The twelve groups were named after the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. Each group had a VIP, selected according to a certain pattern.
[The order of the twelve zodiac animals is: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.]
Starting at eight tomorrow morning, the school would email the students.
The exam would last three days, with six opportunities for group discussions, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. They had to identify the correct VIP. There were four possible outcomes.
1. Win-win ending: Everyone in the group chose the correct VIP. The VIP received an additional 500,000 points on top of the original 500,000, and the other members each received 500,000 points.
2. Solo-win ending: If even one person in the group answered incorrectly, only the VIP received 500,000 points.
These were the endings that could be achieved by emailing the school after the exam ended on the third day.
3. Early-bird ending: If someone in the group guessed the VIP correctly ahead of time, that person received 500,000 points, and their class gained 50 points. The VIP's class lost 50 points. The exam ended early.
4. False-alarm ending: If someone in the group guessed the VIP incorrectly ahead of time, the VIP received 500,000 points, and their class gained 50 points. The person who guessed incorrectly lost 500,000 points, and their class lost 50 points. The exam continued.
Class A: Three background characters; Class B: Ichinose and two background characters; Class C: Ibuki and the trio who bullied Manabe; Class D: Nagami, Karuizawa, Ayanokoji, and Yukimura.
The bathroom lights cast a soft, warm glow. Faint reflections shimmered on the tiled surfaces, and gray nonslip mats covered the floor.
The air was slightly humid and smelled of soap, giving the room a fresh, clean feeling. The faucet creaked softly as water hissed from the showerhead.
The hot and cold water mingled and evaporated into tiny droplets, which drifted down to brush against the skin, bringing a touch of comfort and ease.
A little fog clouded the mirror, reflecting blurry figures, as though everything in the room were wrapped in a soft haze. The bathroom was obscured by the mist. Then the yellow-haired girl, wrapped in a towel, wiped the mirror with her hand, revealing a clear reflection.
The long scar across her waist was something Karuizawa could never get used to, no matter how many times she saw it. It reminded her of the unhappy memories from middle school.
"Hey, it's that girl again, isn't it? I don't get why the teacher keeps letting her into our class... She doesn't fit in at all. She's like some unnecessary extra."
"Yeah, whenever she opens her mouth, she sounds like a robot. She has no idea how to talk to people. Every time I see that lifeless look on her face, I feel like dragging her into the bathroom after class and teaching her a lesson."
"How about we make her take off her clothes and snap a picture? If she dares to tell anyone, we'll post it online."
"She wouldn't dare fight back anyway. Everyone thinks she deserves it. I mean, who'd want to be friends with someone like that?"
"Her waist is so slim. I'm jealous. I wonder what would happen if we cut her."
"Ha! Ha! Ha!"
"No, help me! Yamete!"
Karuizawa screamed for help, but no one came. The scar on her waist was proof enough.
Whether in the scorching summer heat or during swimming class, she never dared to wear anything that showed her waist.
Rabbits were, surprisingly, among the animals most capable of enduring pain. They were very timid and didn't know how to fight back. When hurt, they simply stayed silent. They were docile, easy targets for anyone looking for someone to take their frustrations out on. They could endure unimaginable pain. Even with broken bones or internal injuries and bleeding, they would slowly fall silent until they died.
At eight the next morning, the email arrived on every student's phone as promised.
[After careful review by the school, you have not been selected as a VIP.]
Damn, there went my 500,000 points. I'll have to talk things over properly at noon.
"Ah! Hello, Kagami! I didn't expect us both to be in the Rabbit Group. Let's work together from here on!"
As soon as Ichinose came in, she greeted Nagami. The students from Classes A and C stayed silent off to one side, seemingly intent on keeping quiet until the end.
"Ah! Speaking of which, Honami, why don't you tell me who the VIP in Class B is? I absolutely won't tell anyone."
"Doki! Bold words!"
Ichinose's expression stiffened. Nagami often made jokes like that, but in private it was fine. With so many Class B students present, she worried it might start unpleasant rumors.
(According to Kushida's information, Karuizawa is the VIP of the Rabbit Group, she's the VIP of the Snake Group, and Sudo is the VIP of the Tiger Group. If my guess is right, the VIPs fit the stereotypical personalities of their animals.)
(But why is Kushida in the Snake Group? Is she sweet on the outside and vicious underneath? This exam is interesting!)
"About that? I think I've figured it out, but I need some information to verify it."
Nagami explained.
(This is purely an information war now. The more VIPs I know, the easier it'll be to verify the pattern. And once I've verified the pattern, I can find out even more VIPs. A virtuous cycle.)
"Wow! That was fast. The VIP Exam hasn't even been going for half a day. I can't decide on sharing VIP information by myself. I need to discuss it with my classmates."
(I understand, Honami. Actually, I never planned to tell you. It'd be unwise to let Class B grow too quickly. The right move is to make Class A reveal some of its cards and keep things delicately balanced. Sorry, Honami.)
The students from Class A seemed uneasy. They had previously received orders from Katsuragi to stay silent, but now someone was stirring things up, claiming to have figured out the pattern behind the VIPs.
Was it just a bluff, or had he really figured it out?
"Does anyone have anything to say?"
Not long after Nagami spoke, no one else in the group said anything. An odd silence settled over them.
"I brought a deck of cards. Want to play?" Ichinose broke the silence.
"How about blackjack?"
"Sure!"
Students from Classes D and B joined in.
Ichinose tried hard to fish for information, while the students from Classes A and C only talked among their own little groups.
(How honest. They think they can just sit back, collect points, and win. That's the same as handing the initiative to their enemies. They're giving up control.)
(Don't they realize the rules will become clearer the more they test and think about them? By then, it'll be too late to turn things around.)
(Katsuragi is suited to being a middle manager, not a leader.)
"The Monkey Group exam has ended. The Monkey Group exam has ended."
The announcement meant the Monkey Group had reached Ending 3: Koenji had guessed the VIP correctly. If he'd guessed wrong, the Monkey Group's exam would still be underway.
"Was it luck, or did he actually have the skill? Koenji's impossible to figure out," Nagami remarked.
Then it was time for the noon discussion.
"Koenji's so selfish. I hope he doesn't make us lose this exam."
Sudo spoke as he left the meeting room.
(He's stupid enough not to understand the rules. Better stay away in case it's contagious. The exam only ends if you guess correctly.)
After that, Nagami found an empty corner and made a phone call.
"Hello, Sakayanagi. It's me."
"Oh, that was quick. Do you have a surprise for me?"
"200,000 points, and I'll sell you information about a VIP in the Special Exam."
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