"Aren't you preparing for the next exam?" Sakayanagi frowned.
"I'm just the Command Tower. This is your dream match. It's between you and Ayanokōji now."
Saiki replied.
Sakayanagi pondered.
*Is Saiki feigning disinterest? Or is he truly uninvolved?*
*If he's out, it's just me vs. Ayanokōji.*
*Perfect. I can focus entirely on him. As Command Tower, 30 minutes should be enough.*
"Let's begin," Sakagami announced. Ayanokōji and Hashimoto sat at the chessboard.
---
Exam Hall.
"Nice to meet you, Ayanokōji."
Hashimoto smiled, but his mind raced.
*We lost four matches... If we lose two more, Class B becomes Class A. But Sakayanagi's chess is unbeatable. One win keeps us safe—temporarily. After this, I need to reassess. Sakayanagi's strong, but future class dynamics are uncertain. I must prepare to graduate as Class A.*
Ayanokōji spoke up.
"Want me to throw the match?"
"What?"
Hashimoto stared, confused. Ayanokōji's expressionless face seemed serious.
He wasn't addressing Hashimoto, but Sakayanagi, watching remotely.
"No one's beaten me when I throw a match."
Ayanokōji knew Sakayanagi was no easy foe—but victory was expected.
He glanced at the camera.
"Well, one person has..."
"What do you mean?"
Hashimoto was puzzled.
His earpiece buzzed.
*Command Tower intervening.*
*So soon? Sakayanagi?*
He expected her to wait until he was losing. Instead, she took control, making him a mere pawn.
Thirty minutes was enough to sway the match.
The game began.
...
In another location, within the chairman's office, Tsukishiro watched the match unfold on the screen, his expression sour.
"Damn it... This is nothing like I expected..."
Tsukishiro muttered, his brow furrowed.
According to his original plan, he believed Ayanokōji Kiyotaka would lead Class B in this exam. That way, he could interfere and have Ayanokōji expelled fairly.
Tsukishiro had discovered Sakayanagi Arisu's obsession with Ayanokōji, and he was certain the two would clash. Logically, they should both be in leadership positions for a proper showdown.
But in the end, Saiki Kusuo took the lead.
This left Tsukishiro helpless. All his preparations were useless.
He'd even rigged the lottery system to ensure Classes A and B competed in specific events—but during the match, the system went haywire. He didn't know if it was a cyberattack or a bug. When Sakagami Kazuma asked about it earlier, Tsukishiro couldn't give a clear answer. Even as chairman, tampering with the exam would cause major trouble if discovered.
"Damn it... All because of that Saiki guy... Who is he? I haven't been able to contact Ayanokōji either... The last time we spoke, he asked me to hire a new teacher next semester... Either way, there's no chance to act against Ayanokōji this term. I'll have to wait for next semester and let 'those guys' handle it. Watching kids destroy each other might not be so bad."
Tsukishiro accepted the outcome.
...
Meanwhile, in a secret White Room facility, Ayanokōji Professor sat on a sofa, facing two teenagers.
They were fifteen, soon to enter high school.
But they were also White Room creations.
"Tsukishiro already showed you the files on Ayanokōji Kiyotaka and the 156 students in his grade, right? You've memorized everything?"
Ayanokōji Professor asked slowly.
"You know the goal: expel him by April and bring him back to the White Room. We can't delay the plan any longer. But be subtle. If the government finds out, you know the consequences."
"Yes."
The two nodded—but one, a petite girl, raised her hand.
"I have a question."
"What?"
"There are 157 students, but Saiki Kusuo's file is barely detailed. Why?"
"You!"
At Saiki's name, Ayanokōji Professor's heart skipped a beat.
He almost fell off the sofa, recalling how Saiki Kûsuke had effortlessly infiltrated the White Room.
With just a few fingers, Kûsuke had paralyzed the entire facility. That power was terrifying.
And...
Ayanokōji Professor looked around the sparsely furnished room, wondering if Kûsuke had planted cameras.
If he said anything negative about Saiki Kusuo, the trash can might turn into a robot and shoot him.
Kûsuke was that terrifying.
Fortunately, Kûsuke wasn't interested in the White Room plan and didn't interfere much. Ayanokōji Professor could still try to bring Ayanokōji back.
But Saiki Kusuo couldn't be involved.
"Don't say that name!"
Ayanokōji Professor snapped. The two White Room students froze.
They'd never seen the emotionless creator so agitated.
Sweat formed on Ayanokōji Professor's forehead as he regained composure.
"Focus on bringing Ayanokōji back, no matter the cost. Ignore Tsukishiro's orders... But remember: avoid Saiki—Saiki-kun. Don't ask why. Just obey."
"Ayanokōji Kiyotaka is the White Room's greatest creation. Don't forget."
"If you succeed, I'll acknowledge your worth."
The two nodded.
*[Intentionally calling Ayanokōji the greatest creation will push them beyond their limits. Everyone trained in the White Room is taught to surpass him. This should fuel their hatred.]*
Ayanokōji Professor thought.
"Understood."
The two turned and left.
But Ayanokōji Professor miscalculated.
Instead of hatred, they felt curiosity.
*[I can't wait to meet Ayanokōji-senpai. What's he like?]*
*[I'll finally face him!]*
*[And Saiki Kusuo... Why did Ayanokōji Professor react like that? Who is he?]*
Their thoughts lingered—unaware of the truth.
...
Back in the exam hall, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka faced Hashimoto Masayoshi and Sakayanagi Arisu in a chess match.
"What's going on?"
Hashimoto swallowed hard. The game exceeded his expectations.
On the board, Ayanokōji and Sakayanagi exchanged relentless attacks, the tension palpable.
It was the first time Hashimoto saw Sakayanagi struggle in chess.
No... She wasn't just struggling.
Hashimoto noticed Sakayanagi's instructions slowing, some moves taking minutes.
Unprecedented for her.
Time ticked away, leaving Sakayanagi with less and less.
"Ayanokōji, I take back my words. You're not a fake genius—you're the real deal."
Finally, after minutes, Sakayanagi removed her headphones, accepting defeat.
Though the match wasn't over, she knew the outcome was sealed.
Without Sakayanagi's support, Hashimoto played himself. His chess skills were above average for a normal person.
But against Ayanokōji, he was a child.
"Damn...'
Five minutes later, Hashimoto sighed, his pieces checkmated.
"Good game."
Ayanokōji stood, expressionless.
"I didn't know you were this good, Ayanokōji... Beating Sakayanagi like that."
Hashimoto knew Saiki hadn't interfered.
"Just luck. Sakayanagi ran out of time. Otherwise, who knows?"
Ayanokōji replied flatly.
Despite the win, he felt nothing.
*[Before, I might've anticipated this duel. But now, that feeling's gone. I've found someone who can beat me, and I crave that challenge. Sakayanagi, you're not that person.]*
Ayanokōji thought.
"Even Sakayanagi was overwhelmed later."
Hashimoto caught up.
"You must have no rivals in chess here—"
"I lost recently."
Ayanokōji interrupted.