Another Like Me - Part I (CoTE x OC) ?

Chapter 24 - The Zodiac Exam, Part 3

5 minutes.

10 minutes.

15 minutes.

What the hell were those fools doing inside? I began to grow a bit impatient, and started pacing down the corridor, albeit slowly, looking outside the windows of the cruise ship and admiring the beauty of the ocean. Soon, the door opened, and Ryuuen was the first person to come out.

"Kuku. Takeyama waiting for his girlfriends?" he sneered.

"Your group took quite some time," I said, ignoring his earlier statement.

"The extras from Class D were holding us back after all," Ryuuen deadpanned. "This is such a boring exam. Thinking ability, my ass." Saying so, Ryuuen smiled, showing me his white teeth, and left the Room. The rest of the Class C group followed suit after him, cowering in his shadow. Lame.

Hirata, Kushida and Horikita exited the Room, followed by Katsuragi and Class A. It seems the one of the Class A girls who had approached me on the ship before the Island Exam, Ryoko Nishikawa, was also in this group, and she shyly waved to me as she saw me. I let out a soft smile and waved back. She widened her eyes, and her cheeks turned beet red, and she scurried off in the opposite direction.

"Oh? Takeyama and Ayanokoji-kun?" Kushida said, feigning surprise. She had almost definitely noticed us already. "What are you doing here?"

"Hello, Kushida-san. I just wanted to know how the meeting in the Dragon Group went," I replied honestly. "After all, there are quite a few big names in here."

 "It wasn't too bad, though," Hirata said, responding in Kushida's place. "Class C does not even seem to care that there is a special exam going on, and they're are just idling their time away, not even discussing anything. Class A is going with a strategy of not talking at all. I feel that is definitely a good strategy, but it makes it much harder for Class B and D, who are actually trying to clear the exam as one."

"I see. So Class A is has decided to remain mute throughout the exam?" Ayanokoji joined in.

"Yes, that is we I have gathered until now," Horikita replied. "What about the Snake Group and the Rabbit Group? How are things there?"

"Class A has adopted a similar strategy in the Rabbit Group as well," Ayanokoji responded. "They're refusing to speak. Ichinose-san is in our group, so it makes having actual discussions a possibility in an otherwise quiet group."

"What about Class B and C?" Kushida asked.

"As of now, they are cooperating," Ayanokoji said. "Everything else is smooth."

Hirata and Horikita nodded, and then turned to look at me.

"Our group is in a similar state. Class A refuses to speak, and Class B has taken control of proceedings. We're trying to aim for Outcome 1, so we've decided to adjourn discussion altogether. No discussion equals no traitors."

"That is a fair logic. Well, it seems we cannot gather much information on today's meetings," Horikita said. "We must attend a few more of these discussions so that we can take an actual call on the situation." Everyone agreed to this statement, and we all excused ourselves to our respective rooms. Me, Hirata and Ayanokoji, being in the same guest cabin, walked together.

"Yosuke, there's something I need to tell you," I started.

"Mhm? I'm all ears."

"I don't think it is wise to say this out loud. Could you take out your phone? I'll message you the details."

Hirata complied, and I sent him a message stating that I was the VIP in the Snake Group. I hadn't informed Hirata about it yet, and I thought it would be better if I did.