Class C's Disguise and Secret Agents

Suzune Horikita and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji followed the traces through the forest, searching until they finally located the Class C base in a sheltered bay near the west side of the island. From a distance, the scene before them left the pair momentarily stunned—unlike the crude encampments of other classes, Class C's base was covered by a spacious white canopy. Beneath it sat lounge chairs exchanged from the school, and several Class C students were gathered around a grill, enjoying sizzling barbecue and iced drinks while laughter filled the air. In the bay, two electric motorboats carried students back and forth, splashing water as they went; there was not a hint of the tension expected from a deserted island survival exam, looking more like a leisurely vacation.

Kakeru Ryuen sat in the central seat under the canopy, holding an iced drink with a defiant smirk on his lips. He watched his subordinates enjoy themselves, yet his eyes hid a trace of calculation that was difficult to detect. Daichi Ishizaki stood behind him, whispering a report, and Ryuen nodded occasionally with a flat expression, as if the indulgence before them were truly nothing more than a whim of his own extravagance.

"Are they actually squandering their points?" Suzune Horikita lowered her voice, her tone filled with astonishment. "Was what Mio Ibuki said true? But how could Ryuen be so indifferent to the exam? This is too abnormal."

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji kept his gaze fixed on Ryuen in the center of the canopy, his tone calm but tinged with certainty: "Kakeru Ryuen is absolutely not as relaxed as he appears on the surface."

As the two were analyzing the situation in low voices, a soft sound of footsteps suddenly came from behind them. Horikita turned instantly, assuming a defensive posture, only to find that the newcomer was Honami Ichinose of Class B, accompanied by two other Class B students who were clearly also there to scout Class C's movements.

"Classmate Horikita? Classmate Ayanokoji?" Honami Ichinose's face showed surprise, then she slowed her pace and said softly, "We are also here to scout Class C; I didn't expect to run into you here. Do you also find Class C's behavior strange?"

Suzune Horikita relaxed her guard slightly, her tone remaining cold but not refusing to communicate: "Yes, Ryuen's actions are too abnormal; it doesn't seem like his style. Have you found anything?"

Honami Ichinose shook her head, her expression grave: "We only saw them indulging themselves, seemingly squandering points, but we don't know the specifics. However, we previously saw Masumi Kamuro from Class A bring a batch of supplies and secretly visit the Class C base, leaving shortly after. I wonder if there is some kind of deal between them."

"A deal?" Horikita's eyes flickered, immediately recalling the conversation she had overheard between Kohei Katsuragi and Yahiko at the No. 3 base. "We were just at the No. 3 base and heard Katsuragi and Yahiko mention a deal with Ryuen, though we don't know the specific content."

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji spoke slowly, adding: "It is highly likely a trade of points for supplies, but Ryuen would never make a losing deal. His deliberate pretense of indulgence must be intended to mislead other classes, making us think he has given up on the exam so we lower our guard."

Honami Ichinose nodded, deeply agreeing: "I think so too. Someone like Ryuen wouldn't give up on the exam so easily. Class B intends to remain still for now and continue observing Class C's movements while guarding our own base. Perhaps we can exchange the intelligence we have gathered to remind each other and avoid being manipulated by Ryuen."

Horikita pondered for a moment and nodded: "Agreed. Class D has already occupied two bases and is currently checking other locations. Additionally, we have taken in Mio Ibuki, a Class C student 'expelled' by Ryuen, but we remain wary of her, suspecting she is a spy planted by him."

Just as the two were exchanging information, Ryuen in the canopy seemed to notice something. He raised a hand to signal his subordinates to be quiet, then shouted toward the direction where they were hiding: "Since you're here, come out. Hiding and sneaking around is too boring."

Horikita and Ichinose exchanged a glance, knowing they had been discovered. They stopped hiding and, bringing Ayanokoji and the Class B students with them, slowly walked out of the forest to the front of the Class C base.

Ryuen stood up with a mocking smile, walked slowly toward them, and spoke in a defiant tone: "I didn't expect it to be the students from Class D and Class B. What? Are you envious seeing us enjoying ourselves here?"

Horikita's tone was cold as she got straight to the point: "Ryuen, what on earth are you playing at? Squandering points and deliberately pretending to give up on the exam—you must have some conspiracy."

Ryuen sneered without any attempt to hide it, instead intentionally raising his voice so the surrounding Class C students could hear: "A conspiracy? I don't have any conspiracy. I just think this exam is too boring, so I might as well take this opportunity to enjoy myself. To tell you the truth, I've already made up my mind: once I spend all 300 points in my hand, I'll lead all the students of Class C to apply to withdraw from the exam. It's not like there's any point in continuing anyway."

At these words, both Horikita and Ichinose were stunned—if Class C were to truly withdraw, the power dynamic between the remaining three classes would change completely. Would Ryuen really do something so self-destructive?

"Don't think you can fool us." Honami Ichinose frowned, her tone carrying a hint of suspicion. "You wouldn't give up on the exam so easily, and you certainly wouldn't let Class C withdraw for nothing."

"Believe it or not, that's up to you." Ryuen waved his hand, his tone casual. "I'm just kindly informing you so you won't be surprised when the time comes. Alright, you've seen enough, hurry back now. Don't disturb our fun." With that, he turned and returned to the canopy, continuing to drink his iced beverage as if the previous conversation had been nothing more than a casual remark.

Horikita and Ichinose looked at each other, both seeing doubt and vigilance in the other's eyes. The two said their quiet goodbyes, agreeing to continue exchanging intelligence later, and left the Class C base with their respective companions.

On the way back, Suzune Horikita's brows were tightly locked: "Ryuen must be lying. His claim about withdrawing from the exam is definitely to mislead us. And what exactly is his deal with Class A?"

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's gaze was calm as he said slowly: "We will know soon enough. Also, we need to be more vigilant regarding Mio Ibuki. Since Ryuen dares to feign indulgence so blatantly, he will definitely have Ibuki stir up trouble in Class D to disrupt our rhythm."

Meanwhile, inside the Class A base, Kohei Katsuragi and Yahiko were avoiding the crowd, whispering in the shade of a secluded tree, both looking quite grave.

"Just now at the No. 3 base, I could feel someone spying on us." Katsuragi adjusted his glasses, his tone serious. "Although I couldn't find anyone, the feeling of being watched was very strong. It was likely scouts from other classes; they might have heard our conversation about the deal."

Yahiko nodded quickly, his expression reserved yet respectful: "Brother Katsuragi, this is exactly the effect we wanted. Before Classmate Sakayanagi left, she specifically instructed us to use the 'Shadow Leader' strategy to draw all attention to you, so that I, the true leader, could remain hidden until the end. The act just now was very successful." He did not think for himself at all, merely echoing Katsuragi's words and following his arrangements completely.

"I understand." Katsuragi nodded. "For the subsequent re-occupation of bases, I will arrange for Masumi Kamuro and the others to rotate shifts. Try to show yourself as little as possible to avoid exposing any flaws. Additionally, the deal with Ryuen has been signed according to the agreement. We received 150 points from him and provided him with a batch of supplies. He promised that after the exam, he would have our Class A receive the returns corresponding to those 150 points—that is, 600,000 personal points per month—transferred to Class C. Make sure the students in our class keep this secret during the exam; no one must know."

Yahiko quickly replied: "Understood, Brother Katsuragi. I will definitely instruct those around me to keep it a secret and not leak a single word." He paused, then added cautiously: "But Brother Katsuragi, Ryuen must have other motives. Should we keep an ace up our sleeve?" This, too, was an subconscious echo of Katsuragi's line of thought, without any judgment of his own.

Katsuragi nodded in agreement: "I know. I will arrange for Masumi Kamuro to handle the coordination and keep an eye on them the whole time so they don't have any opportunity to take advantage of us. It's just that I really don't understand why Ryuen is willing to give up the class points that determine the ranking, just for personal points?"

Yahiko scratched his head, looking blank: "I don't know either, but if Brother Katsuragi feels something is wrong, there must be a problem. We'll just do as you say."

Some time later, the two finished their conversation. Katsuragi turned and walked toward the center of the base to continue coordinating shifts and distributing supplies, his expression remaining serious, looking every bit the leader in control of the whole situation. Yahiko quietly blended into the crowd, picking up tools to help build defenses, indistinguishable from any ordinary student, performing no standout actions and simply doing what Katsuragi had instructed.

Meanwhile, at the Class D base, Mio Ibuki was taking advantage of the moment everyone was busy to quietly observe the location of the girls' tents. She was being guarded too closely by Class D to gather any useful intelligence, and the mission Ryuen had given her was making no progress. If she didn't take action soon, all the groundwork she had laid would be in vain. After much thought, she finally came up with a plan: frame someone. It would disrupt Class D's order and allow her to seize the opportunity to dig for more clues.