The room has fallen deathly silent. If I swallowed the saliva pooling in my mouth right now, the sound would probably echo for everyone to hear.
In the atmosphere created by the man with the eccentric hairstyle, no one utters a word.
I glance at the clock in the room—about forty minutes remain. Only its hands move forward, unhindered.
We're fourteen people seated around a circular table, so everyone's expressions are constantly visible.
What I see reflected are classmates wearing looks of shock or incredulity. And the culprit, bearing an eerie blank expression.
We appeal to him with our eyes instead of words.
That is the maximum resistance we can muster right now.
"Shall we continue discussing the sharing of VIP information?"
Unfazed by the barrage of stares, he resumes the discussion.
He doesn't stop. He deliberately creates an overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation, dives right into it, and still shows no loss of composure.
"…You really are something."
Katsuragi glares even harder than before, but Kamukura brushes it off with a cool expression.
"Horikita, it seems Class C has no intention of cooperating. Let's proceed with the discussion among ourselves, excluding them."
"I merely presented the topic clearly."
"You only caused confusion!"
Katsuragi—usually so serious and strict—opens his mouth wide enough to spit and shouts.
It's justified anger, so no one flinches at the outburst.
"Boring. That's why your uncharacteristic shortsightedness is exposed."
Kamukura responds immediately with yet another incomprehensible remark.
Where was the shortsightedness? Katsuragi himself looks baffled by the statement.
Kamukura turns his body toward Katsuragi and locks eyes with him, as if demanding he look into his own gaze, then begins speaking with overwhelming intensity.
"When you heard my statement, you must have considered various ways to win the exam.
Is Kushida Kikyo truly the VIP? If she is, wouldn't ending the exam right here be best? However, there's also the possibility it's a lie meant to trigger Outcome 4 again. Moreover, guiding it to Outcome 1 would offer greater long-term safety and benefits like improved relations with other classes.
Taking all that into account, the current best course would be to keep me as the common enemy and maneuver so no matter the situation, you avoid any losses."
His flat, unvarying voice passes slowly through my ears, and I begin to grasp the situation.
No—I try to grasp it, but it's hard to comprehend.
It's as if he used telepathy to read thoughts.
Of course, it's a metaphor. Humans can't use telepathy. One can guide thoughts to make it seem like reading them, but directly reading minds is impossible.
Yet with Kamukura, it felt like nothing less than mind-reading.
"Righteous shouting is no different from legitimate violence that allows no counterattack."
"…Nonsense."
"Yes, of course it's nonsense. However, the words I inferred from your gaze, gestures, expressions, the pause before speaking, and the situation up to now—are not nonsense."
Katsuragi falls silent at Kamukura's words.
Seeing he has no retort, it's clear they were accurate.
Terrifying. It forces us to recognize anew the magnitude of our enemy.
"In that earlier moment, if you'd stayed calm, you would have remained silent. Silence would have prevented any damage.
Suddenly changing strategy and siding with Horikita Suzune was unplanned. Accumulated impatience invites uncertainty and branches the outcome. Yet that's the very action you hated most."
Katsuragi can no longer hide his shock; his expression twists slightly.
"Your selfishness will torment you, and that damage will spread to your class. Then further self-reproach will torment you even more."
He speaks as if it's a predetermined future.
His actions can't be fixed, but right now, he's cornering Katsuragi.
Still, Katsuragi refuses to yield to malice.
"…Indeed, my selfishness may be causing trouble for Class A right now. But I don't think my judgment back then was wrong.
Even if it wasn't the optimal choice, the outcome isn't decided yet. Regret can come later. Don't think a taunt like that will bend me."
Katsuragi repels the words meant to shake him with strong conviction.
I genuinely admire that—he's truly worthy of being a leader figure in Class A.
Moving only my eyes to check the time, less than half remains.
"No, the future I predicted won't change so easily. You will repeat failures. Eventually, Sakayanagi Arisu will take your position."
Judging it mere mockery, Katsuragi ignores it. Kamukura, perhaps losing interest, changes the topic.
"Now, let's make effective use of the remaining time. Right, Horikita-san?"
He turns back to me, trying to resume the discussion.
I stay silent. Just from that exchange, I'm already anxious about whether I can outtalk him.
Honestly, I'm not even sure I can buy time.
"Wait a moment, Kamukura-san!"
Just as I'm doubting anyone can stop him, an unexpected "wait" comes from an unforeseen direction.
It's from a student in his own Class C.
"What is it, Suzuki-kun?"
Seated on either side of Kamukura are me and Sonoda-kun. Next to Sonoda is Suzuki-kun.
Kamukura merely shifts his eyes toward Suzuki, observing him.
It's just that small gesture, yet Suzuki's shoulders jump. It's easy to imagine he feels fear.
Even so, he continues speaking.
"…Is it true that the VIP in this group is 'Kushida Kikyo'?"
"Who knows? It might be true, or it might be a lie."
As always, his evasive response grates on nerves.
Suzuki's face shows anger at that.
"Don't… joke around. What you're doing now is outright rebellion against what Ryuuen-san said."
"And what exactly does that mean?"
"Stop playing dumb! Before the exam started, Ryuuen-san told us, right? The two things we absolutely must not do in this exam!"
Suzuki shouts, his emotions somewhat overt.
Anger has taken priority, so fear is no longer detectable from him.
But still… no, there's no mistake.
This is internal discord.
The sudden development is convenient both for buying time and restricting Kamukura's actions.
However, the clock shows only a little past halfway. This time drag will continue.
"Outcome 1 and Outcome 2 are forbidden, and we must not send VIP information to the school on our own."
He casually reveals their hand without hesitation.
Suzuki looks shocked, blinking repeatedly.
He hadn't expected the truth to be told. He hadn't anticipated such specifics. That's likely why.
In other words, what Kamukura is saying now can be taken as truth.
"…Yes. And you're about to practice one of those right now. More precisely, during the first discussion, you already sent VIP information on your own!"
Indeed. He just said he would cooperate with us.
Cooperating with us essentially means aiming for Outcome 1.
—But we mustn't forget. Right after that, Kamukura revealed Kushida as the VIP.
If it were just a bluff, it would be one thing, but this is the truth.
Many haven't made a judgment yet, but declaring it a lie would be premature; it carries considerable credibility.
That's why it fuels anxiety about Outcome 4. In the worst case, failing to see through the lie could even lead to Outcome 2.
No matter which camp you're in, it's undeniably the worst possible move.
"So?"
"It's not 'so'! If this continues, we might lose the exam because you broke the rules!
If the three classes actually cooperate, a one-sided outcome awaits. Class C's Class Points would plummet, and we'd get nothing! Are you okay with losing!?"
If a cooperative relationship forms in this situation, reversal would be difficult. That goes without saying.
Suzuki correctly understands the situation and acts for his class.
He's in the Dragon Group too. With key figures from each class gathered here, the discussion could greatly influence each class's direction.
Recognizing that and trying to stop it shows he's capable.
However,
"So?"
Common sense doesn't work on this man. If competence alone could stop him, we wouldn't have struggled this much.
The exact same posture, tone, and words as before. Like a machine programmed to repeat.
He doesn't care if it becomes a one-sided outcome. Suzuki is rendered speechless by the implied statement.
"So what will you do?"
"…Report it to Ryuuen-san."
Suzuki takes out his phone and holds it up threateningly.
"Report if you want. In this exam, he's on the outside looking in. He has time, but reaching the exam's pattern will take a little longer.
By now, he's probably somewhat irritated. Be careful not to incur his anger."
"…I'm really going to tell him."
Kamukura responds with added advice.
He doesn't quiet down like a criminal caught with evidence.
His composure remains intact; he seems to genuinely consider the warning irrelevant.
Suzuki looks perplexed by the attitude but pockets his phone. Then he looks down in silence.
His trembling body suggests fear has returned.
I praise him inwardly for saying what he needed despite the fear. How many people could do the same in that situation?
"Now, let's get back to it. Horikita-san, your class's VIP is 'Kushida Kikyo,' right?"
The conversation returns to square one. I face him and answer after a brief pause.
"…Who knows? Even if it were true, do you think I'd just say 'Yes, that's right'?"
"You're not denying it."
"I'm not falling for your verbal traps. I said earlier that my class has the VIP.
And there are three Class D members in this group. Whether I answer yes or no, the probability remains one in two. I'm not foolish enough to make that mistake."
"Good answer. But still too rigid."
I narrow my eyes, wanting to object to that evaluation.
"That superior tone. The way you phrased it implies there's a correct answer to my earlier response."
"If I were to give the correct answer from earlier, you should have concealed your true intent by layering truth with 'facts' and 'lies'…
Or buried it under a mass of 'lies.' Whether you answer yes or no, piling on many lies afterward makes the tangled threads of deception hard to unravel."
Layer words with facts and lies.
Extracting truth from a crowded mess is indeed difficult. The same goes for a situation buried in lies.
Unless you gather and precisely use a massive number of the right words to break through, either discussion ends in game over.
And right now, we lack enough of those words to break through.
"You only stated 'facts' earlier. The group size, the probabilities—all 'facts.'
Thus, the causal relationship that 'Kushida Kikyo' is not the VIP holds. But at the same time, you didn't deny the relationship that she is the VIP."
I understand what he's saying.
Mix facts and lies when speaking. That's what he means by skillful lying.
Like a cunning fraudster. …Like Kushida.
…It doesn't feel good. The association…
My focus wavers slightly, but I endure and continue listening.
"So it's just parallel lines. The discussion doesn't advance, but it doesn't regress either. And—that is a waste of time…"
A creeping pressure closes in, inch by inch.
Those red eyes see right through me. That's how it feels.
The sensation breeds desperation, and impatience begins to erode my expression.
"You shouldn't let that impatient look show, Horikita-san."
"…What are you talking about?"
"Even if you mix 'facts' and 'lies' when you speak… you can still buy time, can't you?"
…Damn him—he's completely right. He struck a weak spot, robbing me of composure and making me rush.
It was an unconscious, minor change—why does he notice? I curse inwardly.
But I can't just take it lying down. I resist.
"You're right. Whether it's only 'facts' or a mix of 'facts' and 'lies,' I can buy time."
"Exactly as you say. So—have you bought any time?"
The focus of his words shifts; the spearhead turns.
It feels like a blade pressed to my throat.
Cold sweat trickles at his tone that seems to know everything.
Don't panic. Focus.
I can't afford more slip-ups.
I take a deep breath. I sigh, feigning exasperation to mask my composure.
In that brief moment, I calm my mind.
And I stay on guard, watching his every move for a way to counter.
"Buying time? I'm not doing any such thing. Why don't you stop wasting it instead?"
"Lies don't work on me."
Yet he begins to act as if such efforts are futile.
He points at my face with his right hand.
Then he moves that finger toward a certain spot… My gaze follows the guidance and lands on the clock.
"You're looking too often."
—My expression twists.
The words trigger a flood of realizations in my mind.
A few times. And sometimes just with glances.
Subjectively, I deny it's possible. But objectively—what did my face look like while chasing the clock?
Regret over the mistake tries to spark self-reproach. Even though we're in the middle of the exam.
"So, what will you do next?"
He presses the attack.
I ignore his remark for now.
But that's another mistake.
In that instant, he finally reaches for the bomb.
His target shifts.
"Kushida-san, I'd like to hear your rebuttal as well?"
His androgynous voice reaches her unimpeded.
"…A rebuttal, huh."
Her voice—heard for the first time in a while. This is probably the first time she's spoken in the second group discussion.
There's no telling what she'll say. The usual affability is nowhere to be seen.
That doesn't mean her posture, tone, or aura is abnormal. The ever-friendly, never-without-a-smile Kushida is simply absent. She's showing her unadorned self—an utterly ordinary female student.
Only her unfocused eyes create a gap with her usual image.
As a result, to outsiders she appears slightly sullen—that's the shared impression.
"Are you trying to gauge the truth about the VIP by making me speak?"
"Stop acting like that's obvious. This is a discussion."
"Yeah. But it felt off. It sounded like you were declaring it."
"That's a correct instinct. Among the three of you, I found you the most suspicious."
"Why is that?"
"Because your expression has been dark throughout the second group discussion."
"I see… Liar."
Kushida flashes a wide, curving smile. Narrowing her eyes and laughing brightly, she carries an almost bewitching air.
The Dragon Group members fix their attention on this change—so unlike the usual her.
"You call me a liar. But I can't argue. After all, effectively using lies makes winning this exam easier."
"No. You didn't think I was the VIP just because my expression was dark, did you?"
"What do you mean?"
At Kamukura's return, Kushida laughs in a voice as cute as birdsong.
Her expression brightens, lively again, and she continues.
"Stop playing dumb. You said you knew the surefire way to win this exam."
The surefire way. What that implies is a method to know every group's VIP.
"But Kamukura-kun wants to see an… unpredictable future, right? That's why you won't end the exam?"
"The first half is correct; the second half is wrong. It's not that I won't end it—it's that I can't."
Regaining some calm and composure, I think.
His statements have become impossible to discern as true or false. Since he doesn't operate on logic, I can only predict his actions from his habits.
What's clear right now is that he's toying with the exam to see an unexpected future. As Kushida says, he won't end it until he sees that.
That's precisely why we found our opening.
I steel myself.
Yes. That's why I decided not to give up and keep moving forward.
"…So, the thing you least want right now would be… me declaring myself the VIP, right?"
As if pulling out a self-destruct device from her pocket—crushing hope—she says it without dropping her smile.
The statement, unimaginable from her adorable expression, freezes the group members' thoughts.
"If that's your choice… I won't stop you."
Kamukura says it with an unchanged face.
And the conversation should have continued in the same tone…
But—
"That would simply be the most boring conclusion."
Perhaps because the room was quiet, or perhaps he raised his voice himself.
I can't tell which, but my ears react excessively.
Drawing the word "boring" from him means the future is proceeding as expected.
When it deviates from his goal. In other words, he's about to act to create another unexpected situation.
Finishing that chain of thought, I brace myself again.
"I'm not expecting only from the current you. Even if you endure despair, you don't necessarily move forward immediately. But choosing that option is a letdown."
"Recklessness and courage are different. So… right now, I hate letting you have your way, so I'll do my utmost to annoy you."
An intense, condescending glare. Her tone and aura carry anger—anyone could tell she's furious.
Malicious. That's the true evaluation of the real Kushida. Her true nature is surfacing now.
But no one will misunderstand.
She's enraged at the enemy disrupting the exam. With this simple scenario, her true nature stays hidden.
In fact, compared to the suspiciously false reputation of being kind to everyone, rumors that she can say no and get angry when displeased—showing humanity—might spread, raising her evaluation higher than now.
"That's predictable and boring."
"Boring is fine. I won't let you—who toys with the exam and treats people like playthings—do whatever you want."
Her resolute declaration makes me want to speak up. That's how strong her will feels.
But remind her what she said. She declared she'd claim to be the VIP to annoy Kamukura.
In other words, she's trying to get someone to end this group's exam.
That can't happen. Point fluctuations would derail our strategy.
If someone from Class A or C guesses Kushida here, the plan with Class B collapses.
"You talk big for someone who's only given up—while Horikita-san is moving forward."
Kushida's motion—about to pull out her phone to prove she's the VIP—stops.
Being compared to me. Being likened to someone she hates.
The provocation works instantly. Her expression as her hand heads to her left pocket is visible only to Hirata-kun on her right.
Hirata startles, shrinking back in fear. I imagine something like a demon mask.
"…What are you trying to say?"
The face she turns to Kamukura is her usual friendly, smiling one.
Hirata pulls his chair back with his foot. From his expression too, he's genuinely horrified.
"The difference in growth."
Bang! A loud sound echoes through the room.
It comes from Kushida's right hand. The sound of her placing her phone on the table.
Everyone's gaze concentrates on the source.
"Say whatever you want. I'm ending this exam right now!"
Unhidden anger overflows from her.
A blunder. Unlike earlier, this is rage from being pointed out. It could add dark rumors to her reputation.
But more importantly—
She really intends to end this group. I won't allow it.
I shift my eyes to Kanzaki-kun and send the prearranged signal. He reacts immediately.
He must have noticed the situation heading badly. As expected—he reads circumstances well.
"…Drawing the curtain, then."
Kamukura mutters to himself.
I turn toward him, wary of his actions.
Surprisingly, he's looking at me. He might have noticed the signal.
But if he says that after noticing…
No, I can't let my guard down. I've seen him exceed predictions many times.
If even this situation is in the palm of his hand, honestly, I'd have no moves left.
But if that happens, I'll deal with it then. Rethink everything. I haven't lost yet.
As I think that, he says to me—
"Well done, Horikita-san. This is your victory."
Dry clapping echoes.
After the long-yet-short applause ends—he stands.
Doing nothing. That's what makes it scarier.
Not preparing anything makes his intentions even harder to read.
[The Dragon Group's exam has ended. Members of the Dragon Group no longer need to participate in the exam. Please be careful not to disturb the other students.]
The exam-end announcement plays, and emails arrive to all students simultaneously.
I look at Kanzaki-kun—he's smiling faintly. The last resort succeeded.
If Kushida went out of control, end the exam immediately before anything happens.
Everything went according to plan. No mistakes.
But he left a parting gift.
Despite winning, an indescribable feeling lingers in my heart.
He's already moved to the door and strides out of the room refreshingly.
Staring at his retreating back, I truly feel his otherness.
But my special exam is over.
For now… that's enough.
Relieved, I savor the victory.
...
In the room looks like a hacker's den lined with twelve monitors.
The eleven monitors show red-clad students but one monitor is blank, it's not malfunctioning, just inactive for a reason.
The monitors display students in real time mid-exam. The clocks show nearly 21:00.
Four chairs sit in the room. Four adults occupy them, each holding recording sheets.
They appear to be observing the exam and checking for irregularities in real time.
In other words, the four class homeroom teachers gathered to oversee the exam.
Class A's Mashima-sensei, Class B's Hoshinomiya-sensei, Class C's Sakagami-sensei, Class D's Chabashira-sensei.
Each fulfills their duty with serious eyes.
Then—a click of something opening echoes.
The adults notice the anomaly and turn toward the door in unison.
A ghost-like figure stands there.
They can't hide their surprise at the visitor's appearance.
"How do you know this place… no, more importantly… the door was supposed to be locked?"
Mashima-sensei asks the visitor, bewildered.
The visitor approaches step by step while answering.
"—I'm just lucky…"
The monster with jet-black hair sways suspiciously.
Logic and reason are literally mere symbols before him.
The monster stops in front of the teachers.
"What do you want? Your exam should be over."
Setting aside how he found this place and opened the supposedly locked door.
Though sweating coldly, Mashima-sensei responds to the monster's question.
Adults are experienced—evolved from children through myriad experiences.
Unlike kids, they handle sudden unknowns.
"My exam ended with a disappointingly boring result."
"After all that rampage?"
"Despite the rampage, it was an anticlimactic end. So—"
The monster pauses.
The adults predict while preparing their next response.
"—I'll struggle a bit too. Like Horikita-san did."
The monster with some intent takes out his phone.
The screen shows his Private Points—around 200,000 total.
Class C received fewer points due to the June violence incident.
Still a decent amount remaining.
"…Just so you know, you can't change rules with PP in this exam."
"I wouldn't, and my points aren't enough anyway."
"Then what are you planning?"
"An announcement and a gag order. In exchange for all my points, lend me the broadcasting equipment once."
The monster with a clear target bets everything on that alone.
Mashima-sensei glances at the other teachers. Likely the first student to attempt this in the exam.
The adults quickly exchange opinions with their eyes regarding the exception.
No one objects. They accept it as one option.
Mashima-sensei smiles and answers.
"I don't know what you'll do… but it sounds interesting. I'll allow it. But may I ask a slightly mean question?"
"Go ahead."
"250,000… no, 300,000 PP. If my price wasn't met, what would you have done?"
The adult tests the student when he sees the student's unique pupil which no counterpart anywhere in the world.
The adults await his response with expectation.
"I suppose I'd have obediently gathered them."
"Quite an ordinary answer for you."
"Should I have said I'd end every exam instead?"
He says something terrifying so casually. Facing the natural monster, the teachers reconfirm that ordinary doesn't suit him.
"Don't worry. I won't do anything that boring."
As the monster prepares to pay, Mashima-sensei speak to him.
"…Keep basic morals— no targeted personal attacks or inhumane lies."
A restraint like during the uninhabited island exam—not to hurt anyone.
"Yes. But the essence of this exam is 'lies.' Please be somewhat lenient."
The monster transfers the points to his homeroom teacher, Sakagami-sensei.
He steps to the dedicated microphone. Checks the switch position, clears his throat a few times, adjusts his voice.
The monster presses the switch.
***
If you want to read up to 25 chapters ahead, don't hesitate to visit our patron: pat reon . com / XElenea (remove space)