Spending 20 million points could let me transfer to another class, right?
Only by being in a different class can I have a chance to confront Saiki. Maybe Saiki's already thought of this, which is why he's trying to win over Ryūen and his group to expand his influence. Now, Class D has become Saiki's pawn—all to deal with me in the future?
Sakayanagi from Class A is currently an enemy, so the only class I can use now is Class C... Ichinose.
Ayanokōji's mind raced with thoughts.
But Chabashira, standing before him, had no idea.
Chabashira smiled, her voice softening.
"That's great, Ayanokōji. If you need anything, just come to me!"
"I'll be going then."
Ayanokōji turned and left without another word.
I crave failure. If I fail, it'll prove that everything that man taught me was wrong.
20 million points can get me into Class A. If I want to face Saiki, I need to reach Class A before he does—or transfer to another class.
By then, Chabashira might become my enemy too. I wonder what her expression will be like?
Ayanokōji muttered to himself, leaving the administration building without looking back.
---
Meanwhile...
Saiki parted ways with Karuizawa at a café. As he walked, he messaged Sakura, Satō, and others, inviting them to hang out on Christmas.
They were, of course, overjoyed.
This was exactly Saiki's plan.
Using his psychic and clairvoyant abilities, Saiki had discovered that Satō seemed ready to confess to him on Christmas. That's why he found the holiday a bit troublesome.
It was a situation Saiki absolutely wanted to avoid. No matter what, it would be incredibly awkward.
*'Well, I did agree to hang out with them, but I never said it'd be one-on-one,'* Saiki thought.
They might see Christmas as a date, but he'd turn it into a normal group outing with classmates.
As long as there were enough people, no awkward confessions would happen.
With that in mind, Saiki headed back to his dorm.
But just then, a stranger—a girl—whizzed past him like the wind.
She held her phone, chatting happily with someone.
"You've become so hard to talk to since becoming student council president, Nagumo! Ahaha, just kidding, I'm not mad. But next time, treat me to something nice, got it?"
She laughed, then added,
"Student council? Sorry, not interested. Besides, your duel with the former president isn't over yet, right? And why are you suddenly confessing? I know you've been hitting on girls everywhere."
*'Student council president, Nagumo... Ah, the new president, Nagumo Miyabi. What a nuisance. Seems like he's got a lot of influence in the second year. Hopefully, I won't have to deal with him much,'* Saiki thought, preparing to ignore her and leave.
"But... if you beat Horikita, I might consider it. Anyway, see you!"
The girl ended the call, her tone suddenly dropping.
"So full of himself, that Nagumo. And Horikita's pretty useless too, huh? I expected him to stop Nagumo, but looks like the game's still going Nagumo's way."
*'Another troublesome one?'* Saiki wondered.
As he thought, the girl tripped on the path to the dorms and fell hard.
*'Seriously? The classic "clumsy high school girl falls flat" trope?'*
Saiki sighed, turned, and saw the girl already getting up, embarrassed. She stuck her tongue out at him and dashed off.
After she left, Saiki noticed something she'd dropped—a small charm.
He picked it up, glanced around, and realized this was the entrance to the dorm area, monitored by cameras. Using his powers here wasn't an option.
*'She's probably a second-year. I'll just take it to the dorm supervisor,'* Saiki muttered, heading toward the second-year dorms.
---
A few days later, Christmas Eve.
Saiki was at home, reading the novel Shiina had given him. Tomorrow might be exhausting, so he planned to rest well.
Karuizawa had already messaged him, but he'd managed to brush her off with an excuse.
Just then, his phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.
Unknown User (Not in Contacts): Saiki, I need to talk to you. It's important and could affect your school life. Meet me at the second field.
"Great, no rest even on Christmas Eve?" Saiki sighed, guessing who it might be. He used his clairvoyance to confirm the sender's identity, then teleported back to his dorm. He headed straight to the designated spot.
Snow fell gently, blanketing the campus in white.
"It's been a while."
On a nearly empty field, Manabu sat on a bench, seemingly waiting for Saiki.
"Manabu-senpai, what's this about?" Saiki asked calmly.
He'd already known the reason from 200 meters away.
"I need your help to deal with Nagumo Miyabi."
*'Can't escape this, huh?'* Saiki sighed inwardly. It was between Nagumo and Manabu, yet somehow he was dragged into it.
"This doesn't concern me. I don't even know Nagumo-senpai."
"It does concern you—not just you, but all first-year students and future newcomers."
"Why?"
"Many students will be expelled."
Manabu adjusted his glasses, pausing for effect.
"I want you to maintain order in this school, by any means necessary. Make Nagumo step down or restrain himself. The easier method will do. By the third term, Nagumo's power will grow, and he'll formally start his actions."
"Actions..."
Saiki pondered. During the student council handover, he'd heard Nagumo's thoughts about drastically changing the school.
"Nagumo's been forcing students to drop out to consolidate power. So far, seventeen second-year students have dropped out—and from exit interviews, over half were linked to Nagumo."
"Dropping out is common here, right?"
"Yes, but an ideal leader should guide students to graduation, not expulsion."
Manabu spoke earnestly.
Saiki looked at him, impressed despite his dislike. Manabu seemed cold toward Suzune but genuinely cared. He appeared to value talented students but also protected the less capable.
The student council held significant power here.
*'The former president was decent, but dealing with Nagumo isn't my job. Others are better suited. I might intervene later, but for now, I'll refuse...'*
As Saiki prepared to decline, Manabu spoke again.
"I know you avoid attention, but I investigated you. Accessing student card records is within our rights."
He pulled out a card.
"This is a VIP card for the school café and bakery. It gives discounted sweets for three years..."
"Tell me about the student council."
Saiki interrupted.
*'Don't get the wrong idea, readers. I just want to prevent future school issues, not be bribed by sweets.'*
But Saiki agreed with Manabu's logic. Without action, trouble would find him.
He agreed so quickly?
Manabu was surprised but continued.
"Key figures besides Nagumo: Kiriyama, the vice president from Class B; and the secretaries, Mizukami and Tonegawa. They've been with Nagumo since Class B and are his closest advisors. Here's the rest of the list..."
Manabu sent the student council data to Saiki, who saved his contact.
"Only second-year students know Nagumo's actions and personality. I've worked with him but don't know everything."
*'I'll just use my psychic powers to learn everything about Nagumo,'* Saiki thought, nodding.
"I'll figure something out."
"You already have a plan?" Manabu asked seriously.
Most people would hesitate after hearing this, but Saiki didn't. Maybe he's already prepared?
*'Your instincts are scary. If I told you my "talent" was psychic powers, you'd never believe me,'* Saiki thought.
"There's a second-year student against Nagumo, but I can't reveal their name yet. If Nagumo knew I'm working with you, that student would be in danger. But I'll tell them your name so they know you're a first-year ally."
"Understood."
Saiki nodded, eyeing the card in Manabu's hand.
Manabu noticed and handed it over.
"The school's future depends on you."
"I can't guarantee success."
"I don't assign important tasks to people I think will fail."
Manabu stared intently.
Saiki hides his true abilities. Even I haven't fully grasped his potential.
*'If I told you my abilities were psychic, you'd never believe me,'* Saiki thought.
"By the way, Suzune seems different lately. Was that you?"
"No."
Saiki answered quickly. He'd already agreed to one task and didn't want more entanglements with this sibling duo.
"Never mind then. I'll take my leave, Saiki."
"Merry Christmas."