Seeing that the matter was mostly resolved, Saiki Kusuo quietly left the group.
Thanks to his "behind-the-scenes manipulation," the upcoming exam shouldn't be a major issue.
Whether or not they bought last year's exam papers, Class D's scores should improve slightly. This way, the class points wouldn't be completely deducted, and Saiki Kusuo would have enough points for his daily expenses.
Moreover, no one would connect these events to Saiki Kusuo. In everyone else's eyes, Kushida Kikyo had overheard the information by chance.
'This matter is pretty much settled.'
Saiki Kusuo was about to return to his seat when he heard the voice he least wanted to hear.
"Saiki-kun, let's go together."
'...'
Saiki Kusuo reluctantly turned around, his eyes meeting Kushida Kikyo's. Despite all his calculations, he hadn't expected this task to ultimately fall on him.
[Although we're all nominally friends, Saiki is someone I've interacted with more.]
'...'
[Ike Kanji and the others have also interacted with me a lot, but involving them would only make things more complicated. Those guys are just idiots.]
'I can't help but agree with that.'
[For now, Saiki is the best choice. He should feel happy about being chosen, right? After all, many boys in the class would want to go with me~ This might bring us closer, making it easier to guide him according to my plans~ This move should also boost my reputation among my classmates!]
'You're overthinking this.'
Saiki Kusuo sighed internally. The situation had escalated beyond his expectations.
He could also feel the hostile gazes from those around him.
[Saiki? Do we even have someone like that in our class?]
'Hey, hey, it's been several days since school started. Isn't it a bit much to not even remember my name?'
[Why did Kushida choose him? Why not me!]
'Sorry, if I could, I'd gladly switch with you.'
[Damn it, damn it! It should've been me.]
'It was never going to be you.'
Saiki Kusuo could clearly see the gazes of everyone in the class fixed on him. Now, the entire class basically knew who he was.
His plan to remain a background figure in the class had been completely derailed. From now on, his relationships with some classmates—especially certain boys—would likely deteriorate.
'I need to find a way to refuse.'
Saiki Kusuo was thinking of a reason to decline when Hirata Yosuke walked over with a smile and gently patted Saiki Kusuo's shoulder.
"Saiki-kun, we're counting on you."
'I never agreed to this.'
Saiki Kusuo was at a loss for words. Hirata Yosuke 's statement had completely cut off any chance of refusal.
...
After classes ended in the afternoon, Saiki Kusuo had no choice but to follow Kushida Kikyo out of the classroom and head to the cafeteria.
"Saiki-kun, how's your studying going lately?"
Kushida Kikyo smiled at Saiki Kusuo as she asked.
"Average."
Saiki Kusuo gave a vague answer.
"You're definitely being modest! I didn't understand some of the problems the teacher explained yesterday. Do you know how to solve them, Saiki-kun?"
Kushida Kikyo put on a pleading expression and leaned slightly toward Saiki Kusuo.
[I wonder how Saiki's grades are. Let's test him a bit.]
"Sorry, I don't know either."
Upon hearing Kushida Kikyo's thoughts, Saiki Kusuo answered without hesitation.
He knew exactly how capable Kushida Kikyo was academically—he had already used his psychic abilities to obtain the entrance exam scores of the entire class. Kushida Kikyo's grades were far from bad.
However, Kushida Kikyo was also hiding her true self. Her goal was simple: to get Horikita Suzune, who knew about her past, expelled. She would use any means necessary to achieve this.
'If Kushida finds out that I also know about her past, I'll probably become another target for expulsion. But in front of a psychic, she won't be able to do anything.'
Saiki Kusuo thought to himself.
He didn't care about the feud between Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyo, as long as it didn't involve him.
[He doesn't know? Is he telling the truth or lying? I can't tell for now.]
Kushida Kikyo maintained her smile and turned her gaze to the corner of the cafeteria, where one of the upperclassmen Saiki Kusuo had seen at lunch was sitting.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Sato-senpai!"
Kushida Kikyo greeted him enthusiastically.
"Kushida-kohai."
The second-year student named Sato smiled upon seeing Kushida Kikyo.
[This kohai is so cute... This is the first time a girl has approached me today. It seems Lady Luck is finally on my side.]
'Sorry, that was me.'
[She's so enthusiastic with me... Could she be interested in me?!]
'Unfortunately, no.'
[If that's true... I don't have enough points for a date... Karaoke and meals would cost a lot of points...]
'Hey, hey, aren't you overthinking this?'
[If it weren't for that guy Nagumo... Our class wouldn't be in this state... That monster...]
'Nagumo? Who's that? A second-year? But second-year students shouldn't have much to do with me.'
Saiki Kusuo lowered his gaze to Sato's tray.
A small bowl of rice and nothing but plain green vegetables—no meat, not even much seasoning.
'I can't imagine eating like this every day.'
"Sato-senpai, how many points would it cost to buy the exam papers?"
Kushida Kikyo sat down and immediately asked with a smile.
"50,000 points!"
Sato replied without hesitation.