Before long, Onizuka and Ryuen arrived at Class B's camp, whose atmosphere was completely different from Class C's.
Class B's students were methodically organizing their supplies. Several had been assigned clear roles: some were checking the food and water reserves, while others were adjusting their equipment and protective gear.
Class B also had a remarkably united atmosphere.
Every student carried out their tasks without hesitation. There was no idle chatter or slacking off, and their coordination was nearly ideal.
Even those who were resting weren't simply lying on the ground. They sat neatly in a designated area, keeping a reasonable distance from one another to maintain order throughout the camp.
In this atmosphere of discipline and efficiency, Onizuka could sense a powerful sense of order-the strength of acting as a group.
Everything in the camp was orderly. He could even see several students taking turns standing watch to make sure everything was safe and in order.
When Onizuka came into view, the Class B students didn't show much hostility.
Although they were puzzled by his arrival, they still maintained basic politeness.
A few of them nodded slightly in greeting but didn't react much. After all, Onizuka had a fairly good reputation among the first-years.
However, when Ryuen came into view alongside him, the atmosphere changed at once.
The Class B students on guard immediately tensed, and the air filled with tension.
Those who had been chatting casually straightened up, their sharp gazes fixed on Ryuen.
"Ryuen... what are you doing here?" one Class B student asked coldly, his eyes full of wariness. He clearly didn't think Ryuen's arrival could mean anything good.
The students nearby also gathered around, their voices openly hostile. "You're from Class C. Why would you come here?"
Ryuen sneered coldly, as if he'd expected this all along, and met their gazes without fear.
"I came to see you. Is that not allowed?" he replied flatly, without giving an inch.
Onizuka could only shake his head helplessly from the sidelines.
He'd thought that since Ryuen had spent the first semester targeting Class D, he wouldn't have time to cause trouble for the other classes.
He hadn't expected him to have so much energy that he'd become this universally disliked...
He moved away from Ryuen, intending to take a detour and look for Ichinose, but soon realized that Class B's students had surrounded him too.
"You're not coming in either," one of the Class B students said coldly, stopping Onizuka without the slightest courtesy.
Onizuka raised an eyebrow slightly and spread his hands, looking helpless.
He looked at the Class B students before him and said with a hint of teasing, "If I tell you I don't know him very well, would you believe me?"
Obviously, he didn't.
As several more students gathered around, they formed a small defensive line, surrounding Onizuka completely.
Well, this was worse than before.
The Class B students gathered into a small circle as one, their sharp eyes making it seem as if they were already braced for battle, ready to deal with any sudden developments.
Despite the hostility in their eyes, they didn't act rashly. They seemed more to be waiting for something.
They appeared to be watching Ryuen's reaction or waiting for him to offer a further explanation.
Then a pink-haired girl stepped out from Class B's camp. Her school tracksuit made her look even more capable and sharp.
At her side walked a boy with a cold expression. His short, purplish-black hair partly obscured his sharp gaze, and his whole demeanor seemed quiet and dangerous.
It was Ichinose and Kanzaki Ryuji.
If I added a "three" to my name, would I fit in with them...? Onizuka wondered silently.
When Ichinose and Kanzaki Ryuji approached, the Class B students who had been standing in a circle immediately scattered, making way for them.
"Hmm??? O-Onizuka?"
Ichinose glanced around. When she saw Ryuen and Onizuka standing nearby, her expression flickered with surprise, but soon returned to normal.
She walked toward the two of them, her voice carrying a hint of confusion while remaining as polite and kind as ever.
"What's going on? What brings you here?"
Kanzaki Ryuji, standing beside her, seemed somewhat cold. His gaze was sharp, and he stood straight, looking somewhat wary.
Although he said nothing, his tense shoulders and serious expression made it clear that he was highly alert to Ryuen and Onizuka's arrival.
"So you're Onizuka? But how did you end up hanging around with this guy?" Kanzaki finally spoke, his voice edged with caution as he kept his gaze fixed on Ryuen.
Before Onizuka could answer, Ichinose turned to glance at Kanzaki, then looked back at Onizuka.
"Kanzaki, don't be so tense. If Onizuka brought him here, he must have his reasons." She paused, then added, "I trust him."
Hearing this, Kanzaki still seemed somewhat doubtful, but he knew Ichinose's judgment was usually reliable.
Seeing how firm she was, Kanzaki had no choice but to rein in his wariness and nod lightly in agreement.
Seeing this, Onizuka smiled slightly, secretly relieved. Then he turned to Ichinose and spoke:
"Well~ some things have come up. Do you remember what we discussed before? Let's find somewhere quieter."
Ichinose nodded lightly.
"Of course. Follow me."
She led Onizuka and Ryuen to one side of the camp, through several patches of low shrubs, and into an open area surrounded by a few large rocks.
The rocks were scattered just so, forming a small place to rest.
She gestured for Onizuka and Ryuen to sit, while she stood quietly to one side.
The place was simple, but its quiet, natural atmosphere made it feel cut off from the world, as if it had been set aside specifically for discussing important matters.
Ichinose turned around and looked at Onizuka gently. Her voice was warm and calm. "So, Onizuka, is there something you need to discuss with us?"
Ryuen was completely ignored. He clicked his tongue in displeasure, earning nothing but Kanzaki's hostility in return.
"Ichinose, what do you think about choosing a leader?"
Ichinose paused slightly, clearly not expecting Onizuka to raise the subject so directly. Her eyes flickered, then she quickly regained her composure.
"We weren't planning to risk losing fifty points by choosing a leader from another class." She paused, as if choosing her words carefully.
"Actually, we don't have any idea yet."
Hearing Ichinose answer so candidly, Kanzaki's mouth opened slightly, as if he wanted to stop her from being so blunt, but in the end, he said nothing and fell silent.
Onizuka smiled slightly, as if Ichinose's response hadn't surprised him.
He took a contract out of his pocket and casually handed it to her.
"Why don't you consider this?" Onizuka asked lightly, without any urgency.
"The three of our classes can call a truce during this exam and join forces to attack Class A. That should be the best arrangement for you, right?"
Ichinose took the contract and read it carefully, her expression shifting slightly.
She was silent for a moment, then handed the contract to Kanzaki beside her. Kanzaki quickly read through it too, his expression serious as he seemed to weigh the pros and cons.
Onizuka stood up, looking at the two of them calmly. "What do you think?"
The two exchanged glances, apparently reaching an agreement. Kanzaki nodded slightly, and Ichinose replied warmly, "It's a pleasure working with you."
"It's a pleasure working with you!"