Each class makes its move

On the way back, a certain single-track-minded creature among Class C asked a question.

"Ryuuen, doesn't that mean we can only get 100 points at most?" Mio Ibuki sounded somewhat dissatisfied.

"You really are an idiot. The contract only said Ryuen Kakeru wouldn't guess Class A's leader. Besides, who said I was Class C's leader?" Ryuuen mocked Ibuki.

"Katsuragi, were all the spots you found near places suitable for camping?" Lezheng suddenly asked on the way back.

"You mean..." Katsuragi naturally understood what Lezheng meant.

"Remember how the cruise ship circled the island three times? I suspect the school was giving us a chance to observe the island. I'll go with you tomorrow."

Suddenly realizing this detail, Katsuragi couldn't help marveling inwardly at Lezheng's attentiveness and deductive ability.

Lezheng shared a tent with Hashimoto and five others. Hashimoto was sitting upright in front of the fire, but the moment he saw Lezheng, he stood, walked over, and pulled him into the tent.

"Lezheng, Her Highness actually told us to follow your orders before we came," Hashimoto whispered.

"In that case, tell me what clues you found today." Lezheng was somewhat surprised.

"We know where all the other classes are," Hashimoto said.

"Any other information?" Lezheng already knew the locations of the other three classes.

"That's all for now."

"Keep gathering information, for the sake of your princess." Lezheng patted Hashimoto on the shoulder.

Early the next morning, after roll call, Lezheng followed Totsuka and the others out to claim spots, while Katsuragi stayed at camp to look after the remaining students. After Totsuka followed yesterday's route and reclaimed the spots, the group followed Lezheng toward the locations where he suspected other spots might be.

"Lezheng, are you sure there's a spot over here?" Totsuka began complaining.

"No, but we'll know when we get there," Lezheng replied.

Totsuka had wanted to complain some more, but he suddenly remembered the scene in the cave yesterday. He opened his mouth, then said nothing.

However, Lezheng's theory was soon verified. They found another spot near a location suitable for camping.

"It looks like my theory was right." Lezheng smiled slightly.

"It... it could just be a coincidence," Totsuka stubbornly insisted.

"Totsuka, do you trust Katsuragi?" Lezheng suddenly asked an inexplicable question.

"Of course I do." Totsuka's expression was serious.

"How far would you be willing to go for him?"

"Anything I'm capable of, of course."

"In that case, let's keep exploring."

"What do you mean, suddenly asking all these questions out of nowhere?"

"You'll find out later."

"Ryuen, we got word from Class A. Lezheng left camp with five people after roll call," Ishizaki said respectfully, putting down the communicator.

"Heh, off to claim spots, is he... Tell Hashimoto to keep a close eye on who goes with Lezheng every single time." Ryuuen drained the drink in his hand.

"Can we trust Hashimoto, Ryuen?" Ishizaki hesitated.

"He's a very ambitious man too. Besides, I'll have other plans later. Just do your job."

"Yes, Ryuen."

"That takes us from five spots a day to nine! Two trips a day means 18 points, and seven days means 126 points. Doesn't that guarantee our victory?" Totsuka happily slapped Shigeru Takemoto.

"Ouch... Don't celebrate too soon." Takemoto rubbed his arm.

"Let's head back the way we came." After studying his watch for a while, Lezheng made his decision.

Because Lezheng had observed everything so carefully from the cruise ship, the round trip took them only two hours. However, when they returned to camp, they discovered that a Class C student had joined the group.

"He's Kanda from Class C. He's probably a spy Ryuuen sent," Katsuragi said quietly.

"Looks like he found a partner after all. Most likely Class B," Lezheng concluded.

"That's what I think too." Katsuragi nodded.

"There's another possibility. He's betting on both sides."

"It was Sakayanagi's people who agreed to let him stay. Doesn't that make claiming spots a bit risky for us?" Katsuragi froze, then grew worried.

"We carry on as usual. Leaders can be changed, Katsuragi." Lezheng patted Katsuragi on the shoulder.

At five in the afternoon, Lezheng set out with the same group to reclaim the spots. It took slightly less time than in the morning. Lezheng had no intention of claiming the more distant spots, since they weren't worth the effort.

This continued for five days.

"Yamamura, I need you." Lezheng placed both hands on Yamamura's shoulders, his expression serious.

"N-need me... That's so embarrassing..." Yamamura stammered, her face bright red.

"Can you help me keep an eye on Class B?"

"I-if it's for you, Lezheng..."

"It has to be you, Yamamura," Lezheng interrupted her.

"I... I understand." Yamamura's eyes were already spinning.

Lezheng continued encouraging Yamamura afterward, coaxing her confidence to unprecedented heights, while he himself went to the vicinity of Class D's camp.

There was also a Class C student among Class D: Mio Ibuki.

Dark clouds had filled the sky, and scattered drops of rain began to fall. Holding a crude umbrella made from leaves, Lezheng stood on a tree trunk and observed everyone in Class D's camp.

Karuizawa was crying. Hirata, Kushida, and several girls surrounded her, probably comforting her. A group of boys had gathered not far away from them and were saying something, their voices loud enough for Lezheng to hear clearly.

"What gives you the right to assume that just because it's missing, one of us boys took it?!"

"Exactly! Every time something goes wrong, you say the boys did it!"

In this day and age, hostility between men and women was growing increasingly fierce, and that was exactly what was playing out in Class D. Both sides kept accusing each other, while the true mastermind and beneficiary remained securely behind the scenes.

However, Lezheng noticed that Horikita didn't look very well. She kept rubbing her arms, as though she felt cold.

Class D also formed a circle when claiming spots, and Hirata, Kushida, and Horikita were always among those who went inside.

The most favorable situation for Class D now would be this: Horikita was the leader, and on the final day, she withdrew due to some unavoidable circumstance, with the leader then changed to someone with little presence.

Judging by Horikita's condition, Lezheng thought she was most likely the current leader. If so, Class D had quite a bit of room to maneuver.

In that case, the other classes would most likely use the same method to pull off a surprise victory. Class C's leader would very likely be replaced on the final day too.

But... given Class B's style, would they hurt a classmate to secure victory?

Lezheng didn't think so, which was why Yamamura had gone to monitor Class B rather than him.

"Looking at it that way, if Class B doesn't make a change, today's Class B will be tomorrow's Class D."