An Unexpected Turn

This is... the third one.

Kitagawa Ryo let out a long sigh of relief, and checked the real-time group rankings on his watch. Starting with the first [Olympiad Math Test] topic that morning, their group had participated in three topics with no limit on the number of group members, twice sweeping the top three spots and once sweeping the top two spots.

Before the fifth day of the Uninhabited Island Special Exam was even over, they had already racked up a whopping eight thousand points.

However, this also meant missing out on a topic that offered a chance to upgrade a regular card as a reward.

"Their ranking has risen to second place, only a thousand points behind Katsuragi's group."

The intense movement left Horikita Suzune feeling somewhat tired, and she leaned back in a chair in the rest area to recover her strength.

"If we work hard, we should have a chance today."

Sakayanagi Arisu stretched and gently rubbed her calves. Her bag was already on Kitagawa Ryo's back, but even so, her strength had dropped to a rather difficult level.

"The Katsuragi Group's scoring efficiency today is lower than the previous four days."

Ichinose Honami noticed something rather odd:

"Furthermore, the increase in scores for the entire Class A this morning has decreased significantly. Although we contributed to that, something still doesn't seem right."

"It's like... half of Class A's group has been paralyzed."

Just as Ichinose Honami was feeling confused, Kitagawa Ryo's watch suddenly chimed, receiving a communication request from someone else.

"It's Kanzaki from Class B."

After glancing at the caller ID, Kitagawa Ryo generously showed the watch to the three girls before agreeing to the call request and placing the watch to his ear.

"I'm Kitagawa Ryo, what can I do for you?"

"Karuizawa is being besieged by a group from Class A."

Kanzaki Ryuji immediately explained the situation, his tone unusually tense.

"She's currently working on the [Singing] project in E5. The information came from Shibata and the others; he overheard Class A's plan. Class A has realized that Karuizawa possesses the [Reinforcement] card and is preparing to target her."

If it were any other class, Kitagawa Ryo would probably just say, "Then you should hurry up and do other projects to get points and pass them on," since Karuizawa Kei has now bought them precious time and space.

But considering that the other party was from Class B, Kitagawa Ryo could only helplessly offer his words of comfort:

"Don't worry, the school staff are there too, and I believe Hui can handle it."

Kitagawa Ryo paused, then added:

"That's true, but we're not sure what other methods Class A might use. It's really impossible to defend against one person alone. For example, they might secretly hide something in your backpack while you're sleeping alone at night and then accuse you of stealing the next day. It's troublesome to be bogged down in such a mess."

"That's what I'm worried about too."

Kanzaki Ryuji picked up the conversation:

"Our group has moved closer to that side."

"Okay, I understand. If time allows, our group will also go and take a look."

Kitagawa Ryo nodded, made a vague promise, and then ended the call.

After hanging up the phone, Kitagawa Ryo asked without hesitation:

Which project is closest to the E5 area and offers a reward that includes a chance to upgrade a common card?

"E7 is two squares to our northwest."

Ichinose Honami was the first to answer.

"Go over there."

Kitagawa Ryo pressed his temples, his eyes gleaming.

"Ayanokoji, she'll be there."

Chapter 167: A Different Development

More and more groups gathered around the [Singing] project. Although the registration for the project had already closed and there was no benefit to staying here, four or five groups from Class B still came from all directions, surrounding their class leader, Karuizawa Kei, and confronting the Class A groups here with resentment.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka understands Class B's style very well, especially considering that Karuizawa Kei has a [Reinforcement] card for this exam and is willing to team up alone for the class.

They were already worried about Karuizawa Kei's situation, so the slightest disturbance could completely disrupt the entire Class B.

Although Karuizawa Kei had told all her classmates in every communication that everything was fine, most of the Class B groups near that grid still resolutely came to support her.

"If Class A really intends to disgust Megumi like this..."

"Then let's just stay here like them and see who can grab it faster."

"Stop trying to get points!"

Many girls expressed their indignation one after another, which gave Karuizawa Kei a bit of a headache.

"All students, please remain silent! Regardless of whether you have registered for this project or not, all students who have come here, please remain silent!"

The teacher in charge shouted through a megaphone:

"The project is about to begin! Any further noise will be considered as disrupting the normal progress of the project, and points will be deducted from the group's score!"

The uproar finally subsided.

The teacher in charge wiped the sweat from his brow; he was also puzzled as to why so many students had suddenly arrived.

At this moment, there are nearly twenty groups gathered here, including those from Class A Class B, Class C, and Class D. They are all staring wide-eyed at the center of the field.

Amidst all sorts of calculations, the [Singing] subject, which originally didn't offer particularly generous rewards, suddenly became the most anticipated Uninhabited Island Special Exam, with even the teachers in charge feeling a bit worried for the participating students.

The pressure you feel when singing in front of a few people is definitely different from the pressure you feel when singing in front of dozens of people.

The first girl from Class A to go on stage seemed a little nervous the moment she walked to the center of the field; you could clearly see her hand trembling as she held the microphone.

"I... I choose."

I reluctantly chose a popular song that I was fairly familiar with, but as soon as the accompaniment started, I suddenly jumped to the beat and sang the first line.

Although all the students in Class B were kind-hearted, they naturally wouldn't give a good look when they saw the students from Class A making a fool of themselves, which added to the psychological burden of the girl from Class A.

The song was sung haltingly, and the final scoring system gave it a failing grade of thirty-seven points.

However, for the girls, finishing the song was already a relief, so they quickly lowered their heads and ran back to their class's camp.

Meanwhile, another group of onlookers gathered around.

After all, the sheer number of people would attract others to come and see for themselves.

"Okay, I'll go then."

Sakura Airi greeted Karuizawa Kei casually, then walked into the venue as if it were nothing out of the ordinary, picked up the microphone, and smiled as she was watched by dozens of people.

Her demeanor was completely different from the girls she had met before.

The teacher in charge looked at Sakura Airi, then looked up at the azure sky, where only the blinding sunlight was shining down.

But I always felt like the other person was standing under some kind of dazzling spotlight.

[Type: Sports]

[Topic: Two-Person Cavalry Battle]

[Description of the activity: One person carries another to form a "rider" and a "horse rider." Both must wear a headscarf provided by the school. While protecting their own headscarf from being taken by others, they must also steal as many headscarves as possible from other teams. When both the "rider" and "horse rider" headscarves are taken, that team is eliminated. At the end of the time limit or when only one team remains, the top three teams with the most headscarves win.]

[Each group can only have two members (if a single person forms a group, they can partner with other group members from the class). Registration will close when twelve people have registered or one hour after the topic is announced.]

[First Place: 1200 points, one chance to upgrade a regular card]

[Second Place: 1000 points]

[Third Place: 800 points]

Kitagawa Ryo finished browsing the topic information on grid E7 and frowned slightly.

This project is clearly a variation of the [Four-Person Cavalry Battle] at the Sports Festival. However, the 'horse riding' has changed from three people to one person, which actually increases the physical requirements for the student who is 'riding'.

Since it concerned an opportunity to upgrade a regular card, Kitagawa Ryo naturally wanted to personally take the field to increase insurance. However, his team consisted entirely of girls except for himself, so he couldn't let them take the lead. Even Horikita Suzune, who had the best stamina among the three, Kitagawa Ryo didn't think she could support him for very long.

Therefore, the only remaining option is for him to take on the 'riding' position.

Compared to horseback riding, which tests physical strength and endurance, the rider on the back is the main force responsible for snatching the headscarf, requiring a higher level of agility and judgment.

"Let Arisu participate in this project with me."

After a moment's thought, Kitagawa Ryo also made a suggestion.

I think it's okay.

Horikita Suzune nodded. She was well aware of the importance of this topic to Kitagawa Ryo. She was the tallest of the three, but in terms of agility, she was not as good as the more petite Sakayanagi Arisu.

"Arisu, Ryo can relax a bit more."

Ichinose Honami also replied with a smile, but there was something strange about her words.

Sakayanagi Arisu seemed to understand this as well. She pursed her lips, walked over to Kitagawa Ryo, and held up her hand to compare her height. She was more than a head shorter than Kitagawa Ryo.

"Then I'll do my best later!"

Kitagawa Ryo suddenly reached out and gave Sakayanagi Arisu five:

"Arisu probably hasn't played this before, has she?"

"I've seen something similar at the Sports Festival."

Sakayanagi Arisu silently withdrew her hand behind her back and replied:

"Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School allows the children of school staff to visit the school's annual Sports Festival. I've seen the horseback riding battle event at every previous Sports Festival."

"But that's a rule for four people."

As she spoke, Sakayanagi Arisu glanced at Kitagawa Ryo, then looked back at Ichinose Honami and Horikita Suzune, inexplicably conjuring up some images that might not pass censorship.

"Even if it's her first time, Arisu should be fine."

Kitagawa Ryo nodded, his tone full of encouragement and expectation, and said with a smile:

"Geniuses always learn faster, right?"

Of course.

Sakayanagi Arisu kicked a small pebble off the road and answered confidently.

"According to the rules, since you, Ayanokoji, are forming a team alone, you can temporarily team up with a member from another group in our class. If you finish in the top three, the reward will be split in half and allocated to both your team and the other team."

At the registration desk for the [Two-Person Cavalry Battle] event, Tachibana Akane, Class 3-A and the Student Council secretary, was explaining the rules in detail to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who had come to register.

"So, do you have someone in mind to team up with?"

"Some."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded. A man with long hair covering his face, a fleshy face, and a menacing appearance—not at all like a high school student—walked in.

"I'm Kito Hayato from Class 1-A. I'm forming a temporary team with Ayanokoji this time."

"Please wait a moment while I verify your identity."

Tachibana Akane nodded, pulled up the detailed information of Kito Hayato from Class 1-A on her tablet, and quickly replied after comparing the photo with the person in person:

"Alright, Ayanokoji and Kito- san's temporary team has successfully registered. Please wait patiently in the rest area before the project begins."

Upon hearing this, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka turned and left without hesitation. Beside him, Kito Hayato, who was originally from the Hashimoto Masayoshi Group but had been temporarily reassigned to partner with him, was also a quiet person and followed behind Ayanokoji Kiyotaka in silence.

As the only student in Class 1-A to receive an A in physical education evaluation in his entrance report, Kito Hayato initially thought that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka simply valued his physical abilities and had him take on the role of 'horse riding'.

However, on his way here, Kito Hayato noticed that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's speed was in no way inferior to his own. In fact, in running alone, he was even a few points behind Kiyotaka. This made him quite interested in Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who seemed to be Katsuragi Kohei's follower.

"Hahaha, we've snagged a bargain! I told you there was no one around here. I don't know what went wrong with the students from Class A and Class B, they're all running north. Did they dig up some treasure?"

Before anyone even arrived, Ishizaki Daichi from Class 1-C's laughter rang out. He was seen patting Komiya Yogo on the shoulder, occasionally turning back to boast to Kaneda Satoru and Yoshimoto Kousetsu, his tone full of smugness.

"We're the second group to register, right?"

Ishizaki Daichi strode up to Tachibana Akane, who was in charge of registration, and asked her questions with some impatience.

"Yes, let me see, Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Yogo from Class 1-C, right?"

"It's the two of us! Hey, I remember we met a couple of days ago, about that... [Piano Performance] project, I think you were in charge of the registration too."