Afternoon. Although it's afternoon, I have no clue what time it is.

The clouds have vanished from the omnipresent sky and thus the sun has made its entrance.

Beaming through my eyes which can barely be open thanks to the impertinent solar light that the sun transmits every time I raise my head slightly up, I questioned the entirety of this situation.

"All of you motherfuckers better start speaking. I ain't going to be here all day long!"

Firmly whipping the ground with his whip of unknown origins, the ruthless draconian supervisor, also known as King George, stroke horror onto all of us.

At the edge of the entrance of our dorm, in a horizontal line, stood every male member from our dorm on their knees. Except Akihiko, of course.

Kuzan and I were no exceptions to this. No one was.

Plus, we all had a very big portion of rock boulders on our knees which made our bodies extremely uncomfortable in the process.

"K-Kawahara did i--"

"Tsudo shut the fuck up! I will kill you while you're sleeping!!"

Attempting to immediately end this unrealistic painful situation, Tsudo decided to cut to the chase by telling King George the truth, however, he was quickly interrupted by the culprit himself.

Kawahara lashed at him so aggressively that Tsudo silenced himself instantly.

"No! Tsudo, speak! Only I give the orders here, boi! Who the fuck do you think you are, huh?!"

"Gaaah!!! What the fuck is that whip?! How is this shit allowed!?"

After being whipped on his knees, Kawahara complained about his unfair treatment.

Serves him right though. He is truly to blame.

"King George! Kawahara was the one who invaded your room while you were gone! But that's not all! He wreaked havoc too!"

This is a known fact. I just don't think Tsudo understands how serious Kawahara might've been when he said that he would kill Tsudo in his sleep.

"All of you! Answer me! Is this true?!"

Once again, King George whipped his whip on the floor.

To be honest, the worst part of this situation wasn't that King George was here to strike fear onto us. We just have to tell that it was Kawahara who did it.

The honest problem is...

"K-King! Can't we do this elsewhere!? This is too embarrassing!"

Rayazaki was the first to complain about this, but it must've been on everyone's mind thus far.

Because there were multiple windows open from the opposite dorm. Not only that, but some of them even bothered to come out.

That bitch's smirk is pissing me off, for the record.

She's just standing there on the bench that is only slightly prior to the entrance of her dorm with her legs crossed while laughing endlessly.

Oh, I fucking hate you.

"Not my fucking question, pest! Is this true or not?! Or is there someone else?!"

"Actually, it was---"

"Shut the fuck up! Who gave you permission to speak?! You're being interrogated! Lie down like the dog that you are!!"

Yet again, Kawahara was put down with his face facing the floor since King George stepped on his face.

This surely was a magnificent scenario for the girls since they've gradually started to hate Kawahara.

Akimiyashika and Hinagiku's hateful glares from far away could be seen from just about every single one of us.

"I'll ask you all again! Y'all better answer or I'll do this shit with you all too! Now, was he the one who invaded my room while I was gone?! Or is there some other rat?!"

No one would have the sheer audacity to deny the truth here. Thus, just as everyone was about to speak along, I formed my words too.

"It was Kawah--"

But, a voice cut louder than all of us in the process of all of this.

"It wasn't Kawahara, King! Ryoken did it!"

Kuzan's voice spoke out loud in such a fierce and open tone suddenly.

"What?! I wasn't the one! What the hell are you talking about, Kuzan?! Kawahara was the one who did it!"

Interjecting Kuzan's choice of words and words in general, Ryoken, who was almost at the beginning of the horizontal line, while Kuzan was in the middle of the horizontal line, begged to differ.

"That's completely wrong, Ryoken. You were the one who did it!"

Why is Kuzan being like this? It's obvious that it was Kawahara who did it.

Even though Kawahara's face is still facing the concrete downcast, Ryoken's fuming about this.

"You're speaking nonsense! Everyone here knows that it was Kawahara who did it! Why are you siding with him?! Hey, Tsudo! Wasn't Kawahara the one who did it?!"

Kuzan was not going to win this. If we go by numbers, then there are people here who hate Kawahara deeply.

"Y-Yeah... Kawahara was the one. Kuzan, what the hell, man! You... You aren't siding with him, are you?!"

"No, it's obvious that he is! The past morning, he got Kawahara's protection, remember?! He's choosing to protect Kawahara in return now! I bet this is some sort of deal!"

Not too shabby, Kan. He's connecting the fact that prior to this day, yesterday morning, he was defeated by Kawahara who was protecting Kuzan.

Exactly now, the opposite is happening.

"This is not a deal. It's the truth. Kawahara wasn't the one who did it. Ryoken was. He got Kan and Tsudo to side with him and now he's trying to sugarcoat the truth. Fuck, I knew you guys were pussies, but to think that you were pussies all the way? Geez, guys, chill, hahaha."

"Kuzan!!! You motherfucker! I'll fucking kill you! How! Just how! A pussy?! I'll show you who's the pussy when I break your spinal cord!"

Kan violently intercepted Kuzan's obnoxious play of words by warning him about the consequences of saying what he just said.

Both Tsudo and Ryoken were looking pretty pissed, but they didn't get verbal about it.

"Resorting to physical punishments? Come on. Just admit it, Kan. It was Ryoken. King, that's the final decision!"

"King, you can't believe him! If you ask literally everyone in here who it was that invaded your room, everyone, except Kuzan and Kawahara himself will tell you that it was Kawahara! You gotta believe me! It's the honest truth!"

Only looking to King George, who was still crushing Kawahara's face to the concrete, both Kuzan and Ryoken made their stances.

"That's nice. But that was not what I fucking asked!! Are you motherfuckers deaf?! I asked you ALL, not just a small portion of you retards! But apparently, that's too much for you limp-dick spineless fish heads to understand! Therefore, I'll ask every single one of you! The highest voted person will face my wrath!"

Thus, starting with the first one in line, the silver-haired individual, who was, just like us, still on his uniform, Hyunda was called up.

Despite being pressured physically by the rock boulders, Hyunda's expression maintained itself iconically; expressionless and bored.

Something worthy of mentioning is that, since the female dorm is quite literally just a few meters from our dorm, this whole situation was being overheard by the girls.

Hardly any girl was missing this out.

Yet, one, in particular, was paying attention to this, while not being as far away as the others. As a matter of fact, she was facing our direction while still being at least 10 meters away, with a worried expression.

"Hajime! Who the fuck did it!? You're the smartass here, aren't you?!"

"No such thing, sir. Your words of praise do please me though."

His other name is Hajime. His first name.

"Answer my fucking question, you dickless rabbit! Who did it?!"

To strike fear onto Hyunda, although it completely failed, King George whipped his whip on the ground with velocity and precision.

"Ryoken."

What?

"Hyunda! What the fuck!? It was Kawahar--"

"Silence, bitch!!"

Shouting in Ryoken's direction, King George spoke his imperial words, which, as a result, froze Ryoken instantly.

Despite the sudden confusion of Hyunda's words, King George was not done yet.

But why is she so...? She's looking at Hyunda with such a worried expression. But why though?

"Hajime! Why do you think it was Ryoken who did it?"

"What? You're asking my opinion? Could it be that you are feeling insecure about your own?"

I-Idiot! What the hell are you doing?! If you speak in that bad-mannered tone, then you will...

"Shut the fuck up."

Then, with a precise motion, King George dealt a frontal kick onto Hyunda's face without any mercy.

Nevertheless, Hyunda, despite the kick did not change his expression, as he just accepted the kick.

Amidst this, a certain twin-tailed girl was almost sure to join in, but Hyunda was strictly looking at her, in spite of her intentions to possibly intervene.

It's still a mystery to me why Arkalee is here. The only girls that aren't here to watch this are Ikkiri and Gale. The rest are just laughing their asses off as usual.

Yet Arkalee is behaving in the opposite way. In fact, she looks pretty pissed off.

"Hirakibo! Who did it? I don't seriously think that you will be a smartass like Hajime and try your luck with a fancy play of words, or am I wrong?!"

Tatsu was now called. Damn, what the hell is this first name thing?!

Fucking Japanese culture. I hate how I can't relate.

"Kawahara did it. No doubt."

Two contrasting opinions were thus formed. Hyunda, for some reason, defended that Ryoken was the one who did it, meanwhile Tatsu differed by saying that Kawahara was the one who did it.

"Koutarou! Do you change your mind or not?!"

"No, King! Kawahara was the one who did it!"

It wouldn't make any sense for him to blame someone else since this most likely going to turn into a battle to see which side supports Ryoken more or Kawahara more.

But... Am I seriously the only one who has noticed the major flaw here?!

Even if we...

"Setsuna! Who?!"

I sometimes forget Susaga exists. He's there but... Barely. His spiky green hair is noticeable, surely. But aside from that, I've seen nothing remarkable coming out from him.

He has to fulfill the supply exam too. And since he received Yuka-sensei's consequence, then he is one supply exam from failing the program.

"Kawahara..."

With a soft voice, Susaga refused to look at Kawahara, whose face looked like a mess.

Three votes were against Kawahara thus far, while there was one against Ryoken.

Hyunda was being eyed by Ryoken who was furious.

"Akenama! Answer my damn question without arguing back! Who did it!?"

"Do you even have to ask!? I've already said who did it! It was Kawahara!"

4-1. This is not looking favorable for Kawahara. At all.

"Toharoh! Who!?"

"Kawahara!"

Not hesitating to wait around, Tsudo said the same answer as Kan previously, which made the score 5-1.

Kawahara has no chance of winning. He was dumb. This is what happens once you make an enemy out of everyone.

Everyone will gang up on you. Your physical strength will not save you at times like these.

Yet... Hyunda... why?

"5-1, Ryousuke. Shit's looking pretty rough. If you admit it now, I'll spare you minimally."

Kawahara's turn was up. Thus far, Kawahara had not said who it was that did it. Would he stubbornly still stick to the option of objecting the truth even when the chances of winning are so small?

"Admit what? The truth? Oh, alright. Ryoken did it. There's the truth."

"Lying bastard!"

Replying with spite, Ryoken lashed those words out to Kawahara, who was smiling with an absurd amount of confidence.

5-2.

"Takeshi! If you want to change your mind, do it now! Who?!"

"Ryoken! I will not change my mind!"

"Kuh!"

Ryoken, yet again, frustrated by Kuzan's bluntness and unjust opinion, gushed out a bit.

This makes it 5-3.

"Saitou! You've been silent! What the fuck is the matter?! Cat got your tongue!? Did your spirit die?! Well, shit, I don't fucking care either way! Tell me, who!?"

Rayazaki's facing something I have no knowledge of. No... His face reflects anxiety and anger at the same time.

Plus, with Hinagiku watching, he's feeling a degree of embarrassment which could be qualified as high, logically speaking.

His spirit is slowly being crushed and it's just going to get worse from here on out.

"....Ryoken, sir...."

Now that's weird.

"Rayazaki! Why?!"

Yet, despite Ryoken's question, Rayazaki did not answer. I'm curious as well. Why are you blaming Ryoken when you know for a fact that it was Kawahara the one who did it...?

I don't understand what's happening. I can understand Kuzan's case, but Hyunda and Rayazaki? What the hell is going on?

5-4.

The next two choices will be decisive. Because... normally, it would be a third choice, but I'm sure everyone has noticed by now...

Since I'm at the end of the line while enduring the pain from this rock boulders and facing the twisted laugh coming from that pink-haired wretch, only Sagasuga was before me.

To be honest, I'm starting to feel confused right now. Who do I choose?

I know for a fact that it was Kawahara, but... Hyunda, just what...?

"Hiroyoshi! Your decision actually fucking matters a lot, you know?! Use your words wisely!"

It's true. Sagasuga's choice would make my choice the most relevant. Unless he sides with Ryoken. Then, my opinion won't matter.

However, if the opposite happens, then it will be me who decides the outcome.

"Kawahara was the one."

"And that's settled then! However, I will still ask the last remaining pleb here! Maybe he's got something in store that contradicts all of your opinions!"

Slowly walking up to me, King George whipped his whip on the concrete one last time.

His stoic and muscular appearance wasn't surprising to me, considering his origins.

"Lea-- Oh. You're fucking American right? Different treatment, then! Daniel! Who did it?!"

Woooooooooow.

Not nice.

But still.

Just what exactly do I say here? I can blame Kawahara because that's the truth. Kawahara was the one who did it. Without a doubt.

That's a truth that many support yet some do not.

"Not answering?! Do I need to insert some sense onto you!?"

Hyunda... Why...?

What are you seeing that I'm not seeing? You know that Kawahara did it yet you sided with him...?

Your actions often have deep meanings, don't they? I just can't see your choice of words as something simple as this.

Therefore... I need to see what you see!

"Sorry! I was... huh... thinking! Anyway! ...Ryoken did it!"

"Daniel, you fucking traitor!!"

Though Ryoken said those spiteful words at me, he should realize that it doesn't matter even if I side with Kawahara.

Because the score is still 6-5. Kawahara lost.

Ultimately, King George, after achieving what he wanted, returned to the center and looked down on all of us, before administring his judgment.

"Shit, I can't believe you spineless bitches made me waste so much fucking time just to get the truth. Y'all need some discipline, for fuck's sake! But... Kawahara! You rat! You tenacious two-faced rat! You were the one, weren't you!? It's been confirmed! You were the pest that dared to enter my fortress! You'll feel my wrath, privately and personally, boi!"

Kawahara was about to face King George's supreme and final judgment. He had this coming.

It was dumb to even try. What did he think was going to happen? His hopes were unrealistic.

"Wait."

Spoke Kawahara, in response to King George.

"Nah-nah! I don't fucking care anymore for what you have to say! Your time is now!"

Back and forth, King George whipped his whip around endlessly in order to scare Kawahara. Yet, even in the face of King George, Kawahara did not lose his spirit and continued on.

"You said it's been confirmed, but I just can't see how."

"Kawahara... Just admit your loss already! Don't be a fucking sore loser about this!"

"Ryoken, shut the fuck up. Who the fuck asked you? I wasn't talking to you. Zip it, dipshit."

"What!?"

"King. Didn't you say that you were going to ask everyone about the truth? While it is true that to obtain the truth, considering everyone's opinions along the way is a mandatory thing, however, why did that not happen?"

He noticed...

And I suspect that Ryoken was trying to silence down Kawahara because Kawahara had caught on the loophole here.

Or maybe, Kawahara had this in mind all along.

"Are you implying that I forgot to take into consideration the opinions of all of you!? Huh?!"

Going against the King's word is an absolute no in anyone's dictionary, but Kawahara still did not falter.

"Certainly, you asked everyone present here. But, isn't it strange?"

"What is?"

"The end score was 6 to 5. Really weird, if you ask me. We are twelve, overall. But, right now, aren't we just eleven?"

Everyone kept silent about this in response. Even Ryoken himself.

Confirming this and the fact that King George was allowing him to progress, Kawahara proceeded.

"Isn't it unfair to take all of these opinions instead of taking them all? Akihiko is absent and he can't be here. Ryoken could've planned this ahead and just used the numbers to his advantage. It's not bullshit, that which I'm speaking. Because isn't that what's happening right now? Aren't I being screwed by some random fucking numbers? What sense does it make to make a voting section without an even number overall? None."

This scenario would only be possible to argue over if the number difference was 1, which is the case.

Otherwise, the difference would be so crushing that it would just seem like a sore loser is speaking, yet that's not the case.

What he says actually makes sense.

In retrospect, the King digressed.

"Why is that little shit absent?"

"He's injured. Heard he got ganged on some class A students. Therefore, he could not be here. Furthermore, he is in no condition to get up. Hence, he can't be present."

"I see your point, Ryousuke. You're bitching that since the number is uneven that this is also an uneven situation. Even so, why do I have to care?"

Realistically speaking, the King doesn't have to care.

Kawahara should've seen this coming. King George has never taken any of our opinions with kindness.

"I don't understand you. You call yourself the King but then you create these unfair situations? Now that makes no sense. The King rules and applies justice to everyone. What you are doing right now, is tyranny. But I guess the 'King' is too childish to see this outspoken truth."

Is he seriously planning on taunting him? Kawahara should know that that action can backfire quickly...

"You amuse me. You will suffer my wrath but you still say your pathetic words before ceasing to be!"

Just what the hell does he plan on doing with Kawahara?

"They are not pathetic. This event is illogical and should be automatically invalid. You're also being biased right now. You are completely ignoring the possibility of Ryoken manipulating this situation as it is and using the numbers to his advantage. Because the fact still remains. The numbers are uneven!"

"Your silly argument is that the situation is unfair because Ryoken might be manipulating the situation yet couldn't that be said to you as well? What if you are just using your words to your own advantage?"

"I discord. All I'm doing is defending my position and utilizing what I can in order to make you see the truth of the situation. Ryoken has sheer power over me right now. That's undeniable."

I find it hard to believe that Kawahara just admitted that Ryoken has the upper edge in this situation.

"Nonetheless, the fact that I'm receiving biased treatment and he isn't, is repulsive. By biased treatment, I mean how you are treating me as if I am truly the culprit with the solo evidence that the numbers are against me. But, aren't you using that evidence in an illogical manner though? If numbers are truly your way of evaluating my situation and that I am the culprit, then every member and every number should matter. Why are you excluding Akihiko?!"

"Boi, I don't have the time to wait for some random pest to show up. It's been decided. You are the one!"

"No. There must be another way. It's true. Akihiko is not present, but what if we fight for his number?"

What is he talking about...?

"Fighting for his number? Explain."

"It's simple really. Since Akihiko's absence will be, actually, it already is a major factor into this, what if we gambled on his number?"

"I don't know what you are trying to insinuate, but it won't work, Ryousuke."

What did Kawahara mean by gamble?

I understand that he has not given up on saving his situation, but what can he possibly hope to achieve here in this hopeless scenario?

"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Didn't this situation make this event pretty clear? There are two sides to the coin right now. There aren't more sides than two. A certain side has voted against me while a certain side voted against Ryoken. But, what if we battled it out to decide which side deserves to win?"

"What are you spewing exactly? Your random bullshit won't work, I'm telling you."

Despite the King's retort, despite being rejected over and over and not supported by anyone currently, Kawahara marched on.

"It's not bullshit nor random. You know what I'm talking about, right?"

"What?"

"Your return. Did you return without nothing to give us?"

"No, I do have some bad news for you people. News that y'all should've seen it coming miles away!"

Here it is... I've waited a long time for this and now, it's time to face them...

"As a respective consequence for invading the girls' dorm, y'all will have to make up for such a rule breaker. This involves all of you, by the way, so don't even think of escaping!"

"Hold on! I got a more interesting proposal to make!"

"What?! You dare to interrupt me, Ryousuke?!"

Is he seriously going against his words again, even when it's the respective consequence that we should have received?!

Is he crazy?!

"Yeah! Listen up! You see this here!?"

From his back pocket, Kawahara pulled out a red flyer and held it up high just so everyone could see it.

Truth to be told, I recognized it immediately, however, since it was limited to the rest of the school only, nobody mentioned a single word about it.

It's been distributed ever since last week throughout the school, but we just ignored it.

"What the fuck does that have to with anything?!"

"Everything! All of it, actually! Every season, apparently, this damn school forms a seasonal school festival! Therefore, I say that we should all compete!"

After hearing his ludicrous opinion, I, along with many others begged to differ.

"What?! Are you nuts!? We can't do that!"

"That's right! We're going to get shamed by the public..."

It's common sense that we are being viewed badly for some reason yet this guy is proposing something outrageous as participating in the seasonal school festival...

What is he thinking?!

"No! Hear me out, before judging my decision! As you see, there are prizes for the respective winners and those that prize the best in every competition. Moreover, this festival starts as soon as spring starts."

"I still don't fucking see your point, son."

"God damn it. Look, there are two sides here, right!? How about we compete against the whole school and against each other!?"

"How is that relevant to the situation?!"

I'm harboring the same sentiment of confusion as King George's, who continues to question Kawahara's actions.

"Firstly, these festivals are optional by default, but the prizes are no joke. There are money prizes. I can guarantee you something beforehand. Everyone that sided with me, as a team, will not lose in any of the competitions. Secondly, should I fail to produce these results of victory that I speak, then I will harbor the consequence myself. Plus, I will take full responsibility for supposedly invading your room. Ultimately, I will also give you all the money prizes. However, should my team as a whole do better than the other one, you will have to take that claim off me."

It was truly rare to see the day of age where money prizes became a thing.

Never did I imagine the golden age of money prizes yet in this school, it is possible. I completely comprehend that we are minors and that by law that should not be possible.

Yet, for some reason, it is. This is a situation that should not be overlooked. But still, what he is proposing...

Does he seriously intend to shaming us in the process just for his victory here?!

"King, wait. This is illogical. Kawahara lost already. He's now trying to drag everyone along. This is absurd."

"Don't be a pussy, Ryoken. Just because you are afraid of some competition, that doesn't mean everyone else is. Plus, you're all fucking scared of competition?! Why!? Let's fucking show all these limp-dick beta motherfuckers that they are not above us!"

Right now, the King is glancing upon the red flyer that Kawahara had on his hand a while ago.

Most likely, he is looking at the money prizes. Usually, the King would object, but now...

And there's also the fact that what Kawahara just said is true. Every single one of them. From day one. All those times that they've acted in disgust and in distance.

I can't express how revolted I've felt every time.

"Kawahara, you're so selfish! You are just dragging everyone down along with you just for the sake of winning an argument! It's an argument! Learn to lose, damn it!"

"Selfish? I cannot agree, Ryoken. How is this selfish? I'm putting myself in massive danger. No one except me will suffer in the case if I lose. Should I lose, I get the plethora of consequences I've mentioned, yet what do you people get? A 'defeat'? Big shit. Don't fucking whine when you aren't even correct."

He's still dragging us all along, regardless.

That is if King George accepts this deal. I don't know the exact prizes, but for him to be taking this into consideration...

They must be good.

"Interesting. Truly interesting. Are you not afraid of being publicly shamed, Ryousuke?"

"By who? These cowards? Nope. Let me at em. I'll show them hell."

Kawahara was not showing any signs of backing off.

How did this situation turn into this...?

"Let me get this straight, then. You are asking me to overlook direct orders from higher forces just for the sake of saving your ass?"

"That's exactly it. That is what I'm asking you."

"Bold! So bold! But to think someone had the guts to come up with something like this. That deserves recognition. I'll remember your words, Ryousuke. Should you and your team fail, Armageddon awaits you."

Making his own way to his room, the King entered the dorm and closed the door with brute force.

After that, Kawahara removed all of his stone boulders and stood up in the center as he loudly roared to every single one of us.

"Checkmate, motherfuckers!"

I can't believe someone would go this far just to win a single argument.