I found myself in front of the door where the first meeting of the Dragon Group would take place. I couldn't help but feel a slight thrill; after all, this group brought together the leaders of each class. When I opened the door, the light revealed a spacious room with sofas in the corners and a large table in the center, around which all the students were already seated. Of course, I was the last to arrive, again.
—Look who finally decided to show up... Osawa, the bastard who made me lose the last exam —Ryuuen said with his characteristic mocking tone.
—What unfounded accusations? —I replied calmly as I approached—. Do you really think it was me?
—Don't try to pin it on Ichinose. That girl doesn't have the cunning for what you did —Ryuuen retorted, keeping his malicious smile.
—I think you're underestimating Honami too much —I said, taking a seat next to Kikyou and Mako—. You'd be surprised at what she's capable of.
—I can't underestimate someone who hasn't proven anything —Ryuuen shrugged, maintaining his arrogance.
—Besides, why assume that only my class was responsible for both yours and Class B's failure in the exam? —I continued, not taking my eyes off him.
—Hmm, you're right, Class D was involved too —Ryuuen admitted, casting a furtive glance at Horikita, who was sitting a few chairs away—. Intriguing... Suzune, why don't you tell me how you did it?
—You have no right to know, and stop calling me by my name. I don't remember granting you permission —Horikita responded with her usual coldness.
—You're so boring, Suzune. —Ryuuen chuckled sardonically before turning back to me—. And you, Osawa, why don't you tell me the strategy you used?
—It seems that despite your efforts to understand your defeat, you still haven't figured it out. What a pity for you, Ryuuen. You'll have to think a little harder —I replied with a smile, causing him evident irritation.
—Tsk, doesn't matter. I don't need to know. But let me warn you, Osawa, that in this exam I'm going to wipe that damn smile off your face —he threatened, fixing his gaze on mine.
—You can try, but I assure you it won't be easy —I met his gaze, unflinching.
The tension in the room was palpable, but then Kikyou intervened with her typical conciliatory tone.
—Guys, please, calm down. There's no point in fighting. How about we focus on the exam? —she said, trying to pacify the situation.
—Kushida-san is right. These fights don't get us anywhere. It's better to concentrate on the VIP issue —Horikita added, always pragmatic.
—I think you're mistaken, Horikita-san. Ryuuen and I weren't fighting; we were just having a friendly conversation. Weren't we, Ryuuen? —I commented with a touch of irony.
—Of course —Ryuuen said with a laugh—. Women just don't understand how men talk.
—By the way, Katsuragi, you've been quite silent. Don't you have anything to contribute? —I asked, noticing his silence.
—I prefer to listen for now —Katsuragi replied in his usual serious tone.
—Katsuragi, you're more boring than watching grass grow. Don't you think, Ryuuen?
—Absolutely. Talking to him is more tedious than listening to my grandfather's stories —Ryuuen mocked with a laugh.
We laughed, and the rest of the room looked at us incredulously.
—Is something wrong, Horikita-san? —I asked, seeing that she kept staring at us.
—First you act like you're going to kill each other, and now you're laughing together. I don't understand —she responded, visibly confused.
—Women are resentful; you wouldn't understand. Right, Osawa? —Ryuuen said, still amused.
—Definitely, it's something you can't comprehend —I replied, causing Horikita to frown even more.
Our sudden camaraderie only served to confuse her further.
Kayden: —Alright, I think we've had enough joking around. How about we get to the main point? —I said, capturing everyone's attention—. You see, I have no intention of staying here longer than necessary, so I propose that we achieve Result 1 in this group.
Ryuuen: —And here I thought you'd have something more elaborate... But it turns out you just want us to cooperate. How disappointing —he replied with his mocking tone.
Kayden: —I think finishing with Result 1 is the most convenient. Who wouldn't want to earn more points? Or are you going to tell me that you have extra points, Ryuuen?
Ryuuen: —Who knows? —he laughed—. But as you say, I'm not going to refuse such a juicy reward.
I knew convincing Ryuuen wouldn't be difficult. Now came the hard part.
Kayden: —And what about you, Katsuragi? Will you join in to secure Result 1?
Katsuragi: —I have no intention of following your ideas —he replied in his typical serious tone.
Kayden: —Come on, Katsuragi. You'd earn a good amount of points. If you're worried about class points, you have the other groups for that. Plus, if we finish this today, you'll have more time to plan a better strategy instead of staying silent. Don't you think? —I watched him, waiting for his reaction, but he remained silent. That meant he was considering it.
I decided to strike where it hurt the most.
Kayden: —Besides, no matter what result your class gets in this exam, you know that when we return, Class B will be under Sakayanagi's control. After your disastrous failure in the island exam, everyone who trusted you turned away. You crushed their hopes with that defeat.
Katsuragi shot me a furious look, but he couldn't refute what I said. He knew better than anyone that I was speaking the truth.
Kayden: —Why don't you let the kids who follow you earn some private points? At least as a way to compensate them. Just look at them —I said, pointing to Katsuragi's nervous teammates, who could barely look him in the eye—. They no longer trust you; they only follow you because they have no one else. When we return, they'll run straight to Sakayanagi. Why keep being difficult? If you want to redeem yourself a little in front of them, let them earn something today. And if you're still worried about class points, focus on another group.
I smiled as I spoke, seeing how Katsuragi gradually lost his anger and lowered his gaze. Then he looked at his teammates, who couldn't meet his eyes. Finally, he looked back at me with a resigned expression.
Katsuragi: —Alright, I accept —he said, resigned.
Poor Katsuragi. He didn't realize that his rigidity and sense of justice had just worked against him.
I felt satisfied seeing Katsuragi accept my proposal. Now only she was left.
—Well, now it's just you, Horikita-san. What do you think? —I said, keeping my gaze fixed on her, my tone relaxed and confident.
Horikita looked at me with suspicion, as if searching for a trap in my words.
—For me, class points are more important than private points, so I refuse to follow your plan —she responded firmly, as if she was determined not to give in.
I raised an eyebrow, maintaining my casual tone.
—I also like to earn class points, you know? But you shouldn't only focus on them.
She frowned, clearly confused by my argument.
—What do you mean?
—As I said before —I continued—, if our group finishes with Result 1 today, you'll have more time to organize and prepare strategies for the other groups. Plus, it's not like you'll lose anything if we get Result 1; in fact, you'll earn a significant amount of private points.
—As I said, private points are not that relevant —Horikita replied, showing her narrow perspective.
I smiled slightly, aware that I had to keep pressing.
—Are you sure? I think they're extremely useful, especially for those in your class. Don't you think it would be useful to have that juicy amount? Considering the points your class has, it would take a long time before any of you can earn that amount. In this exam, they're practically being given away.
Horikita looked at me with more attention, and I continued.
—You say private points are not that relevant, but what if they are in the next special exam? What if to save a student from expulsion you need to pay a significant amount of points and don't have them? Then you'd probably think, "Why didn't I agree to aim for Result 1?"
Despite my arguments, Horikita remained firmly in her stance.
—Still, for me, class points are more important. I will get the 50 class points in this group —she said, showing her stubbornness.
I frowned, understanding the reason behind her obstinacy.
—I see, now I understand why you refuse so much —I said, smiling mischievously. I noticed her eyes widening in surprise as she grasped the implication.
—You don't want to aim for Result 1 because the VIP is in your class, and you think someone will betray you, right? —I said with a more incisive tone.
Horikita's reaction confirmed that I had hit the nail on the head. Ryuuen, who had been observing, let out a mocking laugh.
— Kukuku, it seems we've found where the rat is hiding — he said, looking at Horikita with amusement.
Horikita tried to justify her stance.
— The VIP could be in another class. My position has nothing to do with that — she said, trying to maintain her composure.
I shook my head, knowing I had caught Horikita in her own trap.
— It's obvious, Horikita-san. Why do you think Ryuuen agreed so easily? It's because the VIP isn't in his group. The same goes for Class B, and of course, mine as well. But you don't want that result because you know you can't trust any of us, right?
I looked at her coldly as she realized she was cornered.
— Even if I deny it, it seems you won't believe me. So, if the VIP were in my group, how could you know who it is?
I smiled playfully, ready to play my final card.
— And if I told you that I already know — I said, displaying a disconcerting confidence.
Her surprise was palpable.
— It's impossible for you to know since this is our first meeting and not even a day has passed since the exam began — she responded incredulously.
I looked at her intensely, knowing I had to maintain my firm stance.
— You know, Horikita-san, I personally never like to use the word "impossible." Denying something outright blinds us and prevents us from exploring new ways of thinking. There is always a way to do something, and if you think there isn't, then you need to see it from another perspective.
I watched Horikita as she processed my words. I knew I had to remain firm so she wouldn't doubt.
— Besides, you have no choice but to accept now. As I mentioned earlier, I know who the VIP in your class is. If you keep refusing, once the meeting ends, I'll aim for result 3 — I said with determination.
I saw her frown, clearly doubting.
— I think you're lying — she responded, trying to keep her composure.
I smiled, unaffected by her skepticism.
— I wouldn't be so sure. But I suppose it doesn't matter if we don't get result 1. In the end, we'll get result 3 and I'll gain both 50 class points and private points.
Horikita leaned forward, searching for a crack in my argument.
— So, if you already know the result, why do you want us all to aim for result 1? You could get class points, so I'm sure you're lying.
I wasn't surprised that she tried to analyze my motivation. I answered calmly, maintaining my position.
— Horikita-san, it's not good to limit yourself to only seeing what's in front of you. The reason I want us to aim for result 1 is that I want Kanzaki and Mako to also gain points. It will be a significant sum for them. Besides, class points are not my priority right now. As you'll see, my class has a solid advantage over the others, so I don't care much if I gain class points now.
I watched as Horikita realized she was trapped. Her eyes showed a mix of resignation and understanding. It was clear she couldn't escape the situation. If she refused, I would target the VIP, and if it turned out I was lying, the other groups would eventually discover the truth. It was checkmate for her.
— Fine, I'll do it if everyone present agrees to a no-betrayal contract for the VIP — she said finally, her voice filled with resignation.
I nodded, satisfied with her decision.
— I don't mind — I replied.
Ryuuen shrugged, indifferent.
— I don't care — he added.
Katsuragi, visibly tired, accepted with a simple:
— Fine.
We proceeded to record our promises of no betrayal for the VIP, as there was no paper available for a formal contract. Formality was less important than ensuring everyone's loyalty. When finished, Horikita announced that the VIP was Kushida Kikyō.
With a triumphant smile, we concluded the meeting.
— Well, it seems we've all made this contract. Still, we'll need to meet once more before the deadline to submit the results. I wish you all luck in the exam — I said, knowing I had achieved what I wanted and that the meeting results would be a topic of much discussion.
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As I left the room where I had just concluded the meeting with the Dragon Group, I couldn't help but smile at the lies I had told. "I don't care about class points," I had told myself, laughing inwardly. Of course, I did care. But now, it was time to see how the leaders handled the situation I had set up.
With my phone in hand, I sent a message to six people, each tasked with executing a specific task. Quickly, each of them began to act according to my instructions.
"The test has ended for the Rat group. Await the results."
"The test has ended for the Pig group. Await the results."
"The test has ended for the Goat group. Await the results."
"The test has ended for the Dog group. Await the results."
"The test has ended for the Rooster group. Await the results."
"The test has ended for the Snake group. Await the results."
I wondered what faces the leaders would make at the next meeting. The anticipation grew within me as I awaited the outcome. I was eager to see how they would react.