"I don't want to hurt you, Shiina, but why should I save Ryūen?"
Ishizaki bluffed, his voice weak.
"I know about you and Ryūen. It was a lie, wasn't it? Saiki defeated Ryūen, not you."
Shiina stated.
"I… confirmed it with Saiki a month ago."
"I… What?"
Ishizaki and Ibuki were speechless. After a pause, Ibuki asked,
"When did you find out?"
"A month after Ryūen's defeat. Saiki confirmed it."
"You and Saiki… are close?"
Ibuki's heart skipped at Saiki's name.
"Yes, we're close book friends."
Shiina smiled.
"Did you tell anyone else?"
Ishizaki asked.
"No. It wouldn't benefit Class D."
"But you said you can save Ryūen?"
Ibuki asked urgently.
"I can't guarantee it, but I have a possibility."
"Why help Ryūen? You avoid conflicts, and your views contradict his."
"True, I don't agree with his methods, but I can't deny his talent. Class D needs him to move forward."
"How can we save him?"
Ibuki asked.
"I can only ask one person for help."
Hiyori Shiina's face lit up with a smile, as if she was excited about what she was about to say.
"If it's Saiki, he'll definitely find a solution."
...
Meanwhile, in Class C's girls' dormitory.
Honami Ichinose's face was filled with hesitation. After several seconds of thought, she finally mustered the courage to take out her phone and make a call.
"Senpai Nagumo, it's Honami."
"Ah, Honami? Is this about what we discussed earlier?"
Nagumo Miyabi's cheerful voice came through the phone.
"Yes, I wanted to confirm something with you again..."
Honami's voice trembled slightly.
"My conditions haven't changed. You must first collect all the points from your classmates without leaving any behind. Gather as many individual points as possible. I won't help unless everyone shares the burden equally."
"I understand. That's why I've already calculated our class's individual points."
"How many points are we short?"
"Four million and forty-three thousand and nineteen."
"I see. If it's just that, I can handle it with minimal effort, though I'll still face significant negative consequences in future exams."
"I know..."
Honami nodded, fully aware that four million was no small amount.
"I'm really sorry to ask this of you."
"It's fine. This is your style—not leaving anyone behind. But remember, there's another condition for borrowing the points."
In Class A's dormitory, Nagumo Miyabi smirked.
"...Yes, that... dating you, right?"
Honami swallowed hard.
Nagumo Miyabi wasn't helping her out of kindness.
He had his own agenda—the same one he'd failed to achieve before: making Honami his possession.
"If you accept that condition, I can transfer the points immediately."
Nagumo said with a smile.
"...The deadline is Friday night, right?"
"Are you still hesitating? You want to avoid any sacrifices in your class, don't you?"
"Of course... but I'm still uneasy... I need more time to think."
"Don't forget, I'm a man who values time."
Nagumo chuckled.
"Okay, I'll contact you later."
Honami ended the call, holding her phone tightly.
*Is this really the condition Senpai Nagumo is offering?*
The person who once almost pushed her into despair was now making this demand, leaving Honami conflicted.
*But... I have no other choice...*
Honami couldn't bear to lose any of her classmates and was willing to pay any price to prevent it.
*After all, I was already on the edge of a cliff... Thanks to Saiki... Wait... If it's Saiki...*
Honami felt like she'd found a lifeline in a raging river.
...
Meanwhile, at a café, Saiki Kusuo and his study group were discussing the upcoming exam.
The focus was on Yamauchi Haruki and Hirata Yousuke.
Haruki had earned the group's resentment for trying to sway votes toward Saiki, and everyone planned to vote for him. The other issue was Hirata's unusual behavior.
No one had ever seen him like that before.
"Saiki, do you know why Hirata reacted so strongly?"
Kiyotaka Ayanokouji asked, curious about Saiki's response.
"I don't know."
Saiki feigned ignorance.
"I see."
...
After about ten more minutes of discussion, the meeting ended, and the group members left the café to return to their dorms.
As Saiki stepped out, Kiyotaka called him.
"Saiki, can I have a word?"
"Go ahead."
"Do you think this exam is Sakayanagi's style?"
Kiyotaka asked.
"Doesn't feel like it. Probably a new chairman."
Saiki gave a vague answer, instantly regretting it.
*So, Saiki knows about Sakayanagi too. He's probably had contact with him earlier than I thought.*
Kiyotaka thought. Few students knew the chairman's identity.
But he didn't find it odd that Saiki knew about Sakayanagi Arisu. He expected Saiki to be aware of such things.
"I think someone from my past is behind this. He might change school rules to force me out, and it could affect you too."
Kiyotaka said expressionlessly.
"Let's work together. You help me with this, and I'll ensure your life remains undisturbed."
*I refuse.*
Saiki immediately thought. Collaborating with Kiyotaka never ended well, especially since Sakayanagi was already targeting him because of Kiyotaka's words.
But then again, if Kiyotaka kept his word, it might reduce future troubles.
As long as Kiyotaka didn't cause more problems, things should be fine.
And ignoring the new school management would likely lead to more issues.
This exam was already a sign.
"Alright."
After a moment's thought, Saiki nodded, agreeing superficially.
"Thanks. If I get more info, I'll let you know."
Kiyotaka left.
He'd first approached Saiki to counter Chabashira Sae's claims and improve his class's ranking.
Now, it was about his father, Ayanokouji Dokusei.
Kiyotaka didn't think anyone from the White Room could defeat him, but working with Saiki was the most efficient approach.
It was also a chance to learn more about Saiki.
As Saiki headed back to his dorm, he saw someone waiting for him near the entrance.
Hirata Yousuke.
*Great, the walk back just got longer.*
Saiki had already sensed Hirata's presence through telepathy and considered avoiding him but decided to meet him.
After all, Hirata was one of the few normal people Saiki knew.
*I need to talk to Saiki in person.*
"Saiki, are you free?"
Hirata looked as gentle as ever.
"Yeah."
"Can we talk?"
"Sure."
"Let's sit over there. It's quieter."
Hirata led Saiki to a bench, looking up at the sky with a serious expression.
"Spring's almost here."
"Yeah."
"I... believed we'd all welcome spring together. No, I still believe that deep down."
Hirata's voice carried a hint of melancholy.
Saiki knew this was Hirata's rebirth.
"I hate losing someone."
"That's a tough problem."
Hirata turned to Saiki.
"Can I leave it to you?"
"Leave what?"
"I mean Class B. I want you to lead them from now on. They trust you."
Hirata said.
"Sorry, I'm not cut out for that."
Saiki replied.
*Leading a class? No way. That's trouble.*
"You're actually amazing, Saiki."
Hirata blurted out.
"Not really."
Saiki shook his head.
"You've been hiding your strength, haven't you? I can feel it. Without you, our class wouldn't be where it is now."
"Just luck..."
Kusuo sighed inwardly. Despite wanting a quiet life, he seemed to attract more attention than ever.
"Kusuo, who are you voting for?"
"Three students from other classes—the ones who can't be expelled."
Kusuo replied slowly, sticking to his original plan. This way, the special exam's outcome wouldn't involve him.
"After school, Horikita and Yamauchi both came to me. Horikita wanted me to vote for Yamauchi, and Yamauchi wanted me to vote for you. Their approaches differed, but you don't seem like someone who'd harm others. That's not something most people can do. I thought you'd especially hate Yamauchi."
*Honestly, I almost cursed him to bleed from all seven orifices in seven days.*
Kusuo thought.
"Let's head back, Kusuo."
"Yeah."
Just then, Kusuo's phone vibrated slightly.
An unknown number.
Unknown: *Kusuo, who the hell are you?*
Kusuo narrowed his eyes. He instantly knew the sender's identity—someone hiding behind a tree nearby. Kusuo clearly heard the person's thoughts, but Yōsuke hadn't noticed them.
Tsukishiro, the school's acting chairman.
"I need to handle something. You go ahead, Yōsuke."
Kusuo said.
"Uh... okay."
Yōsuke nodded and left.
Kusuo turned and walked toward Tsukishiro's hiding spot.