Third Person's Point of View

"HELLO ARISON AND AYANOKOUJI." the two boys looked at Karuizawa, she waved her hand to the two boys. Axel just smiled and waved his hand also. Kiyotaka on the other hand just nodded.

11 people were currently in the room sitting in chairs arranged in a circular formation. The two boys decided to sit in the chairs since standing would just make them stand out even more.

Students almost instinctively sat in groups based on classes, but Karuizawa and Ibuki both sat further out from the circle of students almost as if they were both isolated from the group.

Suddenly a speaker from above announced.

"From this point onwards, we will begin with the first group discussion."

An awkward air then came over the room.

Ichinose Honami stepped up with a smile.

"I do know most of the people here, but I suppose in accordance with the school's instructions, we should introduce ourselves first. Since there are also people who might not know each other yet." she said.

Some students from Class A could not hide their surprise at her unexpectedly taking the lead.

Machida, one of the students, crosses his arms. "I don't think there's any need for that. The school's just saying it as a formality. Only the ones who want to introduce themselves should do it."

"If Machida-kun doesn't wish to do it, then I certainly can't force you to. However, there may be a recorder hidden somewhere in this room. If we blatantly disobey the instructions from the school, it may not just be you but the whole group that gets punished, you know?" Ichinose said and didn't take offence to it.

She then started the self-introductions by introducing herself. When it was Kiyotaka and Axel's turn to introduce them to the group came, Kiyotaka ended up being the same as the first day, making Axel hold his laughter. Of course, Axel's introduction is simple but all people in the room are enchanted by his charm and clearly different from Kiyotaka's introduction.

"Ayanokouji-kun, Arison-kun. It seems we're in the same group. Let's get along." Ichinose called out to them with a friendly and consoling voice as Kiyotaka gets back to his seat, while Axel smiles, nods to also smiling Ichinose, and then gets back to his seat.

Ichinose then put her hands on her hips and smiled resolutely.

"I'd like to ask everyone here something and I'm going to ask everyone assuming that no one here is the "target". I'd like to ask if everyone here would like to work together to clear this exam through outcome 1. I'd like to ask you if you all think this is the best course of action or not?"

"Huh? What do you mean? Isn't that obvious?" Karuizawa said and tilted her head.

As if to agree with Ichinose's statement, Hamaguchi raises his hand. "I agree with her, of course, cooperating with each other as a group is the obvious course of action here."

'Cooperation gives more points individually.' On Axel's thoughts.

But the students each gave pros and cons about whether to cooperate with everyone. One suggests they were being accused and one tells otherwise. All connected to the 'target'.

After a while, Machida gives off the spotlight to start the match lit, giving off questions that trip the plan away. Ichinose suggests to plan who's the 'target' later but he manages to increase the ferocity by claiming it unacceptable.

"Are you threatening me?" Machida asked as Ichinose tried to ease the crowd.

"Don't get me wrong, we just want to discuss things with you all." Ichinose pointed out.

"You're free to decide for yourself what you wish to discuss and what you wish to not discuss. However, I would like people to participate in the discussion at this stage, since it is a required condition in this exam." she explained.

"This exam, can it really be resolved just by talking? Do you really think we'll figure out the "target" just by talking with each other? Or are you going to lower your head and beg them to reveal themselves?" Machida said.

'A puppet. It's like he was just acting.' Kiyotaka and Axel's thoughts.

"So, is there another way?" Ichinose asked.

One student from Class A raised his hand. "Yes. There is a way to easily and definitively clear this exam."

"Could you explain your strategy to us?"

"Sure. We are a 'group' after all so it's natural to share such information. The strategy we came up with is...to not talk at all from the start of the exam until its finish." Machida said and shrugs his shoulders.

Hamaguchi Tetsuya then spoke up. "Now that's a pretty unique proposition, but how do you propose to clear the exam without any discussion at all. Or are you suggesting we let the identity of the "target" remain completely hidden to the end?"

"Indeed, the real shortcut to clearing this exam as efficiently as possible is to do so without talking to each other at all."

"I can't believe this." Tetsuya furrowed his eyebrows.

"This is starting to make us think that the "target" student is among the students of Class A and this action is being taken to help protect their identity while sharing information amongst your classmates only."

"No. It doesn't matter what class the "target" is in, it won't affect the outcome. If we simply do not talk to each other we can win, that is the strategy that Katsuragi-san devised for us."

"Katsuragi-kun..? I see." Ichinose said and nodded her head slowly.

"There can only be four possible outcomes in this exam. I believe you have already been briefed on them all. What do you think is the outcome we should all aim to avoid in this exam?" Machida proceeds to continue what he is saying.

"Ehhh but the outcome where someone figures out the "target"'s identity and betrays the group?" Ichinose said.

"Exactly, the moment a traitor emerges we lose as a group. Whether the traitor answers correctly or incorrectly, both paths lead to a loss. But, thinking in reverse, what about the other possible outcomes?"

Axel yawns and slightly raises his hand, gaining all the attention of the people in the room.

"There are no demerits in either of the remaining two possible outcomes. The class points will neither rise nor fall drastically, and in addition we gain a massive amount of private points too. The only loser in this scenario would be the faculty." Axel said, making other people nod their head.

"Correct. There is no need to find the "target" student. By discussing amongst ourselves, we will only end up suspecting each other of hiding the "target" and end up slipping up somewhere and making a mistake. Think about it carefully, the school would definitely not give any class an unfair advantage in an exam like this. To the point they emphasized their impartiality before the exam's start during the briefing. Of course there's no denying the fact that there is only one "target" in each group but that is not important. The important thing is that every class has an 'equal' opportunity to have the "target". There's no denying the fact that in this exam, both Class A and Class D would start equally at the same starting line." Machida said clearly agreeing with the statement given by Axel.

"I admit the school made sure every class starts out equally in fairness. And if you take their word for it, certainly your train of thought is not wrong. But, we cannot be certain of that fact, yet." Hamaguchi said and crossed his arms.

Machida turned to Hamaguchi's direction.

"I believe you understand as well, but by talking amongst each other now, we will only create suspicion and doubt and could cause a breakdown in our group relationships. There is indeed the possibility that you will find the "target" this way, but you also run the risk of a traitor emerging and causing the group to suffer for their own sake."

Ichinose smiles.

"You're right, it's not a bad thing if we all profit while having the school lose out in the process. But to execute that strategy will be difficult, perhaps even more difficult than if we simply talked with each other. I will not talk, I will not doubt and I will not betray. Unless every student here can abide by that, that strategy is pointless. Since the school already guarantees anonymity for the students, trust between each other also becomes an issue. It would be great if the points can be equally distributed between all of us at the end, but couldn't there also be a risk of someone breaking that trust and taking the points for themselves?"

"Isn't this fine? I don't see any problems in this. Once the exam is over, we can simply talk amongst each other in our classes and share the points from the exam." Manabe Shiho suddenly said as she joined in the conversation.

Yukimura nods. "I agree too, as long as we can share our points after the exam is over that's fine. Better than to run the risk of a traitor emerging and sabotaging the group, it's not realistic too to try and figure out the "VIP(Target)" simply by talking to each other."

Sensing that the opposition had died down, Machida slightly chuckled.

"I see, indeed as Machida-kun says, the problem can be resolved after the exam in each class, hmm?" Ichinose says with her arms crossed as she looks at her own class, then at Class D and Class C.

"I'd like to get a consensus from the group, would that be ok? If you agree with the strategy, please raise your hands."

Yukimura and Sotomura from Class D as well as some students from Class C wavered at that, but after a while, although scattered, they raised their hands.

Ichinose then turn to the other side.

"Ibuki-san, how about you? May we hear your opinion too?"

"I don't have any opinion in particular, there's nothing happening now anyways so continue as you want."

"I see, that's your idea then. How about Karuizawa-san?"

"Really...I'm irked by this whole thing. Whether we get points, or I get points is a different matter. It's not like we're guaranteed to get points by talking to each other right?... I'd just like this exam to be over quickly so I can go back to having fun." She said.

"Then what about Hamaguchi-kun?"

"We will leave our decision to Ichinose-san." Hamaguchi gave a smile while saying that.

"Thank you, then lastly, what about you, Ayanokouji-kun, Arison-kun?"

"I think the strategy's just fine, besides, the majority have already agreed with it anyways. And I'm the type who's bad at talking anyways." Kiyotaka said while nodding.

"It's decided then." Machida spoke up.

They are gonna proceed but suddenly they hear a chuckle coming from Axel.

"I-Is there something, F-Funny!?" Machida asks while his face is red, he doesn't know what's wrong with him. He doesn't know if Axle is mocking him or what.

Axel cleared his throat as he put his both hands on his pocket, that sight making him more attractive and charming.

"The class strategy is certainly not a bad one, there'd be no need to doubt anyone, hunt anyone or hurt anyone. I can understand why everyone would want to follow this strategy. It's hard to see any demerits in this strategy, but if you think about it carefully, isn't it because you're from Class A that you are able to propose such a strategy? There is a demerit that we cannot see hidden in this strategy." After Axel said that he gives a smile at Machida.

"A hidden demerit? What would that be?" Yukimura asked while looking at Axel.

"Indeed, assuming every class has an equal chance of having the "target" assigned to it, not talking to each other is the best way to obtain a large amount of points for all of us. There are only advantages to this strategy in that case. However, it would be unfair to the lower classes to let this one chance go to waste." Ichinose said.

"But th-that's.." Before Machida could speak properly, Ichinose continued clearly shutting off him.

"We still don't know how many special exams will occur before graduation. And the current difference Class A has from the other classes is remarkable. The strategy of working together with other classes was brought up during the island test as well. In other words, every time there is an exam, Class A will keep on using this strategy causing the final position of the classes to be unchanged at graduation."

"Even if we can surely gain points this way, I cannot overlook such a valuable chance." Ichinose said while smiling.

"Looks like Ichinose-san's made her decision, we will follow her lead."

"Wait a minute, Ichinose, Arison. I know what you're trying to say, but if we act according to your proposal instead, there's only one possible outcome. But even if we all cooperate together, all classes will get the same amount of points. The outcome you wish for will not occur. Or are you trying to figure out the "target" through discussion and Class B or D will betray us to get all the points in one stroke? You deliberately asked everyone if they desire the first outcome just now. But I don't think you're trustworthy." Machiba then speaks up.

Axel looked at him then smiled. "You say the gap between the classes won't change either way. But that's wrong. Look at the number of students from each class." He put his hands on the table and clearly pointed out some information.

"5 from Class D and 4 from C. 3 from A and B. Either way the amount of points each class will receive will change and the gap can change too, right?"

"Indeed, but will you two and Class B with fewer numbers accept this outcome? Are you saintly enough to sacrifice your class's standing to help the lower classes rise?" Machiba asked.

"If not, Class A will certainly stand to benefit from the current strategy. It would be especially troublesome if the "target" happened to be in Class A after all." Axel said and he shrugged his shoulders.

"I agree with Ichinose-san too, we cannot allow Class A to gain the lead with this strategy." Hamaguchi nodded in agreement.

"I see, then you've made your decision too. Just remember we of Class A have already made our choice. For whatever reason it may be, we will not talk to you henceforth. You all are free to discuss whatever you wish amongst yourselves." Machiba said his final statements.

"Now, what should we do? I hate to be the one excluding you guys, but if that's your class's decision it can't be helped. If you wish to join our discussion, please say so anytime." Ichinose said as she looked around at everyone's faces.

Class A remained silent and did not reply at all. The talking soon became longer making Axel sleepy, Kiyotaka asked him to sleep on his lap of course he refused..their so many eyes.

Manabe Shiho then walked towards Karuizawa.

"You're Karuizawa-san, right? There's something I want to ask you."

Karuizawa didn't seem to be expecting her name to be called out here, so she quickly turned away from her phone.

"What?"

"Perhaps it's just my misunderstanding, but over the summer holiday, did you have a quarrel with Rika?" Manabe asked.

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean? Who's Rika?"

"She's from our class. The one wearing glasses? She wears her hair like a dango? You don't recall her?"

"I don't. You've got the wrong person." Karuizawa glanced back towards her phone. But Manabe's next words caused a change in Kei's expression.

"Isn't it strange, then? We heard a different story. That Class D's Karuizawa bullied our Rika. That she was waiting in line at the cafe and you pushed her out of it." She accused and kept pestering Karuizawa.

"I don't know what you're talking about. Do you have a problem with me?" Karuizawa said and she began forming a sweat on her forehead.

"Not really, just checking. If that's true, I want you to apologize to Rika. Rika's the type to keep quiet over matters like this, so it's our job as her classmates to stand up for her."

The two boys turn their heads to the situation where Karuizawa is.

Karuizawa tries to ignore her but it seems to have made Manabe angry. Manabe then takes out her phone and points the camera towards Karuizawa.

"Then you won't mind if I check again with Rika, will you? If you didn't do anything, then you surely won't have a problem with that right?"

Karuizawa suddenly stood up and grabbed the phone from Manabe's hands. She used quite a bit of force as the phone flew through the air and fell down to the floor with a thud.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Manabe yelled.

"That's my line, don't take photos of me without my permission, I already told you I didn't do it!" Karuizawa yelled back.

"What're you going to do if my phone breaks?"

"What? Just tell the school and get yourself a new one!"

"There were some precious photos in that phone."

Manabu then picks up the phone and stares at Karuizawa with eyes harboring a grudge. Two other students from Class C backed up Manabe by standing in front of Karuizawa as if to intimidate her.

"What are you trying to say I'm the bad one here?" Karuizawa said and shook her head. Manabe stared at Karuizawa as she attracted the attention of the people near her.

"If you really are innocent, why are you so defensive? Let me take your photo."

"I don't want to."

"Aren't you just trying to hide your acts?" Manabe locks the camera onto Karuizawa as if forcibly trying to take a picture of her. The girls from Class C watch this unfold while cruelly laughing as if enjoying it. Ibuki looked at Manabe as if in disgust but did not stop her.

"This is stupid." Ibuki muttered.

Manabe heard and turned to Ibuki. "Stupid? What's that supposed to mean? This has nothing to do with you, Ibuki-san. You're not even Rika's friend."

"That's right; I have no stake in this. So I'm just observing." Ibuki said with her arms crossed as she looked away from the scene.

Manabe then raises her phone. "In any case, I'm taking that photo."

"No! Please say something to stop her." Karuizawa cried out. She looked around and her gaze stopped on the two boys. She looked at Axel and pleaded with him for help.

Axel just sighed, he looked at Kiyotaka who just nodded and just watched the scene. Axel silently walked towards them, Manabe looked at him with surprise.

"Manabe, if Karuizawa is objecting to it, then stop." Axel said with a smile.

"This has nothing to do with yo–"

"She's my friend after all." Axel said and crossed his arms.

"From what I've heard it seems like you're in the wrong Manabe. If Karuizawa refuses to let her photo be taken, it's wrong to forcibly do so against her will. It would be much better if you talked with your friend yourself to confirm your story. If you still wish to proceed with this, I will not stand by. Classmate or not, get it?" Axel continue,

Manabe also recognizes this fact as she withdraws when confronted with that argument, her cheeks red from embarrassment. She cannot believe that she made a wrong move that made her a villain in front of Axel.

Well, Axel is famous. Many people adore and like him.

Karuizawa looked at Axel and thanked him for saving her in that kind of situation.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

1 HOUR HAD PASSED AND AN ANNOUNCEMENT by the school was made allowing the students to leave their designated meeting rooms. The Class A students were the first ones to leave.

"You're free to do as you please." Machida said and with that, they left the room and slammed the door shut behind them with a bang, throwing the room back into silence.

I'm going back." Karuizawa stood to leave, but her legs were shaking as if she were feeling numb. But in her panic to leave the room, Karuizawa accidentally stepped on Manabe's feet.

"Ow!"

"Ahh Sorry. I didn't mean to." Karuizawa apologized before quickly leaving the room.

"What the hell?" Manabe said. She seemed to be angry both from the pain and Karuizawa's attitude and was lashing out at them.

At the very end, only the three from Class B and Ibuki were left in the room

As the boys walked through the hallway, Sotomura whined.

"I'm hungry again. Do you think there's a lunch buffet going on?"

'What kind of body do you have to be able to digest all that food you ate in one hour?' Kiyotaka and Axel's thought.

After that the two boys went back to their room specifically, Kiyotaka's room. Axel immediately ran to the bed and jumped. He quickly hugged the pillows. Kiyotaka just sighed as he closed the door.

"Change your clothes."

"Later...." Axel said his voice was clearly tired and sleepy.

'Should I remove his clothes?' Kiyotaka's thought but he realised something and shook his head.

'Of course to change.. That's all.' Kiyotaka goes to his closet and picks one of his shirts and throws it beside Axel. Axel who is currently sleeping. Kiyotaka removed the pillow that Axel was hugging.

Kiyotaka unbuttoned his polo and slowly removed it. Kiyotaka was mesmerised by Axel's body but he quickly put his extra shirt on Axel. He sighed when he was finally done changing Axel's shirt.

He was going to stand up when Axel grabbed his hand.

"Where are you going.. Let's sleep.." Axel softly said, making Kiyotaka sighed and nod.

"I'm just going to change."

"Okay..."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

CLASS A DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE second discussion period. But since Class A was deliberately keeping quiet, it was also impossible for the other classes to have an earnest discussion and time slowly passed in silence. Ayanokouji and Arison started to observe how the students from each class would react.

Ichinose then stepped into the spotlight. "So for now, since it's the second gathering for us like this, I think we should get down to business as soon as possible since the number of times we gather like this is limited."

Since the other students were still on their guard, a heavy air fell upon them.

"I don't particularly think we need a breakthrough now, but I do agree with the need for discussion. Class A may be trying to break away from all this, but I believe in the necessity of finding the "target" myself." Yukimura began to speak.

"But can you really find them just by talking? I don't think so. The "target"'s hard to find, or rather the exam itself is hard." Karuizawa said.

"I understand your worries, Karuizawa-san. But isn't this just a matter of perspective? Both the island test and this current exam, it's meant to come as a 'surprise' to the students wouldn't you agree?" Ichinose said with a gentle smile.

"Surprise?"

"If it's sunrise then you can leave it to me. That's my specialty. Mo-e-a-g-a-r-e!!!" Sotomura said. Making Axel hide on Kiyotaka chest, he was embarrassing for his classmate.

"Living on a ship like this is fun isn't it? You can talk or play with your phone however you like, even if you're forced to attend a discussion for two hours a day. You're still free to do as you wish"

"Well. Yeah it is fun." Karuizawa said she was uncomfortable when she said that.

"Exactly right? That's why we need to talk more comfortably, like a group of friends. You'll just suffer if you hole yourself up in a shell like Machida-kun there." Ichinose said as she didn't seem to notice the uncomfortableness of Karuizawa.

After hearing what Ichinose had to say, Machida just began to laugh.

"You guys are free to do whatever you want, but you're very unlikely to find the "target" this way. I don't know where the "target" is but if they are not already cooperating with their classmates, they will surely make the decision to keep themselves hidden to gain points that way. And perhaps the "target" is actually within Class B. That is possible too. Can you really trust them?" He said.

For a moment, Machida wandered to a student named "Morishige" sitting beside him. But then he quickly returned eye contact and once again radiated the 'calm' image of Class A to the group.

"We're not particularly hung up on who the "target" is, we get 100,000 points allocated to us monthly, there's no one in our class who'd be interested in the 500,000 point reward for this exam."

"Really? So you're telling me you don't want even 1 extra point? It's not like the school imposes a limit on the amount of points you can have." Ichinose said and she blinked her eyes.

"That's stupid. You can be delusional all you want, but don't accuse us unnecessarily like that."

Meanwhile, Karuizawa just kept sighing and fiddling with her phone.

Kiyotaka eyed the people around him.

'Compared to classes like A and B, Class D is still severely lacking in cohesiveness. Karuizawa Kei, who will be indispensable for that cohesiveness, is an existence who controls the girls of Class D. That's why I'm worried about her right now. I need to determine whether she will be a useful existence or a useless existence to us.'

Immediately once 1 hour had passed, Class A left the room.

"Well. I suppose this is going to be a tough exam. How about you, Ayanokouji-kun? Is this tough on you? And also, what are your opinions, Arison-kun?" Ichinose said and sighed.

"Honestly, I'm the type to sit back and relax in an exam like this." Kiyotaka replied.

"It's still too early to give up, let's work together to point this in a positive direction! "

"For me,I doubt the "target" will simply give up their identity like that. The merits of hiding their identity outweighs the demerits of revealing it after all." Arison said as he put his chin on Kiyotaka's shoulder.

Ichinose see this, this was quite a sight for her...

"Indeed. If something goes wrong, Class A's worst-case scenario prediction would come true. Either way, it's the end for today's discussion. Good work, both of you."

Ichinose switches over to her classmates instantly after that. When Manabe of Class C and her friends stood up to leave the room, the duo looked at each other, nodded and Kiyotaka held Axel's hand then they chased after them.

Once they reached the elevator, Kiyotaka casually called out to Manabe.

"Do you have some time?" The class C students looked at them. Manabe looked at Axel, when their eyes met she quickly looked away, still embarrassed about what happened.

"I overheard your argument with Karuizawa. Something about pushing over someone in a cafe." Kiyotaka said to them.

Manabe squinted cautiously at Kiyotaka.

"And what's wrong with that?"

"I'm not 100% sure, but I think I saw Karuizawa push over your friend at the café."

"Really!" Manabe's eyes widened after Kiyotaka's statement. Ayanokoji nods and then Axel waved his hands at her.

"Well. It's true, and I'm sorry for misunderstanding the situation. I hope you forgive me Manabe-san." Manabe's face quickly turned red as she looked at Axel.

She nodded and coughed.

"A-Ahem, It's okay Ari-Arison-kun."

"Let me continue. I didn't like how she acted back then, so We thought we'd give you a heads up." Kiyotaka finished and Axel nodded. The class C also nodded their heads.

'I'm sorry Karuizawa but.. We're giving you a test. For now let's see what's the secret you're hiding? And Are you really gonna be useful to us?"