Chapter 119: The Hidden Thoughts in Ayanokōji’s Heart  

The conversation between Sakayanagi and Ayanokōji's father was far from pleasant. The latter's goal was clear: he wanted Ayanokōji Kiyotaka expelled. 

However, Sakayanagi's stance was equally clear. Unless Kiyotaka agreed himself, expulsion was impossible. 

"...I can't force my way on your turf, but I can simply change my approach." 

Ayanokōji's father's expression darkened. 

*[Sakayanagi is constantly getting in my way. I need to find a way to eliminate him.]* 

"What do you plan to do? If you take things too far—" 

"I know. I have no intention of applying pressure." 

Ayanokōji's father let out a cold laugh. 

"If Kiyotaka is expelled under school rules, there'll be no issue." 

"Understood. I assure you, I won't give him special treatment just because he's a teacher's son." 

Every word from Sakayanagi felt laced with sarcasm. 

"Then this matter is settled. I'll take my leave." 

"When will we meet again?" 

"Not here, at least." 

"Let me see you out." 

"No need." 

"Though, Ayanokōji-sensei, it seems you spilled tea on your pants. Shall I get you another pair?" 

Ayanokōji's father glared at Sakayanagi but ignored him, walking straight out of the reception room. 

Saiki continued using his clairvoyance, no longer focusing on the reception room but instead observing Ayanokōji's father's movements. 

*[Damn it, Sakayanagi has taken my White Room's greatest creation for himself! I need to act.]* 

*[Sakayanagi isn't someone to underestimate... I'll have to find a way to expel Kiyotaka within the rules...]* 

*[Fabricate authority, plant an assassin... The White Room is operational again, but the new subjects can't compare to my masterpiece. I must bring him back! And... are there other exceptional individuals at this school?]* 

Ayanokōji's father left the campus, visibly frustrated. Outside the gates, several black-clad bodyguards had been waiting for him. 

"Mr. Ayanokōji." 

After a respectful bow, the bodyguards' eyes involuntarily drifted to his wet pants, but they quickly escorted him into a black sedan. 

As soon as Ayanokōji's father sat in the backseat, the assistant handed him a cup of hot tea. 

"Head to the White Room." 

Just as he spoke, blowing on the tea, a loud *bang* echoed, and the car jolted downward. The tea spilled onto his pants again. 

"Ahhhh!" 

The scalding tea made him scream once more. 

"Apologies, Mr. Ayanokōji! Please remove your pants quickly, or the burn will worsen! Do we have burn ointment in the car...?" 

The assistant looked panicked, unsure how to handle the situation. 

"What the hell happened?!" 

Ayanokōji's father, gritting his teeth in pain, removed his tea-soaked pants and demanded an explanation. 

*[What's going on?! Are my political rivals targeting me...?]* 

"Mr. Ayanokōji... I think a tire blew..." 

The driver turned, his voice trembling. 

"And... the air conditioning seems to be broken too." 

"Impossible!" 

Ayanokōji's father looked pained, feeling like nothing was going right today. 

At that moment, the political elite sat bare-legged in the backseat, enduring both the burn and the cold as the car's warmth rapidly dissipated. Shivering, he was tormented by the heat and the December chill. 

*This is all Saiki's doing.* 

"Well, that's enough for today," Saiki muttered, ending his clairvoyance and leaving the restroom. 

He now slightly understood why Kiyotaka was the way he was. 

*What a troublesome father-son pair.* 

Returning to the café, Saiki found a familiar face in his seat. 

Karuizawa Kei. 

While Shiina Hiyori had left and Saiki was in the restroom, Karuizawa, who had been secretly tailing him, finally decided to reveal herself. 

"Karuizawa, what are you doing here?" 

Saiki feigned ignorance. 

"Shouldn't I be asking you that? Why are you here?" 

Karuizawa's lips curled slightly, her gaze fixed on Saiki. 

"Just grabbing coffee and dessert." 

"Alone?" 

"Shiina was here too. We talked about novels." 

"Just novels, huh." 

Saiki replied casually. 

"I'll take your word for it." 

*Does it matter if you believe me or not?* 

Saiki thought to himself. 

"By the way, Christmas is coming up. Any plans?" 

Karuizawa leaned forward, closer to Saiki. 

*Christmas, huh?* 

Saiki's eyes narrowed at the mention. 

Christmas was nothing but trouble for him. 

Karuizawa aside, Satō Maya and Sakura Airi had also asked the same question, and he'd dodged it vaguely. 

Additionally, Saiki had once asked Aiura Mikoto to impersonate Ryūen Kakeru to get him out of a bind. In return, Mikoto demanded a "date" with Saiki. 

Saiki had no intention of going on the kind of date Mikoto fantasized about, but he also hated owing favors. He'd been pondering a solution. 

Hearing Karuizawa's words, Saiki's mind raced, and an idea formed. 

"Let's go out together." 

"Really?!" 

Karuizawa's face lit up with delight. 

"Yeah, let's go." 

Saiki had a plan. 

.... 

"How was your meeting with your father?" 

After chatting briefly with Sakayanagi, Kiyotaka left the reception room. Chabashira Sae, who had been waiting nearby, immediately asked. 

"Even your clumsy probing is useless. I understand everything." 

Kiyotaka replied expressionlessly. 

"I don't understand what you mean." 

"Chabashira-sensei, what you've said is almost entirely lies." 

"What are you talking about?" 

"You may think you're hiding it well, but I can clearly see your unease. 

Kiyotaka's gaze locked onto Chabashira. 

*[Her eyes are shifting, ever so slightly. Her tone is unlike her usual self.]* 

*[She's suppressing her emotions to the limit, but the unease still shows.]* 

*[As long as emotions exist, they can't be completely hidden. Is this what that man called "worldly"?]* 

"That man never contacted you, nor did he pressure me to drop out." 

Kiyotaka said slowly. 

"No, your father did seek my help—in fact, as I told you, he wanted me to pressure you to drop out." 

Chabashira tried to appear calm, but the panic in her eyes was evident. 

'Let's stop deceiving each other. Sakayanagi told me everything. He said he informed you about my enrollment from the start." 

"...So he told you." 

Chabashira forced an awkward smile, then realized something. 

"Kiyotaka, you've been leading me on..." 

"No, Sakayanagi never mentioned you, but it's clear you're connected." 

Kiyotaka had learned much from his conversation with Sakayanagi. 

"Let me explain my reasoning. When I applied to this school, Sakayanagi, already knowing me, took action. He decided to place me in D-Class, specifically your class, because you're a teacher who doesn't seem overly invested in class competition. The other teachers I've seen are passionate about elevating their classes." 

Kiyotaka continued slowly. 

*[Chabashira is just as Aiura said—someone who loves pretending to be indifferent.]* 

*[I suspected it before, and now it's confirmed.]* 

*[Perhaps Saiki was placed in this class for similar reasons, to avoid drawing too much attention.]* 

"But Sakayanagi miscalculated. You, who seem the least invested, actually desire to reach A-Class more than anyone. 

Kiyotaka's gaze sharpened, dissecting Chabashira's inner thoughts. 

Chabashira didn't respond, seemingly acknowledging his words. 

"Your obsession with reaching A-Class is abnormal. But with the students you've had, you couldn't seize opportunities, so you hid your emotions and lived each day indifferently, right?" 

"That's just your speculation, Kiyotaka." 

Chabashira's voice wavered slightly. 

"This year, with me as an unconventional student, things are different. Despite some flawed personalities, there's talent—Horikita, Kōenji, Hirata, and Kushida. If things go well, this class can reach the upper ranks. Your desire to reach A-Class has reignited, hasn't it?" 

Kiyotaka had intended to mention Saiki but decided against it. 

Chabashira had largely dismissed Saiki as a potential asset for reaching A-Class. 

*[In a way, Saiki's disguise is even better than mine.]* 

"To achieve this, to prevent our class from falling behind, you staged a ruse, using my father as an excuse to involve me." 

Kiyotaka stated the truth. 

"...So that's it. No wonder Sakayanagi sees you as special. Your insight surpasses your age..." 

Chabashira sighed. 

*[This kid... is really just a first-year? How terrifying.]* 

"But if I wanted to, I could still get you expelled. What would you do then? You'd do anything to avoid expulsion, right?" 

Even now, Chabashira maintained her composure. 

"Unfortunately, I'm confident you can't expel me." 

"Why?' 

"Because you need me to reach A-Class." 

Kiyotaka's tone remained unchanged but felt colder. 

"But understand this: a teacher's position isn't absolute. 

"What are you planning? Are you giving up on A-Class?!" 

Chabashira's voice rose, tinged with desperation. 

"I never had any desire to reach A-Class." 

Kiyotaka's words brought despair to Chabashira. Without him, her dream of A-Class would crumble. 

"However, for now, I'll act with A-Class as my goal." 

"Really?" 

Chabashira's face lit up with hope. 

*[Are you happy, Chabashira-sensei?]* 

*[I'll reach A-Class, but only I will.]* 

*[In another class, I might face him and experience my first defeat in life.]* 

---