As expected of Katsuragi Kohei, his actions were incredibly steady—perhaps too steady. Theoretically, Outco 2 was the most probable ending and the most conservative choice among all options.
Shimizu Akira couldn't help but shake his head.
'Was this man being too cautious? Is he truly unwilling to take even a sliver of risk? And isn't he looking down on the other classes a bit too much?'
Ichinose Honami was the first to speak.
"I'm sorry, mbers of Class A, but I cannot agree with your plan. You are in Class A; if every group achieves Outco 2, the class points for this special exam won't change at all. Only Class A, currently in first place, would maintain its advantage. Takemoto-kun should rember that the gap between Class B and Class A is less than 100 points. Furthermore, an increase of only 1.5 million personal points per class is far from enough for us. I'm sorry, but Class B will not accept this proposal from the start."
Ibuki Mio followed suit, crossing her arms. "Class C can't accept it either! We're at the bottom in class points; 1.5 million personal points aren't nearly enough for a coback! What are you thinking? Do you really think we're idiots? If we stay still, only Class A benefits!"
Matsushita Chiaki added, "I don't think Katsuragi-kun has considered everything. He can't represent the thoughts of everyone in Class A. Those in the Sakayanagi faction won't listen to him, right? I don't believe for a second he can get all twelve groups to agree to Outco 2."
Takemoto Shigeru and Tanihara Mao from Class A exchanged awkward glances.
The logic of the others was clear and irrefutable. However, as mbers of the Katsuragi faction, they weren't ready to give up.
"Then what do you want? Is there any other viable way?"
"I asked students in other groups earlier, and they already have a lead," Ichinose took the opportunity to lead. "For instance, so groups suggested having everyone speak in turn, during which anyone can ask questions. Through this, we might find a crack in the VIP's facade. What do you all think?"
This was essentially the "Werewolf" ga strategy: everyone speaks for a few minutes, followed by cross-examination. It was the most direct way to handle the exam.
"That seems... feasible."
"True, at least it's better than staying at a stalemate."
As the group began to nod in agreent, Ichinose quietly took control of the rhythm. But just then, Kamuro Masumi, who had been looking at her phone, suddenly looked up and interrupted bluntly.
"Wait a second. Isn't Class B being a bit too cunning?"
"What do you an? Kamuro-san, please be clear," Hamaguchi Tetsuya frowned.
"Does what Ichinose-san said not make sense?" Shirami Chihiro added defensively.
Kamuro ignored them and continued, "The logic is sound, but it assus information is transparent. Ordinarily, a VIP might slip up during a speech. But what if Class B already knows for a fact that there is no Class B VIP in the Rabbit Group?"
Her gaze swept over everyone and landed on Ichinose.
"You are the core of Class B; everyone follows you. If a Class B student beca a VIP, they'd tell you imdiately. But the other three classes aren't like that. We aren't as united. In Class A, because of the conflict between the Katsuragi and Sakayanagi factions, Katsuragi still doesn't know who the three VIPs in our class are. I have no idea if the other two Class A mbers here are VIPs or not."
"Other classes likely haven't confird their VIPs' identities yet. If we act on your proposal, what if we accidentally expose our own class's VIP?" Kamuro paused. "In the end, we might just be working hard only for Class B to reap all the rewards."
"Also, haven't you noticed?" Kamuro added.
"Ever since this woman took out her phone and talked about 'the situation in other groups,' she's been subconsciously guiding everyone. How do you know what she's saying is true? You're way too trusting."
The room went silent. Kamuro's logic was sharp—perhaps even more persuasive than Ichinose's.
'Wait, Kamuro?! Are you using cheats?!'
Akira's mouth twitched. He was the most shocked person in the room.
'Is this really her? When did she beco so perceptive?'
She didn't just see through Ichinose's plan; she called out the subtle manipulation. He even felt a faint shadow of Sakayanagi Arisu standing behind her.
Kamuro caught his surprised look and gave him a faint, sidelong glance that clearly said, "Stop acting like you've never seen the world," before returning to her phone.
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The eting ended in a stalemate. As the Class D mbers were leaving, Manabe Shiho and Yabu Nanami from Class C blocked Karuizawa Kei.
"Hey! You're Karuizawa Kei, right?" Manabe started. "We haven't settled the score for you bumping into Rika last ti!" Yabu added.
Karuizawa was initially timid, but seeing Akira standing nearby, she found her courage.
"I apologized back then! What more do you want?"
"An apology is enough?" Manabe sneered. "I told you last ti, you need to pay in personal points!"
Akira stepped in, shielding Karuizawa. "Karuizawa is my manager. If you have a problem, talk to ." He looked at them coldly.
"Also, 'pay in personal points'? Did you not read the rules? Threats and intimidation against other students are strictly forbidden. Do you want to be expelled?"
Manabe and Yabu paled. They had forgotten that specific rule and didn't expect Akira to intervene. "Fine... for Shimizu-kun's sake, we'll let you go this ti!"
They turned and left, looking embarrassed.
"Thank you!" Karuizawa looked at Akira's back, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
"Don't ntion it," Akira replied casually. "You helped last night in the group chat, after all."
Beside them, Matsushita Chiaki watched silently.
'Wait... does my friend have feelings for Akira? If so, my own plans might need a major adjustnt.'
Later, Akira proposed that the four Class D mbers (himself, Karuizawa, Sakura, and Matsushita) show each other their emails. They found a private corner and verified their identities. The result: All four were regular mbers. There was no Class D VIP in the Rabbit Group.
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Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was not having a good ti. Forced to act by his horoom teacher, he found his group's progress at exactly zero. Class A was silent, and he had no way to lead.
His teammates, Sotomura Hideo (Professor) and Yukimura Teruhiko, weren't helpful. Sotomura wanted to go ho and watch ani, and Yukimura wanted to talk to Hirata. They didn't even rember his na correctly, calling him "Sakuranokouji."
Ayanokouji ssaged Hirata to ask for the VIP nas, but Hirata refused, citing Horikita's gag order for the benefit of the class.
He was stuck.
Then, a ssage from Chabashira Sae arrived:
"Ayanokouji-kun, how is the progress? Shimizu Akira handled Koenji on the first day and had a plan by the beach the next morning. It's the second day now; you should at least have a direction."
Ayanokouji frowned. This was blatant pressure.
'Did she push Akira like this too?'
He briefly considered getting her fired, but the risk of his father finding him if he had to leave the school was too high. He had to follow her orders.
But he had no plan. He hadn't even dealt with Koenji Rokusuke.
Thinking about the island, he realized Akira had succeeded where he was currently failing.
For the first ti, the "Masterpiece of the White Room" felt a genuine sense of admiration for Akira.
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Back at the dorm, Akira checked his balance: 17.35 million points. (He had already paid 200,000 to so school staff to build "connections").
Ayanokouji approached him. "Shimizu, how can I get Koenji to stop doing unnecessary things in this exam?"
Akira was honest. "I don't know. He stayed on the island because he owed a favor. This ti, it won't be that easy. No one in this school can order him around."
"Do you know who the VIPs are?" Ayanokouji asked.
"I've asked. I'll ssage you privately later," Akira replied.
"I owe you one, Akira." "
Don't worry about it. You helped on the island."
Ayanokouji paused. "Does that person... also ssage you constantly to push you?"
"Push ? No," Akira realized he ant Chabashira.
"Why would she? On the island, we didn't have phones. And before that, she just introduced to Matsushita as a potential girlfriend."
Ayanokouji's mouth twitched. He turned and left without a word. Akira chuckled, knowing Ayanokouji was off to find Koenji.
It was rare to see the "slacker" Ayanokouji working so hard for the class.
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The second group eting was even more silent. Ichinose asked if everyone had confird if their class had a VIP in the group. Most gave non-committal answers.
Takemoto from Class A spoke up: "Sorry, Ichinose-san. We reported back to Katsuragi. We still won't participate. Class A only seeks Outco 2."
"Can I assu the VIP is one of you three then?" Ichinose asked. The Class A trio, including Kamuro, just looked at their phones. Silence.
Ibuki snorted.
"Class C won't cooperate either! That's Ryuen's decision!"
Ichinose looked pained. She was great with people, but you couldn't talk down a wall. "Class D is willing to cooperate," Akira offered, "but with just B and D, we can't really move the deduction forward."
As the Rabbit Group sat in silence, Akira finalized his deduction:
Class D has no VIP here. Class B proposed the deduction ga, so logically, they have no VIP here either (otherwise they'd be at risk). The VIP must be one of the seven people in Class A or Class C.
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