Season 1 Episode 5
Continuing from what happened previously, Kikyo can only feel helpless as she watched Sakura run away from her with Ayanokouji watching them and analzing the scenario.
Anthropologist Edward Hall divided personal space into 4 zones. One of those is the "intimate space" zone with the "close phase" therein. The distance close enough to embrace someone else, and many resist intrusion into it
As Sakura ran further away, Kikyo tried to go after her even asking other students about her.
However there are exceptions. For instance, Kushida. Even if she approaches them, she is able to avoid triggering their personal space reaction. And yet, Sakura resisted her. She's afraid of connecting her heart. That's why...
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She keeps her eyes down
It then cuts to the latter hiding in an empty hallway dark and devoid of any human presence, she tried to turn on her camera but it's still not working leaving her face shocked again.
The next day...
Ah no worries, it's the weekend and it began with, "I'm sorry to have you involved in this." Sakura apologized to Ayanokouji and Kikyo for she invted them out. "I'm the one who should apologize. After all, I broke your digital camera by accident." Kikyo stated. "N-No...I should have been more careful..." She replied while Ayanokouji looked away.
"You're going to the electronics store in the mall to fix your digital camera. I understand that much but...
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"Do you really need me?" He asked as they made their way to the electronics store. While Kikyo giggled, Sakura looked downward. "A-Actually..."
Now they're in the store as an employee checked her camera examining it though in some case, he made strange facial expressions scaring Sakura and Ayanokouji knew something is amiss even noticing a digital camera aimed at her and it's in recording mode despite being on sale. The employee then asked Sakura to fill in some form which is meant for the repair explaining to her the details to fill in and in a very deep voice scaring her some more. Nonetheless, Ayanokouji took care of it and signed the form surprising him. Still, the employee accepted it though he still set his gazes on Sakura.
After that, the trio had coffee and Sakura thanked them for accompanying her. "Now that we settled it Sakura-san, can you talk with us normally if you can?" Kikyo asked. "After all, we're in the same grade."
"Yeah you've been going all formal speaking to us." Ayanokouji added leaving Sakura too shy to say anything. Still, she mustered up the courage to try impressing Ayanokouji to the point he had a small smile on his face. Though Kikyo left to wash her hands leaving him to converse with her.
"It's awkward bein alone with her." He thought as she sighed to herself. A minute passed by and, "What's wrong Sakura? Is there something you wanted to-"
"Um...What do you think would be the best thing to do?"
"Regarding Sudou?" He thought for a second. "You should do whatever you want to do." She looked surprised by his answer. "If I keep quiet, I think I'll regret it."
"Why are you telling me this?" Ayanokouji asked. "Be-Because your eyes aren't scary." She replied. Eyes? That confused him a bit. "S-Sorry. It's hard to explain..."
"If you need advice, Kushida will be more sympathetic as she was today." He suggested. She nodded silently but, "Is it intuition?" He thought and still remembered the night he witnessed Kikyo's behaviour. "She feels obliged to her but for some reason, she can't fully trust Kushida. Seems like it and if I recall, she's wearing 2 masks. One may never know when she'll switch them around..." He then spoke up. "You said you'll regret it if you keep quiet."
"Yes."
"Well, there's only one answer then." She looked up surprised as he gave her the one answer. "For Sudou. For Kushida. For my classmates. Throw away all of those thoughts." And it cuts to the public restrooms as in the female section, Kikyo is putting on lip gloss.
"Th-Throw them away?" She asked.
"You don't have to burden yourself with all that. You should testify for your own sake."
"F-For my...sake?" She asked again.
"That's more than enough." He replied causing Sakura to feel very flustered when, "Sorry to keep you waiting." Kikyo returned startling her. "So, shall we call it a day?" She asked. "Well it's getting late so yes indeed." Ayanokouji got up to leave when, "Sorry but, can I drop by in your room later?" Kikyo requested via a whisper surprising him.
Later on in his room, "What do you need to come all the way to my room for?" Ayanokouji asked as Kikyo sat on his bed. "I was actually looking up on the internet and found some things which seems...familiar."
"That explains the restroom you excused yourself to wash your hands." He stated as she took out her phone and keyed in a bit. "That's true on that part though I did fix myself a bit but moving to the next part, does this girl look familiar to you?" She handed her phone to him and he had some peeks.
Images of a hot, busty and attractive girl with pink hair and blue eyes appeared and she wore various outfits even the ones that are kinda...revealing. "I can already imagine Honami in some of those outfits..." He thought and then, asked. "Is this Sakura? It's hard to say just from the face and the build but..." He then handed her phone back to her as the current image reveals something more. "That one picture was in one of our dorms."
"So it was her!" Kikyo exclaimed. "And I thought it was strange that she wore fake eyeglasses too." He added. "Wait, they're fake?" She asked in surprise. "There was no distortion behind the lenses during our outing." He revealed even remembering their one-on-one talk. "So she's trying to hide her face? Is this whybshe won't testify?" She asked with concern when her phone received a new message. Opening it, "Yes! Sakura-san says she might be able to help with Sudou!"
"I guess this outing was worth it." He exclaimed. "Indeed. I'm glad she decided to trust us on this one but I wonder why..." Kikyo remained staring at the message when she thought of something. "Ne Ayanokouji-kun, is there something you're trying to hide?" She asked looking at him directly at his eyes. He said nothing however and even his kitten is still under his bed.
The next day...
In the student council room, "I've sent out the notification for the arbitration hearing between Class 1-C and 1-D." Tachibana reported to Manabu as he finished cleaning his glasses and putting them on. "Class 1-D..." He spoke to himself silently...
At the same time, Ayanokouji and Horikita had a conversation and it took place in their homeroom right after school is finished for the day. "Did you spend your day off with Kushida-san?" Horikita asked first. "Yes. Because of the thing with Sakura." Ayanokouji replied. "Although we couldn't get her word that she would share what she knows."
"I see."
"What's the matter?"
"Why do you ask?"
How odd of them to ask each other questions. "Well, you have the expression on your face." He answered first. "Really? Well I disagree. This is my usual look." She answered back. "Although I'm impressed by how you can move around on your own. You hesitate when I ask you a favour but when Kushida-san asks you one, you'll comply immediately." He said nothing and then, Horikita revealed this. "Anyway, the student council has decided the date for Sudou-kun's hearing."
"When is it?"
"Today after class and it's in an hour's time."
"I guess you want me to attend just to assist in case right?"
"Exactly. At least you didn't hesitate even when I have not requested your presence to be there. Consider it impressive therefore."
"And I hope Sakura can her move also..." Ayanokouji thought as he and Horikita packed up and left the classroom to plan for the trial.
Meeting time aka, Hearing...
2 members of the student council stood guard outside the room while inside, the participants are gathered. The teachers of Class 1-C and 1-D, Ayanokouji, Horikita, Sudou, Ishizaku, Komiya and Reo in which the 3 boys are still injured with casts and bandages, Tachibana and surprisngly, Manabu all seated around a table shaped like the letter, "U".
"So it seems predictabiltiy can be enlightening..." Manabu thought as he and Ayanokouji stared at each other for a few seconds. Then, "She wasn't expecting the president to be here." Ayanokouji thought for Horikita is looking downwards with worry and his gaze just shifted to her. "She can't even bring out her full potential..." Even so, Chabashira-sensei and Manabu talked with each other even hinting out some level of respect between them.
"To both sides: I wish to ascertain which version of the events is the truth." Tachibana spoke first as she looked at Manabu. "Is that acceptable?"
"Hajimete kure." He ordered.
Tachibana then started the hearing by reading out the incident description between Sudou and the 3 boys. Once done, Sudou argued with Komiya and Reo over some personal issues related to their club activity. "Having the main discussion be about the injuries and giving Sudou free rein are both bad for us." Ayanokouji observed as both sides continued their personal argument which he knows, bears no fruit until Tachibana ordered them to be silent as she continued asking both sides if the assumptions are acceptable.
None responded. Even Horikita remained silent and insecure as Ayanokouji looked at her expecting her to take action. Due to the long silence. "It seems there's no need for a discussion." Manabu stated as Tachibana continued on for some seconds when, "Ah! Ayano-Ah! Ah!"
All attention is focused on a startled Horikita who gasped about as she stood up swaying around a bit while flustered and with Ayanokouji's left hand touching and grasping on her right side of her body.
When someone's spacing out, a strong physical stimulus will snap them back to reality
Seeing this made Chabashira-sensei smirk and that was the signal because he let go and a still flustered Horikita glared at him for that. "If you don't fight, we're gonna lose." He told her quietly causing to literally snap back to reality as she looked at the many pairs of eyes gazing at her. "Well that really worked like charm." Ayanokouji thought and then, Horikita with boldness and determination began. "Pardon me but if I may, would it be possible if I ask a few questions?" She asked while fixing herself.
Tachibana looked at Manabu and he answered. "Granted."
Now that was a relief as Horikita took a deep breath and began. "What were the circumstances under which Sudou-kun called you out? Please answer me."
"Well...after practice ended, he said he wanted to talk to me and Reo." Komiya answered speaking on behalf of Reo and Ishizaki.
"And what was Ishizaki-kun doing in the special annex with you and Kondou-kun? You know well he's a not member in the Basketball Club. Therefore there was no reason for him to be there." Horikita asked another question with facts.
"I...just wanted some insurance." Komiya replied. "Everyone even you should know how violent and ill-tempered Sudou is! Not to mention a big guy!"
"So you thought he might assault you is that it?" Horikita asked with Sudou glaring at him but, "Psst! Sudou, don't do anything. Leave it to her and ignore their answers." Ayanokouji whispered and he listened though he's still pissed.
"So therefore, you brought Ishizaki-kun as your bodyguard who's known to be a delinquent and a skilled fighter in middle school for your "insurance" is it?" Horikita asked continuing on.
"I did it to protect myself and my friends!" Komiya answered.
"I have some knowledge of martial arts myself. Fighting multiple enemies increased the difficulty exponentially like as if I've been outnumbered. But for you and Kondou-kun to be beaten so one-sidedly especially with Ishizaki-kun's presence makes no sense." Horikita stated.
A shocked Komiya did not expect this but, "Well...that's just because we didn't want a fight!"
"Y-Yeah! That's why we brought Ishizaki with us to ensure that a fight never took place when we talked with Sudou." Reo spoke up.
"If you had no desire to fight and you all weren't fighting back, it's extremely unlikely that all 3 of you would be crippled so easily." Horikita replied as Ishizaki looked stunned at her statement.
"That does sound like common sense." A very impressed Chabashira-sensei commented. "Wh-What? Oh come on! Common sense doesn't apply when Sudou's involved!" Komiya complained. "Yeah! Like what my friend stated just now, he's really a violent man!" Reo added and all these statements still pissed the latter but he held his anger.
"I'll tell you something. There was a student who witnessed the entire fight." Horikita revealed shocking Class 1-C including the teacher and Sudou. Ayanokouji, Chabashira-sensei, Manabu and Tachibana remained calm and level headed as Horikita gave an order to bring her in. The doors opened and Sakura entered the room. She sat on a chair which faces the Student Council President and explained what is witnessed. "Hmmm...If you really did see it, then why didn't you step forward in the first place?" The Class 1-C homeroom teacher, Kazuma Sakagami aka Sakagami-sensei asked. Sakura was unable to come up with an answer and thus, he sighed and commented. "Honestly this is why you're in Class D..." He then decided to take advantage of Sakura's extreme shyness and nervousness. "Sakura Airi. Are you sure you're not being forced to lie and save your class and Sudou?"
She gasped upon hearing that and, "Well that can't be good." Ayanokouji thought but fortunately, "The fact that Sakura-san is here proves that she really did witness the incident." Horikita spoke up. "If she hadn't, she wouldn't be sitting here even if we asked her to." Sakagami-sensei looked positively surprised as she continued on. "If we just needed someone to make a statement, don't you think I would have chosen someone else?"
"Or perhaps you chose to use someone like her to bring your version of reality?" He asked while fidgeting his pen a bit. "Because I feel like you should stop taking advantage of your classmate who's well-meaning but too weak minded. I mean, how can she fight by her own will to back her own purpose of coming here?"
"I see your attempt to twist everything to your advantage. Sakura-san did come here with faith." Horikita fought back. "Faith? Then why is she trembling?" He fought back also. "Please, don't put anymore burdens on her or-"
"I have the evidence!" Sakura announced as all eyes are on her. "I have the evidence on what happened at the special annex on that day! And here it is!" She then took out the SD card from her camera.
"Display it." Manabu ordered as Tachibana closed all the shutters darkening the room. One of her gravure idol images was displayed leaving Sudou, Ishizaki, Komiya and Reo with their mouths opened. Sakura did a bit of explaining though Sakagami-sensei brought up a statement on the evidence having a chance of being altered like the date the picture but Manabu who was looking through images found something. "Wait, this picture is different. (Before that, he glanced at the idol pic for a few seconds and Tachibana was stunned from it)
And the image was revealed via a zoom in. It evidently shows the 4 boys prior to the brawl leaving Sakagami flabbergasted. "Arigato Sakura-san." Horikita thanked her with a smile and she was surprised from it so she smiled back. Manabu observed this interaction with a rare smile as he ordered Tachibana to open the shutters.
Now back to the debating as, "Well I guess you indeed told the truth about being there. I can give you that. However, we still don't know who instigated it." Sakagami-sensei spoke up as Ayanokouji stared at him. "It also doesn't prove that you saw everything that went down either." Sakura was worried and thus, "Might I propose a compromise Chabashira-sensei?"
"A compromise?"
"Yes. Despite your student's pictures, she still have no definitive proof. However, I admit that my students sitting right here may bear some responsibility. So therefore..." He had a sinister smile on his face as he announced his compromise. "A two-week suspension for Sudou and a one-week suspension for my students." Sudou was furious to hear it while the other 3 smiled a bit seeing that they get a lighter punishment. "How about it? The difference in the punishment is based on the difference in the harm inflicted to them." He added as Manabu thought a bit while Sudou glared at C class.
Without Sakura's testimony and evidence, Sudou's suspension would be a month or more. It is quite a compromise. Still, Sakura did well enough to dodge an arrow on Sudou's suspension
Ayanokouji closed his eyes as, "Chabashira-sensei, what do think of my compromise?"
"Well Sakagami-sensei, it seems the conclusion has been decided."
"So be it. Well then, the representative of Class D, Horikita, please tell us about your opinion." Sakagami-sensei asked while still fidgeting his pen which he's doing ever since he started opening his mouth.
"Wakarimashita." She stood up and spoke her opinion. "I believe that Sudou-kun who instigated this incident has a serious problem. He never thinks about the trouble that his daily actions will cause those around him. Incidents like this are inevitable."
"Wh-Why you-"
"I want you to realize that it's your attitude that's at the root of all this." She spoke to Sudou firmly. "He should reflect but not about this incident, but that he should re-evaluate the person he has been in the past."
This surprised the boys except for Ayanokouji and Manabu as, "In regards to the incident we are discussing now, I believe that Sudou...
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"Is free of guilt." All eyes are now on Horikita as she conitnued on. "Because this was not an unfortunate incident that just happened to take place, but an intention set-up instigated by Class C." This made then confused and speechless as, "I assert Sudou's complete innocence in the matter!"
Upon hearing that, the 4 boys argued over this even demanding the president to make the judgement but, "I see it now. It's really a waste of time." He exclaimed as all sat down. "It appears that everything I heard today is completely at odds. That means, one side is giving false testimony."
"Agreed." Tachibana stood by his side with support as, "If both classes think they're giving the true testimony, tomorrow at 4pm I will give my judgement. If I receive no proof from the lies of the opponents or admissions of your own guilt by then, I will have no choice but to expulsion on the table." He then fixed his glasses and concluded everything.
After the trial...
Outside the Student Council Room, "So can we win?"
"I don't intend to lose and I'll never give up." Horikita told Ayanokouji. "Thanks for accompanying me and next time, try not to do that again." She's referring to the move he made just now to put her back to reality as she left. "S-Sorry." Sakura apologized still feeling down that she didn't do enough with little courage that she only had. "Hold your head high Sakura. You did what you can and it's enough to mitigate the fire." Ayanokouji told her when Manabu and Tachibana came out. "Oh? You're still here?" Manabu asked him and it's a good time to ask him something. "When you showed with Suzune, I assumed you had some strategy in mind."
"I'm not some historical sage like Zhuge Liang nor Kuroda Kanbei. I didn't plan anything at all from start to end."
"So Suzune's proclamation of Sudou's innocence was her going rogue then?"
"I guess it's a pipe dream right?"
"It is." Manabu then added. "I also did not expect you to go rogue by touching my sister. I believe it was psychological?"
"You know already. It was enough for her to go rogue enough to use her potential."
"I see. Suzune is starting improve on her character even having the ability to prove her usefulness here..." Manabu nodded to himself with thought. "I look forward to seeing her growth then. You even made her smile which I have not seen from her for several years." He then shifted his focus to Sakura. "You're Sakura right?"
"Y-Yes."
"You were decent in the trial but if you really can't prove it, then it's just a lie. Not to mention your mask is nothing but a shackle binding you."
"I...I...only told the truth..." He stared at her coldly when, "I believe her." Ayanokouji spoke up. Upon hearing that, Manabu fixed his glasses and attempted a palm thrust but he moved away swiftly avoiding it as his palm landed on the wall. It really amazed Sakura and Tachibana upon seeing his reflex. "Tell me Ayanokouji, can you prove it?"
"I wonder..." He replied with his poker face expression showing that the answer will have to wait. Challenges await him therefore...
Courage is stronger than steel. And it's been displayed by some in this episode. Though Sakura has to work and improve on it. Right, character developments will be built and I hope I do my best to get it right. The trial has extra and new dialogue and I cut some to shorten it a bit.
Private Points List
Class 1-B
1. Honami Ichinose-2,642,219
2. Ryuji Kanzaki-153,225
3. Chihiro Shiranami-136,151
4. Yume Kobashi-128,956
5. Mako Amikura-140,122
Class 1-C
1. Kakeru Ryuuen-80,026
2. Mio Ibuki-85,228
3. Albert Yamada-77,018
4. Daichi Ishizaki-25,335
5. Kyogo Komiya-70,987
6. Reo Kondou-69,621
Class 1-D
1. Soshi Miyamoto-5940
2. Satsuki Shinohara-4,757
3. Kokoro Inogashira-30,982
4. Nene Mori-35,972
5. Teruhiko Yukimura-52,330
6. Yosuke Hirata-4510
7. Kei Karuizawa-2044
8. Kayano Onodera-27,894
9. Kikyou Kushida-35,519
10. Ryotarou Hondou-0
11. Hideo Sotomura-10,029
12. Chiaki Matsushita-2585
13. Rokusuke Kouenji-526
14. Haruka Hasabe-34,803
15. Haruki Yamauchi-0
16. Akito Miyake-22,875
17. Wang Mei Yu-8,830
18. Kyousuke Okitani-0
19. Maya Satou-260
20. Kanji Ike-0
21. Kiyotaka Ayanokouji-54,320
22. Suzune Horikita-86,415
23. Wataru Ijuin-40,874
24. Airi Sakura-15,125
25. Ken Sudou-10,278
Class Points
A-1004
B-663
C-492 (In deliberation)
D-90 (In deliberation)
Also, Merry Christmas to everyone! Let's keep writing our best and have fun! Man, 2022 is ending and 2023 will start soon. And I'm hyped to work on the next chapter! Sayonara!