Classroom of the Elite, A Hypocritical Gray Life

"But they surely haven't had as much good luck as we have."

From early in the morning, the students in our class had been discussing things with great enthusiasm.

Up to this point, everything within the class had progressed with unexpectedly smooth speed; if we could maintain this kind of luck, we might actually be the ones to emerge victorious in the end.

After the corn was finished being transported, Takashima joyfully informed Ichinose that the well water was safe, and the atmosphere of the entire class became lively.

Everyone was acting with a sense of high motivation, and even I was almost swept up in this fervent mood.

After the morning roll call, we began to move in an orderly fashion.

Until—

"Hey! Stop that right now!"

"What are you guys doing?!"

Suddenly, someone's roar echoed throughout the campsite, filled with such fury that my attention was completely captured, forcing me to stop the work I was busy with.

Four students were mocking Kaneda, who stood before them. I didn't recognize them, but judging by the current situation, they seemed to be students from Class C who followed Ryuen.

Even through violence, one could gain the submission of others.

The four of them held various kinds of food in their hands: grilled lamb skewers with sauce, bags of potato chips, chilled drinks to beat the heat...

Ah, ah, did Class C really listen to Ryuen's nonsense and start living a life of indulgence? This is way too comfortable.

"Hahaha—I was wondering where you went, so you ran off to hide here in Class B. How stupid. Wouldn't it have been better to just stay with us?"

"I said that should be enough!"

"We aren't talking to you, so why are you buzzing around like a fly?"

"You—"

"Quiet! What is happening here?" Ichinose rushed to the scene, exerting an aura completely different from last night to intimidate the Class C students.

"It wasn't enough that they kicked Kaneda out; now they've come all the way here to mock us."

"What a joke. Am I mocking you? You're the one jumping to conclusions, aren't you?"

"That's enough. Please leave our territory immediately, or we will file a complaint with the teachers, warning them that you have trespassed without our permission."

"So what? We don't have any points left to be deducted anyway."

"But the school rules still exist. The rules during the exam might not count, but the school's regulations will certainly punish you accordingly. You don't want to invite trouble, do you?"

"...Tch—"

The student at the front ate his potato chips wantonly, crumbs scattering everywhere, continuing his provocative behavior. However, in the end, he chose to yield in the face of Ichinose's words. After leaving behind a mocking invitation from Ryuen, he walked away.

"Those guys, they're exactly the same as before, not a single change." Kameyama clenched his fists, as if he were about to strike at any moment.

"Calm down. They are just here to pick a fight. Don't do anything impulsive because of their behavior."

"I'm fine, I just can't stand the way they act."

"Everyone feels the same... Kaneda, are you alright?"

"I... I'm fine... Please give me some work to do. Maybe that will make me feel better."

"Understood."

After regrouping, everyone returned to their respective posts, and I also resumed setting up the hammock.

If Ryuen's invitation was truly as he said, then if I went over there now, would I still be able to enjoy a cold drink?

"Raku, do you have a moment?"

Just as I was fantasizing about gorging myself on food and drink in Class C, Ichinose suddenly came to my side.

"I think I'm supposed to be... setting up the hammock?"

"I want to ask you for a favor."

"...What is it?"

"Can you come with me to check out the other classes' territories?"

"Wouldn't it be better to ask Kanzaki to go with you for something like this?"

"But Raku-kun promised me this morning, didn't you? That you would help when necessary."

The retribution came so quickly; it was completely unexpected.

"...Does this count as a major matter?"

"Doesn't it? We are doing this to figure out the situation of the other classes, after all. We might even accidentally discover the leaders of other classes, and we'll be able to know where we currently stand in the rankings."

"So that's why this should be even more... fine, I understand. I'll go."

"Then let's set off now."

Faced with Ichinose's pleading eyes, I really couldn't continue to make excuses. I feigned reluctance, explained the situation to Kanzaki, and left our campsite.

"Hum, hum-hum, hum—"

Along the way, Ichinose hummed an unknown tune, her entire face beaming with joy.

"You look like you're in a good mood."

"Mm, I really am happy right now. I'd been stuck in the camp thinking about this and that, and I never had the time to come out and look at the scenery. So, I'm genuinely happy."

Why do you act like a completely different person when you're with me?

"Aren't we out here to investigate the other classes? We aren't here to sightsee."

"But we don't know where the other classes have set up their bases, and we might not even be able to find them, so we might as well treat this as a sightseeing trip. If it weren't for the heat, this forest would be quite beautiful, wouldn't it?"

"...I don't feel that way at all."

I have never been able to associate the forest with words like beautiful or pretty.

My perception of the forest is limited strictly to the law of the jungle.

"Mmm—Raku, you're such a killjoy."

"Sorry, I ruined your mood."

"That's not what I meant... Let's head to the beach next. Since the students from Class C mentioned it earlier, let's go over there and see what Ryuen is up to."

"I have no objections."

There is no designated leader among us, so we don't have to worry about leaving the camp for patrols. The special key card was handed over to Kanzaki's pocket before we left. Without a single heavy thought, Ichinose and I set off toward the beach with light, brisk steps.

Chapter 64: Ichinose's hand is truly soft

Ryuen Kakeru, the dictator of Class C.

Just by listening to how everyone in Class B described him, I had already conjured up an image of him in my mind before we had even met.

He was likely a ruthless and vicious existence, much like a snake.

Whether it was his repeated provocations toward other classes, his disputes with Class D, or his persecution of his own classmates, he undoubtedly deserved the glorious title of "conspirator."

He would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, and as long as there was an opportunity to understand and exploit the rules, he would never let it slip away.

Special Rule Article 4, Penalties: Acts such as violence against other classes, looting of property, or destruction of equipment will result in the immediate disqualification of the student's class and the confiscation of all private points.

The four students who had just mocked our class were his means of trying to goad us into triggering this penalty, secretly inciting us to take action. As high school students, we have the patience to refrain from physical violence, but the impulse to loot property is harder to gauge, as external goods are always difficult to manage.

The fact that he could make such calculations meant that he was definitely not a man who gave up easily.

0

Because our destination was clear, Ichinose and I soon emerged from the dense forest, where trees were visible everywhere, and arrived at the edge of the Class C camp.

I had imagined the madness of a zero-point strategy, but the scene before my eyes elevated my understanding of the concept.

"This... isn't this a bit too insane?"

Even though I knew in advance what Class C was doing, seeing it in reality still drew an exclamation of disbelief. Because all of this was far too extravagant for us, who were struggling to get by.

Volleyballs flew through the air, many students were happily grilling meat under a canopy, and thick black smoke rose straight up; jet skis raced across the sea, and even from two camps away, one could clearly hear the roar of the engines and the joyful cheers of the students; not to mention living facilities like portable toilets and shower stalls. It could be said that everything one could possibly need was there.

Even a rough visual estimate suggested they had spent well over 150 special exam points.

"Looking at it like this, they really don't intend to save any points... So, has Class C really given up on this special exam?" After analyzing Ryuen's methods, I asked Ichinose, feeling puzzled.

"To be honest, I don't think Ryuen is the type to give up easily. Perhaps they have some other plan behind all this."

"They've gone to such lengths; could they possibly have any way to recover from this?"

"...I'm not sure."

Ichinose seemed to want to think deeper into the question, but unexpectedly, the students from Class C had noticed us long ago. After reporting to Ryuen, one of them came over to us and issued an invitation.

"Ichinose, Ryuen wants to see you."

"...Raku, should we go take a look?" After a moment of hesitation, Ichinose turned to ask for my opinion.

"If you don't mind, please don't ask me questions like that; it puts me in a difficult spot. Just make the call, Ichinose."

"In that case... mmm, let's go over and take a look."

The man confirmed our response, then took long strides, leading us toward Ryuen.

He had long, wine-red hair, which looked a bit duller and closer to black compared to Sudo's. His open shirt gave him the air of someone with a yakuza background, specifically the kind of enforcer who possessed considerable strength.

He was currently lying on a chair in his swimwear, basking in the sun with a devil-may-care attitude. When he saw us, he flashed a grin, revealing his white teeth.

I wasn't concerned with his appearance, but the sweet, savory scent of barbecue drifting in on the sea breeze forced me to swallow hard.

"Yo, Ichinose. You people from Class B are up quite early today."

"Right back at you. I was actually going to ask what the purpose was in having your subordinates come to our camp early this morning to harass us."

"Ha, harassment? I wouldn't waste my time using such low-class tactics on you. If an invitation message is considered harassment by your standards, then I'm very disappointed."

"Are you unaware of what your students did at our camp?"

"Oh? So something interesting happened this morning, then?" With that, Ryuen turned his head to look at the students playing happily on the beach. "Hey, you four, come here!"

"W-what is it?" The students who had been spouting nonsense at our camp earlier suddenly became timid and subservient in front of Ryuen, their fear plain to see.

"I heard from Ichinose that you did something this morning that I didn't order?" Ryuen feigned ignorance, smiling as he looked at the four of them.

"N-no. We just happened to find Kaneda there."

"Oh, Kaneda, is it? I never imagined he'd be taken in by you lot in Class B. How laughable, those two."

"Kaneda-kun was driven out by you, wasn't he? Why would you do that to a classmate? And the injuries on his face—those were caused by you as well, right?"

"Why would I do that? If you ask him yourself, you'll understand perfectly well. The guy had the gall to talk back to me, so I just gave him a little lesson. I didn't expect him to be so fragile. To think he ended up running to another class for help—it's truly pathetic."

"Regardless of everything, he's your companion for the next three years, isn't he? How can you expect him to submit to your leadership after doing something like that?"

"Ha, what kind of nonsense are you spouting now? I am the ruler of this class. Since that guy wouldn't follow my orders, why should I treat him as a partner? Isn't it far more convenient to just discard people like that?"

"Your behavior—"

"You're still too green to be lecturing me, Ichinose. A woman like you wouldn't even pique my interest if you groveled before me for free. Though, if you really wanted to be trampled under my feet, I might consider it."

"Saying things like that now, don't you think you're being too arrogant? At the very least, we are currently ahead of you."

"Haha, and so what? The one who wins in the end, no matter how many times they lose, is the only one with true strength. Anything else, I don't acknowledge."

"But you aren't even taking this exam seriously right now. If this continues, the gap between us will only keep growing."

"Haha, an interesting conclusion. That's exactly why I say you're a foolish woman, Ichinose."

"Hey, Ishizaki, bring over some more fruit, and some cold drinks too."

Ryuen wasted the resources in his hands nonchalantly, then turned to speak to us again.

"Trying to survive in the wild on an island this hot? Who would actually do that? The very theme of this exam is moronic. Give me a break, this is supposed to be a vacation. Who's going to kill themselves for a measly one or two hundred class points?"

"You don't actually think this exam is that easy, do you?"

"Isn't it? Put away that overly dramatic heart of yours. Teamwork and all that—trust can't be built from the start. Humans are creatures driven by self-interest; they can betray others with ease. You should know that the only person you can truly rely on in the end is yourself."

After Ryuen voiced his views on trust, he didn't give Ichinose a chance to retort, continuing, "So, the message I sent is also true. The person beside you is that boyfriend you're rumored to have, right? What, are you two trying to play some special game? If so, I can prepare a private tent for you, and I guarantee no one will disturb you."

"You choose to believe even the rumors? If you can't even judge the facts, it's no wonder you're so skeptical about human trust. Besides, you can insult me all you want, but I will never allow you to drag the people around me into this."

"And what if I do? Under these rules, there's nothing you can do, is there?" Ryuen smiled with disdain, then narrowed his eyes to enjoy the sea breeze blowing in.