What is this world?
Is the scenery I see truly real? Are the people I'm speaking to actually human?
Or is the world my brain perceives nothing more than a vast string of alphanumerics—a program?
New World Program?
Many questions swirl in my mind, yet one possibility emerges.
I keep thinking slowly like this and speculating about this world until the second group discussion has already begun.
When the discussion begun, the air is tense and no one speaks because all of them is locked in a stalemate of wary observation.
Yet this space feels strangely comforting.
This silence is perfect for thought.
Hajime Hinata... Why did I hear his voice?
The questions have piled up inside my mind, but no answers surface.
If a voice speaking directly into your brain is typically the result of drugs or paranoid delusions.
It isn't divine revelation like some ancient prophet, nor the product of a dissociative disorder.
…Though I can't entirely rule out the latter, or drug administration.
Regardless, the fact is remains... a voice reached me directly.
Given that fact, this world cannot be considered reality—at least not the real one.
This world is virtual. But why…?
It's only a hypothesis, yet it carries weight.
Even if it is virtual, my course of action remains unchanged.
There must be an escape route. If it resembles the past, perhaps "graduation" from this school.
Unlike the New World Program, I currently hold no authority. I doubt I could oppose Hajime Hinata, who seems to possess it.
The mere fact that he can interfere with this world means he shares my talents.
In my present state, even facing myself would be difficult.
Thus, I have no choice but to follow this world's rules.
Well, fine. For now, let's kill time with the exam.
There's no point struggling against a hopeless situation. I'll adapt, and reconsider when he contacts me again.
Right now, my priority is watching how the stage I've prepared unfolds.
…I do have some thoughts about my own actions.
He really is worthy of someone with the same talent as mine, considering he managed to shake me with just a single sentence… but right now it's simply irritating.
Further reflection was clearly unnecessary and as a raw hostility pierced me, it pulled my awareness back to the present.
"Well then."
I take the same seat as before, showing no particular reaction.
Numerous wary gazes converge on me. Doing nothing only makes my presence more unsettling to them.
Yet despite their caution, the other classes remain strangely motionless.
Classes B and D watch me closely yet refuse to speak.
They're overly timid. Failing to act implies they aren't worried I'll assign the VIP to someone selfish—but they aren't foolish enough to simply ignore the risk.
"Why don't we end this waiting game?"
A trial without statements is boring.
A single trigger is all it takes for things to move.
"You see the current situation as mere observation, don't you?"
Horikita looks straight at me as she speaks.
Her expression lacks the hesitation and concern of the first discussion—evidence she's devised some kind of plan.
"Isn't it?"
"It isn't wrong. Everyone is guarding against whatever you might do."
"Then let's give them something to guard against. Horikita, I'll let you choose. Which group would you like to end?"
Tension surges at my words. Students from every class tense, listening intently.
"I won't choose any group."
"Then I will. Rest assured—I'll identify Class A's VIP again, so there'll be no direct harm to the rest of you."
I only wish to sow chaos. No reason, just an investment of disorder for the future.
Naturally, Class A cannot stay silent. Their leader, Katsuragi, bites back.
"…You speak as if you already know Class A's VIP, but it's just a bluff, isn't it? Stop disrupting the process."
"If it were a bluff, I wouldn't bother speaking. Ignoring it would lead to self-destruction. Wouldn't that benefit Class A?"
Katsuragi falls silent.
He's an earnest type, so he can take safe measures to keep a bomb from detonating, but he lacks the resolve to disarm it.
"Katsuragi Kouhei—if you keep doing nothing, you'll never beat Sakurayanagi Arisu."
"…Be quiet. I'm tired of hearing you."
"This time it's genuine advice."
"I said be quiet. You spout nonsense fluently and toy with anyone who reacts. Pathetic."
"So there's no point in speaking? Even so, I address everyone politely."
"It's mere sarcasm."
Katsuragi ends our exchange with the bare minimum of words.
As expected of his high ability. His poor compatibility with Sakurayanagi is the only flaw; both are exceptional talents.
As Class A's leader, he has sharp insight into people. He untangles prejudice correctly and judges only after grasping the truth.
"What a waste. If you and Sakurayanagi joined forces, you'd create a truly unparalleled class."
His glare sharpens, heavy with negative emotion.
That intensity is affirmation—anger and frustration at having the truth exposed, the sweat of an immature spirit unable to accept it.
"Well, shall we begin the discussion?"
Their stern expressions stir nothing in me. Same as always—past and present.
"What's the agenda?"
Kanzaki from Class B is the first to bite.
"Naturally, this group's policy. Let's decide what outcome we'll reach."
"Fine by me. I wanted that clarified."
"Hold on, Kanzaki. Don't carelessly play into his hands."
Katsuragi interrupts, wary that discussion will corner Class A or spiral into unpredictable chaos.
But Kanzaki responds calmly.
"Nothing changes if we stay like this. And if we remain silent, he'll actually report the other groups' VIPs to the school. Correct or not, reducing potential points isn't wise. Katsuragi, you know complying is less dangerous than resisting."
"…I know. Which is exactly why we won't participate. As I said earlier, we have no intention of changing our position."
"That's a dangerous path."
"I'm aware. Still, I'd rather eliminate the risk of slipping up in conversation."
They choose non-participation, believing themselves safe outside the fray.
Not a bad strategy—if I were truly abandoning the exam and running wild, it would be an effective counter.
Clear traces of thought. Both possess high intellect and decisiveness—worthy leaders of their classes.
"Class D will participate as well."
When Horikita declares this, Hirata adopts a fully motivated expression, ready to join.
She glances at me, but her eyes are dim, hinting at poor condition.
I quietly admire her.
Her spirit isn't broken—it's on the verge, yet she hasn't collapsed.
The expected course, but resisting rather than simply accepting despair is rare enough to spark faint interest.
That interest, however, quickly fades.
"Time is precious so let's begin."
Horikita seizes control of the proceedings and pushes forward, confirming everyone is at least positioned to listen.
My gaze sweeps the room. Suspicion lingers, yet they focus on the topic and begin discussing.
They conceal their information like loaded bullets, to be fired as words when needed.
To shoot down distracting noise, distinguish plausible bluffs, and vote toward the correct answer.
Discussion begins.
.
.
.
"The policy for Class D has already been decided. We'll fight while aiming for Outcome 1. But if it becomes necessary, we won't hesitate to switch to Outcome 3 or 4."
"Class B feels the same way. I have no objection to aiming for Outcome 1. If we decide to share the VIP within this group, I think that would be even better."
"There's no way that's possible. Are Classes B and D really okay with letting Class A gain the advantage?"
"It's true that ending on Outcome 1 would essentially give Class A the upper hand. But Class D would still gain something from it. The same goes for the other classes, of course."
"Hmm. Then what if I said I won't allow that to happen? What would you do?"
"We'd fight. Even if you try to throw this exam into chaos, as long as there's an outcome within reach, we won't slack off in our efforts to seize it."
"That's an admirable spirit. But don't worry—I have no intention of causing chaos. I mentioned it last time, didn't I? After all... I'm the VIP of the Dragon Group. Leading us to Outcome 1 should be simple, shouldn't it?"
"That's wrong!"
The rebuttal shattered the discussion into pieces.
My field of vision cleared as I brushed aside the words trying to disrupt my thoughts.
Suzune Horikita destroyed the lie and pressed forward.
"I can't keep playing along with your lies anymore."
Her eyes were direct and unwavering.
The nature of her gaze was different, yet it resembled Manabu Horikita's all the same.
And not merely because they were siblings.
That intensity, that iron will—it was fair to say it stood on equal ground with the former student council president's.
"I haven't lied."
"Then prove it."
Horikita continued in a firm, commanding voice.
I remained silent and listened to her proof.
"During the first group discussion, you declared yourself the VIP.
At first, I doubted whether you actually were, but that move was a strategy designed to deliberately guide us toward Outcome 4.
By posing as a false VIP, you manipulated the others into submitting the wrong answer to the school.
Why go to such lengths? Because your class had the real VIP. That explanation gives your strategy a clear motive. By intentionally leading everyone astray, you could easily secure the points that come with being the only one correct."
"That's one possible interpretation. I simply spoke up courageously to guide this group to Outcome 1."
"You're right—it remains a possibility. But I know the true VIP of this group. Which means I also know you're lying."
Horikita's declaration stirred murmurs among the others.
She wasn't bluffing. She genuinely seemed to know who the VIP was. She hadn't shown any sign of it in the first round, so it was safe to assume someone had shared the information with her.
In other words, she had reliable allies. If she'd figured it out on her own, that would mark significant growth.
"Intriguing. Then by all means, tell me who the real VIP is—if you're truly committed to reaching Outcome 1."
"Of course. But first... could you show me the email the school sent to your phone?"
At those words, I lowered my crossed leg, rested both elbows on the desk, and pressed my clasped hands against my chin.
I directed my crimson eyes at her like a silent threat.
Yet she didn't flinch.
"If you truly stepped forward for the sake of this group, it should be possible, right?"
"...Thinking calmly, you're correct. I got a little worked up in the earlier discussion and let it slip my mind. ...So, what about it, Kamukura?"
Kanzaki backed her up.
His cool-headed reasoning was sound—the most rational conclusion.
"And I have questions for you as well."
"Questions?"
"Yes. But first, show me the email."
Horikita stated it firmly, her glare daring me to try escaping.
"And if I refuse both?"
"I won't allow that. If you don't answer... we have our own countermeasures."
Her expression was deadly serious.
Her posture remained composed, her features unchanging, yet her eyes burned with the desire to win.
As expected, she had prepared some kind of plan.
"Very well. I'll answer your questions."
"...No hesitation at all. You must be extremely confident."
I unlocked the phone and handed it to the girl beside me.
"I've never once acted with true confidence in my life."
"Ridiculous."
She scoffed lightly as her slender, elegant fingers navigated my device.
Almost instantly, her eyes widened.
She glared at me without missing a beat.
It was only natural. Someone as sharp as her would have suspected countermeasures the moment I handed over the phone without resistance.
Yet when she actually checked the email, she found nothing—no forgery, no trick.
All that was there was proof that Izuru Kamukura was not the VIP.
"Horikita, what did you find?"
"...He's not the VIP."
"...I see. So claiming it was for the group's sake was a lie after all."
"Hmph. I told you that from the start."
Kanzaki's confirmation intensified the stares from the other classes.
Seizing the moment, Katsuragi muttered under his breath.
"...What are you playing at? Why...?"
"Why didn't I prepare any countermeasures? I'll answer that when you ask the questions you've prepared."
The school had a rule that editing or copying emails is prohibited.
It existed to give the VIP absolute security.
If a violation was discovered, punishment was inevitable.
The risk was obviously high—which was why I hadn't tampered with anything.
...Or rather, that wasn't entirely accurate.
Even if altering or duplicating the email itself was forbidden, tampering with the SIM card or the phone hardware was still possible.
If I wished, I could have used talents on the level of Ultimate Hacker, Ultimate Programmer, or Ultimate Mechanic to alter the email without leaving a trace.
But I never intended to do any of that from the beginning.
Winning wasn't my objective this time. On top of that, I simply hadn't had the time or spare capacity.
This outcome stemmed from prioritizing my contact with Hajime Hinata and the thoughts that followed.
Even so.
There had been plenty of opportunities for analysis. In the future I was currently observing—this discussion's trajectory—at the very least, it did not show her bringing the exam to a clean resolution.
No matter how she struggled, she remained bound by calculations of gain and loss, unwilling to abandon the abundant benefits available.
Creativity, timing, breadth of vision, depth of thought—she still lacked the ability to select the paths that led to a better future, to reach them, and to derive the correct answer.
Her narrow perspective, in particular, had been laid bare during the uninhabited island exam. Rigid thinking made it nearly impossible to arrive at the right answer amid endlessly branching possibilities.
"...I have two questions. Both are simple. Why are you doing this? Do you truly want to win this exam?"
Her eyes were sharp, her expression tense. Beads of sweat formed on her cheeks despite the room not being particularly warm.
Doing "this," of course, meant disrupting the exam. When points were on the line, victory was the natural goal.
Yet here stood someone who ignored that obvious truth.
She sought to unravel incomprehensible behavior—to understand the unknown.
She would gather information from any source available. There was no ulterior motive in it.
I respected that pure desire to know. I admired the strength of heart required to confront what she could not comprehend.
And so, I would answer honestly.
It's up to her to sift through the information. Whether she believes it or not is her decision alone.
I looked straight into Suzune Horikita's eyes and slowly told her the truth.
"──I want to see a future I don't know."
"…A future you don't know? You mean something unknown, then."
"Yes. That's why I have no attachment to winning or losing. Anything that happens is fine.
Clinging to someone to survive, rebelling on rails someone else laid down, being dropped into the depths of despair, struggling as unsightly as possible—no matter what it is.
The meaning lies in the process of moving forward no matter what happens.
As long as there's a future I don't know at the end of that process—'hope'—that's enough."
There was no grand plan, no elaborate motive.
That alone was the principle guiding my actions right now.
…
The person beside me stated it calmly.
His voice was so neutral and flat, devoid of inflection, that it was impossible to tell whether it was truth or lie.
No one could press him further on it.
We were all left speechless. He said it so matter-of-factly that we nearly abandoned the impulse to doubt him.
Yet there was enough evidence to make it worth believing. There were grounds sufficient to believe it even after doubting.
The time for frozen thinking was over. I'd had plenty of time to agonize.
I'd heard what I wanted to know. I could make more than enough inferences.
He wouldn't let the Dragon Group's exam end easily. He was hoping for an uncertain outcome, so he wouldn't stop until he saw the result.
That much was confirmed. I was done being played one-sidedly.
"Now, I've told the truth. It's your turn."
Kamukura proceeded mechanically.
Even with his lie exposed and himself cornered, his demeanor didn't change in the slightest.
"Fair enough. Then I'll tell the truth too—including why I know who the real VIP is."
Everyone's expressions shifted as they readied themselves to listen again.
Kamukura placed his right foot on his chair and rested his right arm atop it, striking the same distinctive pose as before.
"Why do I know the real VIP? Because the real VIP is in my class."
"…So now it's your turn, huh."
Katsuragi muttered while clutching his head.
I fully understood what he wanted to say.
But interjecting now would only get in the way.
"Could those who have no intention of participating in the exam please stay quiet?"
"I'd rather not let another strange person seize control again. So this is a natural question."
He didn't back down and fired back.
In poker terms, this was the showdown. I had to develop the argument and silence the heckling from the sidelines.
"At present, it's been revealed that Kamukura was lying. In other words, he lied to protect another VIP in Class C and, if possible, tried to win the exam by making the school receive the wrong answer.
It's obvious that someone in Class C other than Kamukura is the VIP. Why aren't we pursuing that?"
"Clouding your own vision with logic is a foolish move. You've noticed the possibility that the VIP isn't in Class C, haven't you?"
"…It seems you're the one whose vision is clouded by sophistry."
"Don't look away. You were the first to pursue him as a madman beyond logic or sophistry, Katsuragi. Don't you understand the situation? Something like that is impossible, right?"
He had to understand. Even if he couldn't judge Kamukura's words with 100% certainty, he'd sensed the man's philosophy and guiding principles.
Yet he tried to eliminate as many uncertainties as possible. He assumed there was logic behind Kamukura's chaotic actions, and on that basis he shifted to defense.
If he kept defending, he wouldn't gain points, but he wouldn't lose any either. It was a strategy only the top-ranked Class A could afford, with extremely high certainty of victory.
But that wouldn't let us move forward from the current situation.
"If we leave him alone like this, another group somewhere will end. That's something Class A can't ignore either."
"…Very well. I'll listen."
"Katsuragi!?"
He moved.
The man who could be described as unmoving like a mountain had finally made a decision.
He set aside his sense of responsibility and pride for the moment. I couldn't say whether that was good or bad outright, but I was grateful he was willing to move forward.
At the same time, I recognized him as a formidable opponent. This move was probably instinct, or perhaps he prioritized following the flow of the discussion.
He wasn't simply stubborn, it seemed.
"Thank you."
"I don't need thanks. Rather, your words swayed me a little. I'm impressed."
It wasn't sarcasm or flattery. I accepted it honestly.
"Everyone, indulge my selfishness for just a moment."
Katsuragi bowed apologetically to the other Class A students.
There was no hostile atmosphere. It seemed the rest of Class A agreed as well.
If he showed a cooperative stance, it would deal even greater damage to Class C…
And unilaterally at that. Leading to Outcome 1 was extremely difficult in this exam, but sinking a single class wasn't all that hard.
If three classes cooperated, high-quality VIP information would gather, and the win rate would skyrocket. It was one way to victory.
"So, who exactly is this supposed real VIP in your class?"
Kamukura brought the conversation back on track. The difference from before was that his attitude toward Katsuragi was colder, and the air of disinterest had vanished.
Given his behavioral principles, this was probably somewhat unexpected for him.
"That… I won't say yet."
"Reasonable. No matter how Outcome 4 works, failing to account for the risk of betrayal would be too dangerous."
"You're the one saying that?"
"The persuasiveness is different, isn't it?"
I nearly clicked my tongue at his expressionless provocation, but I held it in.
"…As he says, I can't reveal the VIP yet. So I intend to do it during the final group discussion."
"Horikita, that means you'll show the email too, right?"
"Yes. Properly."
Kanzaki's question was natural—to prevent a second Kamukura.
Glancing at the others' faces, no one looked dissatisfied.
In other words, this statement had earned their trust.
As expected of Kanzaki… He continued.
"Then the issue becomes ensuring no traitor emerges there…"
Katsuragi probably felt some relief at this point.
If he'd stayed silent earlier and let things slide, Class A would have been targeted too.
For me, having him as an ally was a welcome miscalculation.
"Yes. So for the next discussion, I'd like to talk about 'an agreement to prevent traitors' or 'concluding a contract that benefits everyone.' I want to spend the remaining time on that—is that all right?"
We would promise not to betray each other and offer something in return. The offering would mostly be points, but that would serve as compensation.
Since three classes were cooperating, betrayal was virtually impossible anyway, so no points would likely need to be paid.
After all, we currently shared a common enemy.
And I had guided them to cooperate in order to defeat that common enemy. I'd used Kamukura's selfishness to my advantage.
As long as they cooperated in taking down Class C, the points stolen from Class C could be divided among us.
As long as there was no betrayal, we could sip points from an overwhelmingly advantageous position.
With all that in mind, I wanted to discuss here and now to create something more concrete and consistent.
"Class B has no issue."
Led by Kanzaki, the Class B students nodded.
"Class A has no issue either. If we can conclude that contract well, we can reach Outcome 1."
The other Class A students showed no dissatisfaction either.
All that remained was—
"What about Class C?"
Kamukura merely seemed to think for a moment and said nothing.
The other Class C students panicked at his demeanor.
It was understandable. If he didn't agree here, the other classes would join hands and unilaterally guess Class C's VIP.
It would be a visible defeat. His "king," Ryuuen, would undoubtedly be furious.
"That's your conclusion. But—you're still scheming something, aren't you?"
"…And if I am?"
I waited for his next words.
And then his mouth, the corners of his lips—
"Wonderful."
I was bewildered by that expression.
Hostility, malice, dominance, madness, lies, talent—I had thought Izuru Kamukura was a youkai-like being who manipulated all of those with ease.
Yet this expression was almost… like that of an ordinary human.
"Hearing that alone already exceeds my predictions of you. You've grown in this short time."
"…You should choose your compliments more carefully. It's creepy."
I let a harsh remark slip out without thinking. The fact that it was all I could say made me doubt whether I'd truly grown.
"I offer you my respect. Therefore, Class C will cooperate as well. And please do your utmost to achieve the future you envision."
At that statement, the other Class C students sighed in relief. The worst-case scenario seemed to have passed.
But—I wouldn't let my guard down again.
I still didn't know what he was thinking. I didn't know how he would act. Precisely because of that, I wouldn't neglect my next vigilance.
"Then let us discuss how to share Class D's VIP, 'Kikyou Kushida.'"
He pressed the detonator.
But I wouldn't run. As long as this discussion—and today—ended, it would be our victory.
***
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