"This might be a bit sudden, but if it's you, senpai, then it's no problem. Would you be willing to partner with me?"
Yagami Takuya wore a polite smile as he extended his hand to Kushida Kikyo.
"Are you sure you want to partner with someone like me? Wouldn't it be better for you to team up with someone who's more academically skilled?"
Kushida Kikyo tactfully declined.
While she appeared humble on the surface, in reality, Kushida Kikyo didn't want to get too entangled with Yagami Takuya. She was inwardly wary of his presence.
"Because I'm still not very familiar with the school's rules, I'd like to partner with someone I can trust."
"Uh, can I have some time to think about it?"
"Of course. I won't partner with anyone else for now. I'll wait for your response, Kushida-senpai."
Before Yagami Takuya could finish speaking, Horikita Suzune, who was standing nearby, interjected:
"Yagami-kun, didn't you just agree with me that our classes would cooperate and support each other?"
"Of course."
"If that's the case, then it should be a pairing of high academic achievers with low academic achievers. Kushida's academic skills aren't bad, so the two of you teaming up isn't the best choice."
"You're right."
Yagami Takuya smiled.
…
After school, Horikita Suzune and Yagami Takuya further discussed class cooperation.
Meanwhile, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka approached Saiki.
"Saiki, who do you think among the first-years is most likely to be an assassin from the White Room?"
'Of course, it's Amasawa Ichika and Yagami Takuya.'
Saiki thought this to himself, but he naturally couldn't just blurt out the answer.
"I think everyone is suspicious, but Yagami and Amasawa are the most suspicious."
Although he couldn't give the correct answer, Saiki still wanted to give Ayanokoji Kiyotaka a hint. This way, he could legitimately avoid getting involved with these White Room individuals.
"Yagami and Amasawa? Why do you think they're suspicious?"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka asked.
[Based on the current situation, Yagami and Amasawa should be the least suspicious. Why did Saiki mention their names?]
'…'
After thinking for a moment, Saiki quickly replied,
"Because they have too few suspicious points. The less suspicious they seem, the more suspicious they actually are."
Saiki gave a rather far-fetched reason.
But after hearing Saiki's words, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka fell into deep thought.
[The less suspicious they seem, the more suspicious they are. If they're White Room assassins, they'd try their best to appear unsuspicious. Perhaps after I left, social skills were added to the curriculum.]
'Yare yare… Did I manage to fool him?'
Saiki couldn't help but admire the mental gymnastics of these White Room students.
Just then, Horikita Suzune returned to their side:
"We just had a detailed discussion with the representatives of Class B. For now, the possibility of cooperation between our classes is quite high."
"Did you reach an agreement?"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka asked.
"Not completely. I've only expressed our willingness to cooperate, but I haven't fully committed yet. I want to see how things are with the other classes."
Horikita Suzune replied.
"Hmm."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded. Horikita Suzune had become much more composed compared to before.
But just then, Horikita Suzune's phone rang. The caller was Nanase Tsubasa.
"Hello, is this Horikita-senpai?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"Senpai, I'd like to discuss partnering with your class for this exam."
"Sorry, but our class has already verbally agreed to cooperate with Class B."
Horikita Suzune said.
[Although we haven't finalized the cooperation, perhaps we can use this opportunity to gain some benefits for our class.]
"I see… But our class has discussed it and wants to partner with your second-year class. Since you and Class B haven't officially confirmed your partnership yet, there's no harm in talking, right?"
Nanase Tsubasa said.
"Hosen is willing to cooperate?"
Horikita Suzune frowned slightly, recalling Hosen Kazuomi's attitude from yesterday. It seemed highly unlikely that Class D would actively seek cooperation with them.
"Yes, I've convinced him. He's willing to talk with you."
"What can you offer us compared to Class B?"
Horikita Suzune pressed further.
"Personal points. Although I've heard about class points and rankings, the semester has just started, and our class still has plenty of personal points."
"When would you like to meet?"
"How about tonight? Let's meet behind the first-year dorms later."
"Alright."
Horikita Suzune hung up and informed the other two about the situation.
"We're still going to meet with Class D?"
Saiki asked.
"Yes. We need to gather more information to secure the most benefits for our class."
…
Meanwhile, in the first-year Class D classroom.
"I've finished the call."
Nanase Tsubasa's face was expressionless as she held her phone, speaking slowly to Hosen Kazuomi, who was sitting nearby.
"Good."
Hosen Kazuomi sat on the desk, a somewhat eerie smile on his face.
"If they were Class D students, it would reduce a lot of trouble. They would definitely come to us—but since they're second-year Class A students, even though their average ability isn't high, their abundance of personal points makes it easy for them to find partners."
Hosen Kazuomi's original plan was to take advantage of their low academic performance to gain the upper hand in this exam, but Class B's proactive approach completely disrupted his plans.
Left with no choice, Hosen Kazuomi and Nanase Tsubasa had to take the initiative to contact Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's class.
After all, if they wanted to use this opportunity to expel Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, they had to act now. If they waited until Class A and Class B officially confirmed their partnership, Class A would likely stop engaging with them.
Tonight was their last chance.
As he spoke, Hosen Kazuomi instinctively reached inside his jacket.
A sharp fruit knife was hidden there.
This was something Hosen Kazuomi had purchased last night.
From the beginning, Hosen Kazuomi had planned to use this knife to create the illusion that he had been attacked by Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, thereby getting Ayanokoji expelled.
The plan was set for noon.
"But there's one thing that's puzzling. How did their class rise to Class A? Their average physical ability is just decent, right? But it's only decent. How did they manage to rise to Class A?"
Hosen Kazuomi was still confused.
"Perhaps there's someone special in their class who's secretly helping them."
Nanase Tsubasa said slowly.
…
Soon, night fell.
Horikita Suzune brought Saiki and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka to the area behind the first-year dorms, where they met up with Hosen Kazuomi and Nanase Tsubasa. To be safe, Sudo Ken also insisted on coming along.
"I'll get straight to the point. What can your class offer us?"
"You've got it wrong. It's not about what you can offer us, but what you can give me. I'll team up with you if you give me one million personal points."
Hosen Kazuomi wore a disdainful smile as he looked at Horikita Suzune.
"Are you joking with us?"
Horikita Suzune's expression turned serious.
"Are you just here to waste my time?"
Horikita Suzune glanced at Nanase Tsubasa, but the latter's expression remained cold.
"I'm not joking. That's why I arranged this meeting."
"I thought it was worth hearing what Class D had to say, but it seems I was mistaken…"
After saying this, Horikita Suzune turned to leave.
"Wait, do you think you can just walk away?"
Hosen Kazuomi lightly punched the wall, exuding an intimidating aura.
"Do you think just because this is a secluded spot, your usual violent behavior will work here?"
"At the very least, I can beat you half to death."
Saiki looked at Hosen Kazuomi, knowing he wasn't joking.
"If that's the case, then do as you please."
Horikita Suzune thought to herself. She believed that even Hosen Kazuomi wouldn't dare to act recklessly on school grounds, especially after Sudo Ken had suffered consequences for similar actions before.
But Nanase Tsubasa, standing to the side, slightly turned her face away, as if anticipating what was about to happen.
'Yare yare, I can't just stand by and watch.'
Thanks to his telepathy, Saiki knew what Hosen Kazuomi was planning. He quickly grabbed Horikita Suzune's hand and pulled her aside—using his telekinesis to soften his strength to avoid dislocating her arm.
Almost simultaneously, Hosen Kazuomi's kick swiftly passed through the spot where Horikita Suzune had been standing just moments ago.
If Saiki hadn't pulled Horikita Suzune away, the consequences would have been dire.
[What?]
Horikita Suzune was inwardly shocked. Sudo Ken, seeing Hosen Kazuomi's actions, immediately stepped forward and shouted:
"What are you doing?!"
"What the hell are you thinking?"
Horikita Suzune was equally puzzled. Even if there were no surveillance cameras here, any involvement in a fight could lead to expulsion.
Was Hosen Kazuomi out of his mind?
"Horikita-senpai, the school's situation might be a bit different from before."
Nanase Tsubasa, who had been standing silently, spoke up.
"Just as you're well aware of what happened up until last year, we first-years also know more about the current situation than you do."
"What do you mean…?"
"A few of us first-year representatives were called to the student council office, where President Nagumo explained that starting this year, the school will adopt a more merit-based approach, allowing for greater freedom."
"Are you saying fighting is part of this freedom?"
"I didn't say that, but according to Hosen's confirmation, students will inevitably fight. President Nagumo has promised not to impose the strict judgments we saw last year."
"You bastard! Are you looking for a fight?"
Sudo Ken roared at Hosen Kazuomi.
"I'll just play with you for a bit. Let's see how far you can keep up."
Hosen Kazuomi said.
Meanwhile, Saiki quickly assessed the situation. He couldn't use his powers too openly, but he also couldn't just stand by and do nothing.
Since Sudo Ken had stepped forward to confront Hosen Kazuomi, things would be easier to handle.
If Saiki used his telekinesis to enhance Sudo Ken's strength and speed, he could let Sudo Ken deal with Hosen Kazuomi.
The plan was set.
As Saiki was thinking this, Hosen Kazuomi suddenly spoke up:
"But before that, I'll make the guy who just got in my way pay."
Hosen Kazuomi suddenly turned and launched a spinning kick straight at Saiki.
Among the boys present, Saiki was undoubtedly the most physically frail.
Saiki's earlier act of saving Horikita Suzune had also irritated Hosen Kazuomi, who now intended to use this opportunity to escalate the conflict.
He put his full strength into the kick. If it landed on Saiki's head, the consequences would be unthinkable—
"Saiki!"
Sudo Ken and Horikita Suzune shouted in unison, but it was too late. Hosen Kazuomi's attack had already landed on Saiki's face.
But the smile on Hosen Kazuomi's face gradually froze—
Because Saiki, who had just been hit, didn't budge an inch.
Time seemed to stand still as everyone stared at him in shock.
'Yare yare, this is troublesome… Why did he suddenly target me?'
'What should I do now? I should've flown backward and pretended to be knocked out, then secretly helped Sudo deal with this guy. But everything happened too fast. I didn't have time to react.'
'What do I do, what do I do… Am I going to be exposed?'
Just as Saiki was starting to panic, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka spoke up:
"As expected of Saiki. I remember you mentioned before that you've practiced qigong and aikido. I didn't think it was true."
"Saiki… practices aikido?"
Sudo Ken and Horikita Suzune were completely baffled.