Subdue Kamuro

Sakayanagi Arisu led the students of Class A towards Class C. However, just as they were about to reach the classroom, she suddenly stopped. Her brow furrowed slightly, as if contemplating an important decision.

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

Sakayanagi turned to face the classmates following her, a flicker of determination in her eyes. "We're not going to Class C. We're going directly to Class B."

Hashimoto's face showed confusion. He didn't understand why Sakayanagi had suddenly changed the plan. He was about to ask, but Kito had already quickly sided with Sakayanagi. Kito's trust forced Hashimoto to swallow his question, despite his mind being full of doubts.

"But, Sakayanagi, shouldn't we go to Class C first?" Hashimoto finally couldn't help but ask, a hint of bewilderment in his voice.

Sakayanagi glanced at Hashimoto, her gaze revealing an unquestionable firmness. "I have my reasons. Trust me, this will be our best choice."

Kito didn't ask further. He simply nodded, indicating his support for Sakayanagi's decision. His action made Hashimoto realize that there was a certain level of tacit understanding between Sakayanagi and Kito. He knew his questioning might disrupt this understanding.

Hashimoto fell silent, choosing to trust Sakayanagi's judgment. Although he had doubts, he knew that in this team, trust and cooperation were key to success. He decided to put his doubts aside for the moment and follow Sakayanagi's lead.

Sakayanagi led the group towards Class B, her steps firm and powerful. She already had a new plan in mind, believing it would bring them closer to their goal.

Sakayanagi Arisu brought the Class A students to the Class B classroom, only to find Kanzaki Ryūji sitting there, looking bored. Sakayanagi walked up and greeted him in a familiar tone, "Kanzaki-kun, I didn't expect you to not be assigned to Class A."

Kanzaki looked up and saw Sakayanagi. His expression was calm as he directly addressed her by name, "Sakayanagi." Seeing her still staring intently at him, he reluctantly continued, "Uncle Sakayanagi is worried I'm a spy sent by Ayanokouji-sensei, so he wouldn't let me get close to you. Coincidentally, I also dislike trouble, so just don't bother me."

They seemed familiar with each other, clearly not interacting for the first time.

Sakayanagi didn't want to discuss this in front of them and directly changed the subject. "Kanzaki-kun, do you know your homeroom teacher's special ability?"

Kanzaki's eyebrows twitched slightly. He retorted, "Sakayanagi, are you really telling me your class's assessment task so openly, thinking I'll be swayed?"

Sakayanagi chuckled softly, a hint of mockery in her voice. "You can get information from Kito over there anyway, so what's the point of me hiding it? I just didn't expect Kanzaki-kun to acknowledge Class B so quickly and be willing to do things for them."

Kito looked surprised upon hearing this. He didn't know why Sakayanagi thought he would leak information, but he didn't ask further, just stood quietly to the side. Hashimoto looked at them thoughtfully, as if pondering something.

Kanzaki shrugged, his expression still placid. "Sakayanagi, you know my personality. I won't act unless it's necessary, so you don't need to consider me at all. Since you've already tried and understand I absolutely won't say anything, why waste your breath?"

Sakayanagi smiled somewhat helplessly. "It's so boring to have someone who knows their own special ability."

"But are you so sure others won't betray information?"

Kanzaki smiled calmly, confidently stating, "How about we make a bet? A bet on whether a student from Class B will tell you."

"If I win, you're not allowed to use your special ability in the next assessment."

Sakayanagi accepted the bet with great interest. "And if I win, Kanzaki-kun will have to help me with a favor later."

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

After leaving the Class B classroom, both Kito and Hashimoto had questions written all over their faces.

Hashimoto was filled with curiosity about the relationship between Sakayanagi and Kanzaki, and the Ayanokouji-sensei mentioned by Kanzaki.

Kito, on the other hand, was confused as to why Sakayanagi thought he would leak information.

Kito couldn't hold back and spoke first. "Sakayanagi, why did you say Kanzaki would know our assessment content from me?"

Sakayanagi turned to face Kito, her eyes showing a hint of seriousness. "Kito, your mental strength is relatively weak. Kanzaki's special ability can easily probe your Mind Sea. You probably can't defend against his probing."

Kito's brow furrowed. He realized his weakness might affect the entire class's assessment.

He nodded in understanding. "I understand. From now on, I will unseal the Demon God in my Mind Sea."

Hashimoto couldn't help but interject, his voice tinged with inquiry. "Sakayanagi, what exactly is your relationship with Kanzaki, and with the Ayanokouji-sensei he mentioned?"

Sakayanagi's expression shifted slightly. She didn't want to elaborate on this matter.

She replied faintly, "Hashimoto, there are some things you don't need to know. Our goal is to complete the assessment; other things are not important."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Hashimoto's eyes, but he also understood Sakayanagi's authority. He didn't press further, just nodded silently.

Afterward, Sakayanagi didn't rush to find the Class B students for answers. Instead, she decided to return to Class A first. She knew some things required more information and planning.

Upon returning to Class A, Sakayanagi quickly noticed Kamuro Sumire at her seat. A smile appeared on her face. She waved for Kito and Hashimoto to leave, then walked towards Kamuro with great interest.

As she approached the seat, Kamuro shot her a resentful glare and spoke with annoyance, "You and him plotted against me?"

Sakayanagi looked surprised. She didn't answer directly but said in a relaxed tone, "Oh my, it seems Kamuro-san has an accomplice? Can you tell me?" As she spoke, she leaned closer to Kamuro, an unfathomable smile twinkling in her eyes.

Kamuro Sumire watched Sakayanagi warily. She knew her situation was not good.

Not only was she caught trying to steal from her seat and restricted by the Spirit Restraining Talisman, but she had also blurted out Itozawa's existence.

Judging by Sakayanagi's reaction, she likely had no idea Itozawa existed. Sakayanagi had outsmarted herself.

She felt no guilt about Itozawa's exposure, as he had nothing to do with her. However, she couldn't possibly give him up now, as it would make her look too pathetic in front of Sakayanagi.

So, she stubbornly shut her mouth, turned her head away, and remained silent.

Sakayanagi's smile deepened as she observed Kamuro's reaction.

Kamuro Sumire was a crucial pawn. Her special ability was very useful to her. She had been looking for an opportunity to lure her in, but unexpectedly, Kamuro had come to cause trouble herself.

Even more unexpectedly, it seemed she was acting under someone's orders.

This was truly interesting.

Sakayanagi decided she needed to understand Kamuro better, as well as the "accomplice" behind her.

"Kamuro-san, we don't have to be enemies," Sakayanagi said softly, her voice laced with temptation. "Tell me your accomplice, and we can cooperate."

Kamuro Sumire remained silent for a moment, then replied coldly, "I don't have any accomplices. I just did what I wanted to do."

Sakayanagi didn't retort. Instead, she feigned a nod. "If Kamuro-san is willing to be stuck by my seat indefinitely, making a spectacle of herself, I have no objections."

Kamuro turned her head away resentfully, glaring at Sakayanagi. Yet, Sakayanagi remained standing there, her demeanor as gentle as a spring breeze, awaiting a change in Kamuro's attitude.

Kamuro Sumire's resentment stood in stark contrast to Sakayanagi Arisu's composure. Sakayanagi's eyes gleamed with the confidence of a sure victory. She knew Kamuro's special ability was a valuable resource to her, and it now seemed likely that someone was manipulating Kamuro's actions from behind the scenes.

"Kamuro-san, do you truly wish to continue like this?" Sakayanagi's voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable pressure. "You and I both know this will bring you no benefit."

A flicker of struggle crossed Kamuro Sumire's eyes. She knew her situation was precarious. Sakayanagi Arisu's influence and intelligence weighed heavily on her, and she also understood that if this continued, her standing within the class could plummet.

Thus, under Sakayanagi's leisurely gaze, Kamuro finally relented. "Al... alright, I'll tell you." Her voice held a hint of helplessness. "But you must promise not to let anyone else know."

Sakayanagi nodded, a hint of satisfaction in her smile. "Of course, Kamuro-san, I promise."

Kamuro took a deep breath and then whispered, "It was a boy. He told me I could steal students' belongings, and that the school wouldn't interfere. So... I'm sorry, I don't know his name. Bu... but, if I see him again, I'll recognize him."

Sakayanagi felt a slight sense of boredom but quickly rallied. She touched Kamuro, placing a restriction on her. However, it wasn't to restrain her soul or body, but rather...

"Alright then, from now on, I'll be troubling Kamuro-san to be my cane.

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

If looks could burn, Sakayanagi would have been incinerated by Kamuro's gaze by now. But unfortunately, Sakayanagi seemed oblivious. With a slight flick of her finger, Kamuro, who had just gotten up, felt the restriction loosen. She quickly composed herself, adopting a respectful demeanor. "I... I am willing to be... your... cane."