*What's going on?*
Saiki Kusuo's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Despite the distance, his psychic abilities allowed him to hear Tsukishiro's conversation with Ayanokōji and even Tsukishiro's thoughts. He hadn't expected the White Room to send two students to the school.
This could cause a lot of trouble...
*But...*
Saiki's mind raced, considering the potential consequences.
*The people from the White Room are troublemakers, but if their main target is Ayanokōji, it shouldn't affect me.*
"Of course, there are people in this world more talented than me. With seven billion people alive, that's inevitable. But in the White Room, it's different."
Ayanokōji spoke slowly.
"Your eyes—they're just like your father's, deep and dark with fear. Even the most talented White Room students can't replicate that depth."
Tsukishiro smiled.
He hadn't been in the White Room for a while and didn't know that just recently, Ayanokōji's father had been filled with fear.
After finishing his conversation with Ayanokōji, Tsukishiro left immediately—
But after just two steps, he saw Saiki Kusuo walking toward him.
This was Saiki's usual route back to the dorm, and there were no buildings or obstructions nearby. The two met directly on the path.
"..."
Saiki didn't know what to say.
*This is still a bit far from where they were talking. Tsukishiro shouldn't think I overheard them.*
*Why is Saiki here!?*
The moment Tsukishiro saw Saiki, his expression changed, and a hint of fear flashed in his eyes.
*I'm just heading back to the dorm and passing through here.*
Saiki responded in his mind.
He'd planned to pretend he didn't see Tsukishiro and walk past, but Tsukishiro reacted first.
"Saiki... What a coincidence. What are you doing here?"
Tsukishiro forced a smile and asked quickly.
"I'm heading back to the dorm and just passing by."
Saiki answered honestly.
But...
He knew well that in this school, honesty was rarely believed.
*Just passing by? I won't fall for such a lame excuse.*
*I really am telling the truth.*
Saiki felt helpless.
*It's been a long time since classes ended. Why would he only be heading back now? And the direction he's coming from isn't the school building. I've investigated—Saiki usually goes to a café after school, but he never stays too late, like now.*
*I'm just trying to shake off the guy following me...*
Saiki glanced back with his peripheral vision. Matsushita Chiaki was watching them from a distance.
*That's... Acting Chairman Tsukishiro, right? I saw him at the graduation ceremony. He seems to know Saiki?*
Matsushita observed Saiki and Tsukishiro, confused.
*Wait, Tsukishiro's expression looks off... Is that... fear?*
For Tsukishiro, hiding his emotions was basic.
But after recent events, even he couldn't control his expression.
From Ayanokōji's father ordering him not to provoke Saiki, to his own failed attempt to test Saiki, Tsukishiro was wary of him.
*Saiki's clearly making excuses—*
*I really am telling the truth.*
*Could Saiki have been secretly following me?*
*So, the one being followed is now the stalker?*
*This guy... His eyes... They're colder and darker than Ayanokōji's.*
*Hey, I'm just acting normal! And are you insulting me?*
Saiki sighed in his mind. Tsukishiro wasn't the issue; it was Matsushita watching from behind. If this led to more misunderstandings, it'd be troublesome.
"Well then... I'll take my leave!"
Tsukishiro bit his lip and quickly walked away.
*Ugh... This guy...*
Saiki felt helpless, never expecting Tsukishiro to cause him so much trouble.
Just then, Ayanokōji walked over, surprised to see Saiki there.
*Saiki? What's he doing here?*
*Is it not allowed to just happen to be passing by?*
"Saiki, what are you doing here?"
"I was reading at a café and just got back. I saw you two talking."
Saiki replied.
Fortunately, Ayanokōji knew Saiki's words were likely true and didn't press the issue. Instead, he thought about something else.
*Should I deal with Tsukishiro soon? I got Sakayanagi's father's contact from her. With external support, handling Tsukishiro would be easier.*
*To live undisturbed for three years, removing Tsukishiro and reinstating Sakayanagi is the best option.*
*But so far, Tsukishiro doesn't seem threatening. He hasn't even launched a proper attack against me.*
Tsukishiro had tried several times to target Ayanokōji—all failing.
He tried using a class vote to expel Ayanokōji, but Sakayanagi gave her praise points to Saiki instead.
He tried goading Ayanokōji into attacking him, but Saiki's sudden appearance ruined it.
This time, he tried using exams to expel Ayanokōji, only to find Saiki was their class's leader.
These failures made Tsukishiro seem harmless to Ayanokōji.
*I sense Tsukishiro fears Saiki. If I can ally with Saiki, Tsukishiro won't be a threat. But what Tsukishiro just said bothers me. If it's about that man, he'd do anything to achieve his goals. The White Room could indeed send students here, and not just one.*
Ayanokōji thought, then said to Saiki:
"I think next semester's freshmen might include some troublemakers."
Since Saiki had been present during Ayanokōji's confrontation with Sakayanagi and Tsukishiro, Ayanokōji knew Saiki was aware of his situation and no longer hid it.
"They're from where I used to be, likely targeting me."
"Really? That's unexpected."
Saiki feigned ignorance.
"Even though they're after me, it might affect you too."
"That's possible."
"Tsukishiro just said if I can identify them, he'll step down. But I know his word can't be trusted."
Ayanokōji spoke slowly.
"Regardless of whether he keeps his promise, there'll definitely be some troublesome freshmen."
*Probably two of them.*
Saiki thought, knowing the answer from Tsukishiro but couldn't say it.
"Right."
"What will you do?"
"I'll see how things go."
Saiki replied.
But for some reason, talking about this left him with a strange feeling.
It's like... there'll be even bigger trouble ahead.
"By the way, the person about fifty meters behind you is Matsushita from our class, right?"
Ayanokōji's observation skills were beyond his peers, and he noticed Matsushita.
*Is there someone behind me?*
Saiki was about to say that but realized it was pointless.
"Yes. For some reason, Matsushita's been following me since school ended."
"She probably noticed something unusual about you. Let's go before more people get suspicious."
Ayanokōji suggested.
"Right."
Saiki nodded and followed Ayanokōji back to the dorm.
From a distance, Matsushita stopped following.
Her confusion only grew.
*When Tsukishiro and Saiki met, Tsukishiro's expression was off, and he said something to Saiki.*
*Technically, he just asked why I was here.*
*Saiki... He's so mysterious. Too many coincidences surround him.*
*Honestly, a lot of it really is just coincidence.*
*I need to understand Saiki better.*
*Sigh.*
Saiki Kusuo felt a bit helpless inside.
...
A few days later, on March 30th, it was the day for third-year students to leave school.
Saiki arrived near the school gate. Although theoretically, he hadn't interacted much with the third-year students, he had some dealings with Manabu and Akane Tachibana. So, he came to see Manabu off.
"Is Suzune not here?"
Manabu's thoughts were clear to Saiki, but he still walked over and greeted him.
"Saiki, you're here."
"But Suzune isn't."
*'So he's a siscon after all.'*
Saiki thought, but nodded.
"I pushed some troubles onto you earlier. It's my fault, so don't worry about it."
Manabu said.
"It's fine."
Saiki shook his head. Though he hated trouble, he agreed to help Manabu to prevent Nagumo from disrupting his peaceful life—and for the sweets shop's VIP status.
After Manabu left, Nagumo would likely come after him.
"Let me remind you: I generally support this school's policies. Despite its meritocracy, there's room for lower-ranked classes to win. It's no easy fight, as you've seen by rising from Class D to A."
"We were just lucky."
"It's not luck—it's your effort. Many don't see the essence. The school needs improvements, but look back: whether the island exam or the final tests, the school always gives lower classes a chance to beat higher ones. Even in Class A, watch out for backlash from other classes."
Manabu said seriously.
"Is Suzune not coming?"
*'How do you think one thing and say another?'*
"Uh-huh."
Saiki didn't know what to say and just nodded.
"Nagumo's approach isn't entirely wrong, but it causes many students suffering. He values only 'individual strength,' but I believe a class is a community of shared fate. That boundary shouldn't be crossed."
Manabu looked into the distance, then at Saiki.
"Saiki, what environment did you grow up in? I'm sure your abilities aren't entirely innate. It's a level ordinary people can't reach."
"You flatter me. I'm just an ordinary student from an ordinary family."
Saiki replied.
*'The last part isn't a lie.'*