Chapter 192: Saiki Kusuo... So You’re a Martial Arts Master?

"This might be sudden, but if it's you, Senpai, it's fine. Will you partner with me?"

Yagami smiled politely, extending his hand to Kikyō.

"Are you sure? Someone like me? You'd be better off with a smarter partner."

Kikyō declined politely.

She seemed humble, but she didn't want to get involved with Yagami.

---

She felt a bit wary of the other person's presence in her heart.

"Since I'm still not very familiar with the school rules, I'd like to partner with someone I can trust."

"Uh, can I think about it?"

"Of course. I won't partner with anyone for now. I'll wait for Kushida's response."

Before Takuya could finish, Suzune spoke up directly:

"Takuya, didn't you just agree with me that the two classes should unite and help each other?"

"Of course."

"In that case, it should be students with high and low academic abilities pairing up. Kushida's academic ability isn't bad, so teaming up with her isn't the best choice."

"You're right."

Takuya smiled.

...

After school, Suzune and Takuya discussed class cooperation further.

Meanwhile, Kiyotaka found Kusuo.

"Kusuo, how many first-year students do you think might be assassins from the White Room?"

*'Definitely Ichika and Takuya,'* Kusuo thought, but he couldn't say it directly:

"Everyone seems suspicious, but Takuya and Ichika are the most likely."

Unable to reveal the truth, Kusuo hoped to give Kiyotaka a hint, so they could avoid any ties with those White Room people.

"Takuya and Ichika? Why do you think they're suspicious?"

Kiyotaka asked.

*'Given the situation, Takuya and Ichika should be the least suspicious. Why did Kusuo mention them?'*

*'.....'*

After a moment's thought, Kusuo said,

"Because they have too few suspicious traits. The less suspicious they seem, the more suspicious they are."

Kusuo gave a far-fetched reason.

But Kiyotaka fell into thought after hearing him.

*'The less suspicious, the more suspicious. If they're White Room assassins, they'd act as unassuming as possible. Maybe after I left, social skills were added to their training.'*

*'Wow... They really thought of everything,'* Kusuo couldn't help but admire the White Room students' creativity.

Just then, Suzune returned:

"We've discussed a lot with the first-year Class B representatives. For now, cooperation between our classes is highly likely."

"Is it settled?"

Kiyotaka asked.

"Not entirely. I've only expressed our interest in cooperating, but I haven't fully committed. I want to see what other classes offer first."

Suzune replied.

"Got it."

Kiyotaka nodded. Suzune seemed more composed than before.

But just then, Suzune's phone rang. It was Tsubasa.

"Hello, is this Suzune?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Suzune, I want to discuss the class partnership for the upcoming exam."

"Sorry, we've already agreed with Class B."

Suzune said.

*'Though nothing's confirmed, maybe we can use this to get the best deal for our class.'*

"Really...? But our class discussed it and wants to partner with your second-year class. You haven't formally agreed with Class B yet, right? Let's talk."

Tsubasa said.

"Hōsen's willing to cooperate?"

Suzune frowned, recalling Hōsen's attitude yesterday. Class D approaching them seemed unlikely.

"Yeah, I convinced him. He's willing to talk."

"What can you offer compared to Class B?"

Suzune asked further.

"Personal points. I've heard about class points and rankings, but the term just started, and our class has plenty of personal points."

"When do you want to meet?"

"Tonight, maybe? Let's meet behind the first-year dorms later."

"Okay."

Suzune hung up and informed the others.

"Meet with Class D too?"

Kusuo asked.

"Yeah, we need more information to get the best deal for our class."

....

Meanwhile, in Class D's room:

"I'm done calling."

Tsubasa's face was expressionless as he held his phone, speaking slowly to Hōsen.

"Good."

Hōsen sat beside him, smiling eerily:

"If they were Class D students, it'd be easier. They'd come to us—but they're second-year Class A. Though their average ability isn't high, their personal points make finding partners easy."

Hōsen initially planned to exploit their low average ability to gain control, but Class B's approach ruined his plan.

Left with no choice, Hōsen and Tsubasa had to approach Kiyotaka's class.

If they wanted Kiyotaka expelled, now was the chance. Once Class A and Class B formalized their partnership, they'd stop contacting Hōsen.

Tonight was their last chance.

As he spoke, Hōsen unconsciously reached into his clothes.

A sharp fruit knife was hidden there.

He'd bought it last night.

Hōsen planned to use it to fake an attack by Kiyotaka, leading to his expulsion.

The plan was for noon.

"But one thing's odd: how did their class become Class A? Their average physical ability is just decent, right? How did they make it?"

Hōsen was puzzled.

"Maybe someone special in their class helped behind the scenes."

Tsubasa said slowly.

...

Soon, night fell.

Suzune led Kusuo and Kiyotaka behind the first-year dorms to meet Hōsen and Tsubasa. Ken tagged along, just in case.

"Let's get straight to the point. What can your class offer us?"

"You've got it wrong. It's not what I can offer you, but what you can offer me. Give me a million personal points, and we'll partner."

Hōsen smirked at Suzune.

"Are you joking?"

Suzune's expression hardened:

"Are you wasting my time?"

She glanced at Tsubasa, whose face was cold.

"I'm not joking. This is a negotiation, right?"

"I thought I'd hear Class D's offer, but I was wrong..."

Suzune turned to leave.

"Wait, you think you can just walk away?"

Hōsen punched the wall, showing his aggression.

"Do you think violence works here, just because no one's watching?"

"At least I can beat you half to death."

Kusuo knew Hōsen wasn't joking.

*'Can't just watch,'* Kusuo thought. Using telepathy, he knew Hōsen's plan. He quickly grabbed Suzune's hand, pulling her aside—using psychokinesis to soften his grip, so he wouldn't dislocate her arm.

At that moment, Hōsen's kick flew past where Suzune had been standing.

If Kusuo hadn't moved her, the consequences would've been dire.

*'What?'*

Suzune was shocked. Ken saw Hōsen's move and stepped forward, shouting:

"What are you doing?!"

"What's your problem?!"

Suzune was confused. Even without cameras, fighting could lead to expulsion.

Was Hōsen crazy?

"Suzune, things at school might be different now."

Tsubasa said coldly:

"Just like you know how things were until last year, we first-years know the current situation better."

"What do you mean...?"

"The first-year representatives were called to the student council. President Nanase explained that starting this year, the school will enforce meritocracy more freely."

"You mean fighting is allowed?"

"I didn't say that. But Hōsen confirmed that students will fight. Nanase promised not to judge as strictly as last year."

"You! Are you looking for a fight?" 

Sudō Ken roared at Hōsen Kazuomi. 

"I'll play along for a bit. Let's see how far you can go," Hōsen replied calmly. 

Meanwhile, Saiki Kusuo quickly assessed the situation. He couldn't use his psychic powers too openly, but he couldn't ignore this either. Since Sudō had stepped up to fight Hōsen, Saiki saw an opportunity. 

He could use telekinesis to enhance Sudō's strength and speed, effectively using Sudō as a proxy to deal with Hōsen. 

Plan approved. 

As Saiki thought this through, Hōsen smirked. 

"But first, let's deal with the one who just got in my way." 

Hōsen suddenly spun around, delivering a roundhouse kick aimed directly at Saiki. 

Among the boys present, Saiki was undoubtedly the weakest-looking. Hōsen was still annoyed by Saiki's earlier intervention to save Horikita Suzune, and he saw this as a chance to escalate the conflict. 

He put all his strength into the kick. If it landed on Saiki's head, the consequences would be dire— 

"Saiki!" 

Sudō and Horikita shouted in warning, but it was too late. Hōsen's attack struck Saiki's face. 

Yet, Hōsen's smirk froze— 

Saiki hadn't moved an inch. 

Time seemed to stand still as everyone stared in disbelief. 

*'What the heck… Why did he suddenly target me?'* 

*'What do I do now? I should've flown backward and pretended to be knocked out, then secretly helped Sudō deal with this guy. But it all happened too fast.'* 

*'What now? Am I about to be exposed?'* 

Just as Saiki panicked, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka spoke up: 

"As expected of Saiki. I remember him mentioning he trained in Qigong and Aikido. I didn't think it was true." 

"Saiki… trained in Aikido?" 

Sudō and Horikita looked baffled.