Even with my movements being restricted, my mouth was still open. I opened my mouth, gulping my own saliva. I gazed at the leader without hostility.

“I guess this is what happens when you try to protect a fellow student from the same grade,” I said in a loud voice.

“What point are you trying to make?” One of the lackey’s said.

The student briskly walked towards me and raised his arm. He punched my face as if frustrated by my comment. Two more strikes made their way onto my stomach.

“Nothing. All I’m saying is how pathetic you guys are for ganging up on a girl. What’s next? Gang—“

I was immediately punched in the face by the same student. The leader seemed to enjoy being on the sidelines. For some reason this particular student was pretty angry at me.

“Any person with self respect knows not to interrupt someone who is speaking,” I said, looking at him with disappointment.

I spit some of my blood that accumulated from the strikes. My blood landed perfectly onto the white part of his uniform. His reaction was interesting to say the least, the student glaring at me.

“Hey, I know you got rejected, but there’s no reason to go this far. People get rejected all the time. I’m no different in that regard. So cheer up,” I commented.

Due to my comment I received strange looks by the rest of the group. The leader stepped up, placing his hand on the enraged guy’s shoulder, whispering something to him. Clicking his tongue the lackey back down. The leader then went where I was, stomping on my foot.

“Where is that energy you had when the fight first started, huh?” The leader asked, moving his foot as if trying to squish my bones. “Hahaha! This is great!” he exclaimed.

“Like I said. I was just standing up for a fellow student. Won’t you also do the same if a student was getting harassed by a group of older students? Plus, isn’t she on the ground with clear injuries? Isn’t that enough proof? Or do you want more incriminating evidence?”

“What are you talking about?” he asked in a serious tone, stopping in his tracks.

“…”

I stayed quiet, simply staring at him with a calm, almost apathetic expression. I wasn’t going to tell him anything further. As if he noticed this, another punch struck my stomach. My body lost its strength with every attack I received.

Then something happened. Multiple footsteps could be heard in the vicinity. This alerted the group as they began looking around.

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“So this was your plan?“ The leader said, glaring at me.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I replied, my arms still being restricted.

A new group of students closed the distance between us. Mitsugi, Raymond, Daisuke, and the female student were grabbed by some of the students. One of them whispered something into the other's ear. As if coming to an understanding, they carried Raymond, leaving the rest on the ground.

The two of them left with Raymond. A familiar female student walked towards our group being accompanied by two other students. She gazed at each of us, scrutinizing each of the participants of this fight.

“You five will be coming with us, no questions asked,” she said. “If not…” she pointed behind her where a group of eight students stood. “You get the point, right? So make this nice and simple, and surrender immediately.”

“Fine…” The leader muttered, raising his hands in the air.

When one member of the disciplinary committee approached him, the leader swung his fist straight at the student. At that moment the two other students, not including the one behind me, ganged up on that particular student.

I didn’t pay much attention after this point as I was busy dealing with the person restraining my arms. I let my weight backwards, making him stumble. Keep in mind his grip loosen as he was unsure as to whether to join the battle or not.

When his body gently collided with the wall, I spun around hitting him with the back of my hand. I proceeded to strike him in the gut, then trip him. Once he fell onto the ground, I let him alone, instead choosing to do something more important.

Run away.

I bolted out of the area, searching for a door leading inside the academy. I wasn’t about to be caught in this petty exchange. Well, they did recognize my face, but that’s besides the point.

I was sure that Mitsugi and the rest were going to be treated so I had nothing to worry about. If they explained the situation correctly, elaborating on crucial details about the group of second years then they’ll be able to get off scot-free, well except for injuries, but that’s besides the point.

Unfortunately for me, this wasn’t the first time I was involved in such battles. I already got let off the hook and it won’t be happening again. As such, I can’t be caught.

Although if I eventually get caught, I’ll look very suspicious. Hopefully, my injuries would be enough proof of my innocence.

“—!”

I almost stopped, my foot was hurting whenever I put force into it. It must’ve been because of that guy stepping onto my foot. Yet even with the agonizing pain, I still ran.

I turned the corner of the building, not seeing a single entrance. I decided to go to a more isolated part of the campus. That was when I felt the presence of someone approaching my location.

They already found me, how quick.

“Where do you think you’re going?” A voice was suddenly next to my ear.

The voice was feminine though it was quite distinct from the leader of the disciplinary committee. If I were to say, she sounded younger. Almost as if she was about my age.

But it wasn’t possible as there was never a first year student accepted into the student council or any branch for that matter.

I raised my hands in the air, just for it to be grabbed. They held my wrists as I stared forward.

“…”