The morning the exam begins.

A little before 8:00, when the VIP notification email would arrive, Ayanokōji-kun, Horikita-san and I were sitting around a terrace table together.

“For this exam, I’ll focus on my own group. I’ll leave overall command and strategy to you two.”

“Wait, that—”

“Yeah, got it.”

I stop Horikita-san, who had started to stand up in protest.

He’s leaving it to us to encourage our growth.

Even Horikita-san seems reluctant to argue in front of me after the policy Ayanokōji-kun laid out, and she reluctantly sits back down.

“I’ll act as a piece if you give instructions, and I’ll offer opinions if needed. Or do you lack confidence in winning on your own, Horikita?”

“You’ve got some nerve. Fine, I’ll manage on my own.”

“Hey, hey, Horikita-san. I’m here too, you know.”

I softened my tone with polite speech, but honestly, that annoyed me a little.

Was she not listening to Ayanokōji-kun? Or does she think I’m unnecessary?

“Sorry, that’s not what I meant. I just meant we won’t rely on Ayanokōji-kun.”

“If you understand that, then it’s fine. So, shall we start thinking about our strategy?”

If we talk it out here, Ayanokōji-kun can correct us if we go wrong.

“Right. Ideally, we correctly identify all VIPs outside Class D, and make all Class D VIPs be misidentified. If we pull that off, we’d gain 600 class points and jump straight to Class B. But that’s not realistic.”

I agree.

Identifying VIPs is possible. But forcing misidentification is much harder.

Emails can’t be tampered with, and unlike the island exam, we can’t make a VIP retire and replace them.

Even if the VIP is an incredible actor and seems suspicious, unless there’s solid proof, people won’t risk guessing.

If they’re wrong, they lose 50 class points. Everyone will want certainty.

“Since misdirection is hard, focusing on identifying other classes’ VIPs might be better.”

“Agreed. And if possible, we should reduce Class A’s points. We can’t let them keep running away with it.”

“That’s probably what the other classes are thinking too. Maybe we could even cooperate depending on the situation?”

“Cooperate? This exam is about stealing points. Unless we aim for Result 1… no, wait.”

Horikita-san rests her hand on her chin.

“If VIPs are evenly distributed among classes, then Class A would have three. If Classes B through D split those, cooperation might be possible. If successful, Class A would lose 150 points, and the others would gain 50 each.”

“I also think VIPs are evenly distributed, but what’s your reasoning?”

“…Fairness. The class point system and the island exam—this school has consistently given equal opportunities to all classes. VIPs have a big advantage in this exam, so it’s unlikely they’d favor one class. Also, the teacher said, ‘VIPs are strictly and fairly adjusted.’ That supports it.”

I nod.

I came to the same conclusion yesterday with Ayanokōji-kun.

But the speed and clarity of her reasoning really shows how capable she is.

“Let’s set aside cooperation for now. The real issue is how to identify VIPs. Since groups are separated, we can only directly investigate within our own group.”

That means students of similar ability might be grouped together. Otherwise, VIPs could be exposed too easily.

…In my Cow Group, my classmates are Sakura-san, Sudō-kun and Ike-kun.

…Maybe I held back a bit too much… haha…

Let’s think positively—it means my disguise worked perfectly.

“So the issue is how to deal with other groups.”

“Yes. Even identifying our own VIP won’t be easy.”

Just then, the emails arrive.

We all check and show each other.

“None of us are VIPs.”

“Ah, that’s a shame.”

“So it’s not based on ability.”

But the wording catches my attention.

The other two seem to notice too.

“‘Strict adjustment,’ right?”

“Yeah. Sakagami-sensei said the same thing.”

“Mashima-sensei too.”

The same phrase appears everywhere.

That must be a hint.

“So there’s some rule behind how VIPs are chosen.”

“First, we should identify Class D’s VIPs…”

Horikita looks reluctant, but this might not be that hard.

Karuizawa can easily gather info from the girls.

Sakura might hesitate, but she trusts Ayanokōji-kun. If she’s the VIP, she’ll likely tell him.

Annoying as his girlfriend, but it can’t be helped.

The boys also respect Ayanokōji-kun now.

With Hirata and him asking, they’ll cooperate.

The only issue would be Koenji.

But even he might casually reveal it.

“So we gather VIP info through Hirata and Karuizawa. Then the issue is what to do with that information—”

Ayanokōji-kun suddenly stops.

“Well, well. A threesome out here? Mind if I join?”

Ryūen appears, with Ibuki beside him and Albert behind them.

Albert’s massive build is intimidating—like a bodyguard.

“Ryūen. Are you the VIP?”

“I’d like to say yes… but no.”

“Too bad.”

“Still not shaken, huh?”

He pulls up a chair and joins us.

“Looks like none of you are VIPs either. Waste of time.”

“You came just to check? How diligent. Can’t you wait like a trained dog?”

“I like chewing bones. Especially ones that don’t realize they’re dead.”

Horikita and Ryūen exchange sharp insults.

They really don’t get along.

“By the way, this is the one who exposed Ibuki as a spy.”

He points at me.

Anyone could’ve suspected that, honestly.

He’s mocking me.

“Thanks to you, I got to rest on the ship.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“What’s your name?”

“Matsushita Chiaki.”

“Ibuki Mio. Not that I care.”

At least she introduces herself properly.

Still not trustworthy though.

“See? You made a friend, Ibuki.”

“Who said that?”

“So you care about her? Your girlfriend?”

“Not even close.”

Ibuki immediately denies it.

“Everyone in Class C is my pawn.”

That’s his true mindset.

And hearing that gives me an idea.

I don’t say it yet.

“We’re done here.”

“Then don’t come back.”

Ryūen smirks and leaves.

I lean forward eagerly.

“Ayanokōji-kun—”

He stops me with a finger to my lips.

Then he picks up a device hidden under Ryūen’s chair.

It’s recording.

“Ryūen. You forgot this.”

He tosses it back.

Ryūen catches it and grins wildly.

“Ahahaha! You’re interesting, Ayanokōji. I can’t wait to crush you.”

He’s fully locked onto him now.

That’s dangerous.

“You’ve drawn his attention.”

“Obviously.”

“Ayanokōji-kun… are you enjoying this?”

Normally, he wouldn’t act like that.

He could’ve used the recording for misinformation.

But he didn’t.

“…Maybe. Ryūen’s strategy is interesting. It’s similar to mine.”

“His thinking is like yours? I don’t see it.”

But I do.

Both exploit loopholes and bend rules.

They’re similar.

“Ayanokōji-kun, Horikita-san. I have an idea.”

I explain my strategy.

“…I see. If it works, we can steadily gain points and hurt Class A. Impressive, Matsushita.”

“Ahaha… thanks.”

That actually makes me happy.

“Then I’ll rely on you for the key part.”

“Of course.”

He didn’t reject it.

So it should be fine.

“Let’s start by identifying Class D’s VIPs.”

By the way, it seems Watanabe from Ichinose’s class and Tokito from Ryūen’s class are also in the Cow Group.