Ship
Suzuki and Kiyomi were sitting down as Suzuki took a drink of his water.
"Are you feeling better Horikita-Kun?"
"Huh? Um yeah. I'm feeling better now."
"That's good."
"So do you think that's the end of it? Special exams I mean. For now at least."
Kiyomi's legs were crossed as she took a sip of tea exuding an aura of grace as Suzuki blushed.
'The way she sits. It makes me feel like I'm talking to royalty.'
"It's too soon to tell for certain but I find that doubtful. This school is too troublesome to give us rest."
Suzuki sweat dropped.
'She's right thought. There's no reason to let our guards down yet.'
"So what should be do?"
Kiyomi stopped the cup of tea from touching her lips as she looked at him questioningly.
"What do you mean? There's nothing to do."
"Huh?"
"There's no way to properly predict or prepare for the upcoming test so the best thing to do is nothing. Right now it would be best to simply relax and make sure our minds are well rested for whatever is coming our way. Putting in excessive effort is the worst thing you could do right now."
Suzuki sighed.
"So I'm supposed to... relax?"
"I'd say yes but I don't really know how to do that either. Best thing is to do something that keeps your mind off it."
'Not able to relax... the more I talk to her the worse her past seems.'
"You're prying into my past in your thoughts aren't you?"
"Huh? Um no."
"Well, it doesn't matter."
Then suddenly they both got a notification on their phone.
"A Special Exam. Zodiac Exam Huh? Guess you were right Ayanokoji-San."
"Well now we can get straight into it."
Suzuki nodded.
"That's easier for me than relaxing."
"That's concerning you know."
Suzuki made an irritated face.
"It's more concerning that you don't know how to do it!"
Kiyomi smiled a little as Suzuki sighed.
'Getting to see her smile feels really nice.'
"Alright Ayanokoji-San. I'll see you after the first meeting."
Kiyomi nodded as they parted ways.
—————————————————————————————————————
Dragon Group
Suzuki sat down with Hirata and Kushida.
"Hi, Horikita-Kun."
"Hello Hirata."
"Hi, Suzuki-Kun."
"..."
"Hi, Suzuki-Kun."
"Hello... Kushida."
Hirata sweat dropped at this.
'Ugh. Why'd Kushida have to be here?'
Suzuki sighed taking a set further away from Kushida. Chie Hoshinomiya stepped into the room as warning signs fired off in Suzuki's mind. (I'm pretty sure Chabashira handled the Dragon Group but I changed it to enhance the plot.)
'This woman... is dangerous.'
Chie took the only seat left which was next to Suzuki as she eyed him with a smile.
"Woah. You're a pretty handsome boy. You must be pretty popular."
"..."
"You're not going to respond? You're so mean."
She said this while leaning towards him. Far too close for a teacher to get near a student.
'On second thought I'm glad I was placed in Class D. As long as she's not my teacher I'm satisfied.'
Kushida stood up.
"Um, Sensei. You're getting a bit too close to Suzuki-Kun. He'll feel uncomfortable."
Suzuki looked surprised.
'Hm? That seemed like she was genuinely worried. What's with hat?'
"Oh? Are you jealous?"
"Eh? No sensei. That's not it."
Chie smiled when Suzuki no longer held back putting his hand to her face and pushing her away.
"You're being highly inappropriate Hoshinomiya-Sensei. Not only am I a student but I'm also currently in a relationship with someone so please keep your distance."
Chie pouted but didn't pay too much mind to his words as she sat back in her chair and explained the rules of the special exam.
"The others in your group are going to be... Kōhei Katsuragi, Ryōko Nishikawa, Shinji Matoba, Koharu Yano, Sayo Andō, Hitomi Tsube, Masashi Sonoda, Takumi Oda, Hidetoshi Suzuki and..."
'Same name as me?'
"... Kakeru Ryuen."
'Ugh. Not him.'
Suzuki sighed thinking about the rules of the exam, attempting to stuff all of the rules into his head. He looked down at the notes he had taken.
'VIP... Guess them or protect them. It all depends on who is the VIP.'
Suzuki checked the notification and then came to his phone.
'It's not me huh?'
Suzuki clicked his tongue in annoyance. He walked out of the room as Kushida walked over to him.
"Horikita."
"Hm?"
"Get over here. Already. It's important to get over here already."
'She's not hiding that side of her.'
Suzuki walked over to Kushida.
"What is it?"
Kushida showed him an email.
"I'm the VIP."
"Why would you tell me?"
"I'm trying to coordinate."
Suzuki sighed.
"Something is different about you. Something good. Not too long ago I wasn't the type to believe people could change so easily but that's been proven wrong by the changes I've gone through."
"Horikita..."
"I don't trust you. But I'm willing to offer you my trust after some time."
"You're so fucking stuck up. I really hate you. But... I care more about being Kiyomi's friend than I have hate for you."
Suzuki raised an eyebrow.
"I see. Seems it's the same person for both of us."
Kushida sighed in an annoyed tone and nodded.
"I really wish she wasn't dating you. But I know she's in love so I won't do anything to jeopardize your relationship. But if she falls out of love I'll help her cut you off like a leech."
She said the last part while smiling like an angel.
"I really hate you Kushida."
"The feeling is mutual."
She also said this in an angelic tone.
—————————————————————————————————————
Deck
Suzuki walked over and stood next to Kiyomi.
"Hey, Horikita-Kun. Who are the ones on your side?"
"Kushida and Hirata, Kōhei Katsuragi, Ryōko Nishikawa, Shinji Matoba, Koharu Yano, Sayo Andō, Hitomi Tsube, Masashi Sonoda, Hidetoshi Suzuki, Takumi Oda, Hidetoshi Suzuki..."
"Same first name as you huh?"
"I noticed it as well. The last guy is... Kakeru Ryuen."
"Sotamura, Yukimura and Karuizawa."
"Do you think one of them is the VIP?"
"I don't know. What about you?"
"Kushida."
"Hm... then it's probably Karuizawa."
"Hm? How would you know that?"
"My theory is basically built on a stick leg. It can be knocked over by a single gust of wind."
"Tell me anyways."
"Basically it's in steps. First is the Group. Dragon Group is the 5th Zodiac Animal. If we look at everyone's last names then Kushida's comes in 5th when put in alphabetical order. In my group that position falls to Karuizawa."
Suzuki's eyes widened marvelling at her genius.
"You're incredible."
"Hm? Thanks."
She smiled a little but her smile disappeared when Ryuen stepped towards them.
"Hey there Kiyomi. Horikita."
"What do you want Ryuen?"
"Oh come now Horikita. The two of us are in the same group. We should be more friendly towards each other."
Ryuen pointed to Kiyomi.
"Sharing is part of being friendly too."
Suzuki got up grabbing Ryuen's collar in anger.
"I'll ask one more time. What do you want Ryuen? Tell me and then leave."
Ryuen kuku'd.
"I want our classes to partner up for this exam."
Suzuki marked a surprised expression.
"Why would we partner with you?"
"Because I already know who the VIPs are."
Suzuki made a surprised expression.
'Could he have figured it out? If that's true thinks won't en well for Rabbit or Dragon Group since both groups have our classmates as VIPs.'
"You know who the VIPs are? How would you know that?"
"The notification appears on everyone's phones right? Which means I just have to order all of my classmates to hand over their phones."
Suzuki made a shocked expression pushing Ryuen away.
"You're a madman. The punishment won't be light if you're fond out by the staff."
"Punishment? They're just following my orders. They're giving me their phones willingly. It's not like I coerced them."
Ryuen smirked.
"You are the worst of the worst."
Ryuen looked at Kiyomi and licked his lips.
"You're going to lose this exam Kiyomi. I'd like to see the look on your face when you lose. Try to show a reaction alright?"
Kiyomi sighed.
"I'd like to see you try to beat me."
Ryuen left as Suzuki sat down.
"There's something wrong with his head."
"Whatever it is it's certainly helped him figure out how to win this exam."
"Ayanokoji-San. What do we do now? With that kind of information, he'll definitely figure out the pattern."
"There's not much that can be done. There's only one thing that's garunteed to secure us a victory."
—————————————————————————————————————
Rabbit Group-Day 1
Kiyomi stepped out of the meeting room as she saw Kei being harassed by Manabe's group. She stepped in standing between them.
"You have no proof of her pushing over your friend. I'm afraid I can't allow you to continue with this."
Kei looked at Kiyomi a bit shocked as Manabe's group looked annoyed.
"Who the fuck do you think you are?"
"That doesn't matter. Leave before you no longer matter either."
Manabe could feel the coldness in her voice as she took her group away. Kiyomi turned to Kei.
"Are you alright?"
Kei nodded.
"I'm fine. You didn't need to step in."
"Can we talk somewhere else?"
"Huh? What are you on about?"
"Just humor me."
"Fine."
Kiyomi gave her a pepper with her number.
"I can get rid of them permanently. Call me if you need me."
Kei scoffed.
"I don't need you."
"Okay."
Kiyomi simply walked away without saying another word. She stopped around the corner and then saw Kei walking away. She followed her to see her meeting with Hirata.
"You should protect me."
"Of course I will. You're a friend and classmate but I won't resort to violence."
"Huh? Shouldn't you do these things for your girlfriend?"
"But we're not really dating."
Kei clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Fine then! I don't need you anymore!"
Kei storms off as Kiyomi approaches Hirata.
"Ayanokoji-san?"
"You two aren't dating huh?"
"So you heard it huh?"
"Well, I had some suspicions before as well. You two have never been all that close. Karuizawa barely ever talks about you and you both refer to each other by your last names even after this long."
"Haha. You're really perceptive Ayanokoji."
"Since you're faking it. She's most likely trying to achieve something. Maybe trying to protect herself. Like a parasite."
"Though I don't agree with parasite you are right. It's giving me goosebumps."
"I can handle it from here."
"Hm? You can?"
"Don't worry."
Hirata smiled.
"Alright. I'll leave it to you."
—————————————————————————————————————
Later
Kei walked up to Kiyomi.
"Um... Ayanokoji. Does your offer still stand?"
"Yes. If you want."
"Then. Please..."
Kei bowed.
"...help me."
"Sure."
Kiyomi told her the plan.
"Huh? Seriously?"
"It's guaranteed to work."
"Well alright. If this permanently gets rid of them I'd be glad."
"In exchange. I want you do to do something for me."
"Huh? Sure."
—————————————————————————————————————
Dragon Group- Day 2
Suzuki and Ryuen were about to enter the room when a notification rang. Ryuen took out his phone, and a look of shock appeared.
"What the fuck? What does this shit mean Dragon Group is finished? Rabbit Group as well?"
"Looks like you lose Ryuen. It wasn't my plan though of course."
Ryuen glared at Suzuki.
"Kiyomi huh?"
Ryuen gripped his phone tightly in anger as Suzuki smiled.
"It's all over Ryuen."
—————————————————————————————————————
Earlier That Day
Suzuki met with Kiyomi.
"How are things going on your end?"
"Fine. So who is the VIP?"
"Hirata."
Suzuki took out Hirata's phone and showed the email.
"Have you been able to protect Hirata?"
"Yeah. No one's figured it out yet."
A Class A student was nearby listening in.
"You can't let anyone find out Hirata is the VIP."
"I know."
The Class A student walked away as Kiyomi smiled.
"It's done. If Ryuen knows the pattern then there isn't a way to beat him. But there is a way to not lose to him. Not only that but to win. If Class A betrays the group first then Ryuen will not be able to guess Kushida. In addition with this in motion Katsuragi will end up guessing the wrong person."
"Do you think Katsuragi would do that?"
"Not usually but if it seems so obvious even he would bite."
"Then everything going forward is set in stone."
"Yes. Now I just have to finish things on my end."
Suzuki nodded.
—————————————————————————————————————
End Of The Day
Suzuki met with Kiyomi and sighed.
"You're seriously a genius. I've never met someone like you before."
"Genius isn't an accurate description of me."
"Seriously?"
"I wasn't always this smart."
"Huh?"
"There was a time I was called below average."
"You of all people?"
"I had to work hard but when I reached the top people started calling me a genius. I had no particular feelings on it but I'd prefer not to be called a genius."
Suzuki thought about this long an hard.
'Someone who's worked so hard. Calling someone like that a genius... is it just an insult to their hard work?'
Suzuki's eyes widened.
'Then... it was the same for Nee-san...'
[An adult approached the siblings.
"Makoto really is a genius."
The other adults nodded but Makoto didn't seem to show a reaction. If anything she seemed a bit irritated. Suzuki then spoke up.
"Nee-chan really is a genius. I wish I was like her!"]
"Horikita-Kun?"
"..."
"Horikita-Kun. It's not good to ignore your girlfriend."
"Oh. Sorry. I was just thinking about something."
Suzuki sighed.
'I think I understand now. About how Nee-san felt.'
—————————————————————————————————————
Back At ANHS
Chabashira stood at the front of the class smiling and drew up the results of the Zodiac exam on a whiteboard.
Class A: -250
Class B: 0
Class C: +100
Class D: +100
She then went on the write the new Class Point Totals
Class A: 874
Class B: 803
Class C: 592
Class D: 412
"A far more respectable position for Class D. Well done. It's surprising to see that you managed to go from the worst Class d's in history to a half decent on in only a few months."
Chabashira said this while eying Kiyomi. Kushida and Suzuki were also looking to her knowing she was responsible for all of this. Suzuki smiled.
'She's really more than a cutie. She's incredible.'
—————————————————————————————————————
To Be Continued
—————————————————————————————————————
Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
—————————————————————————————————————