But that was just her style. Who knew which class might come up with such a brilliant idea next?
It made sense that Houtarou was now collecting enough points — 20 million — to protect himself.
"We'll have three days before returning to school." Houtarou told Arisu, relaying Teacher Tomonari's announcement after the VIP exam about their extended rest period.
This meant she would have to wait three more days at school before seeing them again.
[Indeed. School is so boring without Oreki-kun around. There's no one worth competing with.]
No one worth competing with... What had she been doing at school then?
Houtarou decided not to pursue this line of questioning. His Precognitive Dream had shown that he and Arisu would date in the first semester of second year, and then... she would drop out due to pregnancy.
But ten years into the future, it was Suzune who truly won.
So who was his true love?
And so, Houtarou, uncertain of his heart's true direction, dreamed of Kikyō that night.
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The school ship Speranzaa sailed onward through vast expanses of blue ocean on both sides.
No one minded the ship's navigation or which small islands it circled. These next three days would be a genuine vacation in the truest sense — no exams to worry about, no mental tension to maintain.
"It's such a relief we didn't get expelled..."
"Getting 250,000 points at once means we can shop to our heart's content."
"Wait… didn't Hirata-kun say the school will take back our points when we graduate?"
"So we should save them up."
"Hey, this beats working part-time outside!"
"Yeah, I want to graduate with a nice sum of money!"
The Class D first-years were in high spirits, their motivation soaring.
The idea of saving had emerged. Yōsuke had successfully conveyed the importance of saving money to the Class D students.
Nearby, Houtarou noticed Airi adjusting her camera, her pink twin-tails swaying as she moved. She had always enjoyed taking selfies and capturing beautiful scenery.
He would have accompanied her if he had free time. She had been invaluable during the VIP exam, especially when he borrowed her phone to gain leverage after Kikyō blocked him.
He checked his phone.
"Sakura-san, I'll have to excuse myself now."
"Eh? Mm-hmm." Though disappointed she'd lose her photography model, Airi quietly accepted his departure.
But who was he going to meet?
⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟
Houtarou was heading to the theater.
On his way downstairs, he encountered Rokusuke, who had just emerged from the swimming pool, dripping wet.
"Sir, please don't get water all over the stairs."
As usual, Rokusuke was causing trouble for the staff.
Water pooled wherever he walked, soaking the floor beneath him.
"Haven't you heard? There's a saying about water-blessed men, and I am one such man." Rokusuke laughed, "Besides, I've never dried myself off since I can remember."
The exasperated staff member had no choice but to dry him with a long towel.
"Not bad at all, I'll give you my autograph as a special treat later."
"Autograph?" The staff member looked puzzled.
"Of course, my signature." Rokusuke said confidently, "Don't look so surprised — I'm going to be a man who carries Japan on his shoulders. Be ready to welcome me on a ship then, and not just this cruise ship. Something far more grand and noble!"
The staff member remained confused.
Naturally — he had no idea that the Rokusuke before him was the sole heir to a famous financial group, destined for great success.
"Oh, if it isn't Oreki-kun."
The future successful man spotted Houtarou coming down the stairs.
"I know all about your plan this time." He said, "I figured it out when Hirata informed everyone. That's why you came to me before — you didn't know the VIPs from other classes, so you approached me to create an opening."
He believed Houtarou had used him to obtain Class C's VIP names and deduce the pattern.
"That's not entirely correct." Houtarou said, "Before it began, I had already teamed up with Horikita. When she collected your phones, I already knew the identities of three VIPs from Class D. I came to you to verify that information."
Rokusuke fell silent.
He understood now. Back then, he had thought the Suzune girl was simply working hard to maintain their points from the island exam. This revelation changed things.
So Houtarou's initial strategy had been to pursue the Big Money Plan and claim half of all students' points.
This meant he must have discovered the VIP pattern very early. After all, attempting Result 1 without knowing the pattern would have required gathering VIP information through spies — clearly not the approach the school intended students to take.
But Rokusuke's attention was now elsewhere. Houtarou's insight was even more impressive than he'd first thought, making him an even more desirable potential subordinate.
"So then." Rokusuke said, "With the names of three VIPs from my class plus three from yours, how long would it have taken you to figure out the pattern?"
"My classmate Arisu deduced the pattern." Houtarou replied.
"No." He shook his head, "I mean, if you were to deduce it yourself, how long would it take?"
How long? Would it be time-consuming?
Not really — there was a technique to it.
It was similar to Base 41 in the island exam, where finding the checkpoint and scanning your card earned 50 bonus points. Discovering that checkpoint meant understanding the exam took place on an artificial island.
Likewise, the VIP exam was about thinking. Once you understood there was a pattern to the VIPs, deducing it became straightforward.
In other words. When you list out the names, it would be a very simple pattern.
"Probably about a minute and thirty seconds." Houtarou estimated.
Rokusuke let out a soft chuckle and fell silent. He knew it would take him much longer to solve the pattern himself. Houtarou's quick analytical ability was exactly what one would expect from someone exceptional.
"So, Oreki, want to join me in becoming someone who will carry Japan on their shoulders?" Rokusuke extended the invitation.
"No need, absolutely no need." Houtarou replied immediately.
After all, this guy was the heir to a financial conglomerate — his invitation clearly meant joining the company.
As someone wise once said, working was out of the question. And Houtarou had no desire to work.
"Is that so? But you'll come looking for me someday." Rokusuke said meaningfully, "You're quite popular with the ladies right now, and if you want to resolve this situation properly and openly, there is a way. And my Kōenji Financial Group is indispensable for that."
With a hearty laugh, he walked away while the bewildered staff member hurried after him with the towel.
Meanwhile, Houtarou continued toward the theater, seemingly unaffected by the encounter.
However, standing on the deck in the distance, a handsome young man with refined features had been watching the scene.
This was Kiyotaka Ayanokōji from Class D.
Though he had been nearby the whole time, he maintained such a low profile that his classmates treated him as part of the background.
But that suited him fine — he had gathered some interesting information.
Was Rokusuke pointing out Houtarou's weakness?
Popular with ladies. Weakness. The need to handle things properly and openly.
Kiyotaka concluded this must refer to polygamy.
As heir to a financial conglomerate, Rokusuke wielded enough political influence to push through such proposals. If implemented, society would accept exceptional men having multiple partners.
As for Kiyotaka's own situation — "that man" (his father) had been active in politics before. "That man" expected, or rather demanded, that Kiyotaka surpass him and reach the highest position.
Having left the White Room, Kiyotaka knew his father wouldn't give up easily and would soon send people after him.
He had missed his chance for absolute safety, but that didn't mean he was helpless.
Consider this: even though his father wouldn't give up and would send people in, even though future exams might become more challenging, someone else had already secured a position at the school.
Houtarou Oreki.
Following Rokusuke's logic, if someone needed to implement polygamy, couldn't he be the one to do it?
Perhaps this was his escape route — especially since he knew these three years of freedom were all he had.
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