The Civic Studies Prep Room on the fourth floor. Ever since the history and civic studies departments had been consolidated into the Social Studies Prep Room a few years back, this space had served as little more than a glorified storage closet.
Since it was tucked away next to rooms that were rarely used, like the Life Counseling Room and the Information Technology Prep Room, there wasn't a soul in the hallway even though it was the middle of the lunch break.
I walked down the corridor with heavy, deliberate steps, letting my footfalls echo, and threw the door open without bothering to knock.
The room was a jumble of signs from school festivals and various other supplies, all stacked with surprising neatness.
In one corner, a single girl sat on a folding chair, idly tapping away at her smartphone.
"You're late. Lunch is almost over. And what's with that look? You're actually kind of scary when you're pissed."
Makabe—the one who had summoned me via LINE—looked up with a nauseating smirk.
I ignored her gaze and her provocations, scanning the room instead. As far as I could see, there was no one else there. Still, with this much clutter, there were plenty of places to hide. I couldn't afford to be careless, but... I’d already made my preparations. It would be fine.
"What do you want?"
I had no intention of entertaining her nonsense. I kept my voice sharp and confrontational, causing Makabe’s expression to visibly tighten.
"Watch your tone. I’m warning you, if you make me mad, your life at this school is over. Or what, are you going to get violent again—"
"Just get to the point. If you don't have anything to say, I’m leaving."
I heard her grit her teeth. For someone so insistent on her own superiority, she seemed remarkably on edge.
...Wait, is she actually afraid? Afraid to be alone with me? It was a pathetic display from someone who had initiated the meeting herself.
Makabe clicked her tongue loudly, then flashed that unsettling smile again.
"If you don't want the whole school to hear about your 'Violence Incident,' then break up with Akise. Simple, right?"
"..."
I didn't even have the energy to bother telling her we weren't actually dating.
Everything she did was a transparent bluff to maintain the upper hand. Looking at her, all I felt was pity.
However, I didn't have enough evidence yet. I had to keep the conversation going to draw out a decisive admission.
"Why make me do that?"
"Who knows why, but Akise seems totally obsessed with you. If you’re the one to dump her, she won't be able to keep that annoying, 'perfect' look on her face anymore."
"Why are you so fixated on Akise-san? And the rumors that we were dating... was that your doing too?"
"Is there any reason other than her being annoying? She used to be a little victim who kept her head down, and now she acts like she's so special just because she’s an 'elite.' As for the rumor? Morita took some good pictures, so I just suggested she post them on LINE. I mean, it’s hilarious, isn't it? The honors student Akise dating a gloomy loner like you."
...Honestly, this girl might be even dumber than I gave her credit for.
No matter how much she thought she had me cornered, I never expected her to be this open about everything. It was almost so blatant I wondered if it was a trap.
I forced my mind and body to stay sharp, pushing past the sheer absurdity of it all.
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I’ll leak your 'Violence Incident' to everyone. And maybe I'll send a photo of the two of us to Akise while I'm at it. That should give her quite a shock."
She was trying to ruin my reputation by exposing my past, which would indirectly drag Akise-san down with me. On top of that, she planned to use this setup to make it look like I was cheating.
As Makabe leaned in with a twisted smile, I felt an instinctive surge of revulsion and stepped back.
Makabe clicked her tongue again, her face clouding with irritation. I felt a small spark of satisfaction.
"Just so you know, I’m already recording everything in this room. No matter how much you resist, all I need is one photo that makes it look like we're close. ...Or are you going to use 'violence' again? Even if you do, I’ll have the video—"
"That’s enough."
She was talking big, but her posture gave her away. It was ridiculous.
I let out a sigh and turned to leave, and she immediately started shouting as she tried to follow me. I had nothing left to say to her.
From here on, I’d leave it to the adults.
"I've heard enough, Makabe."
"Wh—Mr. Azuma!?"
Makabe’s voice cracked in terror as she saw the figure standing in the open doorway.
Mr. Azuma stood there, staring her down with a fierce, grim expression.
Right then, I heard something shift behind the stacks of boxes.
I turned my head just in time to see Morita scramble toward the back exit, desperate to get away from the teacher.
The boxes were in our way, so we couldn't reach her in time. Morita threw the door open with a look of pure relief—
"Whoops. Sorry, but this way is closed."
"H-Hashimoto!? Why are you...!"
Hashimoto was standing there like a stone wall, blocking her path. Morita collapsed on the spot. With her small frame, there was no way she was getting past someone who spent every day training for soccer.
Hashimoto picked up the phone that had slipped from Morita’s hand and showed us the screen. Just as I thought, the camera was rolling.
...And there was still one more member of the Makabe Group.
"Dammit, let go of me!"
"Stay still. It’s over for you either way."
Ito was hauled into the room, her arms locked firmly behind her back.
The one holding her was none other than Takamiya-san. I found out later that she had studied Aikido in the past. If she was this strong, I had to wonder where her usual lack of stamina went.
Following them, Akise-san and Mukai-san—who had been waiting nearby as witnesses and to record the audio—entered the room.
Akise-san and I had met with Hashimoto and the others earlier to explain everything and ask for their help.
I had told them the truth about my past as a sign of respect. They didn't care about the record; they didn't show a hint of judgment. In fact, they were angrier at Makabe's group than we were and had been more than happy to help with the plan.
...I really do have great friends.
Trapped and with nowhere to run, Makabe glared at Akise-san, but Akise-san didn't flinch. Makabe was the one who looked away first.
Hashimoto and I moved to guard both doors to ensure no one escaped. We gathered the three of them in the center of the room, surrounding them with Mr. Azuma at the lead.
Once he was sure everyone was present, Mr. Azuma spoke.
"Makabe, Morita, Ito. I have heard everything regarding what you have done—and what you intended to do—to Akise and Yanagida."
His voice was low and quiet, but it carried a weight that seemed to vibrate in the pit of my stomach.
"You pried into someone else's past—specifically, an event that was deeply traumatic for the person involved—without their consent. You fabricated details and threatened them with exposure to force their compliance. This is defamation, the spread of malicious rumors, and clear criminal intimidation. You are, quite simply, perpetrators."
The girls flinched at the cold, legal weight of his words. Morita tried to force a shaky, nervous laugh.
"Isn't that... a little dramatic...?"
"Dramatic?"
The air in the room turned ice-cold.
Hashimoto shifted uncomfortably, and Mukai-san clung to Akise-san’s arm.
Akise-san placed a steadying hand on Mukai-san’s shoulder, her eyes fixed firmly on Makabe and her friends.
"What you attempted to do was explicitly illegal. You dug up someone’s past and treated it like a weapon. You used it as leverage to try and control them. Do you have any idea how despicable that is? Even if you didn't succeed, your intent was so malicious that there is no room for excuses!"
By the end of it, Mr. Azuma was nearly shouting.
He looked at the three girls, who were now as still as statues, and cleared his throat with a slightly pained expression.
"The school will be taking official disciplinary action. We will need to have a discussion involving your parents as well. You are going to take full responsibility for your actions."
The three of them hung their heads, completely defeated. Mr. Azuma let out a long, weary sigh, then turned his gaze toward us.
"You should thank Akise and Yanagida. Because they chose to act before things got out of hand, you were prevented from crossing a line you could never come back from."
Makabe and the others looked up slowly. I saw a flash of genuine surprise in their eyes, and I couldn't help but frown.
"Of course we wanted to solve this before things actually got bad," I said. "Besides..."
I stopped and looked at Akise-san. She met my eyes and gave me a brilliant smile.
Just like that, the lingering gloom in my chest evaporated. I couldn't help but smile back, thinking about how easy I was to please.
"We're busy enjoying our youth right now. We don't have time to waste on garbage like this."
I said it with total conviction. Behind me, Hashimoto let out a sudden snort of laughter.
...Fine, I know it sounded a bit cheesy, but he didn't have to laugh. I gave him a flat look, and while he tried to shake his head and look serious, he couldn't hide the smirk on his face. I’d deal with him later.
Akise-san chuckled at our antics, then turned back to face Makabe.
"I think what you tried to do was unforgivable. I was honestly terrified, and I thought my life was over. But... there is one thing I’m grateful for."
As Makabe and the others looked up at her, confused, Akise-san gave them a radiant, triumphant smile.
"Because you called me out that day, I was able to have a truly wonderful encounter. So, thank you for bringing Yanagida-kun and me together!"
Makabe seemed to finally crumble at those words.
She slumped down, buried her face in her hands, and stayed there. Takamiya-san let out a satisfied breath, while Mukai-san hugged Akise-san in excitement.
Hashimoto nudged me in the ribs with his elbow. I nudged him back—I know, shut up.
Watching us, Mr. Azuma smiled with a look of genuine relief.
"I’ll take these three to Student Guidance now. Lunch is ending soon, so you should all head back to class. I’ve alerted the other teachers, so if you're feeling overwhelmed, you're free to rest in the Health Office."
"No, we're okay."
Akise-san and I shared a smile.
If I remembered correctly, the next period was when we’d get our Japanese test results back.
"We have a bet going on our test scores," I said. "We’re actually pretty anxious to see how we did."
"If I win, he has to call me by my first name!" Akise-san added. "From now on, for everything!"
"Wait, that sounds like a fixed match to me," Mr. Azuma joked. "Is Yanagida-kun even good at his studies?"
"Ouch, 'even'?" I complained.
"But man, calling a boy by his first name! That is so youth!" Mukai-san squealed.
"Hey, don't forget our bet, Yanagida!" Hashimoto cut in. "If I win, you’re joining the Soccer Club!"
"I never agreed to that! I told you, I'm not joining a club!"
We started bickering and laughing, and Mr. Azuma let out a hearty laugh of his own.
"Haha, you kids really do get along. ...I'm sorry I was too foolish to notice what you were going through sooner, but let me say it now. ...I'm glad you're okay."
"...Yes."