After reading through the test, Shirogane Kaguya frowned.
This reading comprehension… was oddly clever.
At first glance, the story itself was familiar—a tale that included quelling a rebellion, a foolish court, sworn brothers, and whipping the inspector. Anyone acquainted with Romance of the Three Kingdoms would instantly recognize it as the famous "Angry Whipping of the Inspector" episode. Naturally, the "eldest brother," "second brother," and "I" in the passage corresponded to the classic characters Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms was widely popular, even in Sakurajima. Most elementary school kids could name at least one famous anecdote from it. Kaguya, raised under the rigorous Shirogane family education, had a deep familiarity with the work. She had even attended lectures by masters who specialized in studying the text. With just the names of Liu, Guan, and Zhang, she could effortlessly identify all the correct answers.
But… should it really be that simple?
Though Kaguya had never met Hara Kei, her maid and various rumors had given her a sense of his character. Would someone like him so easily let a test turn into a trivial exercise?
Her eyes fell on the very first line of the paper: "Read the passage below, then choose the correct answer and explain your reasoning."
!!!
Could it be…?
It seemed that Kaguya had a sudden realization. She carefully scanned the entire sheet again, absorbing every detail.
Finally, a small smile appeared on her lips.
Unlike her usual "cold and distant" smile, this one conveyed amusement.
She hadn't met Hara Kei yet, but through this test, she had already gained a glimpse into his mind.
No wonder the Student Council wanted him…
"Have you solved it?" Fujwara Chika asked tentatively, noticing the smile tugging at Kaguya's lips.
"Yes, I've solved it," Kaguya replied. Seeing Chika fidgeting, eager to speak, she shook her head. "Don't worry, I didn't use that method."
All three present knew exactly what that method referred to. Using such a popular story was clearly Hara Kei's intention—a deliberately planted trap.
Immersed in the satisfaction of decoding the puzzle, Kaguya explained with a tone of delight: "There are two tricks in this reading comprehension."
"The first trick—the order of the questions is a trap." She pointed to the first question. "Most people would tackle them in order. But if you do that, you've already stepped into the trap."
"Looking only at the passage, the first question is impossible to solve. The four options appear out of nowhere—there's no basis in the text. The passage doesn't describe the 'second brother' at all, and the 'I' narrative, how the three brothers lived, or whether they ultimately achieved greatness—it's all absent."
"But that doesn't mean it can't be solved," Kaguya continued, pointing to the very top of the sheet. "The author has already left a clue."
Read the passage below, then choose the correct answer and explain your reasoning.
She emphasized the words 'below'.
"That's the second trick," Kaguya explained. "Most people would assume 'below' refers to the passage itself. But here, it means exactly what it says—the text below this line. In other words, it includes both the story and the questions with their options."
Kaguya glanced at Yukinoshita Yukino and Fujwara Chika, both listening intently. Yukino's expression remained calm, but Chika's face lit up with delight. Kaguya knew her reasoning was correct.
"Once these two tricks are understood, the breakthrough lies in the third question. Only this can be answered using the text," Kaguya continued confidently. "The answer is C, determined by elimination. The passage doesn't explicitly describe the second brother, but A, B, and D can clearly be ruled out."
"'Eldest brother' didn't brood after being made county magistrate; the text clearly states that 'I' didn't regret my actions; and if gifts had been prepared in advance, the inspector wouldn't have flown into a rage."
"So, we gain a new piece of confirmed information: the third question's answer is C."
She pointed to option C: "The second brother, though odd in appearance, possessed unparalleled courage and was the eldest's right-hand man."
"Then, returning to the first question, one option directly contradicts this new information—option A: 'The second brother was weak and incompetent; "I" and the eldest looked down on him.'"
"This question asks for the incorrect choice. Since A is incorrect, B, C, and D are all correct. Just like that, three useful pieces of information are unlocked at once."
"Next, the fourth question is a multiple-choice. The answers are B and C."
"From question one, option C described 'I' scaring off pursuing forces, while D contradicts the first question's B option about 'wandering for a long time.' Both are wrong. Therefore, A and D become the correct choices."
"As for the second question, with all the clues gathered, it's trivial. The answer is D, as A, B, and C contradict the information already acquired."
With that, Kaguya had completed her analysis.
She took a few breaths, a faint blush on her fair face. Speaking at length wasn't her usual style, but Hara Kei's puzzle suited her perfectly—and she had a compelling reason to join the Lamb Club.
She gestured as if to declare her work done, looking at Yukino and Chika, who had been quietly watching her. "So? Did I pass?"
"Of course," Yukino replied with a slight smile. Chika's grin was broader, her joy evident at her friend having successfully navigated the challenge.
And just like that, the Lamb Club grew from three members to four.
Shirogane Kaguya's plan's first step was complete.