It has been three days since the first half of the special exam ended.
“Here you go, Three of a Kind.” “…Two Pair.” Inside the casino on the second basement floor of the luxury cruise ship, under the attentive gaze of the surrounding spectators, I received my winning chips from the slightly twitching dealer.
“Still, you’re seriously ridiculously good at poker.
…Are you actually cheating or something?” “The dealer is basically the only one touching the cards, so how am I supposed to cheat?
I’m just not letting winnable hands slip away.” One of the aides in the Sakayanagi Faction—the “Knight” (lol) known as Hashimoto—teased me, though he probably didn’t mean it seriously, as he shrugged his shoulders in exasperation.
I mean, you’re pretty strong yourself, aren’t you?
I know you’ve been in the green three days in a row, you know.
“Still, this casino…
every game has a limit on how many times you can challenge it per day.
That’s a pretty strange rule.” “The school probably wants to avoid a system where you can earn massive amounts of points purely through luck.
After all, this is a school meant to foster human resources who will carry Japan’s future.” If they ended up sending gambling addicts off as Class A graduates, this school—and by extension, the country—would lose face completely.
Even without that, Private Points are funded by taxpayers’ money, so methods to acquire massive amounts of points are bound to be regulated one after another.
The method I used to earn points previously won’t work anymore starting next year, either.
“Now then…
put all of this on number 15.” “Ugh…
so you’re really doing that again today?” After setting aside enough chips to net around 30,000 in profit, I placed a straight-up bet on roulette with everything else.
And without even checking where the ball spinning inside the roulette wheel landed, I exchanged the set-aside chips into Private Points.
Since no commotion arose as I left the casino, it predictably missed.
“Every time I see this, I think: at least check whether you won or not.” “A 1-in-37 chance isn’t something that hits so easily.” “What a waste~ That was nearly 300,000 points.
If you don’t want it, you could’ve just given it to me.” “Don’t be spoiled.
I lent you your starting capital on the first day; be satisfied with that, honestly.” “Che…
why do you dump it down the drain every single time anyway?” “Customers who win too much at a casino get disliked.
I don’t want to get carried away and end up banned.” Yes, if anything, I am starving for entertainment to distract myself.
With the exam on the deserted island over, the Arisu Deficiency Syndrome—which had been suppressed by the power of mother nature—was raging with a vengeance once again.
School, hurry up and start the next special exam already!
What are you teasing us for?
Ahh, so boring, so dull, I’m so idle, idle, idle, idle…
“Once we get back to school and I see Arisu…” “Talking about the Princess again?
You two really are close—” “…Maybe I’ll just commit sexual harassment to my heart’s content, even if she sues me?” “No, WAIT A MINUTE, HEY?!” Walking beside me, Hashimoto squeezed out every bit of power in his lungs to shout at the top of his voice.
What’s with the noise, Hashimoto?
Where did your usual cool attitude go?
“…Just kidding.” “It’s not funny when you say it, man!
Please don’t throw your life away with the same casual vibe as ‘maybe I’ll grow my hair out’!
I’m begging you!” Well, it’s true that if I ended up expelled over such a trivial mood, it wouldn’t just be a huge blow to the class—it would be catastrophic.
“I know, I know.
Besides, Arisu might consider the damage to the class and end up keeping it to herself without suing.
Doing something that despicable isn’t good, yeah.” I don’t think there’s any chance she’d suffer in silence, but there’s maybe a 1-in-a-hundred-million chance.
“…No, wait a second.
I feel like the premise itself is wrong to begin with.” “Ah?” “Suppose Sakayanagi gets sexually harassed by you…
would she even dislike it in the first place?” “……..Oh, that was a blind spot.” “On top of flirting with each other heavily on a daily basis, you guys seem to be doing stuff in the gray zone where it’s hard to tell if it’s safe or out…” “Hmm, true.
The other day when I jokingly asked her to wear a swimsuit that was basically just strings, she put it on completely unfazed.
Even if I hugged her from behind, squeezed her chest, and licked her face all over, she’d probably just brush it off smoothly, which makes it boring.
Alright, let’s stick to lifting her up high and teasing her instead.
She hates being treated like a child, so she’ll definitely blow her top.” “Sorry, hold on, I seriously can’t handle this?!
I mean, even if you two are fine with that kind of sexual harassment, it’s definitely OUT if a third party sees it, so please exercise self-restraint, I’m begging you!
Also, I ask this every time, but why aren’t you guys dating?!
What is up with you two?!” I say this every time too, but that’s our business, isn’t it?
While Hashimoto and I were having this stupid exchange, a high-pitched tone rang simultaneously from both of our phones.
…It was a high-priority email that forcibly sounded even on silent mode.
This was the first time one had been sent.
And almost at the same time, an announcement broadcasted: “Notice to all students.
An email containing instructions has just been sent to all students.
Please check your mobile phones and follow the instructions.
If you have not received the email, please notify a nearby teacher…” “…So it’s finally starting.” “I was tired of waiting, honestly.
I almost crossed the line as a human being.” “Seriously, stop it.
I’m really asking you.” “I know, I know.
I was just playing with you a bit.” “…You’re actually pretty rotten, aren’t you?” “Did you think someone who knows Arisu’s true nature and remains friendly with her on totally normal terms was a saint or something?” Checking the incoming email, it stated that an explanation of the special exam would be conducted, so we were to gather punctually in Room 201 on the 2nd floor by 6:00 PM.
Taking a glance at Hashimoto’s email, his gathering time and location were different.
“Unlike the deserted island exam, this might not be a type where we cooperate with our classmates.” “Might be~ Well then, it’s almost time, so I’ll be off.
Good luck on the exam too, Hashimoto.
I’m rooting for you.” “…I’ll ask just in case, but Honjo, you’re going to coast through this exam too, right?” “I can’t say for sure without hearing the details, but for now, that’s the plan.
I’ll deal the finishing blow to Katsuragi in this exam.” Thanks to the results of the deserted island exam and a little idea of mine, over 80% of the class is now on Arisu’s side.
Per Arisu’s message, Katsuragi will be taking charge of this exam as well, but if he stacks up even more blunders, his faction will completely collapse.
…In fact, he might even drop to the absolute bottom of the hierarchy—ahh, how pitiable.
“…Ah, I have to tell Ryunkel about covering the points.
Hashimoto, ask Ryunkel what time he’s gathering.” “Without going through such a roundabout way, should I just pass the message along for you?” “No, no.
Money transactions could lead to trouble if the person in question doesn’t show up directly.” “Are you meticulous or careless…” The 2nd-floor area specified as the meeting location hadn’t been explained in advance regarding what kind of place it was, and hardly any students had set foot there until yesterday.
But today, I could see several students wandering around before entering separate rooms.
The moment I stepped onto this floor, I felt gazes harboring vigilance, hostility, and curiosity directed at me from all over, but since it wasn’t anything unusual, I ignored it, stood in front of the specified room’s door, and knocked four times.
“You may enter.” Having received permission, I opened the door and walked inside to find Class D’s homeroom teacher, Chabashira-sensei, seated in a chair.
…For some reason, she was looking at me with vigilance.
Did I do something to this teacher?
Inside the room, two students were already sitting in chairs…
Machida and Morishige.
Morishige, who was planted in the Katsuragi Faction as a spy, and Machida, who still followed Katsuragi even after the deserted island exam.
There was no way the atmosphere wouldn’t be tense, as they left the middle chair empty to avoid keeping each other in sight.
“Sit there.” Following the instruction, I sat in the middle chair without paying it much mind, and as expected, a gaze of hostility and vigilance flew at me from one side.
“Honjo, Machida, and Morishige of Class A.
It’s a bit early, but since everyone has gathered, I will now explain the special exam.” At this point, it was already abnormal.
Explanations for an exam—no matter the content—are usually given to everyone simultaneously to ensure fairness.
First of all, explaining it in small groups like this would take an immense amount of effort and would be completely irrational.
Besides, what is with this member selection?
We have almost zero points of contact.
…Well, let’s just listen to the explanation for now.
“This time, all first-year students will be divided into 12 groups named after the Chinese Zodiac to conduct the special exam.
The objective of the exam is designed to test your thinking ability.” …Zodiac signs?
Not numbers or the alphabet?
Something about that sticks out, so I’ll keep it in the back of my mind.
“The fundamental abilities required of working adults can be broadly divided into three categories.
Namely: Action, Teamwork…
and Thinking.
Only by possessing all of these can one truly be a capable adult.” Sorry for lacking even a shred of teamwork.
“The previous deserted island exam was one where the weight was placed on teamwork, but this time, thinking…
the ability to think things through is essential.
The ability to analyze the current situation and clarify issues.
The ability to derive and prepare the process for problem-solving.
The ability to create new value through rich imagination…
those are the kinds of things that will be required in this exam.” In short, Arisu’s specialty, huh…
It really is a shame that she can’t participate.
“Are there any questions up to this point?” “Why are only the three of us receiving the explanation?
Even if it’s being explained by group, I think the number of people is far too small.” To Machida’s reasonable question, Chabashira-sensei answered with a faint smirk for some reason.
“As you might have guessed, the three of you here belong to the same group.
And right about now in other rooms, the members belonging to the same group as you are receiving the exact same explanation.” As if realizing something, Machida’s and Morishige’s eyes widened.
Being assigned to Class A, their natural intellect is decent enough.
…Going out of the way to divide the explanation within the group means that the other group members are likely students from other classes.
“The group you are assigned to is ‘Rabbit’ (卯).
Here is the member list, but since you will be required to return it when leaving, memorize it on the spot if you deem it necessary.” Sitting in the middle, I was handed a postcard-sized piece of paper, and Morishige and Machida leaned in to look at it.
…Even though it’s the Zodiac, the group name is written as ‘Rabbit’ (兎).
Class A: Kiriha Honjo, Koji Machida, Takuro Morishige Class B: Honami Ichinose, Tetsuya Hamaguchi, Ryota Beppu Class C: Mio Ibuki, Shiho Manabe, Nanami Yabu, Saki Yamashita Class D: Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, Kei Karuizawa, Hideo Sotomura, Teruhiko Yukimura Oho, Cozy and Bankai-chan are here.
I don’t know what kind of exam this will turn out to be, but it looks like I’ll manage to avoid being bored somehow.
“In this exam, as an absolute prerequisite, ignore the relationships between Class A through Class D for a moment.
Doing so is the shortcut to clearing the exam.
During the exam, you will act not as Class A, but as the Rabbit Group.
And the results of the exam are set per group.” After having us glare at each other and tear each other down for so long, now you’re telling us to suddenly cross class boundaries and cooperate?
As spiteful as ever, this school.
…No, thinking carefully, she didn’t say a word about cooperating.
Is it another one of those usual wordplay tricks?
…If so, then as expected, this school really is spiteful.
“There are a total of four outcomes for the special exam, with no exceptions.
I have prepared a printout stating the results so you can understand them easily, but taking this printout out of the room or taking photos of it is strictly prohibited, so memorize it thoroughly, alright?” This time, individual copies were prepared.
Summarizing the fundamental parts of the written rules..
* This exam revolves around the “VIP” (優待者) assigned to each group.
* On the morning the exam begins at 8:00 AM, an email will be sent to all students stating whether they have been chosen as the VIP.
* The exam schedule runs from tomorrow until 9:00 PM four days later.
* Twice a day, a one-hour discussion will take place for each group at a designated time and room.
The content of the discussion is completely free.
* After the exam ends, between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM only, answers regarding who the Target was will be accepted.
Each person may answer only once.
* Answers must be sent to the designated address using your own mobile phone.
Note that the VIP does not have the right to answer via email.
* Answers for groups other than the one you belong to are invalid.
* Details of the exam results will be sent to all students via email at 11:00 PM on the final day.
Up to here are the basic rules.
And this exam has an unusually large number of prohibited actions.
Deleting the email notifying whether you are the VIP, modifying the text, or forcibly viewing another class’s phone, etc…
In short, any act that significantly deviates from the core concept of “thinking”—such as trying to hide being the VIP through fraudulent means or trying to uncover the VIP—will result in immediate expulsion.
Well, that’s basically the equivalent of cheating on a normal exam, so it’s a natural measure.
So, as for those exam results…
Outcome 1: If everyone in the group—excluding the VIP and classmates belonging to the Target’s class—answers correctly, Private Points will be awarded to all group members.
(The Target receives 1,000,000 Private Points, and non-Targets receive 50,000 Private Points.) Outcome 2: If even one person—excluding the VIP and classmates belonging to the VIP’s class—fails to answer or answers incorrectly, the Target receives 500,000 Private Points.
Up to here, it’s a relatively peaceful exam where the VIP simply holds the advantage, but the remaining two outcomes overturn that completely.
Outcome 3: If a non-VIP reports the correct answer to the school before the end of the exam, that student’s class receives +50 Class Points, and the person who answered correctly receives 500,000 Private Points.
The class whose VIP was seen through receives -50 Class Points, and the exam for that group ends.
(If a classmate from the same class as the VIP answers correctly, the answer is invalidated and the exam continues.) Outcome 4: If a non-VIP reports an incorrect answer to the school before the end of the exam, the class of the student who got the answer wrong receives -50 Class Points.
The VIP receives 500,000 Private Points, and the VIP class receives +50 Class Points.
The moment an incorrect answer is given, the exam for that group ends.
(If a classmate from the same class as the VIP answers incorrectly, the answer is invalidated and the exam continues.) Yep, they definitely have zero intention of making the group cooperate.
With something like this, the VIP will desperately try to hide themselves, and everyone else will try to smoke them out with bloodshot eyes.
…Hypothetically, if I were intending to take this seriously, I’d probably be pretty disappointed if I wasn’t chosen as the VIP.
Because just like with the leader on the deserted island, if I’m on the searching side, I’ll probably figure out the VIP right away.
It’d end instantly without giving me any time to enjoy myself.
It’s not “thinking” or anything at all—sorry, teachers, but I feel like I’d end up feeling a bit apologetic.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: It’s unknown in the original work whether a casino exists, but based on the shallow thought of “a luxury cruise ship obviously has one,” it exists within this work.
[Survey: Asking Class A Main Characters!
What Do You Think of Kiriha-kun?] * Kohei Katsuragi: Vigilance, awe, resignation * Yahiko Totsuka: Awe, hostility * Masumi Kamuro: Weirdo; hurry up and hook up with Sakayanagi already.
* Hayato Kito: Reverence; hurry up and hook up with Sakayanagi already.
* Masayoshi Hashimoto: Friendship with ulterior motives; that aside, hurry up and hook up with Sakayanagi already.
* Arisu Sakayanagi: The partner I trust most in this world.