The long night dragged on, and the torrential rain showed no sign of stopping. Supporting Suzune Horikita, who was burning with a high fever and covered in wounds, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji stumbled through the slippery, dense forest. Horikita drifted in and out of consciousness, cold sweat mingling with rainwater as it ran down her forehead. Her body was so limp she could barely keep from collapsing against Ayanokoji. Every step brought another suppressed cough, and her frail figure swayed in the wind and rain.
"Hang in there. We'll be there soon." Ayanokoji's tone remained flat, but his grip on Horikita's arm grew firmer. He deliberately slowed his pace to avoid the muddy puddles, trying to spare her any jolts. He didn't seek shelter nearby. Instead, he headed straight for the teachers' camp. For Horikita to withdraw from the exam and for him to take over as leader, they needed formal approval from her homeroom teacher and the school. It was the most crucial step in his plan, and he couldn't afford the slightest mistake.
More than half an hour later, the brightly lit teachers' camp appeared before them. It was a temporary wooden cabin, surrounded by school security staff who kept out the rain and chaos. Ayanokoji helped Horikita to the door. The guards immediately stepped forward to verify their identities, but when they saw the mud covering both students and Horikita's dire condition, they quickly let them through.
Inside the cabin, the homeroom teachers of all four classes sat together, reviewing matters related to the Uninhabited Island Exam. The faint aroma of coffee filled the air, a stark contrast to the gale and downpour outside. At the sound of footsteps, everyone looked up. When they saw Ayanokoji supporting Horikita, her face deathly pale and her body covered in wounds, surprise crossed their faces.
Sae Chabashira, D Class's homeroom teacher, was the first to rise. She hurried over, her brows furrowed, her voice full of confusion and concern. "Horikita? Ayanokoji? What are you doing here? What happened to Horikita?"
Ayanokoji helped Horikita sit in a nearby chair, then spoke calmly and without preamble, getting straight to the point. "Chabashira-sensei, I'm applying to withdraw from the Uninhabited Island Exam on Horikita's behalf."
"Withdraw from the exam?" Chabashira froze, bewildered. "Ayanokoji, do you know what time it is? Tomorrow is the last day of the exam. You only have to hold on a little longer, and it'll be over. Why are you applying to withdraw now?"
She looked at Horikita, her gaze full of regret. "Horikita, I know you're unwell, but if you grit your teeth and hold on for one more day, you can finish the exam. Withdrawing will cost you 30 Class Points. For D Class, which is already short on points, that would only make things worse."
The other classes' homeroom teachers also glanced over. The A Class teacher's expression was indifferent, the B Class teacher looked curious, and the C Class teacher wore a trace of mockery. None of them seemed to understand D Class's decision. With only a day left in the exam, withdrawing now would mean more loss than gain.
Ayanokoji paid no attention to their looks. He spoke slowly and clearly, each word firm. "Chabashira-sensei, Horikita has a high fever that won't come down, and she's covered in wounds. She can barely move, so there's no way she can continue participating in the exam. Pushing herself would only worsen her injuries and could even put her in danger. This falls under the school's rule that students may apply to withdraw from the exam due to serious physical illness."
He paused, then looked at Chabashira and added one crucial detail—the real purpose of his visit. "Also, Chabashira-sensei, Suzune Horikita is D Class's leader for the Uninhabited Island Exam. Now that she's withdrawing due to illness, I'm applying to change D Class's leader in accordance with school rules. I'll take over."
Chabashira stiffened at his words. The confusion in her eyes vanished, replaced by understanding. She finally realized that Ayanokoji hadn't acted on impulse; he'd planned this all along. If Horikita remained leader until the end, Ryuen would most likely guess her identity, costing D Class 50 Class Points. By voluntarily withdrawing, she would lose 30 points instead, get the chance to recover, and allow the class to change leaders without drawing attention. It was a calculated move that turned retreat into an advantage.
After a brief silence, Chabashira looked at Horikita, who sat weakly with her eyes closed, and asked gently, "Horikita, do you agree to apply to withdraw from the exam, and do you agree to let Kiyotaka Ayanokoji take over as D Class's leader?"
Horikita slowly opened her eyes. Despite her exhaustion, her gaze was firm. She gave a small nod. "I agree, Chabashira-sensei. In my current condition, I really can't remain leader or continue taking part in the exam. I'm willing to withdraw and let Ayanokoji take over."
After receiving Horikita's confirmation, Chabashira nodded without further hesitation. "All right. I approve your withdrawal and confirm Kiyotaka Ayanokoji as D Class's new leader. I'll report this to the school immediately and handle the necessary paperwork."
The other homeroom teachers finally caught on. Their looks toward Ayanokoji changed completely. Tomoya Mashima, the A Class teacher, pushed up his glasses. "Retreating to advance—trading 30 points for the certainty of avoiding a 50-point penalty, while quietly changing leaders and dodging the opponent's targeting. D Class's solution is certainly unexpected."
Kazuma Sakagami, the C Class teacher, darkened. "Looks like that kid Ryuen is going to get burned by this unassuming Ayanokoji."
The B Class teacher, Hoshinomiya Chie, smiled, her eyes full of interest. "Kiyotaka Ayanokoji has kept a low profile all this time. I didn't expect him to have such insight and nerve. I'll have to tell Ichinose to keep an eye on him."
Ayanokoji didn't care. He simply stood quietly beside Horikita, his gaze resting on her pale face. Once he'd confirmed that she was stable, he said nothing more. His plan had cleared its most crucial hurdle. Now all he had to do was wait for the final stage of the exam, let Ryuen walk into the trap, and bring everything to a close.
Chabashira quickly completed the paperwork and handed Ayanokoji the withdrawal confirmation and the document appointing him as leader. Her voice was stern as she cautioned him, "Ayanokoji, now that you've taken over as leader, handle the final stage properly. Don't let Horikita down, and don't let D Class lose too badly."
"Don't worry." Ayanokoji took the documents and replied coolly, his certainty leaving no room for doubt. "We'll win."
Chabashira then arranged for staff to take Horikita to the camp's temporary infirmary so she could recover. Ayanokoji stayed outside the cabin, waiting for the final stage to begin the next day. The rain still hadn't let up, but his gaze was more resolute than the night itself. The battle over D Class's fate was about to reach its conclusion.
Ayanokoji sat alone beside a newly lit fire, absently prodding the burning branches with his fingertips. The flickering flames reflected in his dark eyes, but gave them no warmth. The way of thinking instilled in him by the White Room had long since sunk into his bones. He was used to watching from the sidelines and calculating with precision. To him, emotions were strange and unnecessary burdens.
The words about being companions that he'd said to Horikita earlier hadn't been a lie he'd deliberately put on. He simply wanted to try to understand those fragile emotions, to figure out what kind of power the bonds between people could produce. Horikita was the best subject for observing human nature and sensing emotion.
He reached into his inner pocket. A finely made card lay inside—the real D Class Leader Card.
The one Mio Ibuki had taken was no longer valid.
The sudden fire had also been his doing.
He could control the flames, the wind direction, and the timing of the rain. He'd precisely calculated the weather and deliberately set fire to a tent on the edge of the camp, creating chaos to force Mio Ibuki, who'd been lying low for days, to take a risk. Ryuen's ambition, Ibuki's mission, Horikita's stubbornness—everyone was moving across the chessboard he'd laid out.
In the early hours of the morning, deep in the forest, a hidden cave.
The rain pounded against the cave entrance with a muffled roar. Ryuen Kakeru leaned against the cold rock, toying with the brand-new card between his fingers. His arrogant features were filled with the confidence of someone certain of victory. Mio Ibuki stood quietly beside him, head bowed, covered in mud as she gave her report.
"Boss Ryuen, the mission's complete." Mio Ibuki sounded a little smug. "I successfully took Suzune Horikita's Leader Card. I fought her along the way. She had a bit of a fever and was weak, so she couldn't fight back at all. D Class has already lost this exam. As long as we identify Horikita in the guessing round, we'll take 50 points from D Class for sure."
Ryuen gave a low laugh and held the card up toward the cave entrance, examining it in the dim light. "Well done, Ibuki. That woman Horikita is far too stubborn, and D Class is a mess. They're already fish on the chopping board. With this card, C Class is guaranteed to win the exam."
"Still..." Ibuki hesitated, but voiced the doubt in her mind. "Last night's fire was too suspicious. It wasn't a fire inside D Class's camp, and there was no sign that another class had started it. I can't shake the feeling that something's wrong."
"D Class isn't worth worrying about anymore." Ryuen scoffed, his tone full of disdain. "It's just a shame that Kaneda, whom we sent to B Class, couldn't find out who their leader is."
He was too arrogant to ever pay attention to the inconspicuous students at the bottom. In his eyes, his only opponent in this battle was A Class. D Class was nothing more than a stepping stone for racking up points.
Ibuki pressed her lips together and said nothing more. She knew Ryuen's personality: arrogant and obstinate. Once he'd made up his mind, he wouldn't accept any objections. Still, the inexplicable unease in her heart wouldn't go away. The card they'd obtained had come far too easily, without a single flaw. That only made it seem more suspicious.
At the same time, at A Class's camp.
In the flickering light of the bonfire, Kohei Katsuragi pushed up his glasses, his expression grave. Yahiko stood beside him with his head lowered, timid as ever, playing the part of an ordinary student with no mind of his own.
"Ryuen has already got D Class's Leader Card, and we sent him supplies as agreed," Katsuragi said quietly. "After the exam, he needs to transfer his personal points to us. This deal has to go smoothly."
Yahiko chimed in softly. "Big brother Katsuragi, do we really have to keep our identities hidden? What if someone finds out..."
"Don't worry." Katsuragi cut him off, his voice steady. "No one will suspect you. Everyone thinks I'm A Class's leader. As long as we get through this Uninhabited Island Exam, we'll receive the points safely and strengthen A Class's position. Classmate Sakayanagi specifically told me before she left: keep a low profile, stay hidden, and watch how things unfold."
Neither of them noticed the cool gaze that had already taken in their secret deal from the shadows. Ayanokoji had seen through A Class's disguise early on, soon after they'd arrived on the island. He'd seen through Katsuragi's cover and Yahiko's patience.
The four classes were currents flowing in four different directions. Some were arrogant, some deliberately disguised themselves, and some lay low and watched. Only Kiyotaka Ayanokoji stood outside the game, moving the pieces and controlling the board, keeping track of everyone's actions.
At daybreak, the torrential rain finally began to let up. The heavy clouds slowly parted, and the cool morning light pierced the mist between the trees, falling over the wet ground of the Uninhabited Island.
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