Hiyori's POV:
Knock, knock, knock.
For the second time, my knuckles hit against the door, but yet again there was no answer. A faint frown tugged at my lips as I pulled out my phone, scrolling through our private messages. This was the room Light was supposed to be staying in, so why wasn't he answering?
I hadn't seen him since we left the island. One moment, we were mid-conversation discussing some plans and in the next, he had diverted his attention to Manabe. Since then, he had vanished, no calls, no texts, nothing. It wasn't like him to go silent especially for this long.
A sense of unease crept in as my mind started to make theories. Was he sick? Had something happened? I had come by this morning as well, and even then, there was no response.
I knocked once more, letting the silence stretch between us. When it became clear that he wasn't going to answer, I sighed in quiet defeat. Maybe he just wanted to be left alone.
Just as I turned to leave, a voice called out from behind.
"Trying to get Light's attention, huh?" Manabe's tone was blunt, almost amused.
I hesitated, shifting on my feet. "I, um... I suppose so," I murmured.
We had barely spoken outside of the times Light was around, so this interaction felt strangely out of place.
"Do you know why he's not answering his texts or opening his door?" I asked, glancing at her.
She shrugged. "Couldn't say. He's been ignoring mine too."
A pause. Her expression shifted slightly, as if something had just clicked.
"Now that I think about it... I haven't seen him since he left right before we boarded the cruise."
I blinked. "Waitx what do you mean? I thought he got on with you."
For a moment, she didn't reply, her lips pressing into a thin line. Then, with a click of her tongue, her irritation became visible.
"I was trying to make plans with him," she admitted, her arms now crossed. "But just before we got to the departure area, he decided he needed to have a chat with that Karuizawa bitch from Class D."
I said nothing at first, allowing her a moment to compose herself.
"You don't like Karuizawa, do you?" I asked softly.
Manabe exhaled sharply before regaining her composure. "It's not just about liking or disliking her. She's got an attitude, for one. But more than that..." she trailed off, debating whether to continue.
After a few seconds, she went for it.
"Less than a week before the exam, Light blew me off, said he was sick. That same night, I saw him out eating with Karuizawa." Her irritation now flaring again.
I considered her words carefully. Light never struck me as the playboy type, but from Manabe's perspective, it definitely didn't look good. More interestingly, though, she seemed to direct all of her resentment toward Karuizawa and none toward Light himself.
"I see," I murmured.
Before I could say anything else, Manabe clicked her tongue again and turned on her heel, walking away in clear frustration.
Left alone, I turned back to Light's door, my unease deepening. Was it possible Light never actually left the island? And if that was the case, there had to be some sort of reason.
Light pov:
Everything had gone according to plan.
I looked down at Ibuki, who was struggling to stand beneath the heavy downpour. Her body swayed, barely able to hold itself up.
"L-Light... what are you doing here?" she mumbled, her voice weak.
She finally managed to push herself upright for only a brief moment, but before she could collapse again, I caught her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Even though the air was freezing, her body burned with warmth, as if trying to fight against the cold. I felt her resistance immediately, her weak and trembling hands pressing against me in a futile attempt to break free.
"Let me go," she muttered.
Even as she tried, there was no strength behind it. I barely felt any force at all. In response, I pulled her closer, pressing her face against my chest.
Yesterday, I had found the perfect opportunity to talk to Karuizawa alone. It didn't take much to convince her to slip something into Ibuki's food. Of course, trusting her was a risk, her incompetence made things uncertain but I had accounted for that. To ensure she wouldn't notice any texture change in her food, I had crushed up a few poisonous cherries. When mixed with the food, the reaction wouldn't sit well with her stomach with the right amount.
And now, here she was. Weak. Trapped in my arms. Ibuki trembled against me, her body barely responsive, her face paler than before. Yet, despite everything, her eyes still burned with that stubborn defiance. She was still trying to fight. It was both Admirable yet Futile.
I tightened my hold just enough to remind her who was in control, letting her feel the weight of her situation. Without me, she would have already collapsed. The poison had done its job in dulling her strength, clouding her mind.
"Relax, Ibuki," I murmured, my voice smooth. "Struggling won't do you any good."
Her breath hitched, her fingers twitching against my chest. "You..." Her voice was strained, barely above a whisper. "You did something to me."
A quiet chuckle escaped my lips. "Did I?" My tone was as casual as ever. "Or are you just exhausted from carrying someone else's ambitions on your back?"
She tensed, just slightly. Of course, her mind would try to reject my words. Ibuki was always stubborn, and that was what made this entertaining. But her body... her body already knew the truth. Knew that I was the only thing keeping her from crumpling to the ground. And soon, the rest of her would accept it too.
"I hate you," she muttered.
"I've gathered as much." I brushed a strand of damp hair from her face, my touch slow, deliberate. "But hate won't get you to Class A now, will it?"
Her breathing was uneven, her body pressed against mine not out of choice, but necessity.
"You think following a man like Ryūen will get you there?" I continued, my tone filled with nothing but fake curiosity. "Tell me, Ibuki, how many times has he actually helped you?"
Her jaw clenched, her silence telling me everything.
"I see." I let the pause stretch between us, letting the rain fill the empty space between my words. My fingers trailed lightly down her arm, and she shivered. Fear? Anger? Uncertainty? It didn't matter. Emotions could be shaped into something useful.
"You want Class A," I murmured, my voice lowering, drawing her in. "You deserve Class A. But he'll never let you have it."
She let out a shaky breath. I could feel her mind turning, searching for something to hold onto, some excuse, some reason to deny me. But I wasn't going to give her one.
"You're strong, Ibuki," I continued, my voice just above a whisper. "But strength without direction is useless. You're wasting it on someone who sees you as nothing more than a discardable tool."
Her fingers twitched again, but not from anger this time.
I leaned in closer, my lips just beside her ear. "Work with me instead."
She exhaled, her breath faint against my skin. "And why the hell would I do that?"
I smiled, the answer already waiting. "Because I can give you what he won't."
Another pause. I could almost see the conflict in her mind, the resistance, the hesitation. I loosened my grip, just slightly. Just enough to let her feel the weight in her limbs, the helplessness she despised.
"Tell me about him," I murmured, each word slow and patient to draw it out. "His plans. His weaknesses. The things he doesn't want anyone else to know."
I didn't need her to like me. That was never the goal. I just needed her to understand how superior I am.
"You can be like a double agent," I continued, my tone not changing. "After this exam, you'll see it for yourself, under Ryūen's leadership, our class will gain nothing. He's a failure as a leader."
She was on the fence as I could see it, almost feel it. Her mind wasn't as sharp as usual, her sense of judgment clouded. My words, in her state, must have sounded more than tempting.
"H-How did you know I'd be here?" she asked quietly.
I allowed a short pause.
In truth, once I uncovered Ryūen's plan, all I needed was a small push to shift things in my favor. Striking a deal with Class B had been the easiest route, Ichinose had been more than willing to trade me walkie-talkies as I told her who had the key card and forced her into a situation where she felt like she had to oblige. From there, all I had to do was replace Ryūen's with a different one. They looked identical. He never even noticed. And to lead Ibuki right into my hands? That had been the simplest part. A single planted note in her pocket was all it took.
I glanced down at her. She was barely conscious now, but that didn't stop me from speaking.
"Because I was worried about you, Ibuki," I said softly. "I had a feeling something bad would happen, so I stayed on the island. Notice how Ryūen isn't here, but I am? Even if you don't like me, I care about my classmates and I care about you."
Her eyes softened slightly as I carefully placed her down against a tree before reaching into her pocket. As expected, she had the key card for class D.
"Now, I'll give this to Ryūen. Then we'll be leaving the island," I said, standing up.
She mumbled something, but the heavy rain drowned out her words.
I turned away, letting her thoughts stew. Whether she admitted it or not, this moment would always be at the back of her mind. It would eat away at her, growing louder the more she tried to ignore it. That was more than enough for now.
As I reached the meeting spot where she was supposed to hand off the key card initially, I placed Horikita's key card down on the floor. Then, pulling out the walkie-talkie connected to Ryūen's, I held down the button. I didn't speak nor did I need to. He would understand what the signal meant.
With that, I turned back, making my way toward Ibuki once more. She was unconscious now, making it easy for me to lift her into my arms. It took longer than I would have liked to find the exit point, but once I did, I was greeted by Sakagami.
"Oh, Light," he said, immediately noticing me as I stepped under the tent shielding us from the rain. His gaze flickered to Ibuki in my arms. "I see you have company."
I nodded. "She seems to be extremely ill. I think she needs medical attention."
"I see." He nodded, standing upfrom his chair. "I'll take this as confirmation that you're both leaving the island."
I nodded again. There was more I wanted to see firsthand, but staying wouldn't benefit me any further. For now, I had done exactly what I needed to do on the island that is.
Ayanokoji's POV:
August 7th. The time had finally come for our brief stay on the uninhabited island to end. Despite the nature of the test, it hadn't devolved into a desperate struggle for survival. There had even been moments of mild enjoyment.
Even now, as noon approached, there was no sign of Mashima-sensei or the other instructors.
"We're now tallying up the test results. Please wait a moment. Feel free to use the rest area if you would like, or have a drink."
Following the announcement, the students naturally drifted toward the designated rest area. Temporary tents had been set up, with chairs and tables prepared for us. There was no sign of Kouenji, Horikita, or any of the students who had dropped out.
As always, Sudou stood with Ike and Yamauchi. His eyes flicked toward the cruise ship docked in the distance.
I closed my eyes, intending to tune out the noise, but an unexpected voice pulled me back as I opened my eyes to see lelouch.
"Say, where's Horikita?"
His gaze swept over the gathered students, searching.
"She had to drop out due to unforeseen circumstances," I replied evenly.
A brief pause. Then, an amused smirk formed on his face
"Oh? What's this I hear about Suzune?"Ryuuen's voice cut in from behind. A cup in hand, he stood there as the lone representative of Class C. Most of the students reacted with surprise, he should have left the island already like his fellow classmates.
"Horikita-san left the island yesterday. She's not here," I answered.
"Left? Suzune? She doesn't seem like that kind of girl."
His narrowed eyes locked onto me, searching for something as if waiting for me to tell him I was joking.
Before the conversation could continue, the sharp click of a megaphone echoed across the beach. Mashima-sensei had appeared.
The first-year students instinctively began forming lines by class.
"Well then, let's get straight to the point. I would like to announce the results of the special test." She said with a brief pause before continuing "We will not accept any questions regarding the results. No exceptions. You are expected to accept them, analyze them, and use them to prepare for future exams. That's all there is to it. Don't waste time complaining-you must accept reality."
Murmurs rippled through the students. Ryuuen, as expected, wasted no time taunting Hirata and Sudou.
Then, Mashima-sensei began the announcements.
"In last place, with zero points—Class C."
Sudou let out a bark of laughter, clutching his stomach in mock amusement.
"Zero?"
Ryuuen's expression flickered briefly, as if trying to grasp what had just been said.
"In third place, with 100 points—Class D."
I felt a glance from my left. Lelouch. He gave me a brief side-eye, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. It seems as if he had predicted that I would take control of Class D's strategy and become the official cardholder, but how?
"In second place..."
Mashima-sensei paused for a moment.
"Class A, with 125 points."
Katsuragi's eyes widened slightly. That meant only my class had correctly guessed their leader.
"Lastly, in first place—Class B, with 306 points."
A wave of excitement rippled through Class B. Many of them looked genuinely surprised. Their leader had remained unidentified, allowing them to claim every possible bonus point while successfully guessing two other classes' leaders if my assumptions were to be correct.
I shifted my gaze toward Class A, specifically toward Ryuzaki. He looked satisfied. So this was what he meant. The feeling of loss was unpleasant and even right now I was unsure on how to feel.
Closing my eyes, I pieced everything together. I hadn't targeted Class B. I was laying the groundwork for a future relationship with them, primarily through Ichinose. That meant Lelouch must have gone behind her back when making his guesses. It's possible, he's pieced something together.
Class A and Class C had failed to guess correctly. I can be certain they had both guessed Horikita was our leader. But since Class B had racked up so many points, they must have either didn't try to guess Class B's leader or possibly been misled and guessed the wrong person. Even though I had identified Class C and Class A's leaders, we gained nothing since Class B had correctly guessed myself.
And there was something else. I had noticed it earlier, the absence of Kanzaki.
Class B had preemptively had him drop out, transferring the leader's card to another student. A logical move. By doing so, they lost 30 points but ensured their leader couldn't be identified in time. A simple yet effective strategy, one that I had identified but seemingly was unable to perfect.
With the test concluded, the students began moving toward the cruise ship. There would be time for answers later, as a talk with lelouch was more than needed.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen. How was your week on the deserted island?"
Kouenji stood on the ship's deck, a drink in hand, greeting Class D with a smug grin.
"You jerk, Kouenji! We lost thirty points because of you. You know what I'm talking about, don't you?!"
Ike was practically foaming at the mouth.
"Calm yourself, little boy Ike. I was in poor health and had no choice but to rest."
His skin, smooth and glowing from days of sunbathing, told an entirely different story.
While the others took turns berating Kouenji, Horikita had made her way into the scene.
She was still pale, clearly not fully recovered. But as soon as the students noticed her, they instinctively gathered around.
"S-Suzune. Are you feeling better now?"
Sudou hesitated, tripping over his words. But he had managed to call her by her first name, just as he had practiced.
"I'm not too bad. I can't say that I'm back to full health. More than anything else, after leaving—"
Deciding that I had no interest in the unfolding drama, I turned to leave. My mind deciding it was time for calculations, the updated class standings were clear:
Class D: 177 points
Class C: 750 points
Class A: 1,129 points
Class B: 1,178 points
Class B had overtaken Class A, solidifying their new status. Class C trailed behind, while Class D remained at the bottom far behind the rest.
A normal life or victory, maybe in a different timeline both would be achievable, but it's clear I had to make a decision a lot sooner than I would have liked.
***
Important question: next up is the zodiac exam; however, I personally think it's the worst exam in yr1 COTE. Plus, it's quite hard to make it interesting between the four characters, so would you possibly be interested in an original exam? It wouldn't be anything over the top but something that displays their abilities or would you prefer just do the zodiac exam?
(Class B will now be called class A and vice versa just because it's easier to write with.)
How did we feel about this chapter?
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Obviously more will be explained in the chapter but Feel free to ask any questions.