“Then I’ll be heading out first.”

“You…!”

The final words never made it past my lips. And behind that hesitation came the brutal crack of reality.

Crash!

“Kkyaaak!”

“…”

Rules. School regulations. And common sense. Even as all of them shattered around me, Lope remained utterly indifferent. And just like that, he walked beyond my control. So naturally. As if it had been destined all along.

I stood there stupidly, even as his shadow slipped through the doorway. None of it made any sense. Not the fact that the world was about to end. Not the fact that Lope—of all people—had defied me. And not the fact that he had simply walked out of the classroom.

The relentless parade of absurdity scrambled my thoughts. Even so, I couldn’t afford to waver. I was the Student Council President of this Academy. So I steeled my expression and turned to face the students.

But in that moment, I froze mid-gesture.

“…”

“…”

A chill seeped through the suddenly silent classroom. I instinctively shrank back at an atmosphere I had never once experienced before. I couldn’t quite articulate it, but something about the students’ gazes had shifted.

Had Lope’s actions just now influenced them? Or had they found the sight of their Student Council President trembling over a single dropout pathetic? If that were the case, I could never tolerate it. In times like these, I needed to lead the students with the same charisma and decisiveness I had always displayed.

That was why I deliberately raised my voice and shouted.

“What are you all staring at?”

“…”

“I… I said, what are you all staring at!”

But no matter how forcefully I shouted, the students’ gazes didn’t change. If anything, my own nerves got the better of me, and my voice wavered.

In situations like this, I didn’t want to, but I needed to single someone out as an example—a scapegoat. Yes. Someone like Lope, a dropout, would have been perfect. Or someone universally despised like Lope. Or…

Or…

…

…Now that I thought about it.

Had I ever made anyone other than Lope a scapegoat…?

“Ah…”

My lips parted blankly, wandering without an answer to the very question I had posed. Even in that moment, the students were still watching me. I had to say something. Do something.

But I couldn’t grasp what that something should be.

“So everyone…”

“…”

“…let’s just wait at our seats like the professor said. Alright?”

“…”

No answer came. I pressed my lips tight and cast my gaze toward the floor.

Countless shards of glass still glittered there like tears. When I looked at those tiny surfaces, my own reflection stared back—trembling with anxiety. It was the reflection of someone who had never once looked back, not until Lope shattered the reality before her eyes.

I forced myself to look away from those reflections and returned to my seat, desperately hoping that this situation was nothing more than a passing disturbance.

“Student Council President?”

“I mean Erika.”

“Ah, Erika.”

My deflated, indifferent response made Roman tilt his head.

“Huh. Not interested? I thought you’d be curious.”

“Not… particularly.”

“That’s surprising. Weren’t you two fairly close?”

“…”

Was this supposed to be some tasteless joke? Erika and I, close? No matter how I distorted and twisted my memories, not a crumb of intimacy had ever existed between us.

But his expression was unexpectedly serious. Serious enough to make me wonder if someone had been spreading childish rumors about us. Truth be told, a romance between a delinquent student and a diligent council president was a staple fantasy at the Academy.

Of course, I had no desire to discuss such fantasies with beasts who used balloons as condoms to rape women.

“That never happened. And I don’t particularly care. More importantly, why don’t you start bringing the goods?”

“Ah, yeah. Sorry if it was a bother. But I really thought you’d want to know.”

“I told you, not at all.”

“Hmm… I see.”

When I stubbornly denied it, Roman shrugged and turned on his heel. It seemed he was finally going to fetch the trade goods.

But the next moment, the words he muttered caught my interest.

“That’s strange. The president seemed like she wanted to see you…”

“What did you say?”

“Huh? I said the president seemed like she wanted to see you. That’s why I figured there must be something between you two.”

“The president?”

“What’s this? So you were curious after all?”

When I voiced my question, Roman smirked as if he’d expected as much. But that wasn’t what I was curious about.

“No, that’s not it. You still call Erika the Student Council President?”

“Well, yeah. She’s the Student Council President.”

“Really?”

“Strictly speaking, yes.”

It was an affirmative answer, but he carried a distinct cynicism. There was clearly something I didn’t yet know hidden beneath it.

But no matter how I thought about it, there was no way Erika was still the Student Council President. Without the Academy’s institutional backing, Erika was far more likely to have been reduced to a mere pretty-faced plaything. Unlike Roselia, who had possessed genuine talent for demagoguery, Erika had become president on looks alone—and I found it hard to believe she still held any position of influence.

What exactly had happened in this Academy?

Come to think of it, I didn’t have a single detailed grasp of anything.

“If you’re curious, I could arrange a meeting. An ordinary student wouldn’t be able to get close, but if you say you want to see her, Heiter would definitely allow it. How about it?”

“…”

Was it worth the risk? I mentally tipped the scales in my mind. The danger of venturing deeper into the Academy versus the possibility of learning what was happening inside. It wasn’t an easy conclusion to reach.

Whether he sensed my deliberation or not, Roman asked in a light tone.

“Do you want to see her?”

“No.”

I answered honestly without hesitation. Then I shrugged and added a remark.

“But you said she wanted to see me?”

Whether man or beast, the moment jaws part, a foul stench inevitably rises. No amount of polished skin and scrubbed surfaces can hide the rot within. Even the prettiest girl, when dried gastric acid refluxes into her mouth, will inevitably reek of repulsive vomit.

And the Academy was no different. The edifice of knowledge, built on honor and glory, had long since corroded beneath the vomit of the depraved. I didn’t need to smell the balloons strewn across the floor. I didn’t need to listen to the symphony of rape drifting from the music room. I could feel the very essence of corruption.

Those moans, in particular, echoed everywhere. In remote classrooms. In the depths of restrooms. Even in the middle of corridors. Had they flushed their shame down the drain along with the semen they’d spilled?

And every so often, the screams of boys not yet ripe would reach my ears as well.

Walking among such things, my disgust soared without restraint, but at the same time, my curiosity only grew. How could Erika still be the Student Council President in a place like this? I had a rough idea, but even so, I felt I needed to see for myself.

There might be circumstances I wasn’t aware of.

“The Student Council Room is over there.”

Roman called me over and pointed to one of the large classrooms in the distance. But rather than that, I found myself looking at the two male students standing in front of the door. I didn’t recognize their faces, but their builds were fairly intimidating. I casually rested my hand on my hip and spoke.

“Go tell them. Tell them I’m here.”

“Ah, yeah. Right. Of course I should. Don’t worry. I’ll go talk to them.”

Since I’d phrased it as a request rather than a command, Roman seemed impressed and quickly jogged over. Then, apparently pleased with how the conversation went, he waved enthusiastically.

“You may enter. Ah, don’t mind these two. They’re just standing there.”

“Right.”

As I approached, they flinched and slowly shuffled aside. True to Roman’s words, they seemed to be doing nothing more than standing there. After confirming that their armament was equally unremarkable, I lifted my head upward.

A nameplate hung there. Under normal circumstances, it should have read “Student Council Room.” But an additional stroke had been added, like a crude child’s prank.

[Student Restroom]

“…”

That alone told me what kind of treatment Erika must be enduring.

…And if I focused just a little more attention, I could faintly hear obscene sounds coming from within.

“…”

“…Mmph.”

“…”

“…Slurp.”

“…Ah.”

“Puhaa…”

It was hard to define precisely, but it was unmistakably the sound of something being sucked.

I was so sick of it all that even imagining was a chore. But my mind kept presenting various possibilities on its own. So where was Erika? Given how the sucking sounds muffled breathing, she was probably crouching down. By the door? Or in the middle of the room? Or perhaps under the desk, after all?

I was certain the sight wouldn’t be pleasant. But having come this far, it felt like too much of a waste to turn back, so I reluctantly grabbed the doorknob.

And the moment I stepped inside without hesitation, I locked eyes with an unexpected figure.

“Ah…”

“Uh…”

…

“…Welcome. It’s been a while, Lope.”

“Yeah. Erika.”

Contrary to my expectations, Erika was visible above the desk. Her face was so remarkably composed that I might have mistaken her for her old self.

Moreover, she was the only one in that spacious room. No matter how much I scanned the surroundings, not a shadow of another person was visible. Was there perhaps a partition? While I was wondering, Erika spoke in a mumble.

“…To come looking for me again. How shameless.”

“That’s me.”

“You really… haven’t changed at all…”

“…Slurp.”

Even so, that sucking sound continued. It was unmistakably the wet sound of mucous membranes pressing together.

“So why did you come? What business do you have now, after all this time?”

“I heard you wanted to see me.”

“Me? I was just…!”

Just then, Erika suddenly shuddered and curled in on herself. Her face looked as though she were barely suppressing a surging wave of pleasure.

“Haeuk…”

And from somewhere, a breathless sigh full of exhaustion drifted up. The source was unmistakably beneath the desk.

Only then did I grasp the situation, and my arms fell limp.

…She wasn’t the one sucking. She was being sucked.

“You can tell them to come out now, Erika.”

“Hm?”

Having identified the situation, I tossed out a casual remark. But Erika played dumb to the very end.

“Come out? What are you talking about? I’m…”

“Not you. The person under the desk.”

“There’s no one under the… Ahah…!”

“…Slurp.”

No matter how hard she tried to act composed, she couldn’t hide her bucking hips. The sight of her trying to hold steady even as both cheeks flushed crimson was almost worthy of a certain respect.

Watching this play out would have been entertaining in its own way, but I didn’t want to waste any more time. This time, instead of addressing Erika, I directed my question beneath the desk.

“Heiter. Is that you?”

“Heiter? What are you…”

“Huhaa…”

“Ahaa… Aung…”

At that moment, with a Jjok sound of something being sucked deeply, Erika finally let her head drop as if collapsing. Then a man crawled out from under the desk and bowed his head toward her.

“Then shall we end the massage here for now, Madam President?”

“Ah… Ah…”

“Madam President?”

“Ah… yes… right…”

When the man asked again, Erika barely managed to sit up and nod. Then he licked his lips and whispered in a small voice.

“Then let’s continue the rest after Lope leaves. Shall we?”

“No… there’s no need to continue…”

“I’ll be back.”

“Ah…”

It was a cruel voice. Though it took the form of service, it was clear who was suffering in this arrangement.

Leaving Erika to bottle up her shame, the familiar-looking man walked toward me.

“Hey, Lope. Long time no see.”

“Heiter.”

I said nothing but his name. That was about all the memory I had of him.

To add a little more, he was the one who had always been at Roselia’s side. That day too, Roselia, who had been tormenting Saya, had mentioned his name. I also remembered that he had a sadistic streak comparable to Roselia’s.

I’d thought he was just that kind of guy, but it seemed he was also quite cunning. Or perhaps he had his own brand of leadership. The reason was unclear, but he was now positioned at the top of the Academy. Most of the people Roman fawned over were this guy.

“I heard you and Roman are quite close. Guess that wasn’t just talk, seeing as you came together.”

“Well, yeah.”

“Must be nice. Having a friend in a situation like this.”

“…”

I stole a glance at his expression—it wasn’t mere pleasantries. What kind of reputation did I have at the Academy now? A lunatic who’d slit his wrist at the drop of a hat? Or a neutral merchant who occasionally showed up to sell condoms?

Neither was a particularly flattering image.

“Well then, I’ll be stepping out for now, Lope.”

He whispered so only I could hear, then left the room. It seemed ordinary enough, but it was a rather loaded statement. “Stepping out for now.” Did he mean he’d wait until our conversation was over?

Honestly, I was starting to become more interested in him than in Erika.

Meanwhile, Erika was desperately trying to hide her flushed face while repeatedly pressing down on her lap. Her still-quivering eyelashes suggested the aftershocks of earlier hadn’t yet faded.

“So…”

“…”

“So where were we, Lope?”

The sight of her trying so hard to steady her voice even in that state was almost pitiable. But I felt no sympathy, so I replied indifferently.

“I heard you wanted to see me.”

“Of course. I’m the Student Council President of the Academy… It’s only natural that I care about all the students, isn’t it?”

“Ah, right.”

“What’s with that tone? You’re as insufferably arrogant as ever, Lope.”

“Haha…”

I wasn’t sure which of us hadn’t changed. To remain so self-assured even after every sordid truth had been laid bare—was that a lady’s pride or a whore’s brazenness? It went beyond absurdity to something approaching admiration.

“Are you still the Student Council President, Erika? Even in this situation?”

“Of course I am. Someone has to take responsibility and lead the students. If not me, then who?”

“And everyone follows you?”

“Of course… Didn’t you see that guy just now? Crawling at my feet…”

“Ah…”

Only then did I nod. Of course, I wasn’t convinced by her words. I nodded because I finally understood Heiter’s mindset in still calling Erika the Student Council President.

She’d be fun to play with. In a state like that.

Whatever she was as a president, she was perfect as a toy. She still believed she was president but lacked the conviction to back it up, so she’d accept anything as long as someone called her president. Add to that a reasonably pretty face, and from the perspective of someone playing with her, she was ideal.

And when even that grew tiresome, they’d finally put her in her place. Imagining the despair on Erika’s face at that moment, even someone without sadistic tendencies like me felt a flicker of catharsis. It had always been more entertaining to watch a noble fall than a commoner rise.

But I had not the slightest desire to indulge in such things. Not even a fingernail’s worth of interest remained in her for me.

“I see. Then you have no further business with me?”

“Of course not. What business would I have with the likes of you? Still, since you’re already here…”

“I’ll be going now, Erika. See you…”

“W… wait!”

Erika, who had been trying so hard to maintain her composure, suddenly leapt to her feet when I moved to leave. But even that was short-lived—her lower body still lacked strength, and she immediately crumpled back down.

“Ow… w… wait a moment, Lope. We’re not done talking.”

“You said there was nothing to talk about.”

“But still… at least have some tea before you go. How about that?”

“Where is this tea?”

“Well… that is…”

“I’m leaving.”

“Lope!”

She finally rushed from the desk and grabbed my collar. But when I instinctively shook her off, she flinched and stepped back. Her skirt, still not properly adjusted, swayed as if it might slip off at any moment.

“Lope…”

“…”

“Just stay and talk a little. Please?”

Her wavering gaze suddenly darted toward the door. She seemed to fear Heiter waiting outside. Of course she would. The moment I left, he’d come back in.

And he’d resume sucking at her, toying with her once more.

I suddenly wondered how long Erika had been living like this. A week? A month? Or continuously since that day? Whatever the answer, my visit might have been her only respite.

Of course, that didn’t mean I felt any sympathy.

“Talk about what. I’m going.”

“W… wait, Lope!”

“There’s nothing to talk about. Take care, Erika. I’ll drop by again sometime.”

“Sometime when? Are you coming tomorrow? Just stay and talk a little, please?”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“I said stop!”

The pleading girl suddenly shrieked. Then, as if unable to contain her own temper, she trembled all over and spoke.

“How… how dare someone like you ignore me? Can’t you hear me telling you to stop?”

“…”

“No matter what, I shouldn’t have to take this kind of treatment from the likes of… you…”

But before she could finish, I stepped forward without a word. Was that thrashing meant to boost her rock-bottom self-esteem? Or did she still think of me as the dropout from before?

Her desperate desire to believe that much was palpable.

“…”

“Wait…”

Just from my approach, the memory of that day must have resurfaced, because Erika averted her gaze. But there was a wall behind her—she had nowhere left to retreat.

“So.”

“Yeah…”

“What is it you want to say?”

“I just…”

Her confidence, which had vanished in an instant, dripped away like a sense of defeat. Erika’s lips moved wordlessly before she squeezed her eyes shut and whispered.

“Just stay a little longer. That’s all.”

“If I stay a little longer.”

“…”

I planted my arm against the wall she leaned on and cast my shadow over her. Then I looked down at what lay beneath and asked in a low voice.

“Then what will you do for me?”