Defense

Ryuuen's words to the camera had doused everyone like a bucket of ice water.

"Did he... figure out we were watching?" Yosuke Hirata's voice sounded dry.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stared at the screen. Ryuuen had already turned away, but that look still lingered in the frame—playful, dangerous, like a cat toying with a mouse.

"Not necessarily," Suzune Horikita analyzed calmly. "He may only suspect there are cameras, without knowing who's watching. That remark was more of a psychological tactic."

"But what if he really does know?" Kei Karuizawa asked.

"Then we'll have to be even more careful." Ayanokoji turned off the surveillance feed. "From now on, we won't use this access unless absolutely necessary."

He checked the time: eleven thirty in the morning. There were still eight and a half hours left in their guard duty.

Eight and a half hours wasn't especially long, but it wasn't short either. In this state of high tension, though, every minute seemed to drag.

"What do we do now?" Ken Sudō asked. "Just keep watch?"

"Adjust our defenses." Ayanokoji unfolded the newly acquired map. "With this, we can see the terrain more clearly. There are three main approaches to Lookout Hill, and we need to focus on defending them."

He pointed at the map. "The western slope is still Sudō's responsibility. Horikita, take the northern woods. The south..." He paused. "I'll guard it myself."

"What about me?" Hirata asked.

"You'll coordinate everyone and take care of the injured," Ayanokoji said. "Shiina's foot is feeling better, but she can't fight. The others need time to rest and regain their strength, too."

With the assignments clear, everyone got to work.

The supplies from the crate were distributed. The high-energy food was quickly eaten, medicine was given to the injured, and binoculars and night-vision goggles were assigned to each defensive position.

The walkie-talkies were switched to an encrypted channel to ensure secure communications.

Everything was ready.

The wait began.

Noon. Class C Camp.

"Ryuuen, how did you know there was a camera?" Daichi Ishizaki couldn't help asking.

"I guessed." Ryuuen didn't even look up. "The school wouldn't just leave us completely unsupervised. They must have cameras somewhere. I just don't know where."

"Then why did you talk to the camera..."

"To put pressure on whoever's watching." Ryuuen smiled. "Whoever it is, seeing my expression will make them nervous. And nervous people make mistakes."

He stood and looked toward Lookout Hill. "Class D won't last much longer. We burned their supplies. Even if they got a supply crate, it'd barely make a difference."

"When do we attack, then?"

"Wait a little longer," Ryuuen said. "Let Class A test the waters first."

"Will Class A listen to us?"

"They'll have no choice." Ryuuen's smile turned cold. "I have something they want."

One in the afternoon. Class A Camp.

Kohei Katsuragi stared at the map before him, his brow furrowed.

A Class A student hurried over. "Katsuragi, someone from Class C is here. Ryuuen sent them to talk to you."

"About what?"

"He said... it's about Class D's secret."

Katsuragi thought for a few seconds. "Let him in."

The person who arrived was Mio Ibuki from Class C. She handed Katsuragi a note without a word.

Katsuragi opened it. There was only one sentence: "Class D has access to surveillance and can see what we're doing."

Access to surveillance? Katsuragi's hand paused slightly.

"Where's the proof?" He looked at Ibuki.

"There is no proof," Ibuki said. "But Ryuuen said if you don't believe him, you can test it."

"How?"

"At two this afternoon, we'll send a squad to launch a feint from the west. If Class D shifts its defenses to the west in advance, it means they know our plan."

It was a simple test, but an effective one.

Katsuragi fell silent for a moment. "What does Ryuuen want?"

"Cooperation," Ibuki said. "A temporary alliance to deal with Class D and Class B's alliance first. After that, our classes can compete fairly."

Fair competition? Katsuragi sneered inwardly. The word "fair" wasn't in someone like Ryuuen's dictionary.

But the offer itself was tempting. With Class D and Class B allied, they did pose a threat to Class A. If they could break up that alliance first...

"Fine." Katsuragi made his decision. "At two o'clock, we'll support the attack from the south. But it's only cooperation, not an alliance."

"Understood." Ibuki nodded and turned to leave.

After she left, one of the students beside Katsuragi couldn't help asking, "Katsuragi, are we really going to work with Class C?"

"Temporarily," Katsuragi said. "Besides, this is an opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

"To find out what Class D is hiding." Katsuragi looked toward Lookout Hill. "If they really do have access to surveillance... then we'll have to reevaluate our opponent."

One thirty in the afternoon. Class D Highlands.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sat at the southern defensive position with his eyes closed, resting. But he wasn't asleep. His [Insight (Beginner)] was running at full capacity, listening to everything around him.

The wind, birdsong, the distant waves... and faint voices.

He opened his eyes, picked up the binoculars, and looked down the hill.

Figures were moving near the Class A Camp—about six or seven people gathering. There was activity over by Class C, too.