Classroom of the Elite, Kusuo Saiki

[This is the base. I saw this place on the ship earlier. Saiki should have noticed it too, right?]

'Are you asking me again, pretending to be all high and mighty?'

Kusuo Saiki felt a little helpless, but he pretended not to know anything.

"I'm not sure, but I guess so."

"I think it's possible too."

[As expected, Saiki is still pretending not to know.]

'Then what was the point of asking that question in the first place?'

Just then, two people emerged from inside the cave: Katsuragi Kohei and Totsuka Yahiko.

'Is that the lantern—Katsuragi? They've already arrived.'

Kusuo Saiki wasn't surprised, because before the actual operation, he had already used telepathy to hear Katsuragi's inner thoughts; this place was his primary target...

At this moment, Katsuragi Kohei looked around and did not notice the presence of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Saiki Kusuo. He was holding the key card that allowed him to take over the area, looking every bit like a leader.

However, Kusuo Saiki knew very well that this was just an illusion.

Kusuo Saiki already knew about the leader's identity the moment he met him.

I don't know if anyone's around, but just to be on the safe side, let me take the key card and pretend to be the leader.

Katsuragi's voice was incredibly loud.

Chapter 67: What's this student doing in the Kassatar Desert?

We shouldn't have taken over this outpost immediately. Taking it without thoroughly investigating the surrounding environment would only increase our risk of exposure.

[So I'll be the only one with the key card to move around. That way, even if people from other classes show up, they'll probably subconsciously assume I'm the leader.]

Regarding this special exam, we will be cooperating with Class D. It's a gamble, but if we succeed, Class A will reap huge benefits.

Kusuo Saiki could clearly hear Kohei Katsuragi's inner thoughts.

'Oh my god, using such methods? But any normal person should be able to tell that no leader would actually travel around so openly and honestly.'

Kusuo Saiki thought to himself,

'And Class A and Class D are actually cooperating?'

While he was thinking, he could also clearly hear the thoughts of Kiyotaka Ayanokoji beside him.

Katsuragi wouldn't make such a basic mistake. He's definitely not the leader, and capturing a stronghold requires a leader's personal involvement. Therefore, Totsuka Yahiko, who's standing next to him, is the leader.

Kiyotaka Ayanokouji also guessed the truth, but as of now, he is unaware that Class A has already begun cooperating with Class D.

"We're so lucky to have found a suitable cave right away! This means even just two tents will be enough."

Totsuka Yahiko smiled as he spoke to Katsuragi Kohei, whose face remained serious throughout.

"Luck? You haven't found anything yet? I knew about the cave before I even landed, so finding it was inevitable—also, watch your words and actions, because we don't know if anyone is eavesdropping. As the leader, I have a supervisory responsibility, so you absolutely mustn't make any silly mistakes!"

The more they say that, the more it seems like they're trying to cover something up.

Kusuo Saiki thought to himself.

How did you know in advance that there was a cave here?

"The announcements on the cruise ship already gave a heads-up..."

Katsuragi Kohei then offered a brief explanation.

"...If everything goes smoothly, I'm sure that guy Sakayanagi will shut up."

If I succeed, my support within the class should surpass that of Sakayanagi.

'Sakayanagi? I remember the school's chairman's surname was Sakayanagi, but I'm sure the Sakayanagi Katsuragi mentioned isn't a high-ranking official. It sounds like that Sakayanagi guy, is he Katsuragi's rival in Class A? I remember Ryuen mentioning someone in Class A he really wanted to defeat; could it be Sakayanagi?'

Kusuo Saiki couldn't help but think to himself,

'But this has nothing to do with me...'

Soon, Katsuragi Yasuhiro and the others had left, while Ayanokouji Kiyotaka led Saiki Kusuo to the vicinity of the cave entrance, where it was displayed that Class A had acquired the right to occupy the place.

"So Class A has already taken over, huh? Saiki, do you think Katsuragi will be the leader?"

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka asked.

Just as Saiki Kusuo was about to pretend he knew nothing and brush it off, he heard Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's inner thoughts.

[Saiki must have seen through Katsuragi's little trick, but knowing his style, he'll probably pretend he didn't notice anything.]

'Tch, did you guess what I was thinking?'

After pondering for a moment, Saiki Kusuo spoke.

"I don't think the leader should be Katsuragi. Otherwise, it would be too obvious. Katsuragi is a member of Class A, so he shouldn't make such a basic mistake."

'Yes, I think the same way you do.'

[Did Qi Mu not hide anything this time? No, this approach actually makes it easier for him to conceal his strength. If he continued to play dumb, he would be more likely to expose his weaknesses. Qi Mu's answer is quite clever.]

'...'

"Gaoyuan Temple is gone. Let's go back first."

"Ah."

This is the only point on which Kusuo Saiki was able to reach a consensus with him.

......

Soon, the two of them returned to where the other students were, told Hirata Yosuke what they had seen and heard, and learned that Kogenji Rokusuke had already returned, claiming that he had gone swimming at the beach and then left.

At the same time, Ike Kanji returned and informed everyone that they had discovered a base next to the river that had not yet been captured.

It was a nice and suitable place, so the members of Class C decided to set up camp around that river outpost.

'This way, we don't need to worry about water and food for the time being.'

Kusuo Saiki thought to himself, then turned his gaze to the others.

'So now only one question remains in the class—who should be the leader.'

The matter of leadership has not yet been decided by Class C.

"I feel we need to elect a leader as soon as possible."

At this moment, Kikyo Kushida formed a circle around everyone.

“I’ve tried to think of a lot of things, but Hirata-kun and Karuizawa-kun are just too eye-catching. But if we’re going to hand over a leadership position, someone who isn’t responsible won’t do, right? I think Horikita-kun is the one who meets both of those criteria. What do you guys think?”

A meaningful smile appeared on Kikyo Kushida's face. At the same time, she turned her head to look at Suzune Horikita, whose face instantly showed a look of doubt. She had not expected Kikyo Kushida to nominate her.

[I've already secretly started a collaboration with Ryuen, and I'm going to nominate Horikita Suzune as your leader. If Class C fails the exam, you, as the leader, will surely have to bear everyone's blame!]

'Oh my, so that's how it is?'

Kusuo Saiki overheard Kikyo Kushida's thoughts, but fortunately, this exam was a class-wide activity, so he could slack off a bit, as long as nothing unexpected happened...

"I think there is a better candidate."

But at that moment, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji suddenly spoke up.

"Who?"

All eyes turned to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

"Qi Mu is not particularly noticeable, but he is also very responsible - he previously asked senior students for exam questions for us, and he also tutored some students in the class."

This sudden turn of events surprised Kusuo Saiki, who immediately turned his attention to Kiyotaka Ayanokoji.

Perhaps this will allow Saiki to show a glimpse of his true strength.

'You bastard!'

At this moment, the thought of swinging the other person around like a yo-yo resurfaced in Kusuo Saiki's mind.

'If I become a leader, wouldn't I have to personally participate in every single point-capturing operation? And if I don't get good grades on this exam, won't I be treated like a criminal in the class?'

"Qi Mu?"

A look of confusion appeared on everyone's face.

"Yes, yes, that's it! Anyone who wants to voice an objection is welcome!"

Kusuo Saiki thought to himself that if anyone objected, he could then rightfully refuse the position.

"I support... Saiki-kun... is indeed a very responsible person..."

At that moment, Sakura Airi, who usually had little presence in the class, spoke up, and nodded vigorously while looking at Saiki Kusuo.

'Hey, hey, hey, hey, Sakura, why are you suddenly acting like this? But if it's just Sakura, I doubt anyone else would believe it...'

"I think it's okay."

At that moment, Horikita Suzune nodded in agreement.

In her memory, Kusuo Saiki was quite capable, and he was also the least noticeable student in the class. For the sake of her score on this exam, Kusuo Saiki was undoubtedly the best choice.

"Since it's Qi Mu, then we have no objections!"

Kanji Ike and the others looked at Kusuo Saiki, gave him a thumbs up, and smiled, their teeth gleaming in the sunlight.

'Hey, hey, hey, don't look at me with that disgusting expression.'

At this moment, Kusuo Saiki was only thinking about who in the class could raise objections, but he could clearly hear the thoughts of those around him.

【Qi Mu? Oh right, we have him in our class!】

I almost forgot that Qi Mu was in our class, so people from other classes would definitely never guess it was him!

Was his original name Saiki? I always thought his surname was Saito...

As Saiki Kusuo listened to these people's inner thoughts, his heart was filled with complex emotions. However, none of them voiced any objections. He could only turn to Kushida Kikyo, hoping that she could use her influence to change their minds.

Kusuo Saiki was well aware that if Kikyo Kushida opposed him, many boys in the class would also voice their opposition, and that would mean...

[Damn it, we've encountered an unexpected situation... Saiki? Since most people think Saiki is the right person, it wouldn't be wise to voice any objections.]

As Kikyo Kushida thought this, a smile appeared on her face: