"You think Utomiya and I are plotting to expel Ayanokōji, right?" Tsubaki asked.
"Yes. Hōsen acted alone in the last exam, but I believe you targeted it too."
"Expelling him earns 20 million points. Anyone would be tempted."
"Maybe, but not me."
"I can't imagine that."
Tsubaki stepped closer. "You want him expelled more than Hōsen, don't you?"
"Why would you think that? I've done nothing."
Takuya's smile stiffened. *Tsubaki isn't an ordinary student.*
"I'm confident in my judgment. You're pretending to be an ally while planning to backstab him."
"You…"
"But let's move on. The situation is tricky."
"Tricky?"
"Nanase Tsubasa is sticking to Ayanokōji, with his permission. Hōsen's likely planning his next move."
"So, we need to act fast. If Hōsen succeeds, he wins. Can you share your plan to expel Ayanokōji? I'd like to know."
"I told you, I know nothing."
"If you don't cooperate, you'll lose out."
Tsubaki moved closer to Takuya.
"Lose out? I don't understand."
"Someone important to you might be in danger."
"You wouldn't… hurt Kushida, would you?!"
Takuya feigned panic.
"What about Kushida?"
Tsubaki smirked. This was her goal: to test Takuya's intentions.
But Takuya was one step ahead.
*Tsubaki, you're unique, but I see through you. You want information, and my mention of Kushida led you exactly where I wanted. Keep up the act.*
"N-no… I can't say—ugh!"
Utomiya suddenly grabbed Takuya's arms from behind.
*This restraint is meaningless. I could break free easily, but I need to maintain my disguise.*
Takuya hunched over, feigning pain. "What are you doing, Utomiya?"
"Sorry, Yagami. I don't dislike you, but I have no choice."
Utomiya glanced at Tsubaki.
"Can't we avoid conflict? We're all first-years."
"Tell us what you know, or leave. Choose."
"Why do you think Kushida is key to expelling Ayanokōji? How would you use her?"
"I can't say…"
Utomiya tightened his grip.
"If you won't talk, I'll ask Kushida directly. Last chance: speak or stay silent?"
Takuya struggled, breathing heavily. *They won't hurt me, and I could take them down, but my goal is to maintain my cover.*
"Either way, it's decided. If you don't talk here, I'll ask Kushida. Final answer?"
"I understand... yes..."
Takuya Yagami feigned compromise and revealed details about Kushida Kikyō, including her connection to Saiki Kusuo and Kiyotaka Ayanokōji.
...
After a tense negotiation, Takuya left, leaving only Riku Utomiya and Sakurako Tsubaki.
"Do you think Yagami's words are credible?" Riku asked, turning to Sakurako.
"They likely are," Sakurako replied slowly. "While Yagami has other motives, his desire to expel Ayanokōji seems genuine."
"Should we cooperate with him? To prevent first-year students from being expelled, we should target other grade groups instead." Riku spoke while browsing his tablet.
"Single-member groups are ideal targets, like Ayanokōji's group. Speaking of expulsion..." Riku's eyes flashed with anger. "Hōsen is responsible for expelling a student from our class."
"I'm not convinced it's Hōsen's doing," Sakurako countered. After a pause, she added, "There are other notable single-member groups, like Kōenji Rokusuke and Saiki Kusuo. Kōenji seems highly capable, and targeting him would be unwise."
"Saiki Kusuo is another. I haven't interacted much with him, but I heard Hōsen's plan to expel Ayanokōji failed due to Saiki's intervention."
"Additionally, a teacher named Saiki provided technical support for this exam. They're reportedly brothers, which makes me curious about Saiki's background."
Riku nodded. "Indeed... Expelling Ayanokōji is the goal, but Saiki's involvement feels significant. His OAA data doesn't reflect exceptional ability, which is suspicious."
Sakurako wondered if Saiki, like herself, was hiding his true strength.
"While Ayanokōji is the target, we can't ignore Saiki. Even if it's to protect first-year students, we need more information about him."
"Agreed," Riku nodded.
"Given Hōsen's personality, he won't give up easily. He'll likely try to regain face by targeting Saiki. Once GPS signals are released, he'll probably act."
...
An hour later, on an uninhabited island:
"Explain the report I just received," Kushida Kikyō said coldly, her usual smile fading.
"Takuya," she addressed him.
"Apologies for the trouble," Takuya smiled.
"Skip the pleasantries. Explain yourself," Kushida's expression hardened.
Takuya shifted uneasily. "Unexpected things happen, Kushida-senpai."
*His casual tone is infuriating!* Kushida's anger rose. She'd received a radio message from Takuya, claiming he'd been forced to reveal her past by first-year students.
"What's 'unexpected'? It's your fault my past is known to first-years!"
"I apologize for that," Takuya bowed sincerely.
*This was my plan all along,* he thought. *Making first-years aware of Kushida's past will provoke her. She'll take drastic action to expel those who know, including Ayanokōji and Saiki.*
Takuya aimed to use Kushida to expel Ayanokōji and uncover Saiki's secrets.
"Your apology is meaningless," Kushida's aura turned menacing. *Four more people know my past. I'm powerless to stop this.*
"Tsubaki and the others know more than I expected, which is unexpected," Takuya said.
"What's 'unexpected'? Stop joking!"
"Calm down, Kushida-senpai. Tsubaki isn't the priority."
"What do you mean?"
"They only want to expel Ayanokōji. They're not interested in your past."
Kushida's eyebrows twitched. *Not interested? I can't accept people knowing my secrets and living nearby.*
"Besides, those four are first-years. They won't cross paths with you!" Takuya added, knowing this would frustrate her further.
"Don't be ridiculous. We're competing on this island. If I fight first-years, I'll be exposed."
"True, but which is more important to you, Kushida-senpai?"
"What are you implying?"
"Expelling those four immediately is difficult, isn't it?"
"Don't push your luck!" Kushida's patience wore thin.
"I made the best choice," Takuya insisted. "After expelling Ayanokōji, I'll remove those four unstable elements. Let's focus on acting before them. If we don't, Tsubaki's class will get the credit and the 20 million points. While you might not care about points, they could ensure your safety!"
Seeing Kushida's silence, Takuya continued, "Nanase is tailing Ayanokōji. Though we're not allied with her D-class, I can guess their plan. With coordination, we can ensure his expulsion. As for Saiki..."
"What are you babbling about?" Kushida interrupted, surprising Takuya.
"What's wrong, senpai?"
"I never said I wanted to expel Ayanokōji or Saiki."
"What?" Takuya was confused.