Shadows Beneath the Surface

Karuizawa Kei, a popular yet isolated girl, reflects on her painful past and the scars that still haunt her. Despite her outward confidence, she is deeply affected by bullying and betrayal, leading her to adopt a defensive, almost parasitic approach to social life. Her soliloquy reveals a determination to protect herself at all costs, even if it means manipulating those around her or sacrificing genuine connection. This internal struggle sets the tone for the novel, highlighting the hidden pain and survival instincts that drive many students at the Advanced Nurturing High School.

Summer's Illusion of Peace

After a grueling survival test on a deserted island, the students enjoy a luxurious cruise, basking in the illusion of a carefree summer vacation. Yet beneath the surface, anxieties simmer: friendships are fragile, social hierarchies are rigid, and the threat of expulsion looms. Ayanokouji, the protagonist, remains an outsider, observing the subtle shifts in class dynamics and the growing pressure to ascend to Class A. The peace is temporary, as the school's next challenge is imminent.

The Test Unveiled

The tranquility shatters when the school announces a new "special test." Students are divided into twelve Zodiac-themed groups, each containing members from all four classes. The test's core: identify the hidden "VIP" in each group. The rules are complex, with multiple outcomes based on trust, betrayal, and timing. The structure forces students to cooperate with rivals, blurring the lines between friend and foe. The test is less about academics and more about psychological warfare, social deduction, and manipulation.

Unlikely Alliances Form

As the test begins, students must navigate new alliances. Leaders like Ichinose (Class B) and Katsuragi (Class A) propose different strategies: open cooperation versus defensive silence. Some, like Ryuuen (Class C), seek to exploit the chaos for personal gain. Ayanokouji's group, the "Rabbit" team, is a microcosm of the school's social experiment, with personalities clashing and trust in short supply. The test's design ensures that no one can win alone, and every action is fraught with risk.

The Game of Deceit

The test quickly devolves into a game of deception. Students propose sharing their phones to prove innocence, but the possibility of fakes and swapped devices complicates matters. Class A's "iron fortress" strategy—refusing to participate—frustrates others, while Ichinose's attempts at unity are met with suspicion. Ryuuen, meanwhile, uses intimidation and psychological manipulation to extract information, even resorting to coercion within his own class. The atmosphere grows tense as everyone suspects everyone else.

Social Hierarchies Exposed

The test's pressure exposes the school's social hierarchies. Karuizawa, usually a queen bee, becomes the target of bullying by Manabe and her clique from Class C. Her tough exterior crumbles, revealing deep-seated trauma. Ayanokouji observes and intervenes, not out of kindness, but to turn Karuizawa into an ally. The episode highlights how status is both weapon and shield, and how the school's system amplifies both cruelty and dependency.

The VIP's Secret

As the test progresses, the search for the VIP in each group becomes a psychological chess match. Students swap phones, fake evidence, and bluff their way through discussions. Ayanokouji orchestrates a plan to mislead his group about the true VIP's identity, using Karuizawa's phone and Yukimura's cooperation. Meanwhile, Ichinose and others attempt similar strategies, leading to a battle of wits where the truth is always just out of reach.

Trust and Betrayal

The promise of points and the threat of penalties make trust nearly impossible. Some students, like Yukimura, struggle with the moral cost of deception, while others, like Ryuuen, revel in the opportunity to manipulate and betray. The test's structure ensures that betrayal is always an option, and even the most well-intentioned plans can be undone by a single act of self-interest. The line between ally and enemy blurs, and paranoia reigns.

The Bully and the Bullied

Karuizawa's ordeal at the hands of Manabe and her friends reaches a climax in a secluded part of the ship. Ayanokouji, having orchestrated the encounter, steps in—not to save her, but to break her completely and rebuild her as his tool. He exposes her secrets, threatens her with blackmail, and offers protection in exchange for loyalty. This dark pact cements Karuizawa's role as both victim and accomplice, and marks a turning point in Ayanokouji's manipulation of the class.

Ryuuen's Calculated Chaos

Ryuuen emerges as the test's wild card, using fear and force to extract the VIPs' identities from his classmates and others. He orchestrates a series of betrayals, timing them for maximum impact and point gain. His methods are ruthless, but effective, allowing Class C to leap ahead in the rankings. Ryuuen's actions expose the system's vulnerabilities and set a new standard for psychological warfare at the school.

Horikita's Gambit

Horikita, usually aloof and logical, takes a bold approach in her own group, the "Dragon" team. She coordinates with Kushida and Hirata to protect their VIP and aim for the highest reward. However, Ryuuen's interference and the group's internal tensions threaten to unravel her plan. Horikita's struggle reflects the difficulty of balancing trust, leadership, and self-preservation in a system designed to pit students against each other.

The Double-Edged Plan

Ayanokouji's intricate plan to mislead his group about the VIP's identity is nearly flawless—until Ichinose anticipates his move. She exposes the phone swap trick, revealing that even the most careful strategies can be undone by equally cunning opponents. The confrontation between Ayanokouji and Ichinose is a highlight of the test, showcasing the razor-thin margin between victory and defeat in a world where everyone is playing their own game.

The Collapse of Facades

As the test concludes, the facades students have maintained begin to crack. Hirata reveals his own trauma and motivations, Karuizawa's vulnerability becomes public (at least to Ayanokouji), and alliances shift in unexpected ways. The aftermath of the test leaves many students questioning their identities, loyalties, and the cost of survival in such a ruthless environment.

The Price of Survival

The results are announced: Class C, led by Ryuuen's machinations, emerges as the biggest winner, while Class D gains only a modest boost. Class A, once untouchable, suffers significant losses. The point disparities widen, and the psychological toll on the students is evident. The test has not only redistributed points, but also reshaped the social and emotional landscape of the school.

The Final Betrayal

Ryuuen reveals how he manipulated the test, exposing Horikita's missteps and taunting her with his newfound dominance. His ability to predict and control outcomes marks him as a formidable adversary for the future. The chapter ends with a sense of foreboding: the game is far from over, and the next round will be even more brutal.

Aftermath and Awakening

In the wake of the test, Ayanokouji consolidates his power, having gained Karuizawa as a secret ally and established himself as a behind-the-scenes force. Horikita, chastened but not defeated, prepares for the next challenge. The class is left to reckon with the consequences of their actions, the fragility of trust, and the reality that survival often comes at the expense of innocence and integrity.

Characters

Ayanokouji Kiyotaka

Ayanokouji is the enigmatic protagonist whose outward apathy masks a calculating, almost Machiavellian mind. He prefers to remain in the background, observing and subtly influencing events. His psychological insight allows him to exploit others' weaknesses, as seen in his manipulation of Karuizawa and orchestration of the VIP deception. Despite his intelligence, he is emotionally detached, viewing relationships as tools rather than ends in themselves. Over the course of the novel, Ayanokouji's willingness to use others deepens, marking his evolution from passive observer to active puppeteer.

Karuizawa Kei

Karuizawa is outwardly confident, popular, and sometimes abrasive, but her persona is a fragile mask concealing deep trauma from years of bullying. Her relationship with Hirata is revealed to be a façade, a means of self-protection rather than genuine affection. When targeted by Manabe's group, her defenses crumble, exposing her vulnerability. Ayanokouji's intervention—equal parts rescue and exploitation—binds her to him in a dark alliance. Karuizawa's journey is one of survival, forced to choose between autonomy and dependence on those who can protect her.

Horikita Suzune

Horikita is intelligent, driven, and socially awkward, determined to elevate Class D to the top. She struggles to connect with others, often dismissing emotional needs in favor of logic. Her partnership with Ayanokouji is pragmatic, though she is often unaware of the extent of his manipulation. Horikita's leadership is tested by the complexities of the test and Ryuuen's interference, forcing her to confront her own limitations and the necessity of trust.

Hirata Yousuke

Hirata is the class's social glue, popular and empathetic, but his desire to save everyone stems from a traumatic past where he failed to help a bullied friend. His relationship with Karuizawa is a calculated act of protection, not romance. Hirata's struggle is between his ideals and the harsh realities of the school's system. He is both a stabilizing force and a tragic figure, unable to reconcile his need to help with the impossibility of saving everyone.

Ichinose Honami

Ichinose leads Class B with warmth and integrity, seeking cooperation over conflict. She is adept at reading people and situations, as shown in her counter to Ayanokouji's deception. While she values honesty, she is not above strategic maneuvering when necessary. Ichinose's strength lies in her ability to inspire trust, but she is also aware of the limits of idealism in a competitive environment.

Ryuuen Kakeru

Ryuuen is the leader of Class C, reveling in psychological warfare and intimidation. He uses fear, coercion, and calculated betrayal to achieve his goals, unafraid to sacrifice others for personal gain. Ryuuen's methods are brutal but effective, allowing him to outmaneuver more principled opponents. He thrives in chaos, viewing the school's system as a playground for his ambitions.

Kushida Kikyou

Kushida is outwardly friendly and universally liked, but harbors a darker, manipulative side. She seeks approval and influence, often playing multiple sides to maintain her position. As the VIP in the Dragon group, she becomes a focal point of intrigue and suspicion. Kushida's duality makes her both an asset and a threat to those around her.

Yukimura Teruhiko

Yukimura is academically gifted and values fairness, but struggles with the moral ambiguities of the test. He is uncomfortable with deception and reluctant to betray others, making him vulnerable to manipulation. Yukimura's rigidity is both his strength and his weakness, as he is often outmaneuvered by more adaptable classmates.

The Professor (Sotomura Hideo)

Sotomura, nicknamed "The Professor," is a stereotypical otaku with deep knowledge but limited social skills. He provides comic relief and occasional insight, but is largely a follower rather than a leader. His presence highlights the diversity of personalities within the class and the varying ways students cope with pressure.

Manabe Shiho

Manabe is the leader of the group that targets Karuizawa, embodying the darker side of the school's social dynamics. Her actions force Karuizawa's vulnerability into the open and set the stage for Ayanokouji's intervention. Manabe's role is that of antagonist, but she is also a product of the system's encouragement of competition and dominance.

Plot Devices

Psychological Test as Social Experiment

The Zodiac group test is a masterful plot device, designed to pit students against each other while requiring cooperation. Its rules incentivize both honesty and treachery, creating a high-stakes environment where every action is suspect. The test's structure—hidden VIPs, multiple outcomes, and the possibility of betrayal—mirrors real-world social dilemmas, amplifying the psychological tension and exposing the characters' true natures.

Phone Swapping and Identity Deception

Ayanokouji's plan to swap phones with Yukimura (and Karuizawa) is a clever use of technology to create false evidence and mislead the group. This device not only advances the plot but also symbolizes the fluidity of identity and the ease with which appearances can be manipulated. The eventual counter by Ichinose, who anticipates and exposes the trick, adds a layer of dramatic irony and highlights the arms race of deception.

Social Hierarchy and Bullying

The novel uses the school's rigid social structure to explore themes of power, vulnerability, and survival. Karuizawa's rise and fall within the hierarchy, and her reliance on relationships for protection, illustrate how status can be both empowering and precarious. The bullying subplot serves as a microcosm of the larger competition, showing how the system's pressures breed cruelty and dependency.

Foreshadowing and Misdirection

The narrative is laced with foreshadowing—subtle hints about characters' true motives, the test's hidden rules, and the eventual betrayals. Misdirection is used to keep both characters and readers guessing, with multiple layers of deception and counter-deception. The result is a story that rewards careful attention and challenges assumptions at every turn.

Multiple Points of View and Internal Monologue

The story frequently shifts between external events and characters' internal thoughts, providing insight into their fears, motivations, and rationalizations. This device allows for nuanced character development and emphasizes the theme that everyone is fighting their own private battles, often hidden from view.

Analysis

Classroom of the Elite Vol. 4 is a psychological thriller disguised as a high school drama, using the microcosm of an elite academy to explore themes of trust, manipulation, and the cost of survival in a competitive society. The Zodiac group test serves as both a literal and metaphorical crucible, forcing students to confront the limits of cooperation and the inevitability of betrayal. The novel's strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of the darkness beneath social facades: trauma, bullying, and the lengths to which individuals will go to protect themselves or gain advantage. Through characters like Ayanokouji, Karuizawa, and Ryuuen, the story interrogates the morality of manipulation and the price of victory, suggesting that in a system designed to reward cunning, innocence and integrity are liabilities. Ultimately, the book is a meditation on the nature of power—how it is gained, wielded, and lost—and a warning about the psychological toll of living in a world where everyone is both a player and a pawn.

Last updated: May 31, 2025