Meanwhile, back on the morning the opening ceremony had ended, Class A's students had just met their homeroom teacher, Majima.
He was tall and lean, with a cool expression and an air that kept people at a distance. He greeted the students simply.
"I'm your homeroom teacher, Majima Tomoya. You can call me Mr. Majima."
Then he got straight to the point. "Your assessment task," Majima said, his voice calm and clear as it echoed through the classroom, "is to identify the abilities of the homeroom teachers for all four classes."
He paused, seemingly considering whether to give them more information. In the end, he decided to offer a hint. "The abilities of all four homeroom teachers are listed in the Ability Manual, so you can start by learning how some abilities manifest, then investigate using your own methods."
The students began whispering among themselves, exchanging glances as they considered the difficulty of the task and possible strategies.
Just then, Sakayanagi Arisu spoke up. Her voice was gentle, yet enough to quiet the entire classroom.
"Since you're our homeroom teacher, Mr. Majima," Sakayanagi Arisu said, looking him straight in the eye, "could you tell us your ability first?"
Majima looked at Sakayanagi Arisu, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes.
He thought it over, then replied, "Mine is definitely the hardest to guess. But if you've already figured out the abilities of the other three teachers, I can tell you mine directly. So, figure out the other three first."
Sakayanagi Arisu nodded and began assigning different tasks to her classmates.
Most of Class A knew their own abilities. For the few who didn't, the others quickly reached a conclusion. Only Sakayanagi and a few other students remained a mystery.
Sakayanagi even seemed to have no ability at all. Quite a few students privately wondered whether she'd been placed in Class A because of Chairman Sakayanagi.
Still, given her status, few objected to her assignments, and things went smoothly until she got to the Katsuragi Faction.
"Classmate Tsukimiya..."
She hadn't even finished explaining their task, and Katsuragi hadn't objected, when Yahiko stepped forward. His voice carried a taunting edge. "Big Brother Katsuragi hasn't said a word yet. What right does a cripple like you have to give us orders?"
Katsuragi immediately reprimanded him for his choice of words. "Yahiko, apologize to Classmate Sakayanagi."
Yahiko's expression darkened. He clearly didn't want to apologize, but under Katsuragi's stern gaze, he knew he had no choice.
He turned to face Sakayanagi, his voice plainly reluctant and contemptuous. "Classmate Sakayanagi, I apologize for what I said."
Though his words were an apology, his tone held not the slightest hint of remorse. If anything, he sounded like he was mocking her.
Sakayanagi's expression darkened. She had deliberately assigned the Katsuragi Faction because she'd expected Yahiko to object, but she hadn't anticipated that he'd hit so precisely at a sore spot.
She hated people discussing her short stature or frail health. And Yahiko had gone out of his way to call her a cripple.
At that moment, Yahiko went onto her blacklist. Given the chance, she'd make sure to deal with that sharp-tongued brat.
But Sakayanagi Arisu's composure soon returned. She pushed down her feelings and instead asked Katsuragi for his opinion. "Classmate Katsuragi, do you have any suggestions?"
Katsuragi glanced at Yahiko, then at Sakayanagi Arisu, his eyes carrying a trace of apology. "Classmate Sakayanagi, let me sincerely apologize once again on Yahiko's behalf. However, I think we should focus on learning what we can from the Ability Manual first, then decide how to divide up the tasks."
Sakayanagi Arisu nodded with a warm smile, showing no sign that anything was amiss. "Then start with the Ability Manual. Classmate Katsuragi, you and your team can collect and analyze the information in it, while I take my people to investigate the students in the other classes. How does that sound?"
Katsuragi nodded in agreement. Sakayanagi Arisu continued assigning tasks to the other students, her tone calm, as if nothing had happened.
The members of the Sakayanagi Faction quickly got to work. Following her instructions, some went to investigate the other classes, while she went with Kito and Hashimoto to investigate Class D.
After they left the classroom, Kito's eyes showed his displeasure. "Classmate Sakayanagi, I really don't understand why you let Yahiko get away with insulting you so easily."
Sakayanagi stopped and turned to face Kito, her expression calm and resolute. "Kito, I know you're upset on my behalf, but we have more important things to do right now." Her voice was cool, but carried unquestionable authority. "Our goal is to complete the task, not get caught up in personal grudges. I'll deal with Yahiko one day."
Kito was still unhappy, but he knew he had to obey Sakayanagi's decision. He nodded to show he understood. "I see, Classmate Sakayanagi. I'll focus on the task."
Sakayanagi smiled faintly and patted Kito on the shoulder in encouragement. "Good. We're a team, and what we need right now is unity and efficiency. We'll deal with Yahiko after the task is over." With that, she led the way to Class D's classroom, Kito close behind. Their figures soon disappeared around the corner of the hall.
When they reached Class D, they looked around and saw no sign of its homeroom teacher. Sakayanagi politely introduced herself, then prepared to ask about the class. To her surprise, a red-haired youth charged at them, swinging his fist. The two boys beside him tried to stop him, but they were too intimidated by his ability to intervene.
Fortunately, Kito acted in time. He didn't even take off his white gloves as he stepped forward to meet the charge.
A cruel smile spread across the red-haired youth's face. He'd thought his flames would easily devour Kito's gloves, or even his hand.
But reality was harsh. Kito's palm was as hard as steel as it closed around Sudo's fist, and the flames were snuffed out the instant they made contact.
Sudo's strength forced Kito back a step, but there wasn't a hint of fear in his eyes. If anything, his resolve only hardened.
Sudo tried to attack again, but Kito had already assumed a guarded fighting stance, ready to remove his gloves and reveal his true strength.
Just then, Hirata Yosuke flicked his finger. An invisible force swept through the air, bringing Kito and Sudo's attacks to an abrupt halt.
Kito looked astonished, but a flicker of understanding passed through Sudo's eyes. He knew Hirata was responsible. He turned furiously toward Hirata, glaring at him, but couldn't resist the force holding him back.
Hirata's face was pale, and sweat ran down from his temples. His voice was faint, yet clear enough for everyone to hear. "I'm Hirata Yosuke. I think we all know Classmate Sakayanagi, so let's not waste time here. Please tell us directly why you came."
Sakayanagi gave him a long look, abandoned the idea of beating around the bush, and asked outright where their homeroom teacher was. Hirata regretfully told her he didn't know. Sakayanagi stood silently for a while, then looked at him again. This time, her eyes held a trace of admiration and regret.
Then she turned and led the Class A students away. After they had walked some distance, the force restraining them naturally released.
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