"It's fine, Ayanokouji. You should retire from the exam. I'm sure the rest of the class will understand."

"Thanks, Hirata."

I retired from the exam, making Class D suffer a thirty-point penalty. However, I had successfully disqualified Class C, meaning the exam was now a battle between Classes A, B, and D. Classes B and D have an informal alliance, so it was essentially a two versus one situation.

It was late at night when I head back onto the cruise ship. After all, these events had happened around 8PM when the evening roll call was supposed to commence. By the time I was back in my room on the cruise ship, it was already past 9PM.

That was also when I realized Kouenji was one of my roommates.

"Ah ha ha! Welcome back, Masterpiece boy, seems like you made the right decision. It's a shame you ruined your close-to-perfect head by helping those idiots!"

"How are you spending your days on the ship, Kouenji?"

"Me? I've just been roaming around the ship as you can see. It's only right for a perfect existence like me to have this much freedom."

"I see. Well, I'm going to sleep."

"Rest well, Masterpiece boy. I'm sure dealing with those idiots hurt your brain in more ways than one! Ah ha ha!"

********

Arisu

[Meet me at the café on the fifth floor at noon]
[I want to talk to you]

[Ok]
[See you then]

The next day came, and Arisu and I decided to meet up at the cruise ship's café to discuss things. I still had a massive bandage on my head. The damage wasn't really from Ibuki's kick, but rather from the impact from when my head hit the ground.

"Oh my... Kiyotaka. Are headbands your new style? I must say you look goo-"

"I'm injured, Arisu. My head was covered in blood yesterday."

"Fufufu... I know what happened, Kiyotaka. I watched the scene from the TV in my room."

"You can watch the special exam on TV?"

"Yes, there's a channel connected to a camera that watches over the starting point at all times."

"So that means we can watch the results announcements on the final day as they happen."

"Yes. How about we watch them together? They'll likely be broadcasted on all the cruise ship's TVs. We can also watch them in my room, fufufu."

"If you say so. So? Why did you call me out here?"

"So you've successfully disqualified Class C, huh?"

"Yes. I used the rules to my advantage. Now, it's a two versus one situation between Katsuragi's Class A and Classes B and D."

"I see. I guess we'll temporarily be Class B, then."

"Yeah, Katsuragi stands no chance without Ryuuen on his side. Both Classes B and D know the leader of Class A. Meanwhile he has no clue about the identity of the other leaders. There's still two full days left though, so who knows what can happen."

"Kiyotaka, do you really think Katsuragi can turn this around by himself?"

"It is possible. However, based on his strategy, I doubt he even knows about Class C's disqualification yet. He has decided to take a defensive approach and limit his spendings. But that plan is not going to work. He's basically already lost 100 points as well as all his bonus points."

"You sure made this special exam interesting fufufu."

"Now, Katsuragi's spot as Class A leader is all but gone. He'll lose all influence and you'll be able to control the class."

"I suppose I have you to thank, Kiyotaka. You sure didn't disappoint me. Do you think your class will manage these last days without you?"

"Of course. I've never really participated in their activities anyway. I've always been scouting and exploring the island. So whether I'm there or not doesn't really make a difference."

"You're so humble, Kiyotaka. Nobody could've executed that plan as smoothly as you did. With every second that passes, I'm more and more impressed by you. You really are the real deal."

"Mind if I interrupt your little date?"

Ryuuen appeared. He came to the café with a few other Class C students, including Ibuki who had some bruises on her body.

"Ryuuen."

"Fufu... if it isn't Dragon Boy."

"Shut up you disabled little girl."

"My my... you don't like it? I think it's a wonderful nickname."

"Ayanokouji. You cheeky little bastard. I didn't expect you to use such dirty tricks."

"I simply used the rules to my advantage, that's all."

"Kukuku... it seems like you're even more interesting than I expected. Don't worry, I already have Ibuki her punishment. Ibuki, you're an idiot for believing things will go the way you want. This guy is levels ahead of you."

"Tch..." Ibuki was visibly frustrated.

"Well, I won't interrupt your date any longer. However, know this, Ayanokouji. Next time, I'll use all the dirty tricks in my arsenal to beat you. You might have won this time, but next time won't be so easy. You've become my number one enemy. I will smash Class D down to the ground, and I won't show any mercy. Now, we'll take our leave."

"If you say so, Ryuuen. Go on, entertain me."

"Kukuku you bastard. I'll deform that face of yours when I get the chance."

They then left Arisu and I alone.

"That Dragon Boy sure seems troublesome."

"He's dangerous, but for now, there's nothing to worry about."

"Yeah. Say, Kiyotaka, why don't we play some chess?"

"Chess, you say?"

"Yes, I've always wanted to play a game against you. What do you say?"

"Sure, but where are we going to play?"

"Let's go to my room. I brought a chess board with me on the cruise ship."

With that, we went to Arisu's room.

********

"Ah... I'll admit it, Kiyotaka. It's my loss."

Arisu had no way of avoiding a checkmate situation. I must say, she's an incredible chess player. Had I made one wrong move, I might have lost that game.

"I guess you won then, Kiyotaka. As expected from you, you really live up to your nickname."

"It was a great game, Arisu."

"Kiyotaka, let's play again tomorrow at this time again."

"Sure, do I come to your room?"

"Of course."

"Understood. I'll see you tomorrow then."

********

"Kiyotaka, are you expecting anything unexpected from the results?"

"Not really. I doubt anything went wrong."

"I feel the same."

It was the morning of the special exam results. I was in Arisu's room where we planned on watching the results on her TV. We had played a game of chess just before, as well as a game yesterday and before yesterday. I won all three games, but they were far from easy. To think she would be able to challenge me like this makes me wonder about Arisu's abilities.

It was a little past 8 AM and we were attentively watching her TV.

"I will now announce the results of the special exam 'freedom'."

"Finally," Arisu said.

"Coming in last place, Class C, who were disqualified, with 0 points."

As expected.

"Coming in third place, Class A, with 160 points.

Coming in second place, Class D, with 231 points.

Finally, coming in first place, Class B, with 322 points.

That's all."

"I see, it more or less happened like I predicted," Arisu said.

"Indeed."

Class C with zero points is pretty self-explanatory.

Class A had two other classes guessing their leader correctly, meaning that they suffer a one-hundred-point penalty. They probably spent very few points, but they already had a thirty-point penalty in the beginning since Arisu was absent. Had they not suffered any penalties at all, they would have 290 points, so they spent roughly about 10 points, which I must say is impressive.

Class D guessed Class A's leader correctly, earning fifty points, and left Class B alone. They suffered no penalties on the final day, but their points are reduced by sixty following the retirement of Kouenji and I. Factoring in the bonus points earned from occupying spots on the island, they had spent probably around 60 points during the exam.

Class B guessed Class A's leader correctly too, earning them fifty points, and left us alone too. Unlike Class D, no students dropped out. Also considering the bonus points they earned from occupying spots, they had spent around 30 points.

The previous class standings from June 1st were as follows:

Class A - 1072 cp
Class B - 1009 cp
Class C - 617 cp
Class D - 85 cp

With the rewards of the special exam, this is what the standings now look like:

Class A - 1232 cp
Class B - 1331 cp
Class C - 617 cp
Class D - 316 cp

Meaning Class B overtook Class A as the new Class A.

This increase in points will probably also give Class D a morale boost.

As for the former Class A, Katsuragi will definitely lose a lot of influence as people will question his decision of making a deal with Ryuuen.

"I guess we're Class B now, fufufu."

"It seems like it'll be a two horse race between the top two classes."

"How long do you plan on staying in Class D, Kiyotaka?" Arisu asked me with a serious tone.

"How many times have you asked me this?"

"I'll continue asking you this until you give me a definite answer."

"I can't give you a definite answer, but I'll let you know that I plan on staying in this class for at least the first year."

"Well, that's disappointing. I suppose you have your reasons though."

"I do, but once the second year starts, I'll do what I can to make sure my transfer takes place as soon as possible."

I'll leave after I'm done using those defects to satisfy my curiosity.

"I guess I'll take your word for it, Kiyotaka."

"Why do you want me to join your class so bad, Arisu?"

"I want to spend more time with you, Kiyotaka. I want to dominate this school with you by my side, fufufu... I guess you can say I'm a little obsessed with you."

"Obsessed? What is that supposed to mean?"

"Forget it, fufufu. Let's just say I want to graduate from Class A with you by my side."

"I see."

Before I knew it, the room was filled with an awkward silence.

"Say, Kiyotaka."

"What is it, Arisu?"

"Have you ever considered learning to feel emotions?"

"Feel emotions? I'm afraid I've long lost the ability to do that, Arisu."

"That might be the case, but why should that stop you from trying?"

"What do you mean?"

"What makes you think that you've lost the ability to feel emotions forever? You said it yourself. You lost that ability a long time ago, but doesn't that mean you can also regain it?"

Regain the ability to feel emotions, huh?

"I don't deem emotions necessary. They're unnecessary for my growth and development."

"I don't think that's true, Kiyotaka. Emotions are the very thing that help humans develop and mature. Happiness, sadness, frustration, regret. Emotions can be the most beneficial things for human development. They are things the White Room could never teach you, but humans are preprogrammed to feel such things. Are you willing to completely let go of your human nature?"

"I'm not sure."

"Kiyotaka. It's not a bad thing to have emotions. And not only emotions. Acquaintances, friends, or even lovers. It's not bad to have those things, Kiyotaka. They make you feel warmth. People learn of warmth when they touch each other, and that's a very precious thing. The warmth of another human is by no means a bad thing. Please remember that."

"I'll try to remember that," I said as I stood up, "I'll definitely think about what you said."

"Leaving so soon?"

"I want to rest a bit. Thanks for everything, Arisu."

As I left her room, I looked back to see her smiling. I think it was somewhat of a sad smile.

I'm sorry, Arisu. This is just who I am.

No...

This is who I chose to be.

I've always deemed emotions as unnecessary.

I let go of the things that made me human on purpose.

I truly am horrible human being.

********

Author's Notes

That's Chapter 4 done! Thoughts?

I'm a complete noob at chess, so I figured it was better for me not to write any details about the chess matches.

Question: Who should be Kiyotaka's secretary?

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.

As usual, I'll publish some short stories before moving on to chapter 5. See you soon!