Chapter 33

Seeing that the time for the first discussions was quickly approaching, I headed to his room early because I had nothing better to do now and was curious about the other group members.

Walking through the halls and countless rooms of the yacht, I once again silently thanked the school for splurging so much on us. Upon entering the room, I saw Ichinose and Kanzaki already there waiting.

To the right, Ichinose, I saw the four Class D students, of whom I recognized Kushida, Horikita, and Hirata. Finally, to the left, in a little corner, sat Class A with Katsuragi leading them.

Seeing that the only seats left were next to Horikita or Katsuragi, both of whom I had terrible relationships with, I opted to sit on the couch in the corner of the room.

After ignoring some glances from other students as I sat alone on the couch, I pulled out my earbuds and phone. While on the cruise alone, I used my phone quite a bit to play mobile games.

I know, I know, I was ridiculing the school earlier for being too lenient on us, but damn, these mobile games were addicting.

As the start time approached, Ryuen, Hyori, and two other Class C students entered the room. His expression looked like boredom until he paused on the chair next to Horikita for a moment.

What the hell is going on between those two?

Ignoring the scornful gazes from Horikita, Ryuen and his companions sat down on the chairs next to Class D, and it seemed like I was left all alone on the couch. I didn't even think Ryuen noticed me sitting in the corner.

Finally, the clock hit 12, and a timer for an hour started. Ichinose, being the social butterfly she is, immediately starts speaking in an attempt to control the discussion.

"Since we're going to be stuck together for the next four days, why don't we all introduce ourselves?"

Almost everyone, including me, ignored Ichinose as I continued playing the mobile game on my phone while Class A and D didn't talk. However, Ryuen, being the delinquent he is, decided to speak up.

"Fuck the formalities, why doesn't the VIP just reveal themselves right now?"

Hearing Ryuen's interjection, Katsuragi finally looked up and spoke.

"I'm sorry to inform you all, but Class A will not participate in these discussions. You can ignore us as if we aren't here."

Wow, who would have thought Katsuargi, the conversation, would be conservative? Ryuen obviously didn't like this approach when he spoke to Katsuragi.

"Oh, are you scared of losing your class to the loli, so you're acting all pussy now?"

Katsuragi remained indifferent to Ryuen's onslaught of insults and continued looking down at his phone. Horikita, who seemed to be the new leader of Class D, also spoke against Class A.

"What do you mean you're abstaining from these discussions? Will you just sit there and take in all the information we discuss? Anyway, what if there are more VIPs in one class? Are you going to let that class take more points."

Katsuragi and Ryuen seemed quite annoyed by Horikita's stupid comment, so Ryuen decided to respond.

"Suzune, you must be stupid. Of course, there are the same number of VIPs in each class. This school's whole motto is equality. Class D really is as dumb as they say."

Seeing her question answered so easily, Horikita closed her mouth and instead continued sending sharp gazes toward Ryuen and Katsuragi.

Seeing the hostility between classes heating up, the angel Ichinose stepped in to try to calm everyone down.

"Why don't we play a game of cards to calm everyone's day? Arguing isn't going to get us anywhere."

As Hirata from Class D also said, there seemed to be another social butterfly in the group.

"Great idea, we'll participate!"

Katsuragi looked up from his phone for a split second before replying.

"Again, please pretend as if we're not here."

Looking up from my phone, I could see Classes C and D were fine with the idea as they nodded their heads. Even Ryuen seemed quite interested in the game, which was unusual for someone who solely cared about winning.

I continued to ignore them and play on my phone, but Ichinose just had to say something because of her stupid "morals." Can you be a normal person?

"Hikigaya, would you like to join us as well?"

Ryuen glanced at me with some interest before returning his attention to the cards. It seems like he really didn't notice me earlier. I wouldn't exactly say that my presence was noticeable amongst all these top shots. The leaders of every class were in this room together, and I was just a normal guy stuck with them.

Anyway, denying an invitation from the leader of your own class in public would lead to more problems, so I reluctantly put down my phone and sat down next to Class A.

After some discussions, we all agreed to play poker, and of course, Ryuen added that we would be betting private points. I did not oppose it with my massive balance, but with my luck, I doubted any points would come to me. My poker face was also nonexistent as I basically held the same expression the entire day, but that also meant people didn't know when I was being truthful.

It seemed like the other class members shared the same sentiment, as refusing would basically mean saying, "We're too broke to gamble on cards."

After the first shuffle of the cards, Ryuen turned his attention back to me and asked in a voice loud enough for Class A to overhear.

"What do you think of the baldie's strategy over there."

Sure, their strategy was good, but it would never work. They forgot to account for the fact that you can discover the VIP's identity without even the need for a discussion. It seemed like Class A completely missed the existence of a pattern.

I shook my head and honestly responded.

"Won't work."

Katsuragi glanced at his phone for a second, but he quickly regained his composure and continued staring at it.

Ryuen seemed amused by the answer, so he continued questioning me.

"So, do you know about it?"

By it, I assumed he was referring to the pattern. Someone like Ryuen definitely wouldn't miss the hint in the email's words, "careful deliberation," so he knew about the pattern. Ryuen also held complete control over his class, so I assumed that he knew all 3 VIPs within his class, so he was already way ahead of me.

At the same time, gathering 2 more identities would be difficult for Ryuen as, due to his erratic personality, nobody would be willing to make a deal with him even if he offered private points.

I decided to raise by 10,000 private points as I currently had a 2 match and simultaneously responded to Ryuen's question.

"I'll find it before you."

Ichinose, Kanzaki, and Class D seemed interested in what we were discussing, but they seemed too scared to ask. Ichinose and Kanzaki would probably ask me what happened after the group, so I started brainstorming some ideas.

Hearing my answer and raise, Ryuen responded with a laugh and a sinister smile before also raising the pot by 10,000 more private points.

After Ryuen stopped laughing, Horikita finally asked the question everyone in the room, even Class A, was thinking.

"What the hell are you two talking about?"

This time, I also broke out laughing, as I didn't think anyone would have the audacity to ask us straight up about it. Ryuen returned my laugh while the rest of the group members stayed awkwardly silent.

Realizing that everyone except Ryuen and me was utterly silent, I awkwardly stopped laughing, and Ryuen said.

"Oh, Suzune, I'll answer that question if you can answer one of mine."

"What? Also, stop calling me by my first name; you are trash."

Ryuen ignored Horikita's pathetic attempt at an insult and asked.

"Who is Class D's mastermind who led you guys to victory during the deserted island exam?"

Katsuragi and the rest of Class A were no longer paying attention to their phones. They seemed intrigued by the conversation. After all, who wouldn't be?

The worst class in the entire school wins the special exam by a huge gap. Surely such a thing is impossible, yet it somehow happened.

Keeping composed, Horikita responded.

"What are you talking about, mastermind? We just used our teamwork and skills to achieve first place in the class. There was no sole contri-"

"Oh, shut up with that bullshit, Suzune. Our little wonderboy loner over there claims to have seen everything from the deck of the cruise ship."

Everyone's gazes, including Horikita, were instantly redirected towards me. That son of bitch Ryuen, can he not keep my name out of his mouth for a second. Also, why the hell is everyone looking at me? He said, "Wonderboy loner," who the hell is that?

Ignoring everyone's curious gaze, I responded.

"Don't appreciate the nickname."

Ryuen let out another laugh before saying.

"Oh, is there a better nickname? I swear I saw you sitting all alone on the couch until Ichinose finally took pity on you and invited you to our group."

How the hell am I supposed to respond to that? He's right. In an attempt to save face, I responded.

"What should we call you after you spend 5 days on that private island just to gain 0 points?"

"... oh shut it, I heard you dropped out after 2 days."

Ichinose once again stepped in to try to calm the mood while Kanzaki gave me a questioning look. He definitely knew that I faked sick to drop out, but he probably thought I had some ulterior motive. I wanted to tell him that I was too uncomfortable on the island, so I dropped out, but I doubted that would sound believable.

Horikita arrogantly spoke up in the silence.

"How do you even know that he's telling the truth about the mastermind? What if he's lying to throw you off?"

Fucks sake, what is wrong with this girl's attitude? Calling me a liar for no reason. Why the hell would I lie to Ryuen about something like this? She wasn't getting away from this.

I responded to her instead of Ryuen.

"Here, let me tell you a little story about the last day of the island exam."

Katsuragi and everyone else looked at me with interest. I guess the mystery of Class D's mastermind is very popular right now.

"It was the last exam day, and I was out on the deck taking a stroll. As I glanced at the island, you wouldn't believe what I saw."

Mixing some lies and truths always works.

"..."

"I saw a prince in full iron armor carrying Horikita like a princess emerging from the forest. This prince held Horikita with such care and passion as he walked towards the nurse's tent. Finally, after a long talk with the nurse, this prince reluctantly handed Horikita over to the nurse's tent, but before he did. The prince left a small kiss on Horikita's cheek. After handing over his love, the prince received another keycard and returned to the forest. The love, mystery, and passion were like a story straight out of a fairytale!"