Classroom of the Elite, Kusuo Saiki

"Then I'll get straight to the point: Longyuan was defeated, was that your doing?"

Hiyori Shiina's gaze was fixed intently on Kusuo Saiki.

"Hey, hey, can Shiina figure it out?"

Kusuo Saiki couldn't help but admire Hiyori Shiina's observation and reasoning abilities.

"Why do you think so?"

"I'm just slowly piecing the puzzle together. Ryuen-kun was originally very dedicated to your class, but not long ago she stepped down. Ostensibly it was because of Ishizaki-kun's rebellion, but Ishizaki-kun really seemed like she was just bluffing. Ryuen-kun also seems to have become more sensitive to your name..."

Hiyori Shiina recounted her various deductions. To prove her ideas, she also took some action within her class, ultimately arriving at the conclusion that Kusuo Saiki was most likely related to the changes in Sho Ryuen.

'Oh dear, is the fear I planted in Ryuen's heart too strong?'

Kusuo Saiki thought to himself.

"If this has upset you, I apologize. I was very conflicted about whether to bring this up today because I felt that touching on this topic might upset you. Regardless of the truth, I can tell you don't want to talk about this kind of thing just by looking at you."

Hiyori Shiina pursed her lips, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes.

"Yes."

Kusuo Saiki nodded, finally giving an affirmative answer.

"Oh dear, with Shiina's abilities, it wouldn't be surprising if she deduced it about me. If we deny her answer, she'll probably investigate further, which might cause more trouble. Besides, if it's Shiina, she wouldn't tell anyone about what happened today."

Kusuo Saiki thought to himself.

"I see, anyway, thank you Qi Mu!"

Upon hearing Saiki Kusuo's answer, Shiina Hiyori was somewhat surprised, but a smile quickly returned to her face.

"If you find a book you like, please be sure to take it home and read it!"

She opened her bag again, took out her books, and her smile became more eager, like a child who wanted to share her candy.

"Thank you so much."

Kusuo Saiki nodded and accepted one of the books.

My meeting with Hiyori Shiina today should be coming to an end here...

However, Kusuo Saiki knew that there was a troublesome guy next to him.

Why is Kusuo meeting a girl alone?!

[That person, I remember they're in Class D! I think their name is Shiina Hiyori! Right, right, I remember now, I've seen them a few times before.]

I can't hear what they're saying... but Shiina seems a bit happy... are they a couple?

The source of the sound was Karuizawa Megumi.

She originally intended to meet with Kusuo Saiki in person to see a movie—which was the very reason Kusuo Saiki chose to meet Hiyori Shiina—but she inadvertently saw Kusuo Saiki heading to a coffee shop, and driven by curiosity, she secretly followed him.

Although Karuizawa Kei believed her tracking skills were superb and that Saiki would never have noticed, in reality, Karuizawa Kei's thoughts were incredibly loud, even somewhat noisy, in Saiki Kusuo's ears.

Are Qi Mu and she really just ordinary friends?!

'Oh dear, oh dear, I guess I'll just have to keep pretending I didn't notice her...'

At that moment, Kusuo Saiki suddenly caught a familiar voice.

[Oh no, this is bad... Has that man come to school? Where is Ayanokouji?]

The sound originated from the tea stalk Sae.

The sound didn't originate inside the coffee shop, but rather from the outside, as if Chabashira Sae just happened to be passing by.

Kusuo Saiki was puzzled as to why Saeba Chabashira was in the vicinity, and why her inner voice sounded hurried.

That man... Ayanokouji... Some information overlapped in Saiki Kusuo's mind.

"Then I'll be going now, Qi Mu!"

"Ah."

After Shiina Hiyori left, Saiki Kusuo went into the coffee shop's restroom and immediately began using his Clairvoyance.

......

"Tea Pillar Teacher, is there something you need from me?"

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji arrived at the small square near the coffee shop.

Just now, he received a call from Chabashira Sae, who said there was something very important.

"Come with me!"

Chabashira Sae didn't say much, but quickly left with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and headed to the nearby administration building.

[Tea Pillar Teacher looks a little flustered.]

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji immediately noticed Sae Chabashira's unusual behavior, but he still followed her to the door of a reception room at the school.

“Principal, I’ve brought Kiyotaka Ayanokoji with me.”

"Tea Pillar Sae said in a respectful voice."

As the principal of Yucheng High School, he usually doesn't show his face in front of the students.

"Please come in."

After a gentle yet authoritative voice came from inside, Chabashira Sae opened the door to the reception room.

A man around sixty years old sat on the sofa; he was the school's principal, but his expression was far from composed, and sweat beaded on his forehead.

There was another person opposite him.

It was a middle-aged man with a completely unfamiliar face.

[I never expected such a big shot as Atsuomi Ayanokoji to appear here!]

Although he wasn't physically present, Kusuo Saiki could clearly hear the principal's extremely panicked thoughts, and at the same time, he could confirm his identity from the thoughts of Kiyotaka Ayanokoji and that man.

Ayanokouji Atsuomi is Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's biological father.

"Oh dear, Ayanokouji's father? Too bad I can't eat popcorn right now."

Kusuo Saiki was slightly curious.

"Well then, it would be nice if you two could have a word...?"

Although he was the principal, he appeared incredibly humble.

"of course."

Ayanokoji Atsuomi spoke to the other party in a commanding voice, as if giving an order.

"I must leave now. Please continue our conversation. Excuse me."

The principal fled the reception room as if he were running away.

"Then, I'll have to stay here as well..."

Chabashira Sae bowed and then left with the principal. Her slight trembling was enough to show her nervousness and fear.

Without a doubt, Ayanokoji Atsuomi was a very remarkable person in politics, someone that the principal and teachers would absolutely not dare to offend.

"Would you like to sit down first? I came here specifically to see you."

Ayanokouji Atsuomi's gaze fell on Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, his tone icy and seemingly leaving no room for argument.

"I'm sorry, I don't plan to stay long."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka replied in this way.