The root cause of why Horikita did such a thing was intricately linked to her.
You could say Horikita's actions were utterly foolish, choosing to ruin another female peer close to her for the sake of possessing someone.
You could also say Horikita's actions were arrogant, presuming to teach Amane how to act, believing Amane must be wary of those close to her, even sacrificing an innocent idiot for it.
But Amane couldn't bring herself to say such critical words.
If it came to reason, Amane had countless arguments.
She could tell Horikita from an absolutely rational perspective, from multiple angles, that she was wrong.
But the one thing Amane couldn't deny was the deep affection in Horikita's starting point for her.
If the affection wasn't deep, who would want Amane to always be by her side? If it wasn't out of concern for Amane, why would she be willing to sacrifice an innocent person just to warn Amane of the dangers of betrayal from those around her?
No one would selflessly give for someone they didn't care about.
This is why Amane, even from the perspective of a so-called judge, couldn't easily tell Horikita, 'You are wrong.'
"Whatever you say is fine... whether you scold me or hit me... I can accept it, after all... one always has to pay for their mistakes."
Horikita took two steps forward.
She was now very close to Amane, almost within arm's reach, but when Horikita tried to reach out, she found that the distance between her and Amane was still so vast.
Horikita smiled bitterly and shook her head, shaking off the jumbled thoughts from her mind.
She was much clearer now.
She knew that no matter what her intentions were, Sakura-san was framed by her and branded a traitor.
Even today, people still used this to humiliate Sakura-san.
Horikita saw it all.
Although she would privately ask others to refrain from mentioning it to protect Sakura-san as much as possible, she knew that the effect of doing so was minimal.
All she wanted was inner solace.
It was also she who made Amane experience the feeling of betrayal.
If this happened to someone else, it would definitely be something to be proud of, because Horikita had never seen Amane show such a shocked and incredulous expression as she did that day.
Perhaps there were only a handful of people who could make Amane experience such a strong emotional fluctuation?
Even Ryuuen's sneak attack was, in Amane's eyes, merely a commendable clever move.
To make Amane show that expression again, Horikita could barely imagine what kind of event would cause Amane to display such an expression once more.
It also indicated the kind of blow Amane suffered at that moment.
Now it was time to pay the price.
"Things have reached such a point that hitting you or scolding you can no longer solve anything.
Besides, what use is such an action other than self-satisfaction for Suzune?
Atoning for atonement's sake is the most foolish approach.
Committing a mistake and not thinking about how to remedy it, but instead trying to punish oneself... isn't that thoroughly cowardly?"
Amane instinctively reached for her pocket, then remembered she had given up that habit a long time ago.
This scenario was perfect for one.
"Then what should I do? Should I go apologize to Sakura-san now?"
Seeing that Amane was unwilling to accept her suggestion, Horikita's emotions immediately became agitated.
This was the only way she could think of to atone; besides this, all she could think of was apologizing.
But apologizing was the most powerless method.
Even if she said 'I'm sorry' a thousand times, would Amane forgive her? Would Sakura-san, burdened with the label of a traitor, forgive her?
Absolutely not!
No one, after being branded a traitor, rejected and insulted by most of the class, would accept an apology from the person who framed them.
The same went for Amane.
How could Amane accept her apology when she had framed Sakura-san for her own selfish desires, causing Sakura-san to suffer the pain of betrayal?
"I think that's a good idea."
Amane's affirmative words made Horikita's eyes widen.
She couldn't believe Amane would actually approve of such a suggestion.
Did Amane want her to be beaten or insulted by Sakura-san after her apology was rejected? If that were the case, she could accept it.
But on Amane's side... "It's okay, I'll wait for you here."
Amane maintained a faint, gentle smile.
No emotion could be seen on her face, and Horikita couldn't tell if Amane truly wanted her to apologize to Sakura-san first, or if she just wanted to mock her for making such a foolish choice.
"I'll be back as soon as possible."
Horikita mustered her courage, turned, and ran towards the ship's cabin.
Amane watched Horikita's retreating figure and shook her head, as if regretting something, or perhaps... with some other meaning.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
The sound of high heels echoed on the deck.
A familiar figure emerged from the shadows not far away.
"Chabashira-sensei, if you want to listen to our conversation, you can just come over directly.
There's no need to resort to eavesdropping.
If you were discovered, wouldn't it only be Chabashira-sensei who would be embarrassed?"
Amane knew who the familiar sound of high heels belonged to without turning her head.
"These kids nowadays are getting stronger and stronger, but unfortunately, you guessed wrong.
I had no intention of eavesdropping on your conversation with Horikita.
I was just taking a stroll after dinner and happened to pass by.
If I really wanted to eavesdrop..."
Chabashira-sensei deliberately stomped on the deck, and the heel of her shoe made a crisp sound against the wood.
"Choosing such shoes for eavesdropping is something only an idiot would do."
Chabashira-sensei's face was expressionless, but her palms glistened in the moonlight.
Chabashira must have been quite nervous just now, right?
That was a moment when violence and loss of control were just a step away.
Whether Amane lost control or Horikita got hurt, this class, which had finally come together with great difficulty, would immediately fall apart.
Amane saw Chabashira's little thoughts as clear as day in her mind.
"Hmph."
Amane snorted in response.
This impolite action made Chabashira feel angry.
After all, she was the homeroom teacher of Class D, and Amane's attitude towards her was a bit too frivolous.
Even though Amane's strength in Advanced Nurturing High School was second to none, in Chabashira's eyes, she was just a powerful problem student, far less manageable than someone like Horikita, who wanted to rise to Class A.
Chabashira unconsciously clenched her hands, and the damp feeling in her palms made her involuntarily look down.
She didn't know when, but both of her palms had fine beads of sweat and red grip marks.
Connecting this to Amane's earlier glance in her direction... could this guy have already seen through her eavesdropping?
How could that be possible!
To avoid being discovered, she had taken off her shoes and carefully maintained her distance and silence.
Could someone really deduce a person's recent movements based on a little sweat?
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"