[Why did Sakayanagi mention Ayanokoji? He's Horikita's lackey—no, Saiki's lackey, right? Although that guy's appearance did surprise me, the one who defeated me was undoubtedly Saiki. It seems even Sakayanagi hasn't realized who the true mastermind behind Class B is.]
Ryuen Kakeru thought to himself, a sly smile appearing on his face.
"Even if you lost to someone, would you hide the fact that you lost? Sakayanagi."
"Since I've never lost to anyone, I wouldn't know."
Sakayanagi Arisu also smiled as she spoke.
However, she had just noticed a flicker of doubt in Ryuen Kakeru's eyes when he heard the name "Ayanokoji."
This meant that the person who defeated Ryuen Kakeru wasn't Ayanokoji Kiyotaka—at least not openly.
[In Class B, aside from Ayanokoji, is there anyone else who could defeat Ryuen head-on?]
Sakayanagi Arisu found this hard to believe. She prided herself on having a thorough understanding of Class B's dynamics. Aside from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, neither Horikita Suzune nor Hirata Yosuke had the ability to do something like that.
She couldn't help but recall her earlier conversation with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had said that he hadn't taken any action during the previous exams and that it was someone else in the class who had done it.
At the time, Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't fully believed Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's words, but now she was starting to take them more seriously.
"But if I were to lose—I might not admit it so easily."
"Hahaha, because your pride is so strong."
"Pride is important. Don't you think a life without pride would be boring?"
"A life controlled by pride is even more boring."
Ryuen Kakeru shook his head with a smile.
"After adopting that tyrant-like attitude, you were defeated by your subordinate and lost your position as leader. It's hard to believe."
Sakayanagi Arisu leaned her small frame on her cane.
"If you can't believe it, then what do you think the truth is?"
"I don't know, which is why I called you here—to find out the truth."
"After meeting me face-to-face, have you figured it out?"
"Not yet, but what I can confirm is that the X behind Class B isn't the name I expected."
"You think it's Ayanokoji? It seems you've known Ayanokoji for a long time. But I'm not interested in that. Let me tell you this: this matter likely has nothing to do with the Ayanokoji you're thinking of."
"Thank you very much for the advice."
Sakayanagi Arisu smiled.
"Also, from now on, I don't plan to do anything else in this school."
"Hey, hey, are you serious?"
A boy standing next to Sakayanagi Arisu looked utterly shocked.
Hashimoto Masayoshi.
"There's no need to doubt it. He has a contract with Katsuragi, guaranteeing him personal points every month—and the path to reuniting in Class A is determined by the rules. Even if he withdraws now, it's not inappropriate."
Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze grew deeper, as if everything was within her calculations.
"That's right. Let me watch your petty struggles from above."
Ryuen Kakeru waved his hand and then left.
"Sakayanagi, that Ayanokoji guy hasn't been doing anything particularly noteworthy lately."
Kamuro Masumi, who had been following Sakayanagi Arisu, spoke up.
"I see. We'll find him and defeat him eventually—but before that, let's have some fun with Class C."
...
December was halfway over, and the second semester was gradually coming to an end.
For Saiki, the only thing worth looking forward to was the winter break. After all, using his telepathy, he had heard from Chabashira Sae that there wouldn't be any strange special exams during this winter break.
However, before that, Christmas was a hurdle Saiki wanted to get through. He just wanted to spend Christmas peacefully, without any weird incidents—and hopefully, nothing strange would happen.
After all, Kushida Kikyo and Ryuen Kakeru, the two major troublemakers, had already been dealt with. There shouldn't be anyone else causing trouble for him.
Fortunately, there was still some time before Christmas, so Saiki didn't need to worry about that just yet.
At the moment, Saiki arrived at a café—he was here to meet someone.
"Saiki-kun!"
Seeing Saiki arrive, Shiina Hiyori immediately waved with a smile.
"Long time no see, Shiina."
Saiki greeted her.
Although Shiina Hiyori and Saiki had a good relationship, their interactions had decreased due to the conflict between Class B and Class D. However, after Ryuen Kakeru lost his position as the leader of Class D, Shiina Hiyori had reached out to Saiki.
"Long time no see."
Saiki sat down across from Shiina Hiyori. At the same time, the waiter brought over coffee and desserts—Shiina Hiyori had already calculated the time it would take for Saiki to arrive.
"I'm sorry for suddenly asking you out today."
"It's fine. I didn't have anything else to do anyway."
Although Saiki wasn't particularly interested in social interactions, coming to a café was acceptable.
After all, he could try out the new desserts and coffee here.
"I've found a lot of interesting books in the library recently! I brought a few with me—would you like to take a look?"
Shiina Hiyori was about to take out the books, but she paused, as if remembering something.
"Before that, Saiki-kun, can I ask you a question?"
[Even if asking this might ruin our friendship, I still have to say it.]
Saiki already knew what Shiina Hiyori wanted to ask, but he nodded anyway.
"Then I'll get straight to the point. Did you defeat Ryuen?"
Shiina Hiyori's serious gaze fell on Saiki.
'Yare yare, can Shiina figure it out?'
Saiki couldn't help but admire Shiina Hiyori's observational and deductive skills.
"Why do you think that?"
"I've just been piecing things together. Ryuen-kun was very fixated on your class, but recently, he stepped down from the stage. On the surface, it was because of Ishizaki-kun's rebellion, but Ishizaki-kun seemed like he was just bluffing. Ryuen-kun also seems more sensitive to your name now..."
Shiina Hiyori explained her reasoning. To confirm her suspicions, she had taken certain actions within her class and eventually concluded that Saiki was most likely connected to Ryuen Kakeru's change.
'Yare yare, did I plant too much fear in Ryuen's mind?'
Saiki thought to himself.
"If this makes you uncomfortable, I apologize. I've been struggling with whether to bring this up today because I thought it might upset you. No matter the truth, whenever I see you, I can tell you don't like discussing such topics."
Shiina Hiyori pursed her lips, a hint of worry in her eyes.
"That's right."
Saiki nodded, finally giving a definitive answer.
'Yare yare, with Shiina's abilities, it's not surprising that she deduced it was me. If I denied her conclusion, she might investigate further, which could lead to more trouble. Besides, if it's Shiina, she won't spread what we discussed today.'
Saiki thought to himself.
"I see. Thank you, Saiki-kun!"
Hearing Saiki's answer, Shiina Hiyori was surprised but quickly smiled again.
"If you find any books you like, please take them to read!"
She opened her bag again and took out the books, her smile now tinged with eagerness, like a child wanting to share her candy.
"Thank you very much."
Saiki nodded and took one of the books.
His meeting with Shiina Hiyori was probably over now...
However, Saiki knew that there was another troublesome person nearby.
[Why is Saiki meeting a girl alone!?]
[That person... I think she's from Class D! Her name is Shiina Hiyori! Yes, yes, I remember now. I've seen her a few times before.]
[I can't hear what they're saying... but Shiina looks happy... Are they dating?]
The source of the voice was none other than Karuizawa Kei.
She had originally planned to ask Saiki out to watch a movie—which was why Saiki had chosen to meet Shiina Hiyori instead—but she had accidentally seen Saiki heading to the café. Driven by curiosity, she had secretly followed him.
Although Karuizawa Kei thought her stalking skills were top-notch and that Saiki definitely hadn't noticed, in reality, her thoughts were as loud as a blaring siren in Saiki's ears.
[Are Saiki and her really just friends?!]
'Yare yare, I'll just keep pretending I didn't notice her...'
At that moment, Saiki suddenly picked up on a familiar voice.
[This is bad, really bad... Is that man at the school? Where's Ayanokoji?]
The voice belonged to Chabashira Sae.
The voice wasn't coming from inside the café but from outside. It seemed Chabashira Sae was just passing by.
Saiki was puzzled. Why was Chabashira Sae around here, and why did her thoughts sound so urgent?
That man... Ayanokoji... Some pieces of information clicked in Saiki's mind.
"Then I'll head out first, Saiki-kun!"
"Sure."
After Shiina Hiyori left, Saiki went into the café's restroom and activated his clairvoyance.
...
"Chabashira-sensei, what did you need me for?"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka arrived at a small plaza near the café.
Earlier, he had received a call from Chabashira Sae, saying there was something very important.
"Come with me!"
Chabashira Sae didn't explain further. She quickly led Ayanokoji Kiyotaka away, heading toward the administrative building.
[Chabashira-sensei seems flustered.]
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka immediately noticed Chabashira Sae's unusual behavior but followed her anyway. They arrived at the door of a reception room in the school.
"Principal, I've brought Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."
Chabashira Sae spoke in a respectful tone.
As the principal of Advanced Nurturing High School, he rarely appeared in front of students.
"Come in."
A gentle yet authoritative voice came from inside. Chabashira Sae opened the door to the reception room.
A man in his sixties sat on the sofa. He was the school's principal, but his expression lacked composure, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
Across from him was another man.
A middle-aged man with an entirely unfamiliar face.
[I never expected someone as important as Ayanokoji Atsuomi to show up here!]
Although he wasn't physically present, Saiki could clearly hear the principal's panicked thoughts. He could also confirm the man's identity from the thoughts of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and the man himself.
Ayanokoji Atsuomi—Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's biological father.
'Yare yare, Ayanokoji's father? Too bad I can't eat popcorn right now.'
Saiki was slightly curious.
"Then, I'll leave the two of you to talk... Is that alright?"
Even though he was the principal, he seemed incredibly submissive.
"Of course."
Ayanokoji Atsuomi spoke with an authoritative tone, as if giving an order.
"I'll take my leave now. Please take your time."
The principal practically fled the reception room.
"Then, I'll excuse myself as well..."
Chabashira Sae bowed slightly and left with the principal. The slight trembling of her body was enough to show how nervous and scared she was.
Without a doubt, Ayanokoji Atsuomi was a politically powerful figure—someone the principal and teachers absolutely didn't dare to offend.
"Would you like to sit down? I came here specifically to see you."
Ayanokoji Atsuomi's gaze fell on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, his tone cold and commanding.
"Sorry, I don't plan to stay long."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka responded.