Today was the exam, and the results of the *Paper Shuffle* were announced.
An unusual tension hung over the class.
"Now, I will announce the exam results," said Mr. Sakagami, our homeroom teacher, as he posted the results in front of the lectern.
The outcome was a defeat for Class B.
This was our first loss. Disappointed murmurs spread throughout the class. This wasn't a matter of strategy—it was purely a result of our own academic shortcomings.
"By the way, in the exam between Class C and Class A, Class A emerged victorious."
As the class atmosphere grew heavier, the teacher delivered another piece of news.
In other words, the current class points after this exam were:
- Class A: 1,032 CP
- Class B: 670 CP
- Class C: 665 CP
- Class D: 195 CP
Factoring in the CP increases from daily life outside of exams, these were the results.
Our defeat in the exam, along with Class C's loss, meant that Classes D and A each gained 100 CP.
Class D was one thing, but Class A pulling ahead left a strong impression.
This exam made the academic hierarchy of the grade clear. As things stood, we were at the bottom. Moving forward, it was possible that other classes would target us in future academic-based exams.
The class had now fully grasped their position.
Mr. Sakagami left, and the after-school period began.
The class turned their eyes toward Ryūen. He had been quiet until now, but the moment he noticed their gazes, his usual smirk appeared.
"You all need to be more alarmed. This loss was purely due to a gap in academic ability."
Unlike usual, he spoke not from the lectern but from his seat, addressing the entire class.
"The only reason we didn't fall to Class C this time was luck. If Ichinose had won, we'd have happily been demoted."
The classmates remained silent, their eyes fixed on Ryūen.
"Well, that's enough lecturing. Now, onto the next issue..."
His smirk vanished, his sharp gaze piercing through the room.
Without another word, Ryūen sat on the teacher's desk, looking down at the class with an oppressive aura that froze the air.
"I've had a bad feeling from the start. And this exam confirmed it... There's someone in Class D who thinks like me."
The class widened their eyes at his words.
Everyone in the grade knew that, on the surface, Class D was led by Horikita and Hirata. But no one had ever heard of someone with Ryūen's mindset operating in the shadows.
From this exam, Ryūen had reached a conclusion: there was a spy in his class.
What followed was Ryūen's hunt for the traitor. He began inspecting every classmate's phone.
"Nothing suspicious here, huh?"
Ryūen must have sensed something off since the uninhabited island exam. Back then, Class D's low ranking drew little attention, but their points were impossible unless they had targeted another class.
*"Heh, so they don't plan to reveal themselves."*
As Ryūen spoke, he played an audio file sent by the mastermind X from Class D. It contained a recording of Ryūen explaining his strategy from before.
"Well then, what will you do, spy? You already know X has been contacting you while keeping their identity hidden. I'll welcome a confession even now. If you admit it here... But."
Ryūen stepped down from the desk, locking eyes with each student one by one.
"You know what happens if you make me angry, right?"
He moved slowly, meeting each pair of eyes. The most efficient way to smoke out the spy.
Then, he stopped in front of one female student.
"What's wrong? Can't look me in the eye?"
"Ah... I... I..."
Her breathing was ragged, her body trembling so violently she looked on the verge of tears.
"It's you, isn't it, Manabe? The spy in this class."
The classmates were stunned by the unexpected revelation. Ryūen stared at her again.
"Don't look so scared. You're the type who can't keep secrets anyway."
"S-Sorry... I'm sorry..."
"Don't worry. I'll forgive you—so talk. Tell me the identity of X, the one who manipulated you—no, all of you—into betraying us."
His gaze shifted to the girls who were often with Manabe. Their faces quickly turned pale.
"First question. Do you know who gave you the order to betray us?"
Manabe and the other three shook their heads.
"Then next. Tell me why you betrayed us."
Manabe and the others exchanged glances.
With expressions on the verge of crying, they began recounting what happened on the luxury cruise—how they had mistreated Karuizawa, how they had figured out she had been bullied in the past, and how they had retaliated with violence.
They told Ryūen everything.
"Last question. Did anyone see you at the scene back then?"
Rather than interrogating them, he watched their fearful expressions as Manabe slowly spoke.
"Th-The ones who saw us then were... Yukimura-kun and Ayanokōji-kun... from Class D..."
The two names that surfaced displeased Ryūen—X had left such an obvious trail. But as he analyzed the two figures, a surge of fighting spirit enveloped him.
Typing a message on his phone, Ryūen finally spoke.
"Who the hell are you?"
....
After Ryūen finished exposing the spy, I got summoned by him.
The meeting place was a karaoke room—soundproof, free of surveillance cameras, practically tailor-made for someone like Ryūen.
Even he must've realized that the classroom wasn't the right place to talk after what happened. He didn't call anyone else, which meant he was dead serious this time.
"Kept you waiting?"
"Doesn't matter. Just sit the hell down."
When I entered the room, Ryūen motioned for me to sit. I obeyed without resistance, and he spoke.
"I let Manabe and the others off with just losing their private points. At least we've got a lead on X now. What do you think about X?"
At his words, I took a moment to think.
––––––It's about time.
"I think you should deal with them immediately."
"...The hell?"
Maybe because I rarely spoke up like this, Ryūen let out a slightly surprised sound.
"You're probably the only one who's noticed X. That means they're skilled enough to stay hidden. A dangerous person like that is better handled sooner rather than later."
"..."
Ryūen Sō, you're strong.
"...I was planning on playing around with X anyway."
I'd say you've grown even more since the first semester.
*"Heh. If you're saying that much, maybe it'll be a little fun."*
––––––But there's something you lack.
"They've got some nerve messing with me like this. I'll make sure to return the favor."
This is your turning point.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll use the whole class to hunt down Mastermind X."
This incident might be where your growth stops.
"Heh. No idea who they are, but they better not expect this to end easy."
But if you can fully accept this experience…
"The hunt for X begins now."
…then you'll grow even stronger.
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