[Survey to Kiriha-kun: What do you think of your classmates?] * Katsuragi Kohei: I respect his convictions.
* Kamuro Masumi: Thanks for your hard work as always.
* Kito Hayato: Do you have some kind of attachment to those gloves?
* Sakayanagi Arisu: Provisional “General.” Love her.
* Everyone else: Not interested.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Day 2 of the Special Exam.
Just like yesterday, after finishing lunch with Masumin, I headed over to the group discussion venue.
For no particular reason, I was in a pretty good mood, so I hummed the main theme of Case Conan as I walked.
“You’re certainly laid-back.
I mean, don’t go bringing bad luck around—what are you gonna do if the ship explodes or something?” As usual, Ryunkel, accompanied by his lackeys, called out to me with an exasperated look.
“If that happens, the culprit would be you.
You look like a villain straight out of a show, after all.” “In cases like that, the guy who looks obviously suspicious is actually innocent, and the culprit turns out to be that gold-fish-poop guy who’s always sticking around Suzune.” Yep, spot-on.
Ryunkel himself might not have intended it, but that was a truly brilliant piece of deduction.
Though, you’re actually self-aware that you have a villain’s face, huh?
“So?
Narrowed down who the VIP is?” “Well, yeah.
What about you?” “I still have no idea over on my end.
Mind telling me who you think the VIP is in my group if you’re feeling generous?” “I don’t mind, but who was in your group in the first place?” “…I knew it already, but you really are slacking off during this exam too, huh.
No wonder those teachers left you off the ‘Dragon’ group.” Saying so, Ryunkel tapped away on his phone for a moment before handing it over.
The members of the ‘Dragon’ group were listed on the screen.
Class A: Katsuragi Kohei, Nishikawa Ryoko, Matoba Shinji, Yano Koharu Class B: Ando Sayo, Kanzaki Ryuji, Tsube Hitomi Class C: Oda Takumi, Suzuki Hidetoshi, Sonoda Masashi, Ryuen Kakeru Class D: Kushida Kikyo, Hirata Yosuke, Horikita Suzune Wow, that’s a roster so specific there’s no way it was picked at random.
It feels unnatural that Bankai-chan isn’t mixed in, but maybe it was meant for me, or if she noticed, for Cozy to gather information.
Word is that Hoshinomiya-sensei, unlike our homeroom teacher, actually favors the class she’s in charge of.
…Well, setting that aside, as for the VIP in this group— “Kushida-chan, I’m guessing?” “…Kuku, looks like you weren’t bluffing after all.
But are you sure about this?
Leaking it to a guy from another class like me.” “Well, if you hadn’t actually figured out who the VIP was, I would’ve refused.
The fact that you believed my prediction without any evidence means that’s how it is, right?” To be honest, there was about a one-in-a-hundred-million chance it wasn’t Kushida-chan, but from Ryunkel’s reaction, I became certain that my deduced rule for the VIPs was correct.
“…You really are a ridiculous bastard.
I don’t know how you did it, but it seems you’ve grasped the rule for the VIPs too.
And yet, slacking off on the exam like this is out of your mind.” “That goes for you too, doesn’t it, Ryunkel?
If you’ve grasped the rule for the VIPs, you should just settle things quickly and win all by yourself.” “I have my own way of doing things.
Well, if you don’t do anything as things stand, Class A will proudly suffer a humiliating, crushing defeat.” “Heh, well that’s terrible.
I guess it’s time for the Katsuragi faction to face the music.
Poor things.” “Brushing it off with a single ‘poor things’…
you’re pretty much a scoundrel yourself, aren’t you?” It can’t be helped, it’s a matter of priority.
If Arisu and Lance clash, I’m taking Arisu’s side…
It’s as simple as that.
And so arrived the 3rd discussion.
“First Ever!
Class-versus-Class Milk Puzzle Time Attaaaack!” “Ah, ahaha…” “…I will say nothing more.” Right at the start, I abruptly threw out a theme as usual.
However, perhaps because they were getting used to it by now, nobody voiced an objection, so I handed out boxes containing 100-piece all-white jigsaw puzzles along with puzzle frames to each class.
“This time, each class’s unity will be put to the test.
You might object that the previous deserted island exam already produced results, but there’s a possibility that you only managed to band together because each class had a reliable leader.” “We in Class D won, but honestly, there was no unity whatsoever…” “However, what’s being tested this time is whether a makeshift team can cooperate well.
Well, Class B has Bankai-chan in the leader role, giving them an overwhelming advantage, but yeah, do your best over there.” “Why did you suddenly get so lazy with the pep talk?!” Yukimura-kun’s point was valid, but if I excluded Bankai-chan, Class B would probably hold a grudge against me.
Meanwhile, Bankai-chan herself—looking at Machida and his group who were refusing to discuss in the corner again—called out to me.
“Hey, Honjo-kun.
Even if you call it a class competition, I don’t think Machida-kun and his group will participate, right?” “Naturally.
Who would play such a foolish game—” “Inevitably, that leaves me as the sole representative for Class A.
Well, it’s fine.
I didn’t count them as fighting strength from the beginning anyway.” While Machida grimaced at my direct declaration of his uselessness, Karuizawa-chan—for whatever reason—dragged her chair over right next to mine.
“Even for you, Honjo-kun, being alone is way too disadvantageous, right?
I’ll help you out here.” Wow, I don’t want it.
I really don’t want it.
“Hellooo, Class D?
Your classmate is openly declaring betrayal, is that really okay?” “We don’t mind.
There’s no issue whatsoever even if Karuizawa leaves.” “Huh?
What’s that supposed to mean?” “I’m saying you’re completely useless even if you stay.
…Sotomura, Ayanokoji, no objections, right?” “This one has no objections either.” “…If those two are fine with it, I don’t have anything to say in particular.” “Seriously annoying.
Let me show them up, Honjo-kun!
I’m actually really good at this kind of thing!” There wasn’t a shred of credibility in her words…
but whatever.
Adding a bit of a handicap won’t change the outcome.
“Everyone ready in each class…?
Then, game STARRRRRT!” Simultaneously with the signal, I dumped out the box and picked out only the edge pieces from the pile.
“Alright then, Karuizawa-chan, start by assembling the edges first, just like standard strategy.
I’ll take care of the rest real quick.” “Got it, Honjo-kun, leave it to me!
…Wait, what is this?!
It’s all completely white!” While Karuizawa-chan struggled with what was likely her first time attempting a milk puzzle, I assembled the inner pieces while observing the state of each class.
“Mmmmmh…
Every single one looks identical, I cannot tell them apart at all…” “…Sorry, Yukimura, I give up too.” “I completely forgot that everyone besides Karuizawa is also useless…!” In Class D, Cozy and Sotomura-kun gave up early on.
Yukimura-kun, who didn’t even bother hiding his dissatisfaction with his teammates, was also struggling quite a bit; they probably wouldn’t finish in time.
Despite this game nominally testing unity, they started fighting among themselves right off the bat—a team that was out of the question in many ways.
“Where do you think this piece goes…?” “I have no idea about something like this~…” “Hey, Ibuki-san, you help out a bit too!” “I’m bad at this tedious work to begin with, and trying to do it with you guys makes it impossible.” In Class C, Manabe-chan and the other two were getting along fine, but Ibuki-chan gave up on the game early.
Manabe-chan looked dissatisfied with that attitude, but likely due to the power dynamics within the class, she couldn’t say anything too harsh.
Without Ryunkel—the absolute ruler—present, they were honestly not much different from Class D.
“Hamaguchi-kun, please handle the frame.
Beppu-kun, want to sort out the inner pieces with me?” “Got it.” “Understood.” Under Bankai-chan’s precise leadership, Class B was working efficiently.
If things kept going smoothly, they’d probably complete it within the time limit.
…Everything went exactly as predicted, how boring.
“…Alright, finished, Honjo-kun!” “Thanks, Karuizawa-chan.
Now for the finishing touch…” I fitted the completed inner section into the frame neatly surrounded by edge pieces, bringing it to a finish.
“Eh, you’re done already?!” “An experienced player can’t afford to fall behind, after all.
Once you get used to it, it’s not that difficult of a task.
…At any rate, this means we win.” “Yay!
Hmph, acting all high and mighty when you’re not a big deal at all, Yukimura-kun!” “Gh…!
Even though Honjo assembled almost all of it…!” Yukimura-kun seemed irritated for some reason, but a loss is still a loss; he should accept it meekly.
After that, I spent the remaining time casually chatting with Karuizawa-chan.
She must have been terrified of being confronted by Manabe-chan and her group, because she was desperately trying to get on my good side on the inside.
Since I had hinted about Arisu in advance, she didn’t try any physical contact, though.
Hmm…
I don’t mind protecting her if it’s within my line of sight, but if she gets bullied somewhere I don’t know about, she’ll have to handle it herself.
…No, or will Cozy take some kind of action?
He seemed to be observing Karuizawa-chan the entire time during this game, too.
In the end, without any surprises, Class B barely finished within the time limit, while Class D and Class C ended up with similar, unfinished results.
“Now then.
I’m gonna head over for a bit.” “Where to?” “To talk to Katsuragi-kun.” While collecting the distributed milk puzzles and stowing them away inside my coat, Bankai-chan and her group were having that exchange.
If she’s planning to persuade him to abandon his siege strategy, it’ll unfortunately end in a wasted effort.
Lance’s convictions aren’t cheap enough to change just because a hostile student poked at him.
“Can I come along too?” “Sure, but you too, Ayanokoji-kun?” “Horikita seems to be in the same group as Katsuragi.” “I see~ Then let’s go together.
Ah, Honjo-kun, how about you?” “Not interested~” Since I hate throwing time down the drain, I walked past the bitterly smiling Bankai-chan and left the room.
Now then, time to go fulfill my quota at the casino today as well.
Hashimoto, having finished his exam, is staying quietly in his room to avoid accidentally getting expelled, so starting today, I won’t have to deal with unnecessary interference.
After wrapping up my usual routine at the casino, I saw an email from Bankai-chan saying she wanted to talk a bit.
Walking over to the designated deck, three members of the Rabbit Group were waiting.
“Yahoo, Bankai-chan and her merry crew!
It’s been a whole few hours~” “Um, sorry for calling you out so suddenly, Honjo-kun.” “No need to mind it.
Well then, shall we talk over a cold drink?” Saying so, I tossed a bouquet into the air from inside my coat so that it scattered.
Bankai-chan and her group instinctively focused their eyes upward, and by the time they realized it, cups of iced tea were grasped in their hands.
“Your magic tricks are really amazing, Honjo-kun…
Couldn’t you make a living as a magician in the future?” “It’s strictly something I do as a hobby, so I don’t really plan on turning it into a business for now.
…More importantly, what’s up?
Calling me out out of the blue when we’re bound to meet at least one more time today—is it an emergency?
What kind of scheme is it?” “It has to be a scheme…?
Well, you’re not entirely off, but it’s not particularly an emergency…
I have a favor to ask you, Honjo-kun.” Hmm, a favor…?
If it were asking me to tell her who the VIP is, I’d have no choice but to be disappointed, but she’s surely not that stupid of a girl…
What is she going to ask?
“There are 3 discussions left, right?
…I plan to make my move during the final discussion, so I want you to stay quiet until then, Honjo-kun.” “Hmm?
Why ask that of me specifically?” Or rather, I handed the role of facilitator over to you in the very first discussion to begin with, so you could’ve just done whatever you wanted without going out of your way to ask.
“It’s pathetic of me to admit…
but I felt deeply during our previous discussions that if I competed with you for control of the conversation, I wouldn’t have a chance at winning.” …Oh!
Come to think of it, almost everything had been facilitated by me.
What a surprise.
“Yeah, sure, I don’t mind.” “In exchange, you can do whatever you want for the next two discussions…
wait, really?
It’s okay?” “I don’t know what kind of complicated thoughts you had in mind, but the reason I brought out Jenga and puzzles was just because I hated the idea of the discussion dragging on and becoming boring.
As for holding the initiative in the group, I just ended up taking it before I realized it.” In Bankai-chan’s head, I was probably painted as a terrifying adversary who, while feigning a feud with Machida on the surface, was actually controlling the group and plucking away those who threatened Class A’s siege strategy in advance.
“I know I’m the one who asked, but are you really sure?
I think it’ll probably be disadvantageous for Class A…” “I couldn’t care less about that.
As long as Arisu isn’t participating, I never intended to take it seriously in the first place.
If Bankai-chan and her group are plotting something interesting, I have no reason to get in the way.” “I-I see…” To tell the truth, I actually wanted her to snatch the initiative away from me using sheer ability.
Bankai-chan’s goodness is both a strength and a flaw.
Because she goes out of her way to listen to my proposals, her pace gets easily stolen away.
If Arisu or Ryunkel were in the group, dominating the room so easily probably wouldn’t have been possible.
…Well, expecting too much right off the bat isn’t good.
Compromise is important in life, so let’s look forward to her future growth.
Besides, just because it happened to work negatively in this exam, it would be premature to discard her goodness as unnecessary.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– By the way, all the flowers he carries around are artificial ones.
He’s a guy who treats plants more carefully than he treats Hashimoto-kun.
While Ichinose-san is second to none when it comes to trust and attraction from allies, in a mixed team of allies and enemies, her dominance falls far short of Kiriha-kun’s.
Unless one possesses the mental fortitude to constantly remain wary of Kiriha-kun—like Ayanokoji-kun, Arisu-chan, or Ryuen-kun—they’ll end up easily won over before they know it.