After the exam results were announced, Chabashira Sae came to the classroom and asked Ayanokoji Kiyotaka to go to the chairman's office.
Tsukishiro Tokinari had been waiting there for a long time.
"April is over. Have you figured out who the student sent in is? I think this is something we need to confirm first."
When Tsukishiro Tokinari saw Ayanokoji Kiyotaka arrive, he spoke up. After all, they had previously made a bet about this—though Tsukishiro might not have intended to honor it.
"Unfortunately, I don't know who the White Room student is."
"You're quite straightforward. Shouldn't you at least throw out some suspicious names first?"
"I won't say anything I'm not sure about, at least not in this situation."
As Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said this, he seemed to think of something and continued,
"But if I had to say, there are indeed two suspicious candidates."
[If I directly reveal my suspicions, it might expose how much information I have. But on the other hand, I might also be able to gather information from him—Saiki had some guesses about the White Room assassin. I can use this opportunity to see if Saiki's guesses are correct.]
"Two candidates?"
Tsukishiro Tokinari couldn't help but purse his lips. He had deliberately told Ayanokoji Kiyotaka that the White Room would send one assassin to expel him, never expecting Ayanokoji to guess there were two.
"So, who do you think it is?"
[So it really is two people.]
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka caught the subtle change in Tsukishiro's expression.
"For now, Yagami Takuya and Amasawa Ichika are the most likely candidates."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said tentatively.
[What?!]
Tsukishiro Tokinari was inwardly shocked. He never expected Ayanokoji Kiyotaka to guess so accurately.
Although he knew Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was impressive, he hadn't expected him to identify the targets within a month.
[No, no, he might not have figured it out. Maybe he's just suspicious.]
Tsukishiro Tokinari thought to himself, then continued:
"How did you come to this conclusion? Do you have any evidence?"
"No, it's just a guess. I have no evidence."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said slowly.
[It seems there's indeed something wrong.]
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka noticed the hesitation in Tsukishiro's eyes and knew he was very close to the correct answer.
[Saiki, did he really deduce the correct answer?]
[But for now, Saiki is probably just at the stage of speculation, with no solid evidence.]
[In that case, I don't need to give a direct conclusion either.]
"I see. So the child has successfully infiltrated."
Tsukishiro Tokinari nodded in admiration, still wearing a satisfied expression.
"But whoever it is, I can't sense the unique aura of a White Room student. That person has perfectly erased their presence."
"Because as part of the training, that child has spent the past few months fully immersing themselves in becoming a high school student."
"In contrast, you seemed to struggle quite a bit at the beginning of your enrollment—your choice of words, attitude, thoughts, and lifestyle all had many unnatural aspects."
Tsukishiro Tokinari said with a smile.
"Because my impression of ordinary high school students was only based on imagination."
"Since you haven't figured it out yet, I'll take that as no problem for now. You may leave."
"Acting Chairman Tsukishiro, did something go wrong?"
"What are you talking about?"
"It's already May. For you, I thought you'd want to wrap things up by April."
"No, no, there's no need to rush. After all, I've been given more time than I expected."
[For now, I'll just bluff… But Ayanokoji is really more impressive than I thought.]
"I see. I thought there must have been some unexpected trouble."
"That's an interesting thing to say. Do you have any basis for it?"
"At the very least, it feels like you've made thorough preparations for this special exam to expel me. All that's left is for the White Room student to contact me and partner with me. However, no first-year student has shown any such actions."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said slowly.
"It even makes me wonder if there's no White Room student among the first-years."
"Are you saying you don't think so?"
"I really can't understand."
"After all, you're a special individual. I judged that sending a White Room student carelessly would be too risky if exposed. I think it's wiser to aim for a later opportunity."
"How leisurely."
"Perhaps."
"If the White Room student acted against Acting Chairman Tsukishiro's intentions and ignored the instructions, then this series of events would make sense."
"Really, your thoughts are quite interesting."
Tsukishiro Tokinari took a sip of tea, seemingly deep in thought, but then spoke up,
"Alright, although it's troublesome to ask for credibility in my statements, I admit—this time, I did indeed plan to ensure your expulsion—but that child ignored it."
[If things had gone according to my plan, either Yagami or Amasawa should have actively contacted Ayanokoji, but that didn't happen.]
[Not only that, Amasawa's movements have been bothering me.]
[She seems to have actively approached Saiki, and Yagami… I have no idea what he's doing. It feels like Yagami might do something dangerous. He has a strange fixation on Ayanokoji.]
"One more thing."
At this moment, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka spoke up again.
"What?"
"You seem to be very wary of Saiki, don't you?"
"How could that be? Saiki is just an ordinary student, right?"
"No, you know very well that's not the case."
Hearing Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's words, Tsukishiro Tokinari pursed his lips. This time, he didn't deny it, as there was no need to keep hiding it.
"Saiki… indeed, the forces behind him might even surpass the White Room. We've been instructed to avoid contact with Saiki as much as possible."
"So that's how it is."
"But don't think staying by Saiki's side will keep you safe."
"That's not my intention."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka said.
"Good."
After a brief pause, Tsukishiro Tokinari continued,
"One last thing… If that child even ignores your father's intentions, depending on the situation, it might be better for you to choose to drop out—because the more undeniable it becomes that you are the White Room's greatest masterpiece, the more immeasurable that child's jealousy and hatred will be. That child might do something far more terrifying than I can imagine."
"However, during this time, I've realized something."
"What?"
"There's always someone better, and there's always a higher sky."
"What do you mean?"
"I underwent a lot of chess training in the White Room, and no one there could beat me."
"Yes, I remember."
Tsukishiro Tokinari clearly remembered Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's terrifying chess skills.
"But last semester, I lost. You probably didn't know that, did you?"
"How could that be? Even if you lost, you must not have been serious, right?"
"No, I was very serious at the time, but I still lost."
"What?"
Tsukishiro Tokinari's gaze fell on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, unable to believe that there was someone in this world who could beat Ayanokoji Kiyotaka—
But if that person was Saiki…
Perhaps it was possible.
Still, Tsukishiro Tokinari found it hard to imagine Ayanokoji Kiyotaka losing to anyone.
"What are you trying to say?"
"The man who meticulously crafted me doesn't seem to have created something truly perfect. So, the mundane world can't be ignored."
"…"
Tsukishiro Tokinari didn't respond immediately, just stared at Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
After a brief conversation, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka left the room, while Tsukishiro Tokinari sat in his seat with a troubled expression. After a moment of silence, he left the room.
…
Meanwhile, after the exam results were announced, Saiki went to a nearby café to relax.
After being busy with exams for so long, he hadn't had much time to visit cafés or dessert shops.
'Finally, I can relax today.'
Saiki thought to himself.
Just as Saiki sat down and ordered the new cake he had been looking forward to, a familiar, playful figure appeared in front of him.
Amasawa Ichika.
"Saiki-senpai, you're here!"
Amasawa Ichika said with a smile,
"What a coincidence."
[According to my investigation, Saiki-senpai has a habit of coming to this café.]
'Yare yare, do troublesome people always find their way to me?'
Saiki sighed inwardly, trying to think of a way to get rid of Amasawa Ichika and avoid her disturbing his precious time.
"Is there something you need?"
Saiki asked expressionlessly.
"Nothing much. I just saw you here and wanted to say hello."
Amasawa Ichika said with a smile.
[Strange, Saiki-senpai's attitude and demeanor are completely different from before. Is it multiple personalities, or is he deliberately acting this way? Or, as I speculated last time, is it just a test…]
'Because it's not the same person.'
[But to achieve this level of behavioral change, it's definitely not something an ordinary person could do.]
'Ordinary people don't have psychic powers either.'
[My curiosity about Saiki-senpai is growing stronger.]
'Please don't.'
Saiki felt a bit helpless, trying to think of a way to get rid of Amasawa Ichika when she ordered a bunch of desserts:
"Thank you for your cooking last time, senpai. This time, it's my treat!"
'Yare yare, I'll just sit with you for a bit.'
Soon, the desserts were brought to Saiki. Seeing Amasawa Ichika start eating the cake, Saiki also began to indulge in the delicious desserts.
Seeing Saiki's expression, Amasawa Ichika was momentarily stunned.
[Saiki-senpai… looks completely different when eating desserts. He seems so immersed… I've never seen someone like this before. Although the cake is indeed delicious, it shouldn't be to this extent.]
[In the dorm, during normal conversations, while eating… Saiki-senpai's state is different each time. Why is that?]
[Or is all of this just his disguise? I'm so curious.]
'Yare yare…'
Saiki's consciousness was pulled back to reality, and he quickly adjusted his posture.
"Senpai, you said last time that I could visit your dorm anytime and that you'd cook for me!"
Amasawa Ichika said with a smile.
'Yare yare, she still remembers that.'
Saiki recalled that those words had been spoken by his mother, Saiki Kurumi.
But even so, Saiki certainly couldn't let Amasawa Ichika visit his dorm whenever she wanted. It might lead to more trouble…
'Should I just play dumb and pretend I forgot? Or should I make an excuse that I've been busy lately? Oh, right, if there are other people in the dorm, Amasawa Ichika probably wouldn't come. Either way, I need to find a way to refuse her…'
"Senpai, do you have any experience making desserts?"
"Yes!"
Saiki nodded immediately, without any hesitation.
In Saiki's room, he had all sorts of dessert-making equipment and ingredients. Sometimes, he would make various desserts in his room.
But after answering, Saiki regretted it.
"That's perfect! I'd love to try your dessert-making skills, senpai!"
Amasawa Ichika's smile grew even brighter.
[Saiki-senpai seems to have a different attitude when it comes to desserts. Is it genuine, or is it just an act? I'm not sure. I need to figure this out.]
'Yare yare… I've gotten myself into trouble again.'
"I'll bring some ingredients for desserts next time."
"No need, I should have everything."
Saiki had no choice but to nod reluctantly.
"Kusuo, you're here!"
Just then, a light voice appeared beside Saiki.
But soon, the voice carried a hint of confusion.
"Huh? Who's this?"
The voice belonged to Karuizawa Kei.
Her puzzled gaze fell on Amasawa Ichika.