The secret filming plan ended with the unexpected arrival of Ryūen's henchmen. The Class B group gathered on the second floor of the special building to debrief.
Ichinose showed Ibuki the video Hashima had recorded. The young girl observed her own face, marked by anger and feigned fear—a convincing performance.
"I never thought Ryūen had an ace up his sleeve. What a schemer!"
Shibata, still angry after Ryūen's departure, couldn't digest that a man would bring reinforcements against a woman. How cowardly!
"That's just his style," Ibuki retorted, handing back the phone with contempt. "He'd do anything to get his way."
"Luckily, we were there," Hashima remarked, looking at Ibuki. "The video is perfect, Ibuki-san. We can file a complaint with the student council. Do you know where it is?"
"No. I've never been there."
"No problem, it's indicated in the school guide. I'll accompany you."
Hashima felt they didn't need more people. Too many could arouse suspicion.
"Can I come too?" Ichinose asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"No. Just him and me."
To everyone's surprise, Ibuki, usually so distant, expressed her opposition.
Hashima was perplexed. What was going on?
"Okay," Ichinose replied, visibly disappointed but keeping her smile. "I'll wait for your good news."
"Don't worry. We'll return with satisfactory results."
Hashima smiled at Ichinose before following Ibuki down the stairs. As they walked away, he discreetly took a chocolate bar from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Here. For your effort."
Ibuki froze, eyeing the offering as if it were a trap. "...Why?"
"You played your role perfectly. Even I believed your 'fear.'" He exaggeratedly mimicked her expression from the video, mouth open and eyes wide.
A burst of laughter escaped her—immediately stifled under a mask of coldness. "Idiot." But she took the chocolate.
"Why did Ibuki-san refuse to let you come?" Shibata asked naively.
To his great surprise, Ichinose, usually so gentle, wore a dark expression, seemingly ignoring his question.
"Never mind. Let's wait for Hashima-kun's victorious return," Kamizaki intervened, more perceptive, pulling Shibata along. "Ichinose-san, are you coming with us?"
She simply shook her head. Left alone, Ichinose remained motionless, lost in thought.
"What's going on... Is there something between them that I don't know about?"
" I was the first to know Ibuki-san... What is Hashima-kun up to?"
Her mind was racing. She hadn't anticipated such a turn of events.
After a long moment, she shook her head and left.
The day had been too overwhelming. She needed time to process everything.
...
Meanwhile, Hashima walked toward the student council with Ibuki, still intrigued.
She was munching on the chocolate.
"Is it good?"
"…It's fine." A silence. "Do you have more?"
He laughed and pulled out another square. "Always ready to negotiate."
She grabbed the chocolate, but this time, their fingers brushed. Ibuki pulled her hand back as if burned, slightly blushing.
"Don't think this buys your trust," she muttered.
"Of course not."
And he added with a slight smile, "But maybe a smile?"
Ibuki turned her head, but he caught the reluctant curve of her lips.
Why had Ibuki, who had known Ichinose longer, refused her company? Between girls, it would have been more natural.
Suddenly, Ibuki stopped and looked at him.
"Hashima-kun, you're actually the true leader of Class B, aren't you?"
"No, Ichinose-san is our official leader."
Hashima smiled, finally understanding her motives. She wanted to talk to him privately.
"Yet, she clearly depends on you. Why?"
Ibuki had a keen sense of observation. After their discussion yesterday and today's plan, she had realized Hashima was the real mastermind.
"It's... complicated to explain," he replied evasively. "Ichinose-san is recognized as our leader. As for the rest, I can't say more."
He was clearly signaling her to drop the investigation.
"Hmph. Don't think I'll buy it," Ibuki retorted with a cynical smile. "You lied to me yesterday, didn't you?"
"About what?"
"About the leader's power to control personal points. I'm new, not stupid."
Ibuki challenged him with her gaze. "But do you know why I still agreed to your plan?"
"Because you hate Ryūen."
Hashima smiled, but his opinion of Ibuki had radically changed.
This girl was far more perceptive than he had imagined. Despite her Class C ranking, her analytical abilities were remarkable.
Was it due to poor academic performance?
"Exactly. Even knowing you lied, I wanted to see Ryūen suspended."
She continued, "And you mentioned a project involving Class C after his suspension. Another one of your schemes? I'm not participating!"
"Rest assured, it will benefit both our classes," Hashima asserted seriously. "I'm not a manipulator~."
"If you say so."