Class A: 924 points (-200 class points, 0 personal points)
Class B: 866 points (-100 class points, 500,000 personal points)
Class C: 792 points (+300 class points, 4.5 million personal points)
Class D: 259 points (-50 class points, 1 million personal points)
The gap between Class B and Class A is now only about 60 points. However, Class C is just 70 points away from overtaking Class B.
Although Class B guessed the preferential candidate of the Dragon Group, they were completely wiped out. Class C, on the other hand, achieved a significant victory.
But something felt off. If all three of Class D’s preferential candidates had been correctly guessed, the penalty should have been -150 points. And if they won the Ape Group’s first day, it should still be -100 points.
This result suggested that Class D had successfully hidden a preferential candidate.
"This is going to be troublesome..." Watanabe shook his head, his voice laced with frustration. "I didn’t expect Class C to catch up so quickly."
"Don’t worry," Shibata replied, trying to comfort him. "We’re only one step away from Class A."
"True," Watanabe admitted, sighing. "But how did Ryuuen manage to do it?"
"There’s only one possibility," Kanzaki said calmly. "Someone in Class A or Class D betrayed their class for personal points."
"Class A? No way," Shibata argued. "They’re already at the top. Why would anyone betray their class for personal points?"
Kanzaki considered this and nodded. "True... I’ve only met Sakayanagi once, but she’s dangerous. The kind of person who’d harm her class’s interests to satisfy her own desires."
Watanabe looked even more puzzled. "Can someone like that really be supported by their class?"
"Probably not," Kanzaki agreed. "But we still can’t rule out the possibility of a traitor."
From his bed, Hikigaya listened to their conversation. They were completely dismissing the possibility of a Class B traitor.
"What about the possibility of a traitor in Class B?" Hikigaya asked.
Shibata laughed it off. "Impossible. We all have good relationships. Why would anyone be dissatisfied with this class?"
"And we’re so close to Class A," Watanabe added. "Nobody would betray us now."
"Those aren’t real reasons," Hikigaya muttered. "Just because people get along doesn’t mean betrayal is impossible."
Kanzaki looked at him thoughtfully. "Hikigaya, you’re one of the few people in Class B who hasn’t handed over your personal points to Ichinose for safekeeping. So, tell me—are you the traitor?"
"No..." Hikigaya replied, his mouth twitching.
The truth was, everyone trusted Ichinose enough to hand over their points. Maybe their faith in her wasn’t misplaced, but their absolute trust was still unsettling.
"See?" Kanzaki said, smiling. "Hikigaya, I understand your worries. But I genuinely believe Class B is the best class, and Ichinose is the most outstanding leader."
"Whatever you say..." Hikigaya shrugged and rolled over on the bed.
The Next Day
The exam was over, and the cruise ship was heading back to port. Hikigaya went to the rooftop café to relax but noticed Ichinose standing alone by the rail, staring sadly at the ocean.
"What are you doing?" he asked as he approached her.
"Hikigaya?" Ichinose turned, looking embarrassed. "Did you need something?"
"No, just saw you standing here looking down. Figured I’d check if you were thinking about jumping."
"Haha, no, nothing like that," Ichinose replied, scratching her head awkwardly. "I was just... thinking."
She looked out at the sea again, her expression conflicted. "I think I figured out who the preferential candidate from the Rabbit Group was, but I couldn’t bring myself to submit the answer."
"Very Ichinose-like," Hikigaya remarked, nodding.
"I regret it, though..." she admitted, her shoulders drooping. "If I’d reported it, Class B wouldn’t have lost fifty points. We could’ve been promoted to Class A in the next exam."
Seeing her vulnerable side was a little surprising. Despite her usual bright demeanor, even someone like Ichinose felt self-doubt and blame.
"It’s not your fault," Hikigaya said. "We lost this time, but we’ll win next time if everyone works together, right?"
Ichinose brightened a little, her smile returning. "Yeah. Thanks, Hikigaya. It’s nice to hear that from you."
She waved goodbye and walked away, her mood slightly improved.
Watching her leave, Hikigaya sighed. "I really suck at comforting people..."
Back at School
Once everyone returned to school, Class B was officially dismissed. The narrow gap between Class A and Class B seemed to motivate everyone even more.
While others were making promises to work harder, Hikigaya simply went back to his dorm. He had a lot of personal points now and intended to treat himself a little better.
The Next Day
Hikigaya headed to Keyaki Mall, noticing several buildings covered with plastic sheets for renovation.
Looks like the school took his suggestion seriously about improving students’ happiness and quality of life. It seemed like new shops were being set up—hopefully, a decent ramen shop.
With a sense of anticipation, he made his way to the cinema. Most of the popular seats were already taken, so he settled for a spot in the lower right corner.
He bought a can of MAX coffee and entered the screening room, only to notice the person sitting next to him was someone he recognized.
Short hair, fierce eyes—Ibuki Mio from Class C.
"Ugh..." Hikigaya groaned. Of all people, why her?
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