Classmate Shibata's probing question made Horikita-san look at him for the first time.
"Classmate Shibata, do you know what you're saying? If we follow the normal procedure, we'll only be notified who the favored person is on the third night. Assuming Classmate Shibata, you are the favored person, how would you know that you are the favored person?"
This was also the most perplexing problem for Horikita-san.
If Classmate Shibata had truly discovered the pattern of the favored person, then this favored person exam might be over overnight.
"I already have an idea, but the last step requires your cooperation, Horikita-san, to verify the result. Could you please tell me what number you drew on your playing card?"
Classmate Shibata looked at Horikita-san with a serious expression. This gaze was somewhat similar to Amane's. Could Classmate Shibata really have found the favored person's pattern or method?
And this method was also related to drawing cards before the exam.
Now that she thought about it... when Chabashira-sensei was explaining it to her, she did repeatedly emphasize that she must remember the number on her playing card.
It was precisely because of Chabashira-sensei's repeated reminders that Horikita-san paid special attention. She still remembered Chabashira-sensei saying that after drawing the card, she needed to show her the numbered side of the playing card first, to determine if a favored person had emerged.
In other words, the identity of the favored person was not related to the person, but to the number on the playing card.
In that case, all she needed to do was find the common pattern among the numbers on all the favored persons' playing cards... As soon as she thought of this, Horikita-san, who was about to speak, closed her mouth again.
This action was naturally seen clearly by Classmate Shibata, who pondered for a moment and then decided to directly press the question.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm thinking, if the favored person's identity is related to the number on the playing card, then by collecting as many numbers from the favored persons' playing cards as possible, we can find out what pattern exists among the favored persons, and thus easily win this special exam."
Classmate Shibata's brow furrowed imperceptibly when he heard Horikita-san's analysis, then slowly returned to normal.
"As expected of Horikita-san, you're absolutely right. That's why I need your help."
Classmate Shibata continued to encourage Horikita-san with his enthusiastic yet gentle voice.
But this time, Horikita-san was completely unmoved, because she had already seen through Classmate Shibata's trick.
"How much material do you have right now?"
Horikita-san's counter-question made Classmate Shibata fall silent.
Currently, only Horikita-san's identity as a favored person had been exposed. The only material was Horikita-san. If Horikita-san didn't agree to cooperate, where else could he find material?
Seeing Classmate Shibata's silence, Horikita-san let out a soft snort.
"Classmate Shibata, you've certainly got a good plan. Indeed, by simply studying the numerical correlation among favored persons, you can find other favored persons. But the premise is that you must have at least about half or at least one-third of the favored persons assisting you to complete such research and analysis. Finding favored persons requires first studying the pattern, and studying the pattern requires first finding favored persons. Isn't this a dead end?"
Horikita-san's gaze sharpened.
"I remember you said you had already discovered the favored person's pattern before calling me here, but I didn't expect you were here to extract information from me. Obtaining a large amount of information about favored persons almost certainly has to wait until the end of the third day. You want to get a head start now and are unwilling to share your ideas. Do you really take me for one of those easily deceived young girls in your class? Right now, I am the only favored person who can provide you with information. If you want this information, please come with enough sincerity."
Horikita-san said, intending to get up and leave.
However, Classmate Shibata stopped her first.
"Please wait a moment. I do have some ideas about the favored person, but I can't share them with you. Class B needs a big victory to maintain its position, so I can't share my ideas with you. But I'm very interested in your information and can buy it with personal points. Horikita-san, name your price."
Classmate Shibata's actions made even himself feel a bit uncomfortable, but it was unavoidable.
Horikita-san immediately sensed that the leadership struggle in Class B had entered a white-hot stage. Now it depended on who could lead Class B to a comeback, or at least prevent them from being demoted, to potentially become the leader of Class B.
Currently, there were still eleven favored persons who hadn't been found. If Classmate Shibata's idea was correct, and he confirmed his idea through analysis of Horikita-san, then Class B would sweep all the victories in this favored person exam.
If all other groups ended with Result Three, then Class B could collect 550 class points at once, not only reversing their previous point disadvantage but even truly being just one step away from Class A.
And Classmate Shibata, who achieved this great victory, would naturally become the new leader of Class B.
Horikita-san would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen.
Even if Classmate Shibata knew her playing card number and still couldn't see through the pattern among favored persons, Horikita-san could not give Classmate Shibata the most important information.
Not even a one-in-ten-thousand chance. Class B and D would sooner or later compete for class points, making it impossible to reach a common understanding regarding their interests.
Plus, Horikita's dream is also to lead her class to Class A.
Then it's even more impossible for her to help Classmate Shibata fight a comeback battle for Class B.
"I think Classmate Shibata, you might have misunderstood something. I don't think mere individual points can move me."
Horikita didn't close off the conversation. After all, her information currently held absolute uniqueness, and the initiative was firmly in Horikita's hands.
Seeing Horikita refuse him, Classmate Shibata wasn't surprised. If their positions were reversed, he likewise wouldn't agree to such an unreasonable request, and might even deliberately tell the other party incorrect numbers to buy time.
But at this moment, he was the one asking for the favored person's numbers. Whatever demands Horikita made, he could only follow her rhythm.
"Then, Horikita-san, what do you want?"
"If your guess proves correct, I'll need at least half of the favored person list."
Horikita immediately made an outrageous demand, asking for half of the favored person list, but such a request was clearly something Classmate Shibata would never agree to.
"That's completely impossible."
Classmate Shibata knew that if he compromised even a little, the deal could be made immediately, but what he needed was a complete and utter victory that could suppress all voices supporting Ichinose.
"Since Classmate Shibata, you don't agree, then let's just forget it. By the third day, I believe you'll also be able to gather some information."
Horikita said as she walked towards the exit.
"Originally, I didn't want to break our cooperation, but at this point, I can only resort to some unsavory methods. Have you forgotten those photos you asked me to give to Kanzaki to make Sakura-san change her mind? If rumors about you deliberately framing a classmate were to spread, I believe you'd also be very troubled, wouldn't you? You probably don't want Miyako-san to know what kind of person you are, do you?"
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