At 19:36, there were four minutes left before the Rabbit Group's first discussion began.
By the long table in the B-level public lounge, only nine of the twelve seats were occupied.
Hashimoto sat closest to the terminal, his fingers pressing against the table's edge.
Ishizaki dragged his chair back half a step, conveniently blocking the path of the three Class C students.
Gu Heng sat on the Class D side, with Yukimura and Sakura behind him.
The public screen refreshed again.
Correct submission: Private Points +300, affiliated class +50 Incorrect submission: Private Points unchanged, affiliated class -50 Preferred Person not identified: Private Points +500
Sakura stared at the final line, her fingers pressing against the terminal's edge.
"The Preferred Person's reward is higher than the reward for a correct submission."
"So they might not want the discussion to reach a conclusion too quickly," Gu Heng said. "They would want even less for the discussion to leave behind a definite conclusion."
Yukimura scrolled down the page slightly. "An incorrect submission only deducts class points, not personal points."
"For someone who wants Private Points, that is actually good news."
Gu Heng shifted his gaze to the other end of the table.
Hashimoto raised a hand and tapped the terminal. "The discussion can begin."
As his words fell, several people looked at those beside them at the same time.
Everyone wanted the three hundred points, yet the first person to guess wrong would not have to pay from their own account.
The cost would fall on their class, but their entire class might remember their name.
Kamuro laid her terminal sideways on the table. "Since answers are submitted independently, class benefits will not stop individuals from placing a bet."
"They will stop you from stating your answer too clearly," Hashimoto said.