7.1
Narrator: Chiaki Matsushita.
I arrived at the second deck a few minutes early, just as I had planned.
Unlike the recreational areas of the ship that buzzed with student activity, this deck was remarkably quiet, almost eerily empty.
Only the occasional sound of distant footsteps and the soft hum of the ship's systems filled the air.
Perfect, I thought as I walked down the hallway. Fewer distractions mean more time to observe.
Observing was something I had perfected over the years. At my old school, I had quickly learned that standing out too much only brought unnecessary trouble.
So I had become an expert at blending in, at being the normal, friendly girl that no one looked at twice.
But that didn't mean I had stopped analyzing everything around me.
As I approached the designated room—202, according to my message—I noticed movement up ahead.
Several students were coming out of room 204, their expressions varying between thoughtful and confused.
My gaze settled on them almost automatically, cataloging faces and potential connections.
The first person I recognized was Karuizawa Kei, Hirata's girlfriend.
Her blonde hair was unmistakable, and she walked with that characteristic confidence radiated by someone used to being the center of attention.
She was one of my friends and, despite what some might think, she was quite pleasant when you were close to her.
Next to Karuizawa were three other people.
Ayanokōji Kiyone, the quiet girl with brown hair who always seemed to be observing everything with those inexpressive amber eyes.
There was something about her that made me a little nervous, though I couldn't identify exactly what.
Yukimura Teruhiko, the serious student with glasses who always seemed frustrated with the academic level of our class.
His current expression was no different, brow furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line.
And the last one... it took me a moment to recognize him. Sotomura Hideo, the silent otaku who rarely spoke to anyone outside his small circle.
All of them are wearing the school uniform, which was natural since it was a meeting held by the school itself.
Interesting combination, I analyzed mentally. Karuizawa as the social leader, Yukimura as the academic brain, Ayanokōji as... what? The silent one? The observer? And Sotomura as...
My thoughts were cut off abruptly when a familiar voice sounded right behind me.
"Matsushita-san!"
I started violently, spinning around with a small scream of surprise that was definitely neither dignified nor elegant.
"My God!" I gasped, pressing a hand against my chest as my heart raced.
Ike Kanji was standing right behind me, an amused smile playing on his lips as he looked at me with those eyes that lately seemed more alert, more... aware in some way.
"Sorry, sorry," Ike said, though his tone didn't sound particularly regretful.
"I didn't mean to scare you. I thought you had heard me approaching."
"Well, clearly I didn't," I replied with ragged breathing, trying to calm my racing heart.
"Since when do you walk so silently?"
"I wasn't walking silently," Ike shrugged casually, shoving his hands into his uniform pockets.
"You were just very focused looking over there." He gestured with his head toward where Karuizawa and the others were walking away.
I felt my cheeks heat up slightly with embarrassment. Great, Chiaki. So focused observing others that you become an easy target.
Before I could respond, I noticed Ike's gaze drift briefly toward the group walking away.
His eyes met Ayanokōji's for a fleeting moment.
Ike nodded slightly in her direction.
To my surprise, Ayanokōji returned the gesture with an equally subtle nod.
It was an exchange so brief that if I had blinked, I would have missed it. But I saw it. And that sparked my curiosity.
"Have you become very close to Ayanokōji-san?" I asked, trying to sound casual while watching his reaction carefully.
Ike looked at me, his expression becoming thoughtful. "Close to her? Hmm..." He tilted his head slightly and smiled mockingly;
he was silent for a few seconds... as if he were considering the question with more depth than it deserved.
"Honestly, I'm not sure."
I raised an eyebrow at that strange answer. "What do you mean you're not sure? Either you're close to her or you're not close to her."
"Well, we've spoken a few times," Ike admitted with a shrug.
"But I don't know if that counts as requirements for 'friends' really. It's... complicated." A small smile appeared on his lips.
"You could say she is a difficult person."
That is... unusually introspective coming from you, I thought, studying his face with renewed interest.
The Ike Kanji from the first month of school never would have answered that way.
He would have made some perverted comment about the girls or bragged about something irrelevant.
But this Ike—the one who had emerged during the island exam—was different. More reflective. More... mature.
Before I could press further on the topic, Ike's eyes drifted toward other students who were starting to arrive at the second deck.
His gaze stopped abruptly on a specific figure near room 201.
A girl with black hair and a friendly expression, Amikura Mako from Class B.
Ike's expression changed instantly. His eyes widened slightly with surprise, and his posture tensed almost imperceptibly.
He stood staring at her for several seconds, his expression becoming increasingly thoughtful.
"Ike-kun?" I called him, genuinely concerned by his sudden change in behavior. "Are you okay?"
Ike blinked, as if snapping out of a trance, and turned to look at me.
"Eh? Ah, yes... just..." He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, looking genuinely bewildered.
"I've had very bad luck lately, you know? And now I feel a strange feeling."
I looked at him with a mix of confusion and perplexity: "A feeling? About what?"
"Nothing specific," Ike shook his head, though his expression remained thoughtful.
"Just... a sensation. Like when you know something is going to go wrong but you can't identify exactly what."
Ike let out a short, humorless laugh. "I'm probably being paranoid."
That was... strange, I thought, watching him carefully.
It wasn't the first time Ike said something that sounded almost... odd.
During the island exam, there had been moments where they made comments hinting at things, as if someone knew more than they should and that knowledge was an inside joke to him.
Small comments, subtle observations that demonstrated a level of understanding that didn't match his reputation.
And now this—looking at a Class B student and feeling a "strange feeling."
What is going on in your head, Ike Kanji?
Before I could analyze his words further, Ike seemed to shake off whatever heavy thoughts he had been having.
His expression brightened with that confident and slightly flirtatious smile he had started showing lately.
"Well," he said with a lighter tone, gesturing toward room 202 with a nod, "we'd better go in before I'm late and get scolded. Although..." he gave me a sidelong glance with that mischievous smile, "I'd prefer to spend time hanging out with a beautiful classmate like you than wandering around talking about conversations that might be boring, but aren't. We'd better enter the room before it gets too late."
I felt my cheeks heat up slightly at the brazen compliment.
This idiot... Putting aside his brazen comment, Ike just confirmed that he is in the same group as me, which made me wonder briefly if there will be more people in our group.
I frowned, though I couldn't stop a small smile from threatening to appear on my lips.
"Smooth as always, Ike-kun."
"It's one of my many talents," Ike replied with false modesty, though the amused glint in his eyes ruined it completely.
I shook my head, exasperated. At least, he no longer gave you that perverted and uncomfortable look that caused you distress.
His gaze was different. As if he were just admiring a landscape or the stars.
Pushing that thought aside, I began to walk toward room 202. Ike followed me, his steps falling in sync with mine as we advanced down the silent hallway.
And we watched the other students enter their respective rooms.
As I walked, I couldn't help but reflect on what I had just witnessed.
Ike had shown several interesting reactions in just a few minutes: the silent recognition with Ayanokōji, the surprise upon seeing Amikura Mako, that "strange feeling" he mentioned...
There is something else going on here, I concluded. Something Ike knows or suspects, but isn't sharing.
Could it be that he found a clue with the messages they sent us?
Matsushita didn't want to jump to conclusions and have a misunderstanding.
Overestimating Ike's capabilities, after all, despite his good performance on the island exam.
Ike hadn't stood out in anything, other than his ability to socialize, and even that ability was degraded by being a pervert.
But if Ike had found a clue. Then... The question was: what?
And more importantly: how could he use that information?
We arrived at the door marked with number 202 and Ike opened it with a casual gesture, holding it open for me with a smile.
"After you, Matsushita-san."
I nodded with gratitude and entered the room.
The space was relatively simple—a long table in the center surrounded by chairs, some windows offering a view of the ocean and, at the front, standing next to a smaller desk...
"Welcome, welcome!"
Hoshinomiya-sensei greeted us with her characteristic bright smile and almost excessive energy.
Her light hair was perfectly styled as always, and her eyes shone with that enthusiasm that made her so different from our own homeroom teacher.
It's always strange how Hoshinomiya-sensei is very different from Chabashira-sensei... she would never be so... cheerful, I thought automatically, making the inevitable comparison.
Where Chabashira-sensei was cold, distant, and professionally indifferent, Hoshinomiya-sensei was warm, approachable, and almost too friendly.
It was like comparing ice with fire.
"Matsushita-san! Ike-kun!" Hoshinomiya-sensei greeted us individually, gesturing toward the empty chairs. "You arrived just in time. Please, take a seat."
My gaze quickly drifted around the room, cataloging who was already present.
Sakura Airi was sitting in one of the chairs, her hands clenched nervously in her lap while she looked down.
The shy girl as always, looking like she would prefer to be anywhere else.
"Good morning, Sakura-san," I greeted her with a friendly smile as I approached.
Sakura looked up abruptly, her eyes widening slightly with surprise before a small shy smile appeared on her lips.
"G-Good morning, Matsushita-san."
Ike, who had entered behind me, also offered a soft greeting. "Hello, Sakura-san. How are you?"
His tone was gentle—surprisingly gentle, considering his reputation. None of the mocking or flirtatious tone he had used with me moments before.
It was as if he knew instinctively that Sakura needed a more delicate approach.
His social skills remain good, I noted mentally. Although it seems he was using them much better compared to before... Ike might be impulsive, but now it seems he thinks before acting.
"I-I'm fine," Sakura replied with a soft voice, returning the greeting with a small nod.
Her cheeks blushed slightly—probably from the sudden attention—before her gaze drifted toward me as well.
"Thank you, for asking."
Ike smiled kindly and didn't insist on conversing with her, which, in my opinion, made him add some points.
And now that I thought about it internally, I admitted that I had almost no real contact with Sakura Airi.
She was one of those people who blended into the background. Silent, shy, rarely participating in class activities.
If it weren't for the Sudō incident where she helped and was vaguely mentioned by Horikita, I probably wouldn't have even registered her existence beyond "that shy girl with glasses."
I should try to get to know her better, I reminded myself. You never know when unexpected connections can be useful.
I sat in one of the available chairs, strategically choosing a position that gave me a good view of the whole room.
Ike sat casually next to me, leaning back in his chair with that relaxed posture he had started adopting lately.
Hoshinomiya-sensei watched us settle in, her smile never wavering. But I noticed how her gaze stopped briefly on Ike, something in her expression—curiosity?
Evaluation?—passing through her eyes before disappearing.
"Well," said Hoshinomiya-sensei cheerfully, clapping her hands, "we are still missing one more person before starting. So make yourselves comfortable and wait a moment, okay?"
I nodded, though my gaze automatically drifted toward the empty chair right next to Ike.
Who is missing? I wondered, my curiosity piqued. Based on the people in the room, it must be someone from our class.
But who?
Based on the message I had received, I knew these groups were mixed with students from their own classes.
But I had no idea of the specific composition of our group yet.
I looked discreetly at the current occupants of the room.
Sakura Airi—Class D. Shy, quiet, probably wouldn't cause trouble, but wouldn't contribute much actively either.
Ike Kanji—Class D. The walking enigma who had changed drastically during the island exam.
Unpredictable but surprisingly competent when he wanted to be. And with the reputation of a shameless pervert.
Myself—Class D. Carefully hiding my true intelligence behind a façade of pleasant normality.
And one more person to arrive...
Minutes passed slowly. Hoshinomiya-sensei seemed completely unconcerned by the wait, humming softly to herself while checking something on her tablet.
Ike took out his phone and started scrolling through something, probably some manga or mobile game, judging by the way his eyes moved.
Sakura remained still and silent, occasionally looking toward the door as if expecting the missing occupant to appear at any moment.
I simply observed, cataloging every detail for future reference.
Just as the clock struck two minutes before 6:40 PM, the door opened abruptly.
"Sorry, sorry! I'm late!"
Sudō Ken entered the room noisily, with his hair disheveled and his breathing slightly agitated, as if he had been running.
His uniform was a bit wrinkled, and there was an expression of genuine regret on his face.
Ike looked up from his phone, an amused smile appearing instantly on his lips.
"Wow, Sudō. You arrive two minutes early and still act like you're late. I'm impressed by your dedication to dramatization."
Sudō clicked his tongue, though there was clear amusement in his expression.
"Shut up, idiot. I thought it started at 6:30, not 6:40."
He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, trying futilely to fix it.
"I had to run all over the damn ship to get here."
"Well, at least you arrived," Ike shrugged casually.
"It would have been pathetic if our class's basketball ace arrived late to an important meeting."
"As if you were one to talk about punctuality," Sudō scoffed, though without real malice.
Before Sudō could sit in the empty chair next to Ike, the latter raised his fist in a casual gesture.
Sudō immediately smiled, one of those genuine smiles he rarely showed, and bumped his fist against Ike's with a solid thud.
"Ready for whatever this meeting is?" Sudō asked as he dropped into the chair.
"As ready as ever," Ike replied with that confident smile. "Whatever they throw at us, we'll handle it."
I watched the exchange with hidden interest.
So Ike and Sudō have become even closer, I analyzed. Makes sense, I guess.
Sudō has always been in the "three idiots" group along with Ike and Yamauchi.
But this interaction seems... different. More genuine. As if they truly respected each other.
It made me wonder what it was that changed between them.
Before they could continue their casual conversation, Hoshinomiya-sensei clapped her hands together with a soft but firm applause, instantly attracting everyone's attention in the room.
"Perfect! Now that everyone is here," she said with her usual cheerful tone, though I noticed how her eyes rested briefly on the clock, checking the exact time, "we can begin."
Her expression became subtly more serious—not drastically, but enough for all of us to straighten instinctively in our chairs.
We all paid attention immediately.
Well, almost everyone.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ike discreetly pull out his phone again, the glow of the screen slightly illuminating his face as he held it under the table.
His eyes moved from left to right, clearly reading something—probably that manga he had been looking at before.
Seriously, Ike? I thought with exasperation. Hoshinomiya-sensei is literally about to explain an important exam and you are reading manga.
But apparently, no one else had noticed. Or if they did, they decided not to comment on it.
Hoshinomiya-sensei cleared her throat softly, her smile still present, but her eyes showing that professional gleam indicating she was now fully in teacher mode.
"Matsushita Chiaki, Sakura Airi, Ike Kanji, and Sudō Ken of Class D," she said, naming each of us clearly, "I will now explain the special test."
Silence fell over the room.
Even Ike—though he kept looking at his phone—seemed to pay at least some attention, judging by how his thumb stopped scrolling for a few moments.
"A special test?!" Sudō exclaimed, his voice rising with surprise and irritation. "Are you kidding? I thought this was summer vacation, no more exams."
Sakura gave a small jump at Sudō's sudden volume, her shoulders tensing nervously.
I simply observed in silence, though internally I was processing the information rapidly.
Another special test. Of course. Because apparently this school doesn't know the concept of real vacations.
"It's... it's another exam," Sakura murmured softly, her voice barely audible. Her hands tightened further in her lap.
"After the deserted island..."
Hoshinomiya-sensei raised her hands in a reassuring gesture, her smile never wavering.
"I know, I know! You're probably thinking: 'Another exam? Seriously?' But don't worry too much. This is different from the island exam. Much less... physically demanding."
She winked playfully.
Sudō didn't look convinced, crossing his arms with a sullen expression.
Ike raised an eyebrow—though still without completely taking his eyes off his phone—but said nothing.
"Although," Hoshinomiya-sensei continued, her tone becoming firmer, "I must establish an important rule from the start: I will not answer any questions until I decide it is the appropriate time. So, please, save your questions until I finish the complete explanation, okay?"
I automatically compared her approach to Chabashira-sensei's.
Chabashira-sensei probably would have simply stated the rules without any warmth, without any attempt to soften the blow.
She would have been cold, direct, and completely indifferent to the students' reactions.
Hoshinomiya-sensei, on the other hand, at least tried to make this sound less threatening.
There was an almost maternal energy in the way she spoke, as if she genuinely cared about our emotional well-being.
I'm not sure which approach I prefer, I admitted mentally. At least with Chabashira-sensei, you know exactly where you stand.
Hoshinomiya-sensei is more... unpredictable.
"In this special test," Hoshinomiya-sensei began, her voice taking on that lecture tone teachers use when they are about to explain something important, "all first-year students will be divided into twelve groups according to the zodiac signs. Each will participate in their respective group."
Zodiac signs? I thought, frowning internally. That is... specific.
"Zodiac signs?" Sudō interrupted, scratching his head with visible confusion.
"Like those horoscope things? What does that have to do with an exam?"
Before he could continue, Hoshinomiya-sensei raised a finger with an indulgent smile.
"Ah, ah, ah! What did I say about questions, Sudō-kun?" She scolded him gently, though without true severity.
"No interruptions until I finish, please."
Sudō sank into his chair with a grumpy grunt, but said nothing more.
Hoshinomiya-sensei nodded with satisfaction before continuing.
"The purpose of this exam is to evaluate your thinking capability. Society needs three fundamental qualities to keep moving forward: action, reflection, and teamwork."
I raised an eyebrow slightly at that.
Action, reflection, and teamwork. The same concepts they have probably been evaluating us on since we started at this school.
"Last time, during the deserted island test," Hoshinomiya-sensei continued, raising a finger, "we gave you a great exercise in teamwork. This time, we will focus on reflection and evaluate it in four ways."
She held up four fingers, counting them one by one as she spoke.
"One! Your ability to process information correctly. We don't want you to be people who just blindly follow whatever they hear, right?"
Information processing, I noted mentally. Critical analysis, fact-checking, independent thought.
"Two! Your ability to analyze the situation and determine what is important. Not everything in life carries the same weight, after all."
Prioritization, I translated for myself. Separating signal from noise. Identifying key factors.
"Three! Your ability to solve a problem once you have discovered what is wrong. Finding the problem is only half the battle, isn't it?"
Problem-solving, I continued analyzing. Practical thinking, solution implementation.
"And four!" Hoshinomiya-sensei clapped her hands with almost excessive enthusiasm.
"Creativity! The ability to think outside the box and generate new ideas instead of just repeating what already exists."
Creative thinking, I finished my mental list. Unconventional solutions, originality.
I tried to analyze the explanation Hoshinomiya-sensei had just given, processing it carefully.
In theory, it made sense. Four fundamental pillars of critical thinking: information processing, situational analysis, problem-solving, and creativity.
Solid concepts that any respectable educational institution would want to develop in its students.
But...
That is too vague, I realized with a slight frown.
She is talking in abstract concepts without really telling us what we are going to do.
It was like someone telling you: "To win this game, you simply have to be good at the game."
Technically correct, but completely useless in practical terms.
Process information, analyze situations, solve problems, think creatively, I recited mentally. All that sounds good on paper, but what does it really mean in the context of this exam?
I didn't have answers yet. I could only hope the subsequent explanation would be more specific.
"And that is what will be evaluated in this exam!"
Hoshinomiya-sensei concluded with a radiant smile, as if she had just revealed the secret of the universe.
There was a brief moment of silence while we all processed the information.
Well, almost all of us.
Ike was still looking at his phone under the table, though I noticed he had stopped scrolling.
Maybe he was listening after all, just in a very unconventional way.
"Alright!" Hoshinomiya-sensei clapped softly. "Any questions?"
I immediately raised my hand, seizing the opportunity.
Hoshinomiya-sensei pointed at me with a smile. "Go ahead, Matsushita-san!"
"You mentioned that this exam involves twelve groups," I began carefully, choosing my words, "but there are only four of us in this room. Shouldn't the whole group be gathered to receive the explanation together?"
It was a logical question. If we were going to work in groups, why separate us during the explanation phase?
"Ah, excellent question!" Hoshinomiya-sensei nodded with approval. "The other students in your group are in separate classrooms receiving the same explanation from other teachers. This is not a conspiracy," she laughed lightly, "nor is it bullying. It's very simple!"
She gestured animatedly as she continued.
"The groups are not formed only by members of one class, but by between three and five people from each class. If we didn't explain it in advance this way, it would be absolute chaos trying to get everyone to agree from the start. Can you imagine it? Thirteen or fourteen students from different classes trying to process new information at the same time without any prior preparation? It would be an organizational disaster."
That makes sense, I admitted internally. Dividing the initial explanation by class makes it more manageable.
Before I could reflect further, I saw Sakura timidly raise her hand, her fingers trembling slightly with nervousness.
"Y-Yes?" Hoshinomiya-sensei encouraged her gently.
"U-Um..." Sakura stammered, her voice barely audible. "You said our groups are formed by students from different classes, but... how exactly were the groups decided? Was it random?"
It was a good question, one I had also been considering.
Hoshinomiya-sensei smiled mysteriously. "Fufu~! Another good question!" She nodded with approval.
"But no, the groups were not formed randomly. The school selected the members carefully based on various factors."
She paused dramatically.
"Although I cannot tell you specifically which factors. I just want you to know that each group was designed with a particular purpose in mind."
Of course, I thought with slight exasperation. Because this school never does anything without some kind of hidden agenda.
Sudō raised his hand—well, rather he just spoke without waiting for permission—scratching his head with evident confusion.
"Wait, so... are you saying you put us together specifically for some reason? Isn't that kind of manipulative?"
"All schools manipulate group assignments to some extent!"
Hoshinomiya-sensei responded cheerfully, as if she were discussing the weather instead of admitting institutional manipulation.
"It's part of the educational process. You will learn more working with carefully selected people than with completely random assignments."
Her logic was... disturbing, but not exactly incorrect.
Hoshinomiya-sensei then turned her gaze toward Ike, who was still holding his phone discreetly under the table.
"And you, Ike-kun?" She asked with genuine curiosity. "Do you have any questions?"
Ike finally looked up from his phone—though I noticed he didn't put it away completely, he simply rested it on his leg—and gave Hoshinomiya-sensei a confident and slightly flirtatious smile.
His left hand rose casually to support his chin while his right hand rested on his phone, adopting a relaxed posture that somehow conveyed both disinterest and attention simultaneously.
"All clear over here, sensei," Ike said with that casual tone of his, then gave her a thumbs up with his free hand.
"You can continue. I am listening to every fascinating word."
The sarcasm in "fascinating" was so subtle it could almost be missed, but it was there.
Then, without waiting for a reply, Ike grabbed his phone again with both hands and returned to his manga as if the conversation had never happened.
I saw Hoshinomiya-sensei's eye twitch slightly at Ike's blatantly inattentive behavior.
Wow, I thought with hidden amusement. Ike really isn't afraid of being disrespectul to teachers, is he?
But to everyone's surprise, Hoshinomiya-sensei simply let out a soft sigh and continued as if nothing had happened.
"Well then," she said, recovering her previous energy, "let's continue! Your group assignment is..." She paused dramatically: "The Cow Group."
Cow? I thought, blinking. Seriously? That's our group name?
I guessed it made sense if the groups were based on zodiac signs.
The cow—or the ox—was one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac.
Hoshinomiya-sensei took out several small pieces of paper the size of postcards and began distributing them to each of us.
"Here is a list of your group members," she explained as she handed us a single paper.
"You must return it upon leaving the room. If you deem it necessary, I recommend trying to memorize it now."
Taking the initiative, I grabbed the paper and studied it carefully.
Cow Group:
Class A: Yasumi Sawada, Naoki Shimizu, Haruka Nishi, Kenda Yoshida.
Class B: Yume Kobashi, Mako Amikura, Norihito Watanabe.
Class C: Hiroya Tokitō, Hiyori Shiina, Mariko Yajima.
Class D: Airi Sakura, Kanji Ike, Ken Sudō, Chiaki Matsushita.
Fourteen members in total. Four from Class A, three from Class B, three from Class C, and four of us from Class D.
My eyes moved over the names, cataloging which ones I recognized.
From Class A, I only recognized Kenda Yoshida; he was one of the students I had seen occasionally when I went to the cafeteria with the girls and that was only by pure chance.
The other names didn't ring a bell.
From Class B, I immediately recognized Mako Amikura. She was a close friend of Honami Ichinose and the girl Ike had been staring at moments before.
That explained his strange reaction.
From Class C... Hiyori Shiina. That name sounded vaguely familiar, though I couldn't place exactly from where.
Fourteen people from four different classes, I analyzed mentally. All with their own agendas, loyalties, and motivations. This is going to be... complicated.
I sighed before passing the paper with the student list to Sakura; she immediately began studying the paper with the list I handed her with a focused expression, clearly trying to memorize the names.
Then I looked at Ike.
He had put away his cellphone briefly so he could take the paper from Sakura after she finished using it and Ike took a quick glance at it.
His eyes moved over the list and for a brief moment—so brief I almost missed it—I saw his expression change.
His eyes widened slightly with surprise, and his confident smile tightened almost imperceptibly at the corners.
It was a facial micro-change so subtle that if I hadn't been observing him specifically at that moment, I never would have noticed it.
What did you see, Ike? I wondered, my curiosity piqued. What name on that list surprised you so much?
Because something definitely had made him react. And considering his previous comment about having "bad luck" and a "strange feeling" upon seeing Amikura Mako...
Is it her? Or someone else?
Hoshinomiya-sensei, to my surprise, had also noticed something odd. I saw her eyes settle on Ike for a moment longer than normal, with her expression showing professional curiosity.
But if Ike noticed he was being watched, he didn't show it.
He simply looked at the paper for exactly one second more before passing it casually to Sudō without making any notation.
Sudō grabbed it eagerly, his eyes moving over the list with obvious concentration while his lips moved silently, clearly trying to memorize the names.
After about thirty seconds, Sudō gave up with a frustrated grunt and returned the paper to Hoshinomiya-sensei.
"Too many names to remember," Sudō murmured with evident frustration.
Once we had all returned the paper with the list of students who will be in the Cow group, Hoshinomiya-sensei collected it carefully and put it away.
"Very well," she said with a smile, "now that you all know the members of your group, it is important to understand something: from this moment on, you will no longer act as members of Class D."
She paused for dramatic effect.
"You will act as members of the Cow Group. Your success or failure in this test does not depend on your original class, but on how you work together as a group."
I was going to raise my hand to ask a question about that—specifically about how this would affect class points—when Hoshinomiya-sensei interrupted me gently before I could speak.
"Ah, ah, ah!" She raised a finger with a smile.
"I know you probably have many questions about how all this works, but please let's not get ahead of ourselves. There are four possible outcomes in this exam, with no exceptions! And before you can ask smart questions, you need to understand all the outcomes."
She took out several pamphlets from her desk and began distributing them.
"We have prepared these handy pamphlets so you understand everything better. But—" her tone became more serious.
"—you cannot take them with you, take photos, or anything like that, okay? So make sure to review everything carefully right now."
I grabbed my copy of the pamphlet and immediately began scanning it.
It was dense. Very dense.
Rules upon rules upon rules, all written in that specific legal language institutions use when they want to cover every possible loophole.
The school really doesn't want us to find ways to cheat, I noted with slight amusement.
The basic concept was relatively simple:
Each group had a "VIP". A specific person selected by the school. Whether the selection is random or chosen by them, I didn't know.
The VIP would be notified tomorrow at 8:00 AM via private message.
The exam would last three full days.
During those three days, each group would meet twice a day at 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM for exactly one hour each session.
At the end of the exam, between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM on the last day, each group had to send a single answer identifying the VIP.
Only one answer was allowed per group.
The VIP could not send the answer.
You could only send the name of the VIP of the group you were assigned to, any other answer would be invalid.
The results would be announced at 11:00 PM on the last day.
Basically, I translated mentally, it is an elaborate guessing game where you have to correctly identify a specific person among thirteen or fourteen group members.
Simple in concept. Probably very complicated in execution.
Hoshinomiya-sensei continued. "This exam has a simple goal: find the VIP of each group. There is only one VIP per group, and your job is to discover who it is. For example, if Ike is the VIP of the cow group, then the correct answer for that group is simply [Ike]"
I had stopped skimming the pamphlet to keep listening and I could notice briefly Ike making a face at being used as an example.
Putting aside that curious observation, I returned to read the pamphlet and what really caught my attention—what made my pulse speed up slightly with interest—were the possible outcomes of the exam.
There were four, exactly as Hoshinomiya-sensei had said. Two on one page and the other two outcomes on the next, for the moment I focused on the first two outcomes.
Outcome One: If the group sends the correct answer between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM on the last day, all group members would receive private points. Additionally, the VIP's classmates would also receive rewards.
Outcome Two: If a group did not send an answer between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM on the last day, or if someone other than the VIP and their classmates sent an incorrect answer, then the VIP would receive 500,000 private points.
I read the first two outcomes twice, carefully processing the implications.
Interesting, I thought, my mind already beginning to analyze potential strategies.
These first two outcomes seemed interesting and caught my attention.
In Outcome One, if the group worked together and sent the correct answer at the end of the designated period, everyone won. Total cooperation, shared benefit.
In Outcome Two, if no one sent an answer—or if someone sent the wrong answer—the VIP was the sole winner, obtaining 500,000 private points just for themselves.
Wait, I realized with a small frown. That means the VIP has guaranteed benefits in both main scenarios.
If the group cooperated successfully (Outcome One), the VIP would get points along with everyone else.
If the group failed or refused to cooperate (Outcome Two), the VIP would still get 500,000 points.
The VIP literally cannot lose in the first two outcomes, I concluded. Whatever happens will happen; they get a reward.
That was... deeply unfair to the non-VIP members of the group.
Also, there was something that was still unclear. Putting aside the advantage the VIP has in these first two outcomes.
I raised my hand again, this time with a more specific question.
Hoshinomiya-sensei pointed at me with a smile. "Yes, Matsushita-san?"
"About Outcome One," I began carefully, "the pamphlet says all group members will receive private points if we send the correct answer. But it doesn't specify how many points. How exactly is the reward distributed?"
It was a crucial question. Because if the reward was divided among all group members, then each person would receive a relatively small fraction.
But if each person received a full reward...
"Excellent question, Matsushita-san!" Hoshinomiya-sensei nodded with approval. "In Outcome One, if your group sends the correct answer before the deadline, each member will receive 500,000 private points."
Silence fell over the room like a stone.
"Wait," Sudō spoke first, his eyes widening with shock. "You said... each receives 500,000? Not divided among us?"
"Correct!" Hoshinomiya-sensei confirmed cheerfully. "Each group member receives the full reward. And that's not all!"
Her smile widened.
"As a special reward for guiding their group to the correct answer, the VIP will receive double: 1,000,000 points!"
One million.
One million private points.
For a single person.
My eyes widened involuntarily with genuine shock, my mind rapidly processing the numbers.
500,000 private points for each of the fourteen group members.
Plus an additional 1,000,000 for the VIP.
That was... an obscene amount of wealth concentrated in a single exam.
I looked at Sakura, whose eyes were so wide they looked about to pop out of her face, her hands trembling slightly as she held the pamphlet.
Sudō was literally open-mouthed, his jaw hanging open with pure shock.
Even Ike, who usually maintained that façade of casual nonchalance, had stopped looking at his phone completely.
His eyes shone with something I could only describe as intense interest, a slow, calculating smile forming on his lips.
That amount of private points... I thought, my mind racing. It could completely change the dynamics of our class.
We would no longer be in need of points and could buy almost anything.
If I won that amount of points, I could relax about spending my points... although even then it was shown that points not only serve for our material things... but for school activities.
I remembered thinking about the deals that can be made between students with private points.
I wondered what else could be done with private points, besides making deals with other students, but this wasn't the time to deviate from the current situation.
A large amount of points could be won and all you had to do was... correctly identify one person out of fourteen, that being the amount in our group.
Of course, I reminded myself coldly, assuming you could trust everyone in your group to cooperate.
Assuming no one decides to betray for personal gain. Assuming the VIP is willing to reveal themselves.
Those were a lot of assumptions.
Hoshinomiya-sensei, clearly enjoying our shocked reactions, continued with her explanation.
"The next is Outcome Two! This one is quite simple, so listen carefully, okay?"
Her tone remained cheerful, but there was an underlying note of seriousness now.
"If your group does not send an answer between 9:30 PM and 10:00 PM on the last day, or if someone from the group—other than the VIP and their classmates—sends an incorrect answer, the VIP will be the only one who receives a reward: 500,000 private points."
I frowned slightly at that.
So basically, if the group completely fails to cooperate, or if someone guesses incorrectly, the VIP still earns half a million points.
It sounded unfair on the surface. But...
"That... sounds a bit unbalanced," I commented aloud, voicing my thoughts.
"The VIP has guaranteed benefits in both main outcomes. Whether the group succeeds or fails, the VIP gets points either way."
It wasn't necessarily a complaint, just an observation on my part.
Ike, surprisingly, was the one who spoke next.
"Exams aren't always fair," he said casually, leaning back in his chair with that relaxed posture of his.
His tone was conversational, as if he were discussing the weather rather than systemic inequalities.
"Take the island exam, for example. There was a student from Class A who couldn't attend due to medical reasons, right?"
He paused, letting his words settle.
"They automatically subtracted 30 points from her class. No chance to recover them. No second chance. Just... immediate penalty for circumstances beyond her control."
His eyes slid toward Hoshinomiya-sensei with an almost defiant expression.
"Isn't that true, sensei?"
Hoshinomiya-sensei blinked slightly at Ike's brazen tone, but kept her professional smile.
"That is... correct," she admitted reluctantly. "Student Sakayanagi Arisu could not participate in the exam due to personal reasons, which resulted in a penalty for Class A at the start of the test."
Ah, I thought, vaguely remembering that incident. Sakayanagi isn't a student I recognize... Wait, I think she was the other leader of Class A, if the rumors were true... That's why I had heard Class A was divided.
I didn't know if they were false or not, but they were rumors I heard when I investigated a bit about that particular case.
"Exactly," Ike nodded with satisfaction. "So, why is it surprising that this exam also has unfair elements incorporated? This school isn't designed to be fair. It is designed to reflect reality."
I blinked a bit surprised because I never expected an answer; him using the detail of Class A's point reduction wasn't something I would have expected.
And coming from Ike, who was supposed to be one of the least intelligent students in our class, it was almost disconcerting to hear that level of observation made by Ike himself and that many might have overlooked.
I nodded slowly, accepting his point. "I guess you're right."
Hoshinomiya-sensei seemed to recover her composure, though I noticed how her gaze lingered on Ike for a moment longer than normal.
She noticed it too, I realized. The discrepancy between Ike's reputation and his current behavior.
"Well then," Hoshinomiya-sensei said, changing the subject smoothly, "before continuing with Outcomes Three and Four, let me ask you something: have any of you ever played Werewolf?"
Werewolf? I thought, blinking at the sudden change of topic. The social deduction game?
"Yes," I answered automatically. "I played it a few times at my old school. It was quite popular."
Sakura nodded shyly. "I-I have played it too. Only a few times, but... yes."
Sudō shrugged. "I played it at basketball camp once. It wasn't bad."
All eyes turned to Ike.
He made a dismissive gesture with his hand, his expression becoming slightly melancholic in an almost comical way.
"I didn't have anyone to play with," he said with a dramatic sigh.
"But I do know the game. The rules, the mechanics, all that."
Then his expression brightened slightly.
"Although the only similar game I have actually played is Among Us."
Among Us? I thought with confusion. What the hell is that?
Judging by the blank expressions of Sakura and Sudō, they had no idea either.
Even Hoshinomiya-sensei seemed bewildered.
"Among... Us?" She repeated uncertainly. "What is that?"
Ike blinked; then, his expression changed to something resembling realization. "Ah, shit. One moment."
He took out his phone, this time completely in view, without even trying to hide it and began searching for something frantically, his fingers moving rapidly over the screen.
The silence in the room became uncomfortable while we all watched Ike search... whatever he was searching for.
After about thirty seconds, his shoulders visibly relaxed with relief.
"Ah, thank God," Ike murmured to himself, then turned specifically toward me, extending his phone.
"Here, Matsushita-san. Read this."
Confused but curious, I took his phone and looked at the screen.
It was a Wikipedia page—though the interface looked strangely different from what I remembered—showing information about a game called "Among Us".
I read the description aloud for everyone's benefit.
"Among Us is an online multiplayer social deduction game developed by InnerSloth. The game takes place in a space-themed setting where players take on one of two roles: most are Crewmates, while a predetermined number are Impostors. The goal of the Crewmates is to complete assigned tasks while identifying and ejecting the Impostors. The goal of the Impostors is to secretly sabotage and eliminate the Crewmates before they can complete all their tasks."
I paused, processing the information.
"The game is played in rounds where players move freely around the map completing tasks or, in the case of Impostors, pretending to complete tasks while looking for opportunities to sabotage. Periodically, emergency meetings can be called where players discuss who they suspect is an Impostor and vote to eject someone from the game."
That... sounds exactly like Werewolf, I realized. Just in space with a video game layer on top.
Sudō, who had been listening with growing interest, leaned forward. "Wait, where did you find that game? Sounds cool."
Ike shrugged casually, though I noticed a strange expression on his face—as if he were relieved about something.
"Just something I found browsing online," he said vaguely. "Thought it was interesting."
Hoshinomiya-sensei, who had also been listening to the description, nodded thoughtfully.
"That does sound like an interesting game," she commented. "Though for our current purposes, the concept of werewolf is more relevant."
She clapped her hands, recapturing our attention.
"The point I was trying to make is this: both Werewolf and this exam—and apparently this game 'Among Us' that Ike-kun mentioned—all share a common core element."
She paused for dramatic effect.
"Asymmetric information. In Werewolf, the wolves know who each other are, but the villagers don't. In Among Us, the impostors know who they are, but the crewmates don't. And in this exam..."
Her eyes shone with something that almost seemed like malicious amusement.
"...the VIP knows they are the VIP. But no one else knows."
Ah, I realized. She is establishing the psychological framework for how we should think about this exam.
"But," Hoshinomiya-sensei continued, her tone becoming more serious, "there is a crucial difference between those games and this exam."
She leaned forward slightly.
"In Werewolf or Among Us, it's just a game. You lose, you laugh, you play another round. But here..." She gestured to the pamphlets in our hands.
"The stakes are real. The points are real. The consequences are real."
Silence fell over the room while we all processed that.
She's right, I admitted internally. This isn't just a fun exercise in social deduction.
There are real consequences—class points, private points, reputations—riding on every decision we make.
"Anyway," Hoshinomiya-sensei said cheerfully, as if she hadn't just foreshadowed the potentially destructive nature of the exam, "let's move on! Turn the page and we will review outcomes three and four."
I turned the page of my pamphlet, my eyes immediately scanning the new sections.
Outcome Three: If someone other than the VIP sends the correct answer before 9:30 PM, their class earns 50 points and they earn 500,000 private points. However, the VIP's class loses 50 points and the group exam ends immediately. If someone from the VIP's class answers correctly before 9:30 PM, the answer will be invalidated and the exam will continue normally.
Outcome Four: If someone other than the VIP sends an incorrect answer before 9:30 PM, their class will lose 50 points. The VIP will earn 500,000 private points and their class will earn 50 points. The group exam ends immediately. However, if the incorrect answer comes from the VIP's own class, it will not be accepted and the exam will continue.
So far, the VIP had the advantage in the first two outcomes, obtaining a large benefit of one million private points, just for achieving the first outcome.
But now with this...
My eyes moved to outcomes three and four. And I studied them thoughtfully.
There was the real game. With Outcomes Three and Four was where things got really interesting—and dangerous.
Betrayal.
If someone other than the VIP managed to correctly identify the VIP before 9:30 PM on the last day, they could obtain 500,000 private points for themselves plus 50 class points.
Of course, doing so would also end the exam immediately, denying everyone else their potential rewards and causing the VIP's class to lose 50 points.
And if you were wrong—if you sent an incorrect answer before 9:30 PM—your class would lose 50 points, the VIP would still obtain 500,000 points and the VIP's class would gain 50 points.
It is a high-risk, high-reward system designed specifically to encourage both cooperation and betrayal, I analyzed with growing understanding.
The exam didn't just evaluate your ability to reason. It evaluated your ability to navigate complex social dynamics, manage temptations of personal gain versus group gain, and make strategic decisions under pressure.
It was brilliant, in a twisted sense.
And absolutely terrifying in another.
These were the "betrayal" scenarios. Where individual students could choose to abandon group cooperation in favor of personal gain.
And I have to admit that the details I am reading are a bit comprehensive, I could see exactly how carefully designed the system was.
This is a high-stakes gambling game. I analyzed.
If you are sure you know who the VIP is, you can make an early move and secure massive benefits. But if you are wrong, not only do you lose, but you actively harm your class.
And then there was the additional clause: if someone from the same class as the VIP tried to send a correct or incorrect answer before 9:30 PM, the answer would be invalidated and the exam would continue.
Guarding against collusion, I realized. The school doesn't want the VIP's classmates to simply tell everyone who it is so their class can benefit.
All of this will depend exactly on how good you are at cunning and manipulation to deceive others or how good you are with your social skills to convince others to cooperate.
All of this will also depend on how you can adapt to the situation, whether you are assigned VIP or not.
Hoshinomiya-sensei watched as we all studied the new sections, then spoke again.
"As you can see," she said, her tone now more sober, "not everything is rosy for the VIPs. Just like in Werewolf, there is always the risk of being discovered. And on top of that, there are traitors—people who might betray their own group for their own benefit."
Her eyes swept over all of us.
"This exam doesn't just test your reasoning ability. It tests your ability to navigate trust, betrayal, cooperation, and self-interest—all at the same time."
The weight of those words settled over the room like a heavy blanket.
"Well?" Hoshinomiya-sensei asked after a moment. "Any questions?"
I raised my hand immediately.
"What will happen to the traitor?" I asked directly. "If someone sends an answer early—correct or incorrect—and the exam ends, will their identity be revealed?"
It was a legitimate concern. Because if your name was going to be publicly associated with betraying your group, that could have serious social consequences that would last long beyond the exam.
Hoshinomiya-sensei nodded, as if she had been expecting this question.
"The school will respect anonymity during this test," she replied firmly.
"In the end, only the results of each group and the increase or decrease of points for each class will be announced. That is, the names of the VIPs nor of those who sent their answers will not be revealed."
She paused.
"Furthermore, if you wish, you can be assigned a temporary ID to which you can transfer points. It is also possible to split the points and receive them that way. If you remain silent, there should be no fear of being discovered after the test."
I let out a soft sigh of relief.
So the school really is designing this to allow anonymous betrayal, I thought.
Protecting against social repercussions that might make students refrain from playing strategically.
Although that protection also made betrayal more likely. After all, if you can hide anonymously, why not risk it?
Before I could process further, Sudō made a comment directed at Ike—something about not betraying each other, probably a joke.
Ike chuckled, responding with his own joking comment that I couldn't hear completely.
I shook my head at their nonsense, though Sakura smiled nervously at the exchange.
Boys' nonsense, I thought with slight amusement.
But even as I watched their light interaction, my mind was already working through the implications of the exam.
This wasn't just about critical thinking or reasoning ability. This was about psychology.
About understanding human motivations, predicting behaviors, navigating complex social dynamics under pressure.
The school had said it required cognitive skills, which seemed true on the surface. But now that I understood the full structure of the exam, I realized it was much more than that.
This test carried very different dangers than those we had faced on the deserted island. On the island, the challenges had been physical and practical—surviving, cooperating, managing limited resources.
Here, the challenges were purely mental and social—trusting or distrusting, cooperating or betraying, risking or playing it safe.
And with twelve groups operating simultaneously, there would be twelve sets of different dynamics, twelve sets of potential outcomes, twelve opportunities for absolute chaos.
I looked back at the pamphlet, noticing an additional section at the bottom detailing specific prohibitions.
Prohibitions during the exam:
Stealing another person's cell phone.
Using threats or physical coercion to confirm information related to the VIP.
Using another person's cell phone without their permission to send answers.
Discussing the exam with students from other classes during the exam period
The penalties for violating these rules included expulsion in the most serious cases.
The school really doesn't want us to find loopholes, I noted with reluctant admiration. They have thought of everything.
Ike suddenly spoke, interrupting my thoughts.
"But still," he said aloud, attracting everyone's attention, "it seems Outcome Number One is practically impossible if you work alone."
I looked at him with surprise and intrigue.
"What do you mean?" I asked with genuine curiosity.
Ike rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then looked directly at Sudō with an almost apologetic expression.
"Give me a minute to clear my mind and try to explain this in a way that even Sudō can understand."
"Hey!" Sudō protested, offended. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means I'm going to use small words and simple explanations," Ike replied with a mocking smile.
"Now let me explain before you interrupt again."
Sudō grunted, but crossed his arms, clearly waiting for Ike to continue.
Ike took a deep breath, then began his explanation.
"The exam ends at 9:00 PM on the third day, right?" He started, making sure everyone was following.
"And between 9:00 PM and 9:30 PM, the school accepts any answer for Outcome Three and Outcome Four. Those are the betrayal scenarios."
Everyone nodded. Hoshinomiya-sensei just watched in silence and curiosity.
"Then, from 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM, only Outcome One and Outcome Two can be chosen—meaning betrayal is no longer an option during that time window."
He continued, his tone becoming more confident as he built his argument.
"Due to the structure of the rules, the VIP cannot reveal their identity after 9:30 PM and expect to achieve Outcome One. Why? Because by the time 9:30 PM arrives, the betrayal window has closed, yes—but it also means there is no longer time for the group to organize and send the correct answer in a coordinated manner."
He paused, letting his words settle.
"That means the VIP would have to reveal themselves during the exam, when betrayal is definitely possible. But if they do that, they risk someone betraying them immediately by sending an early answer."
His eyes swept over all of us.
"So, realistically, there are only two likely outcomes: either someone betrays early, or the VIP never reveals their identity and simply keeps the benefits of Outcome Two."
He looked specifically at Sudō.
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Sudō frowned, clearly processing the explanation. After a moment, he nodded slowly.
"I think so. Basically you're saying the VIP is screwed no matter what, right?"
"More or less," Ike confirmed. "The design of the exam guarantees that any attempt at genuine cooperation—achieving Outcome One—requires the VIP to risk massively being betrayed. It's a rigged game from the start."
I remained silent, processing his analysis.
It was... surprisingly accurate.
And coming from Ike—who was supposed to be one of the academically weakest students in our class—it was almost disconcerting to hear that level of strategic thinking.
Who are you really, Ike Kanji? I wondered, not for the first time.
I didn't expect that level of analysis from the lowest-ranked student in the entire school.
In fact, it unsettled me a little how thorough he had been. And I wasn't the only one who had noticed.
I saw how Hoshinomiya-sensei looked at Ike with a thoughtful—almost evaluative—expression, as if she were completely reevaluating her understanding of the student in front of her.
Interesting, I thought, saving that observation for future reference.
Hoshinomiya-sensei cleared her throat, breaking the silence that had fallen over the room after Ike's analysis.
"Right," she said, clapping her hands to capture our attention again, "let's get back on topic. Tomorrow you will go to your assigned room at 11:00 AM and again at 5:00 PM. Your group's name will be on a plaque on the outside. Make sure to introduce yourselves the first time you meet the other members."
She gestured toward the door with a smile.
"After entering, leaving the room during the exam is not allowed. Please use the bathroom beforehand. If you feel unwell or cannot handle it anymore, please contact Sae-chan immediately and request help."
Sae-chan, I noted with slight amusement. So they are close enough to use informal nicknames.
"How long do we have to be in each meeting?" Sudō asked, scratching his head.
"The discussion period is one hour," Hoshinomiya-sensei replied.
"Barring introductions during the initial meeting, you can use that time however you want. Once the hour has elapsed, you can remain in the room or leave."
Ike commented aloud with a relieved tone. "At least it's not a lot of time. An hour is manageable."
Two hours a day for three days, I calculated mentally. Six total hours of group discussion time.
Not that much, considering the complexity of the exam.
Hoshinomiya-sensei cleared her throat once more, her expression becoming more serious.
"The school will be completely impartial in conducting this exam," she said with a firm tone.
"Once the VIP is selected, we will not accept any changes, not even if the VIP requests it. Additionally, copying, deleting, transferring, or modifying emails sent from the school is strictly prohibited. Be clear on these points."
Silence fell over the room while we all processed the gravity of her words.
Completely impartial, I repeated mentally with skepticism. Sure. As if this school was ever truly impartial.
But aloud, I said nothing.
Hoshinomiya-sensei looked at each of us, making sure we had understood, then nodded with satisfaction.
"Good, this concludes the explanation," she said cheerfully with her previous energy returning.
"If you have any other questions, please ask your teachers later. You are dismissed."
The announcement that the meeting was over brought palpable relief to the room.
Ike was the first to get up—practically jumping out of his chair with a speed that suggested he had been anxious to leave for a while.
Without even a word of farewell to Hoshinomiya-sensei or any of us, he simply headed toward the door and left with the sound of his footsteps retreating rapidly in the hallway.
Rude, I thought with slight exasperation, though I wasn't exactly surprised.
I stood up more slowly, gathering my things and making sure I had everything before following.
Sakura also stood up, looking slightly relieved that the meeting was over.
Sudō stretched with a loud yawn before heading toward the door.
"See you tomorrow," I told Hoshinomiya-sensei with a polite smile.
She nodded warmly. "Good luck, Matsushita-san!"
I left the room, finding myself in the silent hallway of the second deck.
Ike was already further ahead, walking with those hands stuffed in his uniform pockets, his posture relaxed but his steps determined.
Following him, I thought as I began to walk in the same direction, along with Sakura and Sudō behind me.
As I walked, my mind was already processing everything I had just learned.
The Cow Group. Fourteen members from four different classes. A hidden VIP who would be revealed tomorrow. Four possible outcomes, each with its own risks and rewards.
And three days to navigate all that while managing complex group dynamics, potential traitors, and my own personal goals.
This is going to be interesting and quite complicated, I concluded with a mix of anticipation and apprehension.
.
.
.
Author's Note: To get the chapter out faster, I decided to split it into two parts, but even then, this part is still a whopping 10,000 words long. Anyway, regarding the VIP, I decided to do it both ways, with the same canon group, but two new variants. Mako and Shiina. The first is because of the butterfly effect, and the second is in keeping with the title, Ike's bad luck. Those two minor changes made a big difference. Maybe you already noticed, but if not, wait for the next chapter.
The more stones there are, the faster I will release the chapter. If we reach the goal of 170 stones, I will release an extra chapter.
By the way, did you like the chapter? If you want to support my writing and help me continue, you can do so at ko-fi.com /paxkun12. Any support is incredibly valuable to me and will help me a lot. This is not an obligation— all my chapters and stories will always be free to read. But your support would really motivate me. Not to mention, if you want me to update a particular story, I'll do my best to make it happen. Everyone is welcome to enjoy it. PDT: Every donation will go toward repairing my computer because it broke down. And sorry for any spelling mistakes that might have slipped through. Since I'm working on a tablet, it's possible something got past me, but I tried to check everything several times.