C2. What was lurking underneath

8:00 p.m. On the third day.

Today is the third day of the Zodiac Special exam, and we finally had a day off from all those meetings. I've concluded that today is the most important one, as it gives everyone the time to sort out their thoughts and the leaders to catch up with what is happening in the other groups.

Because the exam finished so early for the Monkey and Cow group, Class B is in an uncertain situation. Both groups had one of my classmates as their VIP so, if the traitors actually sent the correct answer to the school, that would be terrible for us. 

This exam didn't even reach its final day, and we could already be with a minus of 100 class points.

"Hahh." I couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh.

Not everything is lost, though. In the best-case scenario, both traitors submitted the wrong name, and we have a plus of 100 class points. But because there is no way of knowing what really happened, all I can do is hope for the best or, at least, that the worst didn't.

I don't like depending on luck, though. I want me and my classmates to reach Class A on our own merit... That's why I'm working so hard.

That's why I'll do everything I can to overturn our situation. 


Now, to avoid such a crushing defeat, we must find the VIPs of at least two other groups. That would at least balance our potential losses. That's what I'm reaching out for.

"You shouldn't shoulder all responsibility, you know? C'mon, let's find a place to relax a little!" said Amikura-chan, taking me out of my thoughts.

It seems that my worries leaked through... That's not good! I should be giving confidence to those around me, not the other way around.

"Hm. How abou-"

"Sorry for disturbing Ichinose, but do you have a moment?" Just as I was about to suggest a place we could go, a very familiar voice reached my ears.

"Oh, Ayanokouji-kun? Don't worry, you are no disturbance at all! Is there something you wish to talk to me about?"

Now looking at him, Ayanokouji-kun looks very different from his usual self. His body and face that always seems so relaxed now have some kind of rigidness. His new posture also makes it look like he grew a few centimeters overnight. His eyes that appear to find everything around him so boring, are now a little sharper.

Even if I noticed all these differences just by looking at him, I can confidently say that he is even more unreadable than before. His voice is a bit more robotic, not giving an inch of his emotions. 

But that is not all...

We are in a group of 5 girls, and none of us noticed his approach. Only after he spoke to me that we realized he was there. 

'Am I overthinking things?'

"That's right. There is a subject I would like to discuss with Ichinose." He spoke undisturbed while my girlfriends kept eyeing him from top to bottom.

His words were precise. He probably wishes for me to separate from my group.

Mako-chan looked at me, and I nodded. She is always quick on the uptake.

"Ara. It seems Honami-chan already found someone else to lift her spirits." Cheekily teased Amikura while giving me a wink. "Let's go ahead first, everyone. We can meet up afterward."

"Thanks, everyone! Let's hang out another time." I bid everyone a farewell and turned to face Ayanokouji-kun. "So, where should we be going?" I asked.

"I was hoping you know a place where no one would be able to overhear us while we talk. I wouldn't mind if we could eat something while at it either."

Whatever it is that he wishes to talk to me about seems to be of utmost importance. Closing my eyes for a few moments, I search in my mind for the best place to go.

"Right! I know of a cafe that is pretty much empty this late at night. Should we go?" I asked.

"Yeah. Lead the way." He nodded.

As we walked through the ship, I couldn't help but think of the words he said earlier.

"Will Horikita-san be joining us? I could tell her where we are going."

"No. Tonight it'll be just the two of us." He answered, giving me a side glance.

... Could it be? I stopped dead in my tracks.

"This isn't a confession, is it? Seriously, I'm not ready for another one." I joked.

"That's right. And I expect that you've learned from my advice and will give me a proper answer." He said, with the most monotone voice I've ever heard.

"Pffftt." I started walking again, trying to stifle my laughter. "I guess I should know better than to try and tease Ayanokouji-kun, huh?"

"Hm. Good luck next time."

We talked all the way through to the cafe, and it didn't take long before we reached our destination. After making our orders, we went to sit at the most isolated table, near a corner.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I said, getting to the main topic.

"I was worried, Ichinose. Things aren't going quite well for Class B, are they?"

His words are rather odd. How could he know of Class B's affairs?

"What do you mean? Class B's position in this exam is not that different from the other classes."

Is he just bluffing to try and get me to slip on or something? I would have never expected him to use this kind of tactic, though.

If that's what he's playing at, then I should be careful with anything I say.

"I don't think that's the case, though. In fact, at this pace, Class B will suffer huge losses of class points in this exam."

"Would you care to elaborate?" I would feel much more comfortable with this conversation if I understood exactly what he knew.

"The position of a VIP is the most important in this exam. If you can defend it until the end, you're guaranteed to receive a huge sum of private points." He started before taking a sip from his drink. "In the first two days, two groups ended because of a traitor. Both VIPs were from Class B."

He spoke in a matter-of-fact. There wasn't a shred of doubt in his voice. How can someone talk with such confidence? Ayanokouji-kun feels like a completely different person from the brown-haired boy I've met so many times.

"And how do you know that?" I queried.

"I know it because I've discovered the identity of all VIPs."


His words shook my core, and I'm sure I showed a big expression of surprise. But I couldn't let myself be broken that easily.

'After thorough consideration.' Even back then, I didn't miss out on the choice of words in the email sent by the school. If Ayanokouji-kun really knows all the VIPs' names, that can only mean one thing.

"...Did you figure out the pattern?" I asked. 

"I did." He nodded.

At this moment, his words are just that: words. But they are coming from a person that I deemed trustworthy. The fact that he knows that Class B has VIPs in the Cow and Monkey groups adds to the possibility that he really did figure out the pattern.

If that's the case, then Class D could have another massive victory after the Island Exam. Just from the remaining groups, they could secure at least 350cp. I also don't know from which class the traitors are but, right now, Class D is the main suspect. If that's what happened, they could go from Class D to Class B in one go.

"Just to be clear, I have nothing to do with what happened in the Monkey and Cow group. The greatest possibility is that Class C is responsible for that." He said, as if reading my mind.

Right... Ryueen-kun bragged about understanding this exam better than anyone else. If Ayanokouji-kun says he didn't get involved with those groups, then I should believe him. 

Even so...

"Why are you telling me this? I know that our classes are in a cooperative relationship, but that still doesn't explain it."

If Class D arrived at the right answer on their own, they should have no reason to come to us with this.

"That's where you are mistaken, Ichinose. I'm not here as a Class D representative nor anything of the sort. I'm here as an individual."

What does he mean by that? I noticed that he didn't even mention Horikita-san since we met, unlike what usually happens when discussing class matters, but...

"Are you acting completely independently from Class D and Horikita-san?"

He nodded.

There is no way that the rising leader of Class D would be okay with this. If he is acting with so much liberty, then that must mean Ayanokouji-kun figured everything out on his own, and Horikita has no idea about it. Nor has anyone else from Class D.

"Did you come to me because you want to negotiate?" I finally asked the critical question, fully knowing that his answer would permanently change the future of Class B.


He nodded again.


"Hahh." I couldn't but let out a sigh and closed my eyes.



When I first learned about the existence of the Dragon Group and the list of students chosen to be part of it, I felt left out. All the leaders from all classes were there; Katsuragi-kun, Kanzaki-kun, Ryueen-kun, Horikita-san, Hirata-kun, Kushida-san... I'm not so naïve as to think it was all a coincidence.

'Did the school judge me as not worthy of a spot in that group?'

'Is Kanzaki-kun more fit to be a leader than me?'

Those thoughts flooded through my head until I remembered one particular brown-haired boy who would be part of my group... The Rabbit group.

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka-kun has always been a mysterious existence to me. He is always there... in the background.

Every time something significant happens, he is sure to be involved somehow.

 I've never even seen him change his expression or his composure crack, even in the most desperate moments. To me, he always seemed to be in a different dimension from everyone else. So...


Even if no one notices him...

Even if no one acknowledges him...

Even if he, himself, denies his own worth...

I could never shake the feeling that he is someone really powerful.


His presence in the Rabbit Group gave me a new purpose: Perhaps, I wasn't chosen as a member of the Dragon Group because I had to be somewhere else. 

And now I am sure that that is indeed the case.

"Why? Shouldn't you just give the names to your classmates and let Class D have another great victory?" Finally, opening my eyes again, I asked.

The answer should be obvious, but I can't afford to slack off in the face of someone I deemed to be powerful.

We are negotiating, so I'll need him to say how much Class B is valuable to his plans. That would put me in a more favorable position.

"You see, even if I gave Class D all the right names, I would receive an allowance of no more than 80 thousand private points. You, Ichinose, will give me an initial sum of 3 million points plus 2 million p.p. monthly."

'Did he just go ahead and tell me his conditions?' I thought.

The usual me would've questioned him about his reasons... About 'how could he betray his class just for private points alone?'

But I can't even consider that when I look at the person in front of me. Without a more profound reason than private points alone, I doubt he would risk himself this much.


No... I should be grateful for this opportunity.


"Such a huge number of points could cause us problems even with Class B's unity," I said, shaking my head. "If I'm even going to consider this, I'll need more proof."

Ayanokouji-kun managed to demand that much from me without telling me anything about the VIPs. It's not impossible that he just got information about the groups from the other classes.

The fact that he knows that we have two VIPs out of action is huge, but he can't do much with just that. I need more from him.

He nodded, understanding my position.

"Kobashi Yume, Minamikata Kozue, and Shirinami Chihiro. They are the VIP's from Class B."

.

.

.

He really knows, doesn't he? The names he monotonously spilled are indeed the VIPs of Cow, Monkey, and Tiger groups, respectively.

I nodded at him. There is no need to try deception at this point.

"What you said is correct. However, you will only be able to sell me nine names from the remaining ten groups. If they turn out to be correct, Class B will receive 450 class points from our agreement. That would give us no more than 1.8 million points monthly. Isn't it too unreasonable to ask for anything more than that? We would also be taking a huge risk; shouldn't that be considered?"

Initially, I wanted every group to act independently. Many of my classmates were interested in the private points this exam could provide, so I tried not to interfere in their groups. If I were to suddenly make this kind of agreement without anyone knowing, not even Kanzaki-kun, it should be for a very good reason... And I wouldn't be allowed to fail. To condemn my classmates to such a devastating defeat because of a stupid mistake would be the greatest shame of my life.

To reach out to everyone, get to an agreement about the rest of the points distribution, and perfectly organize how we would end this exam without raising suspicions from the other classes, would also be a challenge.

"Once I've shown you how the VIPs for each group were chosen, you'll realize that the risk is nonexistent. I have the names of the three VIPs from Class D, and you have just confirmed another three. All of them fit the pattern perfectly." He declared, before taking a bite off of his snacks. "About the difference in private point that will be received and repassed, just think that I won't be selling Chihiro's name to anyone else. What should actually be considered is that Class B would become Class A by the end of this exam."

As I hear the boy in front of me speak, I can't help but wonder: 'Where has he been hiding all this time?'

Despite all, I can tell he is the same person I've always known. He didn't change... Its just that he is showing a lot more of himself now.

"That's still too unreasonable, Ayanokouji-kun! How can I know that you won't be giving her name to anyone? It's not fair, but would you take responsibility if someone turned traitor and correctly guesses our last VIP?" Because there is too much at stake, I was starting to get worked up.

If Ayanokouji-kun were to take this proposition to Class A, in a worst-case scenario, Class B could end the month with half of their class points and both Class C and D in our tail. That is something I must avoid!

But even so, I can't just give anything he asks for at my classmate's expense.

"Then... If I can guarantee that Class B won't lose any points from the Tiger Group, would the terms be reasonable?" he asked, locking his eyes into mine.

...Is this what he was aiming for all along?

He must have a way to ensure that Chihiro-chan's name won't be guessed by anyone... He can only guarantee that by making a traitor from the Tiger Group guess the wrong name.

In that case, we would receive 500cp from this deal which would give us 2 million private points per month. From the rewards of the Zodiac Exam, we would also receive 5 million private points. 500 thousand from each group. Out of those 5 million points, he is asking for 3 million. Exactly 60%.

It's not the best deal since I would like to increase Class B's income, but it's not the worst either. The fact that we would go all the way to Class A by the end of this exam makes it more than worth it, but that is not all.

On top of Class B receiving a huge amount of CPs, all the other classes would suffer a massive blow, increasing the distance.

That's a fact that surely has been considered by Ayanokouji-kun.

...If it was someone like him leading Class D, then the results of the Island Exam would make a lot more sense.

"Alright, you win." I sighed. "I assume you have a contract ready?" I asked, unconsciously smiling.

He merely nodded, while taking a few papers from his pocket.

"One more thing: the fact that I'm involved in Class B's victory cannot be leaked. Can you promise that?" He asked.

"Of course, that's only natural!" I promised.

After hearing my response, he made space on the table and laid a few papers where I could read them.

Scanning the contents of the contract, I noticed a few key points:


'After the conclusion of the exam and the announcement of the results, If the conditions* are met:

1) 3 million private points will be immediately transferred from Ichinose Honami to the account of number "D0011311920518169535".

2) 2 million private points will be transferred from Ichinose Honami to the account of number "D0011311920518169535" at the start of every month from the end of the exam onwards.

3) A favor will also be granted by Ichinose Honami at a later date.


*Conditions:

The sum of the results from the Rat, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Rooster, Dog, and Pig groups will amount to 500 class points and 5 million private points.


**The correct VIP names for Rat, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Rooster, Dog, and Pig groups are present in attachment 3.

***The method by which the names of the VIPs from Rat, Snake, Sheep, Rooster, Dog, and Pig were obtained are in attachment 2.

****If conditions are not met, a new calculus for the transference of private points will be required. Follow attachment 1 for more info.


*****If the total of class points received by Class B in the Zodiac Exam is negative, the student Ayanokouji Kiyotaka will be expelled.'



My eyes wandered around the contract, and everything seemed fine apart from the favor that Ayanokouji-kun had not yet mentioned. Until I saw what was written on the last line, that is.

"A-Ayanokouji-kun, what is the meaning of this?!" I couldn't help but stutter as I raised my voice a lot higher than I had previously.

Looking at where I was pointing with my finger, he remained with his ever-apathetic expression.

He then looked at me and adorably tilted his head sideways as if not understanding my words.

"You are taking a huge risk by going through with this. Isn't it fair that I do the same?" he questioned.

Even with expulsion on the line, he shows no hesitation. This means that Ayanokouji-kun has no doubt about Class B's victory, but even so...

"Isn't expulsion too much? I would never ask for something like that." I voiced my concerns. Even if the VIPs identities are all correct, I could purposefully manipulate the results to get him expelled. Did he not consider that?

"I have nothing to worry about. I trust Ichinose." He said in a tone that I could swear to be a tiny bit softer while offering me a pen.

I chuckled.

"I guess I have no choice but to trust you too, then." 

I smiled, finally writing my own name as a representative of Class B.

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