'This tastes... amazing!'
Amasawa was stunned by 'Saiki's' cooking. While not on par with a top chef, she'd rate it at least an 80.
As she ate, Kurumi chatted enthusiastically.
"How's school?"
"Made new friends?"
"What do your parents do?"
Amasawa felt like she was being questioned by a curious parent.
'This feels... strange.'
*'Your feeling isn't wrong.'*
Saiki, observing from afar, sighed.
Though things weren't going as planned, they were managing.
"School's new, so I'm not familiar yet. Senpai, can you show me around?"
"I'm not close with my classmates yet."
"My parents... are teachers, I guess."
Amasawa answered, unsure of Saiki's background.
"If you have any problems, come to... me. Make friends at school! And you're slim, but don't skip meals, okay?"
Kurumi smiled, treating Amasawa like a regular student.
"O-okay."
Amasawa nodded, unprepared for this type of conversation.
Soon, she finished the soup.
"I'm done. Senpai's cooking exceeded my expectations..."
"Are you full? I can make more if you're still hungry!"
"I'm full! Thank you!"
Amasawa wasn't lying; the portion was generous.
"I'm satisfied with your skills, senpai. You're my type."
Amasawa Ichika deliberately used ambiguous words to test Saiki Kusuo's reaction.
"Young people these days!"
Meanwhile, Saiki Kurumi, upon hearing Amasawa's words, smiled brightly.
"This girl seems very close to Kusuo!"
"Not at all."
Kusuo immediately conveyed his thoughts to his mother, but Kurumi seemed to ignore him completely.
"Thank you for the invitation, Senpai. I'll agree to partner with Sudo-senpai. Please don't worry!"
"You've worked hard for this exam. If you're willing, feel free to come over for meals anytime!"
Kurumi wouldn't miss the chance to help her son bond with other students.
"???"
She spoke so quickly that Kusuo didn't even have time to stop her.
"Really?"
Amasawa's eyes lit up with hope.
"Of course!"
"Since you made such delicious food today, let me help clean the kitchen."
"No need, you're the guest!"
"No, no, it's only right."
Amasawa entered the kitchen and quickly tidied it up, leaving it spotless, like new.
"Then, I'll count on you in the future, Senpai!"
Amasawa said to Kurumi before leaving the room.
After confirming she was gone and hadn't left any listening devices, Kusuo teleported back. Kurumi immediately approached, eager to say:
"Kusuo, this girl is really great! And so efficient! She cleaned the kitchen perfectly! If you need help cooking, come to me! But I think you should cook for others too!"
"Thanks."
After a brief chat, Kusuo teleported Kurumi home.
Though Amasawa's intentions weren't pure—she wasn't an ordinary student—Kusuo wouldn't reveal her true identity to avoid worrying Kurumi.
He just hoped Amasawa wouldn't actually come over for meals later.
Just then, Kusuo's phone rang. It was Horikita Suzune.
"How's the situation with Amasawa?"
Suzune asked urgently.
"No problems. Amasawa said she'll apply to partner with Sudo soon."
"Good."
Suzune nodded, though she was curious about Kusuo's cooking skills.
"Thanks for your help."
---
The next day, school life continued as usual.
Suzune planned several strategies to connect with other first-year classes.
Currently, Class D was the least desirable. Not only were their grades poor, but Housen Kazuomi's arrogance and their class strategy made them unsuitable partners.
"For now, Classes A, B, and C are better options. Though our class's average strength is low, individual points are still an advantage—but only on equal terms."
Suzune told the class.
Of the 12 students with D grades, Sudo Ken already had a suitable partner, reducing A Class's troubles.
"But the strategy should be..."
Just then, a student approached Suzune:
"Horikita, someone's looking for you outside."
"Me? Who?"
Suzune was puzzled. She didn't expect anyone to seek her out.
"Seems like a first-year student, maybe Class B's representative. I don't know them."
"Class B... Okay, I'll go now."
Suzune stood up.
"Hmm, probably nothing to do with me."
Kusuo thought, but Suzune turned to him.
"Saiki, aren't you coming?"
"Weren't you the one called?"
"As part of the class, you should come see what's happening."
"Fine..."
Kusuo had no choice but to follow.
"You're Horikita-senpai, right?"
A handsome, energetic boy greeted them.
"Yes, I remember you..."
Suzune recognized him from the OAA system. She'd studied it last night, looking for useful students, and he stood out.
Yagami Takuya.
"Hello, Senpai. I'm Yagami Takuya from Class B. I'd like to discuss the exam partnerships."
Yagami smiled.
"We want to cooperate as classes. Many in our class lack academic skills, so class-to-class cooperation would benefit both sides."
"That makes sense."
Suzune nodded.
Kusuo's gaze stayed on Yagami, as he could hear his thoughts.
"Is this Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's class? How interesting."
"I've been eager to face Ayanokoji-senpai. We White Room students were taught so much about you."
"Others say you're our greatest creation. No matter how hard I try, I can't match you. Is that true? I'll prove it—though I was ordered to bring you back, killing you would leave me as the best."
Yagami's thoughts echoed in Kusuo's mind.
"Hmm, this guy's even more trouble."
Kusuo narrowed his eyes.
The second White Room assassin appeared before him, more aggressive than Amasawa.
Though the White Room wasn't Kusuo's concern, if Yagami acted on his thoughts, Kusuo wouldn't stand by.
After all, that would cross the line.
"Is this Saiki Kusuo? I was told to avoid him."
"Again? This makes me more curious. Why does the White Room fear him?"
"Hmm, is Saiki more special than Ayanokoji? I'm curious. Maybe I can prove I'm the best."
Yagami continued talking to Suzune while glancing around.
"My goal today isn't you... but to find a tool to use."
Just then, Kushida Kikyō and other girls laughed as they left the classroom. Yagami stepped forward.
"Are you Kushida-senpai?"
"Huh?"
Kikyō turned, confused. She didn't recognize him.
"Do I know you?"
"It's me, Senpai! You don't remember? It's been a year... I'm Yagami Takuya!"
Kikyō's face lit up in realization.
"Yagami... Oh! You're that Yagami!"
"If she doesn't remember me, it'll lower my image."
"But who is he? I haven't met any first-years, and he says we haven't seen each other in a year... Did we go to the same school?!"
"Wait! If he's from my old school, he might know my past!"
Kikyō felt a chill.
Anyone from her past was a threat, as they might know her secrets.
"She fell for it. Kushida, I'm from the White Room, not your school."
"But you can't prove I'm lying. I know all about you. If it were you, you'd try to make Suzune drop out—but she's still here, thanks to Saiki. Either way, you're a useful tool."
Yagami thought, smiling at Kikyō.
"Right, it's been a while!"
"So you're at this school too? What a coincidence!"
Kikyō played along.
"I never thought I'd see you here, Senpai."
"You know each other?"
Suzune was confused, not knowing Yagami.
But she didn't think much of it. In middle school, she barely remembered her classmates, seeing them as unimportant.
"We've met before."
Yagami smiled.
"Let's see what happens next at this school."