Episode 16: The Best Way to Handle This?

This isn’t some game or manga. Taking these guys on alone… naturally, that was impossible.

Even now, it only went well because I had momentum and the element of surprise on my side.

It’s not like I have some convenient hidden strength.

To buy time while looking for a way out, I decided to drag out the conversation on purpose.

Besides, Senpai had mentioned before that there were reports of people being on the off-limits rooftop.

If I stalled for time, there was a chance that members of the student council or someone else would hear the commotion and come over.

「That’s my line.」

I moved as if to hide Senpai from their view,

taking a stance that used my arm to block their sight.

「Ah…」

I thought I heard Senpai let out a voice that didn’t quite fit the situation, but I had no time for that right now.

「What were you planning to do?」

I didn’t really want Senpai to have to hear this, but I had no choice if I wanted to keep the talk going.

「Hah? That’s obvious, isn’t it? We were gonna mess her up, take some commemorative photos, and make sure she never acts like a haughty brat again.」

「Whoa~ What a bad guy~」

「You’re part of this group too, aren’t you!」

…It was exactly what I expected, even without asking.

「I’m going to repeat exactly what I just heard, you know?」

「Without any evidence? All there is is proof that you beat him up, right? We’ll just pile on the lies and say you got jealous because he tried to confess, so you suddenly attacked him.」

「Gyahahahaha!」

Seriously, guys like this always have a way of laughing that really highlights how stupid they are.

「Thanks for the explanation. It really helps that you’re so stupid.」

I don’t know when she got there, but Senpai’s friend was standing at the rooftop entrance… and she was pointing her smartphone camera at them.

Right after her, another male student walked in.

If I remember correctly, that should be the Student Council President…

「As you can see, I recorded everything you just said about “messing her up.” And even if you break this phone, it won’t matter because there are other people who were recording this with me and have already left.」

Looks like we’re saved.

I hadn’t explained anything back then, but did she sense something was wrong from the atmosphere?

Either way, I’m grateful.

Hearing that, the Student Council President spoke up.

「Even if it ended as an attempt, I have testimony of criminal acts right here. I could submit this to the police and have you all taken in, or I could call your parents and have them listen to the testimony of their sons attempting a gang assault… so, what will it be?」

「「「「「…………」」」」」

「I should warn you, there are many other things I can do, such as filing for civil damages and social sanctions. Naturally, you went into this prepared to face those consequences, right?」

「No, that’s a bit much…」

「I didn’t really…」

「He was the one who actually touched the girl.」

Apparently, they’re planning to pin all the blame on one person.

「Please, forgive me! I’ll never do it again!!」

The guy I’d punched, who was still on the ground, apologized in a panic from where he sat. Since he was the main perpetrator and could see how the others were reacting, he must have realized he was in the most trouble.

To be honest, I wanted to blow them all away and have them rot in a police cell.

But when I thought calmly about Senpai, making a huge scene… I had my doubts about that, too.

If we got the police or the parents of these idiots involved, we’d have to make the fact that Senpai was targeted public, along with the video evidence.

Even if we kept her name out of it, there would be people who knew these guys were after her, and it would definitely become a topic of gossip at school.

If that happened… what would become of Senpai…?

As I thought that far, I realized I still hadn’t let go of Senpai.

「Sorry, Senpai. It looks like it’s okay now.」

When I let go, Senpai looked at me.

She wasn’t crying anymore.

She had her usual… expressionless face, but it looked like she wanted to say something.

The Student Council President continued.

「However, I am considering putting the punishment on hold if you promise never to speak a word about this to anyone, and if you and your group never approach Satsukawa-san again. If the police get involved with the school, I have to consider the impact on the other students. Of course, if I judge that you’ve broken this promise even slightly, I’ll take everything, including the recorded data, to the police and take every possible measure. If that happens, it won’t just be you, but your families as well… I don’t need to say more, do I?」

Is this… surely the Student Council President is thinking the same thing I am?

But honestly, I don’t know if this decision is the right one.

Part of me thinks it would be better to just make it a police matter, but if we push them that far, wouldn’t they just try to get revenge?

Is it better to handle it this way, making them feel like they owe us a favor, so there are no lingering issues?

All sorts of possibilities crossed my mind, and I didn’t know what the best way to handle this was.

While I was agonizing over it, the President hammered home his points, as if calculated to not give them time to think.

If they take the reason about not wanting to affect the school and other students at face value, even if the police or whoever gets involved later, could we say that we weren’t the ones who did anything?

「P-Please. I won’t do anything ever again!」

「I was just watching! I’ll never have anything to do with her from now on!」

「I’m so sorry, Satsukawa-san!!」

「Please! Forgive us! Just don’t call the police!!」

……In the end, it’s frustrating that I have no choice but to leave it to the President.

But seriously, after doing something like this… did they really not consider the possibility of getting into deep trouble?

Whatsoever, they really are childish.

…By the way, Senpai hasn’t said a word for a while now.

When I looked at Senpai beside me, she was expressionless as usual, staring intently at my face…?

And I just noticed this now, but…

Um, she’s gripping the hem of my blazer and won’t let go, and she’s been staring at me this whole time… what exactly does this mean…?