But deep down, there was a barely perceptible trace of melancholy—something that didn't quite fit her usual sunny image.
"You've built a great camp," Ichinose said, gazing enviously at Class D's facilities. "It's much more organized than ours."
"Just luck," Tang Yu said modestly. Then an idea struck him. "By the way, we have a spare Water Purification Device. If Class B needs it, you can borrow it."
Ichinose's eyes lit up. "Really? Thank you so much!"
"In exchange," Tang Yu continued, "if you notice anything unusual from Class C, could you let us know? Sharing information would benefit us all."
Ichinose hesitated. "Well... all right, if it helps us avoid conflict."
They talked a little longer and agreed to meet by the stream again at dusk to hand over the Water Purification Device. As soon as Ichinose left, Horikita Suzune came over and demanded, "Why did you offer to help Class B? They're our rivals."
"They're temporary allies," Tang Yu explained. "With Class C threatening us, cooperating with Class B is in our interests."
"A wise choice." Ayanokoji had appeared beside them without anyone noticing. "Divide and conquer."
[Confusion from Horikita Suzune +50]
[Approval from Ayanokoji Kiyotaka +30]
That afternoon, Class D split into several groups to carry out different tasks. Tang Yu and Ayanokoji were responsible for exploring the island and looking for potential resource and mission sites. They walked in silence through the dense forest, each alert to their surroundings.
"You approached Ichinose, but it wasn't just to form an alliance, was it?" Ayanokoji suddenly asked.
Tang Yu didn't answer directly. "What do you think Ryuen will do next?"
"He'll test Class A first," Ayanokoji said, analyzing the situation. "Katsuragi Kohei is too cautious, which makes him an easy target. Once Class A is weakened, Ryuen will focus all his efforts on us."
"I think he'll do both at once." Tang Yu pushed aside a branch in his path. "While sending people after Class A, he'll also harass our supply lines."
"That's why we need Class B's information network," Ayanokoji said with a nod. "But Ichinose isn't good at strategic games. Her kindness could become a weakness."
Tang Yu stopped. "You seem to know the leaders of the other classes pretty well."
Ayanokoji's expression remained calm. "Just basic observation."
They reached a high spot with a view over most of the island. Class A's camp was on the beach, neatly arranged but lacking concealment. Class B's camp was on the other side of the woods, its layout haphazard. Class C was near the Freshwater Lake, in the best location but with weak defenses.
"Look over there." Tang Yu pointed to the small hill in the center of the island. A glint was faintly visible at its summit. "That must be a mission site."
Ayanokoji took out his binoculars and looked. "Confirmed. There's a flag and a Mission Box up there."
"We should go claim it first thing tomorrow morning," Tang Yu suggested.
"Too conspicuous," Ayanokoji objected. "Let the other classes fight over it first. We'll conserve our strength."
It was the first time they'd disagreed on strategy since the Leadership Group had formed. Tang Yu activated Emotion Perception and noticed that Ayanokoji's Emotion Cloud was unusually active. He wasn't simply opposed to the idea—he was testing Tang Yu's reaction.
"How about this?" Tang Yu proposed a compromise. "Tomorrow, we'll send a scouting group to watch the mission site, but we won't get involved directly. We can step in after the others have worn each other down."
Ayanokoji thought it over for a moment, then nodded. "That works."
By the time they returned to camp at dusk, Class D had already prepared dinner. A simple meal of grilled fish and vegetable soup, but under the circumstances, it was quite a feast. Tang Yu took the Water Purification Device to the stream, where Ichinose arrived as promised.
"Here you go." Tang Yu handed her the device. "Did you find out anything today?"
Ichinose hesitated. "Some people from Class C were asking around about where Class A stores its food. Ryuen may be planning to steal their supplies."
"Thanks for the warning," Tang Yu said sincerely. "Is there anything else your camp needs?"
"Actually..." Ichinose looked a little embarrassed. "We're not very good at starting fires, so we've been eating cold food."
Tang Yu smiled. "I'll send someone to teach you tomorrow morning. In exchange..."
"Information sharing, I understand," Ichinose said with a smile of her own. "You're good at making deals."
They sat on the rocks beside the stream and talked about their respective classes. Tang Yu found Ichinose easy to talk to. She was genuine and unpretentious, nothing like Kushida Kikyo, whose warmth was merely an act.
"Actually, I'm a little worried," Ichinose said suddenly, lowering her voice. "This test is really important to Class B. We lost quite a few Class Points because of some mistakes we made earlier..."
Tang Yu's Emotion Perception picked up on her anxiety and stress. On impulse, he activated his newly unlocked Emotion Resonance ability, hoping to better understand what went on inside this sunny leader.
In an instant, a complex flood of emotions surged into Tang Yu's consciousness: the crushing pressure of responsibility, fear of failure, the loneliness of being a leader... But most surprising of all—
Deep inside, Ichinose harbored a profound sense of inferiority, as though she believed she didn't deserve the position she held.
[Emotion Resonance complete] [Honami Ichinose Psychological Profile updated: Hidden feelings of inferiority stem from a major past failure]
The ability lasted only a short time, but the information it revealed was immense. Tang Yu withdrew it and pretended to adjust his shoes to hide his unusual reaction.
"It's getting late," he said, standing up. "See you tomorrow."
Ichinose seemed to recover from her brief melancholy and put on a smile again. "Yeah. Thanks for your help."
When Tang Yu returned to Class D's camp, he found the Leadership Group discussing plans for the next day. He told them about the possibility that Class C might attack Class A's supplies, prompting a flurry of discussion.
"Should we warn Class A?" Hirata asked.
"No," Tang Yu and Ayanokoji said in unison. They exchanged a glance, and Tang Yu continued, "It benefits us if Class C wears Class A down."
"But that wouldn't be fair..." Hirata frowned.
"That's the nature of the test," Horikita said, unexpectedly supporting Tang Yu. "Only the strong survive."
After the meeting, Tang Yu was assigned to the first night watch. Stars dotted the night sky, and the sound of waves carried over from the distance. Sitting on the watchtower, he reviewed the day's gains: a direct clash with Class C, the beginnings of an alliance with Class B, and a newly unlocked ability...
[Current Emotion Points: 9650/10000] [Special Alert: Attention from Katsuragi Kohei of Class A has increased]
The system's alert made Tang Yu wary. He activated Night Vision, which he'd previously acquired in exchange for Emotion Points, and scanned the darkness. Sure enough, a tall figure stood silently among the trees outside the camp, watching Class D's camp: Katsuragi Kohei of Class A.
"Looks like tonight won't be boring," Tang Yu murmured, gripping the Alarm Rope in his hand.
Beneath the surface, currents were already stirring on the first night on the deserted island. The contest between the four classes had only just begun, and Tang Yu knew the real challenges were still to come. He looked up at the stars, a confident smile curling his lips. He was going to win this game.
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