The ship swayed gently, constantly, in a faint but steady rhythm.
Thanks to its regularity, everyone aboard had already grown accustomed to it; the motion no longer disturbed their sleep.
I finished a luxurious night's rest on the plush bed and woke up.
Squinting against the occasional light slipping through the curtains, I stretched slowly.
My roommates were still asleep—one sprawled in an outrageous position, another lying perfectly still like a doll, her sleeping posture almost too beautiful.
I finished surveying the room and slipped out of bed, heading straight to the bathroom to fully wake myself.
I washed my face carefully, repeatedly, keeping my skin pristine. It had become a habit—this investment in myself.
By the time I finished, my mind was completely alert. I looked at the mirror. The person staring back had narrow, sharp eyes fixed on me.
Why am I… why am I…
The question never came. I was… used to it now.
—so I smiled. The kind of smile that could make anyone happy just by looking at it, reflected perfectly in the glass.
Today's smile was especially cute.
I didn't forget to adjust my voice. I checked the movement of my mouth and practiced pronunciation several times.
Once I was satisfied that it sounded clear and pleasant, I fixed my hair.
That was me. The me everyone wanted.
"Good morning, everyone! It's morning—time to wake up!"
Another day had begun.
A fun, laughter-filled life that satisfied all my desires was starting again.
…
The day after the shipboard exam explanation.
The clock was creeping toward 8:00 AM; in about ten minutes, the email revealing the VIPs would arrive.
At this critical moment that would likely decide how the exam played out, I was heading to the deck café for breakfast.
The café was called Blue Ocean. It was popular among students in general, but early mornings were quiet.
That was because the even more popular buffet drew nearly everyone looking for breakfast. It was only natural that this place stayed empty.
"Welcome."
A staff member noticed me and greeted me. I bowed slightly and began searching for a seat.
I wanted one shaded from direct sunlight with a beautiful view of the sea.
Finding a spot that fit the bill, I sat down.
I opened the menu immediately and ordered breakfast. While waiting, I pulled out my phone to organize the day's schedule.
"Gather in the designated room at 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM. And repeat that six times over four days."
I checked the information summarized in Class C's group chat the night before.
We would meet at the set times and hold one-hour discussions six times total.
There was one full rest day included, but that hardly mattered. It would be tedious, yet as an exam, we had no choice but to do it.
"They even listed the prohibited actions—did they deliberately limit what each person had to memorize?"
The handout with the exam rules was shown only during the explanation.
A rather spiteful rule, but Class C's students had handled it anyway.
One method was dividing the sections for each person to memorize, then combining the information later.
"Probably Kaneda-kun's idea. Ryuuen-kun wouldn't bother with something like that."
It made sense coming from Kaneda-kun, who excelled at behind-the-scenes work. The summary was well done.
I glanced over the prohibited actions again.
Stealing someone's phone, using threats or coercion to obtain VIP information, submitting an answer from another person's phone without permission.
There were many more, all punishable by expulsion.
Additionally, any suspicious behavior would trigger a thorough investigation by the school. Unless someone had completely lost their mind, no one would risk it.
"When exactly did his screws come loose?"
He, of course, being Ryuuen-kun. He would definitely use the quickest, most reliable method to get information without forcing lies.
Even if he got caught, he controlled Class C so thoroughly that he could simply play dumb and brush off any school investigation.
"Your order is here."
The breakfast I'd ordered arrived.
Several sandwiches and coffee were placed in front of me. I confirmed everything was correct.
"Oh?"
I reached to start eating, but my hand paused after only lifting the coffee for a sip.
A familiar student had just entered the café.
He looked around nervously, searching for a seat.
"…You."
Spotting me, he tensed with caution.
I beckoned him over to the seat across from me. He glanced behind himself to confirm he was the one being called, then approached.
"Good morning, Ayanokouji-kun."
The false genius sat down quietly, still wary, facing me.
…
I was a little shaken.
I had followed the man's gesture and taken the seat opposite him.
That much was fine. I was supposed to meet Horikita here later anyway, so passing the time until then wasn't a problem.
The issue was my companion. Kamukura Izuru. Effectively the right hand of Class C's leader, Ryuuen Kakeru.
Yet his presence and ability were far too great to be merely second-in-command. That much was clear.
"There's no need to be on guard. I invited you over on a whim."
"…I see. Sorry for being overly cautious."
"No apology necessary. Would you like to order something?"
Kamukura slid the menu toward me while holding his coffee.
I accepted it and, for the moment, ordered the same thing he had.
"Let me say this upfront—I'm meeting someone here later. When they arrive, is it all right if I move?"
"That's fine. Until then, keep me entertained."
A difficult person to deal with.
The overwhelming aura he'd exuded during the uninhabited island exam contrasted sharply with the strange, almost imperceptible presence he gave off now. The difference threw me off.
Still, there was no lie or hostility in his words today, so I could lower my guard slightly.
"Shall we talk, then?"
"Honestly, talking to me isn't going to be very interesting."
"I'm the one assigning value to this conversation right now. That means your words have value too. Whether it's interesting or not is for me to decide after we've spoken."
"…Right."
Kamukura's reason was utterly arrogant. For some reason, it reminded me of that blond free spirit.
Kouenji and Kamukura occupied nearly identical positions despite being in different classes. Kamukura was probably more cooperative, but at their core, they were likely the same type.
They handled everything with their own strength alone. They possessed that level of ability. Because of it, neither had any real sense of teamwork.
"Are you bad at conversation?"
Perhaps picking up on my hesitant reply, Kamukura asked directly.
"Not my strong suit."
"But not your weakness either. You're a curious person. Quite fascinating."
"No, I'm bad at it. I'm awkward with words, I can't speak in ways that make things clear to others, and I can't read what people really want to say. I have no talent for conversation."
"Yes, you have no talent for conversation."
"…I already knew that, but hearing it straight still stings a little."
"I know that's a lie."
Kamukura delivered his judgment without mercy.
There was no emotion in his words toward me; guessing what he was thinking was difficult.
"Lies don't work on me. I don't know why you hide your conversational ability, but it's pointless effort."
"…I'm not lying."
I offered a small defense while realizing something.
What this man was saying wasn't nonsense.
His word choice carried no hesitation, his body showed no fluctuation or agitation. He was far too natural to be speaking carelessly.
And his next words lent it even more weight.
"Why do you hide your true ability like that?"
Kamukura asked calmly, as though stating an obvious fact.
My expression and body didn't react. Internally, though, I was slightly shaken.
"What are you talking about? I don't have any ability to hide."
I replied quickly, without letting silence interrupt the flow, as if it were the most natural thing to say.
But Kamukura Izuru didn't stop. He continued pressing with questions that struck closer to the core.
"It was you, wasn't it? The one who suggested full retirement during the uninhabited island exam."
"No. That was Horikita and Hirata's plan. I didn't interfere at all."
"I analyzed those two. They have potential for the future, but nothing that shines yet. I can't imagine they came up with something so ruthless on their own. And with someone like you around, they wouldn't have been led into it either."
"It's an overestimation. Someone like me could never devise strategies on the level of those guys."
"Hmm. So you truly have no intention of stepping into the spotlight."
"There's no spotlight or shadows. I'm just an ordinary student."
As I finished speaking, the coffee I'd ordered arrived, so I took a sip.
The bitterness spread across my tongue—not quite like crushing a bitter insect, but enough to make me taste a hint of regret over my own miscalculation.
I wouldn't say "How did it come to this?"
I hadn't underestimated him. Yet he had exceeded my expectations.
Because this man had seen through my abilities with overwhelming analytical and deductive power.
Continuing to play dumb was, honestly, pointless.
Even so, I considered myself fortunate to have spoken with him today. I had at least gauged how he viewed me and the extent of his capabilities.
That would allow me to plan my future countermeasures.
"Well, that's fine. I have no intention of reporting you anyway, and it's only a matter of time."
I frowned.
Why wouldn't he report me? Why would he aid an enemy?
From this man leisurely bringing his sandwich to his mouth, I could sense composure.
…Not carelessness. Composure.
In other words, despite recognizing my abilities, he had judged that there was no need to deal with me.
That was one possible analysis.
Of course, there could be other reasons. Perhaps there was no grand motive at all.
Still, his actions stirred a faint irritation in me—and a trace of anticipation.
"It seems our conversation ends here."
"…Yeah, it does."
Someone entered the café.
Kamukura and I turned almost simultaneously, identifying the newcomer.
The figure scanned the room, clearly looking for someone. It was Horikita Suzune—the person I had been waiting for. After a moment, she noticed us and walked over.
"What exactly is going on, Ayanokouji-kun? I thought you'd never in your lifetime find someone to share breakfast with."
"Hey, come on—'lifetime' is a bit much. I was just passing the time talking until you arrived."
"I see. Then, with the VIP announcement approaching, sharing breakfast with a student from an enemy class—especially one of their leaders—could hardly be excused as anything but betrayal, could it?"
"I told you, it was just a coincidence…"
"Be quiet."
I had nothing to say and simply followed her instruction.
She clearly disliked that I had been sitting with someone from an enemy class, and a leader at that.
"I'm taking him with me. You don't object, do you?"
"That was the original arrangement. Or would you prefer I leave instead?"
"That would be helpful."
"Then I'll do so." Kamukura stood, gathering his empty dishes.
"Ah, there was one thing I forgot to ask."
As he started to leave, Kamukura stopped and turned back toward us.
His crimson eyes fixed on me—it was clear the question was meant for me.
"Kiyotaka Ayanokouji, what does 'victory' mean to you?"
For an instant, every signal in my brain seemed to halt, leaving my mind blank.
Even so, I answered at once.
"…It's doing what I want to do. In anything, winning feels better than losing, doesn't it?"
Hearing that, Kamukura appeared to lose interest and left briskly.
What "victory" meant to me—I didn't need to dwell on it.
I already knew the answer.
Pondering it now would be meaningless, a waste of time.
Just as I reached that conclusion, my phone rang at the perfect moment.
It was 9:00 a.m., so I assumed it was the VIP notification and checked the message.
"Show me your phone too, Ayanokouji-kun."
Horikita had taken Kamukura's former seat. She tilted her own phone so I could see the screen.
I did the same with mine.
And so the exam began without issue.
I also recognized that strengthening my position and resources going forward was essential.
...
"As a result of strict and impartial selection, you have not been chosen as the VIP.
Please act with full awareness of your role as a group member and face the exam accordingly. The exam will begin today at 1:00 p.m. and will continue for three days.
Members of the Dragon Group are requested to gather in the Dragon room on the second floor."
After leaving the café, I checked the message I'd received.
I wasn't surprised to find I wasn't the VIP. VIPs are chosen according to certain patterns; no matter how fortunate one might be, selection is never guaranteed.
In fact, if I maintained my poker face, the role of VIP—worth 500,000 points—would be utterly boring to me.
In short, my luck was exactly as it always is.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing in a place like this?"
I turned toward the voice and saw two familiar faces approaching.
We were near the café entrance, so I assumed they had come for a meal together—though given their relationship, that seemed highly unlikely.
One was a boy with slightly long hair for a male student. The other was a girl with short, pale blue hair.
Ryuuen-kun and Ibuki-san.
"I simply had breakfast. What about the two of you?"
"Breakfast alone together—would that surprise you?"
"Not particularly."
"Still got that stone face, huh. Fine. Truth is, we're just going to tease a certain girl."
Ryuuen-kun grinned as he said it.
He was, as always, honest about his desires. But a question arose... why was Ibuki-san with him?
He wasn't the type to gang up on someone for amusement. Yet here she was.
Using the conversation and this information, I began my analysis—and the answer came quickly.
"Ibuki-san is tailing Suzune Horikita and serving as your escort, correct?"
The "certain girl" was undoubtedly Horikita Suzune, who had just entered the café moments ago.
The timing of our encounter, the person he found entertaining, and the need for extra eyes to track the target—all pointed to Ibuki-san's presence.
"That's exactly it."
Dry, solitary applause echoed.
Less than a minute had passed since the VIP notification, yet this man was already indulging in stalking Horikita Suzune for fun.
I felt only the urge to sigh. Still, more pressing was confirming what the man before me intended to do next.
"Why not focus on gathering VIP information instead of playing around?"
"No need to rush. Besides, you already know how I collect information, don't you?"
"You'll gather the class once, have everyone submit their phones directly, and discuss strategy at the same time."
"Exactly."
I let out a quiet sigh.
He was right—there was no need to hurry. We had plenty of time before the first round of the exam, and his judgment was sound.
But it was boring.
From my perspective—someone who had placed one-sided expectations on him—without his actions, I felt no motivation to do anything.
The surplus of time stretched out. As always, I could observe something, sleep, or simply endure the emptiness.
As I considered my options, I began to think I needed something I could personally enjoy.
It wasn't that I wanted to change myself or try new behavior.
It was simply that, in this excess of time, picking up again what I had once discarded and experiencing whatever change might come from it held the faint possibility of alleviating my boredom. That was the slight hope behind the action.
Merely observing felt meaningless—unless one had vast amounts of time.
If that were the case, then for someone like me—who lived alongside boredom in this world—shifting from observer to experiencer might have been inevitable.
Assuming this world truly was a programmed one, that was my conclusion.
"So, what's with the staring, Ibuki-san?"
"…! I wasn't staring."
Her shoulders jerked, and a wary expression crossed her face. Combined with her halting words, her discomfort was obvious.
"You two still fighting?"
"We're not."
A heavy sigh and a muttered "pain in the ass" came as a set.
Despite Ibuki-san's immediate denial, Ryuuen-kun narrowed his sharp eyes as if looking at something troublesome.
"Hey, Kamukura. I'm leaving Ibuki here. Deal with it."
"Hah? What are you talking about?"
"Personal feelings just get in the way during the exam. Better to clear them out now. There's no problem with that. Hell, you should be grateful I'm being considerate."
"Don't screw around—that's none of your busi—hey, wait!"
Ryuuen-kun walked off the moment the words left his mouth.
He was heading toward the café—doubtless to tease Horikita Suzune.
Ibuki-san's rough, emotional outburst went unheard; Ryuuen-kun's figure quickly vanished.
"What do you want to do?"
I spoke to Ibuki-san, who made no effort to hide her foul mood.
"…Nothing. I'm going back to my room."
"That won't do. He deliberately created this opportunity—if we don't use it, we'd be letting him down."
"…Letting him down? You don't actually care about that."
"Lies can serve a purpose."
"Hah. That phrase perfectly describes your actions during the uninhabited island exam."
If the end goal requires it, a lie is merely one convenient means, and any actions taken in the process are justified.
Even if those actions are wrongful, as long as they ultimately produce profit, they are affirmed.
Though there are nuances, that is roughly the meaning of "lies can serve a purpose."
During the uninhabited island special exam, I employed any means necessary to achieve "victory."
I used lies, trust, even friendship. And in the end, I reaped the benefits.
"You stopped seeing me as a friend because I deceived you and withheld the truth. Worrying over the trust you wanted isn't like you."
"…I already know without you pointing it out that sulking like this isn't like me. But the betrayal from someone I trusted as a friend—"
"If you won't say we're no longer friends, then what would you call it?"
"…! I don't know!"
A harsh, shrill cry. The voice—mingled with disappointment and anger—echoed through the empty space.
Ibuki-san's eyes widened; she clapped one hand over her mouth. The gesture made it obvious she regretted her words.
It seemed her feelings were more complicated than I had assumed.
"…Give me a little more time. I'm not ready to talk to you yet."
Her voice had calmed somewhat as she said it quietly.
"That's fine. I'll wait until you're ready to talk."
I turned my back to her and headed toward my room.
There was nothing in particular to do, but the first round of the special exam would begin at 1:00 p.m.
If I endured until then, the boredom would lessen at least a little.
I ceased thinking and began walking.
Yet the gaze I felt from behind left me with a faint, lingering dissatisfaction.
***
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