Takuya was surprised. Kushida should be eager to expel them, but she seemed indifferent. Was this an act? Or did she genuinely not want Ayanokōji or Saiki expelled?
"Senpai, we're here to help you eliminate problems, right?" Takuya probed.
"You're mistaken. You said you'd 'help me with problems,' but expelling others is different. And it's your fault more people know my past!" Kushida's tone was sharp.
*I can't accept people knowing my secrets and living nearby... But strangely, I trust Ayanokōji, Saiki, and Horikita Suzune not to reveal my past. I don't see them as threats.*
*Honestly, I don't understand why. Normally, I'd expel them, like I did with Yamauchi. But not this time.*
Unbeknownst to her, this was Saiki's influence.
"So, you don't want to expel Ayanokōji?" Takuya asked.
"They're no threat to me. You, however, are a real problem."
"Senpai, even if Ayanokōji might reveal your past, you're not concerned?" Takuya's tone was urgent.
According to White Room teachings, Kushida should eliminate anyone knowing her secrets. This was why Takuya targeted her as a potential tool. But her reaction was unexpected.
"Enough, Takuya. Don't push me. My patience is gone." Kushida's voice was icy. *I'll make sure you're expelled.*
"Don't force me to act against my brother..." she warned.
*Bring it on!* Takuya's eyes turned cold. He was ready to abandon pretense and use force.
His plan relied on controlling Kushida. If she resisted, she'd become an obstacle. Violence, though a last resort, was acceptable in this exam.
As Takuya stepped forward, he sensed a presence behind him. Turning, he saw Saiki Kusuo.
"Saiki-senpai, what are you doing here?" Takuya smiled warmly.
"Is your designated area nearby, Saiki?"
Kushida Kikyō quickly switched to her usual demeanor, smiling at Saiki Kusuo.
"Hm."
Saiki glanced at the two, nodding slightly, but sighed inwardly.
*'Yare yare, the people from the White Room are nothing but troublemakers.'*
After finishing the exam, Saiki moved to the designated area while using his clairvoyance to observe the surroundings.
During his earlier encounter with Kiryūin Fūka, he learned from her thoughts that the daily competition tasks appeared at specific times and locations, following a pattern. He could exploit this to reach the locations early and secure supplies.
With his psychic abilities, Saiki could easily obtain anything he needed, even without food or water. However, he had a personal code of conduct, and he wasn't sure if Saiki Kûsuke had other tricks up his sleeve. For now, following the exam rules was the best approach.
Just then, Saiki used his clairvoyance to witness the interaction between Kushida and Yagami Takuya. To prevent any mishaps and since the designated area was nearby, he teleported to the location.
He also altered the GPS on his watch to avoid teachers detecting his teleportation.
At that moment, Yagami glanced at Saiki with a hint of caution.
*'Did he hear our conversation? At this distance, it's unlikely, but not impossible.'*
*'What bothers me most is that I didn't sense his presence earlier.'*
*'My observation skills should be far superior to others. I can detect someone tailing me from a distance, but I didn't pick up Saiki's presence at all. This guy is no ordinary person.'*
*'Well, since I teleported here, you couldn't have sensed me,'* Saiki thought.
*'My disguise must be flawless. If Ayanokōji didn't notice, Saiki shouldn't either,'* Yagami thought.
*'Honestly, I saw through it the first day we met,'* Saiki thought, then spoke aloud,
"My next area is ahead, L3. What about you two?"
"Not me, I'm headed the other way."
"Then I'll be off."
Saiki left, and Yagami watched him go, pursing his lips.
*'The higher-ups warned me to avoid unnecessary contact with Saiki Kusuo. What's his deal that they're so cautious—even more than with Ayanokōji? I'm curious. I want to know what makes Saiki so special.'*
---
Day four of the exam arrived, and the top ten group rankings were about to be announced.
Saiki, resting in his tent, checked the student scores on his tablet.
The bottom seven groups were all from third-year classes B to D. The last-place team, a trio from class D, scored 21 points: 5 from the task and 16 for reaching the designated area. They likely withdrew on the first day due to unforeseen circumstances, likely arranged by Nagumo Miyabi.
The remaining three groups were all first-years.
One of these might be Miyake Akito's group, as Sakura Airi was in that team.
For them, even reaching the designated area would be challenging, given Sakura's poor physical condition. The exam was particularly harsh for her.
Saiki had secretly helped them, using telekinesis to conserve their energy and his healing ability to maintain their health. This kept their group temporarily out of the bottom ten.
Karuizawa Kei and Satō Maya's group faced no such risk.
Among the top ten, Nagumo's group was first, Kiriyama Ikuto's group second, and Kōenji Rokusuke's group fourth, with Kiryūin Fūka's group close behind.
Saiki, with 52 points, was eleventh, just outside the top ten.
After resting, Saiki headed to his target location.
Upon arriving, he found a task at the summit of area C5: a one-on-one tug-of-war, lasting 40 minutes, with two participants per gender. Though strict, participation awarded 5 points, and winning added 10 more, totaling 15 points.
*'Reaching the summit in time will be tough. Not many students will make it,'* Saiki thought, using his clairvoyance to confirm few students were nearby.
If all went well, he'd secure 15 points without competition.
Saiki couldn't pass up this opportunity.
He teleported near the location, adjusted his fake GPS, and approached the task site.
A teacher had set up the area, and Saiki registered. No other students were present.
*'Looks like I'll get the points easily—'*
*'I'm so handsome.'*
Just then, Saiki heard a familiar voice. Kōenji Rokusuke appeared before him.
"Ah! I'm so handsome, my power's grown since last year!"
Kōenji took a sip from a water bottle and poured the rest over himself.
"I'm definitely first place—Glasses Boy?"
Kōenji noticed Saiki, who nodded awkwardly.
Kōenji, assuming he'd be first, was surprised to see Saiki already there.
"You're not an ordinary student, Glasses Boy."
Kōenji's gaze intensified.
Minutes later, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka and Nanase Tsubasa arrived, equally surprised to find Saiki and Kōenji there.
"Looks like we're late."
Ayanokōji spoke slowly. With only two spots per gender, Ayanokōji couldn't participate after Kōenji and Saiki registered, leaving Nanase unopposed.
"Guess you're my opponent, Saiki Boy."
Kōenji's nickname shifted from Glasses Boy to Saiki Boy.
"Uh..."
Saiki was resigned. He'd hoped to earn points easily but didn't expect them to arrive on time.
*'I'll have to lose to Kōenji. 5 points are still points.'*
Saiki thought, gripping the rope.
With time left in the exam, securing first place later was better.
Losing now was the best option—
But then, his smartwatch displayed a message:
Saiki Kûsuke: *Win this round, or I'll blow up part of the island.*
Saiki Kûsuke: *If you win, I'll arrange cake as a reward in the next task.*
"Ready, Saiki Boy? You'd usually go for efficiency, but letting the fourth-place guy win is better for the class. I get it, but it's ridiculous. You must think you can beat me, or you wouldn't bother. No matter who participates, I'll win."
Kōenji declared confidently.