The Class C No One

After lunch.

Qiuyue prepared to head to Class C to check if the class had completely emptied out.

After tidying up in Class D, Qiuyue glanced at Horikita, whose face was a little pale, as she warmed herself in front of the still-burning fire.

Qiuyue: (...As long as she's not seriously hurt, that's fine. It's making me feel a bit guilty. Since Ayanokoji's taken over, he'll handle the rest.)

(Horikita, your withdrawal due to illness is already set in stone. You can't blame me for this.)

Qiuyue withdrew his gaze, no longer hesitating, and walked toward the forest.

Inside the forest, Qiuyue ran into the person he least wanted to meet—Ayanokoji.

"You're going to Class C now, right. Let's go together."

Ayanokoji said with his expressionless face (in short, a poker face), using a tone that made it unclear whether it was a question or a statement.

"...Fine, let's go together then."

Qiuyue: (I seriously suspect you were lying in wait for me here. In the original story, Ayanokoji always acted alone because everyone in Class D was too useless.)

(So, he hasn't taken a liking to me, has he? No, that's not what I mean. I'm saying, does he think I'm worthy of acting with him?)

Qiuyue and Ayanokoji arrived together at the former base camp of Class C. Compared to before, it was the complete opposite—desolate, silent, and chilling enough to make one's blood run cold.

The two looked around and walked through the area, finding no one from Class C remaining.

However, two figures emerged from the forest. Qiuyue couldn't help but sigh inwardly when he saw them.

Qiuyue: (Ichinose is one thing, but why is Kanzaki here too? The key card is really on you, huh...)

"Huh? It's Qiuyue-kun and Ayanokoji-kun! Yahallo~ Are you two here to scout too?"

"Qiuyue and I are out looking for food. Coming to the beach is purely because we wanted to slack off."

Qiuyue: (????? You casually drag me into it, and where did you learn the word 'slack off'? You've been corrupted. Even if you're slacking off, you shouldn't say it out loud.)

"Slacking off isn't allowed, you know. Everyone in Class D is surely working hard too. Qiuyue-kun, Ayanokoji-kun, slacking off is no good."

"No... we're not slacking off. We're just... taking a break... that's all."

Qiuyue said this somewhat weakly, because he couldn't come up with a good excuse on the spot.

"Heh... I see. Qiuyue-kun and Ayanokoji-kun really do get along well, don't you?"

"Where are you getting that from?"

Qiuyue asked a question he genuinely wanted to know the answer to. He could never see himself as having a good relationship with Ayanokoji.

Because Qiuyue knew that for Ayanokoji, there was no such thing as a good relationship—only tools.

"Well, last time when I was beside you two, you were both messaging each other, like some kind of guy secret? And now you're acting together again. Doesn't that mean you're close?"

"..."

Qiuyue: (...I really want to explain... but it'll only make things worse... Can I really say to your face that the messages I sent were about me wanting to chase you? Don't be ridiculous.)

"Anyway, it looks like Class C has really given up on this exam."

"True, but then again, since this exam won't result in negative points, not making the class suffer on the island is also a kind of strategy."

Kanzaki stood beside Ichinose, offering his own speculation on Class C's actions.

Qiuyue: (He hasn't given up at all. Right now, he's probably lurking in some grass, waiting for an opportunity.)

Qiuyue and Ayanokoji listened to Ichinose and Kanzaki's discussion without much reaction, until Ayanokoji stepped forward and said:

"Ichinose, there's something I'd like to ask you."

"What is it?"

"About Katsuragi from Class A. What do you know about him?"

"Katsuragi-kun? Since Sakayanagi-san is on leave this time, he's the one leading the class now. Ah—Ayanokoji-kun doesn't know about Sakayanagi-san, does he? Class A has two people leading the class: Sakayanagi-san and Katsuragi-kun. Does that make it clear, Ayanokoji-kun?"

"Yeah."

"No, even though Sakayanagi from Class A is on leave, I don't think the Sakayanagi faction would willingly help Katsuragi. From what I know, the two factions in Class A are currently at odds."

Kanzaki struck a detective-like pose, hand on his chin, offering his own deduction.

Qiuyue: (...Thick-headed as always. Even if you're cooperating, you're way too open. Handing over intel to other classes this easily.)

"That's possible, but no matter how uncooperative the Sakayanagi faction is with Katsuragi-kun, they probably wouldn't harm the class's interests, right? The split in Class A is good news for us Class B."

"Exactly. The school divides classes by merit, and now that Class A can't unite as one, this is our chance for Class B to overtake them."

Qiuyue: (...You two are playing off each other so well it makes me feel like I never signed a contract with you. I've practically put the answers right in front of you, and you're still trying this hard?)

"Yeah, if Class A were united, that wouldn't be good news for us. Our chances of surpassing Class A would shrink a bit."

Qiuyue: (...)

"...I see."

Ayanokoji also put his hand on his chin and said this.

"Ah, sorry, Ayanokoji-kun, Kanzaki-kun and I got a bit off track."

"Not at all. In fact, thank you for telling me all this. I'll pass it on to Horikita."

"Huh? So Ayanokoji-kun was asking for Horikita's sake?"

"Yeah. Horikita was planning to come ask you tomorrow, but since I ran into you, I figured I'd just ask now. That way, you won't have to deal with us coming over tomorrow."

"It's no problem. I'm always happy to see Horikita-san and Ayanokoji-kun—oh, and Qiuyue-kun too."

"Thank you, Ichinose. It's getting late, so let's all head back."

Ichinose glanced at her wristwatch with a hint of confusion, then suddenly gasped:

"Oh, you're right—it's this late already. We need to hurry back. Bye-bye, Ayanokoji-kun, Qiuyue-kun."

"Bye-bye." x2

"Let's go, Kanzaki-kun."

Qiuyue had been standing by as background for half a chapter. After watching Ichinose leave, he said:

"Let's go, then."

"Mm. What do you think Class C is up to?"

Qiuyue glanced at Ayanokoji's expressionless face, then looked away. Only after they re-entered the forest did he speak.

"I don't know. But I do know Ryuen isn't the type to give up that easily."

Qiuyue: (...Did you really not see through it, or are you testing me? If that's how you want to play, I'll give you an answer that's both vague and clear. Figure it out yourself.)