"As long as we catch the culprit, all problems will be resolved easily, and we will also be able to resolve these problems in advance."
Shiina Hiyori narrowed her eyes slightly, her gaze becoming extremely serious, as if she had encountered an especially difficult-to-solve deduction puzzle.
"But if it wasn't done by someone inside our class, then it means over at Class C, there is an extremely terrifying person, even we can't see through them at all."
———
At the same time, in the student council's meeting room.
Horikita Manabu pushed up his glasses with one hand, while seriously listening to the recording sent by an anonymous email.
"To think it was actually Class D deliberately framing Class C..."
Beside Horikita Manabu, Akane Tachibana, with her hair tied into a bun, couldn't help but let out an exclamation.
"Really don't know who made this recording."
When this recording was received last night, everyone in the student council was a bit surprised, and after a detailed verification, they were basically able to confirm the recording was real. They almost pulled an all-nighter to issue the appropriate punishments.
"I originally thought this matter wouldn't be resolved within a week, didn't expect it to be solved in just three days. Looks like there's an incredible existence in this year's first years." Horikita Manabu murmured to himself.
"To be acknowledged by Horikita-senpai, I'm also quite curious about that person's identity~"
Sitting next to Horikita Manabu was a blond-haired young man, with delicate features but a hint of frivolity in his gaze, and a meaningful smile on his face.
Nagumo Miyabi, second year, and also the vice president of the student council.
———
After the uproar involving Sudo Ken ended, another month had already passed.
Saiki and the others had also experienced a relatively peaceful month, during which nothing major occurred.
During this period, their Class C and Class A had almost no contact, and their relationship with Ichinose Honami's Class B became relatively close.
As for Class D, after the incident, they went into hiding and made no significant moves.
This made Saiki once think he was finally about to enjoy a truly peaceful time, and even the end-of-term exams passed without incident.
At the end of July, during the final class in the afternoon, Chabashira Sae entered the classroom and posted the score sheet:
"Congratulations to all of you, everyone passed this exam again. It's really hard to believe that a class once evaluated as Class D now doesn't have a single dropout, and even got promoted to Class C, the gap between your class and Class B is getting smaller and smaller."
Chabashira Sae had a bright smile on her face. Although her words still carried some disdain toward Class C, it was clear she was genuinely happy about the class's achievements.
[Horikita Suzune's score is actually that high?!]
[Damn it! I clearly studied seriously, so how am I still at the bottom!]
[That Koenji guy's score is freakishly good... Are all smart people monsters?]
Saiki looked up at the score sheet. This time, it was again a fairly satisfying result. There were fluctuations in scores across subjects, but his total score still hovered in the middle.
Ayanokoji's score was exactly the same as his.
'The end-of-term exam is over, which theoretically means it's now summer vacation.' Saiki thought to himself.
Because this school was under complete lockdown management, even during vacation, naturally, students were not allowed to leave the campus.
But this had no effect on Saiki. He could return home anytime using teleportation. Besides, this school had everything. Not having to attend classes simply meant he didn't have to interact with those guys anymore...
However, Saiki was very clear that things would definitely not be that simple.
"In addition, to celebrate your excellent grades, the school has also decided to reward you, during this summer vacation, you will be going on vacation aboard a luxury cruise ship!"
As soon as Chabashira Sae finished speaking, the students instantly erupted.
"What?! A luxury cruise ship?!"
"Seriously?!"
"Awesome! We're going on vacation! I can't wait already!"
Everyone present chatted excitedly, while Chabashira Sae on the podium maintained a meaningful smile:
"This time it's a school group activity, and participation is mandatory, okay?"
Only Saiki's expression remained unchanged. Because he knew very well, this trip would definitely not be a good thing.
[Just keep laughing, keep laughing. This isn't a simple vacation, but a special exam.]
Chabashira Sae thought this while her gaze swept across the crowd before her.
'As expected, I knew it wouldn't be anything good.'
Saiki sighed in his heart. Earlier, he had already heard from Ichinose Honami about matters regarding summer vacation, so he had already guessed somewhat.
In the end, even his precious summer vacation time would be wasted by this school... He didn't even have the option to refuse.
Group activity, exam, so many troublesome things piling up together.
'How hateful...' Saiki could only shake his head.
"Luggage and daily necessities will be provided by the school, so get ready to fully enjoy your summer vacation life."
Chabashira Sae adjusted her teaching materials. "Ayanokoji, I have something to discuss with you. Come with me to the office."
After the last class ended, the students in the class had mostly left.
Ayanokoji packed up and headed to Chabashira Sae's office, and behind him, Saiki used his invisibility ability and quietly followed.
He knew there would be no good reason for Chabashira Sae to call Ayanokoji. To prevent any unexpected incidents, it was better to follow.
'I wonder what the teacher wants with Ayanokoji... A weird teacher and a weird student, it's a perfect match.'
Just as Saiki was inwardly ridiculing, Ayanokoji—who had just reached a corner—suddenly stopped and turned around sharply—his gaze seemed to fall directly onto Saiki, with barely two meters of space between them.
"Strange, I keep feeling like someone's following me. Am I just overthinking it?"
Ayanokoji muttered to himself. After carefully scanning his surroundings, he continued walking toward the office.
'This guy... Is his sense of awareness from a wild animal? I'm already using invisibility, though.'
Saiki felt a moment of panic in his heart, but quickly calmed down again, hiding his presence further and following behind Ayanokoji until he reached the office area.
Chabashira Sae was leaning against the doorway, seemingly waiting for Ayanokoji the whole time.
"Come in."
"I have no idea why you called me here." Ayanokoji replied expressionlessly.
"Let's talk inside."
Chabashira Sae led Ayanokoji into the office, with invisible Saiki quietly sneaking in behind.
"Although the counseling room might leave people with an unpleasant impression, it's surprisingly a good place, if you ask why, it's because there's no surveillance here. The school took into account that teachers and students often need to discuss private matters, so there are no cameras." Chabashira Sae said with a smile.
'Heh, if the school were really so considerate, they wouldn't have come up with this ridiculous S-System.' Saiki mentally ridiculed.
"So may I ask, what do you want to talk about? I'm busy planning my summer vacation right now, you know."
"That's quite funny, you don't have any friends, do you? What kind of vacation plans could you possibly make?"
"No no no, that's going a bit too far. I do have a few friends, though the number can be counted on my fingers, but the important thing isn't quantity." Ayanokoji replied.
[From the perspective of a high school student, who can be counted as a friend? Not sure if Horikita counts, but Sudo, Ike, and Yamauchi probably do. Kushida should count... Not sure about Saiki.]
'Saying all that with such a straight face... That's seriously jarring...' Saiki was already thinking about leaving the room.
"The reason I called you here today is to have you listen to a bit of my life story."
[Oh?]
'Oh?'
Both Saiki and Ayanokoji had the same word appear in their minds at the same time.
"This is something I've never told anyone since becoming a teacher. Just consider it a bunch of nonsense. What do you students of Class C think of me as your homeroom teacher?"
'Doesn't do a single thing as a teacher.'
Without the slightest hesitation, Saiki gave his answer inwardly.
"Another strange question. I think you're a beauty, am I allowed to answer like that?" Ayanokoji replied without changing his expression.
'Nice.' Saiki mentally gave Ayanokoji a high rating.
To speak to a teacher like that, he might be the only one in the world. At the same time, Saiki could already sense the terrifying aura of killing intent from Chabashira Sae.
[This guy... No, I must restrain my emotions. Ayanokoji is an important piece in my climb upward...]
'Having thoughts like that as a teacher is already a complete failure.'
[Like the story of Icarus' wings. Simply put, a long time ago, there was a great inventor in Greece named Daedalus. Under the orders of King Minos, he built a labyrinth to imprison the monster Minotaur. However, afterward, he was abandoned by King Minos...]
'Hey hey hey, aren't your thoughts flying a bit too far? Are you telling stories in your inner monologue now? Just like a novelist padding word count when they don't know what to write?'
[Looking at Ayanokoji in front of me, I don't know why, but I think of Icarus' wings... Because I feel this situation matches it the best... I've been pushed into a corner, so I can only do this. I must work hard to climb upward...]
'If you're thinking about rising to Class A too, then at least fulfill some of your responsibilities as a teacher? Not doing anything every day, how could we possibly rise to Class A?'
Saiki was running out of energy to ridicule Chabashira Sae anymore. But he was still curious, what exactly did Chabashira Sae want to do?
"If you don't mind me comparing you to other teachers, I'd say regarding our class's future, you seem to think it doesn't matter either way. You're a cold and indifferent teacher who has no interest in students. That should about cover it." Ayanokoji answered.
'You really said it directly, huh?'
"You're not wrong, but that's not entirely the truth... I used to be a student in Class D at this school too..."
'So you were from Class D too?'
"But back in our time, the gap wasn't as huge as it is now. In the final semester of third year, we were less than 100 points away from Class A..."
Chabashira Sae began recounting her past, and somehow, a box of popcorn had appeared in Saiki's arms.
[I want to use my story to move Ayanokoji, to make him understand that getting to Class A takes enormous effort.]
"...And that's the story of my past." Chabashira Sae said, while carefully observing Ayanokoji, hoping for a reaction.
"I don't understand what this has to do with me. May I ask what these life experiences have to do with me?"
Ayanokoji answered without hesitation, showing no reaction to her story.
[Chabashira-sensei said these things to try to make me empathize, but that's impossible.] Ayanokoji had already figured out Chabashira Sae's intention.
"I believe you are an indispensable presence for rising to Class A."
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