I read through the message from Ayanokōji-kun.

Here’s some advice for negotiating with Ryūen. Remember that during the island exam, Ryūen was connected to Class A.

…Is he watching the negotiation from somewhere?

The timing is too perfect.

Still, thanks to that, I’ve calmed down. And with the hint he gave, I can think this through more clearly.

What exactly is Ryūen-kun aiming for?

The hint Ayanokōji-kun gave was about how Class A and Class C made a deal during the island exam.

Class C provided supplies, and Class A paid private points. That’s what we assumed, and Ryūen confirmed it.

…Right.

Thinking about it carefully, it becomes clear that Ryūen-kun’s objective was fundamentally different from ours from the very beginning.

Back during the island exam, when I saw his zero-point strategy, I thought this:

‘He’s practically throwing away a massive amount of class points he could have gained.’

So what did he gain in exchange for abandoning those class points?

A massive amount of private points. Probably an amount equivalent to the class points he gave up.

From this, it’s clear that Ryūen-kun doesn’t value class points as much as other students do.

Instead, he prioritizes private points.

Thinking back, even his first condition—demanding all 500,000 private points from accusations—hinted at this mindset.

Ryūen-kun’s core way of thinking.

From that, his stance in this exam becomes clear.

“Ryūen-kun.”

“What is it? You’ve been thinking hard. Ready to accept my terms?”

“This is just advice, but aiming for Result 1 is risky. You should stop.”

The moment my words reach him, Ryūen-kun laughs.

Not his usual mocking laugh.

If anything, it’s closer to the way he laughs when talking to Ayanokōji-kun.

Maybe I’m just imagining it.

“So you figured out I was aiming for Result 1… No point hiding it now. I don’t care if you chase Result 3 for class points. But I’m going for money. Some groups won’t make accusations. I’ll control things to get Result 1 and collect a fortune.”

Even if you have the right to accuse, whether you use it or not is your choice.

Choosing Result 1 is completely valid.

The reason he wants control over which groups we accuse is because of group composition.

Result 1 states that if everyone except the VIP and their class answers correctly, all members get 500,000 private points, and the VIP gets 1,000,000.

The more Class C students in a group, the more total points they gain.

He didn’t want us targeting those groups.

The reason for controlling timing is to delay suspicion.

If accusations happen too early, other classes panic.

That could lead to reckless guesses or Class A joining discussions and identifying VIPs, preventing Result 1.

“Are you serious? You’d choose private points over class points?”

“Not all. Half and half. Three groups for Result 1, three for Result 3. That way we recover class points and still get 1.5 million.”

“Even if you succeed with three groups, that’s only 6 million private points. Meanwhile, Result 3 across six groups gives 3 million private points and +150 class points.”

150 class points means each of 40 students gets 15,000 monthly.

That’s 600,000 per month total.

In eight months, that matches Result 1 gains.

But Ryūen-kun isn’t like most people.

“You’re only seeing class points,” he says. “If you don’t understand, stay out of this.”

“…Matsushita, do you understand?” Horikita asks.

“…Yeah. I get it.”

She looks frustrated.

I understand that feeling. I didn’t figure it out alone either.

“So? Tell me why I’m aiming for Result 1,” Ryūen says.

“Because it increases the total amount of private points distributed across all first-years.”

He bursts into laughter.

“You’re all insane. This class is way too interesting.”

I continue, explaining to Horikita.

“Result 3 benefits only one class. It just transfers class points. But Result 1 injects points into all students.”

“…One group means 7.5 million private points…”

“Exactly. Three groups means over 20 million.”

That amount means something obvious.

Ryūen plans to gather those points through deals with other classes, then use them to reach Class A.

With that much, options are limited.

Students won’t waste it.

They’ll save it for emergencies or negotiations.

Just like Class A did before.

“Ryūen realized that class-to-class deals can yield massive private points.”

If a class has 20 million points, someone can negotiate to take them.

The school wouldn’t hand out that much directly, or it would break competition.

That’s why he’s targeting Result 1.

“For us, Result 1 is beneficial too. But I’m against it. We should prioritize class points.”

“Why?”

“Because we can’t fully control other classes. You wanted Class B involved too, right?”

“…Keep going.”

“If you controlled B through D, Result 1 would be easy. But without B, discussions continue. That means A or B could accuse first.”

“Then we just don’t participate.”

“That would expose the alliance. Then A and B might team up.”

“…You’re sharp.”

“You don’t want to involve B because it reduces your share. Same reason you delay accusations. But let’s just accuse immediately once we find the pattern. Six groups each.”

“…Fine. You’ve earned it.”

He backs down easily.

He already read my intentions.

I was prepared to threaten him—expose his plan to reach Class A using private points.

That would make negotiations much harder for him.

He anticipated that and withdrew at the perfect moment.

And his gaze warns me—don’t try that again.

Still… we made it.

Negotiations are exhausting. Especially against someone stronger.

I just want to sleep.

“Horikita, can you draft the contract?”

“…Fine. You rest.”

Soon after, the contract is finalized through Chabashira-sensei and Sakagami-sensei.

We shared the document with Ayanokōji-kun too, but he had no objections.

With six groups’ VIP data, Ayanokōji quickly identified the pattern.

All 12 VIPs were exposed, and the exam ended on day one.

Class A: -150 class points
Class B: -150 class points
Class C: +150 class points, +3,000,000 private points
Class D: +150 class points, +3,000,000 private points

Current class points:

Class A: 974
Class B: 653
Class C: 642
Class D: 611

Looking at this, Class D’s rise is obvious.

Hard to believe we started at 0.

Class A is within reach.

With Ayanokōji-kun, we can surpass them.

Thinking that, I fall asleep peacefully.

* * *

Since the exam ended early, we had free time.

Instead of my usual group or Ayanokōji-kun, I meet Horikita.

“Sorry for calling you out.”

“It’s fine. Is this about Ryūen?”

“Yes. That too. Sit.”

I sit across from her.

“You were impressive yesterday. Those 150 points are your achievement.”

“I’m not interested in credit. Just say you and Ayanokōji-kun figured it out.”

“…You sound like him.”

“If that bothers you, just give him all the credit. I don’t want to disrupt group balance.”

She reluctantly accepts.

“So? What did you want to ask?”

She hesitates, then speaks.

“I want to know about Ayanokōji-kun.”

“Him?”

“Yes. What kind of person is he?”

My heart starts racing.

It’s not unexpected.

I’ve always wondered too.

His abilities are exceptional in every way.

And yet he wants to live like a normal student.

“Ayanokōji-kun is… my boyfriend.”

“…So you don’t know either.”

She leaves.

“Ayanokōji-kun…”

I want to know.

But I also feel it—there’s something about him I shouldn’t touch.

If I do… I won’t be able to go back.

…I…