"Sakayanagi."
Ayanokōji acknowledged the girl before him.
"What's this about?"
Sakayanagi leaned on her crutch, smiling at Ayanokōji.
Kamuro Masumi stood beside her like a bodyguard.
"I want to discuss Ichinose with you. You sent those letters, right?"
Ayanokōji asked.
"That's quite an accusation without evidence."
Sakayanagi replied calmly, still smiling.
"Finding evidence isn't hard. Creating so many letters would require printing equipment. Investigating the school's print shop staff could reveal the culprit. You might have Hashimoto or others do it, but it would still lead back to your Class A. As the leader, you can't escape involvement."
Ayanokōji explained.
"Impressive."
Sakayanagi smiled.
*"I thought Ayanokōji was too ordinary. I wondered why Sakayanagi cared about him... He's not simple at all..."*
Kamuro thought.
Earlier, Sakayanagi had Kamuro follow Ayanokōji for a while, leaving Kamuro puzzled about him.
"It's just suspicion. I haven't admitted to anything. Even if I declared war on Ichinose, it doesn't mean I acted on it."
Sakayanagi said slowly.
"Don't worry, I have no recording devices. I'm not here to spy on you."
Ayanokōji stepped forward, standing before Sakayanagi.
"I'm here to see your determination to face me."
"Can't wait to challenge me? Or do you want to protect Ichinose?"
Sakayanagi narrowed her eyes.
*"Eager to face me? You know my past, but I don't know your reasons. Right now, I don't crave a 'confrontation' with you. Instead, I feel a similar urge with Saiki—a desire to compete."*
*"Ichinose is just a pawn. Useful if possible, but replaceable. Even if she leaves, it won't affect me much."*
*"She's just a 'project' in my rivalry with Saiki. Despite her unique influence, she's not irreplaceable."*
Ayanokōji thought, his expression unchanged.
"Neither. I just want to see if you truly want to challenge me—and if you're capable."
Kamuro frowned, surprised by Ayanokōji's boldness.
*"Sakayanagi's abilities are undeniable. Even Katsuragi was defeated by her."*
"Are you provoking me or goading me?"
Sakayanagi's gaze fixed on Ayanokōji.
"I told you, I'm not the real X. You know I don't lie. What was meant to be your fight with Ichinose has become my battle with him."
Ayanokōji continued.
"Your battle with him..."
"You can't identify him yet, but you must have suspicions."
"True. A name I've overlooked keeps coming up."
Sakayanagi slowly revealed a name:
"Saiki."
Lately, Sakayanagi had heard about Saiki Kusuo from others, especially Nagumo Miyabi.
Sakayanagi and Nagumo agreed to investigate Saiki, so Sakayanagi sent Kamuro to follow him.
But it was fruitless.
"I followed him and found nothing unusual... He seems too ordinary..."
Kamuro said, surprised.
"Finding nothing proves something. If you had found anything, it would mean he's not remarkable."
Sakayanagi replied, turning back to Ayanokōji.
"So, your rival is Saiki?"
"Yes."
This time, Ayanokōji didn't deny it.
*"With Sakayanagi's skills, discovering this isn't hard. She could be a powerful ally."*
"I see..."
Sakayanagi's expression grew serious.
"But why did my conflict with Ichinose become your rivalry with Saiki? You supported my actions against her before."
During the training camp, Ayanokōji provided Sakayanagi with information about Ichinose.
Sakayanagi had her plans.
She intended to pressure Ichinose into desperation while using Kamuro to contact Ayanokōji, forcing him into the conflict.
Sakayanagi aimed to prove her abilities and test Ayanokōji's strength.
But she never expected Ayanokōji to approach her directly.
"I only provided information. What you did to Ichinose is none of my business."
Ayanokōji's expression remained unchanged.
"I'm challenging Saiki over how to handle Ichinose."
Kamuro swallowed, too intimidated to speak.
*"Do they see Ichinose as an object?"*
"Oh?"
"Saiki thinks like me. I wanted to use your actions to turn Ichinose into my tool. Saiki likely wants the same—to make her his pawn."
Since Sakayanagi knew his background, Ayanokōji openly shared his thoughts.
"I see. I didn't expect you to acknowledge Saiki."
"His abilities match mine."
Hearing Ayanokōji's affirmation, Sakayanagi paused, deep in thought.
After a few seconds, she spoke again:
"The school forum was down recently. Any idea why?"
"Not sure."
Ayanokōji looked at Sakayanagi, his gaze piercing.
"I know what you're asking. If it's Saiki, he might be capable."
"Really... You trust him that much."
"His abilities exceed my expectations. Sakayanagi, if you want to challenge me, show your strength. See if you can break Ichinose before Saiki wins her over."
Ayanokōji said.
"Or, make her your pawn first."
Sakayanagi smiled again.
"I don't deny it. These goals aren't contradictory."
"True. Looks like we're temporarily allies."
"Okay."
Ayanokōji nodded.
But his thoughts were far different.
*"Sakayanagi, I don't fully understand you, but we're not allies. You're just a tool for me to challenge Saiki. Will I win in the end?"*
In front of him, Sakayanagi Arisu's thoughts surfaced simultaneously.
"Finally, we're on equal footing. I'll change you, make you realize the value of what you and your father discarded."
...
Meanwhile, Saiki Kusuo and Shiina Hiyori arrived at a nearby café.
The library and café were their usual meeting spots.
"Saiki, you received the note about Ichinose, right?" Hiyori asked, ordering two coffees.
"Yeah," Saiki nodded.
"This situation is nasty. Since the poster was identified as Hashimoto from Class A, it's likely Sakayanagi orchestrated it all."
"Probably."
"Why target Ichinose? Class B is the bigger threat to Class A, yet Sakayanagi went after Class C... That's odd."
Hiyori leaned back, rubbing her chin in thought.
"What's stranger is Ichinose's reaction."
"Ichinose?" Saiki feigned ignorance.
"You must've noticed too. Reporting it to the teachers would clear her name and expose the culprit. Anyone accused of something would want to prove their innocence immediately."
"True."
"But Ichinose didn't. She's letting it slide, showing no intention to act. That's bizarre..."
Hiyori's expression grew serious.
"There's only one explanation: the rumors might contain some truth. I trust Ichinose's character, but given the circumstances, this is the most likely scenario."
*Impressive, Hiyori...* Saiki thought, acknowledging her reasoning skills.
"Very possible," he agreed.
"Earlier rumors were vague, but today's note claims Ichinose stole something..."
Hiyori paused, choosing her words carefully.
"This might involve her privacy. I can't believe she'd steal, but there's likely more to it. She wouldn't want this brought up."
"Any plan?" Saiki asked.
"One idea..." Hiyori looked up, meeting his gaze.
"What?"
"Involve the school. Spread more rumors, affecting the entire grade, forcing teachers to intervene. These rumors must include false information, so Ichinose's case is dismissed as fake. But some must be true for credibility."
*Clever,* Saiki thought, nodding.
"But it's unfeasible..."
"Why?"
"Fake rumors lack impact. I have no friends to gather info, and to avoid suspicion, rumors should involve all classes. No one can collect that data..."
Hiyori sighed.
*Actually, someone could...* Saiki thought.