With the island test over, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and the others are enjoying their summer vacation on a luxury liner. Suddenly, they're interrupted by a new special test. Ayanokoji is called into the same room as Karuizawa Kei and others, where they learn that this test isn't strictly along class lines...

With Day 1 of the "thinking" test over, Ayanokoji is talking to Hirata and the others about a way to break out of the stalemate when he receives a message on his phone from an irritated Horikita. Meanwhile, noticing something strange about Karuizawa's behavior, he seeks information from Horikita, but...

Karuizawa is pushed to her breaking point by the girls of Class C. Ayanokoji watches impassively, but Yukimura flies to her aid, unable to bear it. Noticing Karuizawa's abnormal levels of fear, Ayanokoji seems to get an idea...

At the start of the second term, preparations for the sports festival begin. The students are nervous about the fact that performance in the events will affect their written tests, and even more pressure is added by the unique team breakdowns and freedom given to the students to decide who takes part in what event.

Ayanokoji brings Kushida, whom he suspects of being a traitor, to observe the other classes alongside Horikita. When the day of the festival arrives, Team Red pulls into the lead with great performances by Horikita and Sudo, but Ayanokoji merely watches with disinterest...

Class D prepares to face their next major challenge, a test called "Paper Shuffle" where the price of failure is expulsion.

Horikita decides to use Paper Shuffle to settle matters with Kushida, and Ayanokoji finds himself caught in the middle.

As the day of the Paper Shuffle draws near, the plans of the various forces in play collide.

Ayanokoji receives a visit from outside the school, and learns more about the conditions of his stay.

Karuizawa, whose cooperative relationship with Ayakoji has ended abruptly, cannot hide her embarrassment at the complete loss of contact with him. As Class D discusses their plans for the future, Ryuen and the other members of Class C appear overbearing.

Ayanokoji makes his final decision on how to deal with Ryuen and the Class C threat.

The aftermath of the gymnasium incident plays out as Christmas brings romance to the school.