The appearance of a tyrant is often accompanied by traitors

"So, you just brought her back like that?"

Karuizawa Kei looked at Ibuki, who was sitting alone to the side appearing to nurse her own wounds, with surprise. She was equally shocked by what Chiba Yu and the others had said about her being kicked out.

"I know that Ryuen from Class C is famous for his rule by violence, but to go so hard on a girl—that's truly despicable."

The two chatted one sentence after another while watching Ike start a fire over there.

The moment they saw Ike actually get the campfire going, the whole class erupted in excitement.

"He's really capable," Chiba Yu couldn't help but praise.

It really goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover; it seems my understanding of the people in this class has only been skin-deep.

On the other side, Kushida and the others had found plenty of fruit. After Ike picked them up and took a look, he sorted them into edible and inedible, winning the admiration of most of the class.

"I didn't expect him to be so impressive."

Looking at the Five-Fire Fruit handed to her, Karuizawa Kei stared at it blankly, unable to help but offer a few words of praise.

"Compared to someone like me who can't do anything, Ike is truly capable."

Hearing this self-aware remark from the person beside him, even someone as emotionally composed as Karuizawa couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth. "So, you actually have quite a bit of self-awareness, don't you?"

Chiba Yu shrugged after hearing this, offering no rebuttal.

Just then, Ike, who was surrounded by the crowd, suddenly stood up and said apologetically, "Karuizawa, I'm sorry."

Suddenly addressed, Karuizawa was stunned. "You... why are you suddenly apologizing?" Her reaction drew some of the crowd's attention away, and for a moment, Chiba Yu, who had been chatting with Karuizawa on the periphery, became the focus of the group.

At this moment, Chiba Yu tried his best to lower his presence, as if wanting to fade away entirely.

Ike began to explain his experience camping with his family when he was a child, letting everyone know why he was apologizing.

After listening to Ike's description and apology, Chiba Yu had a different perspective on the boy named Ike Kanji.

Someone who could quickly grasp a situation and calm down—just from that alone, Ike had already left him in the dust.

Compared to them, he felt more like a true "defective product" at this moment.

Shaking his head to clear out those stray thoughts, Chiba Yu returned to his usual state of being uninterested in everything, but he didn't know that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, standing behind him to the right, had already taken in the entire scene.

Karuizawa accepted Ike's apology graciously, noting that she had been too impulsive as well.

It's nice. If the days ahead could continue with the atmosphere of tonight, this exam might not be so hard to endure.

The problem is—Chiba Yu looked at Ibuki sitting alone, recalling the strange sensation he felt when his foot stepped onto that patch of soil, and he already had his answer.

Following this, Hirata expressed his hope that everyone would work together so that they could have over 120 points remaining by the end of the exam.

Hearing that Hirata still intended to spend 180 points, the level-headed Yukimura couldn't help but ask, "You still intend to spend 180 points?"

It wasn't hard to understand; the school had given each class an initial 300 points.

Assuming all food was supplemented with points, the cheapest meal would cost 10 points, meaning food would require at least 120 points, plus 30 points for a portable toilet and a dedicated tent for the boys.

120 + 30 = 150.

The remaining 30 points were likely reserved by Hirata to handle emergencies.

150 + 30 = 180.

It was the same result as his own calculation. No, rather, if he hadn't even realized this much, he wouldn't be someone recognized by the others.

During this time, as long as they could find enough water and food for one extra day, they could save another 10 points.

If this plan were successfully executed, they could reach a turning point after this exam and wouldn't have to live the miserable life they had been leading.

But if this exam were truly that simple, wouldn't the school's elaborate arrangements be nothing more than a joke?

Recalling the machines he had observed occupying the base before landing on the island, as well as the issue of the "leader" that Chabashira Sae had emphasized before leaving, the focus of this exam was self-evident.

It was just that the members of Class D, still immersed in their own fantasies, clearly hadn't realized this yet.

The night grew dim, with only the fire the group had lit still glowing.

Hirata and a few others gathered to discuss whether Ibuki should stay.

Chiba Yu hadn't wanted to participate in these matters, but unfortunately, Hirata wouldn't let him off the hook.

"I think if it were Chiba-kun, he would definitely be able to offer some very useful opinions."

Recalling what Hirata said when he invited him over, Chiba Yu let out a long sigh in his heart. He really was useless, getting roped in with just a few words.

"So, Chiba-kun, do you have any good suggestions?"

Just as Chiba Yu was zoning out, Hirata threw the topic to him once again.

"...I'm fine with anything. After all, I'm just a background character; it's better if you guys decide on these important class matters."

"Chiba is still the same as before."

"Exactly, exactly. If he were just a bit more outgoing, he might even become a famous guy in the grade."

Ike and Shinohara chimed in one after the other. It was incredible that the two of them, who didn't have much interaction before, could now tease him with such rapport. Also, could you please not do that to my face?

"Expecting him to come up with ideas is better left to thinking about how to arrange things properly," Karuizawa said, as if she couldn't stand it anymore, while giving Chiba Yu a light glare.

However, to others, it seemed like there was some other meaning behind Karuizawa's actions.

Amidst the teasing atmosphere of the girls, the group finalized their 'verdict' on Ibuki, choosing to take her in.

Chiba Yu walked over to Ibuki, who was chatting with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and informed her of their decision.

At the same time, Kushida approached with some of the fruit they had gathered and handed it to Ibuki.

Watching this scene, Ibuki, who had maintained an indifferent expression until now, suddenly wore an indescribable look on her face. She couldn't help but turn away and mutter, "Are you all... idiots?"

Just then, a roar that shook the heavens suddenly erupted from within the otherwise thriving campsite.

"Koenji!!!"

Chiba Yu knew that from this moment on, the exam had begun to bare its true fangs.