Overwhelmed by fear, Hōsen's consciousness left his body, and he fainted.
Though Saiki's attack hadn't landed, the impact gave Hōsen a near-death sensation, knocking him out.
*'What a nuisance,'* Saiki thought, seeing Hōsen as even worse than Ryūen.
He couldn't let Hōsen cause future trouble.
Using telepathy, Saiki implanted terrifying memories into Hōsen's mind, just as he'd done with Ryūen.
This would neutralize Hōsen's threat.
From afar, Yagami was stunned by the scene.
*"How did Saiki take Hōsen down in one move?"*
Yagami hadn't expected Saiki to be so powerful.
Hōsen was massive, easily over 200 pounds, while Saiki looked like an ordinary student.
Logically, someone like Saiki shouldn't be able to takedown Hōsen so easily.
Even Yagami couldn't have done it that way; Hōsen's strength wasn't something to underestimate.
With skill, Yagami could defeat Hōsen, but not to Saiki's extent.
*"What technique was that?"*
Yagami was baffled.
"But I got crucial evidence…"
"This gives me control over Saiki…"
"If I hand this footage to the teachers, I can get him expelled anytime."
Yagami smiled, checking his camera—
But then he noticed something.
The footage was gone!
"What?!"
Yagami was incredulous.
He'd definitely pressed record; such a mistake was impossible.
What was going on?
Just then, footsteps approached.
"Saiki… Saiki-senpai…"
Yagami quickly hid the camera behind him, acting casual.
*'When did Saiki get here? I didn't notice! Did he see my camera? No, if there's no footage, there's no proof. I'll just say I was passing by!"*
*"That should clear me of suspicion…"*
"When did Saiki get here? I didn't notice!"
"?"
Yagami jolted; his voice came from Saiki's tablet.
"It's recorded," Saiki said flatly.
Earlier, Saiki had used his powers to 'broadcast' Yagami's thoughts.
"I…"
Yagami stepped back, confused.
*"Did I just say my thoughts out loud?"*
*"How is that possible? I can't make such a mistake!"*
*"What's wrong with me today?!"*
Yagami was baffled.
*"Wait!"*
He checked his watch, realizing something.
Earlier, he couldn't destroy the watch, likely due to Saiki Kūsuke's technology.
As Kūsuke's brother, Saiki might know how to control it.
The store's electronics were probably Kūsuke's work…
So was his camera!
No wonder the footage vanished. From the start, he'd been trapped.
His earlier plans with Hōsen, everything he'd done, were likely monitored by Kūsuke.
*"Damn, I never saw that coming!"*
Yagami Takuya was filled with regret, even feeling a bit frantic as he tugged at his hair.
*"From the moment I entered this exam, I fell into their trap. The entire test was orchestrated by Saiki Kusuo... He has access to all student records, so he must know about my White Room background."*
"Huh?"
At that moment, Saiki Kusuo was surprised.
He'd only planned to deal with Yagami Takuya, who was causing trouble. He'd used his powers to delete the video, but he never expected Yagami to imagine such a dramatic scenario.
Still... it didn't seem to affect him.
"Was it all part of your plan from the start?"
Yagami gritted his teeth, glaring at Saiki.
*"..."*
Saiki merely nodded, feigning mystery.
"So, you know who I am?"
"I don't..."
Saiki started to deny it, but Yagami continued.
"I'm from the White Room. My mission is to bring Ayanokōji back."
*'Don't just tell me that!'*
"I need to prove I'm better than him."
"But that's not my problem."
"..."
After Saiki spoke, an awkward silence fell between them.
...
Meanwhile, on the rugged mountain path of the deserted island:
"If I could be selfish, I'd ask you not to leave this school and help me. Tsukishiro wants to expel me as a gift to my father and is plotting something in this special exam. It goes against Matsushita's wishes for me to attend this school, even if it meant defying orders."
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka said to Nanase Tsubasa.
Earlier, Nanase had deliberately attacked Ayanokōji in an isolated spot, aiming to get him expelled.
Her 'true self' was a psychological construct, driven by the loss of Matsushita and a desire for revenge against Ayanokōji.
Nanase was exceptionally talented for her age, but Ayanokōji easily defeated her without much effort. He then manipulated her into becoming a useful tool.
"What I should do... is resist, right?"
"Will you help me?"
Ayanokōji extended his hand to Nanase.
"I will."
She took his hand and nodded firmly.
*'We're similar in essence—protecting ourselves comes first. But I don't show this side to others easily. That's our difference.'*
*'It's about whether to help the foolish around us.'*
*'Matsushita would never help the foolish. That's our decisive difference.'*
Ayanokōji thought to himself.
Rain began to fall, and another figure appeared before them.
"Looks like the rain's getting heavier, senpai!"
It was Amasawa Ichika.
She'd been secretly following them, but Ayanokōji had noticed without showing it.
"Stay behind me!"
Nanase stepped forward, shielding Ayanokōji.
"Oh? Am I not welcome, Nanase? We're teammates, yet you're so cold."
"I don't trust you."
"That's harsh~ Why say that? I'm so cute! But I need to talk to Ayanokōji-senpai. Can you step aside?"
"We can talk here."
"No can do. It's about the White Room—outsider—"
Ichika drew out the word, eyeing Nanase.
"It's fine, Nanase."
Ayanokōji stepped forward.
"Sorry, but like with Nanase, I won't jump to conclusions just because you mention the White Room. Show me proof."
Saiki had mentioned two suspects, but Ayanokōji needed solid evidence.
"Sure, I'll prove it. But... let's keep Nanase out of this~"
Ichika smirked devilishly, glancing at Nanase, who stepped away.
"Where to start~ At 10, senpai took Project 5's constructivism course... At 11, Project 7's relativity... I took both, so I remember clearly..."
"...The halls, rooms—everything was pure white..."
"...And inside the White Room..."
Ichika revealed details only a White Room insider would know, confirming her identity.
*'Just as Saiki suspected. Even I could only confirm it now, but Saiki knew from the start.'*
Ayanokōji thought, then asked,
"Why reveal yourself now? What's in it for you?"
"You're curious, right~ I want to tell you I'm not your enemy."
"That's contradictory. White Room students are here to expel you, yet you say you're not my enemy. It doesn't add up."
"You're a 4th-year, and later students envy you. The higher-ups thought using White Room students' jealousy would force you out. But they chose wrong. I'm just a girl who admires you~"
Ichika made a flirtatious expression.
"Then why not act like this from the start?"
"Admiration is just imagination until you meet. It takes time to think, 'Ah, admiring this person is great.'"
Ichika placed a finger on her lips.
"Something else delayed our meeting..."
"Saiki, right?"
Ayanokōji answered directly.
He knew Ichika was curious about Saiki.
He also noticed her eyes flicker with unease when he mentioned Saiki's name.
"Yes, I'm curious about Saiki-senpai too."
"You were ordered not to contact him, weren't you?"
"True, but we have the right to move freely in school~"
"You're here because of your curiosity about me and Saiki, right?"
Ayanokōji narrowed his eyes.
"As expected of senpai. You're right."
Ichika looked slightly flustered.
"Saiki-senpai is special. He and you share similarities but are also completely different. I want to understand him better."
"And?"
"He might be in danger."
"Danger?"
"The other person who came with me has lost control. He's desperate to prove himself, and Saiki is his first target. He plans to act before targeting you."
Ichika looked worried.
She'd recently met Yagami, who declared his intent to target Saiki. Even she couldn't stop him.
Little did she know, Yagami was now sweating in front of Saiki.