Not long after Ichinose and the others left, Horikita came this time.

Ryūen: "Yo. So the one snooping around was you. What do you want with me?"

Horikita: "You seem to be doing quite well. You’re living rather extravagantly."

Ryūen: "As you can see. We’re enjoying our summer vacation."

Horikita: "This is an exam. Do you even understand what that means? I’m honestly amazed you don’t seem to grasp the rules themselves..."

Ryūen: "Oh? I’m surprised. Are you handing charity to your enemy?"

Horikita: "When the one at the top is incompetent, those beneath suffer. I simply find that pitiful."

'You’re one to talk...'

Horikita: "More importantly, call Ayanokōji-kun. You’re not worth talking to."

Ryūen: "Heh, messing with other girls too, huh?"

Horikita: "I haven’t fallen so low as to be swayed by someone I don’t understand."

Ryūen: "Too bad, Ayanokōji. Get over here."

'Isn’t that way too rude?'

Kiyotaka: "Hey Shiina, I really don’t want to go. Should I?"

Shiina: "Do as you like. But it’s rude to keep a woman waiting."

Kiyotaka: "Aren’t you in a bad mood?"

Shiina: "Whose fault do you think that is..."

For some reason, Shiina was clearly displeased, so I thought about what to do.

'This is troublesome. I could talk to Horikita, but our victory is basically assured, so I should prioritize Shiina.'

Kiyotaka: "Sorry, I can’t go right now. I’ve got something to do."

Horikita: "I see. So you prioritize that girl over me."

Shiina: "Ayanokōji-kun?"

Kiyotaka: "That definitely had ill intent, didn’t it?"

Horikita: "What do you mean ill intent? I merely pointed out that you’re ignoring the leader of Class D who came to see you personally."

Kiyotaka: "There’s nothing to talk about. I’m not kind enough to entertain someone here for reconnaissance. And my relationship with my friend is more important."

When I said that clearly, Shiina’s mood seemed to soften slightly.

Horikita: "Oh? I heard from Ichinose that you spoke with her."

Kiyotaka: "That never happened. Who do you believe, Ichinose or me?"

Horikita: "Generally speaking, which one do you think is more trustworthy?"

Kiyotaka: "...Ichinose. But I’m asking what you think."

Horikita: "If I answer, will you talk?"

Kiyotaka: "No guarantee."

Horikita: "Then never mind. It doesn’t seem like I’ll gain anything."

Kiyotaka: "Then leave."

Horikita: "I will."

I ended up being the only one inconvenienced, but at least Horikita left.

'What was that about...'

* * *

That night, Class C students retired one by one.

Shiina: "Ayanokōji-kun, please be careful and do your best."

Kiyotaka: "I’ll be fine. Go back and wait."

Shiina: "Yes. I’ll be reading."

'I should finish this quickly and go back too.'

Reaffirming that, I hid myself so I wouldn’t be seen by other classes.

On the morning of Day 3, I secured one more spot from Class A, bringing my total to exactly 25 points.

Kiyotaka: "Ryūen, you’re there, right?"

Ryūen: "When did you notice?"

Kiyotaka: "I just assumed you’d come when I finished."

'I noticed, of course.'

Ryūen: "Did you earn the points?"

Kiyotaka: "Of course. We keep our promises."

Ryūen: "We’ll keep getting pp."

Kiyotaka: "Naturally."

Ryūen: "Let’s keep this up."

Kiyotaka: "As long as it benefits me."

Ryūen: "Then go back to Shiina."

Kiyotaka: "Take care not to get hurt."

Ryūen: "That’s creepy."

Kiyotaka: "It’d be annoying if I had to step in."

Ryūen: "You’re selfish."

Kiyotaka: "So are you."

Ryūen: "True."

Kiyotaka: "I’m heading back."

Ryūen: "Leave it to me."

I returned to the ship.

* * *

Ryūen POV

— Day 5 —

After Ayanokōji retired, I took over as leader and avoided being targeted.

'Now I can’t get exposed.'

Kaneda contacted me.

Kaneda: "Class B’s leader is Shiranami Chihiro."

Ryūen: "Good work. Return."

Kaneda: "Understood."

I called Katsuragi.

Ryūen: "Long time."

Katsuragi: "B or D?"

Ryūen: "B."

Kaneda: "Evidence is sufficient."

Katsuragi: "...Still uncertain."

Ryūen: "Too cautious."

Katsuragi: "What about Ayanokōji?"

Ryūen: "He’s hiding alone."

Katsuragi: "Impressive survival ability."

Ryūen: "That’s your takeaway?"

After Katsuragi left—

Ryūen: "Good job."

Kaneda: "Thank you."

Ryūen: "Just Ibuki left."

The next day, rain fell.

Ibuki: "Found the leader."

Ryūen: "Slow."

Ibuki: "Horikita had it."

Ryūen: "How’d you confirm?"

Ibuki: "She got sick."

Ryūen: "Good."

Soon after—

Katsuragi confirmed the evidence.

Katsuragi: "Sufficient proof."

Ibuki: "Whatever."

Ryūen: "Good job."

Ibuki: "I’m leaving."

Ryūen: "Suit yourself."

'Now the show begins.'

* * *

The next morning, I submitted:

Class A: Totsuka Yahiko
Class B: Shiranami Chihiro
Class D: Horikita Suzune

'No way D switched leaders.'

At the announcement—

Mashima: "4th, Class D, 45 points."

Sudō: "What!?"

Horikita: "...Why..."

She collapsed.

Mashima: "3rd, Class B, 140 points."

Ichinose: "We lost..."

Mashima: "2nd, Class C, 182 points."

Katsuragi: "Ryūen..."

Mashima: "1st, Class A, 220 points."

Katsuragi: "What did you do!?"

Ryūen: "You were just a fool."

And so, the exam ended.