chp3 part 5

The first time I visited Albert’s room.

He was much bigger than us physically, but the layout of the room was still the same.

Our rooms didn’t quite match up, as his was a bit unique.

A large American flag as well as a Japanese flag adorned the center of the room. Not only that, but flags of countless countries, such as China, Italy, and other African countries, though smaller in size, decorated a side of an entire wall. It wasn't just printed paper, but neat cloths, which gives a sense for his passion.

"That Albert is a big flag fan. Surprised?"

Ishizaki had probably been here a few times, as he cooly explained to everyone.

"That seems to be the case."

After releasing me, Albert urged me to sit.

After confirming that all four people were sitting, I decided to ask what they wanted.

"So, what do you three want?"

The three of them looked at each other.

Somehow, they all had happy smiles on their faces.

And then Ishizaki said, as the representative.

"Let's cut to the chase, here's my proposal.... Let's form a small group for the next special exam!"

As expected, it's about the special exam.

"Form...a group? Can you be a bit more specific?"

"That's exactly what it means."

"No... that's not what it means at all. I can't even see who I'm supposed to be teaming up with."

The number of people present was four, so there was one extra person. Other than that, Hiyori, being a girl, couldn't participate due to the gender ratio, so it was bound to be me grouping up with Ishizaki and Albert. Though, if that's not the idea here, then I don't get it either.

"With whoever you want? Whether it's me or Albert, or Shiina. In any case, it'll be a group with someone from our Class B."

What a bold negotiator.

In a sense, it was because it was Ishizaki that he made such a proposal.

"In other words, a case where I enter a group with 2 people from Class B?"

"Mhm. When the exam starts, you'll form the big group with the remaining three group team from Class B, so it'll be a perfect 6. Five from Class B, and 6 with Ayanokouji, so let's aim for first place!"

Such a great proposal could really move you to tears... but let's stay calm and talk about it first.

"Hiyori, did Ishizaki read the exam rules?"

"No?"

Hiyori didn't answer my question straightforwardly.

"If I'd interrupted, there would have been something I needed to correct within 5 seconds. But I feel like it's good to let him flow on.

Good, more like not.

Indeed, it was true that there was something that couldn't be understood 5 seconds in...

"I have a lot of questions, 2 of them... No, there are three points to consider. First off, when the special exam starts, there's no guarantee of an easy combination with your ideal group."

In fact, our class teacher had already told us that it was not an easy thing.

If I'd answered, "let's group up then", or "let's do it",  there's no point in merely forming a group of three at this stage. On the contrary, there were many disadvantages.

It's precisely because it's difficult to form a group during the official exam, that we had to make our free choices now.

"Really?"

Ishizaki was completely baffled, and with an incredulous expression, he tilted his head and sought an answer from Hiyori.

"If we organize it out, it'll look like this. Depending on the situation, we might have to work with a group we haven't thought about working with."

"What. I have no idea what that means."

"During the exam, there will be certain conditions necessary for groups to combine with each other, this will happen."

"What's that?"

If I'd known that, then it wouldn't have been this troublesome.

"I don't know the details. Judging from the school's explanation, there's no doubt that it won't be easy."

"But...Even if there are conditions, you'll have to prepare for the groups beforehand right?"

"Well, that's true."

"Then that's good. For the exam, just follow my advice, and prepare."

It's respectable that you're able to think so simply for this problem.

Hiyori also listened to Ishizaki's proposal with great interest.

"I can't help worrying about things I don't understand."

Was this the charm that Ishizaki Daichi possessed?

"And...The second point?"

It seems like they couldn't understand the first point, so I continued with the other points.

"Other than me, who else did you talk to? Or who else were you going to talk to?"

"We didn't tell anyone, and we don't intend to. Right?"

The two of them nodded their agreements with Ishizaki's statement.

"So that means it's only me. What's the reason?"

"Well of course it is. I think you're just as powerful as Ryuuen... No, if I had to say, it's because I think you're even more powerful than Ryuuen is right now. When you fight, you're strong as hell, and your mental agility even Ryuuen acknowledges. Plus, you got that perfect score in math in the spring exam. It's truly incredible. The one who gets Ayanokouji gets the exam, is that not enough of a reason to invite you?"

"High praise, Ayanokouji-kun. But my opinion is the same."

Albert also nodded without hesitation.

I wanted to ask three questions, and the fourth one was that I wanted to ask how much Japanese Albert knew, and how much he could speak. Although I haven't seen him in class, I think he uses Japanese to learn...

He doesn't deny that there's an intention to buy me off...

"So, the third... Is there any benefit for me? If I assume that the top places will be taken by Class B, then it's just you guys that benefit."

Even if the class points are split evenly, there'll be a big difference in the number of private points you got.

 "What, how can you be disadvantaged? If we're promoted to Class A, we'll give you 20 million points to come to our class, Ayanokouji. Right?"

Ishizaki continued, after answering confidently.

"In other words, you can get your class into Class A, or you can get our class into Class A. A 50% chance of graduating in Class A."

How about that? So that's the proposal he had in mind.

It's true that if all four classes had the potential to move up to Class A, the chance would be 50%, 2 in 4. But that wasn't actually the case. It's difficult to derive an accurate value because of the difference between strength of the classes.

It would certainty be advantageous to have another class I could move to.

"Do Hiyori and Albert have the same opinion."

"Yes. You're very welcome."

"YES."

Both of them agreed with Ishizaki's proposal as they understood it, huh. But in order to accept this troublesome proposal to a certain extent, I had to get to the core of the matter. So following my third question, I asked again.

"Was it Ryuuen's suggestion, or Ishizaki's arbitrary decision to invite me?

For the first time, Ishizaki, who had been answering with ease, had a tense expression.

"It's my own decision. Ryuuen knows nothing."

So it seemed to be an idea that Ishizaki had decided on himself.

Although I had thought about this beforehand, I didn't expect him to do something this absurd.

But, in this case, the absence of Ibuki, who had always been acting with Ishizaki, was understandable.

So Ishizaki's supporters were Albert and Hiyori?

"Have you ever thought about what would happen if Ryuuen found about about this?"

"Never thought about it! I don't even want to think about it! Even so... I've come to be aware of it."

Although Ishizaki was a bit scared, he tried his best to act strong.

"And in terms of rules, it's fine to join forces with the other classes, right? I judged that Ayanokouji was necessary, so I invited him. Is there something strange about that?"

That was true. If the class policy wasn't to just form groups within one's own class, Ryuuen would have no right to express his dissatisfaction with Ishizaki.

"The main objective of this special is to prevent the 2nd year student's class points to be taken away by the others. Of course, it's also necessary to aim for the highest overall ranking possible. For that, Ayanokouji is indispensable."

"That's right."

"Anyway, even though there's still places which I'm concerned about... I see what you mean."

"Then, can you join our group?"

"Although I don't think there's anything bad with inviting me, I can't agree to it immediately."

"Wh-why?"

"Because Ayanokouji-kun has his own class to deal with, right?"

Although Hiyori supported Ishizaki's plan, she understood the reason why I couldn't agree to it immediately.

"Also, I think that the conditions proposed to Ayanokouji are still too bad."

"Too bad... Isn't 20 million points enough?"

"It's not that. In terms of the amount alone, I think it's certainty enough. But, essentially, it's only the right to transfer to our class, right?"

"But we can't just give him 20 million and allow him to go to Sakayanagi's class."

If I could freely use the money Ishizaki gave me, I would of course choose to go to Class A at the end, so Ishizaki's plan to get me to strengthen his class wouldn't hold up.

"Also, Ishizaki-kun said that Ayanokouji-kun could team up with anyone from Class B, that's also a problem. The uninhabited island survival is not an individual battle. If you really wanted to get a top ranking, you'll have to work together with strong members of the group to increase your chances of winning."

Hiyori, who had only heard the gist of it, strictly pointed out the various inconsistencies.

At that moment, Ishizaki was sweating, and started to lie.

"Well... Anyone's fine for that!"

"If it's up to me to choose the small group... Hmm. Ryuuen-kun,  Kaneda-kun, and Ayanokouji-kun, those three. It's fine if Kaneda-kun is replaced by Yamada-kun, but Ryuuen-kun is an indispensable existence.

There are very few people who had the same commanding strength as him. He also had the boldness to create tactics that violate the rules without hesitation. He was the only one left in the uninhabited island exam last year, and there he lurked, unnoticed by everyone, and possessing both physical and mental ability. He's not someone you can miss. The other was Kaneda, who had the top academic skills in his class, or Albert, who prides himself on his iron first.

Indeed, if you wanted to maximize your odds of winning, choosing two of these three would be necessary.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Do you think Ryuuen will approve our plan?”

“I don’t think he will.”

“Right!”

“Kaneda also won’t defy Ryuuen and participate in a strategy that’s not ready yet.”

“Then what should we do?”

“This is not going to work. At least for now.”

“Well… That’s going to be a problem…”

Ishizaki crossed his arms after racking his brain, of course he couldn’t come up with a strategy.

“Today, we were able to convey Ishizaki-kun and our thoughts to you, and we’re satisfied with that.”

It seems this was Hiyori’s objective.

I knew from the beginning that forming a team wouldn’t be easy, that’s why it was important to know what people’s thoughts about forming a team were.

Perhaps Albert thought this was a reckless attempt too, and patted Ishizaki’s shoulder lightly.

“...I get it. Basically, if that’s the case, there’s no helping it…”

Although very reluctant, after listening to both opinions, Ishizaki also had an understanding expression.

“I don’t know if I can do what you want, but let me think about it.”

Under these circumstances, I think that answer was the best.

That being said, I didn’t plan to form a group with anyone at this moment.

This was because of Tsukishiro and the White Room student lurking in the 1st year.

The semester was almost over.

It was impossible to continue living through my school life this leisurely.

I’m afraid the next special exam will be the last face-off between me and Tsukishiro.

In other words, he may attack mercilessly.

Since it’s possible to get others involved if I form a group.

By then, if I’m the only one dropping out, it would be a minimum loss.

I confirmed that in my heart once again.