So what was the purpose?
Was it the same purpose as Classmate Housen's...?
After all, the information they had obtained earlier showed that Tsukishiro had arranged for several first-year students to expel Ayanokouji.
Oreki pondered this, then returned to the main subject.
"The most energy-efficient plan is to have Kōenji take the exam."
"But Kōenji is currently choosing to slack off." Oreki clicked his tongue. "So..."
"Then I can only get to work myself."
Although Kōenji had forfeited, he had still made the most of what remained of his usefulness.
By teaming up with Oreki.
That way, even if his teammate forfeited, he could still retain a spot as a [teammate] in the end.
So long as Oreki could take first place, Kōenji could also receive the school's reward as his teammate.
And that would fulfill the bet of catching a free ride.
This was an outcome everyone could be happy with.
"Now that is truly reassuring." Shiina lightly clapped her hands.
She had nearly thought the thirteen million that was about to fall into her hands would dive into the water and swim away, but now... wasn't this even more reassuring?
Kōenji had been uncertainty No. 1, but now that pressure had shifted to Oreki instead.
Oreki had never been unreliable so far.
That was why this bet was finally something she could truly feel at ease about.
"Then Oreki will have to go grind Points tomorrow to secure his position. Kamuro, you'll need to pack some light luggage for him," Arisu Sakayanagi instructed.
Logically, there was nothing wrong with that.
To secure first place, he should set out as well.
But.
"..." Oreki.
Sakayanagi's little princess, something was off about you.
Oreki had a sudden realization, as though he could see the future. He, who did not want