Deception and Desire: A Classroom of the Elite Romcom

Preparing for the Island

The announcement regarding the island exam was now public, and the air of Advanced Nurturing High School had shifted to one of tense anticipation. The halls buzzed with conversations—some anxious, others confident—but no one was underestimating the challenge ahead. This exam would not just test their survival skills but also their strategic thinking and leadership abilities. Each class understood what was at stake: their ranking, their reputation, and their future.

Ayanokoji sat at his desk, seemingly detached from the excited murmurs surrounding him. While most students were trying to gather information or speculate on the upcoming trial, he remained as calm as ever, appearing uninterested in the flurry of activity.

However, appearances were deceiving. He was always analyzing, always calculating the most efficient path through any situation, and this exam would be no different. He had already begun piecing together a strategy, though he was careful not to let it show.

Beside him, Horikita was furiously scribbling in her notebook, no doubt planning her approach to lead Class D through the ordeal. Her focus was admirable, and he knew she had the determination to push the class to success. But determination alone wouldn't be enough. The other classes had their own leaders—Katsuragi in Class A, Ryuuen in Class C, and Ichinose in Class B—each bringing their own strengths to the table. It was going to be a war of wits, alliances, and manipulation.

As the class buzzed around him, Ayanokoji's phone vibrated softly in his pocket. He casually retrieved it, keeping the screen low so that no one would notice.

Unknown Number:
Meet me in the atrium during lunch. We need to talk about the exam.
Sakayanagi Arisu

He stared at the message for a few moments, his face remaining neutral. As usual, Sakayanagi was making her move early. She had already shown interest in him, but now it seemed she was aiming for something more concrete.

He had no intention of turning down the invitation. Ignoring Sakayanagi wasn't an option—she was far too shrewd to be dismissed so easily. But that didn't mean he would walk into her trap without a plan of his own.

Lunchtime arrived quickly, and Ayanokoji left the classroom without a word. As he walked through the corridors toward the atrium, he noticed the subtle shifts in the groups around him. Students from different classes were already beginning to cluster into small alliances, whispering about strategies, resources, and plans for survival on the island. There was a sense of quiet desperation in the air—everyone knew that failing this exam could mean a sharp drop in their class ranking.

When he arrived at the atrium, the space was nearly empty, save for a few scattered students enjoying their lunch in the sunlit area. Sakayanagi was sitting alone at a table near the large windows, the sunlight casting a soft glow over her pale features. Her cane was resting against the side of the table, and she sipped tea from a delicate cup, looking as serene and unbothered as ever.

Ayanokoji approached her table without hesitation, pulling out the chair opposite her and sitting down. He remained silent, waiting for her to speak first.

Sakayanagi greeted him with a smile that was both charming and calculated. "Ayanokoji-kun, I'm glad you could join me. I thought we might discuss the upcoming exam."

"You seem awfully confident for someone who's about to be tested in a survival scenario," Ayanokoji remarked, his tone flat.

Sakayanagi chuckled softly, a melodic sound that barely broke the quiet around them. "Confidence comes from preparation, Ayanokoji-kun. Besides, survival isn't necessarily about physical endurance—it's about understanding your surroundings and manipulating them to your advantage."

Ayanokoji remained silent, his eyes watching her carefully. He knew she wasn't just talking about the island; she was referring to the school as a whole. Sakayanagi's strength wasn't in her physical abilities, and she knew that. But her intellect, her ability to manipulate others, and her cold calculation were more dangerous than any physical skill.

"So, what exactly do you want to talk about?" Ayanokoji asked, cutting to the chase.

Sakayanagi set down her cup gently. "We both know that this exam isn't just about which class can survive the best. It's about who can outsmart the others. Leadership, resource management, alliances—they're all part of the test. Class A has the advantage of resources, but there's more to winning than just having points, don't you think?"

She leaned forward slightly, her violet eyes locking onto his. "That's where you come in."

Ayanokoji's expression didn't change. "What makes you think I'm interested in helping you?"

"Oh, I don't think you're interested in helping me, per se," Sakayanagi replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "But I believe you're interested in maintaining control over your situation. And to do that, you'll need to ensure that the balance of power remains in check. If Class A dominates the island exam, it will make things... difficult for you, won't it?"

Ayanokoji didn't respond immediately. Sakayanagi was testing him, trying to see how much of his true intentions she could uncover. She was right about one thing—letting Class A run away with the exam could disrupt the careful balance he had been maintaining. But he had no intention of playing directly into her hands.

"And what's your role in all of this?" Ayanokoji asked finally.

Sakayanagi smiled, a knowing gleam in her eyes. "My role is simple. I'm the one pulling the strings."

Ayanokoji kept his gaze steady, watching for any sign of deception. But Sakayanagi was skilled—her expression gave nothing away. He knew she wasn't lying. She was already moving the pieces on the board, manipulating her classmates in subtle ways to ensure Class A's dominance.

"I'll give you a piece of advice, Ayanokoji-kun," Sakayanagi said softly, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "Don't underestimate the other classes. Ichinose may seem like the kind and friendly leader of Class B, but she's far more calculating than she lets on. And Ryuuen, well... I'm sure you know about his methods. He's not afraid to play dirty."

Ayanokoji nodded slightly, already aware of the dynamics within the other classes. Ichinose had a reputation for being kind and supportive, but that didn't mean she wasn't ambitious. And Ryuuen's brutal leadership of Class C was well-known.

"What's your goal?" Ayanokoji asked, his tone direct.

Sakayanagi smiled again, though this time there was a glint of something more dangerous in her eyes. "Victory, of course. Class A will remain at the top, and I will ensure it stays that way."

Ayanokoji considered her words carefully. Sakayanagi was making her intentions clear—she wanted to maintain her position as the leader of Class A and solidify their dominance. But she was also hinting at something else, something deeper.

"And what do you need me for?" he asked.

Sakayanagi leaned back in her chair, her fingers lightly tapping the surface of the table. "For now, I just need you to stay out of my way. But eventually, we'll both have to make a choice. Either we work together, or we find ourselves on opposite sides."

Ayanokoji remained silent, letting her words sink in. Sakayanagi was offering him an alliance, though not in so many words. She wanted him to be a part of her plans, to help her maintain control. But he knew better than to trust her. Sakayanagi was dangerous, and any alliance with her would come with its own set of risks.

"I'll think about it," Ayanokoji said finally, rising from his seat.

Sakayanagi watched him with that same enigmatic smile as he walked away, her eyes following him as he disappeared into the crowd. Ayanokoji didn't look back, but he could feel her gaze lingering on him.

As he made his way back to the classroom, his mind was already working through the possibilities. The island exam was going to be a battleground, not just for survival but for control over the future of the school's hierarchy. And if Sakayanagi's words were anything to go by, the game had only just begun.