I get up from the bed and open my phone.
It's to message my roommate, Hirata Yousuke, asking if he's free to meet later.
I specify a time and send it. Not knowing if he'll reply right away, I start moving on to my next task.
I slip on my distinctive red blazer and reach for the door.
But before I can even turn the knob, it opens on its own.
"Oh, Ayanokouji-kun?"
By pure chance, the person I wanted to see has just returned to the room.
The message turns out to have been unnecessary.
"Heading out? Haha, perfect timing—we're swapping places."
"No, actually, I was looking for you, Hirata. Are you free right now?"
"I'm planning to have dinner soon, but until then I'm good."
Hirata smiles warmly and agrees.
He sits on the edge of his bed, quickly setting the stage for a conversation.
Our other roommates—Kouenji and Yukimura—aren't here right now. It's just the two of us.
The perfect situation for a private discussion.
"You look serious. It's a little intimidating."
Hirata suddenly says that. I don't think my expression has changed at all.
"So this is about the exam, right?"
He guesses my purpose and steers the conversation straight to the point.
As expected of Hirata. But what does he mean, I look serious?
The thought crosses my mind, and I voice the question.
"Yeah. But do I really look like that?"
"Yep. It's the same face you had during the uninhabited island exam."
If he sees it objectively, he's probably right.
I decide that's the case and block the flood of memories associated with the word "white" that threatens to surface. I reset my focus to the exam.
"I see. Good—you're making this quick. Mind if I get started?"
Hirata nods, still smiling.
"Hirata, I want to ask you a few things about Karuizawa."
"Karuizawa-san? Sure. But just so you know, I'm her boyfriend, so I can't share anything that invades her privacy."
"That's fine."
To be clear upfront, I have no romantic feelings for Karuizawa Kei.
For this exam, I'm going to operate in the shadows one more time to keep my promise with Chabashira.
That means I'm going for victory. The condition for victory is, needless to say, earning more points than the other classes.
But that alone isn't enough. If I pull the strings twice, someone in Class D will start to suspect that a person like that exists.
To avoid being the one suspected when that happens, I need to prepare.
I already have a shadow to hide behind... Horikita. But I've judged that, to outmaneuver the central figures of this school, it still isn't sufficient.
So, for whatever may happen in the future, I need someone who can act as my limbs and gather information.
Someone to protect me.
And the person who meets those conditions—who I've judged has potential—is Karuizawa Kei.
"What do you want to know?"
"First, her social circle and her standing in the class hierarchy. You could call it caste. I want your evaluation as her boyfriend."
From my perspective, Karuizawa is unmistakably at the top of the class hierarchy—queen, even.
Among the girls, she has a community that rivals Kushida's.
Being at the top naturally means she has multiple routes for gathering information. That should apply not just to Class D, but to connections with other classes as well.
One condition is already satisfied.
"I think Karuizawa-san has a lot of influence among the girls… I'd say she's at the very top of the girls' caste."
Hirata looks reluctant as he talks about her. For someone who values "equality," the word "caste" probably doesn't sit well.
Still, he continues explaining.
"Her closest friends are mainly Satou-san, Shinohara-san, and then Matsushita-san, I think. But when she hangs out, it's often with people from other classes—or even Kushida-san and other Class D students. She's friendly with them."
As her boyfriend, Hirata shares a fair amount about her relationships.
It's valuable data. As expected, Karuizawa is in an excellent position.
She has the potential to become my eyes and ears in future exams.
I move to the next question.
"You and Karuizawa… you're really dating, right?"
Hirata's eyes widen slightly, but he laughs and answers right away.
"Yeah. Did it seem like we don't match or something?"
"No, actually, I think you two look good together."
"Hahaha, that's kind of embarrassing."
It's not flattery. The guy at the top of the boys' hierarchy would naturally suit the girl at the top of the girls'.
Both outgoing, both attractive. Anyone criticizing them would be doing it out of jealousy.
But there's something that doesn't add up. The distance between them as a couple. Is it really the same as a normal couple's?
I've never had a girlfriend myself, so I can't judge precisely. Still, their somewhat detached demeanor feels off to me.
"How long have you been together?"
"About four months, I guess. Time really flies."
They've spent a decent amount of time together. Yet I still sense a certain formality.
For example, they still call each other by last names. After four months, shouldn't a couple have at least cleared a couple of the ABCs?
"How far have you two gone?"
Hirata freezes as if turned to ice.
I immediately realize why the room has gone silent. But before I can say anything, Hirata responds.
"Um, Ayanokouji-kun… is that question really necessary?"
"…Honestly, no. I was just personally curious."
"Haha, you're so direct it caught me off guard."
"Sorry."
That one's on me, so I apologize right away.
Still, I got a rough gauge. I'll confirm the rest during the remaining group discussions and decide based on that.
"Anything else you want to ask?"
"No, just one more thing. Hirata—do you have Hashimoto from Class A's contact info?"
Hirata looks puzzled at my question, then answers as if to say, oh, that's all?
"Hashimoto-kun? I do, but what about it?"
"I need you to get in touch with him. I want to meet up for a bit."
Hirata narrows his eyes slightly. A suspicious expression.
During this exam, contacting someone from another class suggests two possibilities.
One is an offer of cooperation. The other is betrayal.
How does it look to Hirata? Me trying to act alone.
Of course, it looks like betrayal. Even for the upright Hirata, this is something he can't overlook.
So I preempt him.
"Don't get the wrong idea. This is on Horikita's orders."
"Horikita-san's?"
Hirata's eyes fill with doubt.
On the second day of the uninhabited island exam, I used the same line to convince him of that strategy.
But as the exam progressed, Hirata must have grown suspicious of me.
Especially my solo actions toward the end of the uninhabited island exam—that's probably what's sticking with him.
"Horikita apparently wants a connection to Sakayanagi besides Katsuragi. So she says there's something she wants passed along to a high-ranking member of the Sakayanagi faction."
A plausible lie. I hope he buys it.
Hirata falls silent, thinking.
"…I'm sorry, but I can't do that. It's not because it's you, Ayanokouji-kun—I just can't trust someone acting alone during this exam."
The answer is no. As expected, this guy is sharp. But right now, that sharpness is only getting in my way.
"Also, if I'm being honest, I'm doubting whether it's really Horikita-san's orders."
"Why?"
"Because carrying out instructions exactly as given is surprisingly hard. Even if Horikita-san gave specific orders, you're the one who executed them.
You fulfill tasks better than anyone realizes… That's what I think."
"You're overestimating me."
"Not at all. Actually, I don't believe Horikita-san could come up with a plan on her own. It's far more believable if you two worked on it together."
Rare words from Hirata. He's critiquing Horikita's abilities.
Critique. Not quite condemnation, but coming from a man who treats everyone equally, the weight is different.
"You're underestimating Horikita. Her communication skills are lacking, but her other abilities are high."
"Sure, Horikita-san's abilities are impressive. In this exam, she showed deductive skills I could never match. But I don't think someone who shoulders everything alone could devise a broad-vision strategy like the one from the uninhabited island exam."
Hirata states it firmly. There's strong conviction there.
Trying to deceive him further would be a bad move.
My connection with Hirata is important. I can't afford to fall out with him.
"Ayanokouji-kun, aren't you cooperating with her of your own will?"
"And if I am?"
Hirata's expression shifts slightly at that.
"…Does that mean you're admitting it?"
"Yeah. It's not entirely a lie that I'm following orders. But I'm not cooperating for Horikita's sake."
It's all… for my own sake.
I swallow the words that nearly escaped and look at Hirata again.
His expression changes noticeably. Not from surprise at the unexpected, but as if he's seen something frightening.
"I can't explain the circumstances. But I need your cooperation."
"Ayanokouji-kun. To be honest… this might sound harsh, but you feel eerie to me. That atmosphere, and those eyes."
I have indeed spent a lot of time with Horikita.
Hirata knows that. He must recognize that we were together during the violence incident and the uninhabited island exam.
But I moved too much. That's my mistake. Back then, during that exam, I should have ignored my promise with Chabashira and hidden myself sooner.
During the uninhabited island exam, Hirata had a lot of contact with me. The accumulated unease is undoubtedly what's led to this situation.
"If what you're doing is truly best for the class, I won't hesitate to help.
But I can't cooperate without any explanation—especially not with solo actions. Can't you rely on us more?"
He's repeating words I've heard before, undeterred.
Cooperation. What's normal to others is something entirely different to me.
"…You're right."
I show agreement. It feels like the quickest way.
There are different kinds of lies. Sometimes a kind one like this is necessary.
Hirata, unaware of the truth, is delighted.
He smiles broadly, places a hand on his chest, and gestures as if to say, rely on me.
"What I'm about to do is to uncover the pattern in this cruise ship exam."
I raise both hands as if surrendering, then answer honestly.
As expected, Hirata is greatly surprised by this.
"The exam's pattern!? I see… that's why the solo action."
I haven't said anything yet, but he interprets it in a way that suits me.
I go along with it and continue.
"Something like that. If I ask for everyone's cooperation, it'll actually make it harder to move."
"That's true. But at least tell me what you need. I end up suspecting you otherwise. If you rely on me, I'll help."
"Yeah, I'll be more careful from now on."
With that, the conversation ends.
Hirata quickly works his phone. Once he's done, he shows me the screen.
There's a message drafted to Hashimoto.
"This okay?"
"Yeah, no problem. Thanks, Hirata."
"No worries. Rely on me more from now on."
I nod in response and stand up.
Almost instantly, Hirata's phone chimes.
He checks it and says,
"It's from Hashimoto-kun! …He says it's fine! I'll tell him you're on your way—is that good?"
"Yeah, please."
I straighten my blazer and head for the door.
Before leaving the room, I thank Hirata once more.
He smiles and sees me off.
A certain phrase almost crosses my mind.
About Hirata Yousuke, who rejoices in a false relationship.
But for some reason—just somehow—I savor those words.
Being forced so thoroughly on the back foot during the uninhabited island exam was because of a certain person.
In this exam, there's a part of me—uncharacteristically—holding expectations.
I want to gauge it. Whether they can destroy me.
My heart should be harboring that positive feeling.
Yet, for some reason.
Boring... I feel a slight disgust at those words.
...
"Oh, if it isn't Ayanokouji-kun."
I reach the spot Hirata specified and scan the surroundings.
It's the emergency stairwell area of the luxury cruise ship. The path here is a single corridor with no foot traffic, but I check anyway—thoroughness is second nature.
As I do, the person I'm here to meet emerges from deeper in and calls out to me.
"I thought Hirata-kun was the one who called me out here~"
The one laughing like he finds this utterly amusing is Hashimoto Masayoshi from Class A.
My negotiator from the uninhabited island exam.
"My name was in the message."
"Just kidding. Relax, Ayanokouji."
Hashimoto closes the distance with familiar ease and reaches to throw an arm around my shoulder.
I brush his hand away.
"Our relationship is strictly negotiator and negotiated. Unnecessary physical contact isn't required."
"Scary stuff. As expected from the guy who didn't save his own class."
His smirking face is the kind that irritates people. Some might even throw a punch.
For me, though, it's irrelevant.
"No, seriously—I've always wondered. Why don't you step into the spotlight? Back then, you knew everything.
Everything Class A and Class C were planning. If you'd tried a little harder, there was at least some chance of winning, right?"
"That's over. The outcome was exactly as I predicted. That should have proven my value."
"If the future turns out exactly as you said, you wanted a cooperative relationship…"
The future I described is Class A and Class C coming out on top. And the process to reach it.
I told him that. And if that future proved correct, I asked for opportunities to cooperate going forward.
Of course, my initial goal was to extract information from him. But that proved impossible.
During that exam, he already had a prior betrayal agreement. Bound by contract, I realized moving him was out of the question and used him as my negotiator as planned.
"But there's no written proof, right?"
Hashimoto always speaks in that playful tone. But his eyes aren't smiling. He's no mere clown.
It's obvious he's gauging my reaction.
"I believe I said we'd cross that bridge when we came to it."
I say it without any particular gesture.
No need to clench a fist. Hashimoto knows my physical capabilities.
"Kidding. I'll pass on fighting a guy who casually moves through the treetops."
"Sorry, but I'm not idle enough to trade jokes. I would've preferred to avoid contact with you altogether."
"Cold as ever. Still, I'm all for exchanging contacts while we're here."
We both take out our phones and swap information.
My address book is gradually filling up—something to note, but not the priority right now.
"Let's get to business. Hashimoto, show me every member of your group."
"…That's all? I figured you'd demand I tell you all of Class A's VIPs."
"I'm already 99% certain of the VIPs. But it's not confirmed. Seeing your group members will give me 100% certainty."
Hashimoto's eyebrow twitches. He's hooked—I can work with that.
Honestly, I don't need information from him to raise the pattern's credibility.
If Hirata had shown me a random list from our own class earlier, I could have confirmed it easily.
But I need him to bite. I have to demonstrate my competence to him—become his number one, his favored ally.
Of course, we're in different classes. We'll compete eventually. When that time comes, Hashimoto might talk about my abilities to others.
But even if he does, it won't matter. As long as he sees me as his best option—as long as he believes he can win by staying under me—Hashimoto won't betray.
In fact, a person like Hashimoto could even become my pawn in the form of a spy.
This is the stage where I make him compliant.
"Big talk. So you'll tell me this so-called pattern?"
"That's the plan."
There are currently eleven groups left, excluding the Rat Group.
Following the pattern, the Rat Group's VIP is in Class A. But Kamukura has almost certainly already guessed it.
With one VIP down, Class A is in a tight spot.
"I contacted you to build trust for the future. To that end, I'll tell you the future of this exam as well."
"I see. So you want me to trust you. To establish a mutually beneficial relationship."
"When Class A and Class D compete, we stay out of each other's way. Otherwise, we lend a hand. Not a bad deal."
"Yeah, not bad."
Hashimoto flashes an unsettling grin. This is probably closer to his true nature.
"And one more thing—"
"—Don't reveal my existence, right? Honestly, that's the one thing I'll never understand."
As before, I press him not to expose me.
Whether it's a verbal promise or written, Hashimoto is the type who chooses any means for his own ends.
He operates in the shadows with Class D students and committed betrayal during the uninhabited island exam—all without batting an eye.
Because Hashimoto craves the winning position above all. He won't easily discard any possibility.
At the same time, he discards worthless possibilities instantly. No matter what.
So that part doesn't matter. The important thing is simply preventing betrayal.
As long as I remain a valuable option, Hashimoto is still trustworthy.
Of course, creating this situation was a gamble. That much comes down to "luck."
"Here. These are the members of my group."
Hashimoto shows me his phone screen with what looks like a memo he made.
I check it and, as expected, the VIP pattern holds.
He didn't feed me false information—contact is off to a good start.
I also confirm he's not recording on his phone.
He might be using another device, but since we moved straight to business after meeting, he wouldn't have had time.
The probability is near zero.
"Don't just satisfy yourself. Tell me—what's the pattern?"
"The VIPs in this exam are assigned based on the zodiac animal order and the alphabetical order of the students' last names in each group."
The VIP pattern. Exactly as I said.
For example, the Dragon Group. Dragon is fifth in the zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon.
The Dragon Group's VIP is Kushida. The members are Andou, Katsuragi, Kamisato, Kanzaki, Kushida—fifth.
When the numbers align like this, the VIP pattern applies.
Take my own Rabbit Group. Rabbit is fourth, and the fourth member is—Karuizawa.
Surprisingly simple.
"Hah? That's it?"
Hashimoto looks half-doubtful but starts checking on his phone.
When he finishes, his eyes widen.
"No way… it actually matches!"
He glances back at his phone and moves quickly.
He's testing other patterns too.
Testing alternatives means he already knows multiple VIPs.
The casual way he does this confirms he's no lightweight.
"Hey, Ayanokouji. Since you told me, that means I'm free to use the pattern, right?"
"I don't mind… but this time, you should hold off."
"…Why?"
A perfectly reasonable question.
It's like having food in front of you but being told not to eat.
"I'm already executing a strategy. If you guess a VIP on your own now, it'll create cracks."
"Pretty selfish. Why should I listen?"
"No reason. But don't worry—it's not zero benefit."
Hashimoto leaks a suspicious grin at my near-warning and waits for my answer.
"In this exam, Class D is cooperating with Class B. We'll use the pattern to wipe out Class A and Class C's VIPs completely."
"Whoa, hold on. That'd crush Class A."
Hashimoto interrupts, pausing the explanation.
A natural question, but he's jumping the gun.
"Listen to the end. We plan to ask Class A for cooperation too. Then the three classes will gang up exclusively on Class C."
"…Terrifying! It's the simplest strategy anyone would think of first, but I'm impressed you're making it realistic and executing it."
I ignore Hashimoto's loud laughter and check the surroundings again for good measure.
Unless we're in a soundproof room, voices echo more than expected. But it's unfounded worry—no signs of anyone.
"So Class C gets beaten to a pulp—that's the future this time. But… it doesn't quite pay off for us."
Hashimoto keeps his composure, overlapping his palms behind his neck.
He leans against the door leading to the emergency stairs.
"Our current leader, Katsuragi, doesn't easily change his opinions.
If he refuses that strategy, do I—just knowing the pattern—have to sit and take it? That's harsh."
"Then do whatever you want. Guess freely if you like—but then you'll make enemies of Class B and Class D."
"Haha, a threat. Cut it out. It's rough on a coward like me."
Even so, he doesn't lose his ease.
That's enough. He really is a good negotiator.
He voices his own opinions while instantly considering the next possibility. This composure isn't bluff—it comes from having some kind of plan.
Even if it were a bluff, the acting ability would be impressive.
He finds the optimal path through his own thinking alone. Simply put, smart.
He knows when to retreat—and when not to.
He can solidly judge what benefits him.
Excellent. My analysis is mostly complete.
"Sorry. I tested you a bit. Your skills as a negotiator."
"Hah, you're a bad one. I broke out in a cold sweat. So—since you're saying that, you've prepared something for me?"
"Yeah. If Katsuragi won't move, you guess the people we designate."
"Which class?"
"Two from Class C. Points that were supposed to be split with Class B."
He smiles, apparently satisfied.
Let me summarize the discussion so far.
If Katsuragi cooperates, the three classes work together, mutually guess each other's VIPs, then split Class C's points.
Per class (excluding Class A), 50 Class Points and 500,000 Private Points. The gains are small, but Class C takes –150 Class Points and –1,500,000 Private Points in penalties.
If Katsuragi refuses, Class D proceeds as planned to gain 50 Class Points and 500,000 Private Points, while Class A guesses two Class C VIPs for profit.
That's the outline.
Of course, there's a hole. One created by the man named Kamukura Izuru.
Class A already owes a debt to Class C.
Because of that, in this exam, they need to guess at least two more VIPs to break even.
And above all, given the number of their own VIPs, a straight 1:1 trade isn't even possible.
"I see. So the other classes do whatever they want."
"No, that's not it."
Hashimoto, who should have grasped the situation, looks puzzled at my denial.
Keeping his understanding shallow here would allow better maneuvering later.
But thinking ahead, I raise Hashimoto's favorability.
I deliberately withheld the 1:1 trade strategy to earn trust here.
Being the one who eliminates Class A's crisis—even if manipulated—creates a debt.
"What do you mean, not it?"
"That is—"
And so I explain everything to Hashimoto.
That Kamukura has already guessed Class A's VIPs. That Kamukura knows the VIP pattern.
That we must end all exams quickly. And to avoid retaliatory revenge, we use the 1:1 trade strategy to solidify defense.
"What do you think? Satisfied?"
A rather mean question, if I say so myself. Hashimoto collapses his composed pose, slides down the door into an air chair, right hand to his face as he thinks.
He's clearly shaken.
"…Can we pull it off?"
"Probably not. But what we do doesn't change. I'm executing this strategy."
"…Tch. So it depends on Katsuragi's judgment. Actually, if he stays stubborn, we might even gain more points. And Class C takes damage either way."
As Hashimoto processes the situation, I nod to confirm.
"If you want to resent Class A's current state, direct it at Kamukura, not me."
"No point resenting the past. The issue is judgment for the present. Judgment considering the future."
He's already switched mindsets, desperately thinking of the best path for Class A.
It's up to individual decisions now. I've conveyed what I needed to.
We can contact later.
"I'm heading back to my room. Well—if I had advice, it'd be to bet everything on maintaining the status quo."
"Easy for you to say."
"Well, let me know once you decide."
I turn back the way I came to return to my room.
Time-wise, it's dinner soon. With less than two hours until the second group discussion, everyone is probably taking some kind of action.
On the way back, my phone vibrates.
Checking it, it's from Horikita. Apparently, negotiations with Class B succeeded.
Relieved that the plan is proceeding smoothly, I pocket the phone.
***
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