Ryūen was surprised by Hōsen's reaction to his casual kick.
Is he faking it? Trying to get me expelled? But the cameras caught his attack. Self-defense is justified.
Unbeknownst to Ryūen, Saiki had amplified his kick.
"Damn it," Hōsen cursed, eager to save face.
Don't underestimate him!
"What are you doing, Hōsen?" A suited middle-aged man appeared.
"I know you're excited, but I've drilled the school rules into you. No fighting in public."
"It wasn't even a fight," Hōsen grumbled, leaving.
"Apologies, I'm Mark Tsuji, homeroom teacher for Class D. New here, nice to meet you."
Saiki knew Mark Tsuji wasn't just a teacher.
Orders are to bring Ayanokōji back. How will these students react? Saiki heard Mark's thoughts.
*White Room sent a teacher too?* Saiki thought. *They're really desperate.*
This is Ayanokōji, right? We were told to avoid Saiki. Why? Is he related to the teacher with the same surname? But Ayanokōji and Saiki seem close. Bringing Ayanokōji back without involving Saiki won't be easy.
*They see me as a nuisance,* Saiki thought. *As long as they don't involve me, it's fine.*
Hōsen and Nanase Tsubasa were potential troublemakers, but their target was Ayanokōji. They weren't White Room assassins; if they were, they'd have similar orders.
*Good. Whether White Room or other troublemakers, their target is Ayanokōji. He'll be busy, and Sakayanagi won't bother me again. Finally, a peaceful year!*
---
"Ryūen, your reflexes are better than I thought," Mio said.
"Maybe it's my sixth sense," Ryūen smiled. He hadn't expected Hōsen's attack but somehow sensed it.
Strange.
"If Hōsen messes with Saiki, things will get interesting."
---
Horikita Suzune tried to recruit first-year students but failed.
"This is worse than expected," she sighed. "I thought being in Class A would attract students, but our academic performance is the worst. This exam focuses on academics, so we're at a disadvantage. Someone's spreading rumors about our class."
Horikita frowned. She'd hoped Class A would be an advantage, but it wasn't.
"Some students demanded personal points as payment. We can afford it, but agreeing would set a dangerous precedent. These points could be crucial later."
"We need to find suitable first-year students," she said seriously.
"Looking for a great partner? I'm right here!" A voice called out.
Ayanokōji noticed the speaker seconds before the others. Saiki had heard her thoughts thirty seconds earlier.
So this is Ayanokōji—the perfect creation, fourth generation's masterpiece. Fifth generation students must hate him.
*White Room's assassin already?* Saiki thought.
"Were you eavesdropping?" Horikita asked, frowning.
"No, senpai! I just overheard and wanted to help!" the girl laughed. "What's your name and academic score, senpai?"
We know all your identities. Ayanokōji, Horikita, Sudō—we knew before coming here. But...
"Is that Saiki Kusuo? Seeing him for the first time, he's got that same expressionless vibe as Ayanokōji-senpai."
'Huh?'
"We've been ordered to avoid any unnecessary contact with him, especially conflicts. That's the directive from above."
'Right, that's for the best.'
"But now I'm even more curious about Saiki-senpai. I can't wait to interact with him. What kind of person is he? Why is he so feared by the higher-ups? I really want to know what he likes, what he does, and what he's good at."
'???'
"Technically, Tsukishiro is our leader, but we don't have to follow his orders completely, you know."
'Wait, what's going on with this guy?'
Saiki's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Clearly, the White Room members were ordered to avoid him, yet this person was inexplicably fixated on him because of it.
Humans are truly strange creatures.
Saiki sighed inwardly.
"I'm Horikita from Class 2-D, with an A- academic rating. What's the issue?" Horikita Suzune asked.
"Oh—your grades are impressive."
"Then you should tell me your name too!"
"I'm Amasawa Ichika from Class 1-A. Like Horikita-senpai, my academic rating is A."
Ichika smiled slyly.
Suzune didn't respond; instead, she checked the OAA system on her phone for confirmation.
"If you're aiming for the top ranks, let me team up with you!" Ichika said without waiting for Suzune's input.
"This is a great chance to get closer to Ayanokōji-senpai and Saiki-senpai."
"That's kind of you, but I'm not looking for a partner for myself. It's for him… Could you team up with Sudō instead?"
Suzune pointed to Sudō Ken, who awkwardly scratched his head.
"Uh—what's Sudō-senpai's academic rating?"
"D. Not exactly stellar."
Ichika already knew Sudō's rating, as did every student.
"I see—so Horikita-senpai is trying to prevent students from dropping out by finding them partners. But if they team up, they might end up in the middle or lower ranks, not the top."
Ichika feigned difficulty.
"Yeah, there's almost no benefit for you."
"Well, if you ask nicely, I might help."
As she spoke, Ichika shifted her attention to Saiki and Ayanokōji.
"What about those seniors over there? Are they looking for partners too?"
"Their ratings are C. Not urgent. If Sudō isn't an option, even teaming up with one of them would be appreciated."
"No."
Saiki and Ayanokōji both refused simultaneously.
Ayanokōji didn't want to team up with someone he didn't know, and Saiki wanted to avoid any potential trouble.
"What's the problem with you two?"
Suzune looked puzzled.
"Wait, I never said I'd team up with anyone!"
Ichika quickly interjected.
"What conditions would it take for you to join a team?"
"Conditions, huh?—I do have the right to make demands."
"I like strong men."
"Huh?"
Ichika then said something bizarre, like asking Sudō to post a recruitment notice for an arm-wrestling competition in the school group chat, leaving everyone speechless.
'What is she even saying? Is this how White Room students steer conversations?'
Saiki was speechless. Such absurd lines, straight out of an anime, coming from someone with supposedly strict training.
Even Suzune listened seriously, only realizing the issue much later.
"Are you messing with us?"
"No, no, it's just more fun if I don't agree right away!"
Ichika laughed.
"This girl is definitely weird."
Suzune thought.
'Hard to disagree,' Saiki thought.
"I also like men who can cook!"
"Cook?"
Suzune was completely lost.
"You're Sudō-senpai, right? Can you cook me a meal? Something delicious."
"Cook? Me?"
Sudō's brain froze.
Cooking was something he'd never even considered.
"Of course, it has to be delicious. If you can cook something I like, I'll agree to be your partner."
"No, I've never cooked in my life!"
Sudō shook his head.
"Then I'll withdraw the offer."
"Can I take his place?"
Suzune quickly asked.
"No, I said I like men who can cook. If the partner can't cook, there's no point in teaming up."
'Cooking has nothing to do with teaming up!'
"If Sudō can't do it, just give up. Find someone who can cook. Even if you do, I won't team up with him."
Ichika laughed.
"Someone who can cook?"
Suzune seemed to remember something.
"Saiki, you can cook, right?"