On the way back, the school changed the accommodation to spacious four-person rooms.
The moment Natsukawa Sosuke swiped his card and pushed open the door, Hirata Yosuke, who was making his bed, was the first to greet him.
"Ah, Natsukawa-kun, you're here."
Natsukawa looked around the new dorm. The remaining roommates included a muscular narcissist sitting by the window, affectionately combing his hair in front of a mirror.
And Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, an invisible man sitting by his bed with an expressionless face.
Natsukawa casually greeted them and tossed his luggage onto the only remaining empty bed.
"If you don't mind, I can help you make it."
Hirata didn't even give Natsukawa a chance to refuse, proactively coming over to help.
Seeing his warm-hearted demeanor, Natsukawa found it hard to say anything.
After they finished tidying up, Hirata suggested with a smile:
"Oh, right, to celebrate the end of the deserted island exam, Karuizawa-san and I are organizing a tea party later. Would everyone like to come?"
"Hmph, the Beautiful me only needs to enjoy my own time. I'm not interested in playing house with commoners." Koenji refused without looking back, continuing to indulge in his glorious beauty.
Ayanokoji said nothing, only looking at Natsukawa.
Hirata looked at Natsukawa somewhat awkwardly.
Natsukawa sighed, realizing this was what they were waiting for, and nodded: "I don't have anything else to do anyway, so getting a free drink isn't bad."
...It turns out that being a good person often comes with a price.
When Natsukawa followed Hirata to the outdoor cafe, he regretted it.
This wasn't a class-wide get-together, but more like a personal fan meeting for Hirata Yosuke.
Everyone present was female, primarily members of the small group led by Karuizawa.
"Yōsuke-kun~ Over here, over here!"
The moment Karuizawa Kei saw Hirata, her previously somewhat bored face instantly bloomed into a radiant smile.
As soon as Hirata sat down, he instantly drew all the girls' attention.
As for Natsukawa and Ayanokoji who followed behind?
Who are they? Oh, they seem to be Horikita-san's little hangers-on.
Karuizawa acted as if she had just noticed two more people were there, perfunctorily saying a few words with a hint of disdain in her eyes, as if to say "you're a bit superfluous." Then she immediately turned back to Hirata, "Hey, Yōsuke-kun, that ice cream looks so good, let's order that together, okay?"
Natsukawa, however, was happy to be left alone.
He ordered an iced coffee, sat in the outermost seat, and observed the scene before him through his sunglasses while sipping his drink.
Especially the center of attention, surrounded by stars—Karuizawa Kei.
At this moment, she was wearing fashionable casual clothes, exuding an arrogance of being at the "top of the class caste" in every gesture. She casually directed the other girls, enjoying the adulation of those around her.
That confidence, that flamboyance, that willfulness that immediately showed on her face if things didn't go slightly her way.
'Her acting is truly superb.'
Natsukawa secretly applauded in his heart.
Who could imagine that this arrogant "queen" had previously suffered nine years of bullying?
But at this point, she was ultimately just a parasite.
Once she lost her host, once this false protective color was stripped away, she would instantly revert to the pathetic creature trembling in a dark corner... The cruise life these past few days had been unusually peaceful.
In the buffet restaurant, Natsukawa was putting a piece of bacon into his mouth when the terminal on the table suddenly vibrated.
Not just him, but many students' phones around him also chimed with notifications.
[Special Exam Notification]
[Please gather in Room 204 on the second floor by 6 PM tonight. Lateness will result in severe penalties.]
'It's here.'
Natsukawa wiped his mouth, a slight smile playing on his lips.
If his memory served him right, this was the Benefactor Exam.
Just then, Horikita sent a message.
[Did you also receive the text message? Mine is tonight at 8:40 PM, Room 201.]
[I received it. But mine is at 6 PM, Room 204. It seems we've been separated.]
[Different times and locations... Is the school trying to break up the classes? What's the objective?]
[Who knows?]
[...]
...5:50 PM.
Natsukawa arrived on the second floor.
Pushing open the door, he saw a square table in the room, with three people already seated.
One was Teacher Majima, the serious Class teacher of Class A.
The others were the good student of Class D, Yukimura Teruhiko, and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
"Excuse me."
Natsukawa nodded to Teacher Majima and casually pulled out the chair opposite Ayanokoji to sit down.
"It seems we're in the same group, Ayanokoji."
"Ah, nice to meet you."
Time passed minute by minute.
Until one minute past six.
"Honestly... why did they call me to a place like this? They were supposed to meet up..."
With a complaint full of impatience, the door was pushed open.
Karuizawa Kei strode in.
However, when she saw the configuration of the room, the dissatisfaction on her face instantly froze.
A room full of unfamiliar men instinctively made her feel a hint of fear, but having lived in the top social circle of the class for a semester, she didn't show cowardice. Still, she bristled like a cat, using a sharp voice to mask her inner unease.
"Huh? Are you kidding me?"
"Why are all these gloomy, useless guys here? Where's Hirata-kun? Why isn't Hirata-kun here?"
"Karuizawa, you're late." Teacher Majima adjusted his glasses, his tone stern. "Sit down quickly."
"Tch... This is the worst."
Karuizawa clicked her tongue and reluctantly walked to the only remaining empty seat.
Teacher Majima ignored her attitude and got straight to the point.
"Since everyone is here, let's begin the explanation."
"This special exam divides all first-year students into twelve groups according to the 'Eto,' or the Chinese zodiac."
"You four, along with students from other classes currently receiving explanations in other rooms, collectively form the 'Rabbit' group."
"Huh? We have to be with people from other classes?"
Karuizawa immediately interrupted Majima loudly, crossing her arms with a look of displeasure. "Spare me. Being stuck with these gloomy guys from Class D is already bad enough, and now I have to mix with other classes? What's the point of this exam?"
"Quiet, Karuizawa!"
Yukimura opposite her clearly couldn't stand it anymore and said with a frown, "First, let the teacher finish explaining the rules."
"Huh? What right do you have to order me around? Bookworm." Karuizawa glared at him fiercely, but out of respect for the teacher, she reluctantly shut her mouth, though she continued to mumble things like "so annoying" under her breath.
Teacher Majima continued:
"Tomorrow morning at 8 AM, one student from each group will be selected as a 'Benefactor.' The core of this exam, simply put, is—to find the Benefactor."
"Starting tomorrow, for four days, with one day of rest in between. You will need to gather twice daily in the designated room for one hour of discussion."
"And on the last night, you will submit your answer to the school: who is the Benefactor."
At this point, Majima pointed to the printed paper on the table.
"Depending on the submission time and accuracy of your answer, four different outcomes will occur. This involves a huge amount of personal points and class points."
Natsukawa picked up the paper and scanned it.
The rules written on it were very complicated, but his mind had automatically translated them into plain language.
Printed on the front was the so-called "Peaceful Route":
Result 1: Answer only after the exam ends. If everyone answers correctly, each person in the group receives 500,000 points. The Benefactor receives double, which is 1,000,000.
Result 2: If even one person answers incorrectly or doesn't answer, the Benefactor alone receives 500,000, and everyone else gets zero.
'In other words, if everyone works together and keeps quiet until the end, everyone will be happy.'
'But how is that possible?'
Natsukawa flipped the paper to the back; this was the main event.
Result 3: If someone guesses the Benefactor in advance, the betrayer's class gains 50 points, and the betrayer personally receives 500,000. The Benefactor's class will have 50 points deducted. The game ends immediately.
Result 4: If someone guesses in advance but guesses incorrectly, the betrayer's class has 50 points deducted. The Benefactor, on the other hand, receives 500,000, and the Benefactor's class gains 50 points. The game also ends.
"What is all this messy writing?!"
Karuizawa threw the paper back onto the table after just two glances, looking agitated.
"So many words, my eyes hurt just looking at them! In short, I just need to find that Benefactor, right?"
"Don't mess around."
Yukimura adjusted his glasses. "If you guess incorrectly, our class will lose points. And if someone from another class guesses our Benefactor correctly before us, we will also lose points. This isn't just a personal matter."
"Ugh—this is so annoying!"
"Why make the rules so complicated? And why separate me from Yōsuke-kun? What's the point of this stupid discussion?"
She turned her head, looked at Natsukawa beside her, and said in a harsh tone:
"Hey, you. You must think this is boring too, right? You only ever follow Horikita around anyway, so this kind of brainy stuff isn't suitable for you, is it?"
Facing this sudden barrage, Natsukawa merely gave her a faint glance.
"If you can't understand the rules, then shut up and sit still. Nobody expects any contribution from you."
"Huh? Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?!"
Karuizawa slapped the table, as if her tail had been stepped on.
"Do you want me to tell the girls to ostracize you to death? You're just a nobody from Class D!"
"Alright, both of you, calm down."
Teacher Majima interrupted the argument.
"These are the rules. Tomorrow afternoon at 1 PM, all members of the same group must gather in the designated room. Dismissed for now."
As soon as he finished speaking, Karuizawa impatiently stood up.
"Finally over! Why am I always grouped with these useless people? What a waste of time!"
She pulled out her phone and hurried out, "Hello, Yōsuke-kun? Do you know who the school grouped me with? They're all useless people..."