The girl watched Saiki Kusuo's back, her eyes filled with confusion.
Normally, wherever she went, she'd attract attention, with people instinctively letting out an "Ohhh" sound.
But not this person?
Not only did he not make a sound, but he even ignored her completely, walking past without a glance.
*What's up with this guy?*
"Terumi! Over here!"
At that moment, a girl with short brown hair from her class waved at Teruhashi Kokomi.
"Sorry! I got a little lost!"
Kokomi's face lit up with a smile, radiating an angelic glow as she walked toward her classmate.
But her mind was still on Saiki Kusuo.
.....
Saiki left the classroom, enjoying his hour-long break, naturally heading to grab something to eat.
His destination was clear.
He walked straight toward the 2nd-year Class D's classroom.
"Saiki, you're here!"
Seeing him, Ichinose Honami's face lit up. She stepped forward, warmly greeting him.
"How's it going here?"
"Popular with kids, but adults aren't biting. Not sure if we'll hit the sales target."
Honami said, though her expression wasn't troubled.
For her, enjoying the cultural festival was more important than anything else.
"I'd like something to eat."
Saiki said.
Last time, he'd tried Class D's desserts, and they were pretty good.
"Sure!"
Honami quickly prepared several special desserts for Saiki. As he reached for his points card, she stopped him.
"No need, Saiki. This one's on me! You gave us great advice last time!"
Honami smiled.
"I didn't say anything last time..."
Saiki was a bit helpless.
It's not that he didn't want to give advice.
Their desserts were genuinely good, so he had no complaints.
"You enjoying the desserts is the best advice!"
Honami stared at Saiki.
*Especially for me.*
'Uh, thanks, I guess.'
Saiki looked around the shop. There were customers, but not many, mostly families with kids, just as Honami had said.
Their desserts were fine, but the decor and signage were too kid-focused. Adults wouldn't be drawn in.
This gave Saiki an idea.
"How about our classes collaborate?"
Saiki suggested.
"Huh?"
"Our café sells desserts too, but not as many varieties. What if you share some of your menu with us, and we'll send orders your way?"
"Deal!"
Honami nodded eagerly.
"But you should take a cut too!"
"No need. If we send orders, customers will stay and order coffee or drinks. It's a win-win."
Saiki explained.
"Hold on!"
Honami quickly relayed Saiki's idea to her classmates.
"We support you, Ichinose!"
"It's Saiki's idea, so we have to listen!"
"Sounds good!"
Soon, Honami returned with their approval.
"Okay, I've messaged our class. Just send the menu, and I'll arrange for someone to handle orders..."
As Saiki spoke, his phone buzzed with a message.
"I've got something to do, so I'll head out. Our class is on board."
"Thanks, Saiki! Let me pack some cake for you!"
Honami packed the cake, adding a few extra treats.
...
Soon, Saiki arrived at the special school building's perimeter, where a familiar figure waited.
"Saiki-senpai!"
It was Amasawa Ichika, a mischievous smile on her face as she stared at him.
"What do you want?"
Saiki asked bluntly.
"Just wanted to see you, senpai!"
Ichika laughed.
Saiki's telepathy confirmed she wasn't lying.
Originally a White Room student, Ichika was deemed a traitor and failure, left behind at the school.
"If there's nothing, I'll... leave."
"Wait, senpai. I've got questions."
"Go ahead."
"What did you do to Yagami?"
Saiki looked at Ichika, who desperately sought answers. After a pause, he replied,
"He attacked me. I defended myself."
"Right. Defying orders and attacking you—Yagami deserved it."
Ichika sighed.
Earlier, she'd tried to stop Yagami Takuya from attacking Saiki but nearly got hurt herself.
Yagami's desperation to prove himself led to his downfall.
"This morning, Tsukishiro visited me."
Ichika's expression turned serious.
"He said the White Room's disbanded. Was that you?"
"I'm not that powerful. I can't even leave school."
Saiki replied.
He knew the White Room was disbanded—his doing.
Last night, before bed, he'd taken care of it.
Originally, he didn't want to interfere, but the White Room's actions crossed his line.
So, he'd acted.
Ayanokōji Dōshu should be arrested by now.
"Really?"
Ichika was skeptical.
Still, the White Room's end was good for her.
Though abandoned, she knew betrayal meant retaliation.
Graduating would've meant her life was over.
After the island exam, she'd planned to give up, enjoying her last years.
But with the White Room gone, she had choices.
"Tsukishiro's leaving school. He asked me to tell Ayanokōji-senpai. You can relay it."
Ichika changed the subject, smiling again.
"Heard you opened a maid café, senpai. So lewd!"
"I'm leaving."
Saiki turned to go.
"It was you, senpai. Even if you deny it, I know only you could do it."
Watching him leave, Ichika smirked.
.....
Half an hour later, Saiki returned to the classroom.
After just an hour, Mikoto Ai looked exhausted. Saiki took over.
But as he entered the café, he saw something strange.
"Five strawberry cakes, six chocolate sundaes! Got it!"
It was Honami's voice!
If it were just her voice, Saiki might've thought he was in the wrong place.
But there she was, in a pink maid outfit, rushing past him.
"Huh?"
Saiki was stunned.
They'd agreed to collaborate, but this?
"Saiki, you're back! Sorry, I've got to deliver these cakes!"
Honami quickly greeted him before rushing to her class.
*What's going on?*
Saiki telepathically asked Mikoto Ai.
She explained.
After their agreement, Honami brought the menu, and Mikoto Ai helped coordinate.
Since it was a delivery partnership, someone had to pick up and deliver orders.
Honami took on the role, feeling indebted to Saiki.
Mikoto Ai had spare maid outfits, which Honami gladly wore.
'...'
Saiki was speechless.
It was as agreed—a collaboration.
But it felt like they'd bought Honami's services.
Just then, Horikita Suzune approached, patting Saiki's shoulder:
"Nice work, Saiki."
"?"
Saiki was confused.
"You got Ichinose to wear our maid outfit. Sure, her class gets more orders, but she'll stand out running around the building."
A maid-clad beauty rushing around the school... Sounds like an anime plot.
"It's free publicity. You thought of everything, Saiki. Impressive."
Suzune praised him.
Saiki didn't know how to respond.
Soon, Honami returned with desserts, delivering them to customers.
They raved, and Honami smiled.
The process was odd, but Class D's earnings would soar.
For now, this would do...
Saiki thought—
Until another figure appeared at the café door.
Ryūen Kakeru.
"What's Ryūen doing here?"
"Is he causing trouble?"
"Damn, we need a plan!"
A-Class students tensed.
They knew Ryūen's type.
His Class C ran a traditional kimono café, their competitor.
They assumed he was here to cause trouble.
But Ryūen walked straight to Suzune and Saiki.
"Ryūen, why are you here?"
Suzune asked sharply.
"None of your business. I'm here for Saiki."
Ryūen's usual smirk faded as he saw Saiki.
"Saiki, let's make a deal."
Despite trying to maintain his intimidating aura, his voice wavered.
"What?"
Saiki asked.
"After the festival, you pay me points. In return, I'll lend you two students for the remaining time."
As Ryūen spoke—
Shiina Hiyori and Ibuki Mio, in kimonos, entered.