In the morning, Sakurada-san wasn’t in the classroom.

Apparently, she is taking a break from school due to mental exhaustion.

And the main culprit behind the bullying that drove her to take a break from school was revealed by three girls.

…The three girls had cornered Natsume Kano, the class representative, declaring that she was the one behind the whole series of bullying incidents targeting Sakurada, and were pressing her for answers.

Those three girls… if I remember right, they were part of the top-caste group centered around Fuyunagi-san and Sakurada-san. And the one leading the charge among them, if I’m not mistaken, was Miyo, the girl who used to badmouth Fuyunagi-san behind her back back when she still had overwhelming popularity, calling her a “man-stealing bitch.”

I’d never talked to her before, and we’d never even ended up in the same group during any extracurricular activities.

So aside from the name Fuyunagi-san mentioned, I knew nothing about her at all.

Even though we’re in the same class, someone might think it’s strange that I don’t even know her surname, but if I don’t know, I don’t know. It can’t be helped.

That Miyo girl was insisting that Natsume was the culprit, that despite being the class representative, she was hiding and breaking people’s belongings and doing awful things.

She’s a monster!

…and that’s what she’s been spreading around the class.

Inside the class, opinions had split.

Some questioned whether someone like Natsume would ever do something like that, while others, because of her harsh personality, readily believed she might be the type to heartlessly do such things behind the scenes.

And then there was the faction that defended Natsume, insisting she would never do something like that.

With the class now split into three groups, the rumors eventually spread so widely that even students from other classes were talking about it.

Natsume herself was already the center of attention. She was quiet, cool, and had the kind of intellectual beauty that drew eyes wherever she went. And with our class being full of girls like Fuyunagi-san and Sakurada-san, who were both top-tier beauties, the rumors spread uncontrollably.

Of course, the teachers have heard the rumors too, and a class meeting will be held after school.

“I… I feel like I have to speak up and say Natsume-san isn’t the one at fault…”

“Stop it… It’s pointless.”

“Pointless? Aren’t you heartless!”

“Why are you even trying to defend Natsume-san? This has nothing to do with you.”

“That’s… that’s true, but…”

Indeed, if asked why, I might not have a clear answer.

Still, I was helped by Sado and Sakurada before, and I want to repay their kindness.

I want to prove that even I can do something.

“Alright, the teacher’s here, go back to your seats. It’ll probably be long today, but don’t get any strange ideas.”

“Strange ideas…?”

“Alright, everyone—back to your seats!”

Leaving Kato’s seat behind, I head towards my own seat when the homeroom teacher enters the classroom.

The teacher entered the classroom and urged everyone to take their seats.

The students return to their desks, following the teacher’s instructions.

“Now then, before we begin homeroom, I have something to say. I believe most of you are already aware of this, but unfortunately, a student in this class has been subjected to bullying. I already know who the ringleader is. If you’re the one responsible, step forward.”

The classroom falls completely silent.

No students responded to the teacher’s question.

Well, naturally. There’s no way anyone would honestly confess if they were involved.

“Bullying is something everyone knows is wrong. Even kindergarteners understand that. Aren’t you ashamed? However, there is still room for redemption. It’s not too late. Come forward honestly and face the wrongdoing you’ve committed. …Now then, who is it? Step forward!”

After creating such a tense atmosphere, does he really think someone will come forward…? Normally, no one would be able to leave after being put in such a difficult situation… I’m amazed by my homeroom teacher’s Showa-era style. I almost want to send him praise.

However, nothing will come of this exchange….

The teacher, losing patience, finally reached for his trump card.

“Haah… I was hoping you’d take the initiative yourselves, but I suppose not. Fine then… I’ll be the one to call you out.”

Saying that, the teacher spoke the name.

“Kano Natsume! Stand up!”

“Huh? …M-me?”

“Just stand up already!!”

Natsume-san stood up nervously.

She looked like she had no idea why she was being forced to stand… no, more than that, she looked like she simply couldn’t accept it.

“You hid and broke Sakurada’s belongings, didn’t you?”

“Wa-wait a moment!! That’s a false accusation!!”

“You are an excellent student… your grades are always high, and you perform your duties as class president properly… so why? Why did you do such a trivial thing!? Why!?”

“P-please… please listen! I didn’t do anything!! It’s the truth! Plea-”

“Enough already!!”

“-se believe me… ah…”

Interrupting Natsume-san’s words, the teacher continues to scold her.

“You constantly strive for excellence, achieve good grades, and serve as a role model for other students, so why would you do something like this?! If you honestly confess your guilt, it might still be salvageable, but all I hear are excuses… How did things end up like this?”

The teacher is no longer listening to Natsume-san’s words.

He seems to have decided from the start that she is the culprit and is attacking her.

This… this is too much….

Isn’t it wrong for a teacher, of all people, to declare his student guilty?

“Wait!”

At that moment, a male student intervened.

It’s Sado.

“Do you even have any proof she did it!? This unfair treatment is wrong!!”

“There’s no proof, but I have testimony from several students. Are you saying their testimony is a lie?”

“I’m saying it’s unfair!! Is there any evidence for their testimonies!? Believing only one side and treating the other as a criminal!! That’s not fair! We need to discuss this properly!”

“Sado-kun…”

Even Natsume, taken by surprise by the unexpected support, grew teary-eyed.

But it did nothing to change the situation.

“Why are you defending her, Sado!? It’s strange, isn’t it?”

“Th-That’s right!! Maybe Sado-kun is in cahoots with Natsume too!?”

“I’m disappointed…”

The ones who raised their voices, almost as if provoking Sado, were those same three girls.

A group led by a girl named Miyo.

“Kashiwagi… you…”

Sado glares at the girl he called Kashiwagi.

Kashiwagi… apparently, that girl’s full name is Kashiwagi Miya.

“Is that true, Sado? Were you also taking part in these bullying incidents? Speak up!”

“Wa!? Why would you jump to that conclusion!? I was just…”

“Stop making excuses!! Why can’t you honestly admit that you did it!? You won’t become a proper adult if you act like that!!”

Eventually, even Sado was starting to get swept along by the teacher’s forceful way of pushing the conversation.

This is bad… At this rate, nothing is going to get resolved.

Even if I stand up and speak, it might not change anything… but… but doing nothing would be far worse.

Just as I pushed myself up from my seat and opened my mouth to speak, someone else spoke up first.

“The culprits are Kashiwagi and the two girls in her group. It’s not Natsume-san.”

“Haa!?”

“Eh…?”

“Wha!?”

The one who spoke up was, unexpectedly, one of my few friends…

Kato Susumu.