There is something wrong with Hikigaya’s classroom of the Elite, as expected

Chapter 142: Shouldering Everything

At this moment, even the dullest person in the room understood what Yukinoshita meant. If Ichinose admitted that now, she would go from being an accomplice in this violation to a victim who had been deceived.

Punishment?

It was possible that there wouldn’t even be a punishment. Everyone would sympathize with Ichinose, who had been tricked while trying to help. Her image wouldn’t be harmed, and she wouldn’t drag her class down with her. In fact, everyone’s opinion of her might even improve.

By following Yukinoshita’s approach, Ichinose could escape the whirlpool of this violation, and it was the only way she could be saved.

But… the pink-haired girl fell silent.

If she nodded, wouldn’t she essentially be “pointing the finger” at D-Class as the culprit behind this violation?

To save herself, could she “betray” her friends? Ichinose couldn’t bring herself to do such a thing.

But if she rejected Yukinoshita’s suggestion, it would hurt her B-Class companions!

One side was D-Class friends, and the other was B-Class teammates. No matter which side she chose, the other side would be hurt. Ichinose couldn’t make the decision, and for the first time, the girl felt how difficult and painful the responsibility on her shoulders was.

Ichinose gritted her teeth and shut her eyes in pain.

“Yes, that’s right, Ichinose didn’t know anything from the beginning. She’s a victim!”

Suddenly, Horikita’s voice thundered in Ichinose’s ears. Ichinose looked at the girl beside her in disbelief and hurriedly spoke, “Horikita-san, you…”

Horikita coldly looked at Ichinose. “This incident has nothing to do with B-Class. Ichinose was just innocently dragged into it!”

“Hey, how could she be a victim? Ichinose clearly…”

Ishizaki seemed very unwilling to let the “big fish” slip away, but before he could finish, Yukinoshita interrupted him, “So, Ishizaki, do you have any evidence proving that Ichinose knew about the ‘fake cameras’? And just now, D-Class’s Horikita admitted that Ichinose as a victim who was deceived~.”

“But just now, the two of them used the fake cameras to trick me!”

“Didn’t I just say? Ichinose was also tricked, which led to her actions afterward. Strictly speaking, both of your classes are victims.”

Yukinoshita spoke calmly, without haste.

“Huh?”

Ishizaki seemed to be somewhat confused by Yukinoshita’s words and looked at Ichinose with doubt. “So, Ichinose , you were also deceived by D-Class?”

Ichinose: “…”

Ichinose still seemed unable to bear the inner torment. She tried to speak, “Yukinoshita-san, actually…”

” Ichinose!”

Horikita gave a slight shake of her head. Ichinose looked at Horikita’s decisive gaze, as if everything had been silently communicated. At that moment, her emotions were mixed.

Except for Ishizaki, everyone else in the room understood the meaning behind Horikita’s action: she was planning to shoulder all the responsibility herself.

At the same time, this was now the best solution. Rather than having both D-Class and B-Class punished, Horikita chose the least harmful method for everyone—D-Class would bear all the responsibility.

This was probably the last remedy Horikita could do, and of course, reaching this point was also thanks to Yukinoshita’s help!

Throughout the entire process, Ayanokouji silently observed the developments, his brow slightly furrowed, seemingly pondering where the plan had gone wrong.

At the same time, Kushida coldly watched everything unfold, especially seeing Horikita in her “miserable defeat” state. She should have felt pleased, yet for some reason, Kushida didn’t feel a bit of joy. On the contrary, she felt inexplicably irritated, and even she herself couldn’t quite figure out what mood she was in.

However, at this moment, hurried footsteps could be heard coming from the stairs. Hirata appeared to have just received the notification and hurriedly jogged over. Surprisingly, though, whether it was Horikita, Ichinose, or the others, everyone’s attention was focused on the “dead fish-eyed” boy behind Hirata.

“I just received a notification from Hachiman and came here right away. I think I’ve got the gist of the situation,” Hirata said, his expression complicated as he came to stand in front of Horikita. His face also looked very grim, but he didn’t seem to blame Horikita because he understood that Horikita was doing this for the sake of her classmates. The primary goal now wasn’t to assign blame, but to solve the problem. At the very least, they couldn’t let Horikita be expelled because of this!

Horikita couldn’t help but look at Hachiman, but the next second, she instinctively avoided his gaze. The warning he had given her in the morning was still vivid in her mind, and by the afternoon, she had already made an irreparable mistake.

Hachiman walked over leisurely, but his first glance wasn’t directed at Horikita, Ichinose, or the others. Instead, it was fixed on Ayanokouji, who seemed to be quietly observing the group from the sidelines, almost as if he were invisible.

Ayanokouji seemed to have noticed Hachiman’s gaze as well. The two of them silently locked eyes, and then quickly looked away, as though they had casually glanced at each other, but Ayanokouji felt a strange chill run down his spine.

What was this feeling?

It was the first time Ayanokouji had ever felt this inexplicable emotion. Was it because of Hachiman just now?

After withdrawing his gaze from Ayanokouji, Hachiman stated that he had come to investigate after receiving a report from a student. Upon hearing this, Horikita’s face darkened. This meant that Hachiman wasn’t here as a member of D-Class, but as a student council member, and that meant there was no turning back for this situation.

Perhaps it was for the best that Hachiman was the one to end this matter, Horikita sighed internally.

Hachiman then briefly reviewed the details of the incident, before unexpectedly glancing at Yukinoshita. She just happened to make eye contact with him and gave a slight smile at the corner of her lips.

“Hey, Hachiman, you’re also from D-Class. You’re not going to cover for your classmates on purpose, are you?” Ishizaki asked, looking suspicious.

“With so many witnesses on the scene, don’t you think what you just said is ridiculous?”

Hachiman said slowly, “Also, ‘installing surveillance cameras without permission’ is far more serious than your little fight. The testimonies, physical evidence, and statements here are all crucial. I suggest you think carefully before speaking. If something goes wrong, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Trouble comes from the mouth.”

Ishizaki was immediately red in the face, but he didn’t dare to lash out, afraid that Hachiman might be setting a trap for him. If he fell for it, he would be in deep trouble!