'Yare yare, what a terrifying guy.'
Saiki Kusuo glanced at Nagumo Miyabi, his eyes narrowing slightly.
'It doesn't seem to directly involve me, but I did promise Horikita Manabu earlier. I can't let Nagumo Miyabi run wild... By the way, will there be coffee pudding in the cafeteria this time?'
As Saiki Kusuo was thinking, the conversation between Horikita Manabu and Nagumo Miyabi was coming to an end.
From start to finish, Nagumo Miyabi had no intention of using this exam to compete with Horikita Manabu. He was simply looking for some amusement.
The assembly ended, and everyone began to leave, preparing to enter the school building.
"Let's head in too," said Yukimura Teruhiko to the group. Saiki Kusuo nodded.
But just then, Nagumo Miyabi approached them again:
"We're in the same group, let's go in together~ Oh, and you, I remember you. You're Taketoshi, right? I've heard about you."
"I know you too. You're the newly appointed student council president, aren't you?"
Kōenji Rokusuke held a mirror in one hand, his gaze never once shifting to Nagumo Miyabi. During the earlier discussion, Kōenji Rokusuke hadn't participated at all.
"I noticed you didn't join the discussion with the others just now," Nagumo Miyabi pointed out.
"Nothing really matters to me, I guess," Kōenji Rokusuke replied with a smile.
"Is that so? While it's your freedom to be reckless, do you really think nothing matters? For example, expulsion? If you think expulsion doesn't matter, you wouldn't bother participating in this special exam, right? And... maybe you're actually desperate to rise to Class A!"
Hearing Nagumo Miyabi's words, Kōenji Rokusuke laughed outright:
"That's true. While I'm not aiming for Class A, I'm not planning to drop out either. Honestly, I think just drifting along like this is best."
"Not interested in Class A? That's a lie, isn't it?"
Nagumo Miyabi looked at Kōenji Rokusuke, as if seeing through him entirely.
"Oh, am I already considered a liar?"
"If it's not a lie, there'd be some unexplained parts. Kōenji, you've already found a reliable way to graduate from Class A, haven't you?"
"What?!"
"Really?!"
"Can someone like Kōenji actually find a way to rise to Class A?"
The others were stunned, but Saiki Kusuo showed no surprise. As a psychic, he already knew part of Kōenji's story.
"Oh? That's interesting. If you can, could you share your logic with me?" Kōenji Rokusuke finally looked at Nagumo Miyabi.
"Is that okay? If I say it here, your reliable method won't work anymore. No, I'll make it unusable."
"Haha, no problem. I just want to know if you've guessed my thoughts."
Kōenji Rokusuke smiled.
"Using 20 million points to rise to Class A—everyone's considered it, though it's not easy to save that many points. But it's not impossible. You investigated how remaining points are handled when third-year students graduate."
"Go on."
"Personal points are converted to cash upon graduation, usable outside school, though their value drops. You plan to buy personal points at a higher rate than the exchange ratio, right?"
Everyone was shocked.
Regardless of whether Kōenji Rokusuke quickly understood the school's rules, implementing this plan required an absurd amount of money—something only Kōenji Rokusuke, as a future conglomerate heir, could manage.
"Correct. I figured this out right after enrolling and reached the truth. In this school, no matter how tarnished your reputation, if you legally obtain personal points by the end, graduating from Class A is easy. The strategy's too obvious, so I find this school boring."
Kōenji Rokusuke kept smiling.
"Luckily, before entering, my face and bio were posted on the company website as the next president. I can easily access tens of millions."
"Hmm. Several second-year students plan to sell you points, and many third-years too. You asked them not to spread it, but many second-years trust me. Some asked if they should believe your promises. I initially agreed, though it's risky. You seem rich, but only until today."
Nagumo Miyabi turned to the upperclassmen, speaking louder:
"Even if he's rich, Kōenji's untrustworthy. He'll lie if necessary. Don't trade personal points. I'll report this to the school. Buying points before graduation shouldn't be allowed."
Nagumo Miyabi seemed to enjoy ruining others' plans for twisted satisfaction. Saiki Kusuo's dislike for him grew.
"It's fine. I only prepared to rise to Class A; I didn't decide to execute it!"
Kōenji Rokusuke showed no hesitation, setting down his mirror and folding his arms.
"I didn't expect Kōenji to have such a plan... but I'm more surprised he's being led around."
Yukimura Teruhiko looked incredulous, realizing Nagumo Miyabi was formidable.
"Let's head to the dorms..."
"Yeah."
Soon, Saiki Kusuo and the others left the assembly and headed to the assigned dorms.
Each grade was divided into six groups, with separate rooms.
The rooms were older than expected, all with bunk beds.
'Yare yare, all bunk beds? I prefer the top bunk. It's less disturbed, better for privacy, especially since I can't always go home.'
Saiki Kusuo thought, then eyed the innermost bunk—his ideal spot.
As they entered, Ishizaki Daichi immediately headed for that bunk, climbing to the top. It was the spot Saiki Kusuo had just 'chosen.'
"I'll take this!"
Ishizaki Daichi, once a middle school 'boss,' made his decision.
"What are you doing?!"
Totsuka Yahiko was annoyed, shouting.
"Mind your own business! Want a beating?"
Ishizaki Daichi sneered, his thuggish aura forcing Totsuka Yahiko back.
But then, Ishizaki Daichi's gaze met Saiki Kusuo's.
"?!"
Ishizaki Daichi seemed to realize something, quickly climbing down and saying respectfully:
"Sorry, I was joking. Let's discuss the beds together!"
"What's wrong with him? Split personality?"
Totsuka Yahiko was confused, as Ishizaki Daichi seemed like a different person.
'Yare yare, this is tricky. I wanted that spot, but Ishizaki's reaction means I can't take it without suspicion!'
As Saiki Kusuo pondered, Kōenji Rokusuke leaped like Tarzan, claiming the spot.
"What are you doing?!"
Ishizaki Daichi yelled.
But Kōenji Rokusuke ignored him, closing his eyes and entering his own world.
Ishizaki Daichi had no choice but to pick another bed, glancing at Saiki Kusuo.
'Hey, stop looking at me.'
"If I accidentally take Saiki's spot... I'll get beaten, right?"
'You've got me wrong.'
"Maybe we should discuss this..."
Before Yukimura Teruhiko finished, everyone started choosing beds.
'If everyone's moving, I will too. I don't want the last lower bunk near the door.'
Saiki Kusuo headed for his preferred top bunk.
"I want that spot!"
Saiki Kusuo sensed someone else's thoughts—Totsuka Yahiko, aiming for the same bed.
'Yare yare, I can't let you have it.'
Saiki Kusuo used telekinesis to untie Totsuka Yahiko's shoelaces, making him stumble. Seizing the chance, Saiki Kusuo took the top bunk.
"Damn it!"
Totsuka Yahiko got up, glaring at Saiki Kusuo.
"I wanted that spot! You pushed me, didn't you?!"
"You tripped yourself!"
As Totsuka Yahiko was about to confront Saiki Kusuo, Ishizaki Daichi jumped down from the farthest top bunk.
Confirming Saiki Kusuo's choice, Ishizaki Daichi claimed his own spot.
Facing Ishizaki Daichi's intimidation, Totsuka Yahiko was speechless. He knew D-Class students were tough, and provoking them was dangerous.
But he couldn't back down entirely, muttering:
"What's it to you, Ishizaki?"
"If I anger Saiki, we're all dead!"
Ishizaki Daichi thought, not revealing anything about Saiki Kusuo.
"If I leak Saiki's secret... Albert and Ryūen will retaliate..."
"I... just want to avoid conflict. Remember, we're a team!"
Ishizaki Daichi said quickly.
'Yare yare, while I could do it, you've got me wrong. I only gave Ryūen a scary memory, right?'
Saiki Kusuo thought.
Still, Ishizaki Daichi helped solve a problem.
"Damn..."
Feeling at a disadvantage, Totsuka Yahiko had no choice but to take the last lower bunk.
"We're bunk mates, Saiki," said Ayanokōji Kiyotaka from below.
"Yeah..."
Saiki Kusuo nodded. Being bunk mates with Ayanokōji Kiyotaka shouldn't cause trouble for now.
Nearby, Class C students chose their spots. Albert and Ishizaki Daichi became bunk mates, leaving Totsuka Yahiko to take Kōenji Rokusuke's lower bunk—the least desirable spot.
"By the way, I'm curious. Does Albert have communication issues?"
As everyone settled, Hashimoto Masayoshi smiled at Albert.
"Nope. Right, Albert?"
Ishizaki Daichi replied, leaning over the top bunk to look at Albert.
But Albert didn't respond, staring straight ahead.
"Maybe..."
"Can't be helped. Usually, Ryūen gives the orders."
"Ryūen...-kun?"
Hashimoto Masayoshi narrowed his eyes.