Kei didn't get along with the boys in class, completely ignoring them.
When she spotted an empty seat next to Houtarou, she sat down but deliberately moved her chair away — keeping her distance. Such a small gesture caused significant hurt.
Yet Houtarou knew she held him in high regard, evident both from his Precognitive Dreams and her actual behavior.
Her current actions likely stemmed from being in different classes and her past experiences when he helped her. Not wanting to burden him, she protected herself in her own way by pretending not to know him.
Despite understanding this, watching her move her chair away left him feeling dejected.
With his keen observation, he recognized that if she were merely pretending not to know him or acting somewhat distant while approaching, these would be typical behaviors for girls — she wouldn't stand out.
However, deliberately pretending not to know him and specifically moving her chair away suggested she needed to make this display obvious.
Why make such a show of it? Was there someone else in the room besides him that Kei needed to consider? To whom did she need to demonstrate this pretense?
Or perhaps something had occurred that she couldn't handle?
Houtarou made note of these observations.
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Kei's chair movement was subtle — few noticed it as they prepared for the exam.
And now, how would the exam unfold?
"Well then... Although I know most of you, it seems some of us haven't met each other. Why don't we introduce ourselves?" Honami said.
She excelled at managing social dynamics. In situations like this, the first person to speak often gained control.
This assertiveness wasn't typical of her personality, suggesting Class B intended to approach this exam seriously and aim for victory.
This made sense. Earlier, Houtarou had only requested information about group members, making no demands about exam cooperation. Ichinose's initiative now was entirely her own.
The current Class Points stood at: Class A: 1801, Class B: 970. Class B had fallen more than 800 points behind Class A — an overwhelming gap.
Meanwhile, Class D had made remarkable progress from behind, with only 240 points separating them. This created uncertainty about their future and pressure from below.
In this exam, correctly identifying a VIP (Privileged Person) would cost that VIP's class 50 Class Points while rewarding the guesser's class with 50 Points. Successfully identifying another class's VIP could create a 100-point swing.
With 12 groups, each containing Class B students, every group member could contribute — though they couldn't guess their own class's VIPs.
Given Honami's popularity, Houtarou suspected she knew her class's three VIPs. Beyond protecting their own VIPs, they could target information from the other nine groups from different classes.
Whether they correctly identified Class A's or Class D's VIPs would directly affect the point gap by 100 points. They couldn't pass up this opportunity.
Not just Honami, but likely all Class B students in other groups were working diligently.
Class B students were angels who excelled at socializing. This was their ideal battlefield.
"Self-introductions? I'll go first!"
The three Class D boys, seemingly overwhelmed by the tense atmosphere, jumped at her suggestion.
The Class C girls had no objections either.
Kakeru had allowed Class C students to interact with other classes, so they were familiar with Honami, though less so with other students from different classes.
"I'm Hideo Sotomura from Class D. I'm good with computers and technology."
"Akito Miyake. I'm average in both academics and sports."
"Teruhiko Yukimura. I like reading."
After the three Class D boys finished, everyone turned to the fourth Class D student.
Kei was absently looking at her backup phone's screen when she noticed everyone's gaze.
"Kei Karuizawa. No particular interests." She said flatly.
"What a bad attitude." Said the Class C girl, "I'm Shiho Manabe. Oreki-kun, you remember me, right?"
"…" Houtarou, "I remember everyone who's spoken to me."
"Yes, yes." She seemed satisfied.
This Shiho was among the first Class C members who had fallen for Houtarou's money-making scheme with Suzune and Kikyō.
He noticed Kei glancing up from her phone.
Hmm.
"…"
The introductions continued.
"I'm Nanami Yabu. I'm interested in sewing and mending."
"Saki Yamashita. Currently single."
After the three Class C students finished, attention shifted to their fourth member.
A girl with short blue hair sat alone in the corner, reading "Gone with the Wind". She frowned occasionally, appearing not to enjoy the book.
"Ibuki! It's your turn!" Shiho called out.
"Huh?" Mio looked up, startled.
Noticing everyone's eyes on her, she said simply, "Mio Ibuki."
"Tch…" Shiho clicked her tongue, clearly disapproving of the girl's antisocial behavior.
And indeed, Mio was antisocial.
Houtarou noted this detail.
He also observed that despite her past role as a Class B spy during the island exam, she remained indifferent to the angry glares from Honami's two classmates, continuing to read as if nothing had happened.
She showed neither remorse nor concern for others' opinions.
Finally, Honami introduced herself — though everyone knew her already — followed by the two boys from her class.
Finally, it was Class A's turn.
Like Honami, Houtarou was well-known throughout all four classes.
However.
"Ahem…"
When Kōji glanced at him, Houtarou maintained his silence — befitting a Class A student.
The plan remained unchanged: everyone would work toward the 40 Million Plan between 9:30 and 10:00 PM on the exam's final day. Until then, Class A students would maintain their stance of non-participation.
Rising from his seat, Houtarou announced, "Regarding this exam, we Class A students will not participate in discussions."
The exam centered on identifying VIPs and deciding whether to report this information to the school. By refusing to engage in discussion, they would reveal nothing about their class's VIPs.
After all, people — not being professional actors — often betrayed themselves whether trying to conceal information or pretend ignorance.
The solution was elegantly simple: they would not speak at all.
Just that.
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