COTE x Naruto: New Beginnings

Chapter 26: Analysis & Rules

NOTICE: I miscalculated Class C's points in the last chapter! They only gained 150, not 300.

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From the very first day of the exam, Kiyotaka realized something was off.

It had started with meeting Kushida on the deck of the cruise and her unexpectedly hugging him just as he'd been about to turn away and leave.

Right then, he knew that someone was behind him. Someone with whom Kushida wanted to meet, and for whatever reason, didn't want Kiyotaka to know.

The second strange thing came on day two, when Ryuuen had proposed to Ichinose that their classes become allies. He'd dismissed Kiyotaka and Horikita then, but he hadn't minded suggesting Class C and Class B to ally right in front of their eyes.

Ichinose had declined and stayed behind to talk with Kiyotaka more about the exam, but underneath the chair Ryuuen had sat in, Kiyotaka had noticed his phone, the recording turned on.

However, what had been more startling was when he received a message from a vaguely familiar number saying, 'I'm sorry about yesterday'.

What could Kushida possibly be apologizing to Ryuuen for? When did the two of them even make contact?

By this, he came to the conclusion that Kushida and Ryuuen were allies on the zodiac exam, and he knew he'd have to watch out in the future.

The results were still startling however. Class B had ended up losing a lot of points, while Class C had earned 150. That much he'd expected. However, he was surprised to see his class with no change in points.

One would assume that perhaps, nobody had guessed their VIPs, but upon seeing that 9 out of the 12 groups had reached Outcome #3, he knew for sure that the three groups whose VIPs had not been guessed were groups with Class C VIPs.

That meant that Class C had only guessed three of the VIPs, while Class D must've guessed another three as did Class A.

Perhaps, Kushida had worked with Ryuuen to ensure Class D would earn points. That's what one would assume, but knowing Kushida, Kiyotaka could safely say she didn't care about class poitns or Class D for that matter.

That meant that someone else in Class D was pulling the strings once again. Kiyotaka had an idea on who that might be.

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The Summer break was over before we knew it and soon enough, the students of the ANHS were returning back to school campus. And there, on the very first day of class, it was announced that for the next month, they would be having an increased amount of PE classes in preparation for the sports festival that would be taking place in a month.

From what Chabashira-sensei had told them, the sports festival was something akin to a special exam. Interestingly enough, this festival was going to be held across all three years, which meant that this was prime time to get to know their senpai.

After the two consecutive special exams were over, Sakura was allowed to have a moment to relax and think, something much needed. Sometimes, she found it difficult to think in challenging situations or while she's on edge, which was exactly the state she'd been in during the entire Summer holidays.

So much for relaxing, huh?

She wasn't the only person reflecting on the special exams. In an unexpected turn of events, Horikita had invited her to tag along with her, Ayanokouji and Hirata to the cafe on the campus. The plan was to discuss the special exams.

However, Sakura had another concern. Why was Ayanokouji there that night when Kei got bullied by the Class C girls? She'd seen him on the location map clearly, although she hadn't actually seen him in the room where the act took place.