Osamu Dazai

"For example, people like you, Horikita-san."

"You want to use someone like Sakura-san to make the fact that she is the real witness feel real, don't you?"

Sakagami-sensei probably didn't think so seriously.

He was just convinced that no matter what, as long as he found a reason to push back, he could block the actions of Class D.

Just as Ayanokōji Kiyotaka and others felt at the beginning, the existence of the witnesses of Class D lacks prestige no matter what.

No matter how you state the facts, the other party will say that the members of Class D are defending their own people and lying.

This means that the testimony of Class D's own people will not be taken seriously and accepted.

Is there anything else I can do... Sakagami-sensei smiled fearlessly, and then planned to sit down——

"As for the evidence... I have it!"

At this time, Sakagami-sensei heard Sakura Airi's appeal, and his waist was hanging in mid-air.

"Stop trying to be aggressive. If there was any evidence, it would have been earlier—"

Sakagami seemed to think that Sakura Airi was still trying to persuade her, but was interrupted by a voice.

bump! ——Sakura Airi slapped her palm on the table.

It can be seen that there are many things like small rectangular pieces of paper placed on it.

"This is……?"

Evidence beyond words appears.

Sakagami-sensei's expression became stiff for the first time.

"This is evidence that I was in the special teaching building that day...!"

Secretary Tachibana walked up to Sakura Airi, and after saying hello briefly, he stretched out his hand to the pieces of paper.

It turned out that those pieces of paper were photos.

After reading the photos, Secretary Tachibana submitted them to the student council president.

Horikita looked at the photos for a while, then arranged them on the table so that everyone could see them.

The characters in these photos show very cute expressions, which are completely different from the current Sakura Airi.

This is Idol Shizuku.

Then, Sakura Airi described why she went back to the special teaching building.

"That day... I took a selfie and found an uninhabited place. The date of shooting is also printed on the photo as evidence!"

The date was indeed the evening of last Friday, that was the time when Sudou and the others ended their club activities.

Osamu Dazai, Suzune Horikita, and Kiyotaka Ayanokōji couldn't help but hold their breath when facing the real evidence they saw for the first time.

The three students of Class C who had been pretending that they were just victims so far, their attitudes began to change.

It is obvious that the heart is quite shaken.

"Then what did you use to shoot this?" Sakagami-sensei asked.

Mr. Sakagami wanted to find loopholes in the shooting equipment and other aspects.

"I...use a...digital...camera..." Sakura Airi replied with some trepidation.

Because she doesn't know if there is any problem with what to shoot with.

"I remember that digital cameras should be able to easily change the date. As long as the date is manipulated on the computer and printed out, the time at the time of the incident can be reproduced. As evidence, these photos are not convincing enough."

Hearing Sakura Airi's answer, Sakagami-sensei felt that he had found a loophole, so he said confidently.

"But, Sakagami-sensei. I think this photo is different."

Horikita said, and slid out an invisible photo stacked below.

"This, this is...!" Sensei Sakagami involuntarily let out a shocked voice.

It just happened to be the best time to capture the photo of Sudou and others fighting and commotion, and it is here.

The school building and corridors stained with twilight.

This photo looks to be the scene where Sudou just finished beating Ishizaki.

Regarding the appearance of this photo, Horikita should feel that he has been redeemed from the bottom of his heart.

In this way, we can escape this overwhelming disadvantage...

"I see. It seems that you are really there."

"I can only admit that honestly."

"However, the photo is just a photo, not a video, so it is impossible to know from this photo which side will attack first."

"And it's not conclusive evidence that you've seen it all."

Teacher Sakagami looked at the photo and could only say helplessly, but he didn't know when this photo was taken, so Sakagami made a judgment on this point.

This is indeed the point in time after the fight is over.

It cannot be said to be the key evidence that can resolve the dispute.

"... Chabashira-sensei, what's the matter? Do you want to find a compromise here? I'm sure Sudou-san has perjured this time."

Sakagami-sensei wanted to win this deliberation in this way.

"You bastard—!"

Sudou Ken let out an angry roar, and was about to pounce on him, his waist was already in the air, but Ayanokouji Kiyotaka grabbed his arm in time to stop him.

"No matter how long this discussion lasts, there will presumably be two parallel lines."

"We will not change the testimony, and your side also colluded with the witnesses and did not give up the struggle."

"In other words, we're both constantly going back and forth saying the other side is lying."

"This photo is to be used as conclusive evidence, and the convincing power is also weak... Therefore, the following is a compromise."

"I think I am more or less responsible for the students in class C."

"Since there are three of us on our side, and one of them seems to have a history of fighting, it's also problematic."

"So, how about giving Sudou a two-week suspension, and class C students a one-week suspension?"

"The difference in the severity of the punishment depends on whether it hurts the other party."

Horikita Gaku was silently listening to Sakagami-sensei's speech.

This can also be said that Class C agreed to make half of the concessions.

Without Sakura Airi's testimony and evidence, Sudou Takeru might have been suspended for more than a month.

If the penalty can be lower than half, it can be said to be a considerable concession.

"Stop making trouble! Hey! What are you kidding!"

Sudou Ken saw that his fate was about to be decided by Mr. Sakagami.

If he's suspended, it'll keep him out of the official basketball team, so he can't help but yell.

"Teacher Chabashira, what do you think?"

But Sakagami-sensei completely ignored Sudou Takeru who was shouting, and continued to discuss the compromise with Chabashira-sensei.

"It seems that the conclusion has been reached. I have no reason to refuse your proposal, Mr. Sakagami."

Teacher Chabashira could only say helplessly, because in terms of compromise, these contents are indeed impeccable.

Horikita Suzune looked up at the ceiling, as if calmly realizing that the matter could only end here.

No matter how much you resist and struggle, as long as the evidence is not [-]% convincing, you cannot be found not guilty.

Horikita Suzune was very aware of this from the very beginning, and judged that this was a compromise.

Osamu Dazai thinks that as a student of Class D, Horikita Suzune is really amazing.

——However, as a student aiming at Class A, if she plans to give up here, she will fail.

So, she needs to change.

"Suzune, are you really helpless?" Osamu Dazai turned his head and said to Horikita Suzune.

Horikita Suzune didn't reply, no, she didn't seem to have anything to respond to.

Horikita Suzune looked at Osamu Dazai.

Osamu Dazai looked her directly in the eyes, and then concluded like this.

"After the conversation, you understand. No matter how much you appeal to Class C, you will never admit that it is a lie."

"And Sudou won't admit to lying. No matter how this kind of thing goes on, there will be two parallel lines."

"I even thought it would be nice if the conversation didn't start. Don't you think so?"

Horikita Suzune lowered her gaze, then lowered her head.

How would Horikita Suzune interpret what Osamu Dazai said?

If she only took it literally, that would be the end of it.

fair enough.

……

At the deliberation meeting.

Sakagami-sensei, who had just proposed a compromise plan, immediately looked at Horikita Suzune and said.

"Is that enough? Then, Horikita-san representing Class D, please express your opinion."

Sakagami-sensei just heard what Dazai Osamu said to Horikita Suzune, and has already understood the meaning of Dazai Osamu's words literally.

In other words, Sakagami took Dazai's words as a declaration of defeat.

Therefore, Osamu Dazai, who was in the spectator seat, didn't care about giving opinions to the members of Class D.

From the standpoint of Class C, as long as Sudou is not acquitted, then they will win.

Sakagami-sensei's face showed a calm expression that the winner was already decided.

Horikita Suzune slowly raised her head, and said her own conclusion.

"I think Sudou-san who caused this incident has a big problem."

"If you want to say why, it's because he didn't think about his usual behavior and the troubles he caused to his surroundings at all."

"He has the experience of fighting all day long, and he also has the character of yelling and resorting to violence as soon as he has any dissatisfaction."

"If this kind of person causes a commotion, it's obvious what will happen in the end"

"That's why I was negative about saving Sudou-san from the very beginning."

"It's clear to me that even if he reluctantly reaches out, he will repeat this kind of thing without caring."

"Thank you for your speech. Please take a seat." Secretary Tachibana urged Horikita.

Silence fell instantly.

Sudou Ken let out an obviously anxious moan.

However, even though everyone waited for five or ten seconds, Horikita Suzune did not sit back in her seat.

"It's okay, you can take your seat."

Secretary Tachibana thought that maybe Horikita Suzune didn't hear it, so she told her again.

Even so, Horikita Suzune did not sit down.

Horikita Suzune continued to stare at the teachers.

"He should reflect, but not for this incident."

"He wants to reflect in the sense of reviewing and reflecting on his past self."

"About the incident we discussed just now——I don't think there's anything wrong with Sudou-san."

"If you want to say why, because I am sure, this is not an accidental accident, but a deliberate design by Class C."

"I'm not going to just swallow it like this at all."