Suzune Horikita and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji followed the tracks through the forest, searching their way forward until they finally found Class C's base at a sheltered cove near the island's western side. From a distance, the sight left them both stunned. Unlike the crude camps of the other classes, Class C's base was covered by a spacious white canopy. Reclining chairs purchased from the school were arranged beneath it, and several Class C students sat around a grill, enjoying sizzling barbecue and chilled drinks amid laughter and chatter. In the cove, two motorized boats carried Class C students back and forth, sending up sprays of water. There wasn't the slightest hint of tension from the survival exam on an uninhabited island. Instead, it looked like a leisurely vacation.
Ryuen Kakeru sat in the central seat beneath the canopy, a cold drink in hand and a defiant smile on his lips as he watched his underlings enjoy themselves. Yet behind his eyes lurked a subtle, calculating glint. Daichi Ishizaki stood behind him, quietly reporting something. Ryuen occasionally nodded, his expression impassive, as though all this indulgence really were nothing more than a whim.
"They're actually wasting points?" Suzune Horikita whispered, her voice full of surprise. "Was Mio Ibuki telling the truth? But why would Ryuen be so unconcerned about the exam? This is completely out of character."
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji kept his gaze fixed on Ryuen beneath the canopy. His tone was calm, but carried a note of certainty. "Ryuen Kakeru couldn't possibly be as lax as he appears."
As the two quietly discussed what they were seeing, soft footsteps suddenly sounded behind them. Horikita spun around at once and adopted a defensive stance, but saw that the newcomer was Honami Ichinose from Class B, accompanied by two other Class B students. They had evidently come to investigate Class C's movements as well.
"Horikita? Ayanokoji?" Honami Ichinose looked surprised, then slowed her pace and spoke softly. "We came to investigate Class C too. I didn't expect to run into you here. You think their behavior is strange as well, don't you?"
Suzune Horikita relaxed slightly. Her tone remained cool, but she didn't refuse to talk. "Yes. Ryuen's behavior is so strange, it doesn't seem like him. Have you found anything out?"
Honami Ichinose shook her head, her expression grave. "We've only seen them enjoying themselves and apparently spending points like crazy, but we don't know the details. However, earlier we saw Masumi Kamuro from Class A bring a batch of supplies to Class C's base in secret. She didn't stay long. I don't know if they have some kind of deal."
"A deal?" Horikita's eyes flickered as she immediately recalled the conversation between Katsuragi and Yahiko at Site 3. "We were just at Site 3 and heard Katsuragi and Yahiko mention a deal with Ryuen. We just don't know what it was about."
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji spoke up, adding, "Most likely a deal involving points and supplies. But Ryuen would never make a deal at a loss. He's deliberately pretending to indulge himself to mislead the other classes, making us think he's given up on the exam so we'll let our guard down."
Honami Ichinose nodded, clearly in agreement. "I think so too. Someone like Ryuen wouldn't give up on the exam so easily. Class B plans to hold back for now and keep watching Class C while guarding our own site. Maybe we could share the information we've gathered and warn each other, so Ryuen can't take us by surprise."
Horikita considered this for a moment, then nodded. "All right. Class D has already occupied two sites, and we're checking the others. Also, we took in Mio Ibuki, a Class C student Ryuen 'drove out,' but we're keeping an eye on her. We suspect she might be a spy Ryuen planted."
As they exchanged information, Ryuen beneath the canopy seemed to notice something. He raised a hand to signal his underlings to be quiet, then called in the direction where they were hiding. "Since you're here, come on out. Hiding like that is boring."
Horikita and Ichinose exchanged a glance. Realizing they had been spotted, they stopped hiding and led Ayanokoji and the Class B students out of the woods and toward Class C's base.
Ryuen stood up, a mocking smile on his face, and strolled over to them. "I didn't expect students from Class D and Class B. What, jealous because we're enjoying ourselves?"
Horikita's tone was cool and direct. "Ryuen, what are you really up to? You're spending points like crazy and deliberately pretending to give up on the exam. You must have some scheme."
Ryuen snorted. He made no attempt to hide it; instead, he deliberately raised his voice so the Class C students nearby could hear. "A scheme? I'm not scheming anything. I just think this exam is boring, so I might as well enjoy myself while I can. To be honest, I've already made up my mind. Once I've spent all 300 points I have, I'll lead everyone in Class C in withdrawing from the exam. There's no point in carrying on, anyway."
Horikita and Ichinose both froze at his words. If all of Class C really withdrew, the balance among the remaining three classes would change completely. Would Ryuen really make a move that cut off his own escape route?
"Don't think you can fool us." Honami Ichinose frowned, her voice tinged with suspicion. "You wouldn't give up on the exam so easily, and you wouldn't let Class C withdraw for nothing."
"Believe what you want." Ryuen waved a hand carelessly. "I'm just doing you a favor by letting you know, so you won't be surprised later. All right, you've seen enough. Head back, and stop interrupting us." With that, he turned and went back beneath the canopy, continuing to sip his cold drink as if their conversation had been nothing more than an offhand remark.
Horikita and Ichinose exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion and wariness in the other's eyes. They said their goodbyes quietly and agreed to keep sharing information, then each left Class C's base with their companions.
On the way back, Suzune Horikita frowned deeply. "Ryuen's definitely lying. His claim that he'll withdraw from the exam is just meant to mislead us. And what exactly is his deal with Class A?"
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji remained calm as he replied, "We'll find out soon enough. As for Mio Ibuki, we need to be even more cautious. Since Ryuen is brazenly putting on an act, he'll probably have her stir up trouble in Class D and throw us off balance."
Meanwhile, at Class A's base, Kohei Katsuragi and Yahiko had stepped away from the others and were quietly conferring beneath a secluded tree, both looking grave.
"At Site 3 earlier, I could feel someone watching us," Katsuragi said seriously, adjusting his glasses. "I couldn't find anyone, but the feeling of being observed was strong. It was most likely someone from another class investigating us. They may have already heard our conversation about the deal."
Yahiko nodded quickly, looking reserved but respectful. "Katsuragi, that's exactly the effect we wanted. Before Classmate Sakayanagi left, she specifically told us to use the 'shadow leader' strategy, drawing everyone's attention to you so I, the real leader, could stay hidden until the end. We pulled off the act perfectly." He had no thoughts of his own throughout the conversation, merely agreeing with Katsuragi and following his instructions.
"I understand." Katsuragi nodded. "When we retake the sites, I'll arrange for Masumi Kamuro and the others to take turns keeping watch. Try to stay out of sight as much as possible, so you don't give yourself away. Also, the deal with Ryuen has already been put in writing as agreed. We took 150 points from him and supplied him with a batch of goods. He promised that after the exam, Class A would transfer the returns corresponding to those 150 points—all 600,000 Personal Points per month—to Class C. Make sure everyone in the class keeps this secret during the exam. No one can find out."
Yahiko quickly replied, "Understood, Katsuragi. I'll make sure everyone around me keeps it secret. I won't let a single word slip." He hesitated, then cautiously added, "But Katsuragi, Ryuen must have something else in mind. Should we keep a backup plan?" Even then, he was simply following Katsuragi's line of thinking, without making any judgment of his own.
Katsuragi nodded. "I know. I'll have Masumi Kamuro handle the coordination and keep an eye on them the whole time, so they can't take advantage of us. I just don't understand why Ryuen is willing to give up the Class Points that count toward the rankings and wants only Personal Points."
Yahiko scratched his head, looking bewildered. "I don't know either. But if you think something's wrong, Katsuragi, then there must be a problem. We'll just do as you say."
After some time, their conversation ended. Katsuragi turned and headed for the center of the base to continue organizing the watch schedule and distributing supplies, his expression still stern. He looked every inch a leader in control of the situation. Yahiko quietly blended into the crowd and picked up some tools to help build the defenses, indistinguishable from any other student. He made no effort to stand out and simply did as Katsuragi had instructed.
At that moment, at Class D's base, Mio Ibuki was secretly watching the girls' tent while everyone else was busy. Class D was keeping such a close eye on her that she couldn't find out anything useful. Ryuen's assignment had made no progress, and if she did nothing else, all the groundwork she had laid before leaving would go to waste. After thinking it over, she finally came up with a plan: frame someone. That would disrupt Class D's order and give her a chance to uncover more clues.
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