Chapter 12: Four-Way Thread
It was 2:45 AM.
The Purge Control: Expulsion Exams continued.
Across the freshman year, four classes sat trapped within their own battles, each moving toward a different fate.
---
Class 1-C
The newly promoted Class 1-C was already descending into chaos.
Satoshi sat at the circular table, irritation visible on his face.
"Come on," he snapped. "If the Dealer doesn't reveal themselves, we're all screwed."
Nobody answered.
The room remained tense.
Students exchanged suspicious glances.
Some stared at the floor.
Others watched their classmates carefully, trying to identify the hidden Dealer.
The Dealer, however, remained silent.
The irony wasn't lost on Satoshi.
His class had finally escaped the bottom rank.
They had become Class 1-C.
Yet despite the promotion, nothing had truly changed.
They still argued.
They still distrusted each other.
They still behaved exactly like the Class 1-D they had been only minutes earlier.
The exam had barely begun, and already the room was fracturing.
---
Class 1-B
Class 1-B wasn't participating in the exam at all.
At least not yet.
The entire class stood outside the nurse's office.
Inside, Kaito sat casually on a chair while the school nurse treated Shinko's injuries.
Shinko's nose had bled heavily.
Several bruises covered his body.
Two fingers had been dislocated.
The nurse looked between the two boys in disbelief.
"Are you both insane?" she asked.
"What made either of you think this was a good idea?"
Kaito shrugged.
"It was a testimony of honor."
The nurse immediately scoffed.
"It's always something with you ranked students."
She continued working while shaking her head.
"The non-ranked students are far more polite."
"They don't cause trouble."
"They don't start fights."
"They aren't nearly as insane as you people."
Kaito looked at her.
"No wonder they're boring."
The nurse ignored him.
Outside the room, the rest of Class 1-B watched quietly.
Inside, Shinko suddenly laughed.
A cough escaped him before he spoke.
"Fine."
"I'll become your asset."
Kaito raised an eyebrow.
Shinko's smile widened.
"But understand this."
"The second I see hesitation..."
"The second I see you abandon logic..."
"I'll be there."
"To deliver the finishing blow."
The room became silent.
Kaito glanced at his own left hand.
His wrist remained wrapped.
Shinko had injured it during their fight.
Confusion briefly crossed Kaito's face.
"You landed a hit."
"You fulfilled the condition."
"You won."
He stared directly at Shinko.
"So why submit now?"
"Do you have an ulterior motive?"
Shinko laughed softly.
"Of course."
His eyes narrowed.
"Kaito Sugimura."
"Let's use each other."
"Let's ensure we both reach the endgame."
For several seconds, Kaito simply observed him.
Then a grin appeared on his face.
"Very well."
He extended his hand.
"Shinko Sukamo."
"You'll be Class 1-B's wildcard."
The two shook hands.
Neither trusted the other.
Yet both understood the value of an alliance.
---
Class 1-A
Class 1-A entered their examination room.
The atmosphere was considerably calmer than in the other classes.
At least on the surface.
Ichika crossed his arms.
"Alright."
"Who's the Dealer?"
Silence.
Nobody responded.
Nobody moved.
Nobody volunteered.
Ichika laughed.
"Oh."
"I get it."
"So you're all trying to play the long game."
His smile sharpened.
"The coup isn't over."
Several students looked away.
Kenji stepped forward.
"How pathetic."
"We expected better from you."
His gaze swept across the room.
"Fine."
"If that's how you want to play."
"I'll make an example of the leader."
"You'll learn not to challenge the Student Government."
Then a hand settled gently on his shoulder.
Kenji froze.
Not because he was afraid.
Because he immediately recognized who it belonged to.
Hina.
She stood behind him with her usual calm expression.
Her voice remained soft.
"That won't be necessary."
Kenji remained silent.
Hina continued.
"Fighting Ryōichi would be a death sentence."
"He's better than you."
"And besides..."
She moved in front of him.
Then gently tilted his chin upward.
Toward the corner of the room.
Toward the camera.
Everyone followed her gaze.
The surveillance system watched silently.
Hina smiled.
"We all know what happens if the cameras see us condoning violence."
The room quieted immediately.
No one wanted additional penalties.
Naoki finally stepped forward.
His voice remained calm.
"Do you all remember when I returned from Barcelona two months ago?"
Several students nodded.
"I asked for one thing."
"Your compliance."
He folded his arms.
"I never asked for loyalty."
"I never asked for friendship."
"I only asked that you cooperate."
Ryōichi stared at him.
Then asked a question.
"Do you even know Class 1-A's goal anymore?"
Ichika answered immediately.
"To crush the other classes."
"To win."
Ryōichi's expression hardened.
"Then explain the Survival Gauntlet."
"You abandoned Kenji and Reika."
"You let them cheat."
"How is that victory?"
Ichika laughed.
The sound echoed throughout the room.
"You still don't understand."
Ryōichi frowned.
Ichika's grin widened.
"The cheating wasn't the point."
"It stirred the other classes up."
"It created conflict."
"It made everything more entertaining."
Several students visibly recoiled.
Ryōichi stared at him.
"Is this all just a game to you?"
Before Ichika could answer, Reina spoke.
His voice was calm.
Measured.
Cold.
"You don't have the right to question them."
A red light briefly flashed from the camera.
A warning.
The room instantly fell silent.
No one wanted the administration's attention.
The students slowly put on their blindfolds.
One by one.
Soon every face was covered.
Then they waited.
For the Dealer.
For fate.
For luck.
---
Class 1-D
Meanwhile, the newly demoted Class 1-D had already begun the game.
The students sat around the circular table.
Blindfolds covered every face.
The room remained completely silent.
Several minutes passed.
The guards entered.
Cards were distributed.
The hidden Dealer moved among them.
No one knew who it was.
No one knew where the dangerous cards had been placed.
Eventually the Dealer returned to their seat.
The instructions ended.
The students removed their blindfolds.
A collection of cards rested on the table.
Face down.
Waiting.
One by one, students selected their cards.
No one spoke.
No one smiled.
No one trusted anyone.
The countdown began.
"Ten."
"Nine."
"Eight."
"Seven."
"Six."
"Five."
"Four."
"Three."
"Two."
As the final seconds passed, Kei's eyes drifted toward Mei.
Something felt wrong.
Most students looked nervous.
Afraid.
Uncertain.
Mei did not.
For the briefest moment, he saw it.
A glimmer in her eyes.
A faint smile.
Small enough that nobody else would notice.
Then Kei followed her gaze.
She was looking at Hiro.
Not at Hiro himself.
At the card in front of him.
And she looked pleased.
Very pleased.
The final count echoed throughout the room.
"One."
The cards were revealed.