Life on the Uninhabited Island was harder than expected. The weather was hot, and sleeping in a tent with a bunch of other guys made it even stuffier.
Qiuyue had woken up from the heat, as expected. The sun was just beginning to rise outside.
Seeing that the others were still asleep, Qiuyue carefully stepped out of the tent.
He was about to go wash up when he spotted a figure near the place where they had left their luggage.
The boys and girls had gathered all their bags in front of their respective tents. They hadn't brought their luggage inside, since they wanted to save points by using fewer tents and making the ones they did have more spacious.
Qiuyue walked closer and saw the man rummaging through a bag. It was the only one with a different color.
The bag belonged to Ibuki, who had joined their class the day before. Since the bags came in different colors for each class, it was easy to tell.
The man noticed someone approaching and turned around.
"...Ah..."
Qiuyue and Ayanokoji stared at each other, both feeling awkward. Anyone would mistake Ayanokoji for a pervert in this situation.
Qiuyue: (...I know you're not like that. You're probably looking for evidence that Ibuki is a spy, and maybe you've already found her digital camera.)
(But no matter how I look at this, it seems like you're doing something creepy.)
"Ahaha... Ayanokoji, you've got a pretty unusual hobby. But don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
With that, he turned to run, but Ayanokoji was even faster.
First, he quickly put the bag back in order and zipped it up. In an instant, he was behind Qiuyue, grabbing him by the shoulder.
"You've got it wrong. I wasn't..."
Ayanokoji seemed unable to finish. It was as if he didn't know what else to say.
The atmosphere grew more and more awkward.
"Good morning, Ayanokoji, Qiuyue."
Hirata stepped out of the tent and saw Qiuyue and Ayanokoji locked in an awkward standoff.
Qiuyue and Ayanokoji: (Phew, saved. Thank you, Hirata.)
Hirata was met with grateful looks from both of them and had no idea why.
After a little small talk,
Hirata and Qiuyue went to wash up together, since Ayanokoji said he had already done so.
While washing up, Qiuyue had just finished washing his face and watched Hirata still washing his. He asked,
"Hirata, what do you think about Koenji quitting yesterday?"
"What can I think? I just hope nothing happened to Koenji. As for the points we lost... all we can do is work harder and try to save as many points as possible."
Hirata gave a wry smile as he said this.
"...I see. Hirata, about that student from Class C, have you decided to let her stay?"
"...She was being bullied in her class and ran away. Everyone feels sorry for her. I don't think there should be a big problem with taking her in."
"...You know she's a spy, right? If she really was being bullied in her class, she could've just withdrawn from the exam. The others in Class D might not understand, but you do, don't you? I've always thought you could speak up more as the center of the class, instead of staying neutral and just going along with the majority."
"...I-is that so...?"
Hirata lowered his head awkwardly.
Qiuyue: (...Well, looks like I can't change him. Words are empty and powerless; only actions can teach someone. Once should be enough.)
"Hirata, since the other classes have already come to gather information, our class needs to make a move too. After roll call this morning, I'm going to check out the other classes' bases."
"What if you get lost, Qiuyue?"
"Don't worry, I have a good memory. I've memorized the map I looked at earlier. I'll be back before evening roll call."
"Is that so... Then I'll leave it to you, Qiuyue. Make sure you come back safely."
"Yeah, I will."
At dawn, the sound of roll call echoed through the campsite, breaking the morning silence. Once roll call was over, everyone went their separate ways and began carrying out the point-saving plan.
Qiuyue: (I'm eighty percent sure Ayanokoji has his eye on me and suspects I'm X. After all, I practically gave myself away with Sakura, but he shouldn't have any proof yet.)
(I never went back for the pinhole camera in the special teaching building. The person who tampered with it was most likely Ayanokoji. He might even be waiting there to catch me.)
(Even if he has proof, as long as he still wants a quiet school life, he won't expose me. Right now, he's still being threatened with expulsion by Chabashira. There's no harm in letting me use my foresight a little.)
(I made a bet with the Chairman, so I need to make absolutely sure I don't get expelled. Maybe I can afford to be a little bolder?)
Qiuyue watched Ayanokoji talking with Horikita. Once Horikita left, Qiuyue walked over to Ayanokoji.
"You'll take action in this Special Exam, right? Leave the assassin sent by Class C to you."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Ayanokoji wore the same expressionless face as ever. He didn't even look at Qiuyue, as if he were talking to the air.
"Just so you know, the school's teachers don't have the authority to expel students from their classes. But it'd still be better for you to take a little action this time, because Teacher Chabashira can still target you as your homeroom teacher.
"Also, Class D has claimed too few key locations—only two or three. Even if the leader isn't guessed, the reward points won't exceed 200, even with the points you have left.
"So your only option is to guess the leader. Class B won't guess Class D's leader, and Class D would be wise not to guess theirs."
Qiuyue: (...There. I've given him a reason not to feel like he has to win this exam, while still making sure he takes action. That should do it.)
Qiuyue continued forward, finishing what he had to say with his back to Ayanokoji, then gradually disappeared into the forest.
Ayanokoji remained silent. After a long while, he headed toward Horikita.
Meanwhile, Qiuyue was on his way to look for the other classes. The first one he found was Class C.
Following the path, he came to a beach. Though it was still some distance away, he could hear lots of people playing there.
Qiuyue: (Looks like he really is going with the zero-point strategy. I'd better not tip them off. I should leave quickly.)
"Hey, wait! What are you doing near our class?"
Qiuyue: (See? Here comes the trouble.)
"...Uh... I was just passing through. I got lost and can't find my way back to my class."
"Are you kidding me? You got lost all the way over here? You..."
A Class C student hurried over, interrupting the one who was speaking. He whispered something in the student's ear, and the student's expression changed. He looked back at Qiuyue and said,
"Hey, you. Big Brother Ryuen wants to see you. Behave yourself and come with me."
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