An hour later.
Yamaguchi was almost completely exhausted, collapsing to the ground. After a long while, he managed to struggle back to his feet.
"It's a shame. Physically, you still need to improve. Your talent in basketball is truly limited."
The basketball coach said this to Yamaguchi before leading the others to continue training. Yamaguchi had failed the basketball team's evaluation.
The earlier tests had drained Yamaguchi's stamina, and he could only drag his weary body out of the gym.
"Damn… The plan didn't work… When I get back, Ryūen's definitely going to beat me half to death… But there's no choice…"
Yamaguchi felt helpless, as he hadn't expected things to turn out this way.
"These damn shoelaces… What the hell is going on?!"
Yamaguchi cursed inwardly.
Behind him, Saiki Kusuo remained invisible, following his every move. While invisibility could only last ten minutes at most, it could be used almost continuously.
'You're certainly unlucky, but if you're plotting something, you should be prepared for the consequences.'
Saiki thought. Yamaguchi's plan was now impossible to execute, and he would likely head to Ryūen Kakeru next.
Saiki was curious about Ryūen's intentions, so he continued to follow Yamaguchi, wanting to uncover their plan.
Soon, Saiki followed Yamaguchi to the school's KTV room. As a school with every imaginable entertainment facility, a KTV was naturally included.
Yamaguchi's goal was clear. He walked straight into a private room.
Inside the dimly lit room, Ryūen sat on the sofa, swirling a cocktail glass in his hand. The clear liquid inside sloshed around, while Albert stood silently beside him, wearing sunglasses like a bodyguard.
'That's juice, right? Minors aren't allowed to drink alcohol.'
'But why hold a secret meeting in a KTV? Is this their first time here?'
'There don't seem to be cameras in the private room. Is that why they chose this place?'
Saiki pondered. He knew the school had a KTV, but he'd never been, as karaoke was usually a group activity—something he despised.
"What happened to you?"
Even Ryūen was puzzled by Yamaguchi's disheveled state.
"I told him to deliberately provoke Sudō Ken, but how did it end up like this?"
"Sorry, Ryūen… I failed."
"Failed? Why?"
Ryūen narrowed his eyes, his gaze cold and menacing.
"I…"
Yamaguchi was at a loss for words. Explaining that his shoelaces came undone, causing him to fall twice, sounded absurd. Even he didn't fully understand what had happened, but facing Ryūen's intimidating aura, he could only recount the events truthfully.
Upon hearing Yamaguchi's explanation, Ryūen was momentarily stunned.
"What is this guy saying? Falling twice because of shoelaces? Any normal person should be able to avoid that."
"He wouldn't dare lie to me, especially about something this ridiculous. Today was just a test anyway. If it didn't work, it's fine. We'll have other chances."
"But Sudō Ken from Class C, with his explosive personality, is still useful. I'll find a way to get him expelled—that should deal a significant blow to their class. First, Class C, then slowly dismantle them… Right after the midterms."
Ryūen smirked meaningfully.
'Ah, I see now.'
Saiki, hearing Ryūen's thoughts, immediately understood his plan.
As he'd suspected, Ryūen intended to exploit Sudō Ken's temper to get him expelled.
'As a high schooler, is this all he thinks about?'
Saiki muttered to himself.
'But how did they know about Sudō's temper? When they were observing, he shouldn't have lost his temper…'
Just then, a hurried knock came from the door.
"Ah, here they are."
Ryūen slightly raised his chin. Ignoring his fatigue, Yamaguchi rushed to open the door.
'Ah, that explains it.'
Saiki narrowed his eyes. Standing at the door was a face he recognized well: Kushida Kikyō.
"You… who are you?"
Yamaguchi was surprised, not expecting Kushida to be there.
"We've exchanged messages, but this is our first time meeting in person, Kikyō."
Ryūen maintained his smile, eyeing Kushida like prey.
"What a terrifying woman. I never expected her to willingly share information about her classmates. With her help, dismantling Class C should be faster."
"Nice to meet you! Please take care of me!"
Kushida greeted with a smile, looking like an energetic, adorable girl.
But Saiki knew her true intentions all too well.
"Ryūen wants to target Class C—perfect. I don't care about the class. My only goal is to get rid of Horikita Suzune. I need to make her drop out, and Ryūen is a weapon I can use."
Both were planning to exploit the other.
It was Kushida who had informed Ryūen about Sudō Ken, leading him to decide to use Sudō's temper to his advantage.
'What a troublesome pair.'
Saiki thought. This would only bring more trouble to the class.
"You're willing to betray your own class to work with me. What's your goal?"
"Simply to remove someone I believe must be expelled from school."
In that moment, Kushida's expression shifted. Her previously clear eyes now emitted a cold, piercing gaze.