Nagumo smiled as he questioned Saiki. Though he resented Saiki for possibly interfering with his plans, he couldn't deny Saiki's strength if it were true. For Nagumo, strength was everything—why he respected Horikita despite provoking him. If Saiki was truly strong, he deserved a spot on the council, just like Kōenji Rokusuke, whom Nagumo had invited earlier.
Having Saiki on the council would make it easier to observe and manipulate him. More importantly, after Horikita graduated, Nagumo could find some amusement in Saiki.
"Sorry, I'll pass," Saiki declined without hesitation. He hadn't joined under Horikita, and he certainly wouldn't under Nagumo.
"Why? Is it because of me?" Nagumo asked curiously.
"No, I just think my studies are too demanding right now. I don't have the time, and I'm not suited for the council," Saiki explained. Even without Nagumo or Horikita, he'd never join. He wouldn't waste his time on such trivial activities.
"Is that so? What a shame," Nagumo said, shaking his head. "If you change your mind, let me know. But for now, focus on the exam. I'd hate to lose you this semester, Saiki."
He patted Saiki's shoulder and left. As they passed, Saiki heard Nagumo's thoughts.
*"This special exam for first-years is interesting. Forcing students to drop out—even we've never had such a test. It's perfect for me. Kushida wants to keep everyone in her class, which is naive but an opportunity for me. I'll use 20 million points to make her dependent on me. A fair trade for a romantic relationship!"*
Saiki sighed. *"What a creep."*
As he turned to leave, he heard Horikita Suzune's thoughts.
*"Why do Saiki and my brother seem so familiar? Did Nagumo say my brother values Saiki? Did I mishear? No, I didn't. Saiki being there wasn't a coincidence. Did Nagumo or my brother send him? I need to ask Saiki directly!"*
Suzune had been waiting nearby, planning to confront Saiki. He, however, knew she hadn't left and changed direction.
"Saiki, wait!" Suzune called out.
"Hmph."
"Did you say something?"
"No. What's up?"
"Why'd you change direction? Trying to avoid me?" Suzune asked, stepping forward.
"What? I didn't know you were here. I just remembered I forgot something."
Suzune stared, unsure if he was lying, but decided to drop it. "Why were you with my brother and Nagumo?"
"I was just passing by, heading to the bathroom."
*"No way that's a coincidence,"* Suzune thought.
"No one believes the truth these days," Saiki muttered.
"Did you hear Nagumo say my brother values you? Is it true?" Suzune pressed.
"You misheard," Saiki said immediately.
*"If people knew about my connection to the former president, it'd cause trouble. Especially with Suzune's brother complex. Best to keep it quiet."*
"Huh?" Suzune was surprised by his quick denial.
*"He's lying. I need to keep up the act."*
"I definitely heard it!" Suzune insisted, frowning.
"You're mistaken," Saiki replied calmly.
*"If I pretend not to know Horikita at all, it'll look fake. If others see us together later, it'll cause problems."*
"I know your brother, but only casually. It's not unusual for students to know the former president," Saiki clarified.
Suzune, unable to argue, turned and left.
---
Meanwhile, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka headed back to the dorm when Kushida Kikyō stepped in his way.
"Ayanokōji, can we talk somewhere private?" she asked.
"Sure." He followed her to a secluded spot, knowing her purpose.
"The info you wanted didn't help, did it? The school intervened before you could act," Kushida said with a smile.
"Yeah, I didn't mention the letters disappeared," Ayanokōji replied.
"Still, I gave you the info. You owe me, right?" Kushida's tone sharpened.
"True."
"So, I'm asking for a favor. Yamauchi needs to go. He's unnecessary, and many dislike him. As one of the few who know my past, he's a risk. I need him expelled."
"You want me to vote against him and get others to do the same?" Ayanokōji asked.
"Exactly! Help me make it happen, and we're even."
"I'll try, but don't expect much. I don't have many friends," Ayanokōji said.
*"Kushida's obsession with Yamauchi is intense. With her social skills, she could easily turn others against him. But Yamauchi's in danger. He might ask Sakayanagi for help. The vote isn't limited to our class, so other classes could be influenced. Will Yamauchi become Sakayanagi's pawn?"*
"I trust you, Ayanokōji!" Kushida said.
---
Elsewhere, Sakayanagi Arisu and Kamuro Masumi left the classroom for the dorm. Arisu's phone rang—it was Yamauchi Haruki. She smiled, answering with a cute voice, making Yamauchi's heart race.
For days, Arisu had called Yamauchi, chatting casually to reel him in. Now, he was practically her puppet.
"Hey, Arisu, are you free to meet today? I have something to talk to you about..."
"Today? Sure, no problem. Let's meet, but I've got something going on later, so it'll have to be quick. I'm walking right now, so I'll contact you later."
Arisu Sakayanagi said this and quickly hung up the phone.
"You heard that, right? So, I'm meeting Yamauchi tonight."
Arisu smiled at Masumi Kamuro.
"You've been contacting Yamauchi a lot. What's your plan?"
"He's someone I'm interested in."
"Interested, as in you like him?"
"Is it strange that I like him?"
Masumi thought of Haruki Yamauchi's appearance, and a wave of disgust suddenly surged in her heart. She shook her head vigorously.
"Are you joking?"
"Yeah, I'm joking."
The smile on Arisu's face vanished instantly, and her gaze turned cold, as if Haruki were just a disposable pawn.
"I'm... I'm training him, seeing if he can be used as a spy in Class B. I've already gotten some important information from him. Masumi, you must have noticed too."
"Hmm... but... you said you're training him... That can't be easy, right?"
Masumi asked doubtfully.
"It's different with him. After all, the school told us about an interesting exam. I'm using him as a test subject."
Arisu's face lit up with a smile again.
Though Masumi was Arisu's confidant, Arisu didn't fully trust her yet and hadn't revealed her entire plan.
"Meet him tonight, and you'll get a glimpse of my true intentions. Look forward to it."
Arisu smiled, thinking about what was to come.
*Let's reel Haruki in, make him my pawn in Class B. He'll spread rumors, stir up opinions, and cause chaos in Class B.*
*By then, Class B will definitely fall into internal conflict. I can't wait to see what they'll become.*
*And maybe I can use Haruki to pressure Saiki, see just how far that person can go.*
"Let's go, I'm eager to start."
Arisu smiled and led Masumi forward.