The hallway was buzzing with footsteps as groups disbanded from their first official Zodiac meeting. Conversations spilled over—some hushed, some sharp—while the Class A students strode ahead like soldiers following orders.
Among the crowd, my phone vibrated softly.
Airi Sakura: "M-Miyamoto-kun… if you're free, can you meet me at the bow of the ship? It's getting crowded here and… I'd feel safer if it's just us…"
I paused, my thumb brushing the screen. Airi's messages were never bold. She wrote as if apologizing for existing, every word hesitant.
I sent back a simple reply.
"On my way. Stay there."
The bow was quieter than expected. The sea stretched endlessly, sunlight scattered across waves like shards of crystal. Standing by the rail was Airi Sakura, her usual timid posture magnified by the open expanse around her.
When she spotted me, she brightened slightly, though her hands fidgeted with the hem of her cardigan.
"M-Miyamoto-kun… thank you for coming."
"No problem. What's wrong? You sounded… uneasy."
She lowered her gaze, clutching her phone tightly. "I've just been… anxious since the test began. I don't really understand how to handle it, and my group… well…"
From her bag, she carefully pulled out a slip of paper—the group list. She held it out with both hands, almost like it was something fragile.
Cow Group:
Class A: Yasumi Sawada, Naoki Shimizu, Haruka Nishi, Kenta Yoshida
Class B: Yume Kobashi, Yui Ninomiya, Norihito Watanabe
Class C: Hiroya Tokitō, Yūji Nomura, Mariko Yajima
Class D: Kanji Ike, Airi Sakura, Ken Sudō, Chiaki Matsushita
"I… I don't know how to deal with them. Ike-kun and Sudō-kun are noisy, Matsushita-san is calm but distant, and the others… I'm scared of messing up."
Her voice trembled, words spilling faster as though she had been holding them back since the test started.
I scanned the list, committing names to memory. Patterns already formed in my mind.
Cow Group, huh. That explains the pressure she's under. Too many volatile personalities. But… I already know who the VIP is.
I folded the paper carefully and returned it to her. "Don't worry, Sakura. I'll step in when the time is right. Just act natural. You don't need to shoulder everything yourself."
Her eyes widened. "Eh…? You'll really… help me?"
"Of course. Trust me."
She clutched the paper to her chest, relief softening her expression. The anxious trembling eased slightly.
For a moment, the sound of waves filled the silence between us. Then she smiled—a small, fragile smile, but real.
3. Rabbit Group – Second Session
Later, I walked the halls alone until the second round of discussions began. This time, the atmosphere in the Rabbit Group's room was sharper, the lines already drawn.
Ichinose once again stood tall at the center of it. "We don't have much time, so let's focus. We need to discuss how to figure out the VIP. Working together is still the best path."
Yukimura adjusted his glasses, nodding. "I agree. Remaining passive won't bring us closer to identifying anyone. We should at least attempt analysis."
Across from them, Karuizawa slouched in her chair, fiddling nervously with her phone. "But… can we really figure that out just by talking? People can lie. We could end up chasing shadows."
Her doubt spread unease.
Machida from Class A seized the opening. "Exactly. The VIP has no incentive to reveal themselves. They'd rather stay hidden and pocket the points. Could be anyone—even one of you from Class B."
Ichinose's eyes narrowed slightly. "And the same could be said for you. Why should we believe Class A isn't playing both sides?"
Machida smirked, his confidence radiating like a shield. "Because we don't need the reward. Class A students already receive a hundred thousand private points every month. Why would we bother risking betrayal for something we don't need?"
The jab landed. Several students from Classes B and D shifted uneasily.
Kiyotaka remained silent, watching. His eyes weren't on Machida, or Ichinose, but on Karuizawa. Her thumbs tapped at her phone, her posture tight, distracted.
She's acting differently, he thought. Not like her usual loud, carefree self. Something's off.
Time ticked by. The discussion made no headway. And as the hour ended, Class A rose in unison, leaving without hesitation, their silence strategy still unbroken.
"Wait—" Ichinose called out, turning to Kiyotaka. "Ayanokoji-kun. You haven't said much. What are your thoughts?"
He looked at her evenly. "I'm the type to sit back and relax during exams like this. For now, I'll watch."
Her smile stayed warm, but her eyes lingered, measuring. "I see. Thank you."
The session ended, but the tension lingered. As students dispersed, Kiyotaka moved deliberately, his pace unhurried until he caught sight of Manabe and her Class C companions heading for the elevator.
"Manabe."
She turned sharply, suspicion already etched into her face. "What do you want?"
"I overheard earlier about Karuizawa." His tone was calm, neutral. "Just thought you should know—I saw her push that girl at the café. Looked deliberate."
The words were a lie, clean and cold.
Manabe's eyes sharpened, interest flashing. Her friends exchanged glances.
"…Is that so?" she said slowly.
Kiyotaka's expression didn't waver. "Just giving you a heads-up."
The elevator doors slid open. They stepped inside, their whispers quick and sharp before the doors shut.
Kiyotaka turned away, his gaze unreadable. Pieces are moving. Now let's see how they fall.