After lunch.
Qiuyue was preparing to head to Class C and see whether it had really been completely abandoned.
After tidying up in Class D, Qiuyue glanced at Horikita, whose face was a little pale. She was warming herself by the fire, which hadn't gone out yet.
Qiuyue: ...I'm glad it's nothing serious. I'm starting to feel a little guilty. Since Ayanokoji has taken over, he'll handle the rest.
Horikita, your getting sick and dropping out is already a done deal. You can't blame me for that.
Qiuyue looked away and, without further hesitation, headed into the forest.
In the forest, Qiuyue ran into the person he least wanted to see—Ayanokoji.
"You're going to Class C now, right? Let's go together."
Ayanokoji spoke with an expression that didn't change in the slightest (in short, a poker face). It was impossible to tell whether he was asking a question or making a statement.
"...Sure, let's go together."
Qiuyue: I strongly suspect you've been waiting here for me. In the original story, Ayanokoji seemed to act alone every time because everyone else in Class D was too useless.
So, does he have his eye on me? No, I don't mean it like that. I mean, does he think I'm qualified to act alongside him?
Qiuyue and Ayanokoji arrived at what had once been Class C's base camp. Compared to before, it was the complete opposite: so quiet and deserted that it sent a chill through them.
The two of them looked around and walked through the area, but found no one from Class C who had stayed behind.
Then two figures emerged from the forest. When Qiuyue saw them, he couldn't help sighing inwardly.
Qiuyue: Ichinose is one thing, but why is Kanzaki here too? You really do have the Key Card on you...
"Huh? It's Qiuyue and Classmate Ayanokoji! Yaha-lo! Are you guys scouting too?"
"Ayanokoji and I were assigned to find food. We only came to the beach because we wanted to slack off."
Qiuyue: ????? It's bad enough that you casually dragged me into this, but where did you learn the term 'slack off'? You've picked up bad habits. Even if we are slacking off, we shouldn't say it out loud.
"You shouldn't slack off. Everyone in Class D is definitely working hard too. Qiuyue, Classmate Ayanokoji, you shouldn't be slacking off."
"No... we aren't slacking off. We're just... taking a short break..."
Qiuyue said, feeling rather helpless, because he couldn't think of an excuse on the spot.
"Heh... I see. Qiuyue and Ayanokoji really are close, huh?"
"What makes you think that?"
Qiuyue asked what he genuinely wanted to know. He couldn't imagine that he and Ayanokoji were close.
Qiuyue knew that, to Ayanokoji, no one was close to him. They were all just tools.
"Come on, when I was next to the two of you last time, you were sending each other messages. Like some little secret between men? And now you're working together again. How could you not be close?"
"..."
Qiuyue: ...I really want to explain... but that would only make things worse... How could I tell you to your face that I messaged him because I wanted to pursue you? Give me a break.
"But speaking of which, it looks like Class C has really given up on this exam."
"Yeah. Still, the exam won't make their points go negative, so keeping their class from having to endure harsh conditions on the island could be a strategy too."
Kanzaki, standing beside Ichinose, shared his theory about Class C's actions.
Qiuyue: He hasn't given up. For all we know, he's lying in wait in some patch of grass right now.
Qiuyue and Ayanokoji showed no particular reaction as they listened to Ichinose and Kanzaki discuss it. Then Ayanokoji stepped forward and said:
"Ichinose, there's something I'd like to ask you."
"What is it?"
"What do you know about Katsuragi from Class A?"
"Classmate Katsuragi? Since Classmate Sakayanagi is on leave for this exam, he's the one leading the class right now.
"Ah—Classmate Ayanokoji, you don't know about Classmate Sakayanagi, do you? Class A has two people who lead the class: Classmate Sakayanagi and Classmate Katsuragi. Does that make sense?"
"Yeah."
"No. Even though Sakayanagi from Class A is on leave, I don't think the people in the Sakayanagi Faction are willing to help Katsuragi. As far as I know, the two factions in Class A are at each other's throats."
Kanzaki rested his chin on his hand like a detective and voiced his own deduction.
Qiuyue: ...You two really don't have a clue. Even if you're cooperating, aren't you being way too open? You're giving information to students from another class so easily.
"That's certainly possible. But no matter how uncooperative the Sakayanagi Faction is toward Classmate Katsuragi, they shouldn't hurt the class's interests. Class A's division is good news for us in Class B."
"That's right. The school placed students into classes according to their abilities. Now that Class A can't work together, it's the perfect chance for us in Class B to overtake them."
Qiuyue: ...Listening to you two chime in like that, I'm starting to think I never signed a contract with you. I might as well put the answer right in front of you, but you're still trying so hard?
"Yeah. If Class A works together, that wouldn't be good news for us. Our chances of surpassing them would get smaller."
Qiuyue: *...*
"...I see."
Ayanokoji rested his chin on his hand too and said that.
"Ah, sorry, Classmate Ayanokoji. Kanzaki and I got off topic."
"No, I should thank you for telling me all this. I'll pass it on to Horikita."
"Huh? So you were asking on Horikita's behalf, Classmate Ayanokoji?"
"Yeah. Horikita was planning to come ask you tomorrow, but since I ran into you, I asked now. That way, she won't have to come over tomorrow."
"That's no problem. Classmate Horikita and Classmate Ayanokoji are always welcome. Oh, and Qiuyue too."
"Thanks, Ichinose. It's getting late. Let's all head back."
Ichinose glanced at her watch, looking puzzled, then suddenly exclaimed:
"Really! It's so late already. We'd better hurry back. Bye, Classmate Ayanokoji, Qiuyue."
"Bye." x2
"Let's go, Kanzaki."
Qiuyue had spent half a chapter as background scenery. After seeing Ichinose leave, he said:
"Then, let's go."
"Yeah. What do you think Class C is planning?"
Qiuyue glanced at Ayanokoji's poker face, then looked away. Only after they returned to the forest did he speak.
"I don't know, but I do know Ryuen wouldn't give up just like this."
Qiuyue: ...Did you really not figure it out, or are you testing me? If that's what you want, I'll give you an answer that's both vague and clear. You can figure it out yourself.
Before you continue