice in response to his annoying response. Having nailed him sufficiently, he decided not to do anything that strange.

In the midst of these actions, a bullet caught Nishino in the head. 

It flew in from behind and came close to the back of Futsumen's head. 

However, it came to rest a few centimeters before touching the hair of his head and fell to the street with a dry clang. What rolled onto the asphalt was a rifle bullet. If it had been a direct hit, instant death seemed inevitable. 

" ... Ohno, isn't it?" 

Looking back, Nishino looks at the bullets lying at his feet and mutters to himself. 

Two similar bullets approached him immediately after, but he continued and was still in the air. 

He ended up rolling on the street alongside the first bullet. From the direction from which the bullets came, the Futsumen turned his attention in the direction from which he thought the sniper was coming. In his field of vision was a row of tall buildings. If he were to go on foot now and investigate them one by one, he would most certainly not make it in time. 

" ...... " 

He picked up the bullet lying at his feet with his fingertips. 

Then he mutters, with all the pretension of this or that. 

"Is it .50 caliber ... " 

It's in his hand. 

The bullet spins in the air in a spinning circle. 

He took this again to hold it in front of his face with a snap. 

"Apparently, Francisca's successor is quite a coward." 

If the Chairwoman had witnessed the series of actions, she would have run away at once, getting goosebumps on the skin of his entire body and even resisting the urge to complain, Nishino-kun, that's seriously gross!

However, no one was to be seen in the deserted narrow alley except for The Futsumen. 

After waiting for a while and confirming that there was no pursuit, Nishino suddenly shoved his hands into his pants pockets. Then, turning on his heel with an attitude of full of annoying, he walked away from the place with nothing more to do.

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