If I am being honest, killing Korosensei with only my own strength would be completely impossible. After all, my opponent is a monster that moves at Mach 20. But… if I perfectly manipulate my classmates as pieces, the probability of a successful assassination will rise dramatically.

For that purpose, I need to find the students who will become the key to the assassination.

From the people I spoke with this morning, Akabane’s sense stood out far above the rest, but judging by his appearance, he did not seem to be participating in training. Is he skipping? While I loosened up moderately and observed the movements around me, I saw two students firing guns at the targets. Even compared to the others, their level was clearly different.

“Both of you are good with guns. Do you have any tips?”

“If I remember correctly… you’re Ayanokōji. The trick to shooting a gun is not to lose your concentration. The moment you pull the trigger, keep your body from reacting and moving the gun. Stay calm at all times.”

“…Same here.”

“I see. Your names were…”

“I’m Chiba Ryūnosuke. Nice to meet you.”

“Hayami Rinka. Nice to meet you.”

“Chiba and Hayami, nice to meet you. If you don’t mind, could you teach me how to use a handgun?”

In truth, I had already been drilled in all kinds of combat techniques in the White Room, so I could use a handgun, but this might be a good opportunity to assess Chiba and Hayami’s current abilities.

“Well, sure. The more fighting power we have, the better.”

“I agree.”

For a while after that, I received a lecture from Chiba and Hayami on how to shoot a handgun. After being taught, I could tell that both of them had solid fundamentals compared to the other students, which made them good teachers.

“Hey… is this really your first time shooting a handgun?”

“Of course it is. In fact, today was the first time I ever touched a gun. If you live a normal daily life, there’s no chance you would ever have an opportunity to handle one.”

“Even so, your stance looked natural and your accuracy isn’t bad either.”

“That must be because the two of you taught me so well. Thanks. You really helped me.”

“It was a fun training session for the first time in a while. If you want, invite me anytime.”

“I had fun too… thanks.”

After saying that, Hayami’s cheeks turned slightly red and she went off. I see, so this is what people call a tsundere… not bad. Chiba was apparently called by his friends as well, said see you later and left.

After parting with Chiba and Hayami, I decided to review my plan alone. The two best shooters in Class E. From now on, it seems necessary to build my strategy around these two. In the end, they will serve as a smokescreen to conceal my own existence.

…As I was thinking that, a voice called out from behind.

“Ayanokōji-kun, are you okay?”

“Ah… Shiota, sorry. I was spacing out a bit.”

I did not notice him until he came right up behind me. Just who is this guy…

“Everyone is trying to assassinate Korosensei on the ground. If you’d like, want to go together?”

“That’s an invitation I could only hope for. Thanks, Shiota. I’m still not familiar with the area yet.”

“Well, it’s your first day transferring, so that can’t be helped. Also, I’d be happy if you called me by my first name.”

“Got it. I’ll be counting on you from now on, ‘Nagisa.’”

“Yeah♪ Let’s go.”

* * *

On the way to the ground while talking about my previous school and casual topics, I lightly probed him, but I did not feel the same sense of discomfort as before. If it is just my imagination, then fine, but a difference in perception could throw off my plan when it really matters.

When Nagisa and I arrived at the ground, Korosensei had tied himself to a tree and was dodging countless knives and bullets. I took out a real knife from inside my jacket.

“A real one!? Why are you carrying a knife!?”

“I wanted to see if only anti-teacher weapons really work on Korosensei.”

Then, making sure the classmates would not notice, I threw the knife at the rope tied to the tree. The knife cut the rope and the teacher fell down in front of the students. Even after falling to the ground, the teacher dodged knives and bullets and scattered everyone. Immediately after that, he rushed in front of us at tremendous speed.

“Ayanokōji-kun!! Throwing a real knife is dangerous! What were you going to do if it hit someone!!”

Honestly, it would not have mattered if it hit someone, but there was no need to say that and deliberately raise suspicion.

“I’m sorry, Sensei. I was wondering if only this knife really works on you and I failed to consider the possibility of hitting another student.”

“Next time I will be seriously angry!! Also, assassinations that involve endangering others are forbidden! As punishment, Ayanokōji-kun, today’s homework will be doubled!”

“Understood. I’ll be careful next time.”

After saying that, the teacher headed back toward the school building. Even Korosensei seems to panic like a normal person when something unexpected happens. I was able to confirm his reaction speed too. As a result, it was a great success.

“You suddenly threw a knife, so it startled me… Ayanokōji-kun, do you really have experience with things like that?”

“I told Akabane too, I’m just an ordinary middle school student. That knife only cut the rope by coincidence.”

“I see…”

That’s bad. I might have come across as a bit eerie to Nagisa.

“Still, Korosensei is a good teacher.”

It was somewhat forced, but since being on guard would be troublesome, I steered the topic away.

“Huh!?”

“No, even after having a knife thrown at him, he was more worried about the students than himself. Of course, it might be because it does not work on him…”

“Korosensei is a teacher who thinks about his students more than himself.”

“Yeah…”

“Then, let’s go back to everyone, Ayanokōji-kun.”

With that, Nagisa and I returned to the school building where everyone was.

But are you aware of it, Korosensei? That concern for your students more than yourself may someday become your weakness…

* * *

“Hey… Nagisa. Isn’t it unreasonable that only my homework got doubled today?”

“Haha, no matter how you look at it, Ayanokōji-kun, that was your fault.”

“You were there too, so you’re just as guilty. So, could you help me with my homework? Unfortunately, I’m bad at studying.”

In truth, I could easily finish homework of this level, but for now I want to build relationships with those around me.

“Well, I don’t mind that much… it’s surprising. You seem like you’d be good at studying, Ayanokōji-kun.”

“I’m in Class E in the end, after all. And it’s better to have more people than just one.”

“I’m in the same class though… then should I invite someone else too?”

“Yeah, I’d appreciate that. Just don’t tell them that my homework got doubled and invite them under the pretense of a study session.”

“Okay, but… why?”

“I don’t want to stand out as the guy who got his homework doubled right after transferring.”

“Got it. I’ll try inviting them, so wait a bit.”

With that, Nagisa called out to a green-haired girl and a short-haired boy. After a while, the three of them came over. The green-haired one was the one Yada had called by name before…

“Kayano, was it? I’m Ayanokōji Kiyotaka. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes! I’m Kayano Kaede. Nice to meet you too, Ayanokōji-kun!”

“I’m Sugino Tomohito. Nice to meet you, Ayanokōji.”

“Yeah, Sugino, nice to meet you too.”

“Hey, there’s someone I want to invite too. Can I invite her?”

I had no reason to refuse and the other two seemed to agree as well. After we gave our approval, Sugino called out to a long-haired girl. It seemed he got an OK, because Sugino shouted in a ridiculously loud voice. Is he alright…

“My name is Kanzaki Yukiko. Nice to meet you, Ayanokōji-kun.”

* * *

After exchanging light greetings, the five of us decided to study at a family restaurant near the station.

“So this becomes like this… then if you substitute that value here, you get the answer.”

“I see Ayanokōji-kun, your explanation is really easy to understand! It’s just like Korosensei!!”

While Kayano was excited like that, I continued working on the assignments. It seemed Kanzaki also had parts she did not understand and asked me. For a moment, I felt like Sugino glared at me, but it was probably my imagination. After finishing the assignments, the conversation shifted to topics about me and about school. As I listened lightly, the parfait I ordered arrived. While enjoying my first-ever parfait, Kayano next to me spoke up.

“Ayanokōji-kun, do you like sweets?”

“Not particularly. Did something happen?”

“Well, you looked really happy eating that parfait, so I felt like I found a comrade who loves sweets just like me! Ayanokōji-kun, you have the qualities of a sweets master!”

“What is a sweets master supposed to be… and was it really that obvious on my face… to be honest, it was my first time.”

“What!? You’ve never eaten a parfait before!? Not knowing something this delicious means you’ve lost out on half your life, Ayanokōji-kun!”

I think half is an exaggeration, but… my parent was very strict, so I had never even eaten ice cream before.”

“I see… you were cherished. You’re kind of like a sheltered kid then?”

“No, that man probably doesn’t care about me at all.”

“Ah, sorry. Did I ask something unpleasant?”

Perhaps sensing the heavy mood, Kayano apologized to me.

“It’s not Kayano’s fault. I don’t feel anything about that man either, so it’s the same for both of us.”

That ended the topic, but I did not miss the momentary clouding of Kanzaki and Nagisa’s expressions when I talked about my parent. Class E is said to be a dumping ground for defective products and there may be students with problems beyond academics. In such an environment, the best way to control someone is to grasp their weakness. Just finding that possibility in Nagisa and Kanzaki made today’s study session worthwhile.

After parting with the four of them, I headed home alone. Even though it was still only early May, the wind passing through felt terribly cold.

* * *

Chiba → Has shooting sense, expressionless ally
Hayami → Same
Nagisa → Want to get closer
Korosensei → Dangerous assassinations are forbidden
Kayano → Comrade, want to be friends
Sugino → A bit gloomy but a good guy
Kanzaki → Want to get along

Chiba ← Evaluating shooting skill
Hayami ← Tsundere?
Nagisa ← Needs caution, but interesting
Korosensei ← Focus on analysis for now
Kayano ← Sweets master?
Sugino ← Baseball idiot
Kanzaki ← Want to get along

* * *

Karasuma POV

My job is to raise assassins to take down that target. For that purpose, I need to accurately grasp each individual’s ability within the class. Transfer students are no exception. I called Ayanokōji to the ground after school.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Karasuma-sensei. What is your business?”

This man is somehow carefree and even I still cannot quite get a grasp on him.

“I want you to take a light physical test now. I want to understand your abilities and use them as judgment material for the class assassination.”

“I doubt I will be of any use, but for now, I understand why you called me.”

* * *

After that, Ayanokōji calmly went through the training.

“Good work. Thank you for your cooperation. You may go home now.”

“No, as one of my classmates, it is only natural to cooperate for the sake of the class.”

“…I see.”

With those words, Ayanokōji left the ground with his usual expressionless face. Looking at his ability values, there was nothing particularly outstanding and nothing particularly lacking. He was an utterly ordinary student you could find anywhere. Normally, I would not pay special attention, but right now, I feel a strange sense of discomfort. I cannot explain it clearly in words, but… it felt as if something unknown was approaching me.

“Am I overthinking it?”

Muttering that, Karasuma also walked toward the school building.

* * *

Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
Unique Skill Super Expressionless

Academic Ability 3
Long-Range Assassination 3.5
Close-Range Assassination 3
Mobility 3
Stamina 3

Evaluation
Karasuma → Passing marks in all areas, a man with little impression

Korosensei → I want him to participate more actively in assassinations.
I am worried whether he is fitting in well with the class.

Bitch-sensei → Even if I try to seduce him, he is too expressionless and it pisses me off.
How could he not be captivated by me, of all people!!