Class A: -200 Class Points; 0 Personal Points.
Class B: -100 Class Points; 500,000 Personal Points.
Class C: +300 Class Points; 4.5 Million Personal Points.
Class D: -50 Class Points; 1 Million Personal Points.
After this VIP exam, the class points were:
Class A: 924 points. Class B: 866 points. Class C: 792 points. Class D: 259 points.
They were only about 60 points away from Class A. However, they were also only about 70 points away from falling below Class C.
Although they had guessed the Dragon Group's VIP, Class B had been wiped out elsewhere, while Class C had undoubtedly achieved an overwhelming victory.
If a traitor existed, it was indeed Class D.
However, Class D's -50 result confused Hikigaya.
If all three Class D VIPs had been guessed correctly, it should have been -150.
If the Monkey Group on the first day had been a Class D victory, it should have been -100.
...this result.
It could only mean that one group in Class D had a "VIP" (Target).
And they successfully remained hidden.
"This is getting troublesome..."
Watanabe shook his head helplessly and said, "I didn't expect Class C to catch up so quickly."
"Don't worry," Shibata comforted him. "Aren't we just one step away from Class A ourselves?"
"I suppose so."
Watanabe sighed and nodded. "I just wonder how Ryuen managed to do it."
"There is only one possibility," Kanzaki said solemnly. "Someone from Class A and Class D betrayed their class for the sake of private points."
"Class A? That's impossible, right?"
Shibata said skeptically, "They are already in Class A. They just need to defend their throne. There's absolutely no reason to betray the class for private points."
"That is true..."
Kanzaki pondered for a moment and nodded. "However, I met Sakayanagi once. She is a quite dangerous person who would satisfy her own private desires even if it harmed the class's interests."
"No way?"
Watanabe grew even more confused. "Could a person like that really receive the support of her class?"
"Yeah, it does seem impossible."
Kanzaki nodded in agreement after thinking it over. Hikigaya, lying on the bed, listened to their conversation.
A person who blatantly sells out the class's interests...
Cannot possibly receive the class's support.
To find out who all the VIPs in the class are, one must necessarily gain a certain level of trust within the class.
Even if there were one or two exceptions...
It is impossible for such a large number of people to be willing to risk falling from Class A just to sell out class interests.
The judgment still pointed toward Class D.
"Um..."
Hikigaya couldn't hold back anymore. "Why don't you guys consider the possibility of a traitor in Class B?"
Although he didn't think there would be a traitor in Class B either, it was a bit much not to even discuss it.
"How is that possible?"
Shibata said, somewhat speechless, "Class B can't have a traitor."
"And the reason?"
"The reason?"
Shibata rubbed his chin and thought, "Because everyone gets along very well. I don't think anyone has any dissatisfaction with this class, right?"
"Furthermore," Watanabe added, "the gap between us and Class A isn't that large. No one would betray us, right?"
"Those don't really count as reasons, do they?"
Hikigaya said, exasperated. "Anyway, I feel like Ryuen and Katsuragi aren't weak. Even if we rise up, there's a chance we'll fall back down."
"In that case, wouldn't it be unsurprising if someone aimed to save up 20 million private points and wait until the very end to move up to Class A?"
He felt like he was nitpicking a bit.
But he felt these guys were far too optimistic.
Because everyone gets along well, no one will betray?
What kind of nonsense logic is that.
The world isn't made up of bad people cast from a "villain" mold.
Usually, they are good people—at least ordinary people—who turn into bad people at a critical moment. That's what makes it scary.
"I think that's unlikely."
Kanzaki turned to look at him. "In Class B, you might be the only one who hasn't handed over your private points to Ichinose for safekeeping."
"So let me ask you, Hikigaya: Are you the traitor?"
"No..."
Hikigaya's mouth twitched.
I see. Since the money was handed over to Ichinose, it really is impossible for a traitor to appear.
Although he felt this attitude of having zero suspicion toward their own class wasn't great—not even considering it—since they had even surrendered their private points, there really didn't seem to be anything to suspect.
The person most likely to betray the class was actually him.
Fine.
Whatever you guys say.
"Right," Kanzaki said with a slight smile. "Hikigaya, it's not that I don't understand your concerns, but so far, I've always felt Class B is the best class, and Ichinose is the most outstanding leader."
"For now, let's just work hard together."
"Fine."
Hikigaya lay back on the bed indifferently.
There are many smart people in this world; he wasn't the only one with concerns.
But at the very least, Ichinose had indeed done a good job.
This time, it was just that Class D somehow had a traitor, but they were still only one step away from Class A.
Everything seemed fine.
The next day.
The exam ended, and the cruise ship was sailing back to port.
Hikigaya enjoyed his vacation as usual, stepping onto the deck to head to the top-floor cafe.
A beautiful figure caught his eye: Ichinose was standing alone by the railing at the stern, gazing out at the sea.
It was rare to see Ichinose alone; she was never short of friends. More importantly, the trace of sorrow on her face was hard to ignore.
"What are you doing?"
Hikigaya stepped forward and asked.
Regardless of the circumstances, surely this girl wasn't thinking of jumping into the sea.
"Ah, Hikigaya-kun?"
Ichinose snapped out of it, scratched her hair sheepishly, and asked, "Do you need something?"
"No."
Hikigaya hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I just saw you looking a bit down and came to check. Am I bothering you?"
"Eh? Not at all!"
Ichinose waved her hands hurriedly. "In fact, I'm quite happy that Hikigaya-kun took the initiative to talk to me. It's just..."
Hesitating for a moment.
Ichinose turned back to gaze at the sea, a bitter smile on her lips.
"After hearing your reasoning, Hikigaya-kun, I roughly guessed who the Rabbit Group's VIP was. I was almost certain, but... in the end, I didn't submit the answer to the school."
"That's very much your style, Ichinose," Hikigaya nodded.
Considering the cooperative relationship between Class B and Class D, even if Ichinose knew the answer, she likely wouldn't backstab Class D.
"But..."
Ichinose pursed her lips and spoke softly, "When I saw the results, I couldn't help but feel some regret... If I had submitted the answer then, would Class B have lost 50 fewer class points? If so, we might have been able to rise to Class A in the next exam."
Looking at the dejected face before him, Hikigaya realized he might have misunderstood something.
Ichinose wasn't as strong as she appeared.
She also felt self-blame and loss.
However, in Hikigaya's view, this was due to Ryuen's strength and the emergence of a traitor among many other reasons; Ichinose didn't need to blame herself for it at all.
However.
Having a strong sense of responsibility...
Is one of the essential elements of being a leader.
No one would want to follow a person who refuses to take responsibility for the organization.
"How should I put this..."
Hikigaya chose his words carefully. "Didn't you say as long as everyone works hard together, it's fine? If we lost this time, we'll just win it back next time."
"You're right."
Ichinose seemed to cheer up again, revealing a brilliant smile. "As long as we win next time. Thank you, Hikigaya-kun. It's really good to hear you say that. By the way, what are you doing here?"
"Nothing," Hikigaya explained. "I was just heading to the cafe."
"I see. Then I won't bother you. Thank you again, Hikigaya-kun."
Ichinose thanked him once more, then waved and turned to leave.
Watching her departing back, Hikigaya sighed helplessly.
He really didn't know how to comfort people. If he did, he'd probably be the class favorite by now.
Ichinose was clearly just putting on a brave face, not wanting him to see her fragile side.
However.
With such a strong heart, she truly didn't need him to worry.
Back at school.
Class B was dismissed on the spot.
Although they were about to be caught by Class C, they were still only one step away from Class A.
This defeat seemed to have only strengthened Class B's determination.
Everyone was promising how hard they would work. In the past, Hikigaya would have completely believed they were just paying lip service.
But regarding Class B...
Hikigaya didn't know if it was true or false, so he just returned to his room alone to rest.
There were still more than fifteen days left of summer vacation.
Without Komachi around...
Hikigaya didn't have high demands for material life.
But with so many private points, he wasn't going to mistreat himself.
The next day.
Hikigaya left his room and headed to Keyaki Mall, wanting to enjoy himself.
Keyaki Mall.
Unlike when school started, several buildings in the mall were now covered with plastic construction sheets.
Looking at this scene and hearing the shouting and hammering nearby, Hikigaya suddenly felt a bit excited.
This was likely the school adopting his suggestion to set up hidden shops in the mall to improve student happiness... and incidentally, the quality of life for the faculty.
If he guessed correctly...
There should be a new ramen shop inside!
He just wasn't sure which brand-name shops the school would allow to move in.
However.
Based on this renovation pace and the trial operation phase...
It would probably take another month or two.
The efficiency of the Sakurajima government was truly low. Hikigaya arrived at the cinema feeling slightly dissatisfied.
In his spare time...
His leisure activities consisted of watching movies and occasionally borrowing books from the library to read in his room or the clubroom.
Hikigaya skillfully walked to the counter.
He chose a B-movie.
Usually, these low-budget films didn't have many viewers.
But occasionally, one could find a hidden gem.
He looked at the seat in the bottom right corner—unfortunately, it was taken. Helplessly, he looked at the bottom left—taken too. All four corners were taken.
Hey—
Why do Sakurajima people love corner seats so much?
If someone launched corner-seat-themed merchandise, it would surely be a hit.
Perhaps because the exams just ended...
Only this one movie was showing currently. Even a B-movie had quite a few viewers.
After hesitating for a moment...
He chose the third seat from the bottom right, leaving one empty seat between him and the person in the corner.
He bought a can of MAX Coffee.
Hikigaya entered the theater and found his seat.
The person two seats over was already there. In the dim light, he could only tell it was a girl with short hair, but her fierce gaze was unforgettable.
"Uwah..."
Hikigaya couldn't help but make a sound of distaste.
Wasn't that Mio Ibuki from Class C? He remembered her being super aggressive.