Hasebe quickly led Saiki to the café and ordered him a mocha.
"What's this about?" Saiki asked after taking a sip.
"I wanted to talk about Airi," Hasebe replied seriously.
*'Airi really cares about Kusuo, you know.'*
*'Yare yare, does Hasebe know? And please stop adding weird nicknames.'* Saiki sighed internally. With his telepathy, he knew Sakura Airi had feelings beyond those of a classmate.
Saiki preferred avoiding attention to prevent unnecessary trouble. However, Airi's unique personality meant he hadn't taken any special action yet.
"Airi was supposed to handle the kitchen, but I think she'd be better as a waitress," Hasebe said.
"You might not have noticed, but Airi's appearance isn't bad. Working as a maid could help her learn to interact with others..."
*'I noticed already.'* Saiki thought. He was the first to know Airi's secret identity: a virtual idol. Even Hasebe didn't know.
After Hasebe finished, Saiki replied, "So, you want me to move Sakura to front-end work?"
"Yes. As the manager, only you can do it."
"I see."
*'Horikita will probably scold me. Given her personality, she'd think making Sakura a maid is unsuitable...'*
"If you help, I'll treat you to the school's desserts! I know you love them!"
Before Hasebe finished, Saiki nodded. "I'll do it."
It wouldn't cost him anything, and he knew Airi secretly wanted to be a maid. She hoped wearing the uniform would help her become the person she aspired to be—her alter ego, 'Shizuku.'
"Thank you!" Hasebe was surprised by Saiki's quick agreement but smiled happily.
---
After parting ways with Hasebe, Saiki returned to his dorm and called Kushida Kikyō, inviting her to discuss the cultural festival. Though he disliked having students in his room, visiting a girl's room at night could cause trouble, so he had no choice.
Besides Horikita Suzune, he planned to involve Kushida and Karuizawa Kei, as they were the only classmates somewhat close to him. He also felt that not inviting them could lead to problems.
Although it would be more efficient to meet with both of them together, Saiki Kusuo decided to meet with them separately for some reason.
A few minutes later, Kushida Kikyo arrived at Saiki's room.
"Good evening, Saiki. What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to discuss something with you regarding the cultural festival."
"Oh?"
Kushida's face showed curiosity, and Saiki explained the details of the cultural festival to her.
"So, you want me to be a maid?"
"It might sound strange, but yes."
Saiki replied.
"Sure, I'll do it. After all, I owe you a favor."
Kushida agreed readily.
"Oh?"
Saiki was puzzled.
"You helped me get Yagami expelled, didn't you?"
Kushida smiled.
"Ayanokoji mentioned it before, but I didn't fully believe it. I didn't expect you to expel Yagami during the uninhabited island exam. Impressive."
'...'
Saiki was at a loss for words, surprised that Kushida knew about Yagami Takuya's expulsion and his involvement. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka must have told her.
Yagami's expulsion was, in a way, an accident.
If he hadn't provoked Saiki, things wouldn't have escalated so quickly.
But Yagami's reckless actions led to this outcome.
However, Yagami's expulsion benefited Kushida.
Saiki couldn't tolerate someone knowing the truth about him in school.
"How did you expel Yagami?"
Kushida asked.
Saiki struggled to answer:
'I can't say I made him experience free fall from the atmosphere ten times.'
As Saiki tried to come up with an excuse, Kushida smiled again:
"If you don't want to tell me, I won't ask. It's best to pretend I know nothing and keep it a secret. That's why I trust you, Saiki."
"..."
"Yagami's expulsion was his own fault. I don't think he's as discreet as you... I'll take charge of the cultural festival. I don't like owing favors."
Kushida nodded with a smile.
"Thanks. Here's the plan. Please keep this confidential."
"I'm great at keeping secrets!"
After receiving the plan, Kushida left Saiki's room.
Watching her leave, Saiki sighed in relief.
Kushida's disguise was her choice, and Saiki didn't interfere.
If she could maintain her disguise, it was her skill.
If she could always keep up the act, it wouldn't be a disguise anymore.
Fortunately, Saiki had used mind control on Kushida before, making her lose hostility towards him and others. Otherwise, Kushida's existence would be a problem.
For instance, during the class unity exam.
If Kushida still held grudges, she might have teamed up with Yagami to sabotage the exam.
Of course, it wouldn't be an issue for Saiki.
After Kushida left, Saiki called Karuizawa Kei:
"Karuizawa, are you free?"
"Kusuo, I've told you many times, just call me Kei!"
Kei's lively and playful voice came through the phone.
"Maybe. What do you need?"
"Can you come to my room?"
"Now? To your room!"
Hearing Saiki's words, Kei's mind raced with wild thoughts.
*What does Kusuo want so late?*
After Kei's hesitant response, Saiki realized she was overthinking:
"I need to discuss the cultural festival with you."
"The cultural festival?"
Kei sounded disappointed.
*We could've talked about this on the phone... No, this is a chance to see Saiki! Can't miss it!*
Her disappointment vanished, and she agreed firmly.
A few minutes later, Kei arrived at Saiki's room.
Saiki explained the cultural festival details to her.
"So, I'm supposed to be a maid..."
Kei frowned slightly.
*Do I have to wear that maid outfit? It's so embarrassing... Walking around like that in front of others...*
Kei asked:
"Will others be joining the maid café?"
"Yes, Mei, Chiaki, Hasebe, Kushida, Airi, and Maya..."
Hearing Sakura Airi and Sato Maya's names, Kei's expression changed.
*They're participating too?*
'Uh-oh, is that a problem? But I was just asking... Kei, you don't have to...'
"I'm in!"
Kei's eyes narrowed with determination.
*I won't let them show off in front of Kusuo. This cultural festival will be our battleground.*
'What are you talking about...?'
Saiki was helpless.
But with that, the matter was settled.
Kei chatted casually with Saiki, staying three times longer than Kushida before leaving.
"It's getting late. I need to talk to the last two people quickly."
Saiki muttered, messaging the next person.
A few minutes later, Horikita Suzune arrived.
"Saiki, did you really arrange the staff?"
Horikita asked seriously.
"Yes, I've asked Kushida and Karuizawa to join."
*[Those two?]*
*[Kushida's true nature is terrible, but she's perfect for this event. Her participation is fine.]*
*[As for Karuizawa, I didn't think she'd agree, but she did. It seems she's quite obedient to Saiki's words. What kind of persuasion skills does Saiki have?]*
'I didn't say anything.'
Saiki thought, then said:
"I have another person in mind: you, Horikita."
"Oh?"
"We need more staff, so it's only natural for you to join."
Saiki's words were a small revenge for Horikita forcing him to be the manager earlier.
"In that case, I'll participate. But I have no experience, so I'll need guidance from Sato and the others."
Horikita replied rationally.
"However, with eight maids instead of ten, the cost of renting eight outfits will be high. Shouldn't we reduce the number further?"
Saiki preferred fewer people, meaning less work for him.
But—
This was the school's first and possibly last open cultural festival.
For other students, it might be their only high school cultural festival.
So, they should make it count.
"No, eight is perfect."
Saiki replied immediately.
"But the costumes are expensive. The cost is too high."
"The school didn't ban using personal points to cover costs. As for materials, I have a solution."
Saiki knew a shop owner in school who could help.