Third Person's Point of View

'PROPOSAL YOU SAY?' Ichinose repeated while curiously staring at Ryuen.

"It's a proposal to work together and crush Class A together. But it seems Suzune and Kanzaki have rejected me." Ryuen then explained.

"I've told Suzune about it earlier, but I already know the identities of all the Class C VIP you see. Three classes will combine forces and share information that includes the identities of all the VIP as well as bypass the school's rules for this exam."

"That's quite a bold idea. But how realistic it is a completely different matter. In the first place, how can we trust that Ryuen-kun already knows the "targets" for Class C?" Ichonse said and Ryuen just shrugged his shoulders .

"You can't trust me and that's only natural. Then we don't make a contract in this case? A pledge to share the "target" identities between us and gang up on A. That way, leaving A aside, three classes would have effectively formed a siege against it."

"Even if we write up a contract, without knowing who's going to betray you, it's still meaningless. It's all over if Class C betrays us. but unless we also know the identities of the "targets" like Ryuen-kun, this is a meaningless proposal." Ichinose rebat.

"No point in playing dumb, there's no way you haven't been analyzing the classes as well." when Ryuen said that the atmosphere became heavy.

"You're overestimating me. I've done no such thing, and besides, this proposal is very high-risk low-return. I'm afraid I cannot accept it." Ichinose speak.

"There's a time for secrets, and there's a time for actions." Ryuen said and chuckled.

"It may be so from your point of view, but now that you're gathering information so aggressively. Is it not your dream to rise up to Class B that way? Horikita-san opposes it. From the start, there was no way this proposal would be accepted."

"That can't be helped. Suzune and Arison have a reason to decline the proposal after all."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ichinose asked.

"You understand, don't you? For this strategy to work, you'd need to perfectly understand your own class firstly. And for Class D which has no teamwork at all, that's an impossible task. Right? And it's also impossible for Class A which is currently split into two factions."

The atmosphere changes once again.

"But for me, who rules the class and the incredibly popular Ichinose, this strategy is possible. Right now I proposed a three class alliance, but even if it's just two classes it's still possible. The probability of seeing through the rules of the exam may decrease slightly, but if it's me I can certainly pull it off. If I can do it, both A and D might as well be stripped nude."

"These might be unnecessary words, but doesn't that mean your strategy is still imperfect?" Horikita began to speak up. They look at her as Ryuen smirks.

"Do you understand the situation now, orbiters?" Ryuen then laughs at the duo as if attempting to mock them.

"If Class B and C form an alliance here, naturally this time Class A and D would form an alliance too, right Kiyo?" Axel said, making Kiyotaka look at him as he nodded.

"That's true, Class D is fractured right now, but once the possibility of losing becomes a reality, I believe it'll come together. It's the same for Class A too."

"It's not like I'm allying with Ichinose at this moment anyways. So unless you can ascertain the fact that such an alliance has formed, I doubt Katsuragi would cooperate with you." Ryuen said while shakes his hand in the air.

"There's no point in this dialogue. We'll eventually be at each other's throats anyways." Horikita said.

"What might you mean by that, Suzune?" Ryuen turns to Horikita.

"All I mean is that they have a point. If you intend on continuing this discussion like a strategy meeting. I'll have to assume 'this is reality' and act accordingly as well."

"As you wish, I'm anxious to see whether you manage to form a cooperative relationship or not, eh?"

"I'm sorry Ryuen-kun, but there were also people in Class B who were hurt by your actions. Even if it's for the sake of gaining points, I cannot cooperate that easily with you." Ichinose butt while looking at Ryuen.

"I see, that's unfortunate."

Ryuen then stood to leave the room. As he left, Ryuen turned around just once to look at Kiyotaka and Axel. their eyes met making him smirked.

"It can't be."

Silent.

"I have to leave now too, my friend is calling me." Kushida breaks the silence and she quickly leaves the room after Ryuen.

As Kushida left, Ichinose began to sighed.

"It looks like he saw us there."

"This is going to be troublesome, being targeted by someone like that." Kiyotaka said, making Axel and Ichinose nod their heads.

Ichinose nodded slowly.

"But rather than me right now, it's Horikita-san he's set his sights on. Right now Ryuen is most wary of Class A, and he should be aware of the fact that Class B would also be his enemies one day too."

"It should be fine, Horikita is not the type to crumble under pressure." Kiyotaka assured me.

Ichinose smiled. "Of course. Horikita-san, Arison-kun, Ayanokouji-kun. Since people now know about the alliance between our classes so I'll ask just in case, but do you believe in this exam, an alliance that transcends classes can truly be formed?"

"There's no real need for hostility here, but asking for cooperation might just be a bit difficult. The exam itself is set up so that two classes cooperating perfectly would be impossible." Axel said.

"That's why absolute, unwavering cooperation between Class B and Class D is a necessity. I don't think such an alliance could be formed." Horikita nods in agreement.

"Umm. As expected of Horikita-san and Arison-kun. You understand the exam perfectly it seems. Ryuen-kun's idea was infeasible from the start. It was a good move allying with you. Yes. Ryuen-kun's strategy will end in failure. There's no need to even worry about that. The problem is the strategy set up by Katsuragi-kun. Having spoken to him yourself, what do you think?"

"As I reported to you yesterday, there's no room for the other groups to talk to them. He doesn't respond to us and refuses to participate in discussions as well. I don't believe he'll change his stance before the exam ends. Is the stance the same even without Katsuragi present?" Kanzaki then speaks up, joining their conversation.

"Yeah. It's hopeless on my end as well. Looks like we'll have to compromise in this situation with a different approach." Ichinose muttered.

"I'll be returning to my room then." Horikita stands up and also moves to return to her room. At that moment, Ichinose met up with Hamaguchi. Ichinose glanced briefly at the departing back of Horikita, and then turned back to look at the two boys.

"If it's ok with you, would you two accompany me for a bit?"

"No." Axel said tiredly, Horikita glared at him and Axel chuckled and nodded his head and also Kiyotaka nodded.

"That's fine."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

THEN UPON PARTING WAYS with Kanzaki and arriving on the deck, they were suddenly greeted with the figures of students who had already switched into a fun mood.

Ichinose was in her usual mood. "Horikita-san may have said that, but I still believe we can all work together and there's still room for cooperation."

"Room for cooperation?" Kiyotaka asks, on the other hand Axel who is just sleeping on Kiyotaka's shoulder.

Ichinose nod. "Yes, Class A suddenly took that stance and I was surprised but there's still room for cooperation. That's why we need to expose everything, don't you agree?"

"All?"

"At the end of the day, this exam is mainly about finding the "target". So that means all we'd have to do is figure out as many non-"targets" as possible to narrow down the possibility. That's why I'll tell you. I'm not the "target". But I will find them, and I'll bring our 'group' to victory." Ichinose then pause before she nervously scratch her cheek

"If you still doubt that I'm the "target" and I'm simply hiding, even if you ask me that my response to that is simple. I'm doing everything I can for Class B. Is it absurd?" she continued.

"No, sorry. It's not that absurd of a proposition. We were just surprised that you would be so honest with us." Axel said while yawning.

"Normally, one would not attempt to bring the entire 'group' to victory if they truly were the "target" after all." Kiyotaka then added.

"I just wanted to let you know my feelings. I thought it would be easier if we were on the same page."

They hummed in agreement.

"Although perfect cooperative relationships might be impossible, it's still a good idea to maintain good relations." Axel said and removed his head on Kiyotaka's shoulder.

"We both are not the "target". Neither is Yukimura. We're certain about Yukimura. But we don't know about Karuizawa and Sotomura. And personally, we agree with you, Ichinose. No objections." Kiyotaka assured them.

"Sorry. I seem to have forced you to talk. Hamaguchi-kun, could you come here for a moment?" Ichinose smiled.

Hamaguchi hears her as he turns to Ichinose.

"What's the matter, Ichinose-san?"

As he approached her, Ichinose began informing him of the current situation.

Hamaguchi crossed his arms.

"If they confirm it themselves too, there's no reason for me to refuse it. I'm also not the "target". It's ok to trust me."

"How about the rest of your class?" Axel asked him softly.

"I try to let my classmates take individual action. That sort of thing. There are those that just want points for themselves. It's not like I can just decide the "target" amongst them of my own accord anyways. It might be hard but I'll check the remaining ones. If they answer honestly, I'll let Ayanokouji-kun and Arison-kun know of it afterwards."

Kiyotaka nods as if he's doing a little bow.

"We're grateful for that. But it's not like we'll tell you everything about Class D."

"We also don't know if what you're telling is the truth," Axel said, he didn't look serious but he was rather comfortable with what he was saying.

Ichinose waves her hand.

"That's fine. As long as Ayanokouji-kun and Arison-kun cooperate with me I'll be satisfied with just that."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

THE TWO BOYS FROM CLASS D came early to the meeting room early to observe the behavior of everyone in the group. And the first ones who arrived for the night's discussion were the girls of Class C.

Next was Yukimura, then next came the Class A group. As usual, they decided to sit at the far end of the room. Close to where the Class C girls were sitting.

Manabe walked towards Machida. "Hey Machida-kun, today after this is over, do you want to come play with us? The three of us girls are planning on having fun after this, but haven't found someone yet."

"Let's see." Machida looked happy while considering their invitation.

Then Sotomura and Karuizawa entered the room. As soon as they entered the room, she quickly put some distance between them and moved towards the back of the room.

"Hey. That's my seat. " Karuizawa said directly as Manabe.

"Don't know what you're on about, but what's your seat? Just find somewhere else to sit."

"I said that's my seat. Move." Karuizawa said.

Manabe grit her teeth. "Huh? Can't you see I'm talking to Machida-kun right now? We're going to be playing tonight."

Karuizawa then turned her head to Machida.

"Machida-kun, please tell her yourself–" Manabe didn't let Karuizawa finish her sentence as she cut her off.

"No, so find a new seat for yourself." Manabe said while glaring at her. Karuizawa turns red as she is going to rebut but a hand touches his wrist. She looked at that person.

"Wh-Ohh Arison." Karuizawa said. Axel just smiled at her and opened his mouth to talk to her.

"You can sit beside me." With that Karuizawa lightened up and nodded happily. Manabe looked at her with an angry expression. Karuizawa quickly sit beside Axel.

She notices Kiyotaka who is also sitting beside Axel, Kiyotaka nod and also Karuizawa.

"Let's get along today too!" Ichinose herself arrived and brought life back into the dispirited room. Axel and Kiyotaka also immediately realized the atmosphere in the room is especially thick today and chose to not speak carelessly.

"This isn't good." Kiyotaka commented.

"Yeah, if we continue like this, we'll be allowing the "target" to get away." Yukimura while nodding his head.

"Let's see, let's see. Class A isn't going to join in the discussions as usual. Right?" Ichinose asked Morishige, one of the Class A students.

"Of course. Please feel free to continue the discussion without us. Our stance has not changed."

"Since it'll be a waste to spend an hour like this, shall we play cards again?"

Yukimura seemed to be desperately scanning the surroundings but he doesn't seem to have a grasp on who the "target" could be. Once the hour had passed, the two boys observed the order in which the students left the room.

The students of Class C who were always one of the first out the door do not seem to be leaving yet while Class A, always the first to leave, did so as usual. However, it seems Machida and Karuizawa are busy exchanging their contact numbers with each other and making arrangements to contact each other.

Then Yukimura and Sotomura got up to leave.

Yukimura called out for the two boys.

"Let's go back, Ayanokouji, Arison, you're leaving too right?"

Kiyotaka stood up and grabbed Axel's hand gently.

"Yeah we're coming." Axel, on the other hand, looks at Karuizawa who is also looking at him. She waves her hand to Axel. Axel just smiled and also waved his hand.

And at the same time, Karuizawa also stands to leave while talking to someone on the phone. And as she leaves, the three girls from Class C also pass through them to follow her.

"Those three girls. Don't they seem a bit strange to you?" Yukimaru asks in a quiet voice.

Sotomura tilted his head curiously at the girls.

"Do you believe so? I have not noticed anything."

Leaving aside Sotomura's opinion, Yukimura, Axel and Kiyotaka slightly peek out of the room into the corridor outside. And they saw the three girls chasing Karuizawa swiftly in the corridor.

Yukimura murmured.

"Let's follow them."

"Damn that Karuizawa, always doing things that make people hate her...even though I wanted to find the "target" myself."

While Sotomura left to return to his room, Yukimura and the two boys quickly followed the four girls quietly.

As they reached a corner, they heard the sound of a door slamming shut and saw the entrance to the emergency stairs closing.

Karuizawa flinched.

"Hey, what're you doing bringing me to a place like this?"

"Don't play dumb with us, you pushed Rika right? Start talking." Manabe said and send a glared at her.

"W-w-why. Why are you accusing me? I told you you've got the wrong person didn't I?"

The three girls then closed in on Karuizawa and drove her back to the wall as if to prevent her from escaping.

"I have something to do now, would you mind moving aside?" Karuizawa gripped her phone as she glared back.

"Then let me confirm it now. I'm going to call Rika now. If it's really not you, then I'll forgive you."

"I don't know what you're talking about, I'll call the teachers." Karuizawa making Manabe scoff.

"What are you going to tell the teachers? It's not like we're using violence on you right now. If you tell them, we could also tell them you pushed Rika and make it a problem for you too."

They grabbed Karuizawa''s arms as she tried to escape and pushed her back towards the wall. One of the girls then began using her phone to contact the girl named Rika.

"W-wait a minute."

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Manabe said and it's like she was mocking her.

"I just remembered. I accidentally bumped into that girl."

"You filthy liar, you remembered her from the start didn't you? I don't care either way, but you're going to apologize to Rika?"

Karuizawa gritted her teeth. "No. She's the one in the wrong. She's an air headed girl."

"She's really pissing me off. I was even thinking about forgiving her for her actions earlier if she apologized to Rika. Never mind, I'm not forgiving her now."

And with that, she pushed Kaurizawai's shoulder with the palm of her hand.

Yamashita asks.

"You weren't going to forgive her anyway from the start...right?"

"Shiho-chan, I can't hold back anymore. I really won't forgive Karuizawa."

"I know right? I'm sure Rika shares the same feelings as you. Let's seriously bully her." Yamashita chuckled.

This time, with more force, she hit Karuizawa's shoulder with her palm again. Yukimura tried to open the door quickly, but Kiyotaka grabbed his arm and stopped him. Axel on the other hand, just silently observing them.

"Ha..." Karuizawa tried to breathe through the heavy air as her body began to quaver.

Karuizawa seemed to be having trouble breathing. But she grabbed her head with both hands. But the sight of her suffering, brought forth more anger from Manabe and the other girls.

"Even if you act all feminine like that I won't forgive you anymore." Manabe then grabbed Karuizawa's hair and forcefully raised her head.

"I always hated Karuizawa's face, don't you think she's really ugly?" Manabe asks as she drags it towards where Yamashita can see a clear fear from Kei's expression.

"I know right? Do you want to cut up that face of hers?" one of the girls asked.

"S-s-stop." Karuizawa choked out through her sobs and Manabe smirked.

"S-stop, she's saying. What happened to that determination you had a while ago?"

After shaking silently, Karuizawa became unable to move. There was no longer any trace of the usual her to be seen right now. The true nature of a person always comes out in a dilemma like this. But Yukimura is not able to hold it anymore.

He threw open the door. The three girls were naturally shocked by his sudden appearance. Karuizawa, on the other hand, looked like he'd saved her life.

"What are you doing?!" Yukimura shouted.

"What? Nothing. Right? We were just talking to Karuizawa-san. Yeah?"

Manabe glared at Karuizawa, as if telling her not to say another word. But Karuizawa wasn't the sort to shy away.

"Yukimura-kun, these girls just abducted me and started getting all violent. They're seriously the worst, aren't they? They were being, like, super annoying, so I told them to get lost," said Karuizawa.

She'd normally never talk to Yukimura, but she was probably grateful to him now. Meanwhile, the Class C girls glared at Yukimura. Their eyes seemed to say, "This has nothing to do with you."

"Well, I'm just talking with Karuizawa about her problem, what she did to Rika. You heard how Karuizawa slammed into her, right?"

"Don't you think it's better to just let things go? They bumped into each other. It's not like Karuizawa was at fault." Yukimura said.

"You shut up. This has nothing to do with you."

"..."

Under the weight of their glares, he fell silent. Karuizawa shot a look at Yukimura, like she thought he was pathetic. She quietly took out her phone.

"Just leave me alone. If you don't, I'll call someone."

"Who are you going to call? Hirata-kun? Machida-kun? Or maybe Arison-kunI mean, I guess a slut like you has a hundred guys on speed dial, right?"

Fights between girls often got dirty, and unlike with men, violence wasn't really an option. This was painful to watch.

"A teacher was just here. I think it'd be better if you left," Kiyotaka said while sighing. He had no other choice but to step in and break this up. Class C probably didn't want to cause a scene.

"You better bow your head and apologize to Rika."

The Class C girls kept intimidating Karuizawa, who desperately tried to keep a brave face and with that started leaving. But it was obvious that she'd lost her confidence. The other girls seemed to know that. They continued their hostility.

Yukimura walks towards Karuizawa.

"Are you okay?"

"Leave me alone!"

Karuizawa quickly slapped Yukimura's hand away as he moved in to help her.

"What the hell? I came to help you because I was worried."

"Shut up! Nobody asked you to do it." Karuizawa yelled back.

Yukimura took a step back as if overwhelmed by her words. Axel just sighed and walked towards them. Karuizawa looked at his eyes but quickly looked away. She then opened the door of the emergency staircase with force. And then slamming it shut behind her.

"What the hell is her problem? Always causing trouble for us." Yukimura said and traced his hand to his head.

Yukimura did not say anything more and left from the emergency staircase door as well. Now alone on the emergency stairs, Kiyotaka thought about Karuizawa. And the vulnerable side the leader of the Class D girls had shown then.

'The terrified appearance Karuizawa had just now was not only because she was being threatened at the time but due to something else.'

He then notices Axel who is looking in the direction where Karuizawa goes. Axel suddenly looked at Kiyotaka.

"Well..Shall we begin our plan?"