Non-Aggression Pact

Shimiya Kuki's meaningful "seeing is not necessarily believing" echoed softly in the damp cave, intertwining with the faint green light from the equipment screen, creating an indescribable subtle atmosphere.

Sakura Airi blinked her large eyes, still tinged with a bit of panic, her small lips slightly parted, clearly not fully grasping the deeper meaning behind his words. In her view, Katsuragi held the leader's key card and opened Class A's stronghold. He could already be confirmed as Class A's leader.

"Then... um, Shimiya-kun, you mean...?" she began timidly, her voice as thin as a mosquito's hum, her face filled with confusion and curiosity, about to ask further.

However, before she could finish her question, she was calmly interrupted by Shimiya Kuki. He didn't seem inclined to elaborate at that moment. He simply shifted his gaze from the stronghold screen to the woodland outside the cave and suggested naturally, "Right, why don't you two follow me somewhere?"

With that, he didn't wait for their response and took the lead, his figure merging into the halo cast by the cave entrance as he walked out.

Sakura Airi instinctively wanted to follow, but as she lifted her foot, she hesitated and stopped. She suddenly realized that the person standing before her wasn't a classmate from Class D, but Shimiya Kuki from Class B. In this special exam where classes were units, they were essentially competitors. She subconsciously turned her head, looking towards Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who had remained silent beside her, her eyes full of questions and reliance, as if waiting for him to make the decision.

Ayanokoji's expression remained as calm as still water, as if the entire conversation and discovery hadn't stirred the slightest ripple in his heart. He received Sakura's gaze and gave an extremely slight nod, saying in his usual monotonous voice, "Shimiya-kun invited us, let's follow and see. We don't have anything to lose anyway." His analysis was calm and practical, stating a fact that seemed to soothe Sakura's unease.

Hearing Ayanokoji say the same, Sakura finally felt a little relieved, let out a soft "Mm," and quickly followed Shimiya, who had already walked a few steps ahead. Ayanokoji followed at a leisurely pace.

Shimiya Kuki's steps remained steady and silent as he moved through the woods, as if he knew every blade of grass and every tree by heart. Sunlight filtered through the layers of leaves, dancing on his dark hair, outlining his calm and somewhat detached profile. Sakura followed cautiously, occasionally watching out for the gnarled tree roots underfoot, while Ayanokoji silently observed their surroundings and Shimiya leading the way.

They didn't walk far before Shimiya stopped in a relatively familiar area. The arrangement of trees and the shape of the rocks here seemed familiar, as if they had seen them not long ago.

"Isn't this...?" Sakura looked around, a vague sense of familiarity washing over her. She lowered her voice, her tone uncertain, and subconsciously looked at Ayanokoji beside her again, seeking confirmation. This was near the area where they had hastily hidden to avoid Katsuragi and Yahiko.

Ayanokoji's gaze calmly swept over the surroundings and he nodded, confirming Sakura's guess. "Mm." His response was still brief, but undeniably affirmative.

At this moment, Shimiya Kuki walked to a spot with particularly dense green vines and bushes. He reached out, skillfully parting the layers of leaves, and revealed to the two behind him what was cleverly hidden—

Under the cover of the dense vegetation, a plant entirely different from the wild grass outside grew. Large, verdant leaves spread out vigorously, and even more surprisingly, among the leaves, stood plump fruits, their outer skins wrapped in green or slightly golden husks, with brown tassels hanging from the tips.

"This is... corn... right?" Sakura Airi's eyes widened slightly in surprise, her tone a little uncertain. She recognized the plant.

"It looks like it," Ayanokoji Kiyotaka confirmed Sakura's answer, his gaze also fixed on the fruits. At this moment, he also noticed the bamboo basket half-hidden in the grass. Seeing this basket and the mulberries already collected inside, combined with the fact that Shimiya had appeared near the cave before them, a clear chain of logic formed in Ayanokoji's mind.

He deduced that Shimiya had clearly been exploring and collecting in this area much earlier, and these mulberries were proof. During the process, he likely noticed the movements of Katsuragi and others from Class A. To avoid alerting them, and perhaps to prioritize his current task, he chose to temporarily store the mulberries he had already collected in this hidden corner, and then quietly climbed a tree to observe, which led to the scene that followed.

"Are these the supplies Shimiya-kun collected?" Sakura also noticed the bamboo basket at this moment. She curiously peered into it and saw it filled with deep purple, plump berries.

"These must be mulberries! You collected so many, that's amazing!" Her tone was filled with genuine admiration, and her gaze towards Shimiya held a newfound respect. To find and collect such a quantity of food in the seemingly primitive jungle in such a short time was indeed extraordinary.

"Mm," Shimiya Kuki responded faintly, acknowledging it. He then pointed in a direction not far away and added casually, "If you want to collect, the location is over there." He gave a general direction, showing no intention of hoarding the information.

Then, he changed the subject, his gaze returning to Ayanokoji, and asked, "Ayanokoji-kun, how is your physical fitness?" This question seemed somewhat abrupt, forming a subtle contrast with his previous act of sharing information.

Ayanokoji's expression remained unchanged, as if the question were perfectly ordinary. He calmly replied, "About the level of an average student." He neither boasted nor was overly humble, providing an objective self-assessment.

Shimiya heard this and said nothing more. He turned and skillfully pulled off some flexible vines from a nearby tree, and gathered some broad corn leaves and tougher branches. Under the slightly curious gaze of Ayanokoji and Sakura, he skillfully began weaving. The vines seemed to come alive in his hands, intertwining, wrapping, and securing... In just a moment, two simple but quite sturdy and practical wicker baskets were made. He handed these freshly made containers to Ayanokoji and Sakura.

"It seems," Ayanokoji said, taking the wicker basket, his tone calm as he analyzed, "you intend to share this corn with us (let's use this familiar name). If we collect it all, it should save Class B a considerable amount of points." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the hidden corn patch, "Moreover, even if we can't transport it all at once, this location is very hidden and difficult for people from other classes to find, so it can serve as a temporary storage point."

"Indeed," Shimiya nodded, acknowledging Ayanokoji's analysis, but he immediately added a risk factor, "However, Class A has set up their camp in the cave just now. It's not too far from here, so there's a possibility of conflict if we come to collect later. It's better to collect it as soon as possible." His consideration was clearly more thorough, seeing the value of the resource while also assessing the potential risks.

Then, Shimiya Kuki changed the subject again, a hint of caution in his eyes. He looked at the two and posed another question, "Also, I'd like to ask about Class D's strategy for this exam's special rules." The so-called special rules naturally referred to the mechanism where guessing another class's leader would yield great rewards, while simultaneously protecting one's own leader from being guessed.

This question directly touched upon the core of their class strategy. Ayanokoji hesitated for almost no time and immediately replied in his unruffled voice, his words carefully chosen, "This isn't something we average students would know in detail. It's formulated by the leader. As for the leader's identity," he emphasized, "I'm afraid I cannot disclose it." His answer was watertight, perfectly fitting the expected reaction of an average Class D student, while also maintaining the bottom line.

Shimiya didn't seem surprised by Ayanokoji's answer. He remained silent for a moment, as if weighing his words, before slowly speaking, his tone more formal than before, "Previously, when dealing with the Sudo Incident, our two classes reached a cooperation. So, regarding this exam," he looked at Ayanokoji, his eyes calm but with a subtle probing, "our Class B hopes for mutual non-aggression."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the corn and mulberries before him, and continued, "Our classmates wish to enjoy this rare vacation and do not intend to actively provoke suspicion or conflict. Therefore, our class's strategy is: not to actively guess other classes' leaders, and at the same time, to do our best to prevent our own leader from being guessed."

"And these supplies," he gestured to the corn and mulberries, "are considered gifts to express goodwill. We hope you two can convey them to Class D's leader." His proposal was clear and straightforward, stemming from past connections and offering current tangible benefits, presenting himself in a very favorable light.

Ayanokoji listened quietly, his face still maintaining its unshakeable calm. He looked at the wicker basket in his hand, then at the well-growing corn, thought for a few seconds, and then nodded, "I understand. I will convey your words and this goodwill."

His tone remained steady, but he expressed acceptance of the gift, "Then thank you for your gift. We in Class D really need these supplies." He admitted Class D's shortage of supplies without feigning refusal.

In the following time, the three began to harvest the corn. Shimiya Kuki's movements were the fastest and most skilled, while Ayanokoji's efficiency was stable. Sakura, though slightly weaker physically, also worked hard to help. During the process, only the crisp sound of corn stalks breaking and faint breaths were occasionally heard.

Soon, all the corn was harvested. Shimiya Kuki distributed it. He kept twenty ears of corn for himself (original quantity 40+), and gave the extra mulberries that resulted from keeping more corn to Ayanokoji and Sakura.

"Well then, farewell." After the supplies were distributed, Shimiya Kuki shouldered the bamboo basket containing Class B's share of corn and the remaining mulberries, gave a slight nod to the two as a farewell. His demeanor remained crisp and decisive, without any lingering hesitation.

"Goodbye, Shimiya-kun. Thank you again." Sakura bowed quickly in thanks, her face filled with sincere gratitude.

Ayanokoji also nodded gently in acknowledgment.

Immediately, Shimiya Kuki's figure disappeared into the dense woods again. Only Ayanokoji and Sakura remained, watching his retreating back.

"Then let's head back to camp! Ayanokoji-kun, with these supplies, everyone in Class D will be very happy."

"Mm."

And so, the two also embarked on their journey back to camp.