Kanzaki had left so decisively for a simple reason: Itozawa's explanation was obviously false. Someone with a Heart Wall ability would never let a Mental Power probe intrude into their Mind Sea.
But at the time, even if it had only been a fleeting glimpse, he had been certain that his Mental Power had entered Itozawa's Mind Sea.
So either Itozawa knew nothing about his own ability, or he simply wasn't telling the truth.
Based on his judgment, Itozawa had no idea how to use his ability. Otherwise, his acting would have been far too convincing. There was no point in pressing him any further.
Meanwhile, Itozawa finished the Deluxe Set Meal and felt full of energy.
He was about to pick up his tray and see if the school had a conveyor belt or somewhere else he could return it. He also wanted to take the opportunity to look into the cafeteria kitchen and see if he could uncover any more of the school's secrets.
But the moment he stood up, a Phantom Waiter appeared beside him like a ghost.
The waiter moved swiftly and silently, picking up his tray before Itozawa could even react.
Itozawa was startled and hurriedly reached out to stop him, but the waiter moved too quickly. Itozawa couldn't reach him.
"Wait, I..." Itozawa began, trying to call after the waiter, but the other man seemed not to hear him at all. He simply turned and walked away.
Then the waiter and tray slowly faded into thin air.
Itozawa stood frozen in place, staring intently in the direction where the waiter had disappeared, but nothing happened.
He even looked toward the serving window, but couldn't see any sign of a Phantom Employee.
With no other choice, he gave up and headed for the classroom building.
Everyone was still waiting to hear the results of Shibata's reconnaissance.
Sure enough, when Itozawa walked into the classroom, he found his classmates already seated. An air of anticipation and tension hung over the room.
They were all waiting to hear what Shibata had found at the swimming pool.
Itozawa returned to his seat, greeted Ichinose, then joined the others in glancing toward the classroom door from time to time.
Before long, Shibata appeared in the doorway. He looked rather disheveled, his clothes soaked and his hair a mess. He had clearly been through something unusual.
His classmates immediately gathered around him, helping him to his seat and asking what had happened.
Once seated, Shibata took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself. A trace of terror still lingered on his face; the experience had clearly shaken him.
He looked at his classmates and said in a trembling voice, "The water in that pool just wouldn't drain."
His classmates exchanged bewildered glances, insisting it was impossible. How could the water in a swimming pool refuse to drain? It made no sense.
They urged Shibata to calm down and explain what had happened.
Itozawa, Ichinose, and Kanzaki gathered around Shibata and listened to his account.
Ichinose was the first to ask with concern, "Shibata, you said the water wouldn't drain. What exactly happened?"
Shibata took a deep breath and began to describe what he had experienced.
"I dived to the bottom of the pool and found that there wasn't a drain at all.
"But I didn't give up. I went to the Logistics Department and borrowed a high-powered Water Pump.
"The teacher in charge of Logistics gave me a strange look, but didn't say much. He just handed over the pump.
"When I got back to the swimming pool, I turned the pump up to full power, but the water level didn't drop at all.
"Then, just as I was about to give up, the water suddenly surged toward my nose and mouth like it had gone mad. My Balance Ability was completely useless. I thought I was going to die in there.
"After who knows how long, I finally came to. The swimming pool had already returned to normal, and even the Water Pump was gone. I was so scared that I ran straight back."
Itozawa listened patiently to Shibata's account. When Shibata reached that part, a glint flashed in Itozawa's eyes, and he suddenly interrupted. "Wait, Shibata. You said the Water Pump disappeared after the water attacked you? Other than the pump, did you see the Logistics Department teacher anywhere?"
Shibata shook his head, looking confused. "No. I was so disoriented that I didn't notice where the teacher was. The water suddenly receded, and then I realized the Water Pump was gone."
Kanzaki also chimed in. "Shibata, did you notice which direction the water surged from?"
Shibata furrowed his brow, trying to remember. "No. I was too panicked to pay attention to the direction."
Itozawa looked at Kanzaki. "Kanzaki, do you know something? What's going on?"
Kanzaki shrugged, looking relaxed. "I can tell you, but first I need to know how you blocked my ability."
Although he thought Itozawa probably didn't know, there was no harm in trying. Besides, he had already planned to share his own theory.
So he decided to make the deal with Kanzaki.
"I'll tell you, but first you have to explain what's going on with the pool."
Kanzaki was pleasantly surprised. He hadn't expected Itozawa to actually know. His act really had been flawless.
"All right, I'll tell you. The water in this pool is actually controlled by a powerful Ability User.
"This Ability User can manipulate water. Most likely, it's the water-type Object Water Element, Endless.
"When Shibata tried to pump out the water, the Ability User probably took it as a provocation and made the water attack him."
Itozawa frowned. "Then why did the Water Pump disappear?"
Kanzaki shook his head. "I'm not sure. Maybe that Ability User did it, or maybe it was some kind of protective mechanism at the school."
After hearing his answer, Itozawa nodded seriously, his expression growing solemn.
Just as Kanzaki thought Itozawa was about to tell him the reason, Itozawa answered with complete seriousness, "I don't know."
Kanzaki froze, as if he'd misheard. He instinctively asked, "What?"
Itozawa repeated himself. "I said I don't know what my ability is like."
Kanzaki studied his expression and confirmed that he wasn't joking.
So, just as he had judged earlier, Itozawa truly had no idea what his ability was.
And in his haste, Kanzaki had actually fallen for Itozawa's clumsy deception.
It hadn't cost him anything, but the feeling of being toyed with still made his teeth ache with anger. It even felt faintly familiar.
"Hmph. That answer doesn't count. Remember, you owe me one."
Before you continue