8.1

[First Discussion]

Participants:

2nd Year Class A

Yanagibashi Motofumi, Ishida Yūsuke, Shimazaki Ikkei, Toba Shigeru, Tamiya Emi, Morishita Ai, Takanashi Kō

2nd Year Class C

Ishizaki Daichi, Kaneda Satoru, Komiya Kyōgo, Nakaizumi Shōhei, Suminokura Mami, Takarajima Miko, Hatate Kaoru

The beginning of the important general's battle began with the first discussion, and the traitor rights were immediately used.

At this point, there was already a traitor hidden amongst Ryūen's class.

In a situation where everyone seemed hesitant to speak first, it was Class A's Morishita Ai who had made the first move.

"Ishizaki Daichi, could you first prove to us that you aren't an honor student?"

"Hah? Eh? Me!? Why me all of a sudden!?"

"Whether you're a police officer or detective, approaching suspicious individuals first is something you'd consistently be doing."

Though the presence of a traitor was concerning, no one wanted to touch on that matter.

As if following the flow, everyone's gaze, including Morishita's, was focused on Ishizaki.

"No way... I mean, I'm not an honor student!"

"So could you prove that?"

"How can I prove that!? How should I prove it!"

"Maybe you could promise to bite your tongue and die later if you turn out to be an honor student?"

"Ha, what!? Don't talk nonsense!"

Morishita relentlessly cornered the bewildered Ishizaki, but Kaneda quickly intervened.

"Please wait, Morishita-shi. Ishizaki-shi, you don't need to answer her. Such forceful approaches aren't acceptable. Let's stick to the discussion at hand. If we were to follow the basic principles of a detective or criminal investigator, then we would suspect the person who spoke up first. I would like to ask you to provide definite proof that you're not an honor student."

After saying this, Kaneda adjusted his glasses and shifted the attention that had been on Ishizaki to Morishita.

"There's no way to prove it definitively within the rules of this discussion, is there?"

Morishita, who had just demanded solid proof from Ishizaki, answered nonchalantly.

"So you were just trying to impose an impossible task on Ishizaki-shi?"

"Because he looked like a fool who might slip up."

"Who did you say looks like a fool!?"

"Please calm down. In order to defeat Sakayanagi-shi, we will need to use the appropriate measures. On the other hand, it's equally challenging to defeat Ryūen-shi. Morishita-shi is provoking you to help allow her class leader to win. If you wish for Ryūen-shi's victory, who is fighting from behind the camera, you must remain calm. Being misled by her words is exactly what the opponent wants."

Kaneda had successfully calmed the indignant Ishizaki.

"I've been watching everyone's discussions, and I noticed that honor students seem to make eye contact with one another. Komiya-kun and Takanashi were looking at each other just before the discussion started, right?"

Class A's Tamiya overtly directed a suspicious gaze at the two.

"Ah, indeed. I also felt that was suspicious."

Nakaizumi agreed, nodding repeatedly. Although Class A and Class C were enemies, it didn't seem like it, considering their mutual agreement.

"Right? When everyone's attention was on Ishizaki-kun, didn't Komiya-kun seem relieved?"

Tamiya intensified her assertion that these two were the honor students.

Whether it was her true intention or a diversion from herself.

Even though it was her first time participating in the discussion, she had learned how to conduct herself by observing as a bystander.

The skilled students used their experience in order to advance the discussion.

The presence of a traitor was a disadvantage in the representative battle, but it brought significant benefits to the traitor and their classmates. That was why neither class's participants decided to pursue it too aggressively.