[Survey to Class D: What do you think of Kiriha-kun?] * Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: Friend, wary.
* Horikita Suzune: Hostility, wary, jealous.
* Kushida Kikyo: Disgust.
* Sakura Airi: Missed the timing to thank him for the handkerchief…
* Sudo Ken: Friend.
* Yamauchi Haruki: Hostility.
* Ike Kanji: Hostility.
* Yukimura Keisei: Hostility, wary.
* Hirata Yōsuke: Friend, respect.
* Karuizawa Kei: Gratitude.
* Koenji Rokusuke: Interest.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In the end, because everyone was on high alert after that, the first group discussion ended without any real progress.
Afterward, I used my free time to study, but my roommate Hashimoto invited me to the casino, so I decided to go along.
“Alright, put all of this on number 6.” Today, while attracting a crowd of onlookers again, I made a killing at poker before dumping almost all my earnings into the roulette wheel.
Then, as usual, without even checking where the ball rolling around the wheel stopped, I exchanged my sorted chips for private points.
Hashimoto had a look on his face like he was reluctant to part with it, but how I melt away the money I earned is my own business.
Besides, you lost pretty badly today, so worry about yourself.
“I think about it all the time, but seriously, your luck in gambling is terrifyingly good.
…By the way, you mentioned before that you’ve always tied in matches with the Princess.
Are you two evenly matched in poker as well?” “Poker isn’t even included in our matches to begin with.
Both Arisu and I are utterly spotless when it comes to victory—we can’t find any value in a win helped by luck.
…Besides, I think deciding a match by luck is the second most pathetic thing after match-fixing.” “Hmm…
Well, setting that aside, Honjo, did you figure out who the VIP is?” “Yeah, it was Karuizawa-chan from Class D.
When I probed around a bit, she got extremely flustered.” On the surface, she managed to hide it somehow, but she reacted every single time she heard the word ‘VIP,’ so there’s no mistake.
…As expected, it’s way too straightforward—no thinking required at all.
“…Just asking, but are you not going to nominate her?” “If you know, don’t ask.
In order to dismantle the Katsuragi faction once and for all this time, Class A needs to lose thoroughly.
So for the remaining four sessions, I’m just going to watch from above and see what Bankai-chan does.” And Cozy too…
I added in my mind.
If this guy finds out about Cozy, he’ll definitely try to make a move on him, so for my friend’s sake, I should definitely keep quiet about it.
“What Ichinose will do, huh.
Isn’t that going to be a bit difficult?
I don’t think Machida will break Katsuragi’s orders, and Morishige won’t betray unless he has very solid proof.” “On the other hand, if they have that solid proof…
for instance, showing the email sent by the school indicating that girl is the VIP, Class A wins, and that’s the end of it.” When the VIP is someone outside of Class A, the ideal outcome for Ichinose-chan’s group is Outcome 4, where someone from Class A betrays and guesses incorrectly.
However, to achieve that, they need to do something about the ‘all-groups Outcome 2’ strategy advocated by Katsuragi.
Since Morishige belongs to the Sakayanagi faction, he would betray if presented with definitive proof of who the VIP is, but that would defeat the purpose.
“In that case, there’s only one method Bankai-chan and her group should take: prepare a fake VIP and make them believe it.” “…No, that’s impossible.
The only solid proof showing someone is the VIP is the email, and tampering with that email results in expulsion, you know?” “Making that work somehow is where her skill as a leader comes in.
If she stumbles over something like that, she’s not fit to be Arisu’s playmate.” She must have been quite bored over the last two weeks.
Just seeing the Katsuragi faction fall might not be enough to satisfy her.
I should prepare some sort of gift for her here.
“Sure, sure.
Glad to see you’re as devoted to the Princess as ever.
Geez, why don’t you two just get together already…” “You probably wouldn’t understand even if you died.
…Well, it’s about time.
Good luck with the Monkey group too—though Mister will probably win.” For that guy, inferring who the VIP is would be easy, and he wouldn’t care a bit about the risk the class takes if he fails.
“You really say it clearly…
By the way, Honjo, who do you think will win this exam?” “Nine times out of ten, Ryunkel and Class C.
At the very least, Class A definitely won’t win.” The rest depends on how Ryunkel moves.
He seems weirdly obsessed with Class D, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he focused his attacks on them as revenge for the uninhabited island exam.
And so, the second group discussion of the day began.
As usual, Machida and Morishige refused to participate in the conversation at all, and the students from other classes were overly cautious, fearing their information would be drawn out.
At this rate, it was going to turn into a boring drag.
Seriously, it can’t be helped…
“First Ever!
Jenga Battle—!” “””…Huh?””” Ignoring the dumbfounded students, I set up the assembled Jenga tower in the center of the room.
“We still have five more discussion sessions left, so for now, let’s mix in some casual games while we talk.” “Um, Honjo-kun…
Where did you just pull that from?
That fully set-up Jenga tower.” “Magic~.” “No, surely that’s impossible—” “Magic~.” Bankai-chan seemed somewhat unconvinced, but since I actually pulled it off, there was nothing to be done about it.
“What ridiculous nonsense are you suddenly pulling…
We are in the middle of a special exam!
This is no time to be playing Jenga!” “I’m not being ridiculous at all, Yukimura-kun.
Among us, there might be someone who won’t just get a job at a company in the future, but will launch their own business and become a manager.
Jenga is the optimal game for cultivating the organizational management thinking required for that.” “What…?” Facing Yukimura-kun’s suspicious look, I pulled out one block from the Jenga tower.
“What’s important in organizational management is the same sense of balance as in Jenga.
Demoting useless subordinates to a window-side desk…” And then I stacked it on top.
“But so they don’t get too driven into a corner, you properly follow up by treating them to a canned coffee on the rooftop.
…If you remember just about this much, an organization will run.” “Are you looking down on company management?!
As if it runs on such simple logic!” “Well, let’s try it without all the fuss.
Besides, it’s not like you have an alternative proposal, right?” “Mmh…” “Nyahaha, that’s true.
Just as Honjo-kun says, talking casually while playing a game might not be bad either.” Bankai-chan agreed with my opinion, and Hamaguchi-kun and Beppu-kun followed suit.
Then, after I talked the other students into it with my eloquent persuasion, everyone except Machida and Morishige ended up joining the Jenga game.
“But is there any point in having a discussion?
No matter how you look at it, the VIP setup is way too unfair—or rather, this exam is just too hard.” The very culprit behind that “way too unfair” VIP setup, Karuizawa-chan, pulled out a block and placed it right on top.
“I understand what you want to say, Karuizawa-san.
But isn’t that just a matter of perspective?
Even though we gather for two hours a day, we’re free to chat or touch our phones, and it’s not stifling like a normal class, right?” Bankai-chan pulled out a block in the same way and placed it on top.
In doing so, the tower wobbled slightly.
“Well…
it is fun, though.” “Right?
So let me talk more casually.
I think staying shut in your shell is what makes it painful.
In fact, Machida-kun and his group have had grim expressions the whole time.” While listening casually to their conversation, I pulled out a block with a bit of playfulness, intentionally making it unstable before placing it on top.
Amidst this, Machida, who had been listening to Bankai-chan’s talk, let out a sneer.
“Finding the VIP should be impossible.
The method Honjo used was a one-time trick that won’t work anymore.
…Besides, maybe there’s a VIP inside Class B.
Can you really trust what those two are saying?” While Machida tried to shake Bankai-chan, Cozy intentionally pulled out a block to make the balance unstable and placed it on top, just like I did.
You’re quite something too, aren’t you?
“Ayanokoji-dono!?
What on earth are you doing?!” “Can’t the same be said for Machida-kun and his group?
Can you trust your allies?” “…Naturally.
Besides—” “Uguu…
I have a strong bad feeling that wherever I pull, it’s going to collapse…!” “There’s no reason for us in Class A to fixate on the VIP.
Do you think we’d cling to a mere 500,000 points when over 100,000 is deposited every month?” “Good grief, Sotomura-kun, it can’t be helped.
Here, try pulling this one.” “Is that so?
In this special school, no matter how many points you have, they won’t go to waste.” “Mmh, my deepest gratitude, Honjo-dono!” “How ridiculous.
Well, enjoy your useless struggles—” CLATTER-CRASH!!
“Nwoooaaahhh?!” “Pulling that one makes it collapse 100% ☆” “You set me up, Honjo-dono!?” “Shut up, you guys!
We’re talking about something important right now, so be quiet!” “Ho-ho, something important…
huh?
Hmm, those words don’t sound like they come from someone who refused to talk on Katsuragi’s orders.” “Kh!?
…~~~~!!” Turning bright red at my provocative point, Machida dropped his eyes back to his phone to signal his refusal.
“My, my, he shut himself back in his shell.
Did I get in Bankai-chan’s way?” “…No, not at all.
In fact, thanks to Honjo-kun, I might have spotted a clue.” Sorry to break it to you while you’re trying to look cool, but…
aren’t you giving up the initiative way too easily?
Pull it together, seriously.
After that, for some reason, Yukimura-kun kept crashing the Jenga tower continuously, and an hour passed in the blink of an eye.
Even though he seemed dissatisfied at first, he got ridiculously worked up in the second half.
…Even so, Manabe-chan’s dissatisfaction and anger toward Karuizawa-chan hadn’t subsided at all—if anything, it had gotten worse.
I hope nothing happens from here on out.
11:30 AM.
While enjoying astronomy on the deck outside the ship for the first time in a while, an email arrived from the school.
The exam for the Monkey Group has concluded.
Members of the Monkey Group no longer need to participate in the exam hereafter.
Please act carefully so as not to disturb other students.
Mm, without a doubt, Mr.
Six must have betrayed them.
That free spirit would never allow himself to be bound by force over and over.
As expected, managing Mr.
Six was too heavy a burden for someone of Hashimoto’s level…
“…Honjo.” “Nn?
Katsuragi?” This was an unexpected person.
An unpolished, tasteless, rugged man who didn’t suit the romantic starry night sky visible from this ship at all—what business could he possibly have with me?
“What’s up?
I won’t accept complaints about me not following your policy, you know.
Besides, I was excluded from the meeting in the first place.” “I don’t have any particular business.
I’ve already resigned myself to the fact that you won’t follow my instructions.
That’s why I didn’t call you to the meeting.
If you found it unpleasant, I apologize.” “Hmm, in that case, I’ll forgive you.
…Since we’re here, I’d like to ask: why approach this with a strategy like that?” “Naturally, I simply chose the best option for Class A.
Eliminating unnecessary risks and steadily going for a win…
that is my way.” It seemed he genuinely believed that without lie or deceit, but…
no, no, no.
Does this guy properly understand the situation he’s placed in?
Or is he a coward who can’t bring himself to fight even when backed against a cliff?
Either way, it’s disappointing, but…
“Listen, Katsuragi, do you properly understand your current standing?
Because of your heavy defeat on the uninhabited island and the contract with Ryūnkel, your faction is on its last breath, you know?
Even if you pass this exam smoothly, at this rate, Arisu will take the initiative starting in the second semester.
Here, even if it carries risk, you should make a move—” “I—” Katsuragi cut off my words—which were spoken out of a bit of well-meaning concern—holding up a hand to stop me.
“—criticized Sakayanagi for not paying attention to the risks falling upon the class, and I’ve come this far maintaining a stance of opposing that person’s policies.
Launching reckless, risky gambles just because I’ve been backed into a corner would be a betrayal to those who believed in me and followed me so far.
Above all…
it would be nothing short of denying my own convictions.” …Heh.
“During the previous uninhabited island exam, I was regretfully made to realize that by Ryuen.
Handing over the class leadership to Sakayanagi is something I accept as a result of my own foolishness.
That doesn’t mean I intend to let that woman do whatever she pleases, though.
…Sooner or later, Ichinose or someone like her will come to persuade me, but I have no intention of changing my mind.
As the person entrusted with the class, I will fulfill my responsibility.” While accepting his defeat to Arisu in the factional struggle, this man’s fighting spirit hadn’t faded at all—it had actually grown stronger.
In short, while tacitly approving of Arisu becoming the leader, he intends to act as a stopper against her radical actions.
…All for the sake of the Class A students.
“Sticking through with one’s convictions, huh.
I thought you were just a boring guy who only chose steady methods…
but aren’t you quite the stubborn one?
I don’t dislike a clumsy way of living like that.” “What does it matter if I’m liked by you…
but well, I’ll take it straightforwardly.” “In that case, I wonder what nickname I should give you?” “Huh…?” “I mean a nickname.
I’m promoting you from one of the nameless crowd to someone called by a nickname; accept it with gratitude.” “No, I don’t really need one—” “Hmm…
Alright, I’ve decided on Aderans!” “Hey, where did you look to decide that?” “Your name and your head.” Well, naturally, at worst that might constitute defamation, so after taking out the front part through twists and turns, I settled on “Lance.” If you didn’t know the backstory, it sounds pretty cool.
Now then, Lance’s line of thinking isn’t bad.
If they pass this exam smoothly and secure a massive amount of private points, a few of the former Katsuragi faction students who were swaying over to our side might rethink their positions.
Even if the faction shrinks, as long as he secures a certain number of people, Arisu won’t be able to run a dictatorship entirely as she pleases.
Still, since it’s led by Arisu, it’ll be more aggressive than if Lance were in charge, but that much is probably within Lance’s acceptable compromise range.
…The only problem is that the probability of Class A passing this exam smoothly like this is infinitely close to 0.
Sorry, Lance, but the dismantling of your faction is already a done deal.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author Note While Ayanokoji-kun was flirting with Sakura-san and Kushida-san in the original work, Kiriha-kun was getting along with an old-man-faced guy.
There are plenty of girls who feel favorably toward him, but none who flirt with him—because Arisu-chan is scary.