BC's Investigation, Kaede Visits D, Contract Ends

On the second day of the Deserted Island Exam, in the early morning.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka returned to the boys' tent with a wet hand, startling Hirata Yousuke awake.

But seeing that Ayanokoji had only gone to the restroom and returned, Hirata paid it no mind and continued his daily routine of leading Class D.

"Hirata, look, what's over there?"

Hirata followed Ayanokoji's gaze and saw unfamiliar figures outside the Class D base camp, clearly attempting to scout them. There were about three of them, and they didn't seem to belong to the same faction.

Hirata and Ayanokoji approached them without making a sound.

Kanzaki Ryuji of Class B froze, then walked out of their hiding spot with his classmate Hamaguchi Tetsuya.

"Sorry, we thought we were early enough... I came to gather information on Class D," Kanzaki confessed frankly.

Hirata responded just as openly, "It's fine. I don't think Class B would be enemies with Class D. You could have just visited our base camp directly."

Kanzaki, having failed in his attempt to spy, felt even more embarrassed.

This situation was also part of Ayanokoji's plan. He had woken up early to handle some personal matters and discovered the other classes' prying eyes. He then deliberately led Hirata to gather intelligence.

At this moment, the only third party present suddenly spoke, "Then, does that mean Class C is your enemy, Hirata-kun?"

The four pairs of eyes turned towards the sound. Tennoji Kaede emerged from behind a giant banana leaf that was tall enough to hide half his body.

"Hirata, this is Tennoji Kaede from Class C," Ayanokoji introduced.

"I see." Kaede hadn't intended to hide deeply from the start, and Hirata remained unfazed.

"You're mistaken, Tennoji-kun. Even under Ryuen's leadership, we don't view all ordinary students of Class C as enemies." He continued, "...Actually, we accepted a girl from Class C yesterday, Ibuki Mio. Do you remember her?"

Kaede tilted his head slightly at a 45-degree angle and bowed. "I came for her. Ibuki is a good friend of mine, and I'm very grateful that Class D is willing to take her in."

"I understand. I'll arrange for you two to meet later." Hirata smiled. This was the light of friendship he cherished most. It seemed Class C wasn't entirely under the tyrant Ryuen's sole control.

Kaede replied seriously, "Thank you."

Ayanokoji remained expressionless. "Kanzaki-kun, can you tell us the location of Class B's stronghold?"

"Of course. Walk back to the beach from here, head southwest, and there's a giant broken tree. Enter the forest in that direction, and you'll find a path that we deliberately trampled and widened. Follow it to the end."

Kaede then revealed Class C's beach base camp location and conveyed Ryuen's invitation.

"You want Horikita to bring people over?" Hirata hesitated. Ayanokoji subtly indicated that he should agree.

Afterward, the two from Class B returned, and Kaede entered the Class D base camp. Ayanokoji was temporarily assigned as a guardian, as Hirata still maintained a basic level of caution.

"This is the first time we've had a private conversation like this since that incident at the school gate at the beginning of the semester... right, Ayanokoji-kun?" Kaede turned and gave him a harmless smile.

"Yes, but the contract you signed with Horikita last time made her daily life quite difficult."

Was Ayanokoji mocking him? Or perhaps...

"I understand. I'm grateful that Class D is willing to take in Ibuki. As a token of my gratitude, how about we shorten the contract we signed with Horikita, originally set for December, to six months?"

"In other words, the next transaction point will be in September." For Kaede, extorting points from Horikita no longer held much significance. After this Deserted Island Exam, he would have a new, substantial income of points.

Ayanokoji seemed slightly surprised and probed, "So, that contract is under Tennoji-kun's control?"

Kaede nodded. "It was originally my suggestion to Ryuen-kun that we could try selling some of the hidden rules he discovered. And the name on the contract was mine, so you can rest assured."

"Ryuen-kun doesn't care about these small amounts at all."

Was that true? Ayanokoji replied outwardly that he would discuss it with Horikita later. His true thoughts remained unknown, and Kaede simply nodded, unconcerned.

Many Class D girls emerged from the tents. "Huh? Who's that handsome guy?"

Kushida's pupils contracted. "It looks like Tennoji Kaede-kun from Class C."

"Eh? The number one on the Handsome Ranking? Why is he here with our class?"

Sakura replied, "He's probably here for Ibuki."

The girls seemed to realize and nodded in agreement.

Kaede stepped forward. "Everyone in Class D, hello. I am Tennoji Kaede from Class C. I'm here for Ibuki-kun today, and I'm very grateful for your care of her."

He took off his shoulder bag and opened it. "I hope these small snacks can be a small token of my personal gratitude."

"Wow~ It's chocolate! So much?"

The Class D girls swarmed around him like chattering sparrows. Kaede distributed the snacks while handling their questions with ease.

"Class C spent points rather carelessly on food... What I brought is enough for everyone to have a portion. Anyway, thank you all."

"You're too kind~ You really value friendship!"

"I suddenly feel like Ibuki-san is so lucky~"

After Kaede handed the items to Karuizawa Kei, the girls' representative, he and Ibuki went to a deserted corner.

Meanwhile, Ayanokoji went to call Horikita, who was hiding in the tent, to discuss the contract matters.

"Why did you come over here and make such a fuss? What am I supposed to do now?" Ibuki rolled her eyes at Kaede, feeling too embarrassed to cause trouble.

Seeing that they were alone, Kaede said, "I didn't plan for you to come. Didn't you insist on coming yourself? Anyway, you don't need to do much here. Just pay attention to your safety."

Then, Kaede discreetly handed her something.

"This, why are you giving this to me? I..."

Kaede made a shushing gesture, "Hide this well. If you find a use for it later, then use it."

"But..."

Someone was coming. Ibuki quickly hid the item and fell silent.

Horikita Suzune and Ayanokoji walked over.

"I agree to your proposal, halving the contract period!"

Horikita's tone was impatient. The contract signed at the beginning of the school year had caused her a lot of trouble.

Kaede replied, "I understand, Horikita-san. If you're willing, you can also seek assistance from the class advisor and immediately transfer next month's 30,000 Private Points. That contract will be voided directly."

During the deserted island period, the Student Terminals were not with the students. However, it was a feasible and normal request to sign contracts and handle related matters with the help of the class advisor.

"To be honest, those three rules, purchasing them for 180,000 points, were quite a bargain. You weren't actually at a disadvantage, Horikita."

Kaede brought up the past again, causing Horikita's eyebrows to tremble furiously.

She ignored him. "No problem. I'll find a way to transfer the points to you later. After the exam ends, I'll also go to Teacher Chabashira to confirm if the contract has expired. I hope you'll keep your word."

Kaede agreed. Horikita went straight back into the tent.

"...Ayanokoji-kun, Horikita-san seems to be feeling a bit unwell?"

"...I'm not sure about that. Thank you for letting me know. I'll ask her about it later."

"Alright, there's nothing else. I should head back to Class C's Base Camp. Remember to have Horikita come over today, otherwise, I won't be able to report back to Ryuen-kun."

"Moreover, this might be your last chance to gather intelligence on Class C..."

Ayanokoji remained expressionless, but he seemed to be contemplating Kaede's words.

He agreed to relay the message to Horikita, but his true intentions were hard to fathom...