Luxury Cruise Ship – Class B's Lounge
Class B's defining trait is, without question, their exceptional harmony.
Everyone in the class gets along well, they can openly share opinions even with their representative figure Ichinose Honami, and their unity is their greatest strength.
Yet inside the lounge, the usual lively voices were absent—only muffled sobs could be heard.
One student was explaining, through tearful gasps, the truth of what had happened behind the scenes in this exam.
"...I'm sorry. I'm... sorry."
The girl, Shiranami Chihiro, knelt on the floor with both knees, hiding her face in her hands as she begged for forgiveness.
Everyone present could only feel sympathy for her.
A single misstep, and any one of them could have ended up in her position.
The calamity that had befallen her during this special exam was utterly unavoidable. Placed in the same circumstances, no one could have done anything—it was clear.
Not just the girls—even the boys were rendered speechless.
"It's okay, it's okay, Chihiro-chan. Thank you for protecting me. You did everything you could."
Ichinose embraced the crumbling Shiranami, gently stroking her head to soothe her.
The other students gathered close, surrounding her protectively and offering encouragement.
"It's okay"
"Don't worry."
"But this exam... I... I dragged everyone down."
"That's not true, Chihiro-chan. We earned 130 points—our class points went up."
"But..."
To Shiranami, who spoke between sobs, Ichinose showed saintly kindness and a warm smile, pulling her closer.
Gradually, light began returning to Shiranami's vacant eyes. After about five minutes in that embrace, she stopped crying.
Taking that as the cue, Ichinose stood. Shiranami slowly followed.
Shiranami reluctantly clutched the hem of Ichinose's skirt with her right hand and wiped her eyes with her left.
"Everyone, please listen. I want to explain everything about this exam—and how we'll move forward."
Ichinose scanned her classmates' faces before speaking clearly and energetically, as if to blow away the heavy atmosphere.
...
About an hour after the Special Exam ended...
"Hey, where'd you go, Horikita-san? You're the star of the show here."
"...The restroom. And I'm not the star."
"Stop acting cool and smile already. I wanna praise you more~"
"No need to praise me."
This school is a paradise.
That was my honest impression upon enrolling, and I still feel the same way.
Yet few students realize, after about four months, that this peace is under threat.
"Still, you were amazing, Horikita-san! Coming up with a strategy like that!"
"...It wasn't my achievement alone. It was a plan born from cooperation with Hirata-kun and others.
And Karuizawa-san, we failed, so praise doesn't make me happy."
"Come on, smile Happiness will slip away. And you're being so modest Getting 148 points is incredible~"
From my vantage point, slightly apart from the group and lost in thought, I could see my former loner neighbor being addressed by someone at the top of the class hierarchy.
Thanks to the opportunities to talk during this exam, her sharp edge had softened a little, and her aura felt calmer.
The mastermind behind the plan. As intended, she was perfectly playing the role of my shadow.
"Ayanokouji, lend me your ear for a moment."
A calm woman's voice reached me from behind the backrest.
Consulting alone with a beautiful teacher—a dreamlike situation.
Though the teacher who called me is indeed beautiful, she's the type to hold a knife to your throat. Closer to a grim reaper than anything.
"If you don't want to, we can talk here. Please lead me to a cooler room if possible."
"Unfortunately, I haven't prepared a room. Don't be greedy."
Led by the grim reaper—Chabashira-sensei—I moved through the ship until we reached a terrace where the sun, sinking into the sea, was visible.
There was no sea breeze, but the summer weather was comfortable enough.
Once all signs of people vanished and silence settled, I started the conversation.
"For now, are you satisfied?"
"Satisfied, huh. Well, looking only at the results, Class D took second place—a praiseworthy rank by usual standards, a truly satisfying outcome."
"Spare me the roundabout talk. What's the truth?"
"Fuh, then what would you do if I said I wasn't satisfied?"
Chabashira-sensei leaned against the railing, wearing a mischievous smile.
"I'd be in serious trouble."
"Just kidding. I am satisfied... about eighty percent."
"Then tell me. Is it true that 'that man' demanded my expulsion?"
"I said eighty percent, Ayanokouji. You're quite impatient."
"...Then what about the remaining twenty percent? What failed to satisfy you?"
A faint irritation stirred toward this woman who prolonged tedious exchanges.
Still, I kept it from my voice and asked.
"This time, your efforts gained Class D's atmosphere, trust, and 148 class points.
Impressive. You undeniably showed cooperation toward reaching Class A. But you didn't give your all.
...No, you couldn't give your all. You prioritized not standing out in the future and ended up reactive—am I wrong?"
Words that pricked my mind.
It seemed the school side grasped the class exam details thoroughly.
"I gave my all. I gave my all, maneuvered to avoid widening the gap with classes other than A, and produced the best possible result."
"Hoh, then it's fine to say you knew A and C would guess the leaders and deliberately gave up? And that connects to holding back."
"I didn't hold back. This was the best move. A step to connect to the next."
"...To the next. Meaning you'll cooperate in the next exam too, Ayanokouji?"
She announced it with a villainous grin unfit for a teacher.
She acts as if she didn't intend to draw those words out from the start.
But this time, riding the provocation wasn't a bad idea.
"I myself am unsatisfied with the result. I've prepared for that. And the next will be the true final one... So please give me the basis to believe 'that man's' contact was real."
"That I know your true ability—that itself is the basis, don't you think?"
I hesitated slightly to dismiss it outright. Chabashira-sensei knows my entrance exam results, but that alone doesn't mean she knows me deeply.
She's still hiding something.
Currently, too much information is missing to dispel this woman's inconsistencies. Any more would waste time.
"...I see. Then I'll head back. You won't say anything more here anyway, right? And other students might say something."
With that, I turned my back on Chabashira-sensei and slowly walked the way I came.
"The wings of Icarus."
She said that to me without stopping.
A famous myth. The fairy tale of Icarus, who flew into the sky to gain 'freedom.'
"Icarus leaped from the tower where he was imprisoned to gain freedom. But it wasn't by his power alone.
His father Daedalus instructed him to make wings and sent him flying. He didn't fly by his own will. Doesn't that sound exactly like you right now?"
An incomprehensible, uninteresting story. For humans—lumps of desire—'freedom' is something they crave desperately.
Even if the desire didn't exist at first, once people instinctively seek 'freedom,' it becomes their own will.
"'That man'... no, your father said this, 'Kiyotaka will eventually choose the path of dropping out himself.'"
I continued ignoring her. Still, Chabashira-sensei asked.
"What do you plan to do from now on?"
"You already know, Sensei. Icarus doesn't heed Daedalus's warning."
For the sake of 'freedom.' Because that is for my sake.
...
Luxury Cruise Ship – Class A's Chartered Restaurant
A fusion of Japanese and Western cuisine—truly diverse dishes were laid out.
Greasy items centered on fried chicken and sausages, sōmen noodles, white fish fries, sushi, and other Japanese dishes.
Curries, pizzas, omelet rice, and other Western foods were visible too.
A buffet. And one using ingredients from a famous restaurant aboard the luxury cruise ship.
Everyone carried food enjoyably, smiles blooming here and there.
It was currently the night of the special exam's end—the time for what could be called a victory celebration.
"As expected of Katsuragi-san! This exam was Class A's complete victory!"
"Fuh, naturally. We are Class A—the most excellent class in this year."
The man who always carried abnormal tension, Katsuragi Kouhei. The one who had effectively risen to Class A's leader with this exam's results.
Even he was laughing in a relaxed state.
Around him clustered what seemed like more Katsuragi faction members than before.
"Hey, hey, Hashimoto! Enjoy yourself too."
A Katsuragi faction classmate said that to me as my gaze lingered on the food and my hand stopped.
"What are you talking about? I'm obviously enjoying myself. I was just thinking about seconds."
"Oh, really? Then get mine too."
"No way. Do it yourself."
I laughed and moved away from him.
It's awkward to say myself, but my communication skills and status-securing ability are pretty impressive.
Currently, Sakayanagi faction members are feeling cramped due to the special exam result of "overwhelming victory thanks to Katsuragi's efforts."
Because of that, the Katsuragi faction clusters among themselves, while the smaller Sakayanagi faction sticks together—extremely polarized.
Yet despite enjoying the buffet away from the noisy crowd, I—a Sakayanagi faction member—can cheerfully talk with Katsuragi faction people.
Normally the two factions clash with sparks flying; I'm in a position that could be called central in the Sakayanagi faction.
"Ah, Hashimoto-kun, what are you aiming for?"
"Hey, hey, don't make me sound like a glutton."
"Ahaha, sorry, sorry. But you know—"
I nodded along to the Katsuragi faction girl who approached and properly conversed.
When it ended, she left looking pleased. I can hold normal conversations like this.
"As expected of me, huh?"
"What creepy thing are you saying?"
A voice came from behind me. I nearly dropped my plate.
The surroundings were rowdy, so I had assumed my mutter wouldn't be heard.
I turned to face the visitor.
"...No, no, but don't you think it's impressive? I'm Sakayanagi faction, yet I get approached like this."
"Yeah, it's not impressive."
"As blunt as ever, Kamuro. With that deadpan face about everything being boring, it's a waste of your beauty."
I teased the clearly unimpressed girl before me.
She was Kamuro Masumi. A girl in Class A and Sakayanagi's primary piece.
"So, what do you want with creepy me?"
"You're grinning a lot for someone who got this result."
"Well, I reported to Sakayanagi-san and pretty much got off without punishment."
"...I see."
Kamuro showed understanding.
This exam brought overwhelming victory through cooperation with Class C. But it couldn't quite be called complete victory.
After all, from now until graduation, every member of Class A has to pay Ryuuen an insane 40,000 points monthly.
Why did Katsuragi agree to such a contract? Complaints like that are probably surfacing even in the Katsuragi faction.
But they'll fade soon. After summer break, Class A's points will be 1518—even after losing 40,000, over 110,000 private points remain.
Katsuragi likely considered that and accepted the contract. And everyone has tentatively accepted it.
But our boss upstairs—that aggressive princess—was absolutely furious seeing the result.
"From the look of it, you became her punching bag."
"...Yeah. She vented so much frustration I deserve praise for not throwing my phone."
"My condolences."
"Annoying."
By the way, my personal theory is that Ryuuen and Katsuragi have another private contract.
Still in the realm of speculation, but I suspect the reason for handing over such a huge sum is because it can be recouped... maybe preparing to gather 20 million points and bring Ryuuen into Class A.
Well, it's speculation. Forget it. I muttered that to myself too.
"So, are you switching to the Katsuragi faction?"
I was lost in my own delusions when Kamuro asked in a slightly quieter voice.
"Hey, hey, what's with that? Not like you."
In moments like this, I can't help teasing—is that a virtue or a flaw?
I wondered while teasing again.
"Cut that out. I know your personality well enough."
"Sigh, I'm flattered. Being known by a beauty."
"Boring."
"Oh, that phrasing sounds like Kamukura Izuru."
"Don't lump me with that guy."
I couldn't help laughing at her reaction. Kamuro really is fun to tease.
But teasing further would be trouble, so I decided to restart the conversation seriously.
"Now then, about switching to Katsuragi faction. The answer is almost no."
"Almost... huh."
"You know me well enough, right? Then you get what that means?"
"You really are abnormal too. You want to suck up that sweet nectar that badly?"
"Yeah, pretty much. But isn't it a desire everyone has?"
Kamuro turned away with distaste. Seems I stepped on a landmine.
"...Sorry, I generalized too much."
"No need to apologize."
"Really? Well, sorry for souring the mood."
With those words, I left Kamuro.
Still, abnormal, huh. I don't feel that way myself.
I genuinely reflected on the word. And reaffirmed that true abnormals exist on another level entirely.
Ryuuen, who casually wields violence and manipulates fear. Sakayanagi, who sees others as nothing but pieces.
Ayanokouji, who grasped everything in this special exam yet did nothing—an unfathomable man.
And the one thought to possess ability surpassing even those three—Kamukura.
Compared to them, I'm downright cute.
"Haha, positioning from here on will be crucial."
For me, whose side I'm on is trivial. I don't care at all.
Who the leader is doesn't matter. Whether it benefits me—that's the criterion. The only important thing is securing a position for a final reversal.
For the first time in a while, a genuinely amused smile slipped out from the bottom of my heart.
***
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