Chapter 82 – Horikita is ostracized

"What do you want to do?" Horikita faced the encirclement of Class C students with a defiance that refused to be outdone, pointing out the café's surveillance camera: "Do you dare to start something in front of the camera?"

Ayanokoji, on the other hand, simply hid behind Horikita, trying his best to remain unnoticed by anyone other than Yukio.

Ishizaki, unable to contain himself, blurted out: "Mind your own business, what's it to you? Get lost!"

Ibuki also looked annoyed with Horikita, as if they were naturally incompatible: "You think you can intimidate us with that? Please, the school clearly stated no violence or deception is allowed. We're voluntarily handing over our phones to Yukio, what's it to you?"

Even recalling a joke Yukio once made: "You're so nosy, next time I'll have the janitorial staff push a manure cart past your door, Horikita. Make sure to come out and take a whiff, give us a review of the aroma."

Fuming yet unable to retaliate, Horikita wanted to confront Yukio directly, uninterested in dealing with these Class C underachievers. But they simply wouldn't let her through!

"Are you really not afraid I'll report this?!" Horikita tried to use this threat to intimidate Yukio and Class C further.

Ibuki couldn't help but laugh: "Go ahead and report us then. We've said it's voluntary. Do you not understand what 'voluntary' means?"

Unable to gain the upper hand and feeling both annoyed and angry, Horikita pointed at Ibuki but ultimately turned to leave with Ayanokoji. She had realized she might have been rash.

If Yukio dared to do this in a public setting rather than secretly checking phones in a dorm, he must be confident no one would report him, a confidence stemming from the trust and support of all Class C students!

As she left, feeling disheartened and unwilling to admit defeat, Horikita wondered, was she really that far behind Yukio?

Even now, she didn't have the opportunity for a direct conversation with him? No! She absolutely couldn't lose again this time. She had learned a new lesson from Yukio!

She planned to discuss with her classmates upon returning, to see if she could convince them to voluntarily hand over their phones.

After Horikita, the disruptor, had left, the students of Class C sat back down, laughing and mocking her departure.

Ryuuen then turned to Yukio: "Are you done?"

Yukio nodded, signaling Ishizaki and Albert to help distribute the phones back. Then, he gestured to Ryuuen: "These are our class's three preferential treatment students, along with their corresponding groups."

"Also, this is the full list of all twelve groups. There must be some rule for selecting preferential treatment students hidden here! If we find that rule, we can win big."

Ryuuen's eyes widened in realization, moving closer to Yukio, his voice filled with excitement and impatience: "How did you find out?"

By this point, Ryuuen, having fully witnessed Yukio's capabilities, harbored no doubts about him. If Yukio said there was a shortcut to direct success, then there must be one yet to be discovered by anyone else!

Thus, Ryuuen was quite eager to hear Yukio's deductions. Yukio thoroughly analyzed and broke down Chabashira's words from the previous night for Ryuuen: "So, this list of twelve groups hides a secret."

"That secret is the selection rule for the preferential treatment student in each group!"

With such significant insights at hand, Ryuuen was invigorated, joining in the brainstorming until he felt dizzy and tapped his temple: "No, too much information, too many possibilities."

"Up to now, we only know about the three preferential treatment students in our class. From this, we infer that each class has three, perfectly matching the twelve groups, which seems fair."

"But inserting three preferential treatment students into the twelve groups leaves us with nine unknowns. Trying to find a pattern under these conditions offers too many possibilities."

"It's okay," Yukio confidently reassured, "I know where to get the answers for the other classes' preferential treatment students."

As Horikita left, she quickly found Hirata, who was having breakfast in another restaurant with some Class D students, discussing the special test for preferential treatment students.

Upon seeing Horikita approach, Hirata greeted her, but Horikita got straight to the point, asking Hirata to cooperate by having the whole class hand over their phones or, at the very least, have Class D's preferential treatment students report to her.

Horikita chose the right person in Hirata, the most popular boy in Class D, widely trusted and liked for his gentle care of the class.

Having Hirata make this request would be more acceptable than if Horikita herself did.

This put Hirata in a difficult position. He didn't mind Horikita's commanding tone, but he had reservations about the strategy: "Horikita-san, I understand you want what's best for the class."

"But shouldn't we consider the preferential treatment students too? Those chosen by the school as preferential treatment students are already under a lot of pressure. If they wish to hide their identity, we should respect their wishes."

"What did you say?" Horikita looked at Hirata as if he'd lost his mind, wondering if the sun on the uninhabited island had fried his brains: "This special test may seem to be conducted independently by each group, but that's not the case."

"Yukio of Class C already has a complete strategy. He's had all of Class C hand over their phones and has identified who the preferential treatment students are in Class C. There will undoubtedly be follow-up actions."

"We're already a step behind. If we delay further, we might lose any chance of turning the situation around in this special test!"

Faced with Horikita's accusations, Hirata looked apologetic: "I'm sorry, Horikita-san. I know it's my fault, but I still want to protect those selected as preferential treatment students. If they don't want people to know, I think no one should ask."

"Even if it means losing this special test?" Horikita pressed, her gaze sharp.

However, her attitude completely lost the support of others, and the other Class D students having breakfast with Hirata voiced their discontent: "Hey! Horikita, don't go too far!"

"Why are you pressuring Hirata so much? It's true that Hirata was in charge of leading Class D on the uninhabited island, but that doesn't mean you can treat Hirata like this. Without Hirata, would you even be in a position to give orders?"

"Do you really think Hirata has to listen to you unconditionally? What's wrong with Hirata respecting every classmate?"

"Everyone, please don't be angry!" Hirata then spoke up for Horikita, seemingly always putting the class before personal grievances or preferences: "Horikita is also looking out for our class. Please don't blame her."

After a lengthy argument, Horikita finally left in frustration, unwilling to deal with what she saw as shortsighted classmates lacking in vision!

All this was witnessed by Kushida, who had also come to have breakfast and discuss the preferential treatment special test with everyone.

After all, such a significant event would understandably make some people nervous and uneasy – the perfect opportunity for her, the little angel, to comfort and gain the trust of her classmates. How could she miss it?

Kushida didn't expect to witness a scene of Horikita almost being ostracized upon her arrival. She felt immense joy internally, maintaining a sweet smile as she mingled with the girls, quietly inquiring about what had happened.

She learned that once again, it was all because of Yukio! This further diminished Horikita's popularity!

Kushida's amber eyes gleamed subtly. Indeed, only someone as wicked as Yukio could handle Horikita. Perhaps she should... try again?

Repeated encounters with Yukio had always resulted in him playing tricks on her, involving her in risky adventures, which twisted Kushida's feelings for Yukio into something strange and complex.

Without any fear or resistance, she oddly found herself wanting to try again, thinking she would seek out Yukio once more when the opportunity arose.

***

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