Subduing Kamuro

Sakayanagi Arisu led the students of Class A toward Class C, but just as they were about to reach its classroom, she suddenly stopped. Her brows furrowed slightly, as though she were weighing an important decision.

"Sakayanagi, what's wrong?" Kito noticed her hesitation. His voice was low, tinged with concern.

Sakayanagi turned to face her classmates, a glint of resolve in her eyes. "We're not going to Class C. We're heading straight to Class B."

Hashimoto looked puzzled. He couldn't understand why Sakayanagi had suddenly changed their plans. He was about to ask, but Kito had already quickly moved to Sakayanagi's side. Kito's show of trust made Hashimoto swallow his question, though he was still full of doubts.

"But, Sakayanagi, shouldn't we go to Class C first?" Hashimoto finally couldn't help asking. His voice carried a note of confusion.

Sakayanagi glanced at him, her gaze firm and unquestionable. "I have my reasons. Trust me; this will be our best choice."

Kito didn't ask any questions. He simply nodded, showing his support for Sakayanagi's decision. His reaction made Hashimoto realize that there was a certain understanding between Sakayanagi and Kito. He knew that questioning her might undermine it.

Hashimoto fell silent, choosing to trust Sakayanagi's judgment. He still had questions, but he knew that trust and cooperation were the keys to success in their team. He decided to set aside his doubts for now and follow Sakayanagi's lead.

Sakayanagi led the group toward Class B, her stride firm and purposeful. She already had a new plan in mind, and she believed it would bring them closer to their goal.

Sakayanagi Arisu brought the Class A students to Class B's classroom, where they found only Kanzaki Ryūji sitting there, bored. Sakayanagi walked over and greeted him in a familiar tone. "Kanzaki, I didn't expect you wouldn't be placed in Class A."

Kanzaki looked up and saw Sakayanagi. His expression was calm as he addressed her by name. "Sakayanagi." When he saw her still staring intently at him, he continued with a helpless look, "Your father was worried I might be a spy sent by Ayanokoji's father. There was no way he'd let me get close to you. Besides, I don't like trouble either, so just don't come looking for trouble with me."

They seemed quite familiar with each other. Clearly, this wasn't their first time dealing with one another.

Sakayanagi didn't want to discuss this in front of everyone, so she moved on and asked, "Kanzaki, do you know what your homeroom teacher's ability is?"

Kanzaki raised an eyebrow slightly. "Sakayanagi, are you telling me your class's assessment task just like that because you think I'll be tempted to help?"

Sakayanagi chuckled softly, her voice tinged with teasing. "You can get the information from Kito over there anyway, so what would be the point of hiding it from you? I just didn't expect you to accept Class B so quickly, Kanzaki, and be willing to work for them."

Kito looked a little surprised. He didn't know why Sakayanagi thought he would leak information, but he didn't ask. He simply stood quietly to one side. Hashimoto glanced between them thoughtfully, as if trying to work something out.

Kanzaki shrugged, his expression still calm. "Sakayanagi, you know what I'm like. I won't act unless I have to, so you don't need to factor me in at all. You've already tested me, so you should know I definitely won't tell you. Why waste your breath?"

Sakayanagi gave a slightly helpless smile. "It's no fun when someone knows their own ability.

"But are you so sure no one else will give away information?"

Kanzaki smiled calmly, confident in himself. "Then let's make a bet. We'll bet on whether the students of Class B will tell you.

"If I win, you can't use your ability in the next assessment."

Sakayanagi accepted his wager with interest. "And if I win, you'll have to help me with something later, Kanzaki."

Kanzaki agreed calmly, as though certain he wouldn't lose. "Then it's settled."

After leaving Class B's classroom, Kito and Hashimoto both wore puzzled expressions.

Hashimoto was curious about the relationship between Sakayanagi and Kanzaki, as well as Kanzaki's connection to Ayanokoji's father.

Kito, meanwhile, was confused that Sakayanagi thought he would leak information.

Kito was the first to ask, "Sakayanagi, why did you say Kanzaki could get the details of our assessment from me?"

Sakayanagi turned to face Kito, her expression serious. "Kito, your Mental Power is relatively weak. Kanzaki's ability can easily probe your Mind Sea. You probably can't defend against his probing."

Kito furrowed his brow. He realized his weakness could affect the whole class's assessment.

He nodded to show that he understood. "I see. From now on, I'll unseal the Demon God in my Mind Sea."

Hashimoto couldn't help joining in, his voice tinged with curiosity. "Sakayanagi, what exactly is the relationship between you, Kanzaki, and Ayanokoji's father, the teacher he mentioned?"

Sakayanagi's gaze shifted slightly. She didn't want to explain any further.

She answered coolly, "Hashimoto, there are some things you don't need to know. Our goal is to pass the assessment. Nothing else matters."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Hashimoto's face, but he understood Sakayanagi's authority. He didn't press her further, only nodding silently.

After that, Sakayanagi didn't hurry to ask the Class B students for answers. Instead, she decided to return to Class A first. She knew she needed more information and a plan before taking action.

Back in Class A, Sakayanagi soon noticed Kamuro Sumire at her seat. A smile appeared on her face. She waved for Kito and Hashimoto to leave, then walked over to Kamuro with interest.

As Sakayanagi approached her desk, Kamuro glared at her resentfully and snapped, "You and he planned this together to set me up?"

Sakayanagi looked a little surprised. Rather than answering directly, she said lightly, "Oh my, so Kamuro has an accomplice after all. Could you tell me who it is?" As she spoke, she leaned closer, a mysterious smile glinting in her eyes.

Kamuro Sumire watched Sakayanagi warily. She knew she was in a bad situation.

She'd come to steal something from Sakayanagi's desk and had been trapped there by the Spirit Restraining Talisman. On top of that, she'd let Itozawa's existence slip in a moment of carelessness.

From Sakayanagi's reaction, she clearly had no idea Itozawa existed. Kamuro had been too clever for her own good.

She didn't feel guilty at all about exposing Itozawa. He had nothing to do with her, after all. But she couldn't simply give him up, either; that would make her look pathetic in front of Sakayanagi.

So she stubbornly clamped her mouth shut, turned her head away, and said nothing.

Watching Kamuro's reaction, Sakayanagi's smile deepened.

Kamuro Sumire was a key piece. Her ability would be very useful to Sakayanagi. She hadn't been able to find an opportunity to lure Kamuro in, but now Kamuro had come looking for trouble on her own.

Even more unexpected was that Kamuro seemed to be acting on someone else's orders.

This was just too interesting.

Sakayanagi decided she needed to learn more about Kamuro and the "accomplice" behind her.

"Kamuro, we don't have to be enemies," Sakayanagi said softly, her voice carrying a hint of persuasion. "Tell me who your accomplice is, and we can work together."

Kamuro Sumire was silent for a while, then answered coldly, "I don't have an accomplice. I just did what I wanted to do."

Sakayanagi didn't argue. Instead, she nodded as if she took Kamuro at her word. "If you're willing to stay trapped at my desk and let everyone laugh at you, I don't mind."

Kamuro turned to glare at Sakayanagi in fury, but Sakayanagi stood there, smiling serenely as she waited for Kamuro to change her mind.

Kamuro Sumire's fury and Sakayanagi Arisu's composure stood in stark contrast. Sakayanagi's eyes gleamed with confidence. She knew Kamuro's ability was a valuable resource, and it now seemed that someone might be manipulating Kamuro.

"Kamuro, do you really want things to stay this way?" Sakayanagi's voice was gentle, yet carried undeniable pressure. "You know as well as I do that this won't do you any good."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Kamuro Sumire's eyes. She knew she was in a bad position. Sakayanagi Arisu's influence and intelligence weighed on her, and she also knew that if this continued, her standing in the class could plummet.

Under Sakayanagi's unhurried gaze, Kamuro finally gave in. "A-All right, I'll tell you." Her voice held a hint of helplessness. "But you have to promise not to tell anyone else."

Sakayanagi nodded, her smile showing her satisfaction. "Of course, Kamuro. I promise."

Kamuro took a deep breath, then whispered, "It was a boy. He told me I could steal students' things and the school wouldn't do anything, so... unfortunately, I don't know his name. B-But if I see him again, I'll recognize him."

Sakayanagi felt a little disappointed, but quickly rallied. She touched Kamuro and placed a seal on her. It wasn't meant to restrain her soul or body, but rather...

"All right, from now on, Kamuro, I'll be counting on you to be my cane.

"Remember to come pick me up from my dorm every morning. Otherwise, that suppressed Spirit Restraining Talisman might activate again~"

If glares had heat, Kamuro would have burned a hole through Sakayanagi by now. Unfortunately, Sakayanagi didn't notice at all. She merely moved a finger, and as Kamuro got to her feet, she felt the seal loosen. She quickly composed herself and put on a respectful expression. "I-I'm willing to be your... cane."