Fallen from the Top Group Due to Cheating and False Accusations. The Only One Who Stood by Me Was My Little Sister’s Best Friend, Who Had Always Adored Me.

Chapter 35: Seto Rin’s Justice.

The Class Advisor’s POV – Inagaki Junichi

“…Phew…”

Having finished the first round of interviews, I return to the staff room to take a breather and sink into my desk chair. A glance at the clock tells me the fifth period is about to begin. Spread out before me is the notebook containing the statements from the suspects, and beside it sits the voice recorder I hurriedly purchased yesterday at an electronics store. Recalling the looks on those three’s faces when they saw it, I am certain: those expressions belonged to people with something to hide. No matter how they try to deceive with hollow words, they are still immature children. It shows on their faces. They likely haven’t spent much time looking at themselves in a mirror while lying. The expression of a human leaking anxiety is remarkably easy to read in its distortion. Kayama and Matsunami, likely accustomed to lying on a daily basis, managed to evade admission at the very brink, but they are as good as cornered. As for Yumi, she confessed with a frankness that was incredibly helpful.

Granted, my methods might have been a bit childish for dealing with students. However, this has become a full-blown incident. While the final decision on whether to involve the police rests with Rindou and his family, the school must, at the very least, prepare enough material to justify the ringleaders’ expulsion. I don’t have the luxury of being picky about my means.

Yes, my task remains unchanged. I will make the three of them atone for their sins, and I will see that Sakagami-sensei—who likely lent a hand to the perpetrators behind the scenes—receives appropriate disciplinary action. As for what to do next… I’ll think about that carefully after resting my body with a cup of coffee. Just as I made that decision—

BAM!

The door swings open with force, and a female student marches in. She didn’t even offer the mandatory “Excuse me” upon entering. I noted that she might need a stern warning. I forced my heavy body up to stop her, but she approached me first, looking quite incensed. “Wait just a minute, Inagaki-sensei! What on earth is the meaning of this!?” I swallowed the words I was about to say. The student was none other than the girl known by everyone as the school’s most reliable figure: Student Council President Seto Rin. And then, looking behind her at the male student she was dragging along by the hand, I was struck with surprise. It was Rindou, who was supposed to be in the library.

“Rindou… What’s this about?”

“Sorry, Sensei… I was staying quiet in the library like you said, but then she suddenly showed up and accused me of skipping. I told her over and over that I had permission, but she wouldn’t listen.”

“Of course I wouldn’t! Simply saying ‘I have permission’ carries no weight. Until you clearly explain the process and the reason why you were in the library, I cannot possibly believe you!”

Seeing her so worked up, I held up a hand to calm her down. “Now, now, I get the gist of it. Let’s take a breath, Seto-san.” Well, I suppose I can only say it was Rindou’s bad luck to run into her. He naturally wouldn’t want to disclose the messy details, yet she isn’t the type of woman to let someone off with mere platitudes. She is not an easy person to handle. In fact, the name Seto Rin is held in high regard even among the faculty as a student possessing high dignity and a sense of justice befitting the title “Guardian Deity of the School.” She’s a model student whose name comes up in almost every monthly faculty meeting.

“I apologize, Seto-san. I fully understand that, given your position, you can’t overlook a student acting suspiciously. However, let me say this with full responsibility: I was the one who instructed him to spend time in the library. Everything he told you is the truth. It’s not a lie.”

Upon hearing this, as expected, her face clouded with dissatisfaction.

“Is that so? If that’s the case, I’ll accept it for now. However, I still haven’t heard the answers I need, Sensei. Please tell me the details. As the Student Council President, I too—”

I have a duty to know. As she shot a skeptical look my way, I slowly shook my head.

“Seto-san, I’m sorry, but at this stage, I cannot explain the specific circumstances to anyone other than those directly involved. I hope you can understand.”

Indeed, it wouldn’t be wise to reveal everything to someone unrelated to the incident at this point. No matter how much of a model student she is, she is still just a student.

“Why can’t you tell me? To be honest, with that kind of response, I can’t help but suspect you’re a teacher who condones students skipping. And you still won’t tell me?”

“No. This is a confidential discussion being held strictly between him and the school. There are privacy issues involved. I cannot tell you simply because you are the Student Council President. If you’re still not satisfied, you’re free to ask the other teachers; I’m sure you’ll receive the same answer.”

“I see. In that case, I’ll go right ahead and confirm the facts with a teacher of higher standing than you—eek!”

Tap, tap. Someone suddenly tapped her on the shoulder from behind, making Seto jump. Standing there was the Vice Principal, wearing his usual gentle smile.

“Now, calm down, Seto-san. We are very grateful that you keep a watchful eye on places we teachers might miss. However, this particular matter is quite a complex case that even we adults are struggling with. It involves social media issues, and if we aren’t careful, the students and the teacher who committed these despicable acts—acts I know you loathe—might escape before we can punish them. Therefore, it is the consensus of the faculty that we do not want information leaking to the students. Can you understand that?”

Faced with his composed smile, a look of bewilderment appeared on Seto’s face.

“Vice Principal… I see. I had no idea such a major problem was happening right under my nose. I suppose it’s only natural since I don’t own a smartphone… I’m sorry for overstepping. I’m sorry to you too.”

She turned around and bowed deeply to Rindou, which surprised me. Normally, children in their adolescence find it hard to admit their mistakes; their pride usually gets in the way of even convincing themselves they were wrong. Yet here she was, without a moment’s hesitation, bowing deeply to a boy younger than herself. I wonder how many other students in this school—excluding her—could do the same. I felt like I had caught another glimpse of the sheer greatness of Seto Rin’s character, a girl already so remarkably refined at just seventeen years old.

“No, Senpai, it was my fault for being in that place at that time. Please, lift your head. I’m just glad you’re okay with it now.”

Rindou offered a smile, but Seto remained motionless, her head still bowed.

“Um… Senpai?”

“I won’t lift it… I cornered you so relentlessly. I won’t be satisfied unless I receive some kind of punishment myself.”

“Wait, what…?”

“So, Inagaki-sensei. Please give me a punishment for my rude behavior earlier. I’ll accept anything—cleaning the pool, a suspension, whatever it is!”

“Well, that would actually be quite a problem for us.”

Good grief. It feels like this has taken a turn that’s even more troublesome than before. How should I handle this? I quickly thought if there was anything I could ask of her—something that would serve as a “punishment” in form only. Then, a brilliant idea struck me.

“Well, if you insist, then I’ll ask one favor of you, Seto-san.”

“Yes. Please, say anything.”

At those words, I stole a glance at Rindou—who was about to get caught in the crossfire—before speaking to Seto-san.

“I’d like you to oversee Rindou’s studies until the next periodic exams. To be honest, for certain reasons, he isn’t in a position to attend classes in the classroom for a while. If he takes the exams like this, there’s a high probability his grades will drop. Can I count on you?”

“Wait, Sensei…!? What are you saying on your own—”

“Understood. Please, leave that duty to me. I will see to it that his grades reach the top of the rankings, no matter what. I promise you this on the name of the Student Council President, Seto Rin!”

“Wait, Seto-senpai!? The top of the rankings…? You don’t have to go that far, seriously—stopppp!”

Rindou’s cry echoed through the staff room. I felt a slight twinge of guilt, but all in all, one problem had been solved.