"That's a pretty sly thing to say, don't you think?"
At that moment, Machida Kōji furrowed his brow and addressed Ichinose Honami,
"If someone isn't a privileged student, they'd naturally hope for rewards from a successful group, right? Besides, no one would openly declare they'll betray others. I think your question is pointless."
Machida's expression seemed tinged with dissatisfaction.
"In the context of the exam, it's a fair question, though. And Ichinose didn't demand an answer to such a threatening query. If you're unwilling, you can simply not respond."
The speaker was another student from Class C, Hamaguchi Tetsuya.
"Then we won't answer. Class A will remain silent throughout."
Machida Kōji declared bluntly, and the rest of Class A stayed silent, unwilling to engage in the discussion.
Soon, the group began debating which outcome of the exam would be most appropriate. Ichinose Honami aimed for a win-win result, but Class A disagreed, sticking to their defensive strategy.
"Is this Class A's collective tactic? It feels like Katsuragi's style—maintaining a point gap with lower-ranked classes."
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka thought to himself, while Saiki Kusuo just wanted to leave the place as soon as possible.
The discussion in the meeting room quickly hit a stalemate. No one could make further progress, and it seemed the first session would end like this.
'What should I eat later?'
As Saiki Kusuo pondered something more meaningful, a figure appeared beside Karuizawa Kei, who was playing on her phone.
"Are you Karuizawa-san? I have something to ask you."
The speaker was Manabe Shiho. Though her words were polite, her tone and expression were stern.
"What is it?"
Karuizawa Kei was caught off guard, her eyes quickly shifting from her phone to Manabe Shiho.
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka noticed this exchange.
"Karuizawa's reaction seems different from usual."
"If I'm not mistaken… did you have a dispute with Rika before the summer break?"
"Rika? Who's that? What are you talking about?"
Karuizawa Kei looked confused.
"She's a glasses-wearing girl in our class, with her hair tied up. Don't you remember?"
Manabe Shiho frowned.
"No, I don't recall at all."
Karuizawa Kei replied instantly, her gaze returning to her phone.
"Really? We heard from Rika that she was bullied by a girl named Karuizawa from Class D. She said you cut in line at a café and even knocked her over."
Upon hearing this, Karuizawa Kei's expression changed subtly.
"…What does this have to do with me? What are you trying to do? You seem to have a problem with me."
Her voice rose slightly, but it lacked confidence.
'Yare yare.'
Saiki Kusuo sensed the room's atmosphere had soured. He could clearly hear Karuizawa Kei's thoughts.
"That person named Rika? I cut in line to maintain my image outside… I didn't expect her friends to come after me… What do I do? Wait, she doesn't seem entirely sure. If I keep denying it, maybe I can get away with it!"
Meanwhile, unwanted memories flashed through Karuizawa Kei's mind.
'Was it really you?'
Saiki Kusuo sighed inwardly.
'I think apologizing now is the best way to resolve this.'
Using his telepathic abilities, Saiki Kusuo knew about Karuizawa Kei's past. She had endured brutal bullying, some acts even life-threatening, leaving scars on her body.
No one had noticed her past, and she never shared it with others. She likened herself to a parasite, seeking suitable hosts to 'survive.' Her deliberate line-cutting and other actions weren't due to a bad personality but because she believed it would prevent others from bullying her.
Saiki Kusuo didn't entirely approve of this method.
Meanwhile, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka observed Karuizawa Kei closely.
"Karuizawa's clearly lying. She definitely clashed with Rika before."
"But given her usual behavior in class, this reaction is unexpected."
"Her demeanor and expression seem off."
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka pondered,
"Saiki mentioned Karuizawa earlier—did he already notice her secret and want me to pay attention?"
'I just almost slipped up.'
"There's nothing. I'm just confirming. If it's true, I hope you apologize. Rika bears everything herself, and we must stand up for her."
Manabe Shiho said sternly.
Though she seemed biased against Karuizawa Kei, her actions were justified.
"Can I confirm with Rika? If it's not you, there's no issue, right?"
Manabe Shiho said, taking out her phone to snap a photo of Karuizawa Kei to send to Rika.
But at that moment, Karuizawa Kei suddenly stood up, slapping the phone away. It hit the ground with a crisp sound.
"What are you doing?!"
"I'm saying you have no right to take my photo without permission. I already said you're mistaken."
Karuizawa Kei said, leaning forward to express her dissatisfaction.
This only escalated the conflict. Manabe Shiho's frustration with Karuizawa Kei grew, and two other girls from Class D stepped forward to support her.
Ichinose Honami remained silent, still assessing the situation.
Ibuki Mio, also from Class D, stayed seated, her expression cold as she addressed everyone:
"Are you all idiots?"
"What do you mean? This doesn't concern you, Ibuki. You're not friends with Rika."
Manabe Shiho retorted, her tone mocking. Clearly, she and Ibuki didn't get along.
"Manabe and Ibuki don't seem to like each other. Ibuki's aligned with Ryūen's faction—does this mean Manabe doesn't follow Ryūen?"
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka thought.
"Yeah, it doesn't concern me. I'm just stating an outsider's perspective."
Ibuki Mio shrugged, uninterested in Manabe's actions.
"I'm going to prove it's you today!"
Though annoyed with Ibuki, Manabe Shiho took out her phone again, aggressively approaching Karuizawa Kei.
Now, she wasn't just standing up for her friend but deliberately targeting Karuizawa Kei.
'If they start fighting, the meeting will end even later…'
Just then, Saiki Kusuo heard Karuizawa Kei's thoughts:
"This won't work… I need someone else's help… to change the situation."
At that moment, Karuizawa Kei turned to Saiki Kusuo:
"Saiki-kun, their behavior is wrong, right?!"
'Huh?'
Saiki Kusuo was caught off guard, but even if he'd known, he couldn't have changed anything.
'Damn, why involve me? This has nothing to do with me.'
"Since Saiki went to such lengths for our class's meals, he'll definitely help me!"
'Though I feel guilty, I actually faked being sick.'
Saiki Kusuo responded inwardly, feeling everyone's gaze on him.
'Yare yare, this is troublesome… I'll take it as compensation for Ibuki misunderstanding me…'
"Taking photos without consent can indeed be bothersome."
Saiki Kusuo played along with Karuizawa Kei's words, hoping to end the meeting and rest.
"Hey, you're Saiki, right?"
Manabe Shiho turned to Saiki Kusuo, her gaze disdainful.
"What's it to you?"
"This four-eyed weakling seems close to that otaku. Gross."
Saiki Kusuo heard Manabe Shiho's thoughts clearly.
'Yare yare, this changes things.'
Saiki Kusuo narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Manabe-san, could you stop this?"
After Saiki Kusuo spoke, Ichinose Honami finally voiced her opinion, her tone more serious. The rest of Class C quickly backed her up.
"Damn…"
Though frustrated, Manabe Shiho knew she couldn't escalate things further. Forcing a photo was unreasonable, so she returned to her seat with her classmates.
Though the argument ended, the room's atmosphere remained tense. With Class A unwilling to participate, the rest of the time felt agonizing.
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka's attention shifted between several people.
"The conflict between Karuizawa and Class D could become a future trigger. Despite her strong front, I sensed fear—likely due to past bullying."
'You're like a psychic.'
"She has significant influence in her class, almost on par with Kushida. If I can manipulate her, she could be a useful tool."
'Are you a hardware store?'
"Saiki mentioning her name earlier confirms it."
'That's not it.'
"Ichinose stayed silent until Saiki spoke, then immediately backed him up. He's already turned her into a tool."
'Stop grouping me with you.'
Saiki Kusuo was exasperated. Normal people in the room were few.
"Discussion is over. Students may leave the meeting room and engage in free activities."
'Finally.'
Saiki Kusuo sighed in relief, finding the school announcement soothing for the first time.
"With that, today's discussion ends."
As Ichinose Honami finished speaking, Saiki Kusuo left the meeting room without hesitation.
Just as he stepped out, his phone vibrated.
Sakura Airi: Kusuo-kun… Are you free now? I have something to discuss in person…
'More troubles?'
Saiki Kusuo sighed but replied affirmatively, heading to their agreed location.
After Saiki Kusuo left, others gradually departed.
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka watched Karuizawa Kei's back, deep in thought.
Moments later, realization dawned on him.
"So that was Saiki's plan?"
"He mentioned Karuizawa to make me notice her details."
"I'll give it a nudge too."
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka narrowed his eyes, his expression devoid of emotion.