Another Like Me - Part I (CoTE x OC) ?

Chapter 11 - Hearing

This was the information I had currently gathered on the student named Keisuke Takeyama. How much Takeyama knew about my involvement, however, was a mystery. He must have sensed that something was off. I hadn't done anything particular to stand out, so the chance that he suspects me to be behind the scenes as well would be low.

We'd have to eventually open up to each other. A possible collaboration with him would prove to be extremely beneficial to the class. But since he's stayed in the background for so long already, it seemed rather unlikely he would be coming out front-stage to lead Class D. 

It looks like we share a lot more in common than I had anticipated.

I could see Kushida's figure returning to our bench, and I stood up to leave.

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The day of the hearing had arrived, and Horikita, Ayanokoji, Sudo and I were getting ready to head over to the meeting.

I hadn't shared the fact that the meeting would in fact be held in the Student Council Room. It wouldn't serve any purpose; it might even make Horikita unwilling to participate.

Chabashira-sensei led the way. I hadn't been to the Student Council Room before, but I was already briefly acquainted with all its members. I hadn't been to the third floor of the main building before either. This floor contained all the Third Year classes from A to D. The Council Room was right at the end of the hallway, overlooking the school grounds. A very neat location.

"Sensei, where is the meeting going to be held?", Horikita finally asked. She seemed to be getting restless from staying in the third floor for so long. Was the chance of running into her brother so bothersome and frightening to her? I really didn't understand.

"The Student Council Room". Horikita was visibly taken aback, and she shrunk at the thought of having to speak of the case in front of her brother. How troublesome.

"Yaho~~ Takeyama-kun, Ayanokoji-kun, Horikita-san!", I heard the cheerful voice of Honami Ichinose come from behind us.

"Hello, Ichinose-san. Come to support us?", I jokingly asked.

"Of course! I'm here for moral support! I don't think I'll be allowed into the meeting room itself, since I'm from neither of the 2 classes involved, but I'll be standing outside and awaiting your return!", she added warmly, and proceeded to lean back against the wall, adjusting herself to the scenario, humming a song to herself.

Chabashira-sensei goaded us to enter the Room. Ayanokoji swung open the door, and made his way in first. Horikita followed, and I entered next. Sudo was the last one in, and Chabashira-sensei closed the door behind us.

The Council Room, at first glance, looked well-furnished. There were changes made to the settings of the room to incorporate 2 opposing sides meeting. There were 3 long tables arranged in a rectangular fashion, with the Student Council President, Manabu Horikita, on the center table. Behind him was Secretary Tachibana, and to his right was Vice President Miyabi Nagumo. Nagumo gave me a sweet smile as I walked in, and I bowed in return.

The 3 students from Class C who had filed the complaint, Daichi Ishizaki, Kyogo Komiya and Reo Kondo were already seated on the table that had been assigned to them. Behind them was Class C's homeroom teacher, Kazuma Sakagami.

I felt Horikita Suzune tense up in front of me at the sight of her elder brother. Ayanokoji had already taken his seat, and I could see a certain reaction when his eyes met those of the elder Horikita's. Manabu had acknowledged Ayanokoji during his fight with him, and there was an air of tension slowly filling up the room. I took my seat to Ayanokoji's right, while Horikita to his left. Sudo sat to my right, and Chabashira-sensei stood behind us.