Kaguya POV
Finally, the exam is over. I can finally relax and have fun before we all go back to ANHS. I'm currently with Miyuki-kun eating some ice cream sundae. It was fun, having our little date on a cruise ship. It just feels like I'm having more fun than I would've had in my entire life, not only that we did all win the exam even if it ends in betrayal. I have to apologize to Ichinose-san later but at least we got points from all of this.
"Enjoying yourself Kaguya" he asked
"Yeah, I am" I replied sheepishly
"Is something wrong?"
"No, it's nothing"
To be honest there is something that's been bothering me for a while now and that was Ryuzaki. The things he said that night about knowing my family and even knew about "that man". It made me think that I could be in danger at some point. No, I shouldn't think about it too much but the fact that one of my classmates is the son of "that man". I don't know if he has good intentions or not. I really can't read Kiyotaka-kun. I can't tell Miyuki-kun about this since he'll probably be in danger himself and might do something reckless.
"You two seem cozy"
A voice joins in and it's that same monotone voice I've heard before. As we looked it was Hikigaya Hachiman.
"You guys think you're quite clever huh?" Hikigaya said
"What do you mean?" Miyuki-kun asked
"They don't know it, but I know what your group did"
"Yukimura wasn't the VIP, was he?"
"huh?"
"I knew that it was one of you from Class S, right?" hold on did he figure something out the entire time and we didn't know it.
"How did you guess?" I asked
"I wasn't so sure since you four are quite difficult to read but I was right that it was one of you"
"Then who is it since you now knew it wasn't Yukimura?"
"Simple it was Katagiri Yuuichi" I looked at him quite shocked that he managed to actually get that right
"You knew?"
"Well, that was after I found out that Yukimura wasn't VIP. Katagiri tricked him to make him pretend to be the VIP, am I wrong?" he asked while looking at me dead in the eyes.
"Yeah, you're right"
"I thought so, to think that you four managed to manipulate an entire group like it was nothing. You guys really are interesting opponents." he said
"Yeah, but we are currently on top of every class now so it's going to be tough for you or even your class to make it" I said
"I'm aware but I did contemplate on something that Ayanokouji told me"
"And that would be?"
"To lead Class B, maybe if I decided to lead, then I wouldn't go easy on any of you next time"
Hikigaya sounds confident, so he's holding back somehow? No, he did say that he figured out the Yukimura wasn't the VIP AFTER the exam ended. But how did he guess Yuuichi-kun of all people and he was right?
"Anyways, right now. I'll deal with Class S later, in fact there is someone that I need to deal with first since he is becoming a thorn on my side."
"And who would that be?" Miyuki-kun asked. There was a bit of silence until Hikigaya spoke
"Ryuen"
"Ryuen?"
"Yes, I told you didn't I. Ryuen is one crafty bastard, and I don't want him getting in my way any longer" he said
"I see"
"Once Ryuen is out of the way, I can focus on beating Class S." I stood up and went up to him face-to-face. His dead-fish eyes glaring at me as if I'm looking into the abyss. But I'm not afraid of him.
"So, you're still challenging us?" I asked
"Of course, besides Ayanokouji was in on all of the plans you guys make so I am quite interested in him"
"You really are quite confident in beating us huh?"
Time stood still as we continued our stare-down. His aura is completely different from any other Class B student. He's a loner yes but his perception on things and how he understood the situation is straight-forward and complex as if he can take control of any situation by himself. The fact he showed his phone as a strategy to force the VIP out before Ichinose did shows that he's way ahead of Class B in terms of intelligence and he's even aware of Ryuen's plot.
"Yes, I am. So, I'll deal with Ryuen first then we can continue" he said as he left somewhere else.
Hikigaya Hachiman, what an enigma you are. But can you actually beat Class S alone?
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Ayanokouji POV
"Yuuichi"
"Yes"
I'm currently with Yuuichi talking about his recent "business" that he was doing in the past few days.
"Are you trying to hide something from me?"
"No, I wasn't, promise" he said, I can tell he's lying but I want to confirm it here now.
"You've been running off when no one noticed and somehow you were doing something behind my back."
"I would never."
"You never hide anything from me since you said we're friends, right? So just tell me, why were you gone?" I asked
"Alright, fine. You see I'm actually looking for the mastermind myself without telling anyone" There it is, although I did not know Yuuichi's up to but that was one of my guesses.
"Why hide it, you know you could just tell me"
"Well, I know you'll come after him, but I don't think you're the type of guy that takes action immediately, so I decided to do my own work since I do have Kushida as my tool to give me information."
"I see so you went to business for yourself?"
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to find this mastermind. He could be a problem for us if we didn't stop him now"
"Listen Yuuichi, we are allies right?" I asked
"Of course."
"But given you admitted that you have done things by yourself means you have no trust in others is that right?"
Yuuichi couldn't say anything right now, but I don't mind it.
"Let me ask you something, have you had trust issues in the past?"
"I-I do."
"Listen, I'm not forcing you to trust us, but it's only been a few months since we all met so I understand that trust can be difficult. But it's better to have friends in high places, and you know that right?" I spoke
"You are the one who came up with the plan to betray the group and we followed. Which proves that you do have trust in us but why not here?"
"Sorry it's just that, I don't want to go through the same thing as what my friends went through in the past" friends? did something happen that caused him to distrust others.
"To be honest the only guy I trust is Kei but I'm not sure about the rest of you." he said
"You need allies Yuuichi. I know you have an inner darkness within you, so use it to our advantage. You can help us as long as it benefits the class." I explained it to him as I looked him in the eyes.
"Should I? I've hurt too many people because of it. Yes, I do have a darkness within me, but I don't know if I can allow that to go any further."
"Just use it"
"huh?"
"You tricked the entire group like it was nothing and played with all of them in that exam. So, I want you to continue that. I want to see the real Yuuichi. Someone who can defeat anyone regardless of their intelligence."
Yuuichi was silent for a few seconds until he spoke again.
"You really trust me huh? that was the first time in a long time that someone would talk to me about trust" he said slightly feeling sad and bowing his head down
"Whatever happened to you in the past. It's all in the past. I want you to look towards the future." I said as he looked up at me again.
"So, what do you say, no more secrets and tell me the information you got from Kushida" I said as I extended my hand.
"Alright, thanks Kiyotaka. I needed that" he said as he shook my hand
"Now tell me about the mastermind"
"Well, all I know right now is that his name is Daigo Haru. Nothing much else aside from the fact that he could be one of the traitors in his own group in the exam" Daigo Haru? Why does that name sound familiar. Suddenly I had a small flashback of a boy. He used a knife and killed someone, and he burned a person to death that looked like Matsuo. What the hell am I remembering right now?
"Daigo Haru?"
"Yes, but that's just the name. She hasn't told me what she looks like, but I did tell Kushida to send a message to Daigo that we'll be coming for him soon" he explained
"Very well then. I guess we have to start planning soon. I'll tell Kei and the rest of the class." I said before walking off leaving Yuuichi there.
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Ryuzaki POV
I'm in my room right now making an important phone call. With the information I got from Ayanokouji and even Kaguya. I'm now able to at least report my findings to my partner. The phone rings as I answered it.
Ryuzaki: It's me again
???: L? it's been a while since we talked. Well, how's your investigation. So far, I've gained a lot. I've already sent you some files after all. That's good.
Ryuzaki: what about on your end, any clues of sorts?
???: not yet but given the information you gave me. He really is the son of that professor. However, we are still trying to find the location of the White Room.
Ryuzaki: I see.
???: L, are you sure you don't need backup? I mean I could easily help you and enroll in this school so we can get this investigation wrapped up quick.
Ryuzaki: that would be nice but I'm fine. I just needed to get more info from Ayanokouji and since it's been a long time since I've made real friends in school. I think I wouldn't mind staying here longer.
???: I get it, you've been doing your job for a long time like me even though I was thought to be a detective much younger than you.
Ryuzaki: yes, I've heard your story before since you already told me that.
???: yes, I have. Well, I'll talk to you soon again if there is any progress.
Ryuzaki: very well then. Good luck Kirigiri-san
Kirigiri: same to you L