Inside the luxurious Student Council office of Tracen, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified, but at the same time tense and volatile.
"Silence"
"The Internal Disciplinary Hearing of the Tracen Training Department is now officially in session"
The "President," Symboli Rudolf, formally sat in the President's seat, which symbolized supreme authority; her hands were interlaced and her eyes held a severe dignity, as if she truly were an arbiter about to decide on a critical matter.
The "Attending Representatives," TM Opera O and Gold City, were seated on opposite sides of her enormous desk: one smiling with an elegant posture, the other with arms crossed and a cold expression.
Agnes Tachyon remained standing to one side without any expression, the glowing data panel in her hand serving as the record for the meeting minutes.
The tall and imposing Air Groove guarded the office door, perfectly fulfilling the role of "Guardian of Order" to ensure the hearing was not disturbed by outsiders.
In the center of the office, sitting in the chair specially prepared for the "Interrogated Party," was the central figure of the incident: Kaito.
The other key person in the incident, Rice Shower, was standing nervously by his side, looking like a bewildered little assistant, her face pale and her small hand firmly gripping the corner of his jacket.
Thus began a "hearing" unusual in its format but extremely formal.
"First point: The representatives present will state the matter!" announced Symboli Rudolf, striking the table.
The "Representative A," TM Opera O, was the first to rise with elegance.
She spoke with clarity, in a theatrical tone:
"Dear President and esteemed Representatives: I hereby, in my name, present a formal inquiry regarding the recent work schedule of Trainer Kaito"
"First of all, he openly violated the principle of 'Fair Rotation' that he personally promised"
"Secondly, he unilaterally altered the established sequence of Rehabilitation Training"
"Thirdly, he treated the team rules we collectively established as being in vain! This behavior seriously undermines trust and cooperation within the team"
"What masterful rhetoric"
"It is a waste that she did not join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs"
"That capacity for synthesis is truly exceptional"
"I object!" As soon as TM Opera O finished speaking, "Representative B," Gold City, struck the table with her hand and spoke directly.
"Stop beating around the bush! I only have one question: Why did you two sneak in?"
She stared fixedly at Kaito, her golden eyes filled with displeasure.
"He talks about 'everyone getting a share' and 'everyone needing proper rehabilitation,' but what happens? He turns around and prioritizes resources directly to the newcomer! What is this? It is blatant favoritism!"
"I would like to add a point, based on scientific facts" Representative C, Agnes Tachyon, adjusted her glasses and calmly read the content displayed on her data panel.
"I doubt that Trainer Kaito's decision lacked a rigorous scientific basis"
"According to real-time monitoring data, Rice Shower's physical rehabilitation is not the highest priority, Gold City's lower back muscle fatigue still has 12.4% remaining, and TM Opera O's mental stress threshold requires a deeper adjustment"
"His decision was based entirely on personal subjective judgment, not on a rigorous scientific analysis, which violates the professional ethics expected of a rehabilitation specialist"
The questions from the three representatives were well-founded, logical, and clear, practically putting Kaito in an indefensible position.
However, Kaito, the one being questioned, did not show the slightest hint of panic after hearing all the "questions."
Instead, he let out a long sigh, with a look of resignation on his face that said: "Ah, I knew this would happen"
He looked up, met their scrutinizing gazes, and admitted it with extreme frankness.
"I admit it"
"The questions asked by the Representatives are largely true"
"I adjusted the plan temporarily. And yes, I showed favoritism"
!!!
This sudden confession caused the three representatives, who had prepared a series of follow-up questions, to freeze simultaneously, as if a heavy punch had landed squarely on cotton.
Kaito observed their stunned expressions and slowly began his "Explanation of the circumstances."
He looked at Gold City.
"Gold City, do you remember what you longed for most when everyone misunderstood you and you were isolated? It wasn't greater strength, nor more victories, it was for someone to come in and tell you: 'It's not your fault'"
Gold City's expression changed slightly.
Then he looked at TM Opera O.
"TM Opera O, behind your stage presence, always beautiful and flawless, what is your greatest fear? Not failure, but that no one can see through your facade, and that no one shares the exhaustion that no one knows"
The smile on TM Opera O's face faded slightly.
Then he looked at Agnes Tachyon.
"Agnes Tachyon, during your experiments that no one else understood, what did you long for most? Not more data, but 'understanding': to have someone who saw you as a 'comrade' to walk with, instead of an 'eccentric' who needed to be isolated"
A strange light flashed in Agnes Tachyon's glasses.
"Each of you," Kaito's voice softened, "when I found you, were the loneliest, the most fragile, and the ones who most needed to be 'prioritized'"
"And that is exactly what I did"
His gaze became incredibly gentle and finally rested on Rice Shower, who was still trembling.
"And right now"
"Rice Shower is currently in the darkest and most painful stage that all of you have experienced, what she needs is not the so-called 'justice' that would only arrive a week later, what she needs is the most immediate, firm, and decisive support and affirmation, right at the moment when she gathers the greatest courage of her life and, tremblingly, opens the heavy door to the world"
"My 'exception' was not because I stopped valuing you"
His voice was full of sincerity.
"Quite the opposite, precisely because I understand the suffering that all of you endured, I must provide this priority and unreasonable support to the one who needs it most right now"
"This is the reason for my 'violation'"
Just when everyone was left speechless and fell silent before Kaito's "declaration."
Rice Shower, who had been hiding behind him, suddenly gathered the greatest courage she had ever possessed in her life.
She stepped forward abruptly.
Facing the "seniors" with their powerful aura, she made a deep bow, a perfect ninety-degree angle.
With a tearful and trembling voice, but incredibly clear, she said loudly:
"I am so sorry!!"
"Mr. Kaito... He is right! He has been kind to all of you... Really kind!"
"If... if it is absolutely necessary for us to take the blame, please... punish me! It is, it is my fault... I was the one who took everyone's time away..."
This clumsy but sincere defense acted like a warm current, instantly melting the last frozen wall of "discontent" in the hearts of the Representatives.
Their anger was instantly transformed into a mix of exasperation and "Ah, there's nothing we can do with these two," a kind of "senior" helplessness.
"Ehem"
The "president," Symboli Rudolf, listened to everything in silence.
She tapped the desk gently with her slender fingers; the office was so silent that you could hear a pin drop.
After a long pause, she spoke again with a dignified and clear voice.
"Trainer Kaito, while your motivation and original intention are commendable, the act of violating the objectively established rules still occurred"
"Therefore, this Hearing hereby decides that your 'act of violation' is established"
When Gold City and the others heard the words "violation established," their eyes reignited with the excited glow of "Finally we can legitimately demand compensation."
Rice Shower was so nervous she almost fainted.
Symboli Rudolf observed their reactions, a barely perceptible smile formed on her lips, and then she changed the subject.
"Given that your ultimate goal was the physical and mental development of all important members of the Academy, this is considered a 'procedural violation, but with a beneficial result,' this Council has decided to impose the following 'Additional Provisions' upon you"
Everyone held their breath.
"Resolution One:" announced Symboli Rudolf, smiling and articulating every word.
"Trainer Kaito is ordered to offer a collective and unreserved 'Intensive Team Training' session tonight, with a total duration of no less than three hours, for the five members whose 'training plans were affected' by this incident... Note: five members (She looked at Air Groove)..."
"Resolution two: During this 'Intensive Training' session, the Trainer shall unconditionally and preferentially fulfill all 'reasonable' training programs and guidance requests proposed by the five members"
"Resolution three: The priority of 'Lead Assistant' this week still belongs to Rice Shower, however, as compensation for the other members, all attending representatives will additionally enjoy a day of uninterrupted 'Priority Guidance' this week"
!!!
This so-called "resolution" was nominally a punishment, but in reality... it gave everyone a super "benefit" that was even greater than the original plan!
A night where they could openly, legitimately, collectively, and "legally" receive Kaito's guidance!
When Kaito heard this resolution, his entire face collapsed.
"Three hours?!"
"Collective?!"
"And I have to satisfy all reasonable requests?!"
"I swear your 'reasonable' and my 'reasonable' are not the same!"
"My stamina!"
"My stamina is going to be completely exhausted, hey!"
He looked at the five "Representatives" before him, whose eyes had lit up again with a passionate fervor.
Gold City showed a satisfied smile.
"Three hours... of collective training? Mmm, I accept this agreement reluctantly"
TM Opera O added, looking significantly at Kaito.
"In that case, regarding what constitutes a 'reasonable' training program, I believe it is necessary that we first hold an internal meeting in the small conference room next door to standardize our criteria thoroughly and deeply"
The five "Representatives" immediately changed the subject from "Inquiry" to "How to organize the training plan."
With great enthusiasm, they surrounded the still stunned Kaito and the bewildered Rice Shower, and began to fervently discuss the specific details of tonight's "Intensive Training..."
A more efficient, more intense, and certainly more interesting "collective training" session... was about to begin in the Student Council office... lifting the curtain for a very satisfying night.