Since I had essentially a 1 billion dollar cruise ship all to myself, I did various things such as getting a relaxing massage, going on the water slides, and reading in the library. Though the library could not be compared to the one back at school, it was not to be underestimated as it was probably 5 times the size of the library back in middle school.

Thinking of it, this school is supposed to prepare us for the workforce, but isn't it spoiling us? Some students do nothing to contribute to their class, yet they receive over 50,000 yen monthly. Instead of being punished for dropping out of an exam, I enjoy a billion-dollar yacht.

This school really is a mystery.

It was the 5th day since the island exam had started, and I was sitting in the airconditioned library, fully immersed in my book. I noticed Hyori on the other side of the library reading, but since she didn't approach me, I assumed she wanted to be left alone. That was until I felt someone breathing on my neck.

Turning around, I saw a flustered Hyori standing behind me.

"a-ah, s-sorry, I-i j-just wanted to see what book you were reading."

Showing her the front side of the book, I responded.

"Ah, I was reading "I Became a God in a Horror Game." It's quite interesting, but I think it might be a bit too dark for your taste."

Hyori's expression did a 160 as she was now smiling as bright as the sun. This girl really loves books, doesn't she?

"Ah, do you mind if I?"

I scooted over on the beanbag and patted the spot beside me. She happily sat down and began reading my book over my shoulder. As we continued reading, I slowly became more and more distracted, and I could see her expression change whenever an event in the book occurred.

For example, whenever Bai Liu, the main character, came close to dying (quite often), her expression darkened. Still, when Bai Liu inevitably saved himself through some master plan, she immediately changed her expression to confusion as she began to think of how he did it.

After about five minutes of glancing between the book and her face, I realized there was no way I would be able to focus. I mean, anyone would be distracted. We were so close that I could feel her body touch me from the side, and any sudden change in her breathing was noticed by me.

Weren't we a bit too close for our relationship? I didn't necessarily consider us friends as we didn't talk publicly at all, but she had become one of the closest people to me in the school through our shared interest in reading.

*CRASH*

The ship tilted to the right due to the impact of some waves, and Hyori and I lost our balance. While I fell right onto the floor, Hyori landed on me.

I could feel her soft and silky white hair flowing onto my face. Her hair's scent, roses, immediately filled up my nose, and I felt like I was in another world. Looking down at my body, I could see her dark blue eyes staring at me while the rest of her face was covered by my clothes. Her eyes, as dark as the ocean's depths, made me feel like I was in a trance.

Hyori, who was lying on top of me, seemed to be immobilized as I could feel her heartbeat increasing, and her erratic breathing could be heard.

Was she scared?

After regaining my composure, I slowly lifted myself from the ground and sat against a nearby bookshelf. On the other hand, Hyori looked like she had a fever, as her face was completely red. Seeing me stare at her, Hyori covered his face in her clothes like a cat, wrapping itself up with a blanket.

"a-are you ok, Hyori?"

"y-yeah, sorry, I was just scared for a moment there."

See, she was scared. That's it. Wait, who am I convincing here?

In an attempt to dispel this awkward mood, I stood up and said.

"It was nice reading with you, but I'm going to go eat something."

I decided not to invite her for two reasons. First, the entirety of Class C was on the cruise, and seeing how she ignored me earlier, I doubted that she wanted to reveal that she had some relationship with me. Second, honestly, I didn't think I could concentrate on the food if she sat across from me.

I offered her my hand, and she quickly stood up. After ensuring she was ok, I walked out of the library and headed to the buffet.

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The next two days on the cruise ship passed by without any problems as I continued my daily schedule.

Seeing that the exam was ending, I headed to the cruise ship's deck to confirm something.

[A leader can't be changed without a valid reason]

That obviously means you can change your leader if there's a valid reason. With these, you could make the other classes lose 50 class points by tricking them with the identity of your leader. Though I figured it out, I was curious about whether Ryuen or anyone else, for that matter, knew about it.

Looking at the massive island in front of me, I spotted a small tent with a nurse's symbol on it. Inside, I saw the Class D teacher, Chabashira. After about an hour, it started to get cold, so I was considering getting a jacket, but at the same time, I didn't want to miss anything interesting.

Finally, I saw two figures approaching the nurse's tent.

Did they figure it out?

Upon looking closer, I saw two familiar faces. I saw Ayanokoji princess carrying Horikita and handing her over to the teacher. Then, focusing everything on my eyes, I saw the teacher hand Ayanokoji something that resembled the color green.

A KEYCARD!

Did he figure it out? Really, a Class D member out of all people?

After that scene, I waited outside the cruise ship for another hour, but surprisingly, no one else showed up. To say I was disappointed was an understatement.

Has only one member of Class D figured out this trick? If used correctly, this trick could win you the special exam alone.

Sighing, I headed back to my dorms, and before sleeping, I set an alarm to announce the points. Since it was Class D, I still had some doubts about whether Ayanokoji figured it out, but at the same time, there was no way Horikita conveniently got injured on the last day of the exam.

Did another class help them?

Ignoring the countless questions within my head, I drifted off to sleep.

----

Upon hearing my alarm the next day, I immediately got dressed and headed back outside to the deck to hear the point announcements. Alongside me, the rest of Class C were also waiting patiently.

I almost laughed when I saw Class A, B, and D's faces when Ryuen emerged from a bush. He looked like he had aged at least 10 years within the past 5 days, but I guess he seemed reenergized upon seeing the confused faces of the other classes.

Then, the Class A teacher pulled out his speakerphone and began speaking.

"I will now reveal the exam results. Class C came in last with zero points!"

"PFFT*"

This guy, Ryuen, spent five days alone surviving on the island to gain 0 points. While I almost broke out into a fit of laughter, the members of Class C appeared shocked and worried. Though I didn't doubt Ryuen's ability, I thought that something like this would happen ever since I saw the new key card being issued yesterday.

That -50 points were due to the incorrect guess of Class D's leader, but I was somewhat confused about where the other 50 points were from guessing Class A and B's leader.

Anyway, this was not a moment to be missed. I pulled out a camera and immediately zoomed in on Ryuen's face. His eyes and mouth were wide open, and his entire body trembled—not with fear but with anger. I mean, anyone would be mad after they went through all that work to get 0 points in the end.

"Next in third place is Class A with 120 points."

That would mean at least one other Class guessed their leader, depending on how many points they spent on supplies. Still, third place was a terrible result for the school's "top" students.

Maybe transferring to Class A would be a bad idea. How do I know they'll be in the Class A spot for the rest of the year? Why risk it now when I can wait? Fuck, I already lost 5 million private points because I rushed. I guess everyone makes mistakes.

"In second place, Class B with 140 points. Finally, in first place, Class D, with 225 points."

Looking at members of Class D, they weren't happy but confused.

"wait, how did we get 225 points? I thought we spent 180 on supplies?"

"Hirata, what happened?"

"WHO CARES, WE'RE FIRST BABYYYYY"

Why were they confused? Didn't they come up with the leader-swapping strategy? I glanced at Ayanokoji, who had an apathetic face.

Ah, I see. This Ayanokoji person was not one to be underestimated. Without his class's knowledge, he had figured out the trick and used it. Rather than taking credit for it, he waited in the background. He had figured out something that even Ryuen, Katsuragi, and Ichinose didn't even think of.

He also had to have figured out the identity of at least 2 of the other classes' leaders to get 220 points, as they spent 180 on supplies. Class B and D were in a relationship, so he identified Class C and A's leaders. Like me, he also saw through Ryuen's 0-point strategy and knew that he remained on the island. Seeing the confused reactions of Class D, this means he, alone, found out the other Classes' identities and entered them without anyone's knowledge. This student had single-handedly won the exam for Class D, and like a puppeteer, no one knew his identity or strategy.

A student who outsmarted the talents of Classes A, B, and C combined. The question arises then.

How can someone with such talents be in Class D?

Did he have some dark past like Kushida? Was he a pervert like the 3 idiots? What flaw dragged him all the way down to Class D?

The more I learned about his ability to plan and manipulate the classes, the more I wanted to know about him.

However, I didn't have much time to thing as I saw Ryuen angrily walking onto the cruise ship. Seeing how Ayanokoji had gone through all the trouble to conceal his identity by dropping Horikita off in the middle of the night and entering the leader's names himself, I decided that I wouldn't tell Ryuen that Ayanokoji ruined his plan yet.

[A/N: The 3 Final Options. I will comment as the author on each option, and whichever one of MY comments has the most likes will win. After listening to your feedback, I also wanted to see that for Option 2, I do have a fair, strategic, and canon way for Hikigaya to get 100 million private points so he can create a class.

Option 1: Hikigaya goes to Class C and becomes SECOND in command

Option 2: Hikigaya creates a Class E and starts from the bottom with Ayanokoiji, Ryuen, Kanzaki, and some others.

Option 3: Hikigaya goes to Class A and makes a RIVAL factions to Sakayanagi and Katsuragi

Option 4: Hikigaya stays in Class B and makes a rival faction with Kanzaki or helps Ichinose.

]

Also for my new COTE fanfiction while I wait for the vote, do you guys want to see (like my comment on the option that you want):

Oreki (from Hyouka) in COTE

An outsider character who knows the future about COTE

Lelouch in COTE