"Wait, that's a violation of privacy!" Shiho Manabe flashed a momentary look of panic before putting on a tough front to warn Kaoru Mitoma, attempting to divert the topic.

"Who said you could take photos? Did I ever lay a hand on Karuizawa? Don't think just because you're a student council vice president you can twist the facts. And besides, is that even the point right now?"

Like a Gatling gun, she spat out a rapid string of words in just a few seconds, her aggressive aura growing stronger as she glared fiercely at Kaoru.

"The photos are for evidence. Do you think police officers wearing body cams are violating privacy rights too?" Kaoru's single retort left her speechless.

"I don't care! The issue right now is dealing with Karuizawa. Isn't it a fact that she knocked Rika over?" Manabe, convinced she was in the right, grabbed Karuizawa hair without hesitation.

"Tell him—wasn't it you who knocked Rika down?"

"Ugh…" Karuizawa winced in pain, but the more she showed such an expression, the more it inexplicably infuriated Manabe.

"Damn it, what are you faking for? Did I hurt you? Think acting like this will win you sympathy?"

Manabe was irritated.

Even when one of her friends subtly tugged at her sleeve, she ignored it, convinced that Karuizawa was just putting on another pitiful act to draw Kaoru Mitoma's protective instincts.

"S-Stop pulling… it hurts…" Karuizawa held back the tears in her eyes, unwilling to cry in front of Kaoru, but Manabe's grip only tightened, making her voice tremble.

"Hurry up and tell him—was it you…?"

Just as Manabe was beginning to indulge in her violent impulses towards Karuizawa, a sharp pain suddenly shot through her wrist, forcing a gasp from her.

"Enough. To be honest, I've never had much goodwill towards delinquents." Kaoru Mitoma's tone was flat, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, yet he slowly pried Manabe's hand open, her face contorting in pain.

"Ow ow ow! What the hell are you doing? Protecting this arrogant brat?" Manabe felt an excruciating pain—his grip was like steel, impossibly strong.

The two girls standing nearby moved to intervene, but Kaoru merely glanced at them.

Though he said nothing, the pressure radiating from him was overwhelming.

And so, they silently stayed put.

"Come here." Ignoring Manabe's protests, Kaoru instead spoke softly to Karuizawa.

Strangely, Karuizawa didn't react immediately, staring at him blankly.

Kaoru frowned, then reached out and pulled her to his side, preventing Manabe from doing anything further.

Then, he turned to Manabe and said quietly, "I don't recall anyone giving you permission to use violence in front of the student council, did they?"

"Hah? You're the one using violence on us right now! And we're the victims here—are you really going to side with her?" Manabe still refused to admit any wrongdoing.

Was standing up for her friend really a crime?

For someone so stubbornly unrepentant, Kaoru only replied indifferently, "Wasn't the victim supposed to be your so-called friend, Rika?"

Manabe was momentarily speechless, but she quickly retorted, "Karuizawa threw away my phone earlier. Doesn't that make me the victim here?"

"It does."

"Pfft, so what are you acting all high and mighty for? Don't tell me you've been fooled by this woman—ow ow ow!"

Kaoru Mitoma applied just a bit more pressure, and Manabe's eyes welled up with tears.

Seeing her like this, he asked, "Would you consider this violence?"

"Of course it's violence, you idiot! Let go of me right now!" Manabe snapped furiously.

"She was screaming in pain just like this earlier. Why didn't you consider that violence?" Kaoru pressed further.

"Because... because..." Manabe stammered, realizing that continuing this line of argument would only trap her further.

"Because Ryuuen frequently uses violence against all of you without facing any consequences, so you've started to think violence doesn't matter. Am I right?"

At the mention of Ryuuen name, a flicker of unease flashed in Manabe's eyes.

"I—I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"If Ryuuen were to hear that you're being forced to drop out because of bullying, what do you think he'd do?"

"That's a lie! There's no way something this minor would lead to expulsion!"

"Don't forget, I'm the vice president of the student council. Even the current council president respects my opinions." Kaoru released her hand, his voice calm but firm. "Besides, I have evidence. The school would never tolerate this kind of behavior."

"Guh..." Manabe shuddered, struggling to maintain her composure.

But the memory of how Ryuuen treated his own classmates made her legs go weak.

"Of course, for Class C, losing one or two troublemakers wouldn't make much of a difference. In fact, they might even find it humiliating—not only did their class produce bullies, but they were also caught red-handed by the student council."

Manabe glanced at her companions as if pleading for help, only to find them equally fearful.

"F-fine! We'll let it go! We won't hold her responsible anymore—is that enough?!"

Manabe felt like she was making a huge concession, and the humiliation burned inside her.

Kaoru didn't rush to respond.

Instead, he turned to Karuizawa who had been standing there dazed, and asked sternly, "What do you think of her proposal, Karuizawa? Or do you have other demands?"

Only when he called her name did Karuizawa snap out of her trance.

Just as she was about to speak, he nodded solemnly and said.

"Right, I understand."

Karuizawa froze, staring blankly at his back.

"Sorry, but simply letting it go isn't enough. Who's to say you won't retaliate later?"

"As if we would!"

"Who knows what's going on in your heads? Plenty of people hold grudges and seek revenge after losing a dispute. As the student council, we have to ensure the safety of those involved."

"What are you trying to say, then? Do you want us to swear an oath or something?"

"No need for oaths. I prefer contracts—black and white, signed and sealed."

"Contracts?"

Under Manabe's bewildered gaze, Kaoru pulled out a pen and paper from his pocket.

In front of everyone, he wrote down a few straightforward terms.

By signing this contract, the undersigned agrees to the following:

No matter what happens, you are strictly forbidden to disclose today's events to anyone.

If anyone finds out, you must accept punishment; The content of the punishment shall be determined by Kaoru Mitoma.

This contract must likewise not be disclosed to anyone, otherwise it will also constitute a violation of the contract, and you must accept punishment.

The duration of this contract is from today until graduation, specifically from August 14, 20xx, to March 24, 20xx.

Upon reading these terms, Shiho Manabe's previously anxious heart finally relaxed and she even allowed a faint smile to surface.

She had expected much harsher clauses, but it turned out to be nothing more than a demand for secrecy.

How ridiculous, considering how intimidating he had seemed just moments ago.

With this thought in mind, Shiho Manabe failed to notice the faint glimmer that subtly flowed through the ink the moment Kaoru Mitoma's pen touched the paper.

[Reward Contract: You may write any unequal terms within the contract. Once the other party signs, they will unconditionally obey the contract's contents until the contract period ends.]

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