We hereby announce the results of the Zodiac Exam by this email.

Please note that we will not accept any questions or objections regarding the exam results.

This exam was conducted properly and the following results were produced.

Mouse: Result 3, due to a correct identification of the “Traitor”.
Ox: Result 3, due to a correct identification of the “Traitor”.
Tiger: Result 3, due to a correct identification of the “Traitor”.
Rabbit: Result 4, due to an incorrect identification of the “Traitor”.
Dragon: Result 2, as the existence of the “VIP” was successfully concealed.
Snake: Result 3, due to a correct identification of the “Traitor”.
Horse: Result 3, due to a correct identification of the “Traitor”.
Sheep: Result 3, due to a correct identification of the “Traitor”.
Monkey: Result 3, due to a correct identification of the “Traitor”.
Bird: Result 3, due to a correct identification of the “Traitor”.
Dog: Result 2, as the existence of the “VIP” was successfully concealed.
Boar: Result 3, due to a correct identification of the “Traitor”.

Based on the above results, the Class Points are as follows.

Class A: −200 CP
Class B: −50 CP
Class C: +150 CP
Class D: +100 CP

* * *

With no particular issues, the exam concluded as is.

When combining these results with those of the uninhabited island exam, the current CP for each class is as follows.

Class A: 924
Class B: 782
Class C: 640
Class D: 510

In the end, the two remaining groups were both groups in which Class D held the VIP.

Even if a strange individual appeared among their own members, the rules would invalidate any answer.
That meant the only way CP gains would decrease was if Class A betrayed them and answered correctly.

One of them was the Dragon Group anyway, so there was nothing to worry about.

When Ichinose—no, when Class B submitted their answer, I thought Class A would also discover the rule and betray us.

However, due to factional conflict, they likely failed to fully grasp their own VIPs.

It was probably someone from the Sakayanagi faction, or one or two people who had been neutral but decided they could no longer leave things to Katsuragi, who were VIPs.

No matter how smart someone is, if they only know one or two VIPs, they may make predictions, but reaching certainty is virtually impossible.

If they miss, their own class loses 50 CP and the VIP’s class gains 50 CP.

Even if they had a prediction, it would not have been a decision Katsuragi, a conservative, could make.

If all three VIPs were known and he still could not take that risk, then Katsuragi would ultimately be inadequate.

My original expected result was as follows.

Class A: −200 CP
Class B: −150 CP
Class C: +250 CP
Class D: +100 CP

I thought the most likely scenario was that both Class A and Class B would not move.

In that case, the standings would be:

Class A: 924
Class B: 682
Class C: 740
Class D: 510

Class B would be demoted and the non-interference agreement with Class B would have automatically disappeared.

In reality, however, Ichinose had grown somewhat, leading to the current result.

Class B avoided demotion, but the agreement vanished, meaning it is not impossible that they will make a move from now on.

Not impossible, but… Class B probably has no leeway to attack, with Class C right below them.

Looking ahead, I personally think it might have been better for Class B to lose this time.

Or they could have decisively betrayed Class D as well.

With this half-hearted result, won’t Class B just end up depending on Ichinose even more?

As for Class C, there’s no need to say much.

Even with our deal, the fact that they saw through the rule beforehand and coordinated their disturbance with Kōenji’s betrayal was admirable.

There were various things happening off the board, though.

That woman will be used purely as a tool.

The crime of touching Kei’s trauma is heavy, even if it resulted in Kei taking a step forward.

There’s no point thinking about other classes any longer, so let’s look back at Class D.

Judging only by the shipboard exam results, Class D placed a close second.

Considering we were at 0 CP in May, it’s a tremendous leap.

While I was thinking that, Chabashira summoned me.

“So? What do you want? I’m honestly sleepy, so make it quick.”

“You really have no respect for teachers. I’d like to say good work, Ayanokōji, but I want to ask you something. You held back this time, didn’t you? Wasn’t that a breach of contract?”

What a harsh way to put it.

“This time, winning didn’t seem worth it. We students aren’t told what future special exams will be like. If we won too overwhelmingly, I judged that all other classes might unite against us afterward.”

If we had forced betrayals in nine groups on the first day, it would likely have turned out like this.

Remaining: three groups, all with Class D as VIP.

Class A: −150 CP
Class B: −150 CP
Class C: −150 CP
Class D: +450 CP

From there, Ryūen would certainly know his class’s VIPs and likely have figured out the rule.

With the uninhabited island exam and the earlier violence incident, he would have had no time to spare.

Thus, the result would become:

Class A: −150 CP
Class B: −150 CP
Class C: no change
Class D: +300 CP

Ending the exam there would result in:

Class A: 974
Class B: 682
Class C: 490
Class D: 710

At a glance, that doesn’t look bad.

But in an exam where you’re not supposed to know who betrayed whom, this would make it obvious which class betrayed others.

Combined with the island exam, the hatred toward Class D would be enormous.

Despite that, the gap with the demoted former Class B would only be 30 CP.

The benefits aren’t great.

Given that Class D isn’t fully developed yet, taking concentrated fire isn’t an option.

If this exam had been later, it might have worked.

Compared to that, the current result is a very sweet spot.

We didn’t earn more than Class C, so hatred is focused on Ryūen and only a few know the truth.

This reasonably good result also exposes latent slackers.

Class D has already lost over 1,000 CP in a single month.

Keeping things constantly tight is impossible.

Letting things loosen a bit isn’t necessarily bad.

“I see. You were acting with an eye on the future. I’ll be counting on you. Without you, Class D would still be unreliable.”

Chabashira left.

She watches more closely than I expected.

I did swear to go all out in special exams.

Which means that outside of special exams, I don’t have to.

The student council president, who usually shared nothing about special exams, casually emailed that he was looking forward to the second-semester sports festival with us.

That means the sports festival isn’t a special exam.

I’d decided something long ago because of that.

In this sports festival, I’ll just enjoy myself as an individual.

Let Ken take the physical leadership role and get along with people besides me and Sakura.

Above all, this is a great chance to train Horikita.

The shipboard exam confirmed it.

When I asked how she found the VIP, it seems Kushida told Hirata, who pitied her and passed it on.

It’s understandable that Kushida wouldn’t tell Horikita, given Ryūen.

Still, Horikita hasn’t overcome her solitary nature.

She could have relied on Hirata.

The fact that she didn’t shows she lacks the option of relying on others.

That’s not good.

And something worse has been happening all along.

“What should I do this time?”
“Do you know something?”
“So, what was your intention this time?”
“What do you think about the Dragon Group?”
“Should I do something again?”

Since acknowledging me, Horikita has drastically reduced stating her own opinions first and instead constantly seeks mine.

She doesn’t rely on Hirata, yet leans heavily on me.

She’s beginning to depend on a strong person she acknowledged.

The student council president probably knew this.

That’s why he distanced himself.

His wording that night may have been half irony.

The person she chased just changed from him to me.

That rhetorical skill suits a student council president.

So his request wasn’t only about student council matters.

“Taking care of my sister… including correcting her. That explains the price.”

The sports festival mention was meant to be used.

Thanks to Chabashira limiting the contract to special exams, I can choose not to interfere in the sports festival.

Now then, Horikita.

Let’s see if you can truly grow.

* * *

Bonus Scene

“So? Why do I have to be called here?”

“You know, don’t you? What was that? I never told you to hurt Kei.”

Despite it being midsummer, the air is frozen.

It seems I’m quite irritated.

Whether this is obsession, ownership, or love, I don’t know yet.

“I wasn’t told not to hurt her either. You knew something would happen and didn’t stop it, so don’t complain. You probably soothed her with sweet words anyway. As requested, I secured Class C’s pawn. Karuizawa-san grew mentally. And it relieved my stress. For me, it was three birds with one stone. That’s all. Ask her directly later.”

Suddenly, someone’s voice could be heard from the shadows.

“What, Kiyotaka and Matsushita-san?”

“You had her follow me? What is going on, Kiyotaka-kun?”

This idiot…

“I told you to come alone.”

It’s so obvious.

She let herself be seen on purpose.

“I’m leaving now. Good luck.”