Chapter 23: The End of an Exam and the Beginning of a New One
'Clink.' I opened the door to the wide and expansive room that was allowed for me and my classmates to hang out in our free time. It seemed like everyone else had arrived before me. This has been happening for quite some time, now that I think about it. Not that I have to be the 'first' person to arrive, but it would be nice for that to happen one of these days.
However, it's not like I purposely oversleep. Not a chance. I have a daily regimen that I must keep up with. One hundred pushups, one hundred sit ups. One hundred squats. And a ten-kilometer run. (Though I had to skip that last one with everyone 'me included' being on the cruise ship together.) Not only that but I have to keep practicing with Obliterator so that I don't destroy my brain. And since we had a few days of R I was able to increase my proficiency with it by up to eight percent. Meaning my brain won't feel like it's on fire as long as I keep it at eight percent or below.
But it's been significantly harder at the same time to use it in secret with all of us being close together. On the island, it wasn't all too hard to find places that had no one around (Given how big it was) But here's different. This might be the biggest ship I've been on in my life, but it's nowhere close to being as large as that island. On the flipside, I have something that I didn't have before. That being Horikita. She knows my true identity now. I now have someone that I can genuinely consider an 'ally.'
While that's all and good (Also refreshing to have someone who knows who I really am) But it's for that exact reason that I have to keep training for whatever comes next. The USJ Nomu appearing on the island out of nowhere has the Doctor's fingerprints written all over it. I wouldn't be surprised if he sends another one of his 'allies' after me even with me being on this ship. That's why I must protect my 'ally' as well as all of the friends I made and everyone else no matter what!
"Good morning, Sudo." I spoke with a smile on my face as Sudo tilted his head at me before replying 'Mornin.' But then he looked at me like I was weird which confused me. But before I could say another word-
"You are considerably chipper today. Somethin good happen?" Sudo asked as my eyes went wide. I must have been smiling, (Not that I usually don't. In fact, I always try to keep a smile on my face) But it must have been more so than usual if Sudo had noticed.
"Well, I guess you can say that." I replied with what was surely a bashful look on my face. Now that I think about it, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my chest now that Horikita knows my true identity. Sure, it doesn't mean I can take it easy, but it feels nice knowing that someone can understand what I'm trying to do in this world. (Or at least to a certain extent.) Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Ike grinning which meant that he's clearly been listening to me and Sudo's conversation. But before I could respond-
"You must have gotten a girlfriend. What does she look like? No, better question. Is it by any chance one of the lovely ladies in this room?" Kiyotaka disguised as Ike asked while maintaining his grin as I felt the stares of several of my classmates on me. (Not that he was particularly interested in my love life. It was simply to keep up his 'act' as Kanji Ike.)
"Sorry to disappoint but I'm still single." I replied while closing my eyes and showcasing a bright smile on my face. That's right. It's not like there aren't any girls on this cruise ship who I wouldn't mind being in a relationship with. But I have a duty I must uphold to a certain someone. Until I get back to my old world and learn how she really felt about me. Until then, I must remain faithful to her!
"Awwwwwww. That's super disappointing. Boo. Also, next time don't say something like that unless you are dating someone." Onodera commented with a pout on her face.
'Um, if you want to blame anyone, blame Ike.' I thought internally with what was surely a bit of an annoyed look on my face.
"I'll probably end up regretting asking this question, but why is it that you want Midoriya to date someone so badly, Onodera?" Hasebe asked while looking at said person who was sitting right next to her on the sofa. Hearing this made Onodera smile before standing up.
"How could I not? Just think of it, Hasebe! If Midoriya gets with someone then it will inevitably create drama! Wonderful drama! Especially if they both end up being in this class! That alone will make class time all the more interesting! Think of the potential for all the gossip that can come from it! Just thinking about it… makes me so excited! Damn it! Just get a girlfriend already! Everyone wants you too!" Onodera spoke with a wide grin on her face before turning her attention to me with a face that changed to one that resembled a tiger.
'Who's everyone?!' I thought internally with what was surely a look of freight on my face. But before I could respond-
"Then… why don't you just date Midoriya?" Hasebe asked with a smug smile on her face before putting a hand onto Onodera's shoulder. The latter of which thought about it for a moment. And then…
"No. Even if we were the last two people on earth and the survival of the human race depended on us… no." Onodera declared with a look on her face that illustrated how dead serious she was along with a tone of voice that matched it. But hearing this made my eyes go wide.
"YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO SAY IT LIKE THAT!' I thought internally as my jaw dropped to the ground.
"And there's your answer." Hasebe replied before lifting up the palm that she was resting on Onodera's shoulder before finger flicking her on her forehead. Incurring a 'Ow!' By the latter. Well, now that that is over with, I should say good morning to Sakura!
"Good morning, Sakura." I spoke with what was surely a bright smile on my face. In response she looked at me, before muttering 'Hmph.' And turning her head to look in the opposite direction. I wasn't too surprised by this reaction, given the fact that Sakura has been avoiding me ever since punched me on the arm. (Or more accurately just lightly tapped it with her fist.) Well, it's perfectly understandable given that I ended up risking my life to save Horikita. Sakura definitely cares about me, and she didn't want me to hurt myself. Should I tell her everything?
I… don't know. On one hand, it would mean that I can properly explain myself to her on why 'I' had to be the one to save Horikita. But at the same time, it puts her at risk. The USJ Nomu targeted Horikita because I'm close to her. Sakura knowing my true identity could make her a target. I don't want to put her in any danger. Especially considering the fact that me and everyone else are on this ship together. Again, this ship might be big, but with everyone so close together would I even have the chance of talking to her in private without anyone eavesdropping.
It's not just that, but there's also the possibility of a 'traitor.' I don't want to think any of my classmates could be working with the Doctor. But considering the fact that the USJ Nomu found Horikita before finding anyone else, that can't be a coincidence. Plus, that 'Nomu' in particular wasn't exactly intelligent. It might as well have been a wild animal. It could have encountered and killed anyone on the island. But it didn't. That can only mean that someone was keeping tabs on that monster and meeting with it from time to time, to make sure it didn't go wander off and kill somebody. Yeah, I'm sure of it now. Without a shadow of a doubt…
… There's a traitor among us. I've dealt with a traitor before. Yuga Aoyama, one of my classmates from Class 1-A. Sure, he wasn't my closest friend. But I valued him, and his betrayal hurt me… a lot. I'm glad he redeemed himself in the end. But I can't say the same thing will happen this time. I should assume the worst-case scenario and that the traitor is most likely someone who wholeheartedly agrees with whatever the Doctor has planned. But hopefully, I'm wrong. But if I'm not… then- but before I could finish that thought-
"Midoriya, is everything alright?" Horikita whispered as my eyes went wide upon hearing her words. Did I have a look of dread on my face? No. I must have if she checked up on me like this. I couldn't help it. I didn't want to think of such terrible things. But I should be prepared for the future.
"I'm fine, really." I replied as I regained my smile. That's right. If hypothetically the traitor is someone within this room, and they figure out I'm onto them… the result could be utterly disastrous. I should fully assume that they have multiple quirks on them just like Daichi did. I can't risk divulging any information here.
'So, for now, I have to keep my cool.' I thought internally before typing up a text on my phone to Horikita that read: 'Let's talk later.' Before pressing send and taking an available seat. But even though someone here has to be the traitor, it would be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I can't expect them to reveal themselves. So, how do I exactly draw them out? I have no idea. Perhaps Horikita might have one. But just as I was thinking about that-
'Clink.' The door to the room opened once more as Professor Chabashira entered it. Got to drop that thought for now. Because now it's time for-
"The second and final exam will begin momentarily. But before that I must announce the results of the previous exam. As a class, you earned no points whatsoever. In fact, you lost any bonus points you earned when the other classes guessed your leader correctly. Nor did you have any S-Points remaining by the end of it." Chabashira explained with her usual stoic expression on my face. But hearing the results made me-
"I'm so sorry everyone. I'm a failure of a leader." I admitted with a defeated look on my face as I looked at the ground out of regret.
"Midoriya, chin up. You didn't fail as a leader. Sure, you made mistakes along the way. But I think you did a pretty good job." Hirata spoke with a reassuring smile on his face as just hearing his words made me happy. Hirata, you're such a nice guy! But not even a moment later-
"Yosuke, you're too nice to him. The reason why everyone figured out he was the leader was because he shouted it. I just know it." Karuizawa commented as my face instinctively went back to one of defeat. Yeah. She's right. If Hirata was the leader everything would have turned out okay.
"We all failed the exam and it's all my fault." I admitted while maintaining that defeated look on my face. But Chabashira heard this.
"Actually, you all didn't fail the exam. You all passed." Chabashira replied as my eyes went wide as I muttered a 'huh?' But before I could say anything else-
"Wait, wait, wait! W-We all passed?! How is that possible if we didn't get any points?!" Yamauchi yelled out with a dumbfounded look on his face. Several others chimed in with something similar.
"That's because this exam wasn't graded depending on how many 'points' each class receives by the end of it. Does anyone remember what I said to you all at the start of the exam?" Chabashira asked as several of my classmates looked around at each other out of confusion. I tried thinking back to what Chabashira said but before I could, Horikita beat me to the punch by raising her hand and knowing the answer.
"That this test was to hone and assess our abilities to survive in terms of cooperating with each other." Horikita replied with a serious look on her face while Chabashira nodded in approval to the former's response.
"That's exactly right. And the key word is 'cooperation.' You all cooperated with each other to survive for an entire week. Sure, you used most of your points to purchase materials that allowed you to do so. But the result was the same. You all survived together. So, you all passed together." Chabashira explained.
"So, even though we lost all the points, we passed?" Karuizawa asked with a perplexed look on her face as she couldn't understand the logic behind it even after hearing it. Chabashira noticed this.
"You might have lost all the bonus points you earned by the end of it. And you would have certainly failed if I graded you then and there. However, what you lost were all the bonus points you earned while the exam was going on. As your professor I'm allowed to distribute additional points to whomever showed results. Whether you were good at setting up tents, cooking food, gathering materials, each of these played a role in whether you passed." Chabashira explained further.
"That's why I can say that each of you showcased qualities capable of surviving on an uninhabited island together. Sure, some were lacking compared to others. But none of you failed. In fact, there was one of you in particular who showcased the qualities that the entire faculty including myself were impressed with. And that person is none other than…" Chabashira continued but paused for a second as she pointed at someone in particular. And to my utmost surprise it was me!
"… Izuku Midoriya. What you showcased as a leader was nothing special. But in terms of 'cooperation' you were leaps and bounds above anyone else here. You always made sure to cooperate with your peers, always making sure to actively listen to them. Even solving some of their problems to ensure that the class stuck together. Not to mention your adaptability of scouting new locations on the fly whenever your class came across another class who held the rights to a certain spot." Chabashira explained as my eyes went wide as I thought back to everything that happened. Specifically, my discussion with Sudo… t-t-they heard that?! Chabashira noticed this.
"Yes. We heard everything. Of course, setting up cameras would be illegal, but voice recorders are a different story. In each of the loudspeakers was a voice recorder. They all registered sound and that's how the picture was crystal clear even without us having to see it. But that's not all… there's also the fact that you went back to save Horikita. Personally, I can't condone your actions. But as your professor, I can't ignore the fact that what you showcased back there was bravery on a scale I or any of the faculty had seen before." Chabashira continued as she I couldn't help but stand up. And then…
"That's why you have earned a total of sixty bonus points. The only person close to achieving what you did was Yosuke Hirata with forty-five bonus points. Your entire class only needed a hundred points alone to pass. And just you two alone were enough to guarantee this." Chabashira finished her explanation as my jaw quite literally dropped to the floor out of sheer surprise. (I lied; it didn't fall on the ground.) But it might as well have! After all, I couldn't help but be flabbergasted at this twist! Not only that-
"Déjà vu." I unintentionally muttered while I thought back to how I was accepted into UA. (Even the results were eerily similar.) But Chabashira heard this.
"Déjà vu?" Chabashira repeated back with a confused look on her face while tilting her head to her side. This caught me off guard and almost made me jump out of my skin. But I quickly regained my composure by replying with 'Oh, um, nothing.'
"Then if there are no more further questions, then I will move onto the next topic at hand. Which concerns, the second and final exam. And since we are all on a cruise ship, this exam will be called the 'Cruise Ship Special Test.'" Chabashira spoke but in the midst of that-
"Oh, how original." Karuizawa muttered with a slightly annoyed look on her face. But Chabashira heard her whisper.
"Karuizawa, is there something that you wish to say?" Chabashira asked while glaring daggers at Karuizawa. This caught Kei off guard.
"N-Nothing in particular." Karuizawa replied with a mischievous grin before looking away from Chabashira.
"As I was saying, this is the second and final summer exam, which will be held right on this cruise ship, the Speranza. This exam is much like the previous one, in the sense that you are expected to cooperate with each other. Each of you will be encouraged to use access and hone your skills of thinking critically. As well as analyzing the situation at hand and resolving the given problem. The ability to work creatively with imagination and work determinedly towards resolving the problem, such traits will also be vital for this task." Chabashira explained.
"So, we are all expected to work together as a class again? I don't mean to be rude in any shape or form. But isn't that kind of repetitive?" Kushida asked with her usual wide smile on her face. But in response, Chabashira nodded.
"That's exactly right. Which is why a select few of you will be working alongside the other classes together. The groups have already been decided by me and the rest of the faculty. First, the rabbit group, which will consist of Karuizawa, Sotomura, Yukimura, and Midoriya." Chabashira explained as my eyes went wide. Not only regarding the odds that I'm placed in the 'rabbit' group when people are convinced that I'm a bunny themed superhero. But also, the fact that-
'I'm together with her?!' I thought internally after looking at Karuizawa as we both exchanged eye contact until the latter's face became noticeably annoyed and she averted her eyes from me. Damn it! That is the worst possible matchup! I used to think me and Sudo were incompatible, but we actually got to know each other! Not to mention, we're friends now! But out of everyone in my class the one who actively dislikes me is Karuizawa! And of all the people here I'm paired with her?! There's no way this is a coincidence! But before I knew it, the Professor was done listing who was in the other groups, before continuing with her explanation.
"And with the exam has already begun. Each of you have just been sent emails detailing that the VIP among you has been chosen. Of course, this choice was made by me and the faculty. The goal of this exam is for each of you who isn't considered the VIP to work together among yourselves to figure out the answer." Chabashira explained but in the midst of her explanation Hirata raised his hand, prompting her to stop.
"Hypothetically if one of us is the VIP then what's stopping us from divulging our identity between each other?" Hirata asked with his usual calm and collected expression.
"That is because that's against the rules. The VIP cannot be the one to admit the truth unless faced with insurmountable evidence of them being such. So, if they basically just go, 'Hi, I'm the VIP.' Consider the entire group automatically disqualified and you all automatically fail the exam." Chabashira replied as I nodded my head while expecting that response from her.
"So basically, this exam is about 'exposing' someone." Karuizawa commented with a smile on her face. But what stuck out to me about that was that she was ever so slightly sweating. Specifically on her forehead.
"Not just 'someone.' But two people. The VIP and the Traitor." Chabashira replied but as she said the word 'traitor', my eyes went wide as I recalled the fact that there is a traitor within this room. Mind you, not the traitor who is part of this exam but the real one working with the Doctor. But I couldn't be thinking of such things, not when there is a chance they are also in this same room. Got to remain vigilant especially in spite of that possibility.
"The exam will take place between one in the afternoon and conclude at nine in the evening. During that time, you all can act freely and do whatever you want. But it is strongly recommended that you dedicate at least two hours to discussing among yourselves on you think the VIP and the Traitor's identities are. But that's just recommendations and you can simply talk about whatever you want, and you won't be penalized for it." Chabashira explained with a nonchalant look on her face as several of my classmates' things such as 'Wow, so much freedom.' And this is 'Basically just a vacation.' Chabashira heard this.
"However, at the end of the exam, the VIP of your group must be identified. It will be done three days from now on, between nine thirty and ten at night. The answers will be sent to me and the faculty through using a certain email address which will be provided on the final day. But only ONE answer can be given per group. So, if you all can't agree on who you think the traitor is, you all fail. Same thing happens if you guess incorrectly. Also don't expect to be rewarded for your reckless behavior this time, Midoriya." Chabashira explained with a smile on her face as my eyes went wide.
'Yeah. She definitely doesn't like the fact that I got rewarded for in her eyes almost dying.' I thought internally with a nervous smile on my face before nodding and replying with 'Yes, Professor Chabashira.'
"And what of the Traitor? How do they factor into this?" Horikita asked with her usual serious expression.
"Excellent question. The Traitor can also give their own individual answer regarding the identity of the VIP. Your job is to identify the traitor and make sure they don't realize the identity of the VIP. Because if they figure it out, guess what will happen?" Chabashira asked.
"The entire group fails accept the Traitor who gets a load of Points." Sudo replied with a rather annoyed look on his face. In response, Chabashira nodded.
"You're catching on, Sudo. The point of the Traitor is to figure out who it is amongst yourselves and then cut them out. Think of the Traitor like… 'Cancer.' Your body can't survive with Cancer so you must get treated for it and taken out of you. In that aspect, it's basically the same thing." Chabashira admitted while several of my classmates muttered 'That got dark real quick.' Amongst themselves.
"So, to summarize, if your group members identify the VIP then you all get roughly five hundred thousand points. The exception to this is the Traitor who will receive nothing unless they figure out the VIP's identity, answer it correctly and then they get five hundred thousand points and no one else does. Either way, details of the exam will be emailed to you by eleven on the night of the final day. Good luck." Chabashira finished before taking her leave. All the while my classmates muttered between themselves 'That's a lot of points!' But in contrast, I thought now was a good time to get to talk with each other.
"Hey Karu- I spoke with a smile on my face, but I was cut off before I could finish speaking.
"The exam doesn't 'start' till one. In the meantime, I'm going to grab some breakfast. I don't like people trying to talk to me while I'm eating. So, until then, don't talk to me. Kay bye." Karuizawa replied before leaving the room while I was left stuck in place like a stone statue.
"I'm sorry." Hirata spoke while putting a hand on my shoulder as the expression of defeat returned to me with a vengeance.
"Why does she hate me so much?" I muttered while maintaining my defeated look as I looked at the ground.
"Kei-I mean Karuizawa doesn't hate you. I truly believe that." Hirata admitted while giving me a reassuring smile.
"R-Really? H-How can, you be so sure?" I asked while titling my head up to see Hirata's smiling face. But he then paused for a second to ponder that question before coming up with a response. And then…
"Well, for starters, she's, my girlfriend. I'd like to think that I know particularly well. To be honest, I don't think she really hates anyone. I know it must not be easy to be around her but try to read between the lines. I think you'll understand what I mean if you do." Hirata replied while I looked at him with a perplexed look on my face.
'Read between the lines? What does that mean?' I thought internally but before I could say anything in response-
"It basically means just don't piss her off." Suzune commented as she read my mind. This caused my eyes to shoot wide open as her sudden response startled me. Hirata was also surprised by this.
"Well, um, yes y-you are correct. But there's a bit more to it than that- Hirata replied but before he could finish, he too was cut off by-
"Well, good news, champ. You're already doing a fine job at that." Onodera admitted as she slapped me on the back and gave me a wide grin.
"You're not helping." I replied with what was undoubtably an annoyed look on her face. This sparked Hasebe to come in and finger flick Onodera right across the latter's forehead. Incurring an 'Ow.' Well, I guess she's right. I already pissed Karuizawa off. Why? I have no idea. I just wish she'd tell me what she doesn't like about me. It's not like I want to make her angry. Man, I miss the girls from my old world. They were all so nice. In contrast, the girls here might as well be demons. (Horikita, Sakura, and Ichinose, 'The latter of which isn't even in this class but still' aren't included amongst them)
"Hahaha, you'll be fine. I'm sure she really likes you and is just mean cause she's confused. Kind of like a Tsundere!" Kushida spoke as she performed her magic trick of teleporting right next to me out of the blue. This would normally surprise, but my only question was-
"What the heck is a tsundere?" I said out loud with what was undoubtedly a dumbfounded look on my face. But Kushida's eyes sparkled in response to this.
"I'm glad you asked. Here's a crash course of 'What is a tsundere from your class idol!' (Yours truly!) Tsun has many different meanings such as aloof, off-putting, 'or if you want to get a bit more eloquent' morosely! Dere means lovey-dovey or infatuated with another! Heance the term 'Tsundere!' But just for the record, I'm not one of them because I don't hide my true feelings, unlike other people." Kushida explained with her usual wide smile before glancing at Horikita for a second at the end of her explanation and then looking at me while closing her eyes.
"T-Thanks." I replied as I stuttered slightly because once again it really feels like Kushida has a grudge against Horikita. I couldn't understand why so I just smiled back at her before taking my leave. I glanced back quickly to see that Horikita was following me as that made it clear she read my text. And before I know it-
"Traitor? You think you know who it is? I know I'm not part of your group, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested in your deduction." Suzune asked with a curious look on her face as I lied to her and said I wanted to discuss who I thought was the Traitor in my group. This was with the clear purpose of fooling the Traitor if they are around. I then grabbed out my phone and texted a response to Horikita that revealed the truth.
'Bzzt.' The text was sent as Horikita's phone buzzed. She then checked the text with a confused look on her before her eyes went wide upon reading it. It read: 'Don't freak out but I'm sure there is a traitor among us. Not the exam traitor. But a separate traitor who organized the incident with the 'Nomu' That attacked us.' She then replied with a 'You're sure? Any theories on who it might be?' And I replied with a 'I was sort of expecting you to come up with something, lol.' Horikita then sighed in response before pondering the question for a moment. And then…
"I'm sorry, there's way too little information. There are one hundred of us when you combine the four classes together. Even if you remove us, and Sakura there are still ninety-seven suspects. For now, it's best to just let it ride until we can get some clues." Suzune replied with her usual serious expression.
'Yeah. I should have expected that response.' I thought internally with a smile. I then looked around the cafeteria me and Horikita were in until I noticed a certain girl with a blonde ponytail. Which brought another question to mind.
"Any ideas on how to deal with her?" I asked with what was surely a nervous smile on my face as I tilted my head in Karuizawa's direction. Horikita noticed who I was referring to with a glance in the direction I was tilting my head in.
"Other than 'Don't piss her off?' To be honest I don't really know her that well so that's really all I can say on the matter." Suzune replied while thinking that the only person she really knows is the person right in front of her. Of course, I couldn't read Horikita's mind like she can do for me, so I nodded. But then…
"Hey. I got a question for you!" Someone unfamiliar spoke as I was caught off guard due to the tone of their voice. Not only was it a feminine voice but they were clearly angry. I then looked toward the source of the voice as my eyes went wide. It came from a certain girl who was in front of Karuizawa along with two other girls. Just seeing that scene sparked a memory to the forefront of my mind. But this made me confused. Just…
'… Why did it all seem so familiar?' I thought internally as I recalled being bullied countless times by Kacchan and his two friends. But before I knew it, things would only get even more familiar as this encounter was about to escalate. And soon I would be face to face with the girl named Kei Karuizawa as I realized a certain 'truth' about her. And the fact…
… That we are more similar than I ever thought we would be at first glance.
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: A Season for Encounters: Part 2
Go Beyond!
Plus Ultra!