"I didn't mention that Kei is a privileged student because our class's ultimate goal is also to reach Class A. Morishige will likely betray us since he's not part of the Katsuragi faction. He'll probably turn against us."
As Saiki was about to leave, Ichinose Honami quickly spoke up, as if explaining something.
"I see."
Saiki paused and replied.
Should I act more surprised?
Just then, they received a message from the school.
"Rabbit Group exam concluded."
Hmm, the traitor must've sent the message, huh?
Saiki glanced at his phone screen, wondering how Class A managed to reach their position. The school's class ranking system seemed different from what Chabashira had explained earlier.
Class D wasn't entirely made up of misfits, and Class A wasn't all high achievers.
Not that it matters to me.
Saiki thought, then left the meeting room, feeling a sense of relief.
Finally, a real vacation!
After Saiki left, Ichinose seemed lost in thought. Saiki's lack of concern about the exam didn't seem fake, but she was certain he'd done something.
"Earlier, I found it strange... The grouping system is supposed to be consistent. I should've been in the Dragon Group, but I ended up in the Rabbit Group..."
Ichinose frowned, muttering to herself.
"Maybe... Saiki is the reason I was placed in this exam."
...
Meanwhile, in the teacher's office on the ship.
"The exam results are quite surprising."
C-Class homeroom teacher Hoshinomiya Chie poured a cocktail, smiling at the stern-faced Chabashira Sae beside her.
"What are you planning, Chie?"
Chabashira narrowed her eyes at the cheerful Hoshinomiya.
Unlike Chabashira, who seemed detached, Hoshinomiya was deeply invested in her students, almost like a friend.
"Oh? What did I do?"
"School policy usually places class representatives in the Dragon Group, right?"
Chabashira's point was clear: why wasn't Ichinose in the Dragon Group?
Teachers could adjust student placements in special exams. Ichinose, who should've been in the Dragon Group, ended up in the Rabbit Group—with Saiki and Ayanokōji.
Chabashira knew a bit about Ayanokōji, who'd told her Saiki wasn't special. Yet, she still felt curious about Saiki.
"I'm not joking—Ichinose is top in grades and attitude, but social adaptability can't be measured by numbers alone. I thought she needed more challenges. Plus, rabbits are cute, right? Hopping around—doesn't that suit her?"
"If that's the case, I'll let it go. I've already forgiven past issues."
"Who knows? You always have to one-up me, so you put Ichinose in the Rabbit Group, right?"
"I genuinely thought Ichinose needed to learn something, so I removed her from the Dragon Group. And, Sae, I'm curious why you care about Ayanokōji—it's just a coincidence! I don't care that your class won the last exam. Really!"
Hoshinomiya suddenly narrowed her eyes.
"And not just Ayanokōji—there's Saiki too. You're interested in him, especially since he shouldn't be in your class. He should've been in ours, like how Sakagami forced Ryūen into his class. And I don't care that the former leader was replaced due to illness. Class D went from the bottom to Class B in four months—unprecedented!"
"While not against the rules, it's unethical. I'd rather not report a colleague's misconduct."
Chabashira's expression turned serious.
"I just think this year's students are exceptionally unique!"
"True."
For once, they agreed.
...
After dinner, Saiki returned to his room, thinking about his vacation plans.
Then, a familiar voice reached his door—Karuisawa Kei.
[Saiki must be here. Did Manabe apologize because of him? What did he do?]
Saiki heard Kei's thoughts clearly.
If there's nothing, I'll pretend I'm not here.
"Saiki probably likes cakes and puddings. I brought some. If he's not in, I'll take them back."
As Kei hesitated to knock, Saiki opened the door.
"Huh? Saiki?"
Kei was caught off guard.
"I heard noise outside, so I opened the door."
"Oh... I brought you some sweets!"
Kei handed Saiki the bag.
"If you're grateful... tenfold return is fine..."
Kei was conflicted. She was grateful to Saiki but maintained her queen-like demeanor.
"Thanks."
Saiki took the bag, glancing at the contents.
"Did you do something about Manabe?"
Kei asked curiously.
"No. You apologized, so Manabe had no reason to keep bothering you."
Saiki replied slowly.
Kei bit her lip, unconvinced. Saiki sat down, placing the sweets on the table.
[So fast!]
Kei couldn't help but exclaim.
Saiki looked at the sweets, then at Kei.
"Want to eat together?"
"I..."
Kei hesitated but nodded, sitting beside him. She kept glancing at Saiki eating.
[Saiki looks so different when eating... Kind of... cute?]
...
Kei's thoughts snapped Saiki back to reality. He quickly controlled his expression.
His phone buzzed. It was a school message: "Special exam results released."
Saiki knew some classmates were discussing the results, but he didn't want to join.
"Who's messaging?"
Kei asked, leaning forward to see Saiki's phone.
"School exam email. Didn't you get it?"
"My phone died. I haven't been back to the dorm since the meeting."
Kei shook her head.
"Here, take a look."
Saiki handed her the phone. He already knew the results.
Kei scanned the text:
Rat Group: Correct traitor answer—Result 3.
Ox Group: Incorrect traitor answer—Result 4.
Tiger Group: Privileged student hidden—Result 2.
Rabbit Group: Incorrect traitor answer—Result 4.
...
Pig Group: Correct traitor answer—Result 3.
Class and individual points adjustments:
A-Class: -200cl, +2M pr
B-Class: +50cl, +3M pr
C-Class: No cl change, +2.5M pr
D-Class: +150cl, +5.5M pr
Saiki's D-Class gained points, ranking second. They were close to A-Class. The biggest winner was Ryūen's class.
Kei wasn't sharp. She couldn't understand how D-Class, previously last, achieved this.
"Huh?! D-Class is the biggest winner?"
"Seems like it."
Saiki nodded. He knew Ryūen collected everyone's phones to identify the privileged student and collaborated with Kushida from B-Class.
Kei looked confused. After reading, she closed the message. The phone's home screen appeared:
Name: Saiki Kusuo
Student ID: ...
Birthday: August 16
[Saiki's birthday is in a few days?!]
Damn, Kei saw something she shouldn't.
Saiki didn't expect Kei to notice his birthday. Birthdays weren't a big deal for him. For others, they came with surprises and gifts. For Saiki, surprises never existed—another reason he saw his powers as a burden.
[Few know Saiki's birthday. I'll prepare a surprise! He'll be shocked!]
Kei smiled.
Sorry, no surprise if you think that.
Saiki thought.
"It's late. I'm leaving!"
Kei stood, waved, and left.
"Geez, what a hassle."
Saiki sighed, shaking his head.
"At least we're going back to school tomorrow... Hopefully, the rest of summer break goes smoothly... No more weird stuff. Half the break is already over... I just want to stay home and do nothing."
...
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away, at a government building.
A tanned young woman with a stunning figure processed paperwork.
"The Advanced Nurturing High School... Student registration is closed, but I can enter as a vendor or staff. They say the school has everything. Maybe I'll open a small fortune-telling shop!"
"I foresee my soulmate there—initials S.K., incredibly talented... I wonder what he's like!"
She smiled to herself.
"Excuse me, are you Mikoto Aiura?"
A uniformed staff member approached.
"Yes!"
"Your fortune-telling shop application is approved. A ship will take you and other staff to the school soon. Your shop location and details are in this handbook."
"Great! Thanks!"
Mikoto smiled.