The afternoon sun cast a pale glow across the ship's corridor as Kiyotaka Ayanokoji walked toward the Rabbit group's designated room. His pace was unhurried, but precise — arriving ten minutes early, just as planned.
The door clicked softly behind him when he stepped in. The room was quiet, only the hum of the air conditioner filling the air. He took his seat, his expression as unreadable as ever.
Moments later, the door swung open again. Karuizawa Kei slipped inside, her blonde hair catching the light. She dropped into the chair next to him, immediately pulling out her phone, thumbs dancing across the screen. After a few minutes of silence, she pressed her phone to her ear, speaking quickly with someone on the other end.
When the call ended, she leaned toward Kiyotaka, her voice soft and hesitant.
"…Hey, Ayanokoji. You're not the VIP, right?"
Kiyotaka blinked once. "No."
And just like that, Karuizawa nodded. "Okay. I believe you."
His eyes lingered on her, faint surprise flickering in their depths. No hesitation. No attempt to double-check. Just blind acceptance. Trust without proof. Dangerous… but useful.
He brushed it off, leaning back in his chair. This test isn't about honesty. It's about leverage. If Karuizawa can't lie well, she might still serve a different purpose. I just need to find out how useful she really is.
Soon, the rest of the Rabbit group filtered in. Class A's trio of Takemoto, Machida, and Morishige sat together as always, their posture radiating distance. Karuizawa hesitated, then stood, drifting toward their side. She slipped into the seat next to Machida.
Machida, calm and composed, offered her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll cover for you."
Her relief was visible, though she tried to mask it.
On the other side of the room, Honami Ichinose reached into her bag, pulling out a neat deck of playing cards. Her cheerful smile lit the tense atmosphere.
"Well, since we've got time, why don't we play a game? We'll all get to know each other better this way."
Beppu and Hamaguchi readily agreed. Even Sotomura, with his awkward demeanor, leaned in. Kiyotaka joined without comment, sliding a card into his hand.
Ichinose's eyes flickered, watching not the cards, but the way each student handled themselves. Machida's stony resistance. Karuizawa's nerves. Yukimura's stiffness. And Ayanokoji's calm detachment. She's observing everyone, Kiyotaka thought. Using the game as cover.
For the rest of the hour, laughter and frustration bubbled lightly around the table as cards slapped down. To the casual eye, it looked like harmless fun. To Ichinose, it was reconnaissance.
When the meeting ended, Class A left first, silent as statues.
Ichinose gathered her cards, smiling at Kiyotaka. "I'm going to talk to Katsuragi. Want to come along? Since Horikita's in the same group, maybe we can ask her something too."
Kiyotaka nodded. "Sure."
They made their way to the Dragon group's room. After ten long minutes, the door opened. Kohei Katsuragi stepped out, his stern gaze locking immediately onto Ichinose.
"You're looking for me?"
"Yes," Ichinose said warmly. "I want to ask you about your strategy."
Katsuragi's arms folded. "There's nothing to discuss. My strategy is simple — silence. If no one speaks, there's no betrayal."
"But doesn't that just lock the standings where they are?" Ichinose countered gently. "It only benefits Class A. The other classes fall behind."
"That is exactly why I won't change it," Katsuragi replied without hesitation. "As Class A, it's my duty to protect our lead. You'd do the same if you were me."
Her smile faltered slightly, but she didn't back down. "Even so, I thought there might be room for compromise."
"There isn't." His answer was firm, final. "I will not endanger my class for the sake of others."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving silence in his wake.
Ichinose exhaled softly, then gave Kiyotaka a rueful smile. "Guess that was a no."
"You knew he wouldn't change," Kiyotaka said.
"Yeah," she admitted, shrugging lightly. "But I had to try."
They waited outside, Ichinose explaining she also wanted to speak to Suzune Horikita. Nearly thirty minutes passed before the door opened again. Kushida Kikyo emerged, her smile bright but her eyes flickering with recognition when she saw them.
"Ayanokoji-kun? Ichinose-san? What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for Kanzaki and Horikita," Ichinose replied kindly.
"Oh! They're still inside with Ryuen." Kushida tilted her head. "I'll let you in."
The door opened, revealing Ryuen lounging with his usual confidence. Kanzaki and Horikita sat across from him, their expressions tense.
"Well, look who it is," Ryuen said smoothly, eyes glinting. "Ichinose, and Ayanokoji tagging along. Just the audience I wanted."
He leaned forward, grin widening. "How about a deal? Let's crush Class A together."
Horikita's eyes narrowed. "You expect us to believe you?"
"Believe? No. Use me? Absolutely." Ryuen chuckled. "I already know every VIP in Class C. With that, and a little cooperation, we can topple Katsuragi's fortress. Share your VIP info with me, and we'll all win. Simple."
Ichinose's smile faded. "I can't. You hurt my classmates before. How can I trust you now?"
Ryuen shrugged. "Because I deliver results."
Suzune's voice was sharp. "Or because you'll betray us the moment it benefits you. No. I won't agree."
Ichinose echoed her refusal, gentler but firm. "Even if it's tempting, it's too risky."
Ryuen sighed, standing. "Hmph. Too bad. But remember — when Class A walks away with everything, you'll regret saying no."
With Ibuki trailing him, he strode out. Kushida slipped away soon after, answering a call from her friends.
The room quieted, leaving Ichinose, Kanzaki, Suzune, and Kiyotaka together. Discussion followed — Ryuen's schemes, Katsuragi's stubbornness, the fragile alliances hanging in the balance. Suzune eventually excused herself, walking away with quick, clipped steps.
Ichinose turned to Kiyotaka, her eyes warm but steady. "Walk with me?"
He agreed. They paced slowly down the corridor, the hum of the ship surrounding them.
"I want your cooperation," Ichinose said quietly. "Between Class B and Class D."
Kiyotaka glanced at her, but stayed silent.
"I'll be honest with you." She stopped, turning to face him. "I'm not the VIP. And I don't intend to play dirty. I want my class to win fair and square."
Kiyotaka's brow twitched, almost imperceptibly. She revealed it so easily? Honesty as strategy… or just who she is?
She smiled faintly at his surprise. "I like to be straightforward whenever I can. Lies eat away at trust. And trust is what holds a class together."
Kiyotaka finally spoke. "…Neither Yukimura nor I are the VIPs. I can't say for certain about Sotomura or Karuizawa yet."
"Then that's enough." Ichinose's relief was clear. She pulled out her phone and called softly, "Hamaguchi, can you come here a moment?"
Within minutes, Tetsuya Hamaguchi arrived. Ichinose explained the situation quickly.
"I see," Hamaguchi said with a calm nod. "That's fine then. I'm not the VIP either."
The alliance solidified, fragile but genuine.
From the cafeteria balcony above, I watched the corridor below as Kiyotaka, Ichinose, and Hamaguchi talked. Words still echoed in my mind.
Class A hides behind silence. Ryuen pushes brute force. Ichinose builds with trust. Horikita edges cautiously forward. And Ayanokoji… quietly manipulates from the shadows.
A grin tugged at my lips.
Good. Let them all play their roles. While they look at each other, I'll keep pulling the strings where no one's watching.