As Hirata tinued Hikaru and Iose, Kushida also found her gaze settling on the boy.

  After hearing his expnation, an unfamiliar feeling welled up inside her.

  This Hikaru was undoubtedly the tral figure trolling Css A, from selling hidden rules to now calmly providing intelligence.

  Yet, in trast to his usual cold aached demeanor, he had previously shown an i in her, even going so far as tize acc to her wishes.

  This tradiade Kushida's emotions plicated. Being liked wasn't unusual for her. However, when the person who liked her wasn't just petent but also wielded immense influence—while treating only her in a unique ma was hard not to feel a certain way.

  After all, who wouldn't want to be seen as special?

  For a moment, Kushida wasn't sure what to say. All she could do was quietly listen to the sound of her owbeat.

  "Anyway, since we're here to help, let's move quickly." Hikaru's gaze swept over the remaining students in Css C. "Time isn't on your side."

  "That's right, let's get to work, everyone!" Hirata urged, rallying those who had stayed behind. Together with Hikaru and Iose, they left the , ready to begin gathering witestimonies.

  The alleged assault had taken p the sed floor of the Special Building. Given this, the best approach was to inquire not just among first-year students but also among uppercssmen. The wider their search rahe better.

  Hikaru, Iose, and Kushida formed a group and headed toward Keyaki Mall, the most frequented area, where they approached students and asked if anyone had seen anything unusual. Though the approach was direct, it was also the most effective.

  Meanwhile, anroup—including Ayanokōji and Hirata—searched the paths around the Special Building, looking for anyone who might have been nearby during the i.

  After some time, Iose lifted her phone and showed it to Hikaru.

  "Hikaru-kun, it looks like Kanzaki-kun just posted something on the online forums. Look."

  "Is that so? He's fast. That'll definitely help widen the iigation," Hikaru remarked, gng at the s before returning his focus to their search.

  He strongly suspected Ryūen was behind this, but without direct evidence, fronting him would be meaningless. The Student cil would be the oo judge this case—only solid proof would hold weight.

  However, something about this situation didn't sit right with him.

  Ryūen had suffered a major setback from their st enter. If he had truly orchestrated this, he wouldn't leave any loose ends. Wouldn't it make sense for him to have secured photographic or video evidence?

  Yet, acc to the information from Kushida, Ishizaki and Komiya had only filed accusations—they hadn't provided any evidence. If they had, the verdict would've been immediate rather than scheduled for a week ter.

  "Was this an ht on his part? That doesn't seem likely…"

  Hikaru rubbed his temple in thought. Since he couldn't pin down Ryūen's i just yet, he set the idea aside and tinued searg for witnesses alongside the two girls.

  They scoured Keyaki Mall for several hours, yet no one cimed to have beehe Special Building that day. Given how isoted the location was, it wasn't surprising.

  By the time they regrouped, the sky had already begun to darken.

  "How did it go, Hikaru-kun? Any leads?" Hirata asked, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

  "Nothi. Everyone we asked said they hadn't beehe Special Buildierday."

  Hikaru shook his head. Some of his cssmates had been discussing information in their group chat, but nothing substantial had surfaced.

  "What about you guys?"

  "We searched the area around the Special Building thhly, but we didn't find anythiher."

  "This isn't good… If we don't find anything on the first day, it'll only get harder ter," Kushida said, etched on her face.

  "Maybe we should tier dinner," Hirata suggested, determined not to let one of his cssmates get expelled.

  "Yeah, I want to keep looking too," Kushida immediately agreed.

  "Haha, if Kushida- is staying, then I 't back out either," Yamauchi decred. "I'll keep looking with her."

  "Me too! Me too!"

  "Thank you, everyone," Kushida said, a grateful smile f on her face.

  Standing nearby, Hikaru g Iose, who also seemed eager to tihe search. Leaning in slightly, he asked in a hushed voice, "Iose-san, do you pn on staying to help?"

  "Yes, I think we should see this through to the end. I really want to know the truth behind this case," she answered with vi.

  Hearing this, Hikaru fell silent for a moment. If it were still early, he wouldn't mind tinuing the search. However, it was already nearing 7 PM, and he had something far more important to do.

  After all, he had already purchased the [Athletic Booster]—he couldn't afford to skip his daily one-hour swimming session.

  "I o go swimming. Could you expin to them for me?" Hikaru asked, knowing Iose was familiar with his training routine.

  She nodded quickly. "Got it. See you tomorrow, Hikaru-kun."

  "Mm. Let's hope food news."

  Without further hesitation, Hikaru turned and headed back to his dorm.

  Before heading to the pool, he o ge out of his uniform, retrieve his key, and warm up properly—he had no time to waste.

  After Hikaru left, Iose expined his departure to the group before resuming the sed round of searches. The efforts tinued for another hour before they finally called it a night.

  Meanwhile, having pleted an intense swimming session, Hikaru stepped out of the gymnasium, dressed in fresh clothes.

  The cool night breeze brushed against his still-damp hair as he walked, taking in the illuminated campus surroundings.

  As he strolled through the quiet pathways, a sudden thud caught his attention.

  Bang! Bang!

  What was that?

  Sing the area, Hikaru's sharp eyes locked onto a faint silhouette in the distance.

  "Who's there?"

  A flicker of curiosity rose in his chest as he stepped forward.

  ~~~

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