The Poisoning

The teachers from the four classes were currently gathered, drinking. Aside from when they needed to facilitate exchanges for supplies, they were mostly free. When it was time to exchange supplies, they would visit each class's campsite, allowing them to understand the situation of their respective classes.

Teacher Mashima from Class A raised his glass towards Sakagami Kazuma. "Ryuuen is truly a unique student. In all these years, it's the first time someone has adopted a strategy of sacrificing the exam to maximize class points."

Sakagami Kazuma also raised his glass. "Ryuuen's way of doing things is quite distinctive. He managed to start his own company at sixteen, so his vision and courage are truly exceptional."

After all, Ryuuen was one of his own students, so Sakagami Kazuma had to defend him. Although all four present teachers knew of Ryuuen's track record, the school had tacitly approved of Ryuuen's actions, so they, as teachers, naturally couldn't say much.

"It's a shame Sakayanagi from your class couldn't make it to the exam. Otherwise, with her intelligence, Class A would most likely have taken first place." After clinking glasses with Mashima, Sakagami Kazuma drained his drink.

Mashima took a small sip. "You can't force things when it comes to health. She is the chairman's daughter, after all. If something were to happen to her, I, as the grade head, would surely be replaced."

Hoshinomiya Chie then raised her glass and joined in. "Doesn't Class A still have Katsuragi? That kid's abilities are quite good too; there's a high chance they could win this exam." Then she turned to Sakagami Kazuma and said, "Students like Ryuuen need more discipline, Teacher Sakagami. You can't keep indulging his mischief."

"As a math teacher, it's not really my place to interfere too much with student matters," Sakagami Kazuma said with a forced smile as he clinked glasses with Hoshinomiya, wondering how Ryuuen had managed to anger Hoshinomiya so much.

Knowing that Sakagami Kazuma was no help, Hoshinomiya just spoke casually. She turned to Chabashira and said, "Sae, why aren't you drinking? Are you not in the mood? Don't worry too much about your students. Isn't Horikita doing quite well?"

"Don't call me that. I just don't feel like drinking. Horikita is far behind Ichinose from your class. Ryuuen sold the points to your class, so Class B will probably win this time," Chabashira Sae replied coldly. Since she always maintained this demeanor, no one found it inappropriate.

"I also find it strange. Logically, if Ryuuen wanted to move up classes, his current opponent should be us, Class B. So he should have sold the points to Class A. I can't figure out why he would do this. It's not like he likes Ichinose, is it?" Hoshinomiya stared at Chabashira with a smile, not happy about winning this time, but because Class D was likely to come in last again.

The only thing Hoshinomiya absolutely would not allow was Class D rising to Class A.

The competition between classes also existed among the teachers, and the four teachers were not as harmonious as they appeared on the surface.

Meanwhile, Ayanokoji and Horikita had found Ichinose from Class B. They weren't there to discuss cooperation with her but to use their class's convenient restroom. Buying a restroom would cost 20 points. The boys in Class D felt it was unnecessary to waste points on a restroom, but the girls found it unacceptable, so they thought of the kind Ichinose and wanted to borrow their class's restroom.

"Of course, you can come anytime if you need to."

Hearing Ichinose's reply, Horikita breathed a sigh of relief. If Ichinose had refused her, the boys and girls would have started arguing again back at their camp.

Ayanokoji had been observing Class B's campsite. Upon seeing their abundant provisions, he could pretty much confirm that Ryuuen had indeed sold the points to Class B.

At this moment, Ryuuen was still exploring, or rather, searching, in the forest for the poisonous plants he had read about in a book.

Poisonous mushrooms were too easily identifiable, so Ryuuen immediately gave up on them. He was looking for Pokeweed, a poisonous plant that closely resembled ginseng. After a lot of effort, Ryuuen found a few roots, roasted them dry to remove moisture, then ground them into powder and put them into the empty soda bottle he had.

Around seven in the evening, Ryuuen arrived at the agreed-upon spot with Ibuki. He wrapped his Magnetic Card and the pre-prepared note in his discarded swim trunks and buried them under the marked tree.

Finally, Ryuuen, carrying the soda bottle, hurried to Class B's camp as dusk settled. By then, Horikita and Ichinose had already left.

Seeing Ryuuen, Ichinose was very surprised, wondering what he intended to do by coming to Class B at this hour.

"We're allies, after all. I'm heading back to the ship soon, so I just came to say goodbye. Give me a hug."

Before Ichinose could react, Ryuuen hugged her, releasing her after just a moment.

He shook the glass bottle in his hand (the brown glass bottle, which looked tiny in Ryuuen's large hand; when he held it, only the opening was visible, not the powder at the bottom).

"I finished my soda. Do you have any water I could have?"

The generous Ichinose naturally wouldn't refuse such a small request from Ryuuen. Shiranami Chihiro volunteered to get Ryuuen a bottle of water, purified water in a plastic bottle.

"I'm sorry, we don't have any soda here."

While Ichinose was speaking, Ryuuen had already taken the plastic bottle from Shiranami's hand and, at the same time, handed the soda bottle to Shiranami.

The sky was dim, and the bottle's color was also dark. At that moment, no one would pay attention to an empty bottle. Only Shiranami's heart was pounding. She knew Ryuuen had come to deliver the poison to her. Before, she had wondered where Ryuuen would get poison and how he would get it to her.

It wasn't until the soda bottle was actually in her hand that Shiranami realized how terrifying Ryuuen's plan was. On the other hand, she was filled with anticipation for the ruthless Ryuuen. Perhaps Ryuuen could truly fulfill her dream and truly bring her and Ichinose together.

The timing was perfect. Roll call was at 8 PM, and Ryuuen arrived back at the campsite just in time.

"Now, everyone, we're returning to the ship. From now on, every morning at 8 AM, I want to see you exercising on the deck. Afternoons are free time, and in the evenings, all students must be in the study room." Ryuuen's words were firm and left no room for doubt.

At this moment, Manabe Shiho raised her hand. "Ibuki is still on the island!"

Everyone knew Ibuki wasn't there, as roll call had just finished, but even Shiina Hiyori hadn't spoken up for Ibuki. Yet Manabe had stood up at this moment.

Not only Ryuuen was surprised, but also the group of girls surrounding Manabe. They knew that Manabe and Ibuki had always been at odds, disliking each other. Why would Manabe bring up Ibuki at this time? Ryuuen didn't believe this was friendship between girls; if it were, she should have spoken up when Ryuuen expelled Ibuki earlier.

Furthermore, Ryuuen knew that Manabe would betray the class in the future, but he had never paid much attention to this girl before. Now, he had to take her seriously.

It was highly likely that Manabe had been in contact with Ayanokoji. Although it hadn't reached the point of betraying the class, she must have received some kind of hint from Ayanokoji, which led her to bring up Ibuki now.

I knew Ayanokoji's visit before wasn't that simple. Turns out he was digging a pit here.