(Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's POV)
We reached room 201, an empty meeting hall typically used by one of the groups formed for this Special Exam. Perfect for a private conversation.
Sakura followed me inside, her usual serenity replaced by a hint of apprehension.
"Have a seat," I instructed, gesturing towards a chair.
Sakura complied, her posture rigid, her gaze reflecting a mix of curiosity and nervousness. Without wasting time, I cut to the chase.
I asked, "Did you manage to learn anything about the VIP in your group?"
She shook her head, a flicker of frustration crossing her features. "Not a clue," she admitted. This wasn't unexpected. Information like that would be tightly guarded within the group.
"Moving on," I continued, my gaze unwavering. "Tell me about Kobashi and Ninomiya's reaction to the news."
My question seemed to catch her off guard. She furrowed her brow, a hint of confusion clouding her usually serene eyes. She paused for a moment, seemingly replaying the scene in her head.
"Around 2:30 PM," she began, her voice gaining a hint of hesitancy, "when the school announcement regarding the Cow Group's disqualification arrived, we were having lunch together."
"And?" I prompted with a flicker of curiosity sparking within me.
"They were… surprised," she continued, her words measured. "Concerned, even. They abruptly cancelled our plans for the afternoon and evening, rushing back to their dorms."
A jolt of surprise shot through me. This was an unexpected response. Their frantic retreat hinted at a deeper understanding of the situation, a knowledge of who the VIP might be.
"Interesting," I murmured, a rare smile playing on my lips. "This changes things."
Sakura's eyes widened slightly, a hint of pride replacing the earlier confusion. "You think so?" she asked, a hopeful note in her voice.
"Indeed," I confirmed, my voice tinged with a hint of satisfaction. "Their reaction suggests they might have an inkling about the VIP's identity within Class B."
Of course, pinpointing the specific individual remained the challenge. But with this new information, the search area had narrowed considerably. The VIP resided in Class B.
"This is valuable," I stated, my voice neutral yet acknowledging her contribution. "You've done well, Sakura."
A genuine smile bloomed on her face, her eyes sparkling with a newfound confidence.
The silence stretched after I commended Sakura. She stared at me, a faint expectation flickering in her eyes, almost like a silent request. The implication was clear – a reward for her efforts. A hug, perhaps?
"Continue the good work," I instructed, my voice devoid of warmth.
The deflation in her expression was immediate, but just as swift was her acceptance. No protest, no defiance, just a silent nod of her head.
Internally, I was mildly surprised by the depth of her submission. It played into my strategy perfectly.
Leaning closer, I whispered into her ear, my voice a low murmur. "Come to the lowest level of the ship later. Wear your two-piece swimsuit under your clothes. I will reward you there."
A blush bloomed across her cheeks, but a flicker of excitement shone in her eyes. She nodded eagerly, the earlier disappointment forgotten.
We exited the room, returning to our respective circles. Sakura headed back to her dorm while I rejoined Ike, Sudou, and Yamauchi.
As I sat amongst the boisterous trio, my mind began to dissect the events surrounding the Cow Group's disqualification.
Sudou and Ike who were also in Cow Group were easily ruled out. Neither had touched their phones around 2:30 PM, the time the notification arrived.
Chiaki Matsushita, the other Class D member in Cow Group, remained a question mark.
However, based on my observations, she wasn't someone who would take such bold risk without consulting Hirata. And since Hirata hadn't consulted me or Horikita anything about it yet, this meant that Matsushita hadn't consulted him for this matter.
This left Class A and Class C.
Class A could be dismissed swiftly. Katsuragi's strategy of minimal risk meant his students wouldn't have taken such a bold move. By default, suspicion fell on Class C – Ryuen's class.
Did Ryuen truly possess the identity of the Cow Group's VIP, or was it a gamble? Knowing his cunning nature, I doubted a blind shot. There had to be a plan in motion, a calculated risk aimed at benefiting Class C.
The specifics, however, remained shrouded in mystery. Could Ryuen have unraveled the core mechanics of this Special Exam?
~~
(Third Person's POV)
Night of Day Three. Ayanokoji, through a series of calculated maneuvers, had secured a new pawn – Karuizawa.
He'd exploited her vulnerabilities, leaving her dependent on him, a parasite clinging to a host.
Shaken by the glimpse of Ayanokoji's ruthlessness, Karuizawa became a compliant tool. He wasted no time, outlining a strategy using the "Double Phone Exchange" tactic.
His goal: manipulate the outcome of the Rabbit Group's performance in the Cruise Ship Special Exam, tipping the scales in Class D's favor.
~~
Midnight of Day Three.
The deserted lower decks of the ship echoed with the rhythmic hum of the engines, a stark contrast to the silent exchange that transpired between me and Sakura.
She stood before me, her arrival a testament to her unwavering submission.
A long coat masked her form, but the rhythmic click of her heels betrayed her nervous anticipation.
"Strip," I instructed, my voice devoid of warmth.
Sakura's cheeks flushed crimson. With a practiced ease, she unfastened the buttons, the garment falling away to reveal a two-piece of a daring crimson hue.
It clung to her curves, leaving little to the imagination. I met her gaze, a cold neutrality settling over my features.
"Come closer," I instructed, my voice devoid of emotion.
A flicker of nervousness flitted across her eyes, but she obeyed nonetheless, her steps tentative as she approached. The anticipation crackled in the air, thick and almost tangible.
Extending a hand, I brushed aside a stray strand of hair that fell across her face, the gesture calculated, devoid of any warmth.
My fingers grazed the soft skin of her cheek, sending a tremor through her frame.
"Let's see it," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.
Her breath hitched. Slowly, self-consciously, she turned, allowing me a full view of the swimsuit. The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken desires. This wasn't about physical gratification; it was about control, about asserting my dominance.
"Interesting," I finally said, my voice flat. "Now, what did I tell you about rewards?"
Sakura's cheeks burned a vivid red, but a spark of something akin to hope flickered in her eyes. She remained silent, awaiting my next move.
My hand moved with practiced ease, brushing against the swell of her breast.
A gasp escaped her lips, her eyes widening in surprise. A low moan rumbled in her throat as I grazed her again, a hint of pressure applied.
"This," I continued, my voice laced with a hint of amusement, "is a glimpse into the pleasures of the flesh. Something I've always been… curious about." My gaze held hers, searching for any sign of resistance. There was none.
"And," I continued, leaning in closer, my voice a low murmur, "I intend to use you to explore it further. Are you… willing?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. Her entire body trembled under my scrutiny. Shame and desire warred within her, evident in the conflicted look on her face. But ultimately, the desire to please me, to retain her precarious position as my pawn, won out.
With a barely perceptible nod, she sealed her fate.
In one swift motion, I pushed her back against the cold metal wall, my touch turning predatory.
Sakura gasped, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and something else – a spark of excitement perhaps? She fumbled with my shirt, her hands clumsy but insistent. An unexpected thrill shot through me, a surge of something primal I couldn't quite define.
The next hour was a blur of exploration, of pushing boundaries and testing limits. We were a study in contrasts – her shyness battling a burgeoning desire, my calculated actions fueled by an insatiable curiosity. There were moments of clumsiness, of awkward laughter, but also a growing sense of urgency.
Yet, the line remained unbroken.
Sex, in this cramped, impersonal space, held too many variables. A risk I didn't want to take.
"Enough," I finally muttered, pulling back abruptly.
Sakura's breath hitched, her chest heaving. Disappointment flickered across her face, quickly masked by a shy smile. "Right," she whispered, her voice breathless.
"You did well," I said, my voice flat. "This will suffice for tonight's reward. I don't want to continue any longer in such a place."
A flicker of hope ignited in her eyes. "Does this mean… we can do it properly… in my room… back at school?"
I considered her request for a moment. The potential benefits were undeniable.
"Perhaps," I conceded, a hint of amusement creeping into my voice. "We'll see."
She beamed, a radiant smile that transformed her entire face. In that moment, I saw a glimpse of the weapon I had forged – a pawn, desperate for affection, willing to do whatever it took to maintain the illusion of a connection.
~~
Day Four dawned, the final day of the Cruise Ship Special Exam. Ayanokoji's machinations had yielded the desired outcome – a "traitor" within the Rabbit Group submitted the wrong answer for the VIP, securing class points for Class D and a hefty 500,000 private points for Karuizawa, the designated VIP.
As dusk settled, casting long shadows across the deck, Ayanokoji found himself approached by Ichinose, the leader of Class B.
Her keen intellect had unraveled his "Double Phone Exchange" strategy, piecing together the roles of Karuizawa and Yukimura
Ayanokoji couldn't help but be impressed.
Ichinose's intelligence was undeniable, evident in her ability to grasp his complex plan so quickly. But her strengths went beyond intellect.
She possessed beauty, popularity, and a natural leadership quality that had united Class B under her banner.
The conversation between Ayanokoji and Ichinose was abruptly interrupted by a flurry of notifications. Four emails from the school arrived in rapid succession, each announcing the conclusion of the Special Exam for a different group – Horse, Rat, Rooster, and Pig.
Surprise etched itself on both their faces. The timing, the sheer number of disbandment happening simultaneously, pointed towards a single mastermind.
Ayanokoji observed Ichinose's reaction, eliminating Class B from the equation.
Katsuragi's risk-averse leadership wouldn't sanction such a gambit without concrete evidence. That left only one possibility: Ryuen's Class C.
This development piqued Ayanokoji's curiosity. Ryuen wasn't one for reckless plays.
He wouldn't orchestrate coordinated betrayals in four groups unless he possessed a crucial piece of information – the identity of the VIPs in each group. The audacity of his strategy suggested a level of certainty, something that Ayanokoji still failed to see.
Their conversation ended, Ayanokoji and Ichinose parted ways. A thought struck him. He messaged Kushida, requesting a list of students in each group formed for the Special Exam. Within ten minutes, a reply arrived – a neatly typed breakdown under each group heading.
Scrutinizing the names, Ayanokoji identified the VIPs he recognized: Kushida (Dragon), Minami (Horse), Karuizawa (Rabbit), and the unknown Cow Group VIP. A pattern began to emerge, allowing him to make educated guesses about the remaining VIPs.
Recalling the "traitor" message for the Horse Group, Ayanokoji realized Class D had lost 50 class points. Furthermore, the VIPs in Rat, Rooster, and Pig Groups all belonged to Class A. This translated to a 150-point loss for them, compounded by the 50 points lost for the wrong answer submitted in their Rabbit Group.
Internally, Ayanokoji acknowledged Ryuen's brilliance. With this single maneuver, Ryuen had crippled Class A, stripping them of 200 points while boosting his own Class C by 50.
Now armed with this knowledge, Ayanokoji formulated his own plan. He contacted Sakura, instructing her to manipulate a Class D student in the Dog Group into becoming the traitor and sending the mail to the school address with the name of their group's VIP.
Ayanokoji then relayed the VIP's name to Sakura, who then forwarded it to the unsuspecting classmate.
The message, sent by the coveted Class D beauty, sent a thrill through the boy. Blinded by infatuation, he ignored the potential repercussions and followed Sakura's instructions.
Thankfully for him, it turned out to be the right call.
A school-wide notification announced the disbandment of the Dog Group.
Ayanokoji considered manipulating Sakura to repeat the Dog Group trick with the other three Class C VIP groups. However, he opted against it.
Drawing too much attention to Class D wasn't part of the plan.
Ryuen or even Ichinose or Katsuragi could dismiss the Dog Group incident as a lucky guess or a Class B VIP's blunder.
Furthermore, Ayanokoji wasn't eager to become Chabashira's puppet, propelling Class D to Class A status at breakneck speed.
He preferred a more subtle approach so that he could continue to enjoy his ordinary life, accumulating points gradually without attracting unwanted scrutiny. This, in his mind, was the winning strategy which suited his tastes.