Masamune was stalling for time?
When I reached that conclusion, my first reaction was to doubt myself.
Why?
I was stalling to wait for the Festival Operations Department to take down Street Mouryo and come to our aid. But what was Masamune waiting for? For Street Mouryo to be defeated?
"Izuna."
A suspicion had begun forming in my mind, so I beckoned Izuna closer and whispered,
"Aside from the Gourmet Research Society and… the one who appeared with you earlier, did Masamune recruit any other allies?"
Izuna listened, then seemed to think it over. She motioned for me to lean in, rose on her toes, and whispered by my ear,
"Sensei, as far as Izuna knows, no."
I nodded, understanding.
It was unlikely that Masamune had hidden anything from Izuna. Moreover, since he could not have predicted in advance that the Gourmet Research Society, Izuna, and Wakamo would all defect, any other trump card should have been revealed earlier rather than held back until now.
In other words, Masamune did not have enough power to lead Street Mouryo to victory over the Festival Operations Department and the Inner Discipline Club and turn the situation around.
"What are you two whispering about!" Masamune shouted arrogantly. "It is useless, all of it is useless! Once my reinforcements arrive, you will have no hope left!"
I became increasingly certain his behavior was suspicious.
It was less that he was bluffing, and more that he wanted us to think he was bluffing.
By emphasizing reinforcements in front of us, anyone who understood the difference between our forces would only find him ridiculous, blind to reality.
Even if their numbers approached triple digits, Street Mouryo goons was no match for the combined strength of the Festival Operations Department and the Inner Discipline Club. We already had proof of that.
Besides, Masamune currently appeared to be standing motionless in the center of the sealed room, a fish in a barrel with no escape. Seeing him posturing despite his weakness naturally invited disdain, making him look like a clown who had exhausted all tricks.
In that case, since we could not deal with him immediately, we would be inclined to remain here and wait for reinforcements to finish dealing with Street Mouryo, then regroup and handle him afterward.
What if this was exactly the situation Masamune wanted?
The Masamune in the room was just a projection. His real body was hiding above the ceiling.
And that brought another suspicious point: why was there already a spacious hidden compartment in the ceiling, wide enough for Masamune to stand and move in, complete with a holographic projector?
And what purpose did such an expensive holographic setup serve?
What scenario had Masamune envisioned when arranging all of this?
Let us assume these really were all part of his plan.
If Izuna had not suddenly shown up, I would likely have been brought here. Believing I had stalled enough time, I would wait.
Then, once everyone shook free of Street Mouryo, they would inevitably come here and then…
I paused.
Was that what Masamune had been waiting for?
Using me, the hostage, and him, the criminal, as bait to lure all his enemies into this room he had prepared in advance.
Rendering one's enemies unable to fight did not require direct combat.
I had experienced one such method myself not long ago.
Recalling the simple, efficient, absolute stratagem used by that Kaiser PMC Director, carried out in a deserted place with no risk of witnesses, a scheme that had once cost me dearly, my eyes sharpened.
Then I remembered how prominently fireworks featured in Masamune's own self-proclaimed evil plan. I resisted the urge to glance downward and could not help thinking it was exactly what I feared.
Even if it was not, caution was the only wise choice.
The key was that I had already seen through his so-called ninjutsu and suspected an additional conspiracy. The initiative was mine.
Whether or not Masamune had actually planted explosives beneath the floor, the moment I recognized the possibility and determined his true location, his defeat was already sealed.
Before the others finished with Street Mouryo, I needed to eliminate Masamune.
"Izuna."
"Here."
"May I hold your hand?" I asked politely.
"Eh? Eh eh?" Izuna froze, her cheeks turning pink. "R-right now?"
That reaction was as good as permission.
I took her hand and, amid her startled gasp, pulled her gently into my arms, our faces brushing close.
"Hm?" Masamune furrowed his brows at the sight, then exploded in rage. "What are you doing now! If you want to flirt, do it outside, not in front of me!"
Ignoring his pointless protests, I quietly explained my suspicions and my plan to Izuna.
On the surface, it looked like I was shamelessly flirting with a student in a completely inappropriate moment. In truth, it was only to give Izuna a natural reason to turn her back toward Masamune, so he would not notice any change in her expression.
Everyone knew I was perhaps the most upright, incorruptible Sensei in all of Kivotos, untouched by worldly temptation. Only someone as filthy minded as Masamune would assume otherwise, which was precisely why he did not suspect a thing.
After a moment, I reluctantly released Izuna's slender waist, though our hands remained linked.
Masamune glared at us, laughing coldly.
"Heh. I knew it. Izuna, you little brat, no wonder you betrayed me so easily. Even an idiot like you can fall in love."
Izuna said nothing. From where I stood, I could not see her expression.
Disappointed by her lack of reaction, Masamune grew even more irritated and was about to continue mocking her when he suddenly froze.
Izuna had spun around and hurled a smoke bomb straight into the center of the room. It exploded before even hitting the floor. She must have lit the fuse earlier, using her body to hide the motion.
In the ceiling compartment, Masamune stiffened, realizing belatedly that he needed to react, and forced out a theatrical cough.
But in the next instant—
The wooden panel burst open with a crash as a gunstock smashed through it. Masamune jolted in terror, only to see, through the splintered hole, the face of the girl he had treated like a fool and exploited, the girl he had expected to still be waiting helplessly below.
Izuna peered through the opening with a smile that, to Masamune, could not have looked more terrifying.
"Izuna is here!"
Old, frail, and easily frightened, Masamune collapsed against the panel and let out a shrill scream.
"Guwaaah, stay away from me!"
No matter how many schemes he had, he had miscalculated by one decisive step.
And with that, Masamune was captured.