The Perch Being Contended For

Afternoon, Class D campsite.

The news of Hiyori Shiina's arrival sparked quite a discussion within the camp.

"Are we really going to take in someone from Class B?" Yukimura questioned. "We barely have enough food as it is..."

"She's injured; we can't just stand by and watch her suffer," Yosuke Hirata said firmly. "Besides, assisting students from other classes might earn us bonus points in the evaluation."

"Evaluation? Who even knows what the criteria are!" Kanji Ike complained. "For all we know, the school doesn't care about this kind of thing at all."

"But if we ignore her and Class B finds out, they might turn hostile toward us," Kei Karuizawa analyzed. "We've already offended Class C; if we alienate Class B as well, we'll be in a very passive position."

Throughout the debate, Hiyori Shiina sat quietly in the corner, head bowed, saying nothing.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka listened to the arguments and finally made a decision: "Shiina-san will stay with us for now to recover. However, we need to inform Class B of her situation to avoid any misunderstandings."

"I'll notify them," Kei volunteered. "I know a few girls in Class B; I can reach out to Ichinose through them."

"Good," Ayanokoji nodded. "Also, we need to send people to guard the newly discovered water source in shifts. That location is vital; we can't just hand it over to others."

"Guard it? Are we going to have to fight?" Sudo asked.

"Avoid conflict if possible," Ayanokoji said. "But if another class tries to monopolize the water, we must make our stance clear. Remember, we won't provoke anyone, but we won't back down either."

The division of labor was finalized: Kei would contact Class B; Sudo would take two others to the waterfall to set up a makeshift outpost; the rest would continue building the camp.

Ayanokoji walked over to Hiyori Shiina and handed her a compressed biscuit and half a canteen of water.

"Thank you..." Hiyori whispered.

"Your ankle should be less swollen by tomorrow," Ayanokoji said. "But it will take at least a week to fully recover."

"I know," Hiyori gave a bitter smile. "I really am... so useless."

"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses," Ayanokoji said calmly. "What was your role in Class B?"

Hiyori paused, stunned: "I... I mainly analyze information and formulate plans."

"Then do what you're good at," Ayanokoji said. "Since you're here now, why not help us analyze the situation?"

Hiyori looked up, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes: "You... trust me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Ayanokoji countered. "You're a 'temporary member' of Class D now, at least until your injury heals."

This statement left Hiyori silent for a long time. Then, she nodded: "I understand. Well, from my observations, the current situation among the four classes is as follows..."

She began her analysis, her tone gradually becoming confident and clear.

"Class A occupies the central hills, giving them a clear geographical advantage, but they are overly confident and may underestimate the threat posed by other classes. Kohei Katsuragi is a steady leader, but his caution can sometimes become a weakness—when a risk is necessary, he may hesitate."

"Class C is centered around Kakeru Ryuen; they are highly mobile but lack long-term planning. They excel at creating chaos and pressure, but often fall short when precise strategy is required."

"Class B..." she paused. "Ichinose-san is excellent. She excels at uniting everyone, but because of that, she is easily bound by morality and emotion. She wants everyone to be treated fairly, but in a competitive environment, that can sometimes become a burden."

"Finally, your Class D," Hiyori looked at Ayanokoji. "Your greatest advantage is that no one thinks highly of you. This allows you to hide in the shadows and develop quietly. But that is also your greatest weakness: once you are noticed, you will become the target of everyone's ire."

A very precise analysis. Ayanokoji nodded to himself.

"So, what is your advice?" he asked.

"Develop low-key and accumulate strength," Hiyori said. "Avoid direct conflict in the early stages and focus on camp construction and completing tasks. In the mid-to-late stages, when other classes have exhausted their strength through conflict, that is when you look for opportunities."

It coincided perfectly with Ayanokoji's own thoughts.

"Also," Hiyori added, "I suggest you... keep an eye on Class A's movements. They are too quiet; it's not normal."

Indeed, since landing yesterday, Class A had barely made a move. They hadn't provoked anyone like Class C, nor had they attempted to cooperate like Class B.

What were they planning?

Evening, at the waterfall water source.

Ken Sudo and two classmates had built a simple observation post—a shelter made of branches that could provide shade and shelter from the rain.

"Ayanokoji said other classes might come to seize this place," Sudo told his companions. "We need to stay alert."

"But this is a bit far from our camp," a boy named Hondo said. "If a fight actually breaks out, reinforcements won't be able to get here in time."

"That's why we need to avoid conflict," Sudo said. "But if someone insists on taking it... we can't be cowards."

Night fell, and the jungle turned pitch black. Only the sound of the waterfall and the chirping of insects echoed in their ears.

Around midnight, Sudo suddenly heard footsteps.

They were very light, but someone was definitely approaching.

He immediately shook his companions awake, and the three of them hid behind a tree to observe.

Several figures appeared by the water pool, shining flashlights onto the surface. Judging by the color of their uniforms... it was Class C.

"Three of them," Sudo counted. "The one leading them seems to be... Mio Ibuki?"

It was indeed Mio Ibuki, the short-haired girl who had clashed with Ayanokoji yesterday. She had two boys with her, both carrying water bags.

"Ryuen told us to come get water," one of the boys said. "The water here is better than what's near our camp."

"Hurry up," Ibuki said. "Get the water and leave. Don't cause any unnecessary trouble."

They began to fill their containers.

Sudo hesitated. Following Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's instructions, they were supposed to avoid conflict, but watching Class C take the water just like that left him feeling unwilling.

Just as he wavered, a voice came from another direction.

"Yo, everyone from Class C, good evening."

Several people emerged from the woods—it was the students of Class A, led by Kohei Katsuragi.

Mio Ibuki immediately tensed up: "Katsuragi? What are you doing here?"

"Getting water, just like you," Katsuragi said calmly. "Though it seems you arrived first."

"There's such a thing as first come, first served, isn't there?" Ibuki said coldly.

"Of course," Katsuragi nodded. "We'll wait until you're finished."

The atmosphere turned subtle. The three from Class C and the five from Class A stood in a standoff; though they appeared calm on the surface, the air was thick with tension.

Behind a tree, Sudo whispered to his companion: Fight, let them fight...

However, the conflict never materialized.

Class C finished gathering their water quickly and departed in a hurry. Class A then began filling their own water bags.

"Katsuragi-senpai," one of the Class A students asked, "why didn't we stop them? We have the numbers."

"There was no need," Katsuragi said. "Water flows; it is inexhaustible. Besides, clashing with Class C now would only benefit the other classes."

A very rational judgment. But Sudo noticed that as Katsuragi said this, his gaze swept over the direction where they were hiding, whether intentionally or not.

Did he discover us? Sudo's heart tightened.

But Katsuragi didn't expose them; he simply left with his subordinates once they had finished collecting the water.

The crisis was temporarily averted, but Sudo felt even more uneasy. The composure and rationality of Class A were more alarming than the direct threats of Class C.

At the same time, the Class D camp.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was on night watch. Most of the camp was asleep, with only the campfire crackling.

Suddenly, he sensed someone approaching.

It wasn't anyone from the camp—the footsteps were light, deliberately concealing their movement.

He stood up, his hand resting on the wooden stick at his waist.

A figure emerged from the bushes; under the moonlight, a red tie was clearly visible.

Someone from the Student Council.

"Student Ayanokoji Kiyotaka?" The person was a bespectacled boy who appeared to be an upperclassman. "Could I borrow a moment of your time?"

Ayanokoji hesitated for a moment, then followed him to a spot slightly further from the camp.

"I am the Student Council treasurer, Akane Tachibana," the boy introduced himself. "I have been entrusted by President Horikita Manabu to provide you with some... hints."

"Hints?"

"Regarding the hidden rules of this special exam," Akane Tachibana adjusted his glasses. "The President says that with your ability, you should have already discovered something."

Ayanokoji remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"The scoring for this exam isn't just based on camp construction and task completion," Akane Tachibana said. "There is also a hidden scoring criterion—'Internal Class Governance'."

"What does that mean?"

"It means the school is observing how each class handles internal conflicts, how they allocate resources, and how they treat vulnerable members," Akane Tachibana looked at Ayanokoji. "Especially... how they choose when class interests conflict with moral choices."

He paused: "For instance, your decision to take in the injured student from Class B earned you bonus points in this category."

As I thought. Ayanokoji understood.

"But I must warn you," Akane Tachibana continued, "this score is dynamic. If you later abandon her due to resource shortages, or use her to threaten Class B, those points will be deducted."

"Is the school monitoring us?"

"Not monitoring, observing," Akane Tachibana corrected. "There are twenty micro-cameras and recording devices hidden across the island. The Student Council can view these feeds in real-time."

So that's it. No wonder the school dared to leave four hundred students on an uninhabited island for two weeks—they never truly lost control.

"Why tell me this?" Ayanokoji asked.

"Because the President believes you should know," Akane Tachibana said. "He says you are the same type of person as he is—both understand the importance of rules, and both understand how to utilize them."

Horikita Manabu... that cold, stern Student Council President was actually paying attention to him?

"Additionally," Akane Tachibana added, "there is one more thing. Among the task points refreshing tomorrow, there is a special task—the 'Perch Dispute'. This task will only appear once tomorrow; the rewards are generous, but the risks are also very high."

"What does it entail?"

"Occupying and defending a specific highland for twenty-four hours," Akane Tachibana said. "The location of the highland will be marked on the map. The first class to occupy it gains base points, and points increase for every hour held. If it is seized by another class, the points transfer."

"Sounds like a chaotic brawl."

"Yes," Akane Tachibana nodded. "And this task allows for class alliances—two classes can occupy it together and share the points."

Alliance. The word stirred something in Ayanokoji's mind.

"The President asked me to tell you," Akane Tachibana said in closing, "if you want Class D to truly rise, this is an opportunity. But it is also a gamble—a gamble on everything you have accumulated so far."

After saying this, he turned and vanished into the night.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood under the moonlight, contemplating everything he had just heard.

Hidden scoring. Camera surveillance. The special task, "Perch Dispute."

The complexity of this special exam far exceeded his expectations.

Yet, at the same time, it was an opportunity—a chance for Class D to make a stunning debut.

He returned to the campsite, looking at his sleeping classmates. Hirata, Sudo, Karuizawa, Horikita... and the injured Hiyori Shiina.

These people trusted him and followed his plans. And he had to lead them to victory.

[Ding! Key intelligence detected, task "Uninhabited Island Trial" updated.]

[New objective: Achieve a rank no lower than third place in the "Perch Dispute" task.]

[Special note: This task may trigger class alliances; please choose your partners carefully, Host.]

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka looked up at the night sky.

Tomorrow would be the third day of the Uninhabited Island exam.

And a battle for the "Perch" was about to begin.