Classroom of the Elite: Alter - Self-Test

"Can you lend me your phone for a bit, Kikyou?" I asked.

"Mn, sure." Kikyou handed her phone over without hesitation.

She leaned closer until the sides of our heads and shoulders touched. I compared and contrasted the messages that we got while she looked over beside me.

"They're completely the same..." I muttered. "Kikyou, ask everyone in the group chat to send their room number and time."

Did all of us get the same message? That's impossible, though. One of the simple cabins on the 2nd deck can't occupy an entire class let alone the entirety of the freshmen.

"O-Okay, I understand." Kikyou tensed up after I started giving out instructions.

The two of us sent our time and room number in a simple format that everyone could follow.

One by one, messages started flooding the group chat.

It took about 7 minutes before everyone (except Kouenji, who wasn't part of the class group chat) in the classes managed to respond.

"Kiyotaka-kun, do you have any idea what this could mean?" asked the confused Kikyou.

"Hmm... Three rooms are used in total-- Room 202 to Room 204. Their times range from 17:00 to 20:40, the same as our time... The rooms differ for each designated time," I muttered.

17:00 - Room 203

17:20 - Room 204

17:40 - Room 202

18:00 - Room 203

18:20 - Room 204

18:40 - Room 202

19:00 - Room 203

19:20 - Room 204

19:40 - Room 202

20:00 - Room 203

20:20 - Room 204

20:40 - Room 202

"Hirata-kun and Horikita-san have the same room and time as us."

"Yeah... It seems like we'll have to meet up together later," I replied before continuing to analyze the data. "Twelve groups in total, huh? There's a twenty-minute margin between each... The 17:00 group, the 17:20 group, the 19:00 group, and us, the 20:40 group all have four members. Every other group has 3 members besides the 19:20 group, so we can probably assume that Kouenji belongs there."

"K-Kiyotaka-kun, please slow down for a bit... I'm sorry, I can barely keep up," Kikyou commented with a bitter smile.

"It's alright, Kikyou. I'm just doing some pre-analysis while speaking to myself. Unless we fully get the context and instructions, what I'm saying might end up being completely irrelevant. You don't really have to pay attention."

"Hee-hee. Knowing you, I'm sure that won't be the case." Kikyou chuckled adorably.

"You overestimate me," I responded with my usual line.

"I'm not~," she replied with an unwavering smile.

With her puppy-like eyes, I was compelled to gently pat Kikyou's head. She seemed pleased by it, so I guess it's fine.

"Well, for starters, we'll ask the 17:00 group to report their findings after their turn."

"Ohh, let's see... Sakura-san, Matsushita-san, Sudou-kun, and... Kanji-kun, I guess."

"Yeah," I nodded before checking the time. "It's 4:21 PM now, 39 minutes before the designated time. We were given 20 minutes to travel down to the 2nd deck, so they have more than enough time to change into their uniforms before doing so."

"Should we ask each group to make their own group chats?"

"Hmm, that's a good point... But I don't think it's necessary right now. We'll hold on to that idea until the meetings are over. Is that alright?"

"Sure~!"

A lot of the group chats that I belong to were slowly getting active. I sent some instructions to Hirata as Kikyou stood up and prepared to leave.

"I'll be going on ahead, Kiyotaka-kun. My friends are probably a bit confused about the situation. I'll tell them that you have a plan. That should ease their minds."

"I don't really have a plan yet, but go for it, I guess," I replied with a shrug. "Regardless of what this exam is about, I'd end up having to think of something, anyway."

Kikyou nodded before giving me a meaningful smile.

"Be sure to tell me about your lunch date with Azuma-san and Ichihashi-san in Blue Ocean next time, okay? Bye-bye~!"

"Ah--"

She gently closed the door before I could give a response.

Blue Ocean was the name of the cafe that the two girls invited me to during lunch. Was Kikyou mad that I didn't mention what happened voluntarily...? I just forgot about it, though...

(4:22 PM) [Everyone, we'll be reserving a lounge suite on the 1st deck so our class can have a meeting. Please come when you're available. We'll be there until 7:00 PM.] (Hirata)

The luxurious lounges on the 9th deck are bigger and cozier, but the smaller lounges on the 1st deck were the optimal choices this time, mainly due to their accessibility. It wouldn't take more than 10 minutes to walk from one of the suites to the elevator going to the 2nd deck.

To be honest, I still don't have any idea as to what this new special exam is going to be about. However, it's safe to assume that the rules and instructions would be about as complicated as the island exam.

"Ah, Ayanokouji-kun? I expected your call."

"Of course, you did."

"Yep~! After all, I'm the only one that you can rely on, right? Don't worry. I'll make sure to pay attention."

She's right. Ken and Ike are out of the question, and I can't really ask Airi to do it since the pressure might be too much for her. Matsushita must've understood everything after seeing the names of her groupmates.

"I'll be counting on you, then."

"Sure thing! But you owe me one, okay~?"

"Alright, gotcha. Thanks, Matsushita."

I hung up before changing my clothes. It didn't take long until Yukimura arrived. He asked me about my opinions on this sudden test and I calmly told him that all we could do right now was wait for the real instructions. He agreed with a somber expression.

Ichinose sent me a message asking about how our end is doing. Like Class B, Class C also intended to have a meeting on deck one.

I wonder how the emails they received differ from ours? Her message didn't contain any useful information indicating that she had no intention of disclosing any designated time or room assigned for her class.

(4:29) [We need more information before deciding to fully cooperate.] (Ichinose)

(4:29) [Of course. Being vigilant is still the best course of action.] (Ayanokouji)

Day 0, 5:23 PM.

"Hey~." Matsushita opened the door with Ike, Airi, and Ken following behind her.

"Matsushita-san, you're here." Hirata received them with a smile. "Did you see our classmates from the second group? They left a little over 10 minutes ago."

"Yes. We passed by Hasebe-san and the others earlier. The meeting ended in 15 minutes, so the groups that would follow the previous ones were given a five-minute window to get there. They should be fine," she said.

"What did you find out about the exam?" asked Horikita.

The other three sat beside their respective friend groups. Matsushita must've already told them that she'd be the one explaining.

"Alright... I'll try my best to give you a rundown. But, please consider this as a heads-up only. It would still be best for everyone to pay attention when it's their turn for the meeting." Matsushita gently reminded us. "The school honestly made them overcomplicated."

After firmly receiving everyone's attention, Matsushita started explaining the contents of the exam.

After discussing the main ideas along with the succeeding groups, 7:00 PM arrived in a flash. Only four people remained inside the lounge-- Hirata, Horikita, Kikyou, and me. Since no one was scheduled to occupy the place after us, we were allowed to extend our stay until around 8:30 PM.

"I think we should go ahead and proceed to the 2nd deck now," suggested Hirata.

"Yes, it seems like we'll meet some interesting people there," followed Horikita.

Our group boarded the elevator and arrived on the second deck. There were a little over ten people hanging around. Most of them weren't members of the 20:40 group, however-- like Class A's Moriyama or Class C's Tokitou.

Looking ahead, we could see the people of Class A waiting out in the hallway.

"You've arrived, Class B." Katsuragi Kouhei greeted us with his usual stern expression.

According to Kikyou, Katsuragi was a star student. He boasted excellent grades in his previous schools and even graduated as the student council president in junior high. His place in Class A certainly wasn't unfounded and his calm demeanor wasn't just an act.

His abilities were cleanly showcased, as was how effectively he led Class A during the island exam. If it weren't for Hashimoto's betrayal, Class A would've won by a considerable margin.

Right now, he seems to be leading his group of four. And from the looks of it, his reputation in Class A still remained intact... but a lot more brittle. It's like cracked glass. Even the smallest of impacts would completely shatter it to pieces.

I waited for a split second before sensing that none of my groupmates planned to respond.

"It seems like we'll be in the same group, Katsuragi," I replied.

"Let's not act dumb, Ayanokouji. I'm sure you've figured it out after collecting information from your classmates." Katsuragi calmly deflected my words.

"It seems like you're thinking quite highly of me."

"Of course. After your victory on the island, it only makes sense." Katsuragi's words contained praise but the way he delivered them sounded like he was picking a fight.

"Oya~? If it isn't Katsuragi-kun and Ayanokouji-kun~!"

The representatives of Class C finally arrived. Their leader, Ichinose Honami, immediately greeted my groupmates with a smile.

"We meet again, Ayanokouji, Horikita," said Kanzaki. "It's rare for you to be the aggressor in a conflict, Katsuragi."

The other Class C student was a girl named Tsube Hitomi.

"There are no conflicts here. Don't delude yourself, Kanzaki," Katsuragi bit back, staying composed.

As the number of students increased, the atmosphere became a lot tenser.

"Kukuku. It seems like I'm late to the party."

Of course, the remaining participants for Class D arrived in such a fashion. After all, they were being led by none other than Ryuuen Kakeru.

"Ryuuen." Katsuragi gave him a sharp look.

"How are you doing Katsuragi? Have you recovered yet?" he asked with a smirk.

"Recover? Shouldn't I be the one asking you that?" Katsuragi replied with his arms crossed.

"Kuku. Just asking. After all, my poisoned stomach and Ayanokouji's head injury are nothing compared to the shame of being completely played by both the former Class D and the current Class D."

Ryuuen laughed along with his two groupmates.

The students behind Katsuragi were visibly displeased. Only the man himself stayed cool even after receiving Ryuuen's insults.

The bad blood between Class A and D's leaders is apparent. I wonder how this is going to turn out.