[This is a good opportunity for me to further improve my image in the class. I need to make sure my expressions and demeanor are perfect, appearing genuinely concerned for my classmates.]
Kushida's expression was flawlessly controlled, her polite smile accompanied by a hint of worry for Sudo.
'What impressive acting. In a way, you're also indirectly responsible for framing Sudo.'
Saiki thought to himself, noticing that the others had turned their attention toward him after hearing Kushida's voice.
'Hirata's speech successfully changed the classroom atmosphere. Everyone will probably take the initiative to help find witnesses for Sudo, so I don't need to do anything. Maybe I should come up with an important excuse to decline.'
"Ayanokoji-kun, you'll help too, right?"
Before Saiki could even open his mouth, Kushida added another line.
More eyes in the classroom turned toward Saiki, and he could clearly hear their thoughts.
[If Hirata and Kushida are saying this, we should definitely help Sudo!]
'Weren't you thinking the exact opposite a minute ago?'
[To be directly invited by Kushida to join her! I'm so jealous of Kiyotaka!]
'You're jealous of the wrong person.'
[Why isn't Saiki answering? Is he going to refuse? If so, he's just as troublesome as Koenji.]
'Looks like there's no way to refuse now.'
Saiki just wanted to sigh. In his eyes, being seen as on the same level as Koenji Rokusuke would be a disaster of world-ending proportions.
"Sure."
"Thank you so much, Saiki-kun!"
Kushida's smile instantly brightened, her voice rising a few pitches as she leaned slightly toward Saiki.
[Damn it, Saiki! How does he seem so close to Kushida?!]
Saiki ignored Ike Kanji's thoughts and had no choice but to follow Kushida and the others.
Soon, the group in the classroom split into pairs to ask around the school if anyone had witnessed the incident. Saiki was paired with Kushida, while Horikita didn't participate.
They had no classes in the afternoon, so Saiki had no choice but to follow Kushida around the school.
Even when encountering upperclassmen she had never met before, Kushida could naturally strike up a conversation, leaving Saiki in awe of her social skills. In just one afternoon, Kushida probably spoke more words than Saiki had in half a year.
However, their efforts yielded no results.
...
Soon, the sun began to set, and the sky turned a dusky yellow.
Kushida and Saiki arrived at the school's sports field to take a short break. Ike Kanji, Ayanokoji, and the others were also there, along with Sudo Ken, who had returned from the office.
"Everyone, did you find any leads on witnesses?"
Kushida asked urgently, but the others could only shake their heads.
"Damn it..."
Sudo stomped his foot in frustration.
The others were also out of breath, though Ayanokoji remained calm, his gaze fixed in the distance—
A familiar figure appeared before them.
"Kushida, Saiki, what are you all doing here? There are so many of you!"
Ichinose Honami approached with light steps, her upper body swaying slightly as she walked.
[Wow, another beauty!]
[Isn't she Ichinose Honami from Class B?]
[She knows Saiki too... Wait, I remember! During the opening ceremony, she had lunch with Saiki and Kushida!]
Saiki instantly felt the anger of the idiot trio rising. He could only try to shift his gaze elsewhere.
Kushida quickly explained the situation to Ichinose, who nodded enthusiastically.
"Class B can help too! Maybe we can find some useful information."
"Really? Thank you so much, Ichinose!"
Hearing Ichinose's words, Kushida's smile widened, and she almost hugged her.
[Asking for help from another class? There's something off about Kushida.]
Ayanokoji, standing nearby, silently observed Kushida and Ichinose. He knew of Ichinose but hadn't interacted much with her.
'Has Ayanokoji noticed something off about Kushida too? Though he doesn't have telepathy and hasn't seen Kushida's true nature yet.'
Saiki simply nodded at Ichinose, greeting her without saying much.
'Kushida doesn't actually feel grateful toward Ichinose. Helping Sudo isn't her true intention; she just wants to appear as someone who cares about her classmates.'
'Meanwhile, Ichinose genuinely wants to help... It's rare to meet someone like her in this school. Kushida probably wants to pretend to be someone like Ichinose.'
In Saiki's mind, there were only three people he had interacted with who fell within the range of normal behavior: Hirata Yosuke, Shiina Hiyori, and Ichinose Honami.
'As for the others...'
Saiki glanced at the idiot trio out of the corner of his eye, only to be met with envious and angry stares.
'Let's not even mention the other oddballs...'
"Well, I'll head back now! If there's any progress, I'll let you know!"
Ichinose waved at the group and then left the field.
[Damn it, Saiki! How does he know all these girls?]
'Sorry, I don't want to either.'
[Last time at the café, I saw Saiki flirting with a silver-haired girl!]
'We were just talking about mystery novels.'
[I'm so jealous! Damn it! I was hoping to use this chance to talk to some girls!'
'So you weren't really serious about helping either?'