The next day was Christmas.
The snow had stopped, but after days of snowfall, the entire campus was blanketed in white.
Karuizawa Kei arrived early at the school field where she had agreed to meet Saiki Kusuo. She waited eagerly, hoping to spend time with him.
*I even brought breakfast for Kusuo. He'll definitely notice my effort!*
Karuizawa lifted her chin slightly, her gaze fixed on the distance. She spotted a figure approaching through the snow and hurried over.
However, as she got closer, she realized it was someone else she knew.
"Satō?"
"Karuizawa?"
It was Satō Maya, who looked equally confused. Neither understood why the other was there.
"What a coincidence! Any plans for Christmas?"
"Of course."
Karuizawa smirked, feeling victorious.
*Satō probably doesn't know I'm meeting Kusuo today!*
*Karuizawa has no idea I'm meeting Saiki today!*
Satō's thoughts mirrored Karuizawa's.
*It's Christmas, a perfect day for a high school girl to confess. I'll confess to Saiki today. I already asked him, and he doesn't have a girlfriend. My chances are good!*
Neither thought beyond their own plans, assuming the other's presence was mere coincidence.
But soon, they realized something was off.
"Satō-san... Karuizawa-san... you're here too...?"
Sakura Airi arrived, surprised to see them. She hadn't expected others to be there.
"Sakura-san?"
Satō and Karuizawa asked in unison. Only then did they understand.
"Are you... meeting someone?"
"I'm meeting Saiki-kun!"
"...I'm meeting Kusuo-kun too..."
Each thought they had a private date with Saiki Kusuo, but it turned into a group outing.
Before long, a fourth person arrived.
"Hey, you three are here too?"
"You... aren't you the fortune-teller?!"
Karuizawa stared in disbelief. The fourth person was Mikoto Aiura.
Mikoto had promised Saiki a day out as a favor, but she didn't expect others to be there.
"Oh, I remember you. You're with Saiki, right?"
Mikoto recognized them, especially Sakura Airi, whom she'd helped during the sports festival.
*Wait, wasn't this supposed to be a date with just Saiki? Why are others here?*
'I said I'd meet you on Christmas, but I never promised it'd be just the two of us.'
Saiki's voice echoed in Mikoto's mind.
*That's cheating!*
'Not at all. Check the earlier chapters. I agreed to meet you, but I said I'd plan everything, and I never limited the number of people.'
Saiki approached the four girls, thinking to himself.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Saiki, why are they all here?"
Karuizawa glanced at the others, then back at Saiki.
"Since you all planned to meet me today, I thought we'd all hang out together."
Saiki knew their intentions but wasn't about to let their plans succeed.
*If there are so many people... I won't get a chance to confess!*
Satō clenched her fists, frustrated.
'My telepathy and X-ray vision are uncontrollable. I'll probably never fall in love, so I avoid these awkward situations.'
Saiki thought to himself.
He'd considered lowering their affection for him, but that risked making him seem strange.
'With so many people, their weird thoughts won't lead to anything. Maybe their affection for me will drop too. If someone leaves early, this'll end sooner.'
Saiki had planned to invite boys, but most were busy. Sudō Ken was training, Ike Kanji was with a girl, and Yamauchi Haruki was out of the question.
Left with no choice, Saiki came alone.
He activated his affection meter. Everyone's affection was over 85.
*This is ridiculous. Sakura only contacted me because of Sudō, Karuizawa because of Ayanokōji, Mikoto because of my powers... Satō barely has any scenes!*
Saiki complained internally.
Mikoto smirked.
*Saiki invited so many people? Does he like...*
'Don't jump to conclusions.'
*Fine! But what are we doing today?*
Saiki ignored Mikoto's telepathic question, turning to the others.
"Any issues?"
"Nope!"
Karuizawa smiled, and Satō nodded.
*I can't admit I wanted a date with Kusuo now!*
*If they know I wanted a private date with Saiki, it'd be terrible!*
"There's a new movie. Let's watch it."
Saiki had planned boring activities to end the day quickly, but decided a school movie screening was more festive.
"Okay!"
After everyone agreed, Saiki put on his germanium ring, suppressing his telepathy to avoid spoilers.
*Finally, a normal movie experience.*
Saiki smiled faintly.
---
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the school.
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka sat in a café, sipping coffee and staring blankly outside.
"Ayanokōji."
Horikita Suzune approached and sat across from him.
"I've been here for ten minutes."
"You're not late. It's your choice to arrive early."
Horikita replied typically.
"What do you want?"
Ayanokōji asked, meeting her gaze.
"I want to talk about Ryūen and his group."
Horikita's expression turned serious.
'You've heard Ryūen stepped down as D-Class leader?"
"Even if I hadn't, you wouldn't believe me."
"Rumors say Ryūen lost a power struggle with Ishizaki, but that's impossible. Ishizaki is Ryūen's most loyal follower. It doesn't add up."
Horikita leaned forward.
"What do you think happened?"
"I thought Ryūen might've planned it, but he's seriously injured. No one in our grade could do that."
Horikita continued.
"Someone hurt Ryūen?"
Ayanokōji feigned surprise.
"Yes, and it bothers me. Who could've done it?"
"It must be someone from A-Class."
"No."
Horikita replied instantly.
Ayanokōji narrowed his eyes.
"I think it's someone from our class."
Horikita paused, then continued.
"Why would they fight Ryūen? Either our class has issues with him, or another class does. The first is unlikely. Our class is clearly at odds with D-Class. Ryūen targeted us, and D-Class harassed us. But after he stepped down, the harassment stopped. Kushida's hostility toward me has lessened too."
*Horikita, you've grown.*
Ayanokōji thought, expressionless.
"Who do you suspect?"
"Someone who could injure Ryūen. Likely a boy. I suspected Yamauchi, but he's just an idiot."
"Anyone else?"
"I asked the boys about that night. Hirata and Sudō were at club activities, and Ike has an alibi. But two boys left the dorm that night, and I haven't asked them yet."
"I haven't been asked."
"You're one of them."
Horikita folded her arms, staring at Ayanokōji.
"Where were you that night?"
"Just wandering alone. No alibi."
Ayanokōji shrugged.
"This clearly isn't about me. Who's the other person?"
Though he asked, Ayanokōji already knew.
"Saiki."
---
Ten minutes later, Saiki led the group to the movie theater.
*Not hearing thoughts feels weird, like being in a library. Wait, I've never been to a quiet library.*
*I have no idea what others are thinking. It's like being surrounded by insects!*
*Can't rely on my powers too much. I finally have a peaceful day—I won't waste it.*
Saiki turned to the four girls, clueless about their thoughts.
"Wait here. I'll buy tickets."
He approached the counter and bought five tickets.
*No spoilers from the cashier. A good start.*
*The movie's so niche, no one else is here. Perfect.*
*Popcorn, then we're set...*
"One ticket for the next show, please."
Another voice came from beside him.