The Defectives (CotE x Male Reader)

The Real VIP

(Y/N)'s POV

We had reached the final day of the test. Unlike on the island, time passed quickly aboard this ship, surrounded by luxury. While Ryuen focused on his united frontal assault, and Katsuragi continued ahead with his iron fortress strategy, Ichinose Honami from Class B had not come up with a countermeasure.

Ichinose: Gah! I drew it again! Am I seriously this awful at Old Maid?

She spread out her remaining cards and collapsed into a heap before my eyes.

Even though this was our fifth discussion period, Ichinose had suggested playing cards once again. I would have questioned this approach, but no one in Class A entered into the conversation, so no one stopped her.

I was a little concerned that Manabe and her friends would try to confront Karuizawa, but it seemed like the picture I'd sent them had had the desired effect. They were being obedient. Karuizawa was acting normal, too.

Manabe couldn't conclude with absolute certainty that it was me. That meant she and her friends wouldn't be able to make a move against me. There was no point in looking for whoever took those pictures.

Yukimura: Is it okay to just sit here like this?

He sat next to me, sounding disappointed and melancholy.

Ichinose: You're being a downer today, Yukimura-kun. You ought to play with us and shake off that gloom and doom. Come on, let's have a rematch!

Yukimura: No thanks. I don't really feel like it. Really, is this okay, Ichinose-san? I mean, just doing this until the test ends. I thought you were the one leading the group here.

Ichinose stopped in the middle of shuffling the cards and answered him.

Ichinose: Isn't that excuse too convenient, Yukimura-kun? If you seriously want to win this thing, don't you think you should rely on yourself, rather than someone else?

Yukimura: Yeah... Good point.

Yukimura understood full well that he couldn't cope with having that responsibility thrust upon him. Despite that, he still wanted a way to change all this. If this test were measured solely on academic ability, then Yukimura would have been at the top of any group. However, being gifted academically didn't make you a natural leader.

In the two tests we'd had over the summer vacation, everyone had experienced the bitter sense of their own powerlessness, even Horikita. I wondered if Ichinose and Machida felt irritated about being locked into a stalemate. However, that frustration can become your strength if it doesn't break your spirit.

...

Horikita: Well, the test will be over after our next meeting. How do things look on your end, (Y/N)-kun?

I was having my last meeting with Horikita. The world outside was already cloaked in darkness. Carrying a conversation through chat would leave a traceable record. To avoid that, we'd met in person at the lounge around the corner of the lobby.

(Y/N): There haven't been any significant changes. At this rate, it looks like the VIP is going to get away.

I sighed.

(Y/N): How about you, Suzune?

I didn't think I could expect anything from Horikita, but then...

Horikita: I'll win.

(Y/N): You sure you haven't made a mistake?

Horikita: I'm not sure who might be listening to us right now, so I won't go into detail. I'll just ask that you believe in me. Everything will be fine.