Gowe's Changing Heart, New 0-Point Contract Clauses!

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Kushida Kikyo returned to Class D from the cave, but Kōenji was still nowhere to be seen.

Under Kushida's confused gaze, Ayanokoji asked her to report useful information about Class A's leader to Horikita and Hirata.

To ensure the class's stability moving forward, Hirata chose to make this uplifting good news public.

The class erupted in cheers, and Kushida had once again performed a great service for Class D!

Later, Class D established their main camp by a stream. A screen terminal nearby indicated this was a pleasant riverside stronghold.

Class D also chose a basic strategy that would conveniently allow them to "freeload" on bonus points:

They would set up their main camp near a designated check-in point for easy daily check-ins.

Following this, Class D began electing the leader for this exam.

Discussions immediately broke out.

In the original story, Kushida would have specifically targeted Horikita Suzune and recommended her for the position.

But the current Kushida was in a state of indifferent observation.

She was even growing weary of this flawed class that constantly devolved into arguments.

While everyone was arguing about the leader selection, Kushida recalled an incident that happened on the cruise ship before the Deserted Island Exam began.

During the cruise:

"Gowe: In future exams, do you need me to inform you of important information within the class?"

"Kaede: No need."

Kushida tilted her head. Did Kaede not even want information from other classes?

Or was he confident he wouldn't need it?

After all, she was currently acting as Class D's spy voluntarily.

"Kaede: As I've said, please trust me.

Therefore, I will absolutely not let Gowe betray the class.

This is not the right path for you."

Kushida's heart warmed.

What she wanted to say next, she wrote and deleted, deleted and rewrote, unable to decide for a long time, like a failed writer struggling with words.

In the end, she felt too embarrassed to tell Kaede that she had some desire to transfer classes.

With 20 Million Private Points, one could transfer to a class of their choice.

A semester had passed since the start of the school year, and for those who inquired, this was not a major secret.

For Kushida, life in Class D now... was bearable if she just endured it.

Kushida looked up. In just this short while, Class D had already elected a leader.

For some reason, the position had gone to Horikita Suzune.

Kushida's expression was complex; even now, her feelings towards Horikita were subtle.

If it were her right after enrolling, she would have definitely recommended Horikita to take the fall first.

Because if the Keycard wasn't protected this time, Class D would never have a place for her again.

Earlier, Class C had also found a spacious beachside spot for their base camp.

This would be a good place for a celebration.

The stronghold sign read: "Class C, 7:22:33".

Ryuen, as Class C's leader for this exam, had claimed this coastal stronghold.

Kaede lowered his gaze. Just now, according to the 'fruit' feedback from the Haigoku System, Kushida seemed to be considering transferring to Class C again.

Speaking of which, even during the Deserted Island Exam, Kushida couldn't stop thinking about him.

Kaede suspected and mused, had he somehow become entangled in a significant karmic connection with her...

Meanwhile, Ryuen sat on a large rock, selecting items from a list for the upcoming celebration.

Class C currently had only 100 initial points remaining.

"The deal with Class A is complete. How about your side?"

Kaede retracted his terminal. "No problems here either. Hiyori and Ibuki have been sent to BD Class respectively. I hope they can be of some help to you later."

"Heh, soft-hearted fool," Ryuen scoffed at Kaede, who didn't even dare to go through with a Ruse of Self-Injury.

"Don't worry, Class D has many kind-hearted people. I couldn't bear to see them get hurt. Besides, thanks to your intimidation, they've always been closer to me, so being ostracized from Class C is only natural."

After submitting the list to others, Ryuen sighed. "It doesn't matter anymore. Now that I know the leader can be changed arbitrarily, I'm not very interested in winning that way... Your method is more reliable."

"Did Kouenji Rokusuke and Class D bump into you by chance when Katsuragi's group already checked in?" Kaede suddenly asked.

Ryuen smiled wryly. "That's right. I originally planned to follow the predetermined route, scout the conspicuous cave stronghold, and then negotiate with Katsuragi along the way.

"I didn't expect Katsuragi's useless subordinate to impulsively reveal the Class A leader's information! Heh, and that Golden Monkey that unexpectedly showed up, its objective was the same."

Ryuen frowned as he spoke. "I feel like that guy Kouenji is strange. He was so sure I was the leader without any evidence..."

"You don't need to worry about that person. Class D will have a headache," Kaede said, completely unconcerned about Kouenji Rokusuke, the first original character he'd encountered.

"Hmph! Anyway, the contract I signed with Class A turned out to be much more favorable than I originally planned, so it's not a loss."

Kaede shook his head. He hadn't expected this plot point from the original story to change so much right from the start, partly due to his own plans.

"It's a shame, though. I was planning to betray Class A. The traitor from the Yanagi Faction within their ranks had already contacted me, but now they're not needed."

Kaede knew the traitor he was referring to was Hashimoto Masayoshi from the Yanagi Faction. That man was indeed excessively selfish and self-centered, always eager to stab others in the back.

That being said, the contract Ryuen signed with Katsuragi this time did include a new clause: neither party would try to guess the other's leader.

And then there was the part Kaede had planned...

It was no wonder Ryuen was no longer interested in guessing the class leaders to win, as there were almost no alternative candidates left to guess.

In this Deserted Island Exam, after the roll call on the seventh day, you could guess the leaders of other classes. Each correct guess earned 50 Class Points, for a maximum of 150.

However, even one wrong guess would deduct 50 points, and all the points from the seven-day check-in would be invalidated. It was the ultimate gamble with risks and rewards in equal measure.

Ryuen closed his eyes to rest. "Only Class D is left. I'll look forward to it..."

Kaede gazed out at the endless beach. Class C's feast was about to begin.

He wondered if Ibuki and Hiyori would have a smooth seven days.

As the first day of the Deserted Island Exam neared its end.

Ibuki, having deliberately made herself look dirty, was taken in by Class D according to the original plan, successfully infiltrating their base camp.

She first approached the vicinity of Class D's base camp, where she encountered Ayanokoji, Minami, and Matsushita who were gathering firewood. After playing the victim, she was brought back with them.

Her excuse for playing the victim was simple: she was dissatisfied with Ryuen Kakeru's actions and had been ostracized and kicked out of Class C.

Ibuki even faked some bruises on her body from blunt force trauma. The red marks would fade soon anyway.

As soon as she arrived at Class D's camp, she learned that Kouenji Rokusuke from Class D had unilaterally withdrawn from the exam. She was speechless for a moment.

Another man who caught her attention was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

Ibuki still remembered Tennoji telling her that this guy might be stronger than him.

How could that be? She truly refused to believe it!

This was also the main reason why Ibuki was so willing to take on this mission after communicating with Kaede before coming!

She wanted to investigate Ayanokoji Kiyotaka!

The first day of the first-year summer vacation's Deserted Island Special Exam passed in a turbulent atmosphere.