It's breakfast time.

On the deck there is a cafe called "Blue Ocean". The duo chose to sit there in an empty table in the shade and called for the waiter. The current time is 7:55 AM. One minute just before the designated meeting time the person they were waiting for appeared before them with an empty expression.

" You're two here early. " Suzune comments as she sat down in the seat in front of them.

" Ohayo, Suzu-chan! " Karma beamed before sulking. " We were waiting for an hour, you know! "

Suzune cross her arms uncaringly. " I don't care since I arrived by the designated time, even if you waited 10 hours in advance for me I couldn't care less. Also, how many times should I tell you to stop calling me by that nickname, Karma-kun? "

" You said for me to stop calling you Suzu-chan but you called me by my name! " Karma argue.

" It is your name, afterall. "

Karma childishly pout. " Then if you don't want to hear me calling you Suzu-chan then make me! "

After another minute of their glaring, Kiyotaka sighed and pick up a menu to ease the two.

" ... You two don't want to order anything? " Kiyotaka asked them.

Suzune and Karma turn to him. " No. "

" I'll order later. " Karma said as he lean backwards.

" Right now, let's continue our chat from yesterday. " Suzune said.

Kiyotaka nod. " Hm. Did every students in the school form a group? "

" Yes. Just as you said 12 groups with four possible outcomes and the "target" being announced to us today by mail at 8:00 in the morning. If there are any small differences, I suppose you could chalk it up to the difference in teachers. "

" Who are your group members and how many are there? " When Kiyotaka asked that question, Karma smirked towards Suzune, whose eyebrow started to twitch.

" It was quite amazing actually, almost as if it was on purpose and not just coincidence. " Suzune shortly answered.

After telling them that, Horikita hands then a slip of paper that contains the names of people in her group. When Karma read their names, he couldn't help, but to laugh, making Suzune's eyebrow twitch more.

Class A: Katsuragi Kohei, Nishikawa Ryouko, Shita Shinji, Koharu Yano

Class B: Ando Sayo, Kanzaki Ryuuji, Tsukabe Hitomi

Class C: Oda Takumi, Suzuki Hidetoshi, Sonoda Masashi, Ryuuen Kakeru

Class D: Kushida Kikyou, Hirata Yousuke, Horikita Suzune.

Karma then lay his head on his palm still eyeing the names. " But there's also something unnatural here. "

" You're worried about Ichinose-san in your group, right? Right now, only her class knows just how excellent she truly is. It's not always that the face of the class is the leader. "

" Are you referring to yourself? "

" From this I can somewhat understand how they've divided us up into 12 groups. " Suzune continued. " Ayanokouji-kun and Karuizawa-san are very similar right? In terms of grades. Perhaps they are grouping us in terms of our current points.

But the only flaw in this theory is that Yukimura-kun is also in the top grades and the same goes for Kouenji-kun and Karma-kun... "

After that statement, Karma smirks in victory. " Your not wrong. What's stopping you, continue. "

Suzune scoff. " Remind me how I still hang out with an egocentrical war veteran like you. "

" But you do have a point, Sotomura and I have similar grades as well...then there's you and Hirata. " Kiyotaka listed.

" In any case, this is a problem, to effectively lead this group and clear the exam. It's about time, I wonder if the mail really will come. "

Once the clock hit 8:00 AM their phones vibrated at once without even being a second apart. The moment Ayanokoji and Karma finished reading the contents of their mails, Horikita pushed her phone and the mail displayed on it towards them and they did the same to check the details of the mail while comparing it to the others. It said the following:

The mail sent to them and Horikita were 'almost' the same.

" I suppose if we were chosen as the "target", the mail would be slightly different informing us of this fact. " Kiyotaka hum.

Suzune decided to add. " It seems neither of us has been chosen as the "target" for our groups. I don't know whether to be overjoyed at this or sad. "

Karma nod. " If you're the "target", depending on your personal choices, you would be able to lead your group to any one of the four possible outcomes. "

" I still don't like it though. It's almost as if they're telling me I don't qualify as the "target" student. In this exam, there is a massive difference between the student selected as the "target" and the ones not selected. Since all the other students must by default struggle to uncover the identity of the "target" and there is always the possibility that the point gap between classes may be closed after the exam. "

" I don't know how the students whose names I don't even know will act; " Karma sighed before smiling again. " We'll need to interact directly with them for that. "

Kiyotaka turn to Karma. " Don't worry. I have thought of a way to get rid of them if necessary. "

Suzune nod at the two boys. " I'll be looking forward to your results. "

" Us too. " Karma said. " We're looking forward to seeing what direction you will lead your group in. "

" In either case, I'll ask you two about this now, but who in our group are you most suspicious of right now? Judging from the flow most of the other classes should have already gotten the same information we have. "

" Ryuuen. "

" What a quick answer. " Suzune comment.

" Because there's no one as suspicious as him. "

" What about Katsuragi-kun? It's only because of him that Class A was able to secure the most desirable spot in the island test. That's also something notable. Wouldn't you say we should be suspicious of him? "

Karma shrug. " Of course that is an excellent accomplishment for a 1st year student. Therefore, if you're asking us who's the most excellent student in the group I'd say Katsuragi. On the other hand, the most suspicious one would undoubtedly have to be Ryuuen. "

" While the identity of the "target" is something to be worried about after reading the mail, just now I was thinking about something. Isn't something strange about the mail sent to us from the school? And the strict... "

Before Suzune could finish the sentence Karma quickly silenced her by putting his index finger in front of his lips and making a hush gesture at her. Karma then looks towards the newcomer with a smirk. The person smirks back.

_____________________

Ryuen stopped walking as he saw the three. " Nice weather isn't it, Suzune, Akabane? What are you having for breakfast? "

Two other people approached them while grinning.

Suzune frown. " Don't call my first name so casually, Ryuuen-kun. And you, it's quite amazing you'd dare to show your face in front of us again after what you did, Ibuki-san. "

Ibuki simply tightened her lower lip without saying anything; Ryuuen was grinning and Karma smirked with closed eyes, but that smirk holds a deadly edge.

" I believe the mail has already arrived, so how was it? Did you become the "target"? " Ryuen ask.

Suzune cross her arms. " There's no way I'd tell you, or perhaps you're going to tell us. "

" If that's what you wish. " Ryuuen then sat down on a vacant seat nearby. " But before that please do tell me, how did you manage to achieve that result in the island test? "

" I have nothing to tell you. "

" I don't care either way, but according to her report, you didn't do anything much during the island test to allow your class to achieve those results. "

Suzune knew that would be the case, but it was already known that Suzune herself is a spotlight during the island test. She still wouldn't break her part. " I'm not such an idiot that someone like her would be able to figure me out. I was just saving my strength back then thanks to my fever. "

In response to that provocation, Ibuki immediately stood up.

" Then let's have a rematch right here and right now, let's fight. "

Karma then also stood up and faced Ibuki. " Oh, is that a challenge for Suzu-chan? Well then... "

Karma then quickly tosses his arm forward with all fingers pointing straight ahead towards Ibuki, who didn't even see it. Suzune, Ibuki and Ryuuen were surprised by his speed, but after a moment, Ryuuen smirks.

Ibuki didn't manage to witness it properly as she blink repeatedly. ' He's fast! '

Karma smiled sweetly. " I don't mind taking you on for her. "

Suzune quickly stands up and bring Karma's hand down. " Karma-kun! "

As she tried to force it down, Karma didn't budge, even using both her hands to drag Karma's hand away from Ibuki, it feels as if she's pulling steel.

Karma then looked towards Suzune, who was slightly glaring at him. After a minute of staring, Karma ease the strength of his arm, sighs and then sits down.

" Fine fine. "

Suzune let out a sigh before glancing at Ibuki. " I'll have to decline, unfortunately, since violence will be a violation of the school's rules for this exam. If you do happen to use violence on me, however, I will report this to the school. Please do as you wish then "

Ibuki angrily stepped towards Horikita after that, but stopped just shy of actually laying a hand on her.

" Since we're all here, let's have some coffee. It seems to be as good a time as any to drink. "

Horikita ordered the waitress for her morning coffee. Ayanokoji also ordered the same coffee, while Karma ordered his favorite milk.

" Unsurprising. After all, he never would've thought that someone from Class D like me would be capable of such feats after all. Isn't it the same for you and Ibuki being here now? You're all on your guard against me aren't you? "

Ryuen smirk. " Kuku. I'm not going to even deny it. I am indeed here to confirm your capability for myself. But, I'm not only cautious about you. "

While Suzune takes a sip of her coffee, Ryuuen looks at Karma. " Not only are you good at fighting, as you beat Katsuragi, but you're also quite smart. Do you know why I'm so cautious of you, Akabane Karma? "

Karma then looks towards Ryuuen with a smirk. " It's because I'm like you. You're cautious of me, because we're alike and your worst enemy – is yourself. "

" Kuku. Yes, because we're so much alike, I can't lower my guard against you even for a second. "

Ryuuen then looks towards Horikita Suzune.

" But you should also know, Suzune, that my methods are different from Katsuragi's, besides a serious-chan type girl like yourself would definitely not be capable of formulating a strategy like the one on the island test. "

Suzune let out a small air. " I don't care either way, but how would you know what my strategy during the island test was? All that was announced were the results after all. "

Against a calm Horikita, Ryuuen only grinned at her.

" I wonder if you can explain how we did it then? "

Ryuuen simply laughed.

" At the end of the exam when the leader names were to be written, the only reason why we answered wrong was because the leader had been changed to someone else previously before the exam's end and was no longer you. The important thing is that the new leader of the island tests, the one who switched with you at the very end. They are the one pulling your strings from behind the scenes. "

He then turn to Karma.

" At first, I thought that you were the mastermind, Akabane, but then you wouldn't just laugh at our faces after our loss, clearly implying that you set us up. No, you helped the mastermind, but you're not him. "

Suzune peered through her glass cup. " I don't know what you're talking about; I barely have any friends to scheme with anyways. The only ones I can consider somewhat close to me would be Karma–kun and Ayanokouji-kun here but he's just been holding me back and not being much of a cooperator anyways. "

Karma raise both his hands. " I'll admit I helped Suzu-chan a little, but that's it. I can't even understand why you would think that Ayano-kun helped us. "

Ryuuen gently looks at Kiyotaka once before averting his eyes. Ryuuen still smiled at them without any shame or anger in his expressions, with Karma doing the same.

" It's a shame, when I thought I'd finally found someone who schemes just the way I like it. But it's too bad the one pulling Suzune's strings and Akabane's employer made their move a bit too early. The trump card they used in the island test should have been saved for this exam but they've ended up showing their hand too early into the game. Suzune, if you meet the one pulling your strings later, please pass this message onto him for me. The same goes to you, Akabane. "

" Yeah, yeah. " Karma didn't care any of that as he squeeze the last droplet of milk from the carton.

" Thanks for the advice. " Suzune said coldly.

Ryuen smirk. " No need for thanks. "

Suddenly, Ryuuen whipped out his phone without warning and before anyone could react, quickly snapped a photo of Suzune without her permission.

This angers Karma and he is ready to grab Ryuuen's phone, but Kiyotaka stops him and shakes his head. This gesture stops Karma, but he was still glaring at the dictator.

Suzune began to growl. " Don't take my photo! "

" Don't say things like that; I'll tell you something good. " Ryuuen says while looking at the photo of Horikita he'd snapped on his phone. " There is someone else in Class D who's scheming, other than you. "

Ryuen tap his fingers on the table. " In any case, I'm glad I got to talk to you, Suzune, Akabane. Remember, this is a game. I'll definitely find the one sneaking around in the shadows. Everything is a target for me. "

" Let me just ask one last thing. " Suzune raise her head to the maroon-haired.

" I understand being cautious of me, but why obsess over me so much? Aren't there others you care about? Like Ichinose-san in Class B or Katsuragi-kun in Class A and then there's the person known as Sakayanagi according to the rumors. There should be guys above Class C you'd normally worry about. You said you'd tell me something good so answer me that much at least. "

To this, Ryuen regain his smirk. " It's because I already know more or less their capabilities and none of them are capable enough to be my enemies. If I wanted to crush them, I could crush any of them whenever I want. "

Ibuki lean curiously. " How about the rumored Sakayanagi? "

Ryuuen, who spoke ever so smoothly until now, waited for a while before replying. " I'm saving that woman for dessert. It'll be a waste for me to eat Sakayanagi now. "

Ryuuen then stood up and together with Ibuki, but before they left their table, Karma asked Ryuuen a question.

" And what about me, dictator-kun? "

Ryuuen stopped and turned his head towards Karma, both were smirking and their eyes were glowing. " You'll be my main course with the mastermind, Akabane Karma. "

After that, Ryuuen and Ibuki left.

Karma lean his face to his palm. " This guy Ryuuen. He's an unpredictable one. "

" It could've been he was spying on us from the start, but the timing with which he appeared was too good. " Kiyotaka states.

Suzune swirl her cup. " I doubt anybody actually suspects you're the one working behind the scenes Ayanokoji-kun. The reputation you've built up throughout the semester as an 'ordinary' person will be very hard to shake. "

Karma nod his head slowly. ' However, the very fact that Ayano-kun is close to Suzu-chan and I should put him on a to-watch list of his. '

Once they saw students starting to come out onto the deck they got up from their seats.

" The discussion is over for now, right? In that case, I'm going to back to my room to sleep. " Kiyotaka said.

Suzune nod in agreement. " All we have left to do is proceed in our own groups. Good work for today. Do make sure to report if anything comes up. "

_____________________

Sotomura gave a tired huff. " Sorry to keep you waiting. Geppu, geppu. If you eat three heavy meals for lunch you'd naturally be full. I thought of going on a diet but it seems like a failure "

Sotomura came up to Karma and Ayanokoji while rubbing his belly that had swollen up from all the food he'd eaten earlier. He came to the location they and Yukimura were waiting in front of.

" It is troublesome that the exam has started, I've barely eaten. " Kiyotaka muttered.

Sotomura gasp. " Is that a 'I'm currently unable to use my full strength' flag? "

Karma groaned in annoyance. " Don't take it harsh as a fellow groupmate, but can't you cut it out with that weird way of speaking? "

' After spending one year with Koro-sensei, I can't take it anymore! '

Sotomura let out a giggle underneath his palm. " Pofu~ Did you not like my way of speech? What would suit you then, Akabane-dono? "

A tick-mark appeared. " Just speak normally. "

" Ok, from this point onwards I'll be the weakest, strongest protagonist. " Sotomura proclaimed. " I'll normally have no motivation to do anything but the truth is; I have a power capable of destroying the world worthy of naming me Cheat-kun. As is the current trend. "

Karma sighed. ' Every cliche anime protagonist.. '

Yukimura also sighed as he walk ahead of them.

" Ayanokouji, Akabane, there's something I wish to ask you, answer me. "

Kiyotaka turn to Sotomura. " What would you like to ask? "

" I was wondering what your favorite type of dialect is, since you'd surely be happy if a cute heroine were to speak in such a dialect. "

After he said that, Karma winced. " No...there's no particular dialect we- I like, Ayano-kun if you have any, your dead to me. "

" I also don't have any favorite dialect. "

Sotomura tilt his head. " Have you not yet had the chance to experience the dialect of 'moe'? "