Everyone knew it was just an excuse.
Kure Ragna didn't bother to explain himself and simply returned to the classroom after lunch. The atmosphere inside was still lively—Class B had passed the recent exam, and with no tutoring sessions scheduled for the next week, most students had gone out to celebrate. As a result, the classroom was nearly empty.
Only when three-quarters of the lunch break had passed did students begin to trickle back.
"Speaking of which, Kushida-san, your skin and figure seem to have improved lately. Do you have some secret routine?"
"Huh? Really? No, I just go to and from school normally… and exercise on weekends."
Karuizawa Kei and Kushida Kikyo's conversation drifted in from the front door. Meanwhile, Sudou Ken, who had gone to his basketball club's training camp after lunch, also returned.
But unlike his usual swaggering entrance, this time he was oddly cautious. He entered through the back door, crouched low, and sneaked over to Kure Ragna before giving his thigh a quick tap.
"What?"
"Shh!"
Looking around nervously, Sudou pressed his index finger to his lips, signaling for silence, then gestured for Kure Ragna to follow him.
Kure Ragna raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He casually put down his phone, got up, and followed the unusually secretive Sudou out of the classroom.
---
A minute later, they arrived at the deserted rooftop of the teaching building.
Kure Ragna leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, watching the fidgeting red-haired boy.
"Alright, spill it. What's with all the secrecy?"
"H-Hey, don't look at me like that. You're making it seem like I'm some nervous girl about to confess."
"Oh? So it's not that?" Kure Ragna smirked.
"Of course not!" Sudou snapped, then let out a deep sigh. After hesitating for a moment, he finally started explaining.
---
"Ohh~"
Kure Ragna listened patiently, nodding in understanding.
"So, to sum it up—Class D got jealous of you getting selected as an official basketball club member. They provoked you into a fight, you lost your temper, knocked them down like some god descending to punish mortals, and now they're planning to report you to the school?"
"W-Well… yeah, that's pretty much it."
"And what exactly do you want from me?"
"Huh?" Sudou blinked.
Kure Ragna shrugged.
"Go to Yamauchi. That guy loves bragging, right? If you tell him about this, he'll blow it up into some legend about 'King Sudou, the Invincible Fighter' within a week."
"No, that's not what I meant!" Sudou waved his hands frantically. "The problem is… they're threatening to take this to the school. If that happens—"
"They'll sue?"
Kure Ragna caught the keyword immediately. He let out an amused hum before speaking.
"I see, so that's their game. Then why not go to Yukinoshita? She could come up with five different countermeasures in half an hour."
"That's… not ideal." Sudou grimaced.
Then, taking a deep breath, he clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture.
"Please, Kure Ragna. You're the only one I can turn to."
Kure Ragna tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Fine. First question—where did you fight?"
"The corridor on the top floor of the special teaching building."
"Ah… that's a problem."
"Why?"
"No security cameras there."
Kure Ragna sighed. "That means if they decide to twist the story, they can say whatever they want—claim you started the fight, accuse you of cheating them out of a meal, whatever. How many people were there?"
"Just me and the three guys from Class D."
"That's it?"
"Yeah."
Kure Ragna pressed a hand to his forehead.
Sudou tilted his head in confusion. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing… nothing at all."
Still covering his face, Kure Ragna muttered something under his breath. The wind on the rooftop made it hard to catch, but Sudou could make out bits and pieces—something about "Internet café warlords," "expecting this," and "total idiot."
After a while, Kure Ragna finally exhaled, lowered his hand, and cleared his throat.
"Alright, come out. If you don't, I'll drag you out myself by the ankles."
Sudou blinked. "Huh? Who are you talking to—"
Before he could finish, the rooftop door creaked open. A dazzling golden light reflected off perfectly styled blond hair.
A familiar voice followed.
"Oh, I wasn't eavesdropping. I just saw you two sneaking up here suspiciously and got curious."
"So you decided to squat behind the stairs for over thirty seconds?"
"Well, wouldn't it have been rude to interrupt your conversation?"
Kouenji Rokusuke flicked his golden locks with a satisfied smile.
Kure Ragna rolled his eyes. Oh, so eavesdropping is polite now?
Sudou, still anxious, quickly brought the conversation back.
"Wait, wait! What should I do?!"
Before anyone could answer, Sudou's phone rang.
"Ugh, who's calling me now…?" He pulled it out, saw the name, and turned pale. "It's over. It's Chabashira-sensei."
Kure Ragna said flatly, "Pick up."
Kouenji simply smiled, watching the scene unfold with amusement.
Sudou hesitated, then swallowed hard and answered.
"H-Hello…?"
Chabashira Sae's cold voice came through as usual.
"Sudou. Where are you? We need to talk."
Feeling cornered, Sudou reported his location. The call ended.
Less than five minutes later, the iron door swung open again.
Chabashira Sae stepped onto the rooftop, cigarette in hand, exhaling a long stream of smoke. For some reason, Kushida Kikyo followed behind her.
She raised an eyebrow at Kure Ragna and Kouenji's presence but quickly dismissed it.
"Since you're all here, I'll get straight to the point. Sudou, Class D has officially reported the fight. After the second period this afternoon, you'll need to come to the student council room for an inquiry and preliminary ruling."
Kure Ragna interjected.
"Has this been announced in class yet?"
"No."
"Good. Then let's keep it that way."
A grin crept onto his face.
"This is Ryuen Kakeru's counterattack against me. He can start the fight, but I'll decide how it ends. I'll be there."
Chabashira hesitated, then nodded.
"Alright, but be careful."
Kouenji clapped his hands.
"That sounds entertaining. I'll be attending as well."
"Me too!" Kushida chimed in.
Chabashira sighed.
"Fine. Do what you want."
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