Chapter 48

It's the fourth day of the special exam, the last day, but it doesn't matter to me since I've already finished the exam.

After today's discussion is all over, you will be given time to answer a little later, and the results will be announced one hour after the answer time ends.

? What happened on the third day of the exam, a completely free day?

That's it...

"Hachiman-kun, that's it."

"Hachiman, this is delicious too, so eat it."

The beautiful girls in front of me, Hiyori and Masumi, pampered me to the fullest on the observation deck.

Since it was a completely free day, I spent most of the time playing at the entertainment facilities, but the two of them dragged me to the observation deck and pampered me from morning until night.

At first, both of us were just getting nervous, but in the second half... my face was getting hot just thinking about it, so I decided to forget about it.

Having made that decision, I asked the question while eating the food that the two of them offered me.

"By the way, Hiyori, we have a final discussion in two hours, are you okay?"

I talk to Hiyori. There was no major movement during the discussion that took place this afternoon, but when it comes to the final discussion, Class A and Class B seem to be moving.

It is well known that the A and B classes have already been wiped out, and from the A and B classes' perspective, they will make a big move as soon as they get the chance.

"It's okay. I've already told my classmates who belong to the same group who will be receiving preferential treatment, and I've asked for their cooperation. Even if other classes suggest showing everyone's cell phones to each other, Class C will refuse."

Hiyori says this confidently. Well, even if the share goes down a little, it's okay.

"Good then. How is Masumi's class?"

"Opinions are divided. Some of the Sakayanagi faction are proposing betrayal, and those who are still with Katsuragi are against it, saying it's too risky."

I had a rough idea, but A-class without Arisu isn't that much of a threat.

"Katsuragi is in charge on this trip, so if he loses badly, his position will get even worse."

"Yeah."

Katsuragi was on the defensive this time, but Ryuen easily blew it up.

Katsuragi's strategy was not at fault, but if the results were bad, he would be held accountable as a leader.

If that happens, Arisu's position will become even stronger, and I think I will be in a good environment when I move up to A class.

However, if the Sakayanagi group moves too much and makes a mistake, there is a possibility that they will be dropped in the class.

Well, with Arisu's ability, I think she'll be able to rebuild with a quick attack.

So, I was in a good mood.

"Well, if we get through this, the exam will be over. Let's get some rest and go back to school tomorrow. I want to meet Arisu soon."

I felt quite lonely without Arisu.

There's a part of me that thinks it's boring without her teasing...

"That's right. I want to meet her too."

"I don't."

Hiyori approves of my opinion and Masumi denies it, but I can't help it.

Hiyori is Arisu's friend, but Masumi is Arisu's 'friend'.

"...Well, we'll be living together after we get back, so we have to break things up."

It was no joke.

When I returned from my trip, I ended up living with Masumi as well as Hiyori and Arisu. Living with three girls... If I don't do well, the boys will probably stab me.

I get glared at a lot in restaurants.

Moreover, Hiyori, Arisu, and Masumi are all good at being pampered. If things continue like this, there is a possibility that one day I will lose all sense of reason and expel the three children for giving birth.

If that happens, I'm definitely going to end up in the pig box, so I'll have to think about proper countermeasures.

"I'm looking forward to the four of us living together."

Hiyori, on the other hand, says this while smiling, but I still don't feel like I can win against Hiyori's natural smile.

In fact, even Arisu gets swayed sometimes.

(But...I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't met Hiyori on the bus that time.)

I went to school on the bus on the day of the entrance ceremony, and Hiyori sat next to me, and that's how we became friends.

Then, when Hiyori and I were shopping after school on the first day of school, we were chatting and Arisu overheard, and our relationship was born.

By getting to know Arisu, I developed a relationship with Arisu's friend Masumi.

But if I hadn't met Hiyori on the bus...I don't know.

A connection may not be born, but a connection may be formed in a different form.

In Hiyori's case, she's a bookworm like me, so perhaps our relationship was born at the library rather than on the bus.

but...

"What happened?"

"No. I just thought it was nice to meet you on the bus on the day of the entrance ceremony."

I was definitely lucky to have met her at that time. I had planned to spend my time randomly, but now I'm basically enjoying every day, and the reason for that is definitely because Hiyori's name exists.

"Hehe, I don't know why you suddenly said that, but me too. I'm glad I met Hachiman-kun at that time."

Hiyori says this with the cutest smile on her face. When I realized that Hiyori thought so, my mood became even better than before.

"Thank you."

"No problem, I don't mind"

"Hiyori..."

"Hachiman-kun..."

Hiyori says that and brings her face closer to me, but I stare at her in shock and try to approach Hiyori.

And that was when the distance between their lips was less than 10 centimeters.

Suddenly, I was being pulled away from Hiyori by Masumi, who was staring at me, wondering what was going on?

"Don't create a love atmosphere in front of me."

I couldn't resist those words, and when I looked at Hiyori while nodding, I thought it was cute to see her puffy face.

_______

"Then let's go have a final discussion."

"Ah. Do your best to deceive them."

"yes"

Hiyori nods and enters the room assigned to her group.

"Now, what do you think will happen?"

When the door closes, talk to Masumi standing next to me.

"If you think about it normally, Class A and Class B will take some kind of action. Especially if Class B continues like this, there is a possibility that it will fall to Class C."

Masumi replied. At the moment, A class 3 people with preferential treatment were guessed, but I think Masumi has guessed who is a preferential person, so it is minus 100 points, but B class has not betrayed anyone, and yet their 3 people with preferential treatment have been guessed.

Since there is a possibility that it happened, it is minus 150 points.

So class C betrayed 5 people, so they will get a maximum of 250 points, and if that happens, class B and class C will be reversed.

As a B class, I would probably want to find someone with preferential treatment.

However, I can't do anything reckless.

If you make a mistake, you will receive a minus 50 point penalty and your class points will further drop.

"By the way, if Hachiman is a B-class person and can see through the laws of preferential treatment, would you betray them?"

"Please don't say such horrible things, I would literally quit school if I was in Class B. It will be hell just like my middle school!"

I was scared just by imagining Ichinose's creepy smiling face, trying to brainwash me.

"Huh... really? I didn't know you hate Class B that much? Isn't Ichinose there?" Masumi said with a shocked face.

That's the main problem right there!

"Sorry, I can't tell you the reason for both of our safety. But If I were a regular student in Class B, I would most likely betray them. If I were to take on a leadership position like Ichinose, I might be able to handle falling into class C."

It would be fine if I just failed, but I would be unbearable if I failed to nominate a preferential candidate and widened the gap.

If you become a leader, it's basically no good to interfere with your personal feelings.

Well, there are leaders like Ryuen.

"You're somewhere between Sakayanagi and Katsuragi."

I'll think about what you say. Arisu is attacking anyway, thinking that attacking is the best form of defense, while Katsuragi is working to avoid the worst situation.

In my case, I attack when points are involved, but I maintain a level where I can immediately respond to bad situations...well, I can't deny it.

"Yeah. But that's the best thing. Arisu is a bit dangerous, and you won't win if you just protect like Katsuragi."

"Maybe so. But from the second semester onwards, Sakayanagi will be violent, so it's going to be rough."

Not at all. In the first semester, I didn't know much about the S system yet, so I was able to basically live a normal school life, but there were desert islands and special exams for preferential students, exams where class points and private points would change greatly.

There will probably be more complicated exams or exams that could lead to expulsion from the second semester, but if that happens, it's not hard to imagine that Arisu will be violent without hesitation.

As for Katsuragi, he has lost most of his power and it can be said that there is no way to stop Arisu.

"Well, for me, I just pray that I don't get involved. More than anything, right now I just pray for Hiyori's success."

While saying this, I get on the elevator and Masumi follows, pressing the button for the top floor, the floor where the observation deck is located.

I guess that's what it means.

I let out a sigh, but without making any objections, I pressed the elevator's close button.

"Hey Hachiman, is Ichinose really that scary? Shiina told me about what happened with Ryuen earlier?" Masumi asked slightly confused, she had a worried expression on her face.

"Yeah, you should definitely be on guard against her. And if it's possible have minimum contact with her as much as possible." I warned Masumi in a serious tone, to make her realise how dangerous Ichinose is.

I don't want her to get in trouble with an advanced level of green tea person like Ichinose.

_________________

"Yes. We are in class C, but we won't tell you about the preferential treatment. If you want to betray us, please do so while praying for a 1/3 chance of winning."

In the room where the members of the horse group gathered, Hiyori muttered this, lowered her head and covered her ears with her hands, and the two classmates next to her changed into the same pose.

The other class members have bitter expressions on their faces. During the final discussion, one member of Class B suggested that everyone show their phones to each other, and as a result, Class A, Class B, and Class D all showed their phones.

Class A wondered if they should intervene, but since they learned that all of Class A's preferential treatment had already been wiped out by Ryūen, they decided to show them their cellphones.

Meanwhile, only the C class remained, but after Hiyori made a last-minute statement without showing her phone, she lowered her head and covered her ears, creating the ultimate defensive system.

The reason why I'm keeping my face down and covering my ears is because Ryuen-kun told me,

"Humans are creatures that leak information through their faces and attitudes, so if you're going to show off your cell phone, keep your head down and cover your ears.''

As a result, people other than Class C were completely unable to read who was receiving preferential treatment.

Forcing a student to look up would constitute an act of violence and could result in expulsion from the school.

If you see through the rules of the favored people, attack them mercilessly, and make the favored people of your class specialize in defense.

In a sense, Ryuen's tactics, which combined the tactics of Sakayanagi and Katsuragi factions, overwhelmed other classes.

The members of the other classes looked at the three C-class members who were looking down and covering their ears, and were convinced that C-class was the only winner in this group.

There wasn't a single gambler in this room who risked losing 50 class points for their class and gaining 50 for C class if they betrayed or made a mistake.

As a result, Hiyori and her friends never raised their heads or took their hands from their ears until it was time for the discussion to end.

_________

...

"...Masumi, it's 10 minutes before the end of the discussion, so it's time to dismiss."

That's what I say to Masumi.

The last discussion on the last day of the exam ends at 9:00 p.m. The time from 9:00 to 9:30 is the time for the last chance to betray, and the time from 9:30 to 10:00 is the original answer time for preferential candidates.

However, the rule is that contact with other classes is prohibited between 9:00 and 10:00, and if you break the rule, you will be expelled from the class, so we have to dismiss the class soon.

"That's right. Then let's go back to the room."

Masumi nods and moves away from me, so we get on the elevator and press the button for the floor where the A-class room is located, and the button for the floor where the D-class room is located, and the elevator begins to descend slowly.

And when you arrive at the floor where the room where A class stays is located, the door opens...

"Well then, Hachiman. If it's after 10 o'clock, I'll see you again... hmm."

Masumi kisses me softly and then leaves the elevator, but that's a violation...

As I was thinking this, the elevator doors closed and we began to move.

Then I arrived at the floor where my room was, so I got off the elevator and headed towards my room.

I hear the ringtone from my cell phone announcing an email from school, so I take a look. Is it about the fact that all discussions are over considering the time?

but...

"Rabbit group's exam has ended. Please wait for the results announcement.''

It seems that a traitor has emerged from the rabbit group. The fact that it was almost over meant that someone betrayed them while being a total bastard.

I can't say anything about the rabbit group because there's not much information.

Well, now that the discussion is over,

I'll meet Masumi and the others in an hour and wait for the results to be announced.

Despite making that decision, I went into my room, laid down on the bed, and slowly closed my eyes.

dizz...

I heard a sound in my ear, and when I opened my eyes, my cell phone was ringing.

When I picked up my cell phone and looked at the screen, I saw a call from Kushida. I have a feeling that if I ignore her, I will get into a lot of trouble, so I reluctantly answers the phone.

"hello?"

"Ah, it finally came out. Hikigaya-kun. Since the answer time has ended, could you please explain the rules for preferential treatment? Because everyone wants to know.''

Apparently the answer time ended while I was sleeping. So it's already past 10 o'clock?

"Okay. Where should I go?"

"Thank you. Can you come to the cafe on the deck? "

"I'm going now."

When I hung up after saying that, it was already past 10:30. I had apparently been asleep for almost an hour.

Moreover, I received several emails from Hiyori and Masumi saying they wanted to meet me, so I replied, ''

"After the exam, I'll be at the observation deck,'' and left the room.

Then, I took the elevator and arrived at the floor that led to the deck. I left the ship and headed to the cafe.

Most of the D-class were there.

"Ah, Hikigaya-kun. Sorry for calling you all the way."

When I entered the cafe, Kushida gave me a light wave. At that time, I felt hostility from some people, but ignored it.

"There's no need to apologize"

In reply, I ordered an iced tea from the clerk, and Horikita started talking to me.

"Then quickly tell me the law of preferential treatment. Depending on the results, the class will be damaged because of your actions."

"You're looking at me from above again even though you didn't do shit in this exam just like on the island...."

"You!" Horikita looks irritated at my words.

Yeah, I'm irritated with her too.

I'm seriously planning to go complain to her brother about her annoying and idiotic behaviour.

...sigh,

"Let's just talk about the rules of preferential treatment, Ayanokoji, do you remember the hint I gave you before?"

When I gave the hint, I talked to Ayanokoji who was there. "Hint… If you keep in mind what kind of school we attend and then think about this exam, you'll realize that the teacher is giving you a hint about the law of preferential treatment, right?"

"That's right. And this school is a school that has a worldview where four classes compete against each other for the spot in Class A. There's no way a teacher from such a school would suggest cooperation."

"What ... But the teacher told me to ignore the class relationships and cooperate..."

"Cooperation? They told me to ignore the relationship, but never said to cooperate, right?"

I dismissed Hirata's words without hesitation. This clown always likes to talk about cooperation and whatnot just like that guy.

Mashima-sensei said that ignoring class relationships for once was the shortcut to clearing this exam, but I don't think he ever told me to cooperate.

"Okay? Ignoring relationships doesn't mean cooperating with each other. I'll prove that, so...send me the list of Dragon group."

When I say that, Hirata hands me a list. There...

Dragon group

A Class - Kohei Katsuragi, Ryoko Nishikawa, Shinji Matoba, Koharu Yano

B Class - Sayo Ando, Ryuji Kanzaki Hitomi Tsube

C Class - Takumi Oda, Hidetoshi Suzuki, Masashi Sonoda, Kakeru Ryuen

D Class - Kikyo Kushida, Yosuke Hirata, Suzune Horikita

It had the same name written on it as the one Ryuen had shown me before.

"Okay? Ignoring relationships means literally erasing each class. Like this."

Billy!

I tear up part of the list that Hirata gave me.

Dragon group

Kohei Katsuragi Ryoko Nishikawa Shinji Matoba Koharu Yano

Sayo Ando Ryuji Kanzaki Hitomi Tsube

Oda Takumi Suzuki Hidetoshi Sonoda Masashi Ryūen Kakeru/Sho

Kikyo Kushida Yosuke Hirata Suzune Horikita

What broke was the part where the class was written.

"Now there is no relationship between classes. Until just now, we were dividing them by class, but now how do we decide the order?"

"Is that... by name?"

"That's right. In that case..."

I take out a ballpoint pen and write it down.

① Sayo Ando ② Takumi Oda ③ Kohei Katsuragi ④ Ryuji Kanzaki ⑤ Kikyo Kushida ⑥ Hidetoshi Suzuki ⑦ Masashi Sonoda ⑧ Hitomi Tsube ⑨ Ryoko Nishikawa ⑩ Yosuke Hirata ⑪ Suzune Horikita ⑫ Shinji Matoba ⑬ Koharu Yano ⑭ Sho Ryuen

(A/N) : If there's a mistake, pls try to ignore it. I'm not good at Japanese alphabets. There's translation confusion between Ryuen Sho and Kakeru.

It became.

"It's the finishing touch. The dragon is the fifth in the zodiac, so..."

"Ah! It's me! Is this the law of preferential treatment?"

"Ah. Try it with other groups."

When I said that, everyone confirmed...

"It's Minami! Minami is really the preferred recipient!"

"Karuizawa is the special person in the rabbit group!"

"Seriously! Is the law of preferential treatment really that simple?!"

That voice comes out. In fact, the law of preferential treatment is simple, but it may be difficult for someone who listens to the teacher's story and becomes willing to cooperate to see through it.

It would be easier to understand someone who assumes that he will betray them.

"Yo Hikigaya. I was surprised to see you with your classmates."

I heard that voice, so I turned around...

"Ryuen...!"

Most of the D class members were wary of Ryuen, but Ryuen laughed at that and sat down across from me.

"The results will be announced soon, how are they?"

Ryuen speaks to me with a ferocious smile on his face.

"If you think about it normally, Class C will be in first place, Class D will be in second place, and Class A and Class B will be competing for the bottom."

"Well, I guess so. However, this exam was really easy if you could see through the simple law of preferential treatment."

Ryuen is openly provoking the D-class members. On the other hand, the D-class members erupted with an aura of anger at Ryuen's words.

Well, I guess it can't be helped since Ryuen's words implicitly sound like he's saying,

"You guys are idiots who can't see through the preferential treatment.''

But I hope you don't provoke them near me.

As I was sighing inwardly, it finally arrived at 11pm, and we started receiving emails all at once on our phones, so we decided to check them out.

There...

Mouse: The result is 3 due to the traitor's correct answer

Cow: The result is 3 due to the traitor's correct answer.

Tiger: The result is 2 because the preferential person was protected.

Rabbit: The result is due to the traitor's incorrect answer

....

Based on the above results, the increase/decrease in class and private points for this exam is as follows.

The units cl and pr follow the point, and these are abbreviations for class point and private point, respectively.

A class...minus 150 cl plus 500,000 pr

B class...minus 150 cl No change

C class...plus 200 cl plus 2.5 million pr

D class...plus 100 cl plus 1.5 million pr

That's pretty much the expected result. So, I'm sure about the class points at the end of the desert island exam...

A class: 1019 points

B class: 850 points

C class: 600 points

D class: 452 points , but when you add the current results to this...

A class 859 points

B class 700 points

C class 800 points

D class 552 points

It becomes.

In other words, the current B class will be demoted to C class, and the current C class will be promoted to B class.

In addition, there is only a small difference from the A class, so depending on the exams held in the second semester, there may be a drop in grades.

"Well, now we've moved up to class B, but from the second semester we'll be crushing class C and Suzune."

Ryuen says so. I understand the C class. Since Ryūen's goal is A-class, it is a golden rule to make sure that lower classes do not get in the way before challenging A-class.

but...

"Horikita? To you, Horikita is just a small fry and basically an idiot. There's no need to go out of your way to crush her, right?"

Horikita just has good grades. Just like Katsuragi, it's not scary at all.

At least from Ryuen's point of view, they are small fry.

"Ah. I just want to see Suzune crushed. I want to see Suzune, who is bullish due to her small-time habits, crushed."

"..." Horikita Suzune.

"Hey, bastard! Don't get carried away just now!"

Hey, there's a dog in this class!

When Ryūen said that with a fierce smile on his face, Horikita looked down in frustration and Sudo got angry.

I don't understand how you feel, but you should stop using violence against Ryuen.

"I'm looking forward to the second semester. By the way, Hikigaya. In the second semester, do you want to seriously bump into me? It's my hobby to destroy Suzune, but D-class without you is too much of a waste of my time, so I don't think it'll be fun. So what do you say?"

Ryuen says so, but from my point of view, I want to avoid fighting you. It's definitely troublesome...well, if they're aiming at Arisu or Masumi, I'll have to stop it.

"I won't be able to move up to class A for the time being, so I'm sure I'll have a fight with you even if I don't want to. Well, I'd appreciate it if you could face me."

"That's fine. I'm looking forward to it."

Ryuen says that, laughs loudly, and leaves.

The mood among the members of D-class was somber as they watched this happen.

Because unlike the desert island exam, Ryuen's power manifested itself.

Well, results are results. We have no choice but to take it seriously and make use of it next time.

All I can do now is rest.

With that in mind, I drink all my iced tea and get up from my seat. It's the last night of the trip, and I need to spend some peaceful time with Hiyori and Masumi.