Narrator: Me
On the same rooftop where Ayanokoji and Horikita bought from Chabashira one mark for Sudo to prevent his expulsion, Chabashira was standing once again, this time, alone with Horikita.
"What is it? Why did you call me here?" Horikita asked.
"I will get straight to the point. What method did you use?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb. Those three wouldn't withdraw the complaint on their own."
"I will leave that to your imagination."
"Then let me change the question. Who thought of the plan to make class C back off?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"If you really want to reach class A, let me give you one piece of advice... Try to understand Ayanokoji as much as possible... Or it will be too late."
Horikita gave a self-depracating laugh and said, "You really think it was Ayanokoji, don't you?"
Chabashira asked, suddenly more attentive, "What do you mean?"
The air grew denser, the tension was sharp, and the confusion was evident.
Horikita said, her tone laced with anger and frustration, "We were not the ones who made class C back off... Not only that, but our plan was used against us."
As it starts to rain, washing away the tension, Horikita says, "If that is all, then I will take my leave."
x-x-x
Narrator: Ayanokoji Kiyotaka
As the raindrops fell outside, I wandered in a corridor, running into Horikita Manabu and Tachibana Akane.
"Class C asked to withdraw their complaint, and I accepted." he said.
"Did they? I guess strange things do happen in this world." I said.
"Do you know why Shikakoi interfered?" he asked.
I shook my head in denial.
"He has already joined the council as secretary. I think it will be in your finest interests to keep an eye on him." He said
"I see... That changes things." I said
"I will not ask you once again. Join the student council."
"I understand. But I will have to refuse." I said
"Okay. Let's go, Tachibana." He said as he started to walk away.
"Yes!" She said, and then walked after him.
"Wait!" Horikita suddenly said. Catching everyone off guard.
The president turned to watch her. It seems she was eavesdropping on us the whole time.
Horikita walked towards them and said, "Let me join the student council in his stead."
I was a little surprised by her tone and her decision. The Horikita I had seen today fall for the trap, would not have such a confident tone in front of the president.
Then again, being outplayed so decisively must have forced her to reconsider, and Souta's disappointed face catalyzed this effect.
"Why do you want to join the student council?" President asked.
"I have realized that I have to change my ways. Otherwise, with Shikakoi around, I will never reach class A."
President looks in her eyes for a moment, then says, "I understand. Send your application to the council office. You start from Monday." He said as Tachibana and President walked away.
x-x-x
Narrator: Shikakoi Souta
After the rain had stopped, at around 9 pm, I went out for a run. Reaching a specific spot, I asked,
"Why did you call me here, Ayanokoji-kun?"
After exchanging contact information with Ayanokoji and the other three involved in the contract of Class D, I didn't expect he would be the first one to use it.
"You joined the student council, I heard."
"Yeah, I did."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you… Why did you call me out here?"
"I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"Do you think people are equal?"
"…Why ask something like that?"
"It's serious. Please answer."
I let out a small sigh and said, "Why would people be equal? Each human is different."
After a moment, he said, "It is said that humans are equal from birth."
"…That's stupid."
"Why is that?"
"People are born different. Some are gifted, some aren't. Some are strong, some aren't. That alone makes equality impossible."
He waited for a second before asking, "Then why do people ask for equality?"
Is he misunderstanding on purpose… or testing me? I couldn't help but think
I glanced at him briefly before answering, "In a hospital, if two patients arrive—one dying, one with a fever—who do you save first?"
"The dying one."
"That's equality. (I waited for a moment before continuing) If you treat the fever first just because they demand it… That's inequality."
Ayanokoji remained silent for a moment, then said, "So equality isn't about treating everyone the same… It's about making the correct decision."
"Exactly."
"And if someone has no value to prioritize?"
"Then they do not exist."
"What do you mean?"
"If you were to ally with someone, and they have zero value, do you really think that such a person would exist?"
"I see..."
"If that is all, I will take my leave."
"Why would you come?
"I was interested." I said as I left.