Arc 16Forest School Showdown

Oreki organized cross-grade alliances for the Forest School exam, then helped expose Nagumo’s attempt to sabotage the girls’ groups. The exam ended with Class 1-A far ahead in the rankings, Oreki collecting 100 million Points from Class 3-A, and the students leaving the Forest School.

  • Oreki arranged first-year alliances with the other classes and sent them into the Forest School exam, where phones were confiscated and the students formed cross-grade groups.
  • Nagumo challenged Manabu Horikita to a contest between their groups, while Oreki worked to protect the first-years and watched for Nagumo’s plans for the girls’ groups.
  • Oreki gathered information from Kei and Asahina, learned that Akane Tachibana was being bullied, and promised not to tell Manabu about her tears.
  • Manabu’s group won the boys’ exam, but Nagumo’s interference threatened the girls’ results and could have caused Ichinose’s expulsion.
  • Oreki and Sakayanagi explained how they had anticipated Nagumo’s move and arranged for Class B’s girls to join Asahina’s group, thwarting his plan.
  • Oreki confronted Class 3-A about paying compensation and demanded 100 million Points, while Manabu acknowledged that he had overlooked Class 3-B’s strategy.
  • The third-years transferred their Points to Manabu, and the updated rankings put Class 1-A about 1,200 Points ahead of the lower-ranked classes.
  • Horikita Suzune accepted Oreki’s explanation for taking her brother’s Points, and the students departed the Forest School by bus.
Chapters 376–400 Vol. 4 Read

Ch. 376Training Camp Exam: A Perfectly Reasonable Spring Overnight Trip! (Part 2)

The students learned the rules of the eight-day Mixed Camp, where cross-grade groups would compete for rewards or face penalties. Shiina Hiyori began negotiating with students from other classes through a group chat, placing Oreki in control of it.

  • Teacher Majima explained that the Mixed Camp would bring students from different grades together for eight days and seven nights of training and exams.
  • On Class C's bus, Ryuuen ignored the explanation while Ishizaki tried to get him interested in competing against upperclassmen.
  • Shiina Hiyori created a group chat and offered Class C's cooperation in return for fair compensation, with Kaneda taking the lead publicly.
  • Oreki and Sakayanagi joined Hiyori's group chat, and Hiyori transferred ownership to Oreki, who invited Katsuragi.
  • The students learned that cross-grade groups would be ranked by average scores, with Private Point and class-point rewards for top groups and penalties for the bottom groups.

Ch. 377Training Camp Exam: A Perfectly Reasonable Spring Overnight Trip! (Part 2)

Oreki formed a chat with representatives from all four first-year classes and proposed a plan to divide the Forest Camping Exam’s rewards. He left Ichinose weighing the costly deal against the risks of refusing cooperation before phones were confiscated.

  • Oreki invited representatives from Classes 1-A through 1-D to a group chat, where he explained the exam’s reward multipliers and expulsion penalties.
  • Ichinose and Kanzaki used false identities in the chat, while Oreki laid out how Class A could maximize its rewards by taking first place in both the boys’ and girls’ exams.
  • Oreki proposed giving Class A first place among the boys and Class B first place among the girls, with the Private Points and part of Class B’s Class Points going to Classes C and D.
  • Hiyori asked what Class C would receive, and Ichinose considered the proposal while recognizing that cooperation would be difficult to arrange once the students’ phones were confiscated.

Ch. 378Nagumo’s Challenge, and Manabu Horikita’s Response!

Oreki coordinated the first-years into exam groups by negotiating class points and payments, while keeping Class A focused on securing an advantage in the combined grade rankings. At the Forest School, students were separated by gender as the training camp exam began, and the upper-grade boys arrived with Manabu Horikita leading Class 3-A.

  • Ichinose agreed to Oreki’s plan for Class B after he secured assurances that Class C would cooperate and Class B’s girls could win first place, and Kanzaki accepted the deal.
  • Hirata agreed to have Class D participate if Oreki could protect it from last place, asking for 600,000 Points in monthly living expenses.
  • Oreki finished arranging the first-year groups and told Sakayanagi he had prioritized using the first-years as leverage in the combined three-grade rankings over gaining more private points.
  • The buses reached the Forest School, and staff confiscated students’ phones before separating boys from girls and sending them to different locations.
  • The Forest School exam officially began, and Manabu Horikita led the Class 3-A boys into the gymnasium as the second- and third-years gathered.

Ch. 379Will the School Target Me? Oreki: I’m from Class A, but You’re Not!

At the Mixed Camp, Nagumo Miyabi challenged Manabu Horikita to a contest between their large groups, offering to stop supporting Class 3-B if Manabu accepted. Oreki interrupted their negotiations after his first-year group had already finished organizing, prompting Manabu to return to the third-years while Nagumo stayed behind, displeased.

  • Oreki noticed that several third-year boys were missing, especially from Class 3-D, suggesting students had been expelled.
  • Class 3-A’s teacher, Shimada, explained the group-formation period and left the students to organize themselves.
  • Nagumo challenged Manabu to a contest between their large groups and offered to stop interfering in the third-years’ exams if Manabu won.
  • Manabu accepted, provided neither side harmed or dragged in other students, and Nagumo said he wanted to prove himself against the Student Council President.
  • Oreki and six first-years interrupted, saying they had already formed their groups during the bus ride and urging the upperclassmen to hurry.
  • Manabu returned to organize the third-years, while Nagumo remained and demanded to know what Oreki meant.

Ch. 380Will the School Target Me? Oreki: I’m from Class A, but You’re Not! (Part 2)

Oreki organized the first-year boys into seed groups and influenced which higher-year teams they joined, while Nagumo planned to challenge Manabu Horikita through the exam. On the girls’ side, Ichinose and Sakayanagi prepared their seed group to join Asahina’s team, as the third-year girls adopted a cautious grouping strategy.

  • Oreki defended unifying the first-year boys by arguing that Class A could still graduate as the representative class, and Nagumo left after Oreki’s remarks unsettled the second-years.
  • Nagumo and Manabu Horikita formed separate larger teams, with Nagumo joining Group 14 and Manabu assigned to Group 13.
  • Oreki told Katsuragi to choose Manabu Horikita’s team, while Kanzaki and Kaneda chose other teams; Hirata joined Nagumo’s team.
  • Nagumo declared to Manabu Horikita that their contest would begin a new era.
  • Ichinose and Sakayanagi planned for their first-year girls’ seed group to join Asahina’s team, while the Class 3-A and Class 3-B girls formed mostly single-class groups for stability.

Ch. 381Nagumo Makes His Move—No, His Hidden Piece Is Probably Among the Girls!

The students finalized their exam groups, and Oreki reassured Katsuragi that the seed group was secure before joining Group 3 in the dormitory. The chapter left Oreki facing a lineup of troublesome boys, including Ryuuen and Ayanokouji.

  • Ichinose arranged for her class's seed group to team up with Asahina's group, while Akane Tachibana accepted a less forceful role in her assigned group.
  • Sakayanagi told Kamuro to keep quiet about her plans regarding Oreki, and Hiyori and Kushida overheard their conversation.
  • Oreki convinced Katsuragi that Manabu Horikita's group was a safe choice and that Class A's scattered boys could protect the seed group from withdrawals.
  • Oreki arrived at the dorm and found Group 3's eleven boys already assembled, including Kōenji, Ryuuen, Ishizaki, and Ayanokouji.
  • Hashimoto gave Oreki his upper bunk, while Ryuuen quietly read The Kite Runner and ignored Ishizaki.

Ch. 382Nagumo Makes His Move—No, His Hidden Piece Is Probably Among the Girls! (Part 2)

Oreki considered how to approach Kiyotaka Ayanokouji and watched as Tsukishiro secured the principal position through a deal with Chairman Sakayanagi. At the forest exam, students began their demanding schedule, while Oreki and Yanagi exchanged group information and faced a requirement for Class 1-A.

  • Oreki decided to wait until Kiyotaka Ayanokouji needed help resisting his father before approaching him, and hoped Tsukishiro would make progress as principal.
  • Tsukishiro was confirmed as principal and asked Chairman Sakayanagi for authority to set the first-years’ next special exam in exchange for payment.
  • Yukimura brought Class D’s packed course schedule to the dormitory, and the students began their first day with a twenty-kilometer endurance run and cleaning duties.
  • Oreki met Sakayanagi at lunch and told her that Katsuragi’s group had joined Manabu Horikita’s large group, while Yanagi reported that Class B’s seed group had joined Asahina’s group.
  • Oreki asked about Akane Tachibana’s group, and Yanagi said it had not been joined; Class 1-A was required to take first place among the boys’ large groups.

Ch. 383The Girls’ Camp: Bath Time Is So Much Fun!

Oreki explained Arisu Sakayanagi’s read on Nagumo’s plans and reassured Horikita Suzune that her brother had made arrangements for the exam. He then considered using the competition to earn Points from the upperclassmen, while Kushida saved Suzune food after she missed most of lunch looking for him.

  • Oreki told Arisu that Nagumo was challenging Manabu Horikita over group scores, and Arisu concluded he might use dirty tactics against the girls.
  • Kamuro told Oreki that someone was looking for him, so he left Arisu and followed Horikita Suzune outside the cafeteria.
  • Oreki reassured Suzune that Manabu had arranged his group, and explained how the exam’s Points could affect the third-year class standings.
  • Oreki considered using the exam to fulfill his quest to earn Points from the upperclassmen, then escorted Suzune back toward the cafeteria.
  • Suzune worried she had no time to get lunch, but Oreki brought her to Kikyou Kushida, who had saved her some bread.

Ch. 384The Girls’ Camp: Bath Time Is So Much Fun! (Part 2)

On the second night of the Forest School, Oreki waited for Horikita Manabu to seek his help while Group 3 remained tense and Yukimura struggled to lead. Nagumo Miyabi challenged the first-years to Old Maid over who would prepare breakfast, and the match was still underway when the chapter ended.

  • The second day passed without improving the strained atmosphere in Oreki’s Group 3, and Yukimura worried about leading the group with his injured ankle.
  • Yamauchi tried to start a conversation about dating, but the boys ignored him.
  • Oreki thought about how to get Horikita Manabu to ask for his help, then Nagumo arrived with two third-years and invited the first-years to play Old Maid.
  • Nagumo told Yukimura that the first-years would have to prepare breakfast unless they beat the third-years in a best-of-five card match.
  • Oreki signaled Hashimoto to join Yukimura, who lost the first round when the Old Maid landed in his hand; Hashimoto held it in the second round.

Ch. 385The Girls’ Camp: Bath Time Is So Much Fun! (Part 2)

Nagumo Miyabi challenged first-year dorm groups to Old Maid games with breakfast duty at stake, and Kōenji won the fourth round for Oreki’s group. Later, students from different classes chatted in the girls’ bath about romance and a lewd image posted to the school forum.

  • Nagumo Miyabi challenged first-years to Old Maid, and Ishizaki won a round after Hashimoto lost.
  • Kōenji spotted the marked cards and beat Nagumo’s group, sparing Oreki’s group from breakfast duty.
  • Nagumo continued challenging other dorm rooms while Oreki expected Horikita’s Brother to hear about it.
  • At the bath, Ichinose spoke with students from other classes, including Shiina Hiyori and Meiyu Wang.
  • Class A students asked Ichinose about romance and her relationship with Oreki, and she denied that they were dating.
  • Kamuro brought up the deleted forum image, and the girls discussed its size before Kushida and Meiyu Wang commented on it.

Ch. 386The Groups Join Forces, Manabu Horikita Wavers! Oreki’s Loyal Hound!

The girls speculated about who had sent a lewd picture while Arisu Sakayanagi ordered Kamuro to keep buying up contraceptives. On the fourth day of the training camp, Oreki noticed Manabu Horikita’s secret signal and prepared to meet him, while Hashimoto and Ryuuen were also absent from their room.

  • The girls questioned Ichinose about her experience, and Sato guessed that Oreki had sent the lewd picture.
  • Yanagi reported that Ichinose was safe and Horikita Suzune knew nothing, while Arisu told Kamuro to continue buying contraceptives after they returned to school.
  • The teacher announced that Thursday’s grade-wide assessment would include meditation, speeches, a twenty-kilometer relay race, and a written exam.
  • Oreki noticed that Yukimura wanted help coordinating their group and worried that Nagumo’s repeated visits were unsettling Manabu Horikita.
  • Oreki found a note calling him to meet at 1 a.m. and saw a flashlight signal beneath the dormitory door.
  • Oreki prepared to leave the dormitory after noticing that Hashimoto and Ryuuen had already gone.

Ch. 387The Groups Join Forces, Manabu Horikita Wavers! Oreki’s Loyal Hound! (Part 2)

Oreki warned Manabu Horikita that Nagumo’s promise of a fair showdown might not protect the girls’ group from betrayal. He recruited Kei to investigate the third-year girls’ groups and follow Akane Tachibana as Class 3-B prepared to act.

  • Hashimoto asked Ryuuen to help him earn Points from next year’s freshmen, but Ryuuen rejected the plan.
  • Nagumo told Manabu Horikita that Class 3-B had paid Fujimaki to go easy, and said he had refused the seniors’ attempt to involve him.
  • Manabu Horikita met Oreki, who said Nagumo might keep his showdown with Manabu fair while the girls’ group remained vulnerable to betrayal.
  • Oreki approached Kei at lunch and asked her to obtain the Class 3-A and Class 3-B girls’ group assignments and follow Akane Tachibana.

Ch. 388Asahina: How Interesting. If You Can, Take Nagumo Down!

Oreki arranged for Kei to watch Akane Tachibana’s side of the exam and sought information about Nagumo’s plans from his childhood friend, Nazuna Asahina. He used her lost charm to build a connection with her, while Hashimoto prepared to address problems within their group.

  • Oreki asked Kei to contact him immediately if anything happened on Akane Tachibana’s side.
  • Oreki concluded that Nagumo was likely to target the girls’ group and decided to seek information from Nazuna Asahina.
  • Oreki met Asahina at the cafeteria, then assigned Hashimoto to deal with a problem in their group that night.
  • Oreki arranged to encounter Asahina alone and mentioned her lost charm, prompting her to realize he might have found it.
  • Kikyou Kushida sneezed in the cafeteria, and Meiyu Wang asked whether she was all right.

Ch. 389Tachibana-senpai, Why Are You Crying Here?

Oreki gathered information from Asahina and Kei while helping build cooperation within his group for the final exam. At the cafeteria, he carried the fallen Sakayanagi to a seat and checked whether she was hurt.

  • Kushida offered to cover part of Sakura’s distance in the 20-kilometer relay, though Sakura still had to run the required minimum.
  • Asahina told Oreki that the girls’ groups had already been arranged and said she wanted to see Nagumo’s plans challenged.
  • Hashimoto encouraged his group to share their weaknesses, prompting Yukimura and Ishizaki to open up and agree to contribute.
  • On the sixth day, Kei passed Oreki information about Akane Tachibana, whom she had found alone.
  • Oreki saw Yamauchi fail to help Sakayanagi after she fell, then carried her to a seat and checked her legs for injuries.

Ch. 390Tachibana-senpai, Why Are You Crying Here? (Part 2)

Oreki reassured Sakayanagi about her health, then went to find Akane Tachibana after Kei reported that she had been crying alone. He tried to encourage Akane to confide in Horikita's Brother, but she bristled at his familiarity and told him to show her proper respect as a senior.

  • Oreki used Restoration Ability while holding Sakayanagi's hand, but she had no injury for it to heal.
  • Oreki told Sakayanagi he might study Clinical Medicine and said there would be a way to address her congenital condition.
  • Kamuro arrived, and Oreki left Sakayanagi in her care before turning to the report Kei had sent him.
  • Oreki found Akane Tachibana crying by the shoe lockers and suggested that she speak with the Student Council President about her troubles.
  • Akane denied having any problems and then scolded Oreki for speaking to a third-year senior without honorifics.

Ch. 391The Sacrifice for Class A Is Ready!

Oreki spoke with Akane Tachibana, who feared that Class A depended too heavily on Manabu Horikita and asked him to keep her bullying from Horikita. On the final exam day, Oreki’s group completed its events, and he later encountered Nagumo and Horikita together in the cafeteria.

  • Akane Tachibana admitted that she was worried about Manabu Horikita’s burden and asked Oreki not to tell him she had been crying or bullied.
  • Oreki promised not to tell Horikita’s Brother about Akane’s tears, and she left for the restroom.
  • On the final exam day, Oreki’s Group Three adjusted its relay assignments and completed the written test, relay race, meditation, and speeches.
  • Oreki asked Katsuragi to have two Class A students in Hirata’s group hold back, hoping to hurt Nagumo’s large-group score.
  • After the exam, Oreki met Nagumo Miyabi and Manabu Horikita in the cafeteria, where Nagumo declared that he would prove his excellence in their showdown.

Ch. 392The Training Camp Exam Begins! First Place!

Oreki learned that the acting principal had been appointed, bringing the looming expulsion exam targeting Kiyotaka Ayanokouji closer. At the training camp exam’s opening, Nagumo revealed he planned to pressure Manabu Horikita into naming him Student Council President by leveraging the third-years’ class-point competition.

  • Nagumo asked Oreki who would win his contest with Manabu Horikita, but Ryuuen dismissed Nagumo’s offer to bet and demanded a million points before he would consider it.
  • Yanagi reported that Hamaguchi had followed Oreki’s instructions while Yahiko had not, and Sakayanagi revealed her father had told her the acting principal was officially appointed.
  • At the gymnasium, Nagumo told Oreki he had wanted to compete with him and offered Katsuragi a possible Student Council vice-presidency.
  • Nagumo explained that the forest camping exam was the third-years’ last major chance to gain points, and that he could support Class 3-B to put pressure on Manabu Horikita to choose him as the next Student Council President.

Ch. 393The Training Camp Exam Begins! First Place! (Part 2)

Nagumo explained how he could use his control over the second years to undermine Manabu Horikita’s group, but the boys’ exam results showed that Horikita’s group had won first place. While the girls’ results remained unannounced, Katsuragi calculated that Class 1-A’s boys had gained 333 class points overall.

  • Nagumo said Horikita might compromise to protect his classmates and claimed he could make second-year students slack off to lower a group’s score.
  • Teacher Majima announced that the boys’ first-place large group, led by Manabu Horikita, Kiriyama, and Katsuragi Kohei, would receive 10,000 Private Points each and 3 class points.
  • Nagumo’s large group, led by Kanchi, Nagumo Miyabi, and Hirata, placed second and received 5,000 Private Points each and 1 class point.
  • Teacher Majima announced the remaining boys’ placements and penalties, including the expulsion of the lowest-scoring group’s leader and one person he designated.
  • Katsuragi calculated that Class 1-A’s boys had gained 333 class points, while Oreki’s group owed 33,000 Private Points; the girls’ results were still pending.

Ch. 394Is There Something Wrong with My Arisu Sakayanagi?

Nagumo explained how he planned to use the girls’ group results to widen Class 3-B’s lead and secure the Student Council presidency, but Oreki’s calm reply hinted that his plan had failed. The announced results showed the expected groups taking first and second place, leaving Nagumo to realize someone had interfered.

  • Nagumo told Katsuragi and Oreki that he had arranged for second-year girls to disrupt Class 3-A’s groups and predicted a 431-point swing in Class 3-B’s favor.
  • Nagumo revealed that he intended to use his influence and the coming results to win the Student Council presidency and potentially target Oreki.
  • Oreki thanked Nagumo for working seriously, leaving Nagumo confused by his response.
  • Teacher Majima announced that the first-place girls’ groups were the expected groups led by Asahi Ogura, Nazuna Asahina, and Chihiro Shiraha.
  • Nagumo recognized that his interference had failed when the expected group also took second place, and he immediately suspected Oreki.

Ch. 395Is There Something Wrong with My Arisu Sakayanagi? (Part 2)

After the Forest School exam results put Class 3-A far ahead, Nagumo confronted Oreki and demanded to know how he had anticipated Nagumo’s move against the girls’ groups. Oreki explained his reasoning, while Nagumo remained troubled by how the Class 3-A girls’ group had won.

  • The exam results and rewards were announced, leaving Class 3-A more than 800 class evaluation points ahead of Class 3-B with only three special exams remaining.
  • Nagumo grabbed Oreki by the shoulders after the dismissal and asked him to explain what had happened during the exam.
  • Oreki recounted Nagumo’s earlier challenge to Manabu Horikita and said he had expected Nagumo to act because his fair conduct on the boys’ side seemed unnatural.
  • Oreki explained that Nagumo’s history of using methods to control the second years made him suspect Nagumo would target the girls’ groups.
  • Nagumo pointed out that Asahina and fourteen girls from Class 3-A had been grouped together, but their group had performed so poorly that their result seemed inexplicable.

Ch. 396Reaping the Rewards! Third-Year Class A!

Oreki and Sakayanagi revealed how they had countered Nagumo’s plan by having first-year girls forfeit, pushing Asahina’s group to first place and Class 3-A’s groups down the rankings. With Ichinose and Sakayanagi facing expulsion after their own group placed last, Oreki set out to make the third-years pay the cost.

  • Oreki explained that the first-years had already chosen their teams and that Sakayanagi arranged for Class B’s girls’ group to join Asahina’s large group.
  • Sakayanagi said Nagumo had held back from making Asahina’s group forfeit because he lacked the Points to cover the resulting expulsion penalty.
  • Nagumo pointed out that the last-place girls’ group meant Ichinose would be expelled and could take one other student with her.
  • Sakayanagi accepted the risk, and Oreki promised to make the third-years pay the bill before walking toward them.
  • Sakayanagi said the forfeiting students could receive additional Points as compensation, and explained that she and Oreki had anticipated Nagumo’s move against the girls.

Ch. 397Reaping the Rewards! Third-Year Class A! (Part 2)

Oreki went to collect the Points owed by Class 3-A, but the students hesitated over the huge cost. Manabu Horikita explained the choices and sacrifices behind their victory, while Oreki insisted the class had to pay for itself.

  • Oreki arrived at Class 3-A to collect the Points after Nagumo's intervention brought his quest progress close to completion.
  • Akane Tachibana confronted Oreki for telling Manabu Horikita about her situation, and Manabu admitted he had witnessed her being bullied.
  • Manabu explained how Class 3-B had targeted the girls' groups and acknowledged his own negligence in overlooking that strategy.
  • A Class 3-A student proposed reducing the compensation, but Oreki challenged Fujimaki-senpai to consider what would have happened if they had not exposed Class 3-B's plan.

Ch. 398I Never Knew You Were Such a Materialistic Person, Shiina!

Oreki persuaded Class 3-A that paying him 100 million Points would secure their lead and protect their chance to graduate from Class A. The students accepted the cost as payment for their future and thanked Manabu Horikita for leading them.

  • Oreki warned Class 3-A that Class 3-B could close the gap if the girls' group results were manipulated, then reassured them that their current lead made their position safer.
  • Oreki argued that the school would favor Class 3-A at graduation and that his requested 100 million Points was a fair price for the future he had secured.
  • Shiina watched Oreki's negotiations and was shocked by the enormous sum he demanded.
  • Class 3-A students bowed to Manabu Horikita and thanked him for guiding all forty of them through school in Class A.

Ch. 399The Forest Exam Ends, and Suzune Horikita Is Easy to Handle!

After the forest exam, Oreki watched the third-year students pool their Points for Manabu Horikita and spoke with Hiyori about her help arranging withdrawals. Horikita Suzune then approached Oreki to speak privately, while Class 1-A celebrated its lead in the updated class rankings.

  • The third-year students transferred their Points to Manabu Horikita, and Oreki thanked them before heading to retrieve his phone.
  • Oreki told Hiyori that he would pay her later for coordinating the girls’ withdrawals and preparing them for the exam.
  • Hiyori noticed Horikita Suzune waiting for Oreki and left as Suzune asked to speak with him alone.
  • Class 1-A gathered around their homeroom teacher to get their phones back after leaving the Gymnasium.
  • The updated rankings showed Class 1-A leading with 2628.5 Points, about 1,200 ahead of the lower-ranked classes.

Ch. 400The Forest Exam Ends, and Suzune Horikita Is Easy to Handle! (Part 2)

Arisu Sakayanagi took Oreki’s phone, while Oreki explained to Horikita Suzune why he had helped take 100 million Points from Class 3-A. The students then boarded buses and left the Forest School.

  • Majima handed Oreki’s phone to Kamuro, who passed it to Arisu Sakayanagi.
  • After Shiina left, Horikita Suzune asked Oreki about the exam and her brother’s class securing its evaluation Points.
  • Oreki explained that taking 100 million Points from Class 3-A also recognized Manabu Horikita’s effort and stopped his classmates from benefiting without contributing.
  • Horikita Suzune accepted Oreki’s explanation without getting angry at him for taking her brother’s Points.
  • At four in the afternoon, the students boarded buses and departed the Forest School.
Arc 16 of 33