Two days passed quickly. During this time, the internal meetings of Group U made no progress. The students from Class A refused to participate in discussions, leaving everyone else at a loss.
However, the hour-long meeting had to be endured. To pass the time, the others decided to play board games, though the girls from Class D didn't join in. Eventually, it became a game between Classes B and C.
Saiki Kusuo participated, but he was mostly just going through the motions. Given the current situation, no one should be able to figure out the identity of the privileged person. This outcome is acceptable.
Saiki thought to himself.
At the same time, he noticed that Manabe Shiho and the others seemed increasingly hostile toward Karuizawa Kei.
Though Saiki wasn't sure what had happened, it wasn't surprising. After all, the conflict between Karuizawa and Manabe had become irreconcilable.
However, Saiki had no intention of intervening. It was a matter between Karuizawa and Manabe's group.
But during this time, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka's thoughts caught Saiki's attention.
I recall a psychological experiment from the 1960s called the Milgram experiment, also known as the Eichmann experiment. It involved teachers and students in an isolated setting. First, the teachers—or subjects—were given mild electric shocks to remember the pain and fear...
...Then, the students were placed on the other side of a glass partition, with the shock device attached to them. The teachers were given a button to administer shocks...
...Next, the experimenter instructed the teachers to ask questions, shocking the students for wrong answers. The voltage increased with each mistake. Under these conditions, anyone could exhibit cruel and abusive behavior...
What's this guy thinking? Why is he recalling this now? What's going on in his head all the time?
Saiki felt helpless, trying to ignore Ayanokōji's thoughts. Telepathy wasn't something he could block by covering his ears. Unless he used his germanium ring, Saiki was forced to hear these thoughts.
But unless necessary, Saiki avoided using the ring—after all, this school was full of oddballs, and who knew what they were thinking.
"Time's up. Students are free to move about."
As the announcement sounded, everyone left the meeting room. Karuizawa was the first to exit, and Manabe's group immediately followed her.
We'll make her suffer for this.
Saiki clearly heard their thoughts as they left.
Hmm.
Saiki narrowed his eyes.
I should follow them to prevent any trouble.
After a brief pause, Saiki trailed behind the group, heading to the ship's emergency exit.
There were no cameras there, and students and teachers rarely went there.
"What are you doing, bringing me here?!"
Karuizawa demanded loudly, but due to the secluded location, no one else could hear them.
"You're the one who bullied Rika, aren't you?"
Manabe confronted her, her tone unwavering.
"I've said it before—it wasn't me! You've got the wrong person."
Despite Karuizawa's denial, Manabe's group surrounded her, backing her against the wall with no escape.
"I've got something to do. Can you let me go?"
Karuizawa said, struggling to keep her voice steady, trying to maintain her tough facade.
But her fear was evident in her eyes.
"If you're innocent, let us confirm it. I'll call Rika now. If it's not you, we'll forgive you."
Manabe said, pulling out her phone to call Rika.
"...I just remembered... someone did bump into me before."
"Stop pretending. You remembered from the start—fine. Will you apologize to Rika?"
Manabe continued, suggesting they'd forgive Karuizawa if she apologized.
Hmm. It was Karuizawa's fault to begin with. If she'd apologized earlier, this could've been avoided.
Saiki shook his head, preparing to leave. In a way, Karuizawa's actions were self-inflicted. If she apologized, the matter should end.
But then, Saiki heard Manabe's thoughts again.
I'll never forgive her. I want to see her grovel after she apologizes! Should we bully her now?
"It's that girl's fault! She's so clueless!"
Karuizawa stubbornly retorted, already sensing their true intentions.
From the start, Manabe's goal wasn't just to seek justice for her friend—she was targeting Karuizawa.
"Manabe, I've had enough. We can't forgive Karuizawa."
"Yeah. She treats Rika the same way. Should we really bully her?"
"I hate Karuizawa's face. She's so ugly! Let's disfigure her!"
Manabe grabbed Karuizawa's hair, slamming her against the wall.
It wasn't a threat—Manabe intended to do it.
But in that moment, the heavy door swung open. As everyone looked on in surprise, Saiki appeared before them.
"What are you doing here?"
Manabe was shocked, not expecting Saiki to follow them.
"Saiki...?"
Karuizawa was equally surprised.
I didn't want to interfere, but if I don't step in, things might get out of hand.
Saiki narrowed his eyes, scanning Manabe's group.
Karuizawa's at fault, but using this as an excuse for bullying is unacceptable.
"What do you want, Four-Eyes?"
Manabe sneered at Saiki.
"A teacher's nearby. They'll be here soon."
Saiki said calmly.
Normally, Saiki would use his powers to summon a teacher to stop them, but with the situation urgent, he had to intervene himself.
More trouble...
Saiki also heard another voice nearby—Ayanokōji's.
Just as expected. The Milgram experiment...
Is Ayanokōji behind this? What's his plan?
Saiki was annoyed. The students here always brought him trouble.
"Some of our classmates are nearby."
"Whatever."
Manabe was furious, her emotions written all over her face.
This Four-Eyes is so annoying! I want to punch him!
Go ahead and try.
Saiki stared directly at Manabe.
If a teacher shows up, it'll be messy. Let's back off for now!
"You'll apologize to Rika!"
Manabe left with her group, but before departing, she 'lost her balance' and fell, looking utterly embarrassed as she scrambled away.
Courtesy of Saiki's 'small revenge.'
This isn't over.
Saiki turned to Karuizawa.
Thank goodness... Saiki's here... He stopped them...
Even without telepathy, Saiki could see the relief on Karuizawa's face.
She was on the brink of emotional collapse, her tough persona about to shatter.
Should I say something to Saiki? Did I slip up just now? What if he asks me about it?
Karuizawa's mind raced, thinking of how to speak with Saiki—
But Saiki simply turned and left.
I only stopped things from getting worse. I don't want to get involved.
"Huh?"
Soon, only Karuizawa remained, looking confused.
...
Saiki returned to the corridor and spotted Ayanokōji leaning against the wall, waiting for him.
"Saiki, I've set the stage for what you wanted."
Ayanokōji said expressionlessly.
"Hm."
Saiki nodded, equally expressionless, though his thoughts were far from it.
What do I want? What's he talking about?
Saiki mentioned Karuizawa earlier, so I noticed her hidden side. Her fear is undeniable. Karuizawa likely suffered severe bullying before. Her current image is just a facade.
Saiki noticed this before me and mentioned her name, hinting she could be manipulated. So I set this stage, making Karuizawa realize Saiki's her only ally. I also recorded Manabe's group threatening her, which could be used against Class D. With this footage, Manabe will become my tool.
What?
Saiki's mind was filled with questions, never expecting things to unfold this way.
He usually acted alone, with little interaction with Ayanokōji beyond meetings. Saiki had no idea what Ayanokōji did in his free time.
So... you caused all this?
Saiki fixed his gaze on Ayanokōji. He now understood why Manabe's hostility toward Karuizawa had grown.
But... does that mean I indirectly caused this...?
Saiki realized something.
He'd unintentionally mentioned Karuizawa's name to Ayanokōji, who then took action...
Unknowingly, he'd created a lot of trouble...
And the person before him was the biggest troublemaker.
"What do you think of Chabashira-sensei?"
Ayanokōji asked suddenly.
Chabashira claims to have contacted that man, but I can't confirm it. Saiki might know something. I can use him to gather information.
He's asking about that... If Ayanokōji knows the truth, he'll stop his actions, right?
Saiki hoped.