Chapter 137: This Night, the A and C Class Lights Burn Bright!
Almost immediately after the notification that the Sheep Group's exam had ended, Hachiman noticed his attention level spike once again. However, this was a small-scale situation now. His expression didn't change in the slightest.
Meeting Sakayanagi and Hiyori's gazes, Hachiman shook his head.
"It wasn't me," he said, spreading his hands. "I had no intention of making a move tonight."
Having said that, he pointedly gave Sakayanagi a meaningful look.
Meeting his gaze, Sakayanagi was slightly startled for a moment, and then the smile at the corners of her mouth deepened slightly.
'I see.'
Her mind raced, filling in the blanks.
'Hikigaya-kun didn't act—but why did he give me that specific look? Does he think I've already mastered the VIP pattern, so he abandoned his original plan to intervene? It seems Hikigaya-kun hasn't discovered my acting yet; Class A hasn't actually deduced the pattern, I've just made it appear as if we have.'
Sakayanagi lowered her eyelids and took a gentle sip from her water cup. Regardless, the message conveyed by that look was positive—Hikigaya-kun believed Class A held the pattern. For Class A, this was a good thing.
Just then, Katsuragi Kohei's phone vibrated.
He looked down, pulled out his phone to check the screen, and his brow furrowed instantly. It was a message from Totsuka Yahiko—his right-hand man and a core member of the Katsuragi faction in Class A.
[Katsuragi-kun, it's me. I made the guess for the Sheep Group.]
Katsuragi's pupils contracted slightly. He looked up, his gaze subconsciously sweeping over Sakayanagi before quickly retracting. His fingers slid across the screen to open the details.
[The Class B students in our group knew nothing, but Tokito Hiroya from Class C was acting too strange today. He kept stealing glances at Matsushita Chiaki from Class D, and every time Matsushita spoke, he would get reflexively nervous.]
[I observed for a long time and finally discovered it: the email on Matsushita Chiaki's phone was the confirmation for being selected as the VIP! So I just made the guess.]
Katsuragi stared at those lines, silent for a few seconds.
The Sheep Group.
Yahiko was indeed in the Sheep Group. The Class B students in that group, following Class B's strategy, truly played dumb. As for Tokito Hiroya from Class C... he remembered the name; he was a troublemaker in Class C. Hashimoto had reported that this Tokito had previously been publicly suppressed by Ryuen at McDonald's and was forced to record an audio clip of "voluntarily" showing the school's email.
Tokito wasn't the most important part, though. What mattered was that this was Yahiko's unauthorized action. However, if Yahiko's judgment was correct—then Class A might get back 100 points!
Although the results of the Monkey Group from the morning hadn't been announced, it was basically confirmed that Class A had lost points. If they could gain points from the Sheep Group now, it would manage to pull back the disadvantage.
But.
Was Yahiko really right?
The ever-cautious Katsuragi frowned slightly.
At that moment, the phone of Ryuen Kakeru, sitting opposite Katsuragi, also vibrated.
He pulled out his phone, glanced at the screen, and his expression turned subtle. He looked up, his gaze landing on Hachiman, then shifting to Sakayanagi, before finally returning to his phone.
This message was from Tokito Hiroya.
[Ryuen, something happened. The Sheep Group exam ended early. Someone from Class A made a guess—they filled in Matsushita Chiaki from Class D.]
Ryuen's brow knit tighter. He replied quickly: "And the result?"
The reply came almost instantly.
[Ryuen, I wanted to guess too, but Totsuka from Class A beat me to it. That guy was too fast; I just pulled out my phone and he had already submitted.]
Ryuen stared at the text, his frown deepening. He tapped the screen rapidly.
"You damn well wanted to guess too? How many times have I said to follow orders and no unauthorized actions! Why the hell do you think Matsushita Chiaki is the VIP?"
A reply popped up quickly.
[I saw it with my own eyes! During the group discussion, someone messaged Matsushita Chiaki and she opened it. She switched to her mail app too fast, and I was sitting right next to her. The screen clearly showed the VIP notification email—the line 'Congratulations, you are lucky enough to be selected as the VIP'—I saw it with my own eyes!]
[It wasn't just me; Totsuka Yahiko from Class A saw it too. That guy reacted faster than me.]
Ryuen's pupils narrowed. "And then?"
[Then that guy Totsuka immediately asked other students in the group for Matsushita's number and called it on the spot. Matsushita's phone rang—the very one she was holding. She looked panicked.]
[So it's confirmed, that phone is Matsushita's and the email is real. Matsushita Chiaki is the VIP!]
Ryuen stared at the lines, his breathing hitching slightly.
If the email was real, and if Matsushita was the VIP—then Totsuka's guess was correct, and Class A would gain 100 points. Meanwhile, his Class C got nothing. Even though Tokito discovered it first, he wasn't nearly as agile as Class A's Totsuka. Furthermore, Class A was smart enough to call and confirm.
Ryuen: "..."
However, Ryuen's brow was tied in a knot.
He stared at the screen, his mind churning. The email was real, the phone was hers—so Matsushita is the VIP. But why did it feel like something was off?
Yet, the email couldn't be faked. Calling her number and having her phone ring couldn't be faked either. It could only be said that the Class D student exposed herself, thinking she was hiding it well, only to fail. Trash Class D.
Ryuen took a deep breath, his fingers continuing to tap.
"So you planned to guess? Did my words go in one ear and out the other?"
Tokito's reply carried a hint of dissatisfaction.
[I saw the evidence, why couldn't I guess? If it was right, it would have been 100 points for Class C! The only regret is that Totsuka from Class A was too fast...]
Ryuen stared at the words, and anger flared up inside him.
'Idiots. A bunch of idiots.'
He slammed his phone onto the table with a thwack that sounded particularly harsh in the quiet room. Everyone's eyes turned toward him.
Ryuen ignored the stares, his face dark as he glared at Katsuragi. Katsuragi was also looking at him; their gazes clashed in mid-air.
Ryuen spoke first, his tone filled with undisguised mockery and anger. "Katsuragi, did Totsuka from your class make a guess?"
Katsuragi was silent for two seconds before slowly nodding. "Yes."
Ryuen sneered, leaning forward. "Did he fill in Matsushita Chiaki from Class D?"
Katsuragi's frown deepened. "How do you know?"
"Because Tokito from my class is also in the Sheep Group." Ryuen shook his phone, his tone so dark it could drip. "He said Matsushita Chiaki had the VIP email on her phone—he and Totsuka saw it with their own eyes. Then Totsuka called her number to confirm."
As soon as he said this, several gazes in the room shifted.
Hirata Yosuke suddenly looked up, surprise written on his face.
"Matsushita-san? She's the VIP?"
Kushida Kikyo's fingers paused slightly, her face displaying just the right amount of surprise. It seemed it was her first time hearing the news as well. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka remained expressionless.
Class A's Sakayanagi, upon hearing Ryuen's words, quickly looked up to observe the reactions of the Class D group. She was smart; she knew Ryuen wouldn't pay 2 million points to find Koenji and then just give away information for free now—there was only one reason: he was testing them.
After he said it, Hirata's surprise didn't seem faked, and Kushida's was perfectly timed. Ayanokouji... forget about him.
Sakayanagi's gaze finally landed on Hachiman's face.
Hachiman was leaning against the back of his chair as if dazing off, showing no reaction even when Ryuen said Class D's VIP was Matsushita Chiaki. But this slightly stiff posture looked more like he was holding something back.
In other words, he was acting.
As expected, getting information from Hikigaya's face was too difficult.
However...
'Sakayanagi, can you stop looking over? Are you trying to get info from my face? Unfortunately, I've learned how to act and can hide my expressions now.'
— "Heard" by Sakayanagi.
It seemed Hikigaya-kun's inner thoughts matched his facial expression—both were hard to read. And the things his inner voice revealed were becoming increasingly difficult.
Sakayanagi's observation ended, and Ryuen had finished his as well. It could be confirmed that Class D was indeed in the dark, and Hikigaya was intentionally concealing it. No concrete answer could be verified.
Ryuen retracted his gaze, leaning back casually. "Seems Class D doesn't even know they have a VIP? Hirata, you're quite the class rep."
A flash of embarrassment crossed Hirata's face, but he quickly adjusted, saying seriously, "Matsushita-san indeed didn't report to the class... but that is her freedom. After all, if the VIP's identity is exposed, it would have a huge impact on the class. But the VIP of the Sheep Group isn't necessarily Matsushita-san."
Ryuen sneered and didn't follow up. Hirata's cover-up was too blatant to be of any use.
But his goal had been achieved. It was a test. Testing the Class D students—it seemed they really were oblivious; the Class D VIP wouldn't tell Hirata or Kushida. If she hadn't been caught by chance, she would have continued to hide.
Therefore, it could be confirmed: the Class D VIP was indeed Matsushita Chiaki. It was indeed leaked by accident. Beyond saving, Class D.
Of course, having been burned several times, Ryuen had grown more cautious. In addition to testing the Class D trio, he also wanted to see Hachiman Hikigaya's reaction.
Ryuen was certain Hachiman could manipulate Class D to an extent. So, with a Class D VIP suddenly being guessed, could it be his doing? Ryuen felt that if Matsushita was truly one of his people, he should have some reaction to the news.
But Hachiman showed nothing. Too calm. Abnormally calm.
Of course, it could be an act. That guy was full of tricks.
Ryuen leaned back, his mind working. If Matsushita wasn't Hachiman's person, then she was the real VIP. So that rabble in Class D really was that useless, getting discovered by accident.
Then there was another possibility: Matsushita wasn't the VIP at all, but was set up by Hachiman. After all, Matsushita seemed close to Karuizawa, who was close to Hachiman.
So this might be a trap. If so, Class A was finished.
But if it was a trap, what about the email on her phone? Class A's Totsuka was fast, and he even confirmed her number before guessing. If it had been Tokito, he probably wouldn't have even thought of that.
This was the gap between the ordinary students of Class A and C.
However... being tricked so many times, Ryuen instinctively felt this might be a trap set by Hikigaya.
Thinking this, Ryuen immediately wanted to dial Hachiman's number, and Hachiman's phone indeed vibrated as Ryuen placed the call.
However, quickly after, Ichinose's phone also vibrated. Kanzaki Ryuji was using a backup phone, so his wouldn't ring.
"Everyone is being a bit excessive." Ichinose had also realized the tactics of Classes A and C.
Ryuen had called Hachiman on the spot, and Class A's Sakayanagi had just put her phone down; she had just dialed Ichinose's number. Clearly, as representatives of Classes A and C, they remained alert. Even if they thought the Sheep VIP was Matsushita, they worried something might go wrong.
According to the report from the Sheep Group, Matsushita's phone had the VIP info, but that phone might not be hers—it could belong to a confirmed VIP, for example. So both of them called Hachiman and Ichinose to rule out the possibility of them being the VIPs of the Dragon Group first.
"Since you want to guess so badly, I'll just tell you." Hachiman stood up. "You can boldly write down Kanzaki-kun's name and end our Dragon Group exam early.
The reason I didn't let Kanzaki-kun use his original phone is that he is the VIP for the Dragon Group," Hachiman said. "So there's no need to test Ichinose and me like this; it's a waste of time."
'Is that so? Like anyone would believe you.'
Class A knew they had no VIP in the Dragon Group, but they didn't know the status of B, C, and D. Class C didn't know about A, B, and D. Only Class D—the Class D trio—couldn't even get info on their own class's VIP.
So, whoever actually believed Hachiman's words would be the true fool.
With the announcement ending the fourth discussion period, the night's meeting concluded. Everyone rose, the sound of chairs scraping against the floor filling the room.
The faces of the Class A members weren't looking good.
After all, the Monkey Group ended in the morning with a Class A VIP being caught. Now the Sheep Group ended with a Class A student guessing. While guessing meant potential points, the results weren't out yet; no one knew if it was a gain or a loss. This feeling of being suspended in mid-air was more agonizing than a direct verdict.
The steady Katsuragi Kohei stood up and prepared to head for the door. Hashimoto Masayoshi followed him, looking relaxed, even waving politely to the people in the room.
After all, his mood was currently the lightest. He had been worried about the betrayal on the island being brought up repeatedly, but now that Katsuragi's subordinate Totsuka Yahiko had made a blind move, the responsibility wouldn't just be on him anymore. Even if they faced an expulsion situation, this Totsuka Yahiko might be the one everyone voted for.
After all, Totsuka had violated Sakayanagi's principle of "continue deducing rules, do not move" for the sake of the Katsuragi faction. Even if he was right, in a leader's eyes, he was disobedient. Hashimoto felt he had a backup for expulsion in Class A, so he was in a good mood.
As one of the leaders of Class A, Sakayanagi Arisu also stood up, her cane tapping the floor with a rhythmic sound. Her movements remained elegant and composed, as if the announcement about the Sheep Group's early ending had no effect on her.
Hachiman stood his ground, watching the Class A students leave. But as Sakayanagi passed him, he suddenly spoke.
"Sakayanagi-san." His tone was casual, like small talk. "Do you think the VIP for the Sheep Group really is Matsushita Chiaki from Class D?"
Sakayanagi: "..."
This caused Sakayanagi's movement to pause slightly. She looked up, meeting Hachiman's gaze with her usual elegant smile, but her mind was racing. Hachiman's question was too sudden and too direct.
Several thoughts flashed through Sakayanagi's mind. For instance, why would Hikigaya-kun ask this? If he thought Class A had mastered the pattern, he should assume they already knew. But he asked anyway—it was a test.
A test to see if Class A really understood the pattern.
In reality, she obviously didn't know who the Sheep Group VIP was. Class A had spent the entire afternoon trying various possibilities—ID numbers, syllabary order, birth months—but none matched perfectly. Totsuka Yahiko's guess was an unauthorized action she hadn't expected.
But if it was revealed that Class A didn't know the pattern, things would get very bad. The deterrent effect would vanish, and Class B would attack immediately.
So...
"Whether I know or not, aren't you the most aware?" she said softly, her tone playful and meaningful. "Or are you saying you want me to end your Class B VIP's exam right now?"
Her words were ambiguous, neither confirming nor denying. But paired with her composed expression, it sounded like: Of course I know, but why should I tell you?
Hachiman looked at her, silent for two seconds.
Sakayanagi felt a slight tension inside. She maintained her expression, waiting quietly. Since things had reached this point, Hikigaya-kun's inner voice should come through—if she could hear his true thoughts, she could confirm if her response was correct.
Sure enough, a second later, a clear voice entered her mind.
'Sakayanagi is the brain of Class A, and Hiyori is the brain of Class C. According to the pattern, the Sheep VIP is indeed Matsushita Chiaki, but Class A only guessed it through Totsuka's impulse—does this mean Class A hasn't actually mastered the VIP pattern? If that's the case...'
Hearing this thought, Hiyori remained silent. Sakayanagi's heart, however, skipped a beat.
'Oh no.'
Hikigaya-kun inferred from this detail that Class A might not have the pattern. If he really believed that, he would launch an attack tonight—guessing Class A's VIPs one by one.
But then, Hachiman's next thought followed immediately.
'Wait, am I wrong? Sakayanagi actually has the pattern? That makes sense. The person who answered was Totsuka Yahiko, Katsuragi's lackey, and Sakayanagi wouldn't fully trust him; she considers him unnecessary for Class A later. So even if she knew the pattern, she wouldn't tell him. This guess was indeed his own reckless move. He's Katsuragi's loyal follower, so gaining points for Class A is helping Katsuragi. But this also shows Class A's unity is only temporary; there's a lack of total trust internally, unlike Class C.'
Hearing this, Sakayanagi breathed a sigh of relief.
The weight in her heart vanished. According to this thought, Hikigaya-kun still believed—he believed Class A had the pattern. This meant he wouldn't attack tonight or immediately guess Class A's VIPs.
She lowered her eyelids slightly, but when she looked up again, the smile on her face had returned to normal.
"Hikigaya-kun," she spoke softly, with a faint hint of a smile. "What are you thinking about?"
Hachiman looked at her without answering. He didn't look at Hiyori either. Because in that inner thought just now, he had included Hiyori's name, so Hiyori must have heard it too.
What was Hiyori's reaction?
Hiyori's reaction was simple. As soon as she heard [The Sheep VIP is indeed Matsushita Chiaki], she took it to heart.
'Matsushita Chiaki. The Sheep VIP is Matsushita Chiaki.'
Hiyori calculated rapidly. Class C originally had two VIPs. Ryuen had bought the Monkey Group list from Koenji—that was Morishige Takurou from Class A. Now it was confirmed that Matsushita Chiaki from the Sheep Group was Class D's VIP.
Combined, that made four samples. Class C now had four samples in hand!
Hiyori's eyes lit up. As long as she could deduce the pattern, Class C could take the initiative and no longer be a passive target. She could do it; she definitely could.
But in the next second, Hachiman's inner voice continued.
'If Class A really has the pattern, then I'll have to cooperate with Sakayanagi tomorrow. The VIPs of Class C and D are enough for us to harvest. As for Hiyori's side..'
Hiyori's expression froze.
'Harvest.'
The word was like a bucket of cold water poured over Hiyori's rising hope. If Class A and Class B joined forces, then Class C and D would be lambs for the slaughter.
Hiyori quickly looked up at Hachiman. But Hachiman wasn't looking at her at all. And Sakayanagi ignored her completely.
Sakayanagi wasn't stupid; she knew Shiina Hiyori might also be hearing Hikigaya-kun's thoughts. Since Kamuro could hear them, it was normal for Shiina Hiyori to hear them too.
However.
Mere Class C had a meager number of VIPs. Even if they had the names for the Monkey and Sheep groups now, the total sample size was still insufficient. But Class A now had another name, and their chances of cracking it were even higher.
With that thought:
"See you tomorrow. If you can't think of a certain-win plan..." Sakayanagi gripped her cane, and as she was about to leave Hachiman's side, she turned her head slightly, her tone carrying a hint of playful mischief. "Then go on a date with me tomorrow at noon, Hikigaya-kun."
Hachiman's expression stiffened.
'A date?'
He opened his mouth to speak, but Sakayanagi had already walked past, leaving behind only a faint fragrance and that meaningful smile.
Kamuro, the "puppy," had been waiting at the door. Seeing Sakayanagi come out, she quickly met her. The two walked out of the discussion room together, their footsteps fading away.
"A date—?" The choice of words still surprised the Dragon Group members present.
Kushida was a bit startled. But then she remembered it was Sakayanagi who said it, so it probably wasn't a "normal" way of speaking; it likely meant a meeting or a pact for an alliance.
"Hikigaya—" Even Kanzaki-kun looked serious. He clearly felt this was a trap disguised as a meal.
"We'll see."
Hachiman made a shrug-like expression with his hands, then stood up to leave. Ichinose and Kanzaki quickly followed behind him. The three of them soon left the room as well.
"Then we'll head out too."
"See you next time."
Kushida from Class D greeted Ryuen and his group. Unfortunately, she received no response. Thus, Kushida, a somewhat embarrassed Hirata, and a silent Ayanokouji also left together.
Ryuen, Shiina Hiyori, and Kaneda from Class C remained in their seats.
"What do you want to say?" Ryuen suddenly asked Hiyori.
Clearly, he had noticed the change in her expression.
"..."
Hiyori took a deep breath and said, "I suspect both Class A and B have mastered the pattern. Sakayanagi asking Hikigaya-kun out just now was probably for them to lay their cards on the table and then harvest Class C and D.
And we now know the names of four VIPs. So, by tomorrow morning at the latest, if we can deduce the pattern, Class C still has hope," Hiyori said. "Otherwise, our two VIPs will likely be guessed—minus 200 points."
"..."
Wouldn't that mean losing both points and private points?
"Damn it!" he cursed.
He felt Classes A and B likely had many VIP names; otherwise, how could they deduce the pattern so easily? They were just bullying Class C for only having two VIPs.
He felt Class C was at a disadvantage. But he wasn't going to give up here, so he quickly ordered Kaneda, "Gather everyone from Class C. We're staying up all night to find the pattern! No one sleeps until we do!"
And so, this night, in the areas of Classes A and C, the lights burned bright!
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