The Superior Elite (Ongoing)

Chapter5 : The Game Begins

The morning sun cast a warm glow over the deck as Kiyotaka Ayanokoji and Suzune Horikita sat at a café table, sipping their drinks. The gentle hum of conversation from other passengers created a serene backdrop as they discussed the upcoming exam.

Suzune handed Kiyotaka a slip of paper. "These are the members of my group, Dragon."

Kiyotaka unfolded the paper and read the names:

- Class A: Kōhei Katsuragi, Ryōko Nishikawa, Shinji Matoba, Koharu Yano
- Class B: Sayo Andō, Ryūji Kanzaki, Hitomi Tsube
- Class C: Takumi Oda, Hidetoshi Suzuki, Masashi Sonoda, Kakeru Ryūen
- Class D: Kikyō Kushida, Yōsuke Hirata, Suzune Horikita

"It includes the big names from each class," Kiyotaka noted. "But Ichinose is in my group instead."

Suzune nodded thoughtfully. "Ichinose might just be the face of her class, not the real leader. They could be dividing us based on grades or other criteria, but there are flaws in that approach."

Their phones buzzed simultaneously. A notification from the school confirmed neither of them had been chosen as the VIP in their groups. The exam would begin at 1:00 PM and last for three days. They were required to report to their group meeting rooms immediately.

Suzune asked, "Who do you suspect the most in my group?"

Kiyotaka's eyes narrowed. "Ryuuen. He's the most likely to manipulate or lie."

As they continued their discussion, Ryuuen Kakeru and Mio Ibuki approached. Ryuuen's smirk was as sharp as ever. "Morning, Ayanokoji. Horikita. Are you the VIP?"

Kiyotaka replied coolly, "I could ask you the same, Ryuuen. But we both know you wouldn't answer."

Ryuuen laughed, taking a seat at a nearby table. "Fair enough. I'm curious about how Class D managed to change their leader during the island test. Was it you pulling the strings, Ayanokoji?"

Suzune interjected, "He has nothing to tell you, Ryuuen."

Ryuuen leaned back, eyeing Kiyotaka. "Class D's leader was changed from Horikita. My guess is Ayanokoji manipulated things behind the scenes. Horikita pretended to be sick, but I bet it was all a ruse."

Suzune's eyes flashed. "Why are you so obsessed with Ayanokoji? There are other students you should be worried about."

Ryuuen shrugged. "I know what Katsuragi, Ichinose, and Sakayanagi are capable of. They're not a threat. But you, Ayanokoji, you're different. I'm keeping my eye on you." He stood up and left with Ibuki, his gaze lingering on Kiyotaka.

Kiyotaka and Suzune exchanged a look, understanding the unspoken challenge Ryuuen had issued.

Kiyotaka joined Yukimura and Sotomura as they headed to their group's meeting room. The Rabbit group's members trickled in, their expressions ranging from curiosity to apprehension. As the door closed, Ichinose Honami took the initiative.

"Let's introduce ourselves and figure out a way to approach this exam," Ichinose suggested, her voice warm and inviting.

The group included:
- Class A: Shigeru Takemoto, Kōji Machida, Takuro Morishige
- Class B: Honami Ichinose, Tetsuya Hamaguchi, Ryōta Beppu
- Class C: Mio Ibuki, Shiho Manabe, Nanami Yabu, Saki Yamashita
- Class D: Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, Kei Karuizawa, Hideo Sotomura, Teruhiko Yukimura