Cut her some slack

"Death."

Yama smiled. "So my nose isn't deceiving me, huh?"

"Are you saying Ike could be the person who killed Sullivan?" Ashley scoffed in disbelief. "Oy, Yama. Did you hit your head in the training camp? How can you accuse someone almost instantly?"

"I'm not saying he is the culprit, but he was there during the duel." Yama shrugged indifferently, cocking his head in Basty's direction. "According to your observation, do you think he is capable of doing that?"

"Doing what? Committing murder? Yama. What the heck?" Basty shook his head, confused. "Are you accusing someone now without grounds?"

"Based on my observation, he is capable of doing such a wicked deed." Kiara saved Basty the trouble of answering. "If you ask me for a reason, I could only think of one. Enjoyment. Not in taking a man's life, but the sheer thought of forcing people to dance to the tune he was playing."

"That's right." Yama rocked his head, but then Ashley slammed her hands against the table.

"This is nonsense!" Her voice shook, clawing at the surface of the table while grinding her teeth. "Ike might be considered a gray person, but I don't think he would do such a thing."

"You get emotionally attached to a person easily —"

SLAM!

"One more word from you, Lala, and I will chew that tongue of yours." Ashley scowled as her teeth grew a little longer and sharper. "Ike didn't do it. If you still suspect him, then I'm afraid I can't come in here for a while."

"Ashley," Basty called, only for her to hiss.

"Don't come to me, because if you do, I cannot guarantee that I won't leave my claw marks on your faces." She glared at everyone before storming out of the student council office.

"She might sound emotional, but I am with her this time." When Ashley left, Bernis also spoke while standing up from his spot. "Ike Lobo is a strange guy, but I don't think he is guilty. I'm not saying he wasn't capable of committing the unspeakable — everyone does — but it is not worth it."

Bernis was calm and polite, settling his gaze at Yama. "I understand that the natural air he emitted feels dangerous, but he isn't that petty. I hate to admit it, but what I can say after spending a fair amount of time with him is that he is the most selfish person I had ever met. He sees everyone as insignificant as a fly. Neither one's struggle nor strength amuses him; he thinks that's all a part of life. In other words, he only cares about his own. Therefore, I believe he didn't do it just because of his arrogant nature."

"I will keep an open mind about this possibility, though. But for now, I will stay with Ley." Bernis lowered his head. "I'll excuse myself first."

Bernis didn't idle, following Ashley, leaving the office without looking back. Meanwhile, Basty sighed as he gazed at the shut door.

"No matter how these things made sense, they have a point." Basty looked back at Yama, obviously upset. "It's too early for us to point fingers when we don't have evidence yet. This is so unlike you, Yama. I hope there's a reason for this."

"That's right." Kiara was calm as ever as she slowly shifted her attention to the President. "I hope there's a good reason for forcing Sinclair and October to leave the office on their own, President."

Yama tapped his fingers against the surface of the table, snapping his eyes up.

"Fine. You got me." He threw his hands in the air.

"So it's a lie?" Basty inquired. "About Ike Lobo."

"Not really. That possibility hasn't been ruled out, and I still don't like him. At least, I don't like him as the president of the student council."

"How about as a person?"

"I think he is a pretty interesting lad." Yama twisted his swivel chair sideways. "If I am not in this position, I would've bothered him just like Ashley. He's a little likable, and he baffles me."

"Let's not get astray from the matter at hand," said Kiara monotonously. "Whether or not you like him doesn't matter. I don't see the reason you forced Sinclair to leave by using Lobo."

"As I've mentioned, Ike Lobo seemed to be a pretty interesting lad, and I understand Ashley's attachment to him. Although I didn't lie about my complicated feelings toward Ike Lobo, bringing up his name is better to press her nerves," Yama explained indifferently.

"That is my point, President." Kiara's expression sharpened, not pleased by how Yama beat around the bush. "Why would you want Sinclair to leave?"

"Because this matter might just bring back awful memories for her."

There was a moment of silence upon Yama's answer, making their brows furrow. Half of them looked at each other while Kiara fixed her eyes on the flat surface before her.

"You mean…" she trailed off, raising her eyes to the president of the council. "... this might involve her brother?"

Kiara's remarks brought forth another wave of silence; everyone's expression was solemn.

Ashley Sinclair's family.

No one knew much about Ashley's background, aside from Bernis. Even some members of the council didn't know about it. Only the core members have an idea of the secrets behind Ashley's family.

"While I was in the training camp, I heard lots of things. Her family name came up more often than necessary… alongside the mention of the radical group, Genesis." Yama broke the silence with his firm and solemn voice. "We are aware that her family is one of the last active yakuza families that survived even after the new genesis. From what I heard, the leader of their family might've joined hands with the radical group just recently."

"It is still a theory, but if that is true, this case might be connected to it," he added with a tinge of certainty. "I don't want her to blame herself for the death of a student. Sullivan might be a piece of rotten milk, and a crime family like that might consider him just collateral, but the guilt it would leave to her will be heavy. It's not yet for sure, but it's better to spare her some slack. Sinclair… crawled her way out of that family. I won't shove her back in that hellhole."