"Saiki? Saiki?"
Upon hearing this name, Sakayanagi Arisu was momentarily stunned, a look of confusion appearing on her face. She hadn't expected Nagumo Miyabi to mention such a name.
Sakayanagi had a faint impression of Saiki. He was a student from Class B and had previously been in the same group as Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. However, Sakayanagi hadn't paid much attention to him before, as he seemed far too ordinary. Her focus had always been on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, believing that the rise of Class D to the current Class B was entirely due to Ayanokoji's efforts. She hadn't bothered with anyone else.
"That student from Class B? What about him?" Sakayanagi asked.
"No, it's nothing. I was just asking casually. Please don't take it to heart," Nagumo said slowly.
[From Sakayanagi's expression, it seems she really doesn't know much about Saiki.]
[Horikita Manabu had been relatively close to this Saiki guy before... What's so special about this student?]
[Could it be... that the reason Horikita-senpai saw through my plan was because of him? No, no, that's impossible...]
Nagumo immediately dismissed this thought in his mind. He had previously investigated Saiki, and the other party was indeed an unremarkable person.
Could it be that even Saiki was beyond his understanding?
How could that be?
"However, if it's convenient for you, could you help me investigate him? See if there's anything special about him."
After some thought, Nagumo still made this request to Sakayanagi.
"Sure, leave it to me. Consider it a return favor for this operation," Sakayanagi said with a smile.
A few days later, Saiki had returned to his usual plain and uneventful school life.
For the past half month, nothing particularly noteworthy had happened in Class B, which was a rare and precious period for him.
Neither Horikita Manabu nor Nagumo Miyabi had made any contact with Saiki during this time.
However, Saiki knew that his peaceful days were about to come to an end.
Because, starting a few days ago, he had noticed someone following him after school.
It was a girl from Class A, someone he had never interacted with before. But with a slight use of his psychic abilities, he could sense her presence. Her name was Kamuro Masumi.
And she was following him under Sakayanagi's orders.
Kamuro Masumi was probably confident in her tracking skills, but she had been discovered by Saiki the moment she started following him.
'Yare yare, it seems Sakayanagi has finally set her sights on me. Is it because of Hashimoto? Or is it because of Nagumo?'
At this moment, Saiki was in the classroom, recalling the events of the past few days, and couldn't help but sigh.
However, Saiki didn't directly expose Kamuro Masumi's actions. He knew that both Sakayanagi and the others were only suspicious of him at this point. If he revealed that he had noticed Kamishiro's tracking, it might expose his abilities. It was better to continue pretending he didn't notice, letting them underestimate him.
"Hey, have you heard about what's going on in Class C recently?"
"I heard something about it near the school building earlier. I'm not sure if it's true, but there's no smoke without fire."
Saiki turned his head toward the source of the voices. Ike Kanji and Sudo Ken were discussing a recent rumor.
It was about Ichinose Honami.
At first, the rumors near the school building weren't too serious. Some people were questioning the source of Ichinose's points and whether she might have misused class points.
But now, the rumors had become more outrageous.
She was said to have a history of violent incidents, had engaged in compensated dating, had stolen, and had even used illegal drugs.
These rumors were completely absurd, but once they spread widely, people naturally began to question their validity.
"Kusuo, why do you look so gloomy?"
At that moment, Karuizawa Kei, with a smile on her face, walked over to Saiki and sat down beside him.
"It's nothing. I'm just thinking about some things," Saiki replied.
As soon as Karuizawa sat down, Sudo and Ike simultaneously stood up.
"Ike, let's go to the restroom."
"Yeah, let's go!"
'Hey, hey, what are you two doing?'
Saiki felt a bit helpless. He could clearly hear their thoughts.
[This Saiki guy has been getting pretty close to Karuizawa lately! Could it be that something's going on between them behind our backs?]
'Not at all.'
[We're not the kind of guys who don't know how to read the room. As friends, we naturally have to consider our friend's future happiness! If we stay here, we'll just be in the way!]
'Hey, hey...'
Sudo and Ike turned their heads, almost simultaneously giving Saiki a thumbs-up. Although their eyes were filled with envy, they clearly had the words "good luck" written all over their faces.
'...'
Saiki didn't know what to say for a moment.
Their actions, combined with Karuizawa's presence, drew the attention of the entire class to Saiki.
[Saiki and Karuizawa have been really close lately.]
[I never expected that someone as noticeable as Karuizawa and someone as invisible as Saiki could get along so well.]
[I'm so jealous.]
'This is nothing to be jealous about.'
Saiki thought to himself.
Ever since the uninhabited island exam, it had become difficult for Saiki to maintain his low profile in class.
"What are you two talking about?"
At that moment, Sato Maya appeared out of nowhere and sat down on the other side of Saiki, smiling as she looked at Karuizawa, who returned the smile.
An invisible tension began to fill the air.
[I really want... to join their conversation...]
Saiki could also hear the voice of Sakura Airi from behind him.
[This is so annoying! Why is Saiki so popular in class?!]
A slightly dissatisfied voice came from the other side of the classroom. Saiki didn't even need to look to know who it was.
Yamauchi Haruki.
At this moment, Yamauchi's eyes were filled with envy, even jealousy.
[What does Saiki have that I don't? Why does everyone always gather around him? He's just a boring guy who never talks.]
'Although I don't like the current situation either, I especially don't want to hear that from you.'
Previously, Saiki had mentally grouped Yamauchi, Sudo, and Ike together as the "idiot trio." But now, the other two had become more or less normal, and even Sudo, who used to have the worst temper, had mellowed out significantly. Only Yamauchi remained the same, maintaining his "idiot image."
His interactions with the other two had also decreased.
Seeing Saiki sitting and chatting with two girls, Yamauchi was extremely annoyed and tried to force his way into their conversation.
"Hey, what are you guys talking about?"
However, Karuizawa and Sato both ignored him in perfect unison.
At that moment, a soft female voice came from the classroom entrance.
"Is Yamauchi Haruki here?"
The students in the classroom were surprised, but they all turned to look at Yamauchi.
Yamauchi, who was in an awkward situation, was saved by the voice and quickly walked toward the door.
"Huh? That's me... What's up?"
Yamauchi always got excited when cute girls approached him, but this time, he was genuinely shocked.
Because the leader of Class A, Sakayanagi Arisu, had appeared, and she was specifically looking for Yamauchi.
'Sakayanagi's here.'
Saiki narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Sakayanagi.
"Can I borrow a moment of your time?"
Sakayanagi smiled.
"I-I'm free, of course..."
Yamauchi scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"...It's a bit awkward here. I'll wait for you in the hallway by the stairs!"
Sakayanagi seemed to be conscious of the other students' gazes. She lowered her head slightly and disappeared into the hallway, looking like a girl who was about to confess her feelings and was feeling extremely shy.
[Sakayanagi, Sakayanagi is looking for me?! Is she shy because of me... Wait, wait, she's asking to meet me somewhere else. Isn't that exactly like a girl who's about to confess to her crush?! Could it be... that Sakayanagi is going to confess to me?! Is this just like in anime? Did she fall in love with me at first sight after that physical contact last time?!]
'Yare yare, it seems Yamauchi really has no self-awareness.'
Saiki thought to himself.
He knew exactly what Sakayanagi's intentions were, as he had heard her thoughts before and had just heard similar words again.
[Yamauchi Haruki has no resistance to the words of the opposite sex. With just a little manipulation, he can become a useful pawn, even betraying Class B!]
[If I can make him my spy within Class B, I'll be able to gather information on the others more easily.]
[And once his usefulness is exhausted, I'll deal with him. That incident where he bumped into me last time will be settled.]
'This is definitely going to be troublesome... but... it shouldn't have anything to do with me for now.'
Saiki muttered to himself.
At that moment, the Class B classroom became eerily quiet, not even the sound of breathing could be heard. After a few seconds, a loud exclamation broke the silence.
"No, no, no! This can't be!"
The one who broke the silence was Ike, who had also walked to the classroom entrance.
[No way, Sakayanagi is looking for Yamauchi?]
[She must have some ulterior motive.]
[How could Sakayanagi be interested in Yamauchi?]
'Although it's a bit pitiful that even his classmates think this way, it's the truth.'
Saiki complained.
Everyone knew that Sakayanagi likely had ulterior motives, and as the leader of Class A, her methods were somewhat low...
But Yamauchi didn't see it at all.
You could say... he deserved it?
"Sorry! I've got something to do!"
Without a second thought, Yamauchi grabbed his bag and prepared to meet Sakayanagi.
[Jealous, aren't you, Saiki!]
'What does this have to do with me?'
"Wait, Yamauchi."
"Huh? What is it, Horikita?"
Yamauchi was brimming with energy, ready to dash out of the classroom, but Horikita Suzune stood in the doorway, blocking his path like an immovable wall.
"Isn't she planning to do something to target our Class B?"
"Huh? Why would you think that?"
"I'm just saying that it's strange for you to be invited like this. There's no way Sakayanagi would want to meet you alone, right?"
Horikita frowned.
[Sakayanagi approaching Yamauchi definitely has an ulterior motive.]
'Yare yare, everyone else is just thinking it in their heads, but Horikita just says it out loud? Honestly, this makes the situation even more awkward—but since it's Yamauchi, it doesn't matter.'
If it were anyone else, they would have been at least somewhat annoyed by Horikita's words.
But Yamauchi was different.
"You know that classic scenario where a transfer student bumps into someone at a street corner while holding a piece of bread, and then they fall in love...?"
Yamauchi's face lit up with excitement.
"Huh? Bread... street corner?"
For the first time, Horikita's eyes showed genuine confusion, even more so than during the uninhabited island exam.
"Little Sakayanagi is waiting for me. I'm off."
Yamauchi ignored Horikita and continued walking.
"What if this is a trap? What are you going to do?"
"What do you mean? This isn't a trap."
Yamauchi refused to believe it.
"I am indeed this class's secret weapon, but that's exactly why it's fine. If it is a trap, I'll handle it properly! I've already thought of a plan!"
[Little Sakayanagi is waiting for me! I can't keep her waiting!]
In reality, Yamauchi hadn't thought of anything at all.