Ayanokouji POV
The special exam begins as the assigned students from each class are in the same room. I, Yuuichi, Kaguya, and Akise already planned out what we should do in this exam. Yuuichi plans on betraying the group only if the time is right and we have to pick our right targets. Of course, my suggestion is potentially targeting Karuizawa since she'd probably be the easiest to use as a pawn. I could use Yukimura too, but I wonder if he would even agree to my idea.
"Seriously I think this might be the worst team, no matter how I see it" Karuizawa said
"What does that mean?" Hikigaya spoke
"Don't worry Hikigaya-kun, anyways I think we should introduce ourselves first before we begin discussing since most of us don't even know each other" Ichinose said as she takes the stage.
"What do you think about her?" Yuuichi whispered
"I think she's ok as a leader I suppose but not one we can use...yet" I whispered back
"What's the point of introducing ourselves? only those who want to can do so" Machida joins in
"Well, I can't force them to do so, can I? But there could potentially be a microphone in this room that is set up somewhere" Ichinose said
"Well...."
"That means that in this case, the disadvantage goes to the one who didn't introduce themselves" she does have a point
"Fine...." Machida said while sighing
"Thank you!" Ichinose said
Ichinose has taken control as of now, but let's see how you will do. I looked at both Yuuichi and Akise, they seemed to be plotting their moves already while Kaguya seems pretty normal so far and then there is Hikigaya, I wonder how he'll approach this exam.
After we introduced ourselves, we began the discussion.
"If it's alright with everyone, I don't mind being facilitator of this discussion or if you don't want me to do so, then let me know" I think given your charisma, it would be better for you to facilitate the situation since leading this group might reveal your weakness which anyone here could potentially exploit especially if it's Yuuichi.
"Since there are no objections, then we can proceed. First of all, if there is something that you don't understand, we should talk about it. Does anybody have some questions?" Ichinose asked
"I do" Hikigaya raised his hand
"Ohh what is it?"
"You think it would be a good idea to choose outcome #1?" he asked
"Of course, I mean if we work together, then we could all pass without any problems" she answered
"Hold on" now Yuuichi joins in
"Yes Katagiri-kun?"
"Outcome #1 would be the best option for everyone but have you considered if there is a possibility that a student from a different class might have their own motives?" he asked
"Umm well I...."
"Are you saying that one of us is going to betray the other?" Machida asked
"Wait I'm not saying it like that, it's just that with these many points on the line as well as class points, don't you think we should rule out anyone who tries to betray this group?
"I guess it's a good call"
"That's a good idea but I really think that we should all aim for Outcome #1 since it would be better for everyone" Ichinose stated
"I agree as well" Hamaguchi joins in
"The same here, since we do need the private points after all" I said but that's not really our goal.
"I agree as well, we should all work together and not let any one of us betray one another" Yuuichi said happily, but given his plan, he's quite good at acting.
"I'll also help as well, if Yuuichi-dono says we should cooperate then we shall do so" Sotomura said while doing a weird pose. That's strange.
"We Class A will allow ourselves to be silent" Machida said
Everyone looked at him with confusion.
"Maybe I was a little harsh there" Ichinose said slightly embarrassed
"The best course of action to pass this exam is to stay silent and not discuss anything from start to end." Machida stated
"Are you saying we shouldn't discuss anything!?" Hamaguchi exclaimed
This is something that Katsuragi would do, he's too conservative in his actions. So, Machida is a part of Katsuragi's faction.
"That would be a big mistake on your part, you're allowing the VIP to get away with it before even doing anything. Quite a lax strategy if you ask me" Hikigaya spoke
"But still, what would be the case to avoid in this exam then?" Machida asked
"Huh? well, it's to avoid any betrayals, right? like what Katagiri said" Karuizawa answered
"Exactly"
"I understand the benefits of not discussing anything about who could be the VIP since they could make a single mistake of revealing themselves immediately or even have one of the others take advantage in this particular situation, but not knowing the VIP would mean that whichever class wins in the other groups mean the point gap becomes larger" Akise explained. Light was right about him, he's definitely sharper than he looks.
"He's right, think about it, what if the distribution of the VIPs is unbalanced, and the VIPs are solidified in one class?"
I understand the concern Hamaguchi has of this situation, if we don't know the distribution of the VIP recipients in each group, it is difficult to stay silent thus Machida's strategy would've failed from the get-go. However, Katsuragi must have one trick that he's aware of: Fairness
"The fairness of each class. It is a rule that the school insists on implementing just like the previous exam. Meaning there should be an equal number of VIPs in each group." he has a point but there is something missing in what he said there
"You guys aren't wrong about that but it's hard to do so. You need to have trustworthiness to all the first-years." Ichinose said
"There is trust in Class A" Machida said, but he's wrong there. With Karma's information on them, it's already proof of that.
"That is a lot easier than just finding out the VIP" Manabe interjects herself
"If that's what you think, then you're just wasting your time." Hikigaya said
"What do you mean?" Machida questioned
"Tell me Machida, you think anyone here isn't even tempted to try to force a betrayal? Because the way I see it, this strategy is proposed because of Class A, right?"
"That's correct"
"Also, it wouldn't matter if we don't do anything because the class standings by the end of this exam will remain neutral" Hikigaya explained. I must admit, he is pretty perceptive on the situation at hand. It seems that Kaguya, Yuuichi, and Akise also understood it.
"He's right, I mean even with Class A having only three people here, they wouldn't change their standing much, but since we have Class D having three people as well while Class S, C, and B have four people. So, if we clear outcome #1, there is a chance that Class D can gain the extra points, right?" Ichinose explained
"That's right. So, are you saying you are willing to sacrifice some points for your class?" Machida asked
"That is a good idea, I mean we can't let Class A get away with the free points after all if they're the VIP." Kaguya said with a small unnoticeable smirk which I saw. She's learning how to be quite deceptive I see.
"I agree with Kaguya-san" Ichinose said as I noticed Hikigaya glaring at me with those dead-fish eyes. I wonder what that was for?
There was some silence in the room until Machida stood up.
"No matter what, Class A's policy will remain the same, there is no need for further discussion." he said as he and the other two Class A students sat on a nearby couch.
"You guys really don't understand do you" Hikigaya also stood up and decided to take a walk somewhere.
After the 1st discussion we all went outside the room.
"Well Kiyotaka?" Yuuichi said
"Given that Machida wouldn't speak up it would be hard to pull Class A down so easily."
"Don't worry, I have my ways remember."
"But still, Hikigaya seemed the most suspicious out of everyone from Class B." Kaguya said
"Yeah, it's as if he wants to instigate someone to fess up on who the VIP is" Akise added
"But if he does a reason for doing so, we can't let our guard down."
Ichinose and Machida have their own purpose in dealing with this exam, but Hikigaya's is quite interesting. Sure, it looks like he's helping the class and agreeing with Ichinose, but I have a feeling that Hikigaya has other motives.
"Hm?"
The four of us noticed the three Class C students with Karuizawa. I wonder what's going on there.
"Can I have a word with you Karuizawa-san?" it was Manabe who asked but Karuizawa ignored her
"Hey, I'm asking you something!"
"What?"
"Did you have a fight with Rika before the summer break?"
"Huh? what are you talking about? and who's Rika?"
"She's in Class C with us and she's wearing glasses with a dumpling hair, don't you remember?"
"I don't know what you're saying but you have the wrong person here"
"We heard it for sure, that there was a girl with a ponytail that was being mean to her"
As we listened Kaguya whispered
"What do you think is going?" she asked
"I'm not so sure" I replied
"She said that she was waiting in in line at a cafe and you pushed her" one of the Class C girls said
"I don't recall that happening"
"Seriously?! you don't remember?!"
"If it was you then you should apologize to her now"
"I'll ask Rika to make sure" Manabe said as she brought out her phone
"Don't even think about!" Karuizawa shouted
"You don't need to shout at me, besides don't get mad if you're innocent. Let me take a picture"
"Wait don't..."
"Don't try to act like a coward, come on don't you want it?"
As this was happening Kaguya tried to walk forward trying to stop the situation from escalating but I stopped her.
"Hey, Kiyotaka-kun why are you stopping me?"
"Let's not try to interfere"
"Are you crazy she's getting bullied there" Kaguya said with rage in her eyes
While I'm still holding on to Kaguya so that she doesn't do anything stupid the situation continues
"I'll hold her down"
"Stop it!"
"Hey, what's with all the commotion?" Machida arrived
"This is none of your business Machida-kun"
"She said no then you should stop now"
"You want me to report this to the faculty?"
"That's....fine let's go girls" she said as they leave
After all that is over, Kaguya ran off to Karuizawa checking on her
"Are you alright?"
"Y-yeah I'm fine...thanks Machida-kun" she said wearing that weird smug smile. Why does that remind me of someone
"It's nothing really" he said
"This is a bit strange don't you think?" Yuuichi said
"Yeah, I think we've found our target."
"That's good to hear, so shall I begin my work, Kiyotaka?"
"I don't think we should make our move yet; we don't know if she could even trust us" Akise said
"Yeah, but if Kiyotaka said if she's the target then let's at least wait for the right time" Yuuichi said
After all that, the next discussion begins after a few hours and so far, it's a stalemate. To be honest this is what we wanted until Yuuichi starts to take advantage on the small cracks that will show soon.
"We've agreed that we have to track down the VIP" Yukimura said
"But can we even find an answer through this discussion? this exam is too difficult" Karuizawa asked
"I wouldn't say difficult, more like someone here decides to make it difficult for us" Hikigaya spoke as he glared at me again. Seriously why is he focused on me, is he trying to figure out if one of us from Class S is the VIP?
"I think it really depends on how you think. I mean we are free to chat and use our phones whenever we want and there are no other restrictions aside from the penalties. So, let's talk more comfortably, you might suffer a lot if you stay in your shell right Hikigaya-kun?" Ichinose asked
"Why are you even asking me?" Hikigaya said
"Well, enjoy yourselves however you like but we won't buy it. One of you from Class B might be the VIP...."
"here"
-
-
"huh?!" almost everyone was in shock as Hikigaya showed his phone.
"You see I'm not the VIP, there you can trust me there Machida"
"But why would you be willing to reveal that?"
"So, you can trust me, Ichinose here does trust all of you, are you the same?" Hikigaya asked as Machida was still a bit awestruck by what Hikigaya did.
"Of course."
"Still, why would you suddenly reveal that to us?" Karuizawa asked
"It's better if you ask the other class, right? Class B wouldn't have a VIP among us since they are quite trusting to even hide it." he explained
"Well thanks for the compliment Hikigaya-kun" Ichinose said with a smile
"If you are so willingly to show your phone then what about the rest?" Machida asked everyone
"I think it's better that we should discuss this further before we suspect anyone else here." Yukimura said
"I agree with Yukimura, I think we shouldn't put suspicion on the others yet. But I think Class B is cleared since I do agree that they are more trusting than the others here" I said
"I guess you're right but still we will keep silent until this exam is over"