Just past 8:30 PM, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Hirata Yousuke left their dorm room together.
The corridors inside the cruise ship were brightly lit but noticeably quieter than during the day. Most students seemed to have returned to their rooms, processing the special exam notifications they had just received.
Ayanokoji walked silently beside Hirata.
About two hours ago, he had finished listening to the exam explanation for the "Rabbit Group" in another room. His group members, besides Karuizawa Kei, Sotomura Hideo, and Yukimura Teruhiko from Class D, included Sakamoto, Machida Koji, and Takemoto Shigeru from Class A; Ichinose Honami and two others from Class B; and Ibuki Mio with three others from Class C.
A veritable "elite mixed group." Or rather, a collection of complications.
Especially Sakamoto's presence—that single factor instantly elevated the level of strategic play within the entire group to an unpredictable height. After the briefing, the atmosphere among their Class D contingent had been less than harmonious; they had simply confirmed the time and place for the next day's discussion before dispersing.
Currently, he was accompanying Hirata to the second floor because Hirata's "8:40 PM" group briefing was about to begin. According to information exchanged with Horikita Suzune earlier, Hirata and Horikita happened to be in the same group.
Ayanokoji wanted to use this opportunity to personally observe Horikita's state in this new environment—and the composition of her group members.
As they stepped onto the second-floor corridor, familiar figures came into view in the distance.
Horikita Suzune and Katsuragi Kohei stood not far from a cabin door, seemingly engaged in conversation. Katsuragi's bald head was particularly conspicuous under the overhead lights, his expression as serious as ever. Horikita, while maintaining her usual straight posture, wore a serious expression devoid of her typical aloofness.
Ayanokoji slowed his pace. He and Hirata stopped a few steps away, not immediately interrupting.
"...So, the 8:40 PM group, besides us, also includes students from Class B and Class C." Horikita's voice carried clearly.
"Mm." Katsuragi nodded, arms crossed. "Based on the information we have so far, that's correct. It seems this special exam follows a mixed-group format."
During the uninhabited island exam, Katsuragi had formed a decent impression of Horikita. Having not engaged in much negotiation with other classes, he only knew that Horikita was considered a leadership figure in Class D. He felt that her ability to lead Class D to the same final score as the other classes indicated some capability.
He didn't, however, delve into the possibilities behind that equal score. After all, in the face of Class A's absolute advantage, the subtle differences between other classes seemed insignificant.
Their conversation paused briefly.
Just then, another figure joined them.
Kanzaki Ryuji from Class C approached, brows slightly furrowed, his gaze fixed directly on Katsuragi. "Katsuragi-kun, excuse me. I have a question regarding the results of the uninhabited island exam."
"Our Class C adopted a relatively conservative strategy, with minimal negotiation between classes. But Class A gained far more points than anyone expected. Could you explain how you managed to occupy almost all the strongholds? That level of efficiency is truly unbelievable."
This was the question on most other students' minds. It was as if Class A had played a survival game with full map vision enabled.
Katsuragi opened his mouth, seemingly preparing to offer an official and cautious response.
But an arrogant voice preempted him from the other end of the corridor.
"Do you even need to ask, Kanzaki?"
Ryuuen Kakeru, accompanied by three Class B students, swaggered into view.
"Those guys from Class A didn't use a single private point to buy modern tools on the island. They built their camp from scratch—with their bare hands." Ryuuen scoffed, walking up to Katsuragi and brazenly scrutinizing him from head to toe. "As for the strongholds? Of course, it was all thanks to that monster—Sakamoto-kun! He used some method—I don't know what—but it was like he'd scanned the entire island in advance, directing Class A's people to occupy every stronghold like harvesting crops."
He paused, his tone shifting. "But, Katsuragi... I'm very curious. While Sakamoto-kun was building the camp, quite a few strongholds were occupied simultaneously. He couldn't have been in multiple places at once, could he?"
Ryuuen leaned in slightly, his eyes gleaming. "So the real leader of Class A on the uninhabited island was actually you, wasn't it?"
He had revealed his true intention—the core suspicion he'd formed after guessing wrong before.
Facing Ryuuen's blatant provocation, Katsuragi's face remained utterly unperturbed. "Who knows."
Ryuuen's eyes narrowed, unsurprised by the noncommittal response.
Then his gaze swept past Katsuragi and landed on Ayanokoji and Hirata, standing a little further away.
"Oh? Aren't these guys from Class D? Especially you, Ayanokoji..."
Ryuuen's eyes lingered on Ayanokoji for a meaningful moment.
During the uninhabited island exam, he had viewed Ayanokoji as a somewhat clever but easily manipulated pawn. He had even scoffed at the foolishness of exposing his "leader" status immediately after their transaction.
Now, looking at him again, something felt different.
But Ryuuen couldn't quite place it.
However, the final result—all three classes tied at 150 points—and Ayanokoji's early withdrawal, which triggered a leadership change, had made him realize something crucial. He might have underestimated this seemingly ordinary Class D student.
He had focused too much attention on the brilliant Sakamoto and nearly capsized in the gutter.
But Ryuuen was Ryuuen, after all.
"Forget it. You got lucky last time." He scanned the "elites" from various classes gathered in the corridor. "But this exam is different. No matter how capable Sakamoto is, he can't possibly oversee every group simultaneously."
His gaze returned to Ayanokoji, sharp and penetrating.
"I will win."
Ayanokoji felt the weight of Ryuuen's stare but offered no response. He stood there expressionless, absorbing the implicit challenge.
He had indeed exploited Ryuuen's information gap and blind spot during the uninhabited island exam. Now, it seemed Ryuuen had raised his alert level toward him. But that changed nothing.
After all, in this group exam, Ryuuen was not in the same group as him.
The main battleground remained within the "Rabbit Group"—and the potential confrontation with Sakamoto.
Just as the corridor's atmosphere grew tense from Ryuuen's presence, a clear female voice interjected.
"Oh? Hirata-kun? And Ayanokoji-kun is here too?"
Kushida Kikyo rounded the corner, her face displaying an innocent, surprised expression. "What's everyone doing gathered here?"
Her gaze swept across Katsuragi, Horikita, Kanzaki, Ryuuen, and the others—perfectly conveying the impression of someone who had stumbled upon important figures by accident.
"Could it be that Kushida-san, you're also in the 8:40 group?" Hirata asked gently.
"Huh? Group?" Kushida tilted her head, wearing a puzzled expression. "The notification just told me to come here at this time... By the way, it feels like a lot of amazing people are gathered here."
She bowed slightly to those present, adopting a humble posture—her impeccable social mask fully on display.
Needless to say, Kushida Kikyo was indeed a member of the "8:40" group.
Ayanokoji and Horikita exchanged a brief glance. They both knew of Kushida's other side—the darkness hidden beneath that sweet exterior—and the potential secret connection between her and Ryuuen.
Her appearance added another layer of uncertainty to an already complex group dynamic.
But the unexpected interruptions weren't over.
The moment Kushida finished speaking, a figure appeared in everyone's sight—abruptly, yet with such naturalness that it defied explanation.
He hadn't walked from the corridor's end. He hadn't emerged from a room. It was as if he had been standing there all along, unnoticed until this very moment.
Sakamoto stood tall and straight at the intersection of shadow and light along the corridor wall. He pushed up his glasses; the lenses caught the overhead lamps and reflected their glow.
His appearance came without warning—not even the sound of footsteps. It was as if he had condensed from the air itself.
This eerie manifestation stunned everyone present. Even Ryuuen's sneer froze momentarily.
Feeling every gaze focus upon him, Sakamoto spoke in his uniquely calm tone:
"Oh dear. I apologize for startling everyone."
He paused, letting the words settle.
"I merely wished to observe the composition of the 'Dragon Group' as I passed by. I didn't expect to arrive at such an opportune moment."
Upon seeing Sakamoto, Katsuragi immediately stepped forward and asked in a low voice, "Sakamoto-kun, regarding this exam, should Class A formulate a unified strategy? For example, prioritizing the interests of classmates who become 'beneficiaries' in certain situations?"
This was undoubtedly a crucial strategic choice.
Sakamoto looked at Katsuragi—and yet seemed to see beyond him, to something further.
He pushed up his glasses gently. "Katsuragi-kun, the choice of strategy depends on your judgment of the situation and your inner principles."
His voice was calm, unhurried.
"Just follow your heart."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the corridor—touching each person, each expression, each unspoken thought.
"I wish you all good results in the upcoming exam."
He bowed slightly to everyone, then turned and disappeared into the shadows at the corridor's other end, his steps unhurried, unhurried.
He arrived without warning. He departed without ceremony.
Leaving behind a corridor full of people, each lost in their own thoughts.