Sakayanagi mentioned Ayanokōji—he's Horikita's follower, or rather, Saiki's. His appearance caught me off guard, but it was Saiki who defeated me, no doubt about it. It seems even Sakayanagi didn't realize who's truly pulling the strings in Class B.
Ryūen smirked, deep in thought.
"Would you hide the fact that you lost, Sakayanagi?"
"I wouldn't lose to anyone, so I wouldn't know."
Sakayanagi smiled, though Ryūen noticed a flicker of doubt in her eyes when Ayanokōji's name was mentioned. Clearly, the one who defeated Ryūen wasn't Ayanokōji—at least not directly.
*Could someone else in Class B, besides Ayanokōji, have beaten Ryūen head-on?*
Sakayanagi struggled to believe it. She was confident in her knowledge of Class B. Neither Horikita nor Hirata could have done it.
She recalled her earlier conversation with Ayanokōji. He'd claimed he did nothing during the exam; someone else in his class acted. At the time, she'd doubted him, but now she wondered if he'd been telling the truth.
"If I were defeated, I wouldn't admit it so easily."
"Of course not. Your pride's too strong."
"Pride's important. Life without it would be boring, don't you think?"
"A life controlled by pride is even more boring."
Ryūen chuckled, shaking his head.
"To think you, acting like a tyrant, fell from power after losing to your subordinate. It's hard to believe."
Sakayanagi leaned on her cane, her expression deepening as if everything were calculated.
"If you can't believe it, what's your theory?"
"I don't know, which is why I called you here. To find the truth."
"And did you find it face-to-face?"
"Not exactly, but I'm certain the 'X' behind Class B isn't who I expected."
"You suspect Ayanokōji? You two seem to know each other well. But I'll tell you this: it's not him."
"Thanks for the insight."
Sakayanagi smiled.
"From now on, I won't interfere in this school anymore."
"What? Are you serious?"
Hashimoto, standing beside her, looked shocked.
"Don't be so surprised. She has a contract with Katsuragi, ensuring her points. And joining Class A is the planned route. There's no issue with stepping back now."
Sakayanagi's gaze sharpened, as if everything were under her control.
"I'll watch your petty struggles from above."
Ryūen waved and left.
"Ayanokōji hasn't done much lately,' Kamuro remarked to Sakayanagi.
"We'll find and defeat him eventually. But for now, let's play with Class C."
---
December was halfway through, and the second semester neared its end.
For Saiki, the only thing to look forward to was winter break. Thanks to his telepathy, he'd learned from Chabashira that no strange exams were planned.
But before that, Christmas loomed—a hurdle he wanted to pass quietly. No more weird incidents, hopefully.
With Kushida and Ryūen dealt with, he should be safe.
Fortunately, Christmas was still weeks away.
Saiki entered a café—he had a meeting.
"Saiki!"
Shiina waved excitedly.
"Long time no see, Shiina."
Saiki greeted her. Though they were friends, tensions between Class B and D had reduced their interactions. But after Ryūen's fall, Shiina reached out.
"It has been a while."
Saiki sat across from her. A waiter brought coffee and desserts—Shiina had timed his arrival perfectly.
"Sorry for the sudden invite."
"It's fine. I had nothing else to do."
Saiki wasn't social, but the café's new desserts were tempting.
"I found interesting books in the library! Want to see?"
Shiina beamed, then paused, as if remembering something.
"Saiki, can I ask you something?"
*If I do, we might not stay friends. But I have to ask.*
Saiki nodded, already knowing her question.
"Did you defeat Ryūen?"
Shiina's gaze was intense.
*She figured it out?* Saiki thought. *Her observation skills are impressive.*
"Why do you think that?"
"Ryūen was obsessed with your class, but he stepped down, supposedly due to Ishizaki's rebellion. But Ishizaki seemed fake, and Ryūen's been sensitive about you..."
Shiina explained her reasoning. She'd even tested her theory in her class, concluding Saiki was likely involved.
*The fear I planted in Ryūen must've been too strong.*
"If this upsets you, I apologize. I hesitated to ask, but I had to. I can tell you don't want to discuss this."
Shiina bit her lip, worried.
"You're right."
Saiki nodded, confirming it.
*With her skills, denying it would only lead to more probing. And she won't spread this.*
"I see. Thanks, Saiki."
Shiina smiled, relieved.
"Take any books you like!"
She opened her bag, eager to share, like a child with candy.
"Thanks."
Saiki took a book, nodding.
Their meeting was almost over, but Saiki knew someone else was nearby.
*Why is Saiki meeting a girl alone?*
*She's from Class D—Shiina Hiyori! They're not dating, right?*
The voice belonged to Karuizawa, who'd planned to invite Saiki to a movie. Curious, she'd followed him to the café, convinced her stealth was perfect.
But to Saiki, her thoughts were loud and clear.
*She's still here? I'll pretend not to notice.*
Then, another familiar voice reached him.
*This is bad. Is that man at school? Where's Ayanokōji?*
It was Chabashira, outside the café, sounding urgent.
Saiki wondered why she was nearby. *That man... Ayanokōji...*
"I'll head out, Saiki."
"Okay."
After Shiina left, Saiki went to the restroom and used his clairvoyance.
---
"Chabashira, what's this about?"
Ayanokōji met her near the café. She'd called him urgently.
"Follow me!"
She led him to the administration building, her demeanor unusually flustered.
*She seems nervous.*
They reached a reception room.
"Principal, I've brought Ayanokōji."
The principal, a man in his sixties, looked uneasy, sweat on his brow.
"Come in."
Inside was another man, a stranger.
*Ayanokōji Tokishin!* Saiki realized, hearing the principal's panicked thoughts.
Ayanokōji's father.
*His father? Too bad I can't eat popcorn now.*
Saiki was curious.
"Shall we begin?"
The principal sounded submissive.
"Of course."
Ayanokōji's father spoke with authority.
"I'll leave you two. Excuse me."
The principal fled, Chabashira following, her trembling revealing her fear.
Ayanokōji's father was a powerful figure, someone even the principal feared.
"Sit down. I came to see you."
His gaze was cold, commanding.
"I won't stay long."
Ayanokōji replied calmly.