It was nearly noon on the day of the exam. The location was a certain conference room on the underground floor of the luxury cruise ship.
All of Class C's students had gathered here on Ryuuen-kun's orders. Given the time, everyone carried portable food, chatting with friends while eating and spending the wait freely.
Even in this class, a loose school caste system existed—higher-status students claimed wider spaces, forming their usual cliques.
More accurately, though, the real divide was between Ryuuen-kun's group—the Brahmins—and everyone else. Any other caste distinctions were practically meaningless.
For the record, I supposedly belonged to Ryuuen-kun's group, yet right now I stood alone at the edge of the room.
"Attention."
The ship's chime finally announced noon, and Ryuuen-kun raised his voice.
His low, resonant tone seized everyone's focus with just that single word.
"Ishizaki, is everyone here?"
"All forty are present!"
Good. The king flashed a thin smile and signaled Ishizaki-kun and Albert with a glance.
"Everyone, line up in two rows. Then hold up your phones so the screen showing whether you're the VIP is visible. Once checked, put the phone in the bag."
The two held large bags in their hands.
Needless to say, this method violated the rules. Forcibly checking phones to identify VIPs—if discovered by the school—would mean expulsion, a severe penalty.
But it didn't matter. No one here would dare object; the king wouldn't allow it.
"Just to make it clear—if anyone resists even slightly or thinks about reporting this… you know what happens, right?"
Ryuuen-kun glared across the entire class, backing his words with the implicit threat of violence.
There were no objections. No one defied him. As instructed, they began forming two lines.
The past four months had proven his threats were never empty.
They showed their phone screens as ordered and deposited them into the bags.
Kaneda-kun and Ibuki-san stood beside the collectors, ensuring no VIP was missed.
"Hey, how much of this exam do you already see through?"
Ryuuen-kun approached me at the edge of the room.
While the tally was being taken, he was using the time to talk with me—an efficient use of moments.
"No lies or exaggeration. Tell me straight."
"It would be easy to outmaneuver the Dragon Group."
"Even though your group is crawling with leader types?"
"A foolish question. There are no issues."
"Kuku, that's reassuring."
Clearly satisfied, Ryuuen-kun let out his distinctive laugh.
He quickly returned to a serious expression and continued.
"This exam definitely has a hidden layer."
He declared it with force. It was clear he had grasped something.
"First off, the groups were formed by some criterion. There are obviously weak groups, and then there's yours.
Intelligence, leadership, overall ratings—whatever it is, there's clearly a standard. And in exams like this, if abilities aren't reasonably balanced, discussion is pointless; the outcome is decided quickly. A test like that would be meaningless."
"Since it's an exam, it must be evaluating something—that much is certain."
"But perfectly balancing abilities is impossible. Someone with high overall stats but poor communication becomes dead weight in this format. Random mistakes or an idiot's flash of insight can upset the balance.
In the end, Class A's high-quality students would still hold the advantage. Well, if you call that 'ability' too, there's nothing more to say."
"Yet you sense something more—a loophole in the exam, or perhaps a way to turn the tables."
"Kuku. Finding that is the real victory condition this time. After that, it's just deciding which class to crush."
"That's your policy. You decide, you unify, you lead. I hope the future you create… will change my predictions."
My subtle mouth movements halted.
"Change my predictions"—words that relied on someone else.
I had been reflecting more on myself since my conversation with Rokusuke Kouenji, but I hadn't expected to confront it again in this form. It was mildly surprising.
"Hah? What are you stammering about?"
"…No. I simply noticed something."
"About the exam?"
"About myself."
"Don't say confusing shit."
What I seek is the unknown—things beyond my knowledge. Yet they rarely appear.
"If it doesn't exist, create it. Simple enough."
"Hah?"
"Ryuuen-kun, I'll act freely in this exam. So please remove me from your available pieces."
"Kuku. I don't know what you figured out, but do whatever you want. Just don't make me clean up your mess."
"Ryuuen-shi."
As Ryuuen-kun and I spoke, Kaneda-kun approached holding two clipboards.
This meant the tally was complete. Ryuuen-kun took the data and scanned it.
"I see. So these are Class C's VIPs. Kaneda, tell them this, 'Don't ever betray us, and don't get caught. If you can keep those two rules, I'll consider a reward.'"
He issued the instructions swiftly, then tossed one clipboard to me.
"Look it over quick. But if you figure anything out, don't tell me."
The violent beast, not wanting his fun spoiled, said it sharply.
I examined the clipboard. It listed the VIP students' names, their zodiac groups, and every member of those groups.
From the neatly organized information, I began searching for unknowns, mysteries, patterns.
And the analysis concluded.
"Boring. This exam is disappointingly simple."
"…You already cracked the pattern?"
"I haven't verified it. But I did find a certain regularity."
"Eh? Is that true, Kamukura-shi!? What exactly is—!?"
Kaneda-kun expressed mild surprise with a subtle gesture, adjusted his slipped glasses, and pressed me again with his eyes.
I started to answer, but a fist interrupted. A dull thud sounded from his abdomen, and Kaneda-kun doubled over in agony.
"Kaneda, weren't you listening to me?"
"…N-no. I'm sorry. I got a little curious. I'll be more careful next time."
"Fine, then."
No one around objected. That was the kind of class this man ruled.
Ryuuen-kun continued as if nothing had happened.
"I'll explain the strategy. As long as you don't do one thing, everything else is fair game."
He paused for emphasis before continuing.
"First, force Outcome 1 or Outcome 2. Second, never send the VIP's identity by email on your own. Even if you figure out your group's VIP, always go through me.
That's it. Dismissed. Retrieve your phones and do whatever you want. VIPs, listen to Kaneda's message before leaving."
With those final words, he walked alone toward the exit.
The special exam meeting for Class C ended there. As instructed, the students began dispersing.
"Kaneda-kun. Later, send me the full member lists for each group on my phone."
"Understood."
With that, I left the room as well.
A few minutes after returning to my cabin, the information arrived from Kaneda-kun. Once I finished reviewing it all, a certain strategy formed in my mind.
I informed a certain person of the plan. They accepted, and my approach to the exam was complete.
...
Day 1 of the special exam. The time was 12:57.
Less than three minutes remained until the first group discussion began.
Before me was a door. A large conference room marked by a plaque reading "Dragon."
I pulled it open slowly.
Beyond lay a large round table surrounded by fourteen chairs—like a meeting room from an action movie.
"Looks like we're the last ones."
As usual, I had brought the other Class C students with me. One of them, Sonoda-kun, spoke up.
I replied with a casual "Yes" and immediately scanned the room. I checked overhead and side blind spots for surveillance devices, but nothing obvious stood out.
Still, this was an exam. It was reasonable to assume some means of monitoring us had been prepared to evaluate performance.
As I approached a chair, the Class B and D students who had been chatting amicably fell silent. The Class A students, who had been keeping slight distance from the table, now focused their attention on us.
The wariness was palpable without needing analysis. I paid it no mind and took a convenient seat.
For reference, Sonoda-kun sat on one side, Horikita-san on the other.
"Man, everyone's really on guard around Kamukura-san, huh."
"Yes."
"With that much suspicion, doesn't it make it hard to move?"
"Yes."
"Um… did something happen?"
"Yes."
"…What'd you have for breakfast today?"
"A sandwich."
"Ah, you actually answered that one properly."
After finishing the comedy routine, I placed my right foot on the chair and rested my right hand on my right knee. I adopted a relaxed posture to prepare for the exam ahead.
Relaxing to respond flexibly to anything that might arise… was, of course, a lie. I simply found this position the most comfortable.
"Then we will now begin the first group discussion."
Soon after, a brief announcement played.
It was exactly on time. The exam had started.
While everyone sized each other up in the tense atmosphere, one girl—Kushida Kikyo—maintained a pleasant smile and smoothly opened the proceedings.
"Is everyone okay with this? There are probably a lot of people we don't know, and the school instructed us anyway, so how about we start with introductions?"
Standing from her chair, she instantly gave everyone in the room an opening.
Thanks to that bold first step, someone stepped up to keep the flow going.
"I agree. There might be microphones hidden somewhere picking up audio. Following the rules can't hurt. What does everyone else think?"
It was Class B's Kanzaki-kun. He looked around, spreading Kushida-san's suggestion to the whole group.
"No objections from Class A."
"Of course Class D has none either. How about Class C?"
With a small smile, she directed the question at me.
I glimpsed negative emotions beneath the surface pleasantness, but I ignored them and answered.
"No objections."
She let out an exaggerated sigh of relief, laughed, and said "The one who suggests it goes first, right?" before beginning her own introduction.
"I'm Kushida Kikyo. We'll be enemies because of the exam, but I'd love to get along with everyone."
"I'm Hirata Yousuke. We're in the same group, so if there's anything we can cooperate on, I'd like us to work together. Nice to meet you."
"Horikita Suzune."
Following Kushida-san, the other two Class D students finished their introductions, and she sat down.
This triggered the chain... Class B, then Class A, until finally it reached Class C.
"Izuru Kamukura. Pleased to meet you."
After my brief introduction, the others continued.
"Sonoda Masashi. Nice to meet you~"
"Suzuki Hidetoshi."
"Nomura Yuuji."
With that, everyone's introductions were complete.
I thought we might at least match faces to names, but without pause, Class A's leader figure, Katsuragi-kun, immediately raised a new topic.
"If the introductions are over, may I go next?"
"I don't mind, but what does everyone else think?"
As before, she checked with the group. There were no objections, and Katsuragi-kun took the floor.
"I'm sorry for saddling you with the difficult role of facilitator."
"It's fine! I actually find this kind of thing pretty fun!"
"That's good to hear. …Then let's get right to it. I want to end this exam for the Dragon Group with Outcome 1. Because that's the way to earn the most points.
In the end, the class with the VIP will gain the most points, but I believe this is the best method where no class takes damage. What do you think?"
It was a reasonable proposal.
Outcome 1 is achieved when, on the final day of the exam at the designated time, every member of the group emails the school the name of the VIP, and all the submitted names match perfectly.
If successful, every group member receives 500,000 private points, with an additional 500,000 for the VIP—totaling 1 million for them.
Indeed, this approach would allow every class to gain equally, leading to the predictable happy ending everyone could agree on.
But not everyone would consent to such a boring method.
"I think it's not a bad plan. From the perspective of everyone benefiting, it could even be called optimal. But for Class A of all classes to suggest it feels a little unfair, doesn't it?"
"I'm not being unfair. I simply stated what's best for this group."
"Don't play dumb. You can only call it the group's best interest because you're looking down from a safe position. The other three classes don't see it that way.
After all, in this school, you don't get guaranteed status unless you graduate from Class A. And the shortcut to Class A is the massive point transfer in this special exam. If your proposal is truly optimal, it's like telling everyone except Class A to give up one precious exam opportunity."
In stark contrast to his usual cool demeanor, Kanzaki-kun spoke eloquently, pressing Katsuragi-kun hard.
Class A's overwhelming victory in the uninhabited island exam had widened the gap significantly. It was understandable that they were desperate. His argument was valid, and any student aiming to graduate from Class A would likely agree.
"Class D shares Kanzaki-kun's view. Sure, if this group ends with Outcome 1, we'll get a huge influx of points. I won't deny that's worth aiming for, but the gap that's already widened won't close."
"And while we're at it, you're being far too optimistic. With the existence of a VIP, the possibility of betrayal is extremely high. I don't believe we can safely guide this to Outcome 1."
Hirata-kun and Horikita-san followed.
Yet when their remarks ended, Katsuragi-kun smirked faintly.
"We believe we understand your opinions. If betrayal occurs, one class wins everything. That's something every class fears and wants to avoid. So—if I said there is 'a way to absolutely ensure Outcome 1,' would you be willing to listen a little more?"
Attention once again focused on Katsuragi-kun.
Boring. He was eagerly about to propose a very simple, reliable, and tedious method.
"So, what exactly is this method?"
"The method is 'to hold no discussions at all, from beginning to end.'"
At Sonoda-kun's question, Katsuragi-kun declared it boldly, as if he'd been waiting for the cue.
His voice carried well enough for everyone to hear, and the content was simple enough for anyone to understand.
"…Indeed, that method would guarantee everyone benefits. It might avoid unnecessary rifts between classes. However, Kanzaki-kun…"
"Yes, Andou, there's a trap here. Because even if everyone in this group gets 500,000 points, that would never be an equal… outcome."
"It's because Class A and Class C each have one more member in the Dragon Group than Class B and Class D, right?"
At Hirata-kun's confirmation, Kanzaki-kun nodded.
The group consisted of fourteen members, four each from Class A and Class C, three each from Class B and Class D.
If the group ended with Outcome 1, it was obvious that Class A and Class C—with one extra member—would gain 500,000 more points. And if the VIP were in Class A or Class C, one of them would profit even further.
Class B and Class D would not accept that.
"In the end, it still means Class A and C profit more."
"True, for the Dragon Group alone, that would be the result. But if all twelve groups end with Outcome 1, wouldn't that solve the problem and make things equal?"
"…What?"
At Katsuragi-kun's unexpected counter, Kanzaki-kun voiced his doubt in a low tone.
Katsuragi-kun smiled thinly at the reaction and explained the solution.
"It should be possible. No—this group in particular… should be able to do it.
You've all noticed it, haven't you? That the leaders from each class are gathered here."
At those words, everyone glanced at the respective class leaders.
No one showed surprise at the fact; instead, their composed expressions spoke for themselves—it was taken for granted.
"We can spread the word within our classes right now. That way, every first-year student could gain 500,000 private points. Looking at past trends, this school places great importance on fairness.
In other words, there's a high probability—nine times out of ten—that there are exactly three VIPs per class. …Class D has low class points, so fewer private points overall. Not a bad proposal, is it?"
"Yes… I think it's not a bad proposal either. Unlike the other classes, Class D doesn't have a solid foundation yet. …It's mentally taxing to keep scraping by with few points while aiming for the upper classes."
Impressive acting. I felt like applauding Kushida-san on the spot.
The trembling tone as if she were genuinely worried for her classmates, the slight downward tilt of her face, the serious expression peeking through a narrow gap.
Utterly realistic. She perfectly concealed the desire beneath that mask—the desire to profit when this led to the desired outcome.
Thanks to that flawless performance, the final piece for cracking the exam fell into place.
"It shouldn't be bad for Class B either. With more points pooled, you could save even more. For emergencies… for her."
"…!? How do you know about th—"
At Katsuragi-kun's pointed remark, Tsudou-san from Class B showed extreme shock.
Katsuragi-kun smiled thinly again.
"It was only a rumor, but judging from your reaction, it seems true. Good thing I tested the waters.
So, what will Class B do about this proposal? Or without her… can you not even decide something that needs deciding, Kanzaki?"
"…Class B's leader is that person. I can't decide this on my authority alone."
"That's fine. Consult with her and decide. We originally planned to wait until the next discussion period anyway.
The other classes should consult thoroughly as well. I'm expecting good replies."
Kanzaki-kun dropped his gaze to the lower right, a severe crease forming between his brows.
Regret and frustration—at his own lack of decisiveness, at not being more reliable—showed clearly on his face.
"Still, it's strange. This group is supposed to have all the class leaders gathered, yet Ichinose isn't here."
Katsuragi-kun recrossed his arms and muttered an important observation.
That had been bothering me too. Why wasn't she here? It didn't add up.
There was no pattern.
She was supposed to be in the Rabbit Group with Ibuki-san, and the only notable person in that group should have been Kiyotaka Ayanokouji.
"What does Class C intend to do?"
Just as I started thinking, Katsuragi-kun's words interrupted.
I ignored the irrelevant question and resumed pondering why Ichinose Honami wasn't in this group.
"Kamukura-san, what do you plan to do?"
"I'm not planning anything."
Nomura-kun asked from one seat away, but I brushed it off casually.
Ichinose Honami. Class B's de facto leader, possessing ample qualities, abilities, and charisma.
If selecting students with the highest overall capabilities in this school, she would rank at the very top among the class leaders.
It was strange that someone like her wasn't in the Dragon Group.
There must be a reason—perhaps something beyond the exam? …Not enough information.
"'Not planning anything'? Kamukura, don't tell me you can't decide anything without Ryuuen either."
Katsuragi-kun, having overheard, asked in a low voice.
I had intended to ignore him, but with so little information on Ichinose, further thought seemed futile.
No choice—I decided to answer. Besides, good timing. Let's test something.
"As I said. I'm not planning anything. If you want to aim for Outcome 1, go ahead without me."
"That means you're accepting our proposal, then?"
"I never said anything like that."
At my immediate reply, a sharp glare pierced me.
Taking that as a cue, Nishikawa-san beside Katsuragi-kun pressed on.
"…Hey, if you're not going to answer seriously, could you just stay quiet?"
"I'm completely serious. Not a joke, not a ploy, not a lie, not nonsense, not falsehood, not dangerous talk, not whining."
"You…!"
Nishikawa-san slammed both hands on the table and stood.
Katsuragi-kun quickly motioned her to stop and took over.
"Stop, Nishikawa. He's not someone you can handle."
"You can't handle me either."
"…It seems Ryuuen is still easier to talk to than you."
"We're the same. Neither of us cares about anyone else."
"Enough. Shut up, madman."
After one particularly intense glare, Katsuragi-kun took a quiet deep breath to calm himself.
Not fun. I had chosen words to irritate him, but this wasn't what I wanted.
Some people enjoy others' negative emotions, but it seems I'm not one of them.
"…Hey, Kamukura-kun. May I have a word?"
A voice came from beside me. My neighbors were Sonoda-kun and Horikita-san.
Since it was a woman's voice, it was Horikita-san. I turned only my gaze toward her and engaged.
"What is it?"
"Are you receiving instructions from Ryuuen-kun for this exam?"
"I'm instructed to hit on you."
"Liar. 'He doesn't need instructions. Letting him do whatever he wants leads to the best outcome,' that's what he said."
I wasn't lying. Which meant Ryuuen-kun and Horikita-san had discussed me at some point.
After a moment's thought, I realized something.
"This morning's conversation?"
"Yes. Though it wasn't particularly meaningful."
"Should I apologize? For the trouble he caused."
"Don't be ridiculous. More importantly—are you receiving instructions or not? Which is it? If you don't answer, I'll take it as permission to act freely on my own."
"I have permission to act freely this time. No instructions."
Perhaps surprised by the honest answer, she paused briefly before continuing.
"…I see. So you're not Ryuuen's puppet. Then let me ask one more thing.
When you said you're not planning anything earlier, does that mean you're neither supporting nor opposing the strategy to end with Outcome 1?"
"Yes."
"Is the reason you judge it that way because you're uninterested in this exam? Or just not in the mood?"
"Who knows—which could it be?"
"No, that's a lie too. Because it's neither, right? You've already thought of a way to break this situation, haven't you?"
For the first time today, something caught my interest.
The surrounding gazes reacted to her words, drawn to us.
She spoke with near certainty. I grew curious about her reasoning, so I decided to answer the rest honestly.
"Tell me the basis for that conclusion."
"…You handle everything except what you want to do carelessly. Like Kouenji-kun in our class. Especially in conversations—it's striking. When you're bored, you show no interest or engagement at all.
Your conversation with Katsuragi-kun just now, the one with Yamawaki-kun in the library once, our talk on the second day of the uninhabited island exam—in all of them, you wore an utterly bored expression. So I thought about it. Why you get so bored."
I lowered my right foot and turned my upper body toward her, adopting a posture to listen properly.
"It wasn't that complicated. The answer is simple... your abnormally high abilities."
"During the uninhabited island exam, rumors about your exceptionally high capabilities turned into fact. Certainly, if someone has the ability to do anything alone, most things would be boring. And that's become your catchphrase."
"So I hypothesized—if you have such overwhelming ability, you could break this situation."
"Surely that's not all?"
"No. If there's an answer, I can't stop thinking. But thinking normally, I couldn't come up with it. To gain many points in this exam, Outcome 1; to monopolize, Outcome 3."
"That was the limit. But if it were my brother… you—I thought you might approach it from a completely different angle. So I tried thinking something outrageous."
"If you already know the VIP's identity, wouldn't discussion be unnecessary in the first place?"
Having said that, she faced me directly without averting her beautiful features.
Since we were seated next to each other, she was fully in my view.
"If you know this group's VIP, there's no need to listen to Katsuragi-kun's proposal. Plus, your composed attitude makes sense.
In fact, you could feign disinterest and inform the school of the VIP just before the final day, setting up a strategy for Class C to win alone. How is it? I think I'm at least close."
Her sharp gaze held me firmly. Those around us regarded her bold deduction with respect.
It was, after all, just a hypothesis. She had correctly recognized my abilities but made a daring assumption—based on accurately assessing my true strength.
Previously, she had been a boring existence I could barely stand to look at. But now she had challenged me properly.
There was likely input from someone—Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Yet moving this effectively in the moment was her own talent.
Truly unexpected. Being bared fangs by her here made me realize I had misjudged this girl's potential.
"That's interesting, isn't it, Horikita Suzune?"
I offered her genuine praise from the bottom of my heart.
I hadn't imagined she could restrict my actions in this setting.
"You're correct. I know this group's VIP. Since I know the VIP, Katsuragi-kun's proposal doesn't matter at all. Because—"
A stir ran through the Dragon Group. The VIP was the core of this exam. Knowing them was practically seizing victory.
Naturally, the other classes grew anxious. But everyone here was exceptional from their class—they didn't panic, simply waiting for my next words, planning their response afterward.
But Horikita-san, you're still too naive. There's a hole in your reasoning. That's why you can't fully control my actions.
"...I am the Dragon Group's VIP."
At that, everyone fell silent.
I didn't miss the strained expression on the golden-haired girl reflected in my eyes.
***
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