During afternoon classes, 2-A was given self-study time, and chatter filled the classroom.

"Did you hear? Mitsuki was expelled."

"What!? Really?"

"Yeah…I overheard them talking about it in the staff room earlier."

"Oh, good. He was called to the vice-principal's office this morning and never came back. I was worried something happened…"

"I’m glad too. He’s really dangerous now."

"I don’t want to see that monster again."

"I heard Mitsuki was mad at us for ignoring the bullying."

"It couldn’t be helped. No one could defy Nakazato. It's unfair that Mitsuki resents us too."

"Exactly. I’m so glad that monster is gone!"

"Me too! He became unexpectedly handsome, but someone who does such terrible things is a no-go."

"Nakazato and Ushiro are still hospitalized, so this class can finally be peaceful!"

"I'm honestly glad Itakura is gone. She always looked down on us girls, so I hated her."

"I’m relieved Ushiro is gone too. He was bullied, but as soon as he became Nakazato’s lackey, he started acting all high and mighty. So annoying."

"I can't believe he could become friends with the person who bullied him. I don’t understand it."

The students of 2-A, ignoring their self-study, were gossiping and venting their pent-up frustrations. More than half the class was happy that Shuto, Nakazato, and Itakura were gone. Many had secretly resented the top of the social hierarchy.

The boys were glad Nakazato, the delinquent who used his father’s name to flaunt his power, was gone. The girls were glad Itakura, who manipulated the boys and looked down on other girls, was gone. Ushiro’s name was also dragged through the mud.

"…"

Amidst the noisy classroom, Akemi sat silently, her head down. Usually, she would have reprimanded them for the noise during self-study. But today, she felt no desire to fulfill her duties as class president.

Her thoughts were consumed by Shuto’s expulsion. The Shuto she knew wasn’t violent. He was a serious student with a strong sense of justice, and they'd even worked together on the student council last year. Through their conversations, she realized they shared similar values, which she admired.

At some point, Mitsuki Shuto had become someone special to Akemi Hanamiya.

Akemi first met Shuto in the spring of their first year, during their first disciplinary committee activity. Her first impression was that he was an ordinary boy.

One day, shortly after the start of the semester, Akemi was struggling with a mountain of work assigned by a senior committee member when Shuto approached her.

(You look busy. Would you like me to help?)

(Eh…oh, um. That would be great!)

He offered to help Akemi when no one else would, which surprised her.

That day, they had their first real conversation. They talked about not joining any clubs, their commutes, their recent grades, and as they talked, they found common ground.

(Um…this might be a strange question, but what do you think justice is?)

(Hmm…I think it’s helping people who are weak and in need. People might say I’m just influenced by the superhero anime and shows I watched as a child, but…)

(No, that's not it! I agree with you. Helping those who are weak or in need, without expecting anything in return. Like how you helped me today. That's what justice should be.)

(Yeah…I wish everyone in the world thought the same.)

(It’s wonderful that we share the same values. I'm so happy!)

(I’m glad I can talk about this with someone…)

(? You seem like you have more to say. What is it?)

(Um…my friends call me Shuto. If you don't mind, I’d like you to call me that too…)

(Shuto…That’s a nice nickname! Sure, Shuto-kun. Then you can call me by my first name too.)

(Eh…? A-Akemi-san…)

(That sounds too formal. Just Akemi. My friends call me that.)

(A-haha…Calling a girl my age by her first name is a bit…daunting.)

They found in each other a rare kindred spirit who shared their values. They thought they might become closer friends.

…That was supposed to happen.

One day the following year, Shuto was bullied after helping someone. Akemi was outraged. Why should Shuto be bullied for helping others?

However, the ringleader was Nakazato Yuta, the worst possible opponent for Akemi. If she angered him, her father might face retaliation, possibly even dismissal.

Fearful of this, she couldn’t help Shuto, only offering empty words of comfort.

She deeply regretted her powerlessness.

(If only I had been braver, if only I had the power to defy Nakazato…Shuto-kun wouldn’t have resorted to violence. I might have been able to help him without him getting his hands dirty…)

A friend, seeing Akemi's distress, asks if she’s alright. Akemi says she’s fine, but her heart is heavy.

“Shuto-kun…I’m sorry I couldn’t help you….

You were right. I am weak…”

Akemi’s last encounter with Shuto at school was in the tense atmosphere of the classroom this morning. She would never see him at this school again.

Later, she learns that her aunt has been transferred to the local police station as a detective and goes to her for advice, but it's too late.

Regarding Shuto's current situation:

Despite his expulsion, Shuto, still thirteen and subject to compulsory education, was to be transferred to a local public junior high school. His parents were handling the transfer procedures alongside their work.

Shuto, who would have attended this school if he hadn't gone to private school, was scheduled to transfer in about a month. Until then, he was an unemployed teenager, with little to do besides his adventures in the otherworld.

What was Shuto doing in the real world right now…?

“Hello, HelloTube! This is SHOT!” Salute

“Today’s video is…”

He was…making and posting videos online.

The school revenge arc is reaching its climax!