The Match Begins!! Class A's First Move Fails / Class D Makes Its Move

"Let me make this clear from the start: if that situation really arises, I will assume that Supplementary Clause Two will apply. You'll need to be more careful when selecting people."

Hoshino En gave a brief instruction before leaving Class D's formation to proceed with the next step of the plan.

In Class B, Ichinose Honami is also worried about the exam.

Everyone in Class B wanted to get high scores, but life on the Uninhabited Island was tough, and they were struggling to decide whether to spend points to make things easier for everyone.

Just then, their "savior" arrived.

"Hey, Ichinose, you guys haven't set off yet either."

Hoshino En walked directly to the front of Class B and spoke to Ichinose Honami, who was talking to a purple-haired boy.

"Ah! Hoshino-kun, what are you doing here?"

Ichinose Honami was excited and wanted to go up and say hello, but she was stopped by the curly-haired man next to her.

"Ichinose, you're taking exams right now. As the class representative, it's best if you don't get too close to people from other classes."

Then, he walked up to Hoshino En and extended his "friendly" right hand.

"Although this may not be our first meeting, this is probably the first time we've formally introduced ourselves, right? Hello, I'm Kanzaki Ryuji, the vice class representative of Class 1-B."

"Yo, hello Kanzaki, I'm Hoshino En from Class 1-D."

Hoshino En returned the gesture with a "warm" handshake.

Kanzaki Ryuji: "..."

Holy crap! Why is this guy using so much force? I didn't mean to compete with him in arm strength!

"Huh? No? When I saw you stop Ichinose and then come up to me yourself, I thought you were trying to provoke me! Sorry, sorry."

Hoshino En immediately released her grip and innocently apologized to the second-in-command of Class B.

"But there's no need for unnecessary pleasantries. I'm here today to make a deal with you."

Hoshino En produced a pre-prepared agreement.

[Exam Points Transaction Contract between Class D and Class B]

[Party A: Hoshino En]

[Party B: All students of Class B, represented by Ichinose Honami]

[1. Party A agrees to transfer the materials corresponding to at least 100 Exam Points in this exam to Party B.]

[2. Party B agrees to pay Party A (0.8 times the Exam Points Class Points by Party A) as remuneration each Private Points after the Uninhabited Island Exam, until graduation (the points will be directly transferred to Party A's account by the school)]

[Supplementary Clause 1: If Party B fails this exam, Party A shall not bear any responsibility. See Compensation Clause 2 for details.]

[Supplementary Clause 2: This agreement only represents the transfer of Exam Points and does not affect the competition between the two parties in the exam.]

[Supplementary Clause 3: If Party A is expelled from school, the Class Points corresponding to the Private Points Party B needs to pay will be deducted directly.]

All circumstances in this contract shall be determined through joint discussion and consultation between the parties to the contract and the witnesses.

[Contract Witness: Hoshinomiya Chie]

Looking at the densely packed clauses, Kanzaki Ryuji, who was covering his hands and gasping for breath, froze.

"We need to discuss this."

He took the agreement with his uninjured hand, turned and walked to Ichinose Honami's side to discuss it with her.

However, thanks to Ichinose Honami's charismatic personality, as long as she believes something is right, no one in Class B usually objects.

So even though Kanzaki Ryuji thought there were problems with it, the agreement was still passed smoothly.

Ichinose Honami summoned her class's unreliable homeroom teacher and began the process of signing the agreement.

Before signing, she asked one more question, "Hoshino-kun, why does it become an 80% discount when it's converted to Class Points? Doesn't that mean you're losing out?"

"This is only because of you!"

Hoshino En winked at her.

"We're friends, aren't we? Then there's no need to rely entirely on that cold, hard logic. Letting you take a little advantage is perfectly reasonable."

"Oh oh oh oh~~~"

Upon hearing his undisguised "friendship theory," Hoshinomiya Chie immediately broke into a maternal smile, nudging Ichinose Honami's waist with her elbow while winking at Hoshino En.

"Please say hello to Little Shiranami for me."

But her commotion had no effect on Hoshino En. He took the reprinted agreement, asked a casual question, and then disappeared in a flash.

This time, I extracted 150 x 0.8 = 120 Class Points from Class 1-B, which is equivalent to 480,000 Private Points per month. This is the minimum guarantee.

As for how much more we can earn later, that depends on how much we can make this time.

First Semester of First Year: swelling

Chapters 154 and 145: The Match Begins!! Class A's First Move Fails Z

Back in Class D's formation, Hoshino En handed the agreement to Karuizawa Kei for safekeeping—because of Hoshino En's previous remarks, Hirata Yosuke had let go of his resentment towards her, so he didn't bother to check the contents of the agreement, nor did he realize that it wasn't an agreement to form an exam alliance with Class B.

"Megumi, you'll be in charge of coordinating the exchange of supplies with Ichinose Honami later. As for what we need to exchange, I need four walkie-talkies, two high-powered binoculars, and paper and pens. You and the others who stay behind can decide on the rest."

"Okay." A

After arranging things for Karuizawa Kei, Hoshino En then approached Kushida Kikyo.

"Kushida, you're definitely going to stay on the island, right? So if Sakayanagi Arisu looking for me, could you look after her for a bit?"

"... No problem." U

Again, it's about taking care of children. Kushida Kikyo feels like she might have to switch careers to become a full-time nanny.

Ugh, couldn't that bastard Hoshino have arranged a better job for her? And Sakayanagi Arisu...? Is she even comparable to other kids?!

Although Kushida Kikyo maintained her smile of agreement, Hoshino En Enishi noticed the twitching in her eyebrows.

"During the exam period, I'll set aside some time to treat you. Be good and don't get upset."

He whispered another instruction.

Kushida Kikyo: "..." Ai

So you knew she could break my defenses?! Hiss

After leaving Kushida Kikyo, Hoshino En eventually sought out Chabashira Sae.

"Chabashira-sensei, make me Key Card. This time, I might be able to get you all the way to Class A in one go. You better get ready."

Chabashira Sae: "..."

"Anyone can talk big." (Wu)

She quickly handed the completed Key Card to Hoshino En without saying anything more.

But in the end, as Hoshino En was about to leave, she patted his shoulder rather solemnly, and Hoshino En could feel her hand trembling incessantly.

"Sakayanagi, be careful."

On Class A's side, their main force was following Katsuragi Kohei's footsteps towards the base he had already chosen.

Even though Sakayanagi Arisu suffered from heart disease, she did not choose to leave the stage immediately.

Although the school didn't cruelly take away her Cane, she was still finding it hard to bear walking on the sun-baked ground for long periods of time.

If I had known, I wouldn't have been so stubborn. I should have just left and gone to play with En-kun!

Sakayanagi Arisu leaned on a cane in one hand and was supported by Kamuro Masumi in the other, she muttered to herself.

"Hey! Katsuragi, how far is it from here to that Cave you mentioned?"

Seeing that Sakayanagi Arisu was pale and her movements were gradually becoming sluggish, Kamuro Masumi Katsuragi Kohei, who was standing at the front of the group.

"Almost there, we'll be there soon."

Katsuragi Kohei replied with a generic, all-purpose answer.

Previously, on the deck of the Cruise Ship, he immediately took a liking to a Cave on the island. Regardless of whether there were any photo booths or not, it was the best place for them to camp in the sweltering heat.

To avoid being overtaken by other classes, he didn't let the students of Class A stop for a moment and headed straight for that place.

"Searchable. ↑Qun: Yi♀&∶☆∷2 Shen You said the same thing 15 minutes ago, why haven't you arrived yet!!"

Kamuro Masumi continued her protest.

Fifteen minutes ago, she noticed that Sakayanagi's expression was already off. She explained to Katsuragi Kohei that she wanted him to stop for a bit or slow down, but the rigid guy just said something like, "We'll be there soon, just bear with it a little longer..."

And what happened? It's been 15 minutes already, why hasn't it arrived yet?!

"Honestly, with such a weak body, I don't know how she got into Class A."

Upon hearing Kamuro Masumi's question, Totsuka Yahiko was following Katsuragi Kohei, subconsciously retorted.

Because everyone in Class A was focused on walking forward and no one was saying anything unnecessary, his words unsurprisingly reached the ears of Sakayanagi Arisu and the Sakayanagi Arisu Sakayanagi Faction who supported him.

They, who were already unhappy with Katsuragi Kohei's leadership, immediately exploded.

"So what if Classmate Sakayanagi is physically weak? At least she could have simply asked for leave and didn't come, but she's standing with us now. For that alone, she's worthy of being a member of Class A, and that's enough!"

"Moreover, at the beginning of the semester, it was Classmate Sakayanagi saw through the school's unusual situation at a glance, allowing our class to gain an advantage. Why don't you mention this indelible achievement?"

"Stop attacking others for their flaws, Totsuka. Look at you, you haven't contributed anything to the class since the start of the semester, have you? Besides belittling other classes and lowering the image of our Class A in the grade, what other 'praiseworthy' contributions have you made?"

"Speaking of this makes me so angry, Totsuka. It's all because of you, Kyuu, who spewed nonsense at other classes before meeting them. A girl from Class B who I used to get along with really well rejected my confession. She said that although I seemed friendly on the surface, I was probably just like you, looking down on her and her Class B... What's wrong with wanting a simple relationship? Is that any of your business?"

"..."

Because of Totsuka Yahiko's slip of the tongue, the rift that everyone in Class A had tacitly pretended not to see was revealed once again, and it seemed to be widening.

Forced to halt their advance, Katsuragi Kohei also had to stop and defend his underlings.

As is well known, "One should strike while the iron is hot, but the momentum will wane after a second attempt, and exhaust it completely after a third."

When the conflict subsided and the students of Class A resumed their march, their speed was noticeably affected, and each of them moved forward with a heavy, leaden feel.

When they arrived at the Cave that Katsuragi Kohei had chosen, they only saw a Check-in Device that displayed "Class D is occupied, 7:38:46 remaining".

Twenty minutes ago, the Cave had already been occupied by Class D.

Furthermore, because of the school's rule that "using a base occupied by another class without permission will result in a 50-point penalty," they couldn't even stay here for long.

"Katsuragi, what should we do now?"

Several members of the Katsuragi Faction looked to Katsuragi Kohei for help, while the Sakayanagi Faction and the Neutral Faction looked at him with resentment.

Katsuragi Kohei: "..."

"Let's keep moving forward; now our only hope lies with other outposts."

So, the exhausted Class A didn't even get much rest before continuing their journey to find a base.

However, whether they went deeper, walked back, or looked around, every time they could see Check-in Device displayed the words "Class D is in occupation".

They circled around several times, and even Sakayanagi Arisu, who was supporting her, Kamuro Masumi, as well as the team leaders Katsuragi Kohei and Totsuka Yahiko, couldn't take it anymore.

"Katsuragi- san, how about we find a place to rest for a bit?"

"But--"

Katsuragi Kohei was still hesitating. If he accidentally broke the rules, he would lose a full 50 points!

But looking at his tired classmates behind him, he finally nodded and agreed to their request.

He led the students of Class A to a shady spot under a fruit tree.

"Everyone, let's rest here for a bit. This was my mistake in commanding the team, and if we get penalized because of it, I'll take the blame."

... And then, Katsuragi Kohei found himself with a "debt" of 130 Exam Points.

First Semester of First Year:

Chapters 155 and 146: Class D' s Actions

The reason was that Totsuka Yahiko was so thirsty that he picked two fruits from the tree, put one in his own mouth, and gave the other to Katsuragi Kohei.

On the other side, upon hearing Katsuragi Kohei's "generosity," Hashimoto Masayoshi also picked some fruit from the tree and distributed them to the other members of the Sakayanagi Faction, but deliberately did not send any to Sakayanagi Arisu.

Exhausted, they didn't even see the Check-in Device hidden not far away, displaying the words "Class D Occupied".