[Survey to Class C: What do you think of Kiriha-kun?] * Ryūen Kakeru: The ultimate prey.
* Ibuki Mio: On guard; curious about his novels.
In this work, the Class C students other than Ryuen sure have a weak presence…
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “Ah-ha…
Was that question a bit too pushy?” Even Bankai-chan couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile at the resolute, talk-refusing stance taken by Machida and his group.
“No, I think Ichinose-san’s question was completely ordinary.
Their sense of caution was just stronger than expected.
…Talking things through is the only path that leads to a resolution in this exam.
If Machida-kun and the others persist in playing dumb, in the worst-case scenario, we’ll have to hold discussions without Class A.” “If it comes to that, it would be regrettable, but depending on the situation, it might ultimately come down to a majority vote.
The uncooperative ones will naturally be suspected, but for example, if one of you were nominated as the VIP purely by guesswork, could you really accept that?” Hmm, she’s taking the lead quite skillfully.
To any third-party observer, Machida and his group’s uncooperative attitude would undoubtedly look bad.
Bankai-chan’s popularity seems to exert plenty of influence even in a chaotic free-for-all like this.
But what a shame…
“Are you trying to threaten us?
Then let me turn the question back on you: do you honestly believe you can identify the VIP through a discussion?” “If you have another method, I’d love to hear it.” “There is one.
A way to clear this exam with a net positive, reliably and easily…
and that’s to refrain from holding discussions from start to finish.” Class A—or rather, Katsuragi—seems to be taking the exact policy that the Class B group would least welcome.
At the sudden declaration of abandoning the exam, Hamaguchi airs his grievances even before Bankai-chan can.
“That’s a rather unique opinion.
Are you going to let an unknown VIP win and walk away scott-free?
Acting like this, you can’t blame anyone for thinking the VIP is in Class A.” “It doesn’t matter which class the VIP is in.
If no group holds discussions, every class wins equally.
That is Katsuragi-san’s line of thinking.” “Katsuragi-kun’s…?
I see, so that’s it.” Whether she reached the answer only after Katsuragi’s name was brought up, or whether her worst fears had simply materialized, Bankai-chan forms a troubled expression at Katsuragi’s unwelcome strategy.
Meanwhile, Machida begins explaining to the students who likely haven’t grasped it yet.
“There are only four possible outcomes to this exam.
Among them, the one we absolute must avoid is producing a traitor.
Whether a traitor succeeds or fails, one side will definitely suffer a loss.
…Now, what happens in the case of the other outcomes?” Machida randomly points to a male student wearing glasses from Class D to prompt an answer…
If I recall correctly, that’s Yukimura-kun.
“…You’re saying there are no negative factors?” “Correct.
Outcomes 1 and 2 carry no drawbacks.
Class points won’t close in or widen, a massive amount of private points will be obtained, and all factions will profit equally.
Since the burden falls solely on the school, recklessly discussing things and making a mistake is far more dangerous.” “However, if the VIPs are heavily biased toward a specific class, wouldn’t there be a massive disparity in the private points obtained?” “That won’t happen.
The school emphasized fairness to death before the exam, and fairness was thoroughly maintained during the uninhabited island exam, wasn’t it?
It’s impossible for a gap to exist right at the start of the exam.” Hamaguchi tries to counter, but Machida shuts him down without missing a beat.
Face to face with a seemingly flawless theory, voices of agreement gradually rise from those around them.
With Katsuragi behind him, Hamaguchi is outmatched.
There’s no way an ordinary student could beat a man who, for better or worse, has competed against Arisu until now using pure logic.
…If anyone can break his line of reasoning, it’s probably only you, right?
“Come on, Bankai-chan, hurry up and counter it.
At this rate, Machida’s—or rather, Katsuragi’s—proposal is going to pass by majority vote, you know?” “I don’t think it’s right for Honjo-kun of Class A to rush me, but I get it.
…I don’t think Machida-kun’s logic is wrong.
But when you think about it carefully, I feel that’s a strategy you can only propose because you’re in Class A.
Having equal benefits for all classes means lower-ranked classes are throwing away a rare opportunity, doesn’t it?” “That’s…” “We don’t know how many special exams will be held before graduation, but if we keep using a strategy like that every time, our class standings will never change.” At that point, the faces of the students who were being swayed just a moment ago begin to stiffen.
Yes, as a fundamental premise, Class A alone is the winner in this school, and all other classes are losers.
No matter how much benefit your own class receives, if the opposing classes enjoy the exact same benefit, it nets out to zero.
It’s equivalent to squandering a chance at an overturn.
If you think about it for a moment, it’s a very simple matter, but when people are told they can easily and reliably reap only benefits, they bite.
If that weren’t true, fraud cases wouldn’t be growing on such a scale.
“Even if reliable results can be obtained, I can’t throw away a valuable opportunity.” “We agree with Ichinose-san, too.” “…I understand what you’re trying to say, but you just said Outcome 1 is the best.
That only results in everyone getting a large amount of money equally, which doesn’t lead to the outcome you want.” “That’s not entirely true.
This group has one extra person each from Class C and Class D.
Clearing it with Outcome 1 means we can definitely close the gap with the upper classes, doesn’t it?” “Paying a self-sacrifice so lower classes can profit?
What benefit is there in that for you?” “Because if we don’t, we might let you guys escape with the lead.
If the VIP is among you, it would be extremely troublesome.” She says all this, but what they’re actually aiming for is Outcome 3—having Class C or D name the VIP if one exists among us—or Outcome 4—making us guess incorrectly if not.
That’s why, from Bankai-chan’s perspective, Class A refusing to discuss in order to aim for Outcome 2 is extremely inconvenient.
“…Let me tell you in advance: Class A’s policy is already set.
If you want to unite and discuss among yourselves, feel free.” Saying so, Machida stands up and moves to the corner of the room, with Morishige following suit.
The Class A students in every group are probably doing the exact same thing.
“Now then, what should we do…?
Ah, Honjo-kun, can I assume you’ll join the discussion?” “Listen, Bankai-chan, there’s no way I’d agree to Katsuragi’s boring chicken strategy.
With Arisu absent, most of the Sakayanagi faction has no choice but to follow Katsuragi’s orders, but his ability is far too lacking to command me.
A commander dumber than myself isn’t worth following.” Machida glares with hostility from the corner, but I couldn’t care less.
What’s wrong with calling an inferior an inferior?
“Lacking in ability, huh…
Hey, Honjo-kun, if it were Sakayanagi-san, what policy would she take going into this exam?” “First off, she’d think about how to cleverly secure 600 Class Points, yeah.” “U-gh, as the rumors say, she’s the exact opposite of Katsuragi-kun…” Arisu doesn’t care about risk like Katsuragi does.
For her, the worst-case scenario in this exam is being attacked first by another class and losing.
Given the nature of the exam, she’d quickly realize Ryunkel holds a huge advantage; once she grasps a clue, she’d disregard risk entirely and strike before being struck.
Katsuragi is “knocking on a stone bridge and still not crossing,” while Arisu is “blowing the stone bridge away with a bomber plane.” “But what do we do?
If the Class A students besides Honjo don’t participate, finding the VIP for sure is impossible, isn’t it?” Flustered by Class A’s stance, Yukimura presses Bankai-chan with complaints.
Not that I mind, but for someone who was almost completely charmed by Machida’s sweet talk a moment ago, you sure have a big attitude now, buddy.
“If the VIP is among us, that’s fine, but if one of those two is the VIP, we’ll have to cooperate to track them down somehow.
…Still, the exam has only just begun, so why don’t we take our time deciding what to do through dialogue?” “…Honjo, can’t you persuade Class A to participate in the discussion?” “Let me turn that back on you, Yukimura-kun.
If Mr.
Si…
ah, I mean Koenji…
gave you an order, would you quietly obey it?” Having turned his target onto me, Yukimura finds himself at a loss for words at my point.
When someone who usually does whatever they want starts ordering you around, unless you’re truly desperate, you’d think nothing other than “screw off.” “…Hey, Karuizawa-san, was it?
There’s something I want to ask you.” Just as the discussion hits a wall, a Class C female student—Manabe-chan, if I recall—speaks up to a Class D female student—Karuizawa-chan, if I recall.
Caught off guard by the unexpected contact, Karuizawa-chan, who had been fiddling with her phone, looks up with a flustered expression.
“…What is it?” “By any chance…
did you have a fight with Rika before summer break?” “Huh?
Who’s Rika?” According to Manabe-chan, she heard Morofuji-chan from Class C was treated meanly by someone who looked like Karuizawa-chan earlier, and if that’s true, she wants an apology.
However, Karuizawa-chan resumes messing with her phone on the surface, acting as if she knows nothing about it.
…Yep, looks like she has an idea of what this is about.
“…I’m going to have Rika confirm it, okay?
If it’s not you, Karuizawa-san, there shouldn’t be a problem.” Irritated by that attitude, Manabe-chan points her phone camera at her, but Karuizawa-chan reflexively swats it away with her hand.
She swatted it pretty hard; what if it broke?
“What do you think you’re doing?!” “Don’t take photos of me without permission!
I told you I’m a different person!” Neither yields an inch, and both claims carry a certain amount of logic.
That’s why Bankai-chan, who hates conflict, can’t carelessly step in to mediate.
At that moment, two Class C students close in on Karuizawa-chan to back up Manabe-chan.
“W-What…
are you saying it’s my fault?” “If you’re really a different person, you don’t have to get so worked up denying it.
Just let us take the picture.” “I said no!
…” Hmm…
I always thought she was a girl who was afraid of something, but when she’s cornered like this, it becomes especially obvious.
And Cozy, your attention has been on Karuizawa-chan ever since you got here—what’s up with that?
Could it be a one-sided crush…?
No, doesn’t look like it at all.
How should I put it…
I feel an inorganic vibe from you, as if you’re testing the features of a home appliance.
“You’re denying it because you have a guilty conscience, right?
Either way, we’re taking the picture.” “I said no!
…Hey, Honjo-kun, tell her something!” Whoops, she came to ask me for help.
…Whoa there, a girl with a boyfriend shouldn’t link arms with another guy so casually.
If Arisu finds out about this, you’re on a one-way trip to ruin, girl.
She gets surprisingly jealous.
“Alright, alright, no fighting, you guys.
We’re currently in the middle of a special exam, you know?” “T-This has nothing to do with you, Honjo-kun…” “Whether it has anything to do with me isn’t important.
If someone asks for help and I don’t have a specific reason to refuse, I’m the kind of guy who extends a hand for now.
Caring for your friends is fine and all, but it doesn’t give you an exemption to infringe on someone’s portrait rights, does it?” “Ugh, that’s…” “Besides, you shouldn’t act so pushy at a young age.
Bring the person in question here and verify properly.” Manabe-chan still didn’t seem convinced, but lacking the confidence to win an argument against me with logic, she quietly backed off with her friends.
“Stop making weird false accusations, seriously..Thanks, Honjo-kun.” “I don’t mind, really, but if you actually were the culprit, make sure you apologize properly, okay?” “It’s fine, it definitely wasn’t me.” Sorry, but I’m the type of person who can absurdly see through lies and secrets.
I inwardly apologize to Karuizawa-chan as she leisurely returns to her seat.
Her refusal to admit fault, and the reason she acts high and mighty despite constantly being afraid of something—it isn’t too hard to infer from my past experiences.
While I was aimlessly and secretly uncovering what Karuizawa-chan was carrying, Bankai-chan calls out to me with an apologetic tone for some reason.
“Sorry for leaving the mediation to you, Honjo-kun.” “I told you I don’t mind.
More importantly, what are we going to do about the discussion?” “Hmm…
When it comes to actually holding a discussion, it’s tough.” “Then I have just the right topic!” “Huh?
…Ah, right.
What is it?” “Alright!
We will now begin the First Ever Career Preference Survey!” “””…Huh?””” With the entire group dumbfounded, I push the conversation forward in a bizarrely high tone, completely unbothered.
For what I’m about to do, momentum is more important than anything, so there’s no time to stop and pause.
“From here on, under the glory achieved by successfully dragging us down from Class A at the sacrifice of 120 loser-class students in total, I’d like to ask what you all want to do in the future!” “That’s a pretty nasty way to put it…” “Naive, Yukimura-kun.
Life is the survival of the fittest; everyone lives on top of some sacrifice.
Most people say ‘Itadakimasu’ before meals out of habit, but they probably haven’t given a single thought to who they should actually be saying it to.
From now on, you have to say it while properly imagining the plucked plants and slaughtered livestock, okay?” “No way, that ruins my appetite?!” “Alright, setting aside the noisy glasses guy, let’s keep moving!
First, let’s hear from Class D, who brilliantly took 1st place in the last exam!
The lead-off hitter is Cozy—I choose you!” “M-Me…?!” Suddenly called upon, Pika-Cozy was—unusually for him—extremely shaken up.
Even when the Student Council President was about to punch him, he remained nonchalant.
“U-Um…
For now, I’m only thinking about spending my high school life peacefully without any trouble.” “Boring!
0 points!
Next, Karuizawa-chan!” “Wh-?!” Cozy seems somewhat shocked, but I ignore it and push the conversation forward non-stop.
“Um, I guess I want to do a fun job…” “A Kokeshi doll craftsman, got it.
Next, Yukimura-kun!” “Is that supposed to be fun?!
Hey?!” He’s saying something, but ignore, ignore.
“How foolish.
Why do I have to tell you something like—” “Then you’re going to be an optician.” “Hey?!” “Next, Sotomura-kun!” “Hieee?!
I-I am skilled with computers, so a job handling them—” “I see, a master hacker then.” “Ehh?!
…Though, that does sound rather cool!” “Naturally, this school won’t support a criminal, so give it up.” “Isn’t that a bit much when you’re the one who brought it up?!” “Next up, Class B!
Okay, Bankai-chan, what kind of attendant do you want to be?” “You wiped out all options other than Cabin Attendant?!
E-Um…
Maybe a kindergarten teacher?” “Zero surprise factor!
30 points!” “30 points?!” “Next, Hamaguchi-kun!
Can I assume you’re fine with keeping your status as a VIP a secret?” “No, I’m not the VIP—” “…!
…!” Hamaguchi-kun instinctively covered his mouth with his hand, immediately distorting his face in regret for doing so.
For now, the people in Class B need to study negotiation a bit more.
Even if you slip up, if you just act dignified, you could’ve suppressed it with a 50-50 chance.
Acting all flustered like that, no one is going to think you’re not the VIP.
After glancing at Hamaguchi-kun once, most people slowly turn their gazes toward me—a mix of caution and awe.
“…And so, by taking our time like this, we can gradually narrow down who the VIP is, right?
I’ll hand the initiative back to you, Bankai-chan.” “…Nyahaha.
I knew it, but as expected, you’re really not easy to handle.” –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author Note For Kiriha-kun, Karuizawa-san is a student he has zero interest in, but because he responds when asked for help, he’s close to her ideal guy…
If Arisu-chan weren’t around, that is.