Chapter 092: The Battle Plan; Class A Wants V3? No, It's Class D at V3
At 9:30 AM, the wind on the cruise ship was stronger than in the early morning, brushing across the deck with a salty, damp scent. Many students had already gathered on the deck; some were solemnly organizing their belongings, clearly prepared for the upcoming exam.
Of course, others remained utterly bewildered, huddling in groups of twos and threes to whisper, evidently not yet recovered from the ship's leisurely atmosphere and having no clue about the impending test. This was the difference between Classes A, B, C, and Class D.
Just then, the ship's broadcast system suddenly rang out. The voice of Class A's homeroom teacher, Mashima Tomonari, echoed clearly through every corner of the vessel.
"Attention all students. If you have the time, please gather on the deck. We are about to sight an island. You will likely witness a very meaningful sight shortly."
The broadcast wasn't formal—it was even somewhat "strangely" casual—but it instantly ignited the students' emotions. Students who had been procrastinating in their cabins quickened their pace toward the deck, and those scattered across the deck began to cluster where the crowd was densest. For a moment, the deck became boisterous.
Amidst the noise, small frictions were inevitable. However, this time, the friction didn't arise from the previous dispute between Class C and Class D in the restaurant; instead, it erupted between Class A and Class D.
Sudo Ken, Yamauchi Haruki, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, and Ike Kanji of Class D walked onto the deck side-by-side.
Sudo maintained his usual brash demeanor, hands in his pockets and brows slightly furrowed, clearly annoyed by the sudden broadcast.
Three months had passed since enrollment, and logically they should have gained some experience. However, because the incident where Sudo got into a fight in the original story never happened, Sudo had not experienced that growth.
Yamauchi looked around with eyes full of curiosity, leaning in to whisper to Ike Kanji from time to time. As a public enemy of Class D, he still lacked any self-awareness.
Ike Kanji, unable to find anyone else to hang out with, could only follow the two, his gaze involuntarily drawn to the strange actions of the various classes on deck. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, trailing at the very back, maintained his low presence, following behind the three like a "tool man."
The four stopped and scanned the deck, quickly noticing the abnormalities in the other three classes.
First was Katsuragi Kohei of Class A, standing alone at the highest railing of the deck. He held binoculars in his left hand, staring at the distant island with intense focus. He would then lower the binoculars, take out a small notebook and a pen, and look down to quickly sketch
something—it looked as though he was outlining the island's terrain. Meanwhile, Ichinose Honami of Class B was methodically organizing her students to take photos and collect data on the island with cameras.
Ryuen Kakeru of Class C leaned against the railing with a lollipop in his mouth, commanding several students, each holding binoculars at different positions on the deck to observe the island from all angles.
This scene confused the four from Class D. It felt like all the other classes were busy, but they had no idea what they were busy with.
"Hey, what are they all looking at? Acting all mysterious," Ike Kanji scratched his head, looking puzzled. As he spoke, he moved toward the high ground where Katsuragi was. "Let's go over and see; maybe we can figure something out."
But as soon as he took a step, he was blocked by two tall Class A students. One was a tall, thin boy with light green hair wearing a tracksuit. He stood with his arms crossed, looking down at Ike Kanji with a gaze full of arrogance and disdain. It was Totsuka Yahiko of Class A.
"Hold it. This isn't a place for people like you. Get lost!"
Totsuka Yahiko's voice was full of insolence and provocation.
The smile on Ike Kanji's face froze instantly. He instinctively wanted to argue back, but Yamauchi Haruki beat him to it. Perhaps sensing Ayanokouji standing nearby, or perhaps feeling he had a backer, the habitually sycophantic Yamauchi suddenly found his courage. He tilted his chin up, speaking with the arrogance of a petty man who had found success. "Exactly! All expenses on this ship are paid for by the school, and the deck is a public area. Regardless of where you stand, there's no distinction between classes, right? Why is Class A being so arrogant and not letting us through?"
These words were exactly what Ayanokouji had said when they were with Class C in the restaurant, so Yamauchi was simply lifting and using them directly.
"Heh." Totsuka Yahiko sneered, the disdain in his eyes deepening. "Just because you're the 'defective products' of Class D? Even if we showed you, would you understand? Katsuragi-kun is mapping the island's terrain to prepare for the upcoming exam. You Class D trash wouldn't understand even if you looked; you'll just be in the way."
A burst of laughter erupted from the surrounding Class A students.
Yamauchi and the others' faces turned red instantly. Sudo also felt this was self-inflicted humiliation.
But what did they say? An exam? What exam? Did they mean they weren't here for a vacation, but for a test?
Just then, Katsuragi Kohei lowered his binoculars and turned around, his gaze calmly settling on Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. The notebook in his hand was already filled with the parts he felt he could draw, faintly showing the island's general outline and terrain distribution.
The day before yesterday, after Kamuro Masumi obtained information from Hikigaya Hachiman, she told him immediately. She specifically warned him that Ayanokouji of Class D might be a serious threat and that Class D might rise during this exam.
Therefore, Totsuka Yahiko's interference just now wasn't an impulse; it was a deliberate test Katsuragi had arranged. He wanted to see just how much strength this Ayanokouji, whom even Hikigaya had mentioned with emphasis, actually possessed and if he was truly worth taking seriously.
However, Ayanokouji's performance just now disappointed him. From beginning to end, Ayanokouji had just stood quietly to the side—not speaking, not arguing, not even showing a hint of annoyance, as if Totsuka's provocation and Yamauchi's arrogance had nothing to do with him.
Such a performance was far too mediocre, too inconspicuous to be worth his effort to worry about.
At the very least, he should have been like Hikigaya Hachiman of Class B. Upon sensing the signs of an exam, Hikigaya had reacted immediately, monopolizing all the cameras so other classes wouldn't have the chance to obtain visual data of the island. That was an opponent worthy of his respect.
In contrast, the Ayanokouji before him looked no different from any other Class D student—still appearing muddled and inactive.
"Everyone, let's step back a bit and keep the peace." Just then, a gentle voice suddenly rang out, breaking the standoff.
Hirata Yosuke of Class D, with his light green hair, had walked over at some point. With a gentle smile, he waved toward Totsuka Yahiko while speaking to Ike and Yamauchi. "The deck is a public area, and everyone can stand here. However, Katsuragi-kun is working, so let's not disturb him. We can just look from somewhere else."
Usually, Hirata spent most of his time at school handling minor internal conflicts within Class D and mediating disputes between classmates. He rarely appeared in these inter-class frictions, so his appearance now surprised many.
However, because of his gentle personality and friendliness, he had a good reputation in Class D and the entire first-year group. Since he had stepped in to mediate, neither side could easily continue the confrontation.
But Katsuragi Kohei only gave Hirata a faint glance, not taking him to heart. In his eyes, Hirata Yosuke was merely a "good guy" who only knew how to smooth things over. Though he had
ability, he lacked ambition and was not worthy of being compared to him, let alone mediating a conflict between Class A and Class D.
"The exam hasn't even started, and you Class D have already lost." Just then, Ryuen Kakeru lowered his binoculars and walked over slowly, lollipop still in his mouth. His tone was full of arrogance and certainty as his gaze swept over Ayanokouji and the others with provocation. "You don't even have the awareness to gather information in advance and prepare for the exam, yet you dare challenge Class A? In this island exam, Class D is destined to be last again—destined to be nothing more than our stepping stone."
"Um, Ryuen-kun, what does that mean?" A soft voice sounded. Kushida Kikyo, looking like a little angel with her short blonde hair, also appeared on the deck and walked over quickly.
However, it wasn't just Kushida; there was also a beautiful girl with straight black hair and fox-like eyes.
It was Horikita Suzune.
Compared to her state over the last two days, Horikita Suzune looked much better. Her complexion had returned to its usual fairness, though she remained somewhat silent. Her silence was normal; even in Class D, she was like a "flower on a high peak"—not a bright, gaudy flower, but one with a cold, aloof aura.
Anyone could see the atmosphere was tense.
Several seconds passed after Kushida's question without anyone replying.
As a student of Class D and Kushida's ally, Horikita Suzune naturally had to speak up. She said directly, "It likely means that we are about to have a special exam on this island. The students of Classes A, B, and C noticed this in advance, so they have been observing the island's situation to prepare. The reason they say Class D has lost is because they think we haven't prepared and are already behind them."
"Interesting." Ryuen raised an eyebrow, looking at Horikita Suzune with some surprise. The mockery in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a hint of appreciation.
"I didn't expect Class D to have someone with a brain like yours. Not like some people who, despite being Class D students, lack even the most basic perception."
Ryuen always preferred talking to people with brains and ambition. Though Horikita appeared cold, she was sharp and had seen through their intentions instantly, which earned her a bit of his respect.
However, Ryuen hadn't forgotten that he had seen Horikita walking with Hikigaya Hachiman several times before; the interaction between them was subtle.
In his view, Horikita was likely just a "tool" Hachiman had placed in Class D—a pawn used by Hikigaya to penetrate and manipulate the class.
Class D had Ayanokouji, and then they had Hachiman's tool. This Class D was truly being infiltrated left and right.
However.
What Hikigaya said didn't seem reliable either, because Ayanokouji of Class D looked like he had arrived here completely ignorant, lacking even the ability to gather information in advance.
How could such a person require his special attention? And how could he lead Class D to rise in the exam?
He couldn't understand it.
Thus, Ryuen sneered, ignored the Class D group, and turned back to his own students. Totsuka Yahiko, following Katsuragi's signal, also pulled back his arrogance and stopped blocking the Class D students.
Seeing the dispute settle, Hirata Yosuke showed a relieved smile. He smiled at Ayanokouji and the others and said, "Alright, let's not overthink it. Let's find a spot and look at the island ourselves. Maybe we can see something and prepare for the exam too."
Sudo Ken and the others, who had just been blocked by Totsuka, snorted. They were clearly still unhappy about the provocation but didn't act impulsively. Mumbling "What a jerk," they followed Hirata to the other side of the deck.
"..." Ayanokouji.
Ayanokouji's gaze did not remain on the students of Classes A, B, and C. He looked away, seemingly searching for someone else.
Katsuragi, the representative of Class A, was here. Ryuen of Class C was here. But for Class B, only Ichinose Honami was present. If all three classes were gathering information for the exam, then where was the other representative of Class B?
If he wasn't here, then perhaps the information the three classes were currently gathering wasn't that important.
So he thought.
Hachiman was indeed not on the crowded side of the deck. On the other side, Hachiman was leaning against the railing alone, looking out.
His eyes were fixed on the distant island. It wasn't too far away now; he could faintly see the vegetation and general outline. The terrain didn't look complex; it truly looked like an artificial island built specifically for a special exam.
"Yo, Hikigaya-boy. What do you think of this island?" Just then, a lazy voice suddenly spoke beside him, breaking the silence.
Hearing that very distinctive nickname, Hachiman quickly looked over. If he wasn't mistaken, there was likely only one person in this school who would give out such a nickname.
Sure enough.
He saw a muscular, blonde-haired male who looked like a bodybuilding champion.
It was Koenji Rokusuke.
The surname was one often heard in high-society circles: The Koenji Group. And the flamboyant, tall blonde male before him was the sole son of the Koenji Conglomerate.
Yes, the sole son of the Koenji Conglomerate.
The weight of Koenji Rokusuke's name was obvious. Not only that, but in the original story, he was a monster whose physical stats and various talents could rival the protagonist, Ayanokouji. If Ayanokouji was a genius created by the White Room, Koenji was a "wild" genius.
Extremely arrogant and extremely whimsical.
In this regard, he was similar to Kiryuin Fuuka from r Kiriyama's class (2nd year Class B) in the original story. One held the title of "Beautiful Older Brother," and the other "Beautiful Older Sister." Both possessed extraordinary physical fitness and skill levels, yet were very free and casual.
However, Hachiman and Koenji had never spoken. Hachiman only remembered his name because he had paid extra attention when he arranged for Horikita to buy tickets from Class D and had the whole class sign them.
But why was he asking him now?
"Who knows. If it's the exam site, there probably isn't much risk. Large predators or venomous snakes shouldn't exist. After all, everyone's health is important," Hachiman said.
"..." Koenji Rokusuke paused, the playfulness on his face fading slightly as a flicker of disappointment crossed his eyes.
"Then that's quite boring. I thought there would be something thrilling. It seems this is just an artificial island made for exams; there's no challenge at all."
Koenji always sought excitement and had no interest in such plain, unchallenging tests.
However, just as Hachiman thought Koenji might lose interest and leave after finding out it was an artificial island, he noticed Koenji looking at him with what seemed to be curiosity.
"Do you have points?" Koenji suddenly asked.
Hm?
Hachiman didn't reply, so Koenji continued, "You look like someone with a plan. I assume you've already thought of how to obtain points in this exam?"
Hachiman understood what he meant. He was talking about obtaining points from Hachiman. In the original story, Koenji hoped to buy points with money, offering a premium over the school's buyback price to seniors nearing graduation to amass 20 million private points and transfer classes.
This would allow him to achieve the "Graduate from Class A" option. But now, it seemed Koenji was looking to get those 20 million points from Hachiman.
In other words, was he trying to "buy" them from him?
Despite understanding this, Hachiman replied:
"If you apply yourself well during the special exams and seize every opportunity, it's possible to obtain a large number of points. So, as long as you stay attached to and utilize Class D, you, Koenji, can collect that many points yourself."
"Are you advising me to support Class D?" Koenji raised an eyebrow as if he found the suggestion mediocre. But a second later, he seemed to have a sudden realization. A playful smile curled his lips, and his eyes brightened.
"Interesting! Quite interesting!
Hikigaya-boy, you really are cunning. You're not advising me to support Class D; you're clearly advising me not to lead Class D and not to compete with you for points, aren't you?"
Hachiman didn't deny it. He knew that as a top-tier individual, Koenji's perspective, thinking, and reaction speed were naturally different—far superior to Kushida or Horikita.
This also meant he had a reaction speed on the level of Ayanokouji. He had realized Hachiman's purpose just by hearing him speak. Since he had been seen through, there was no point in hiding it.
Hachiman said bluntly, "I am merely making a suggestion. Whether you listen or not is up to you.
Furthermore, I have also extended an invitation to Horikita Suzune from your class. If she gathers 20 million points, she can transfer to my class."
"Oh? I see." Koenji came to a realization, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes. "So that's why Horikita-girl has started taking action lately? I wondered why she suddenly became active—no, not just active, but more composed. One could say the her of the first month and the her of early this month are like two different people."
Horikita-girl?
Hachiman remembered this was Koenji's nickname for Horikita in the original story; he basically addressed all girls that way. Boys were "XX-boy." Of course, he only gave these titles to people he deemed worth his attention. If it were Sudo, he'd be "Red-haired boy," and Koenji wouldn't even bother remembering his surname.
However, Koenji was right about Horikita Suzune being "like a different person"; there was indeed a significant difference.
In the first month, ten days after enrollment, Horikita Suzune had bought information from Hachiman to learn the truth about the school, then immediately exposed that information to Class D solely to collect points. One could say that even if Koenji wasn't there at the time, hearing about it later, he found it quite foolish.
However, at the beginning of the month, when Horikita Suzune stood at the podium facing Hirata's breakdown and the looming expulsion of Sudo and Yamauchi, she wanted to suggest the move Ayanokouji proposed—using points to buy grades to save the class's evaluation. When she realized she couldn't, she remained silent. That restraint made her seem more introverted and thoughtful.
Koenji Rokusuke looked at Hachiman, the playfulness in his eyes fading into a rare moment of seriousness. He spoke slowly, "If you can win big in this exam, get a massive amount of points, and impress me... then I can give you a chance. After we graduate, even if you don't graduate from Class A and even if you don't have a degree from a prestigious university, I can give you the opportunity to work at my family's company."
These words seemed casual but held immense sincerity and temptation.
Because Koenji Rokusuke was the sole son of the Koenji Conglomerate, he was destined to inherit the family business. This was an invitation from the future leader of the Koenji Conglomerate. The power of the Koenji Conglomerate was beyond imagination; even an inconspicuous position had a very high barrier to entry. Many elites from prestigious universities fought tooth and nail and still couldn't get in.
To most students, this was undoubtedly an incredible opportunity—a chance to ensure a bright future, live an elite life with ease, and change their entire life. As long as they agreed and performed well in the exam, they could escape mediocrity and have a brilliant future.
However...
Such a future was the one Hikigaya Hachiman hated and loathed the most.
Because entering Koenji's company meant becoming a "Corporate Slave", even an "Elite Corporate Slave"! He would still have to work! And to Hachiman, that was the most terrifying curse.
"I have no such intention," Hachiman refused quickly. "My dream for the future is to be a house husband."
"..." Koenji.
Koenji stared at him for several seconds. Even he couldn't comprehend what the other had said. He never expected that the tempting olive branch he proactively threw would be rejected by Hikigaya Hachiman without a moment's hesitation.
To be a house husband?
What kind of weird dream was that?
In his view, Hachiman was meticulous and skilled—a person with great ability and ambition. Such a person should be like him: pursuing higher status, more wealth, and a more brilliant future. How could he just want to be a mediocre house husband?
So you want your wife to support you?
You clearly have strength, yet you chose that option.
Koenji Rokusuke shook his head, his voice full of regret. "How truly unfortunate. I thought we could become good partners, but I didn't expect you to have such a strange dream. In that case, I won't force you. I wish you success in achieving your dream soon."
With that, Koenji didn't stay. He turned and left that side of the deck, walking toward the Class D students. He didn't have much ambition for this exam anyway, and leading Class D to get points or raise their rank was out of the question.
In his view, even if they got points, given Class D's nature, they would lose them quickly; it was meaningless. Rather, if he led them up once, the Class D people wouldn't be grateful; they would just use moral kidnapping to make him keep slaving away for the class in the next exam.
That was the situation he hated most.
I have ability? Yes. But I only fight for myself.
Especially since, even if he was in Class D, he had other options. The one thing he didn't lack was money. If he could settle things with money, why touch the "pit" that was Class D?
He felt a bit of regret, though. On one hand, his recruitment of Hachiman had failed—though it was a whim, so being rejected wasn't too bad, he just couldn't understand the other's logic.
Truly, even between geniuses, there might be incomprehensible chasms.
His other regret was the exam itself. If it were a deserted island full of challenges and the unknown, it might have piqued his interest. But if it were just a plain, unchallenging artificial island, then it was truly too boring.
No challenge.
Hachiman watched Koenji leave. Just then, a cold figure slowly walked to his side, carrying the faint scent of body wash. Girls rarely refrained from using any makeup or perfume at all.
Hachiman turned his head and saw Horikita Suzune standing beside him. She still had her usual stiff expression, but there was a hint of bashfulness in her eyes.
Bashfulness?
Horikita is being bashful?
Having seen her arrogant, weak (pathetic sister), and frail (sick) states, this current look didn't seem too strange anymore. With his accumulated experience, Hachiman immediately understood what she wanted to say. He took the initiative to ask, "Have you recovered?"
"Yes," Horikita said.
Hearing Hachiman's words, she visibly let out a sigh of relief, and her tense body relaxed. "Thanks to you."
"Then for this upcoming exam, give it your all. Once the rules are announced and everyone arrives on the island, I will come to you. Before then, you can explain the 'distribution according to work' system to Class D," Hachiman said.
"We need to maximize the resources of this exam."
"Understood!" Horikita nodded.
She was also eyeing this opportunity to get enough points. That was why she had put all her effort into fully recovering her health. However...
"I ran into Chabashira this morning. She actually took the initiative to greet me. It was a bit strange," Horikita added.
Is that so? Chabashira has changed some.
That's because your teacher, Chabashira, regardless of the island exam result or whether Class D rises, has to prepare to resign. She has decided that after teaching your year, she will leave this school entirely, let go of her years of obsession and regret, and start a new life.
She had been wallowing in the past, imprisoned by the regrets and obsessions of those years, forcing her will onto her students and using them as tools to achieve her dream. Such a person had never been truly happy or free.
Only by truly letting go of all that and abandoning her obsession could she be reborn, live her own life, escape the shadows of the past, and embrace a new future.
A long string of thoughts flashed through Hachiman's mind.
However...
"Perhaps she just realized some things and let go of some obsessions. She should be more tolerant toward Class D from now on," Hachiman said briefly to Horikita.
"..."
At this stage, Horikita didn't know that Chabashira once wanted to use her as a tool to get Class D to Class A, but she felt that if Chabashira had let go of her obsessions, it was probably a good thing.
So she nodded.
Except...
"Koenji was just trying to recruit you. Are you sure your ideal is really to be a house husband?" Horikita continued.
Ah.
It seemed she had been listening from the side. He didn't know how much she heard, but she clearly caught the key points.
"Naturally, a house husband. It is my lifelong pursuit. My hard work now is, in a sense, to get closer to that ideal," Hachiman said very honestly.
"...But you clearly have strength..." Horikita found it impossible to understand.
"Wait until you have to go to work in the future, then work overtime, and come home after a long day. You'll understand then," Hachiman said, suddenly patting her shoulder.
"Marriage is a system where a person's existence goes to die. All married people chatter on about their so-called marital bliss, how they love saying 'I'm home!' to their spouse, or how seeing their sleeping children inspires them to fight again tomorrow.
But think about it: you can say 'I'm home!' if you live at your parents' house. You could even buy a bottle of mouthwash and say 'I'm home!' to the hippo on the label. If they talk about seeing their sleeping children, it just means they are working overtime until late. How is that happiness?
So, marriage, working, overtime—these are all terrifying things. If I become a house husband, I can avoid those choices," Hachiman said.
"..."
Although someone had suddenly patted her shoulder—and normally she would have been repulsed—now, she wasn't. On one hand, she was confused by Hachiman's words; on another, she disagreed with them; and on a third, it was the first time she had heard his inner thoughts so clearly as a conversation.
Before, he had only mentioned in his inner monologue that he wanted to be a house husband and already had a target to "conquer"—that Yukinoshita girl who was stronger than him in every way but could satisfy his requirement of supporting him and his sister.
But now, he was telling her his inner thoughts directly.
However...
She didn't get it. She didn't get it.
Horikita found it incomprehensible. Hachiman's way of speaking made it sound like he was terrified of the high-pressure life of a corporate slave.
But Horikita Suzune was someone who could spend 16 hours a day studying. To her, working—even working overtime—couldn't be as grueling as her current studies, right?
Then, at 10:00 AM, all the students heard the school broadcast again. They were required to bring only two changes of clothes and personal toiletries and gather on the deck for the announcement of the special exam.
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