Life isn’t a game or a manga. The idea of me taking all of these guys on by myself was, quite frankly, impossible.
Even my success just now had been a fluke, born of sheer momentum and the element of surprise. I didn't have some convenient back-story where I was secretly a master martial artist.
I had to buy time to find a way out, so I deliberately dragged out the conversation. Senpai had mentioned before that the Student Council had received reports of people on the off-limits rooftop. If I stalled long enough, there was a chance a council member or someone else might hear the commotion and come to investigate.
"That's my line," I said.
I shifted my body to shield Senpai from their gaze, positioning myself at an angle and using my arm to block her from their sight.
"Ah..."
I thought I heard Senpai let out a small sound—one that didn't quite fit the gravity of the situation—but I had more pressing things to worry about.
"What were you planning to do to her?"
I hated that Senpai had to hear this, but I didn't have a choice if I wanted to keep them talking.
"Hah? Isn't it obvious? We were gonna mess her up, take some souvenir photos, and make sure she never acts like a stuck-up bitch again."
"Ooh, look at the big bad villain~"
"Shut up, you're part of the participation group too!"
...I’d already known the answer, but hearing it was different.
"I’m going to repeat everything I just heard to the authorities, you know."
"Without any evidence? All you’ve got is proof that you beat the hell out of him. We'll just say you got jealous while he was trying to confess and attacked him out of nowhere. We’ll embellish the story as much as we need to."
"Gyahahahaha!"
The way these guys laughed really broadcasted their stupidity to the world.
"Thanks for the explanation. I really appreciate how stupid you guys are; it makes things so much easier."
I hadn't even noticed when she arrived, but Senpai’s friend was standing right there at the rooftop entrance, her smartphone camera aimed directly at them. Behind her, another male student stepped onto the roof. If I remembered correctly, he was the Student Council President.
"As you can see, I've recorded everything—including that bit about 'messing her up.' And just so you know, even though the others have already left, there are more people who have copies of this recording. Breaking this phone won't do you any good."
It looked like we were saved. I hadn't explained the situation to her earlier, but she must have sensed something was wrong. Regardless, I was incredibly grateful.
The Student Council President finally spoke up.
"Even though this ended as a mere attempt, we have recorded testimony of criminal intent right here. We could hand this over to the police and have you taken into custody. Or, perhaps, we could call your parents and let them watch the footage of their sons attempting a gang assault... Which would you prefer?"
"「「「「「…………」」」」"
"I should remind you that there are many other avenues available to us, such as civil lawsuits for damages and social sanctions. I assume you all acted with the resolve to face those consequences?"
"No, wait, that's an exaggeration..."
"I didn't really do anything..."
"He's the one who actually put his hands on her!"
In an instant, they were already trying to pin the blame on a single person.
"Please, have mercy! I'll never do it again!"
The guy I’d punched, who was still sprawled on the ground, began apologizing frantically from the floor. As the primary perpetrator, he clearly realized he was in the most danger based on how the others were reacting.
In all honesty, I wanted to beat them all into the ground and let them rot in a cell. But when I thought calmly about Senpai, I worried about the fallout of making this a public scandal.
If the police or the parents of these idiots got involved, we would have to disclose the details of the incident—including the fact that Senpai had been the target. Even if we tried to keep her identity confidential, there were people who already knew they were targeting her. It would undoubtedly become the talk of the school.
If that happened... what would that do to her?
As that thought hit me, I realized I was still holding onto Senpai.
"Sorry, Senpai. It looks like it’s over now."
When I let go, Senpai looked up at me. She wasn't crying anymore. She had her usual expressionless mask on, yet she looked like she was desperately trying to say something.
The Student Council President continued.
"However, if you promise never to speak a word of this to anyone and never to approach Satsukawa-san again—and that includes your associates—I am willing to consider a stay of disposal. If the police get involved, we have to consider the impact on the rest of the student body. Of course, if I judge that you've broken this promise even slightly, I will take everything, including the video data, straight to the police and pursue every legal measure possible. If that happens, it won't just be your lives ruined, but your families' as well... I trust I don't need to spell it out any further?"
He was thinking the same thing I was.
Still, I couldn't be sure if this was the right call. Part of me felt it would be better to just let the police handle it, but if we pushed them that far, would they try to retaliate out of spite? Was it better to settle it this way, leaving them with a permanent sword hanging over their heads?
The possibilities swirled through my mind, and I honestly didn't know what the best solution was.
While I was agonizing over it, the President hammered his points home, giving them no room to think or negotiate. If they accepted the excuse that he was just trying to protect the school's reputation, then even if the police did get involved later, we could claim we hadn't been the ones to trigger it.
"P-please! We won't do anything else, we promise!"
"I was just watching! I'll never have anything to do with her again!"
"I'm so sorry, Satsukawa-san!!"
"Please! Forgive us! Just don't call the police!!"
...In the end, it was frustrating to have no choice but to leave it to the President. But had these guys really not considered the consequences of what they were doing until their own necks were on the line? It was incredibly childish.
...By the way, Senpai hadn't said a word for a while.
When I glanced at her beside me, she was still expressionless, but she was staring intently at my face.
Then I noticed something else.
Uh... she was still tightly gripping the hem of my blazer, refusing to let go, and she wouldn't take her eyes off me... What exactly was I supposed to make of this?