In the uninhabited island exam, Ayanokōji-kun finally began to properly demonstrate his true ability.

He not only volunteered to become the leader, but also successfully occupied twelve different spots. He hasn’t told the others yet, but he also managed to identify Class A’s leader.

I thought so during volleyball too, but Ayanokōji-kun is far more capable than I ever imagined. If he hadn’t been holding back, he would have definitely been placed in Class A—no, he could have even been the leader.

Both I and the rest of Class D are lucky.

“Ayanokōji-kun occupying that many spots… it’s honestly amazing.”

“Hirata-kun and Ayanokōji-kun are both handsome and working hard for the class, they’re way too cool. Totally different from the other guys… and from Koenji-kun who just retired on his own.”

“But they both have girlfriends though~”

I can hear voices like that from the girls in other groups.

Each time, I feel a sense of superiority. Well, it’s a fake relationship though.

If Ayanokōji-kun were okay with it, I wouldn’t mind being a real couple.

Ugh… even if I was panicking back then, why did I suggest a fake relationship contract?

Now it’s kind of hard to say ‘Actually, want to date for real?’

I wish Ayanokōji-kun would bring it up himself… yeah, right. No way.

With his ability, he could easily go for someone top-tier in the year, like Ichinose-san.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, just… having a boyfriend who’s too popular is kind of a problem.”

“Ahh, I totally get that…”

Having a high-spec boyfriend like Hirata-kun, Karuizawa-san shares the same concerns as me, and we’ve gotten a lot closer lately.

At first, I only approached her because I thought being on good terms with someone at the top of the social hierarchy would make things easier.

But after talking with her one-on-one, she’s actually easy to get along with.

She’s not that strong academically, but she’s not stupid. In fact, she’s quite sharp.

Those occasional airheaded remarks are just a way to steer conversations in the direction Hirata-kun and the others want.

“So Ayanokōji-kun was holding back at the start?”

“Seems like it. He said it was just too much of a hassle to try. But once he understood how class points worked, he couldn’t keep doing that.”

“Yeah, no way you can live on zero points every month.”

While talking like that, we worked on simple tasks like gathering firewood.

There are limited tents, and fire is essential for warmth.

Everyone is doing something.

The only ones not working are Horikita-san, who has a slight fever and is resting in the tent, and one other person.

Ibuki-san from Class C, whom Yamauchi picked up.

Apparently, she argued with her classmates and got kicked out of their base.

Honestly, it’s suspicious, but I couldn’t oppose everyone—especially Hirata-kun—accepting her.

Besides, leaving a girl alone on an uninhabited island is hard to do, even if it’s a trap.

“Is it really okay to let a Class C student stay?”

“That’s what I thought too. But we made sure she doesn’t go near the occupation terminals, and she can’t figure out who the leader is.”

Karuizawa-san seems to feel the same way as me.

Hirata-kun is a good person, and that’s exactly why there’s an opening like this.

But that’s just how he is. If he were the type to abandon someone here, the class wouldn’t trust him this much.

Suspicion is something for the rest of us… me, Ayanokōji-kun, and Horikita-san.

And honestly, I don’t think someone like Ayanokōji-kun would let Ibuki-san figure out he’s the leader.

That part doesn’t worry me at all.

After finishing some work, we noticed a commotion at one corner of the base.

When we went to check, some boys from Class C were arguing with Ike and the others.

Class C again. Between Sudō-kun’s incident and Ibuki-san, they’re full of trouble.

They mocked us for saving points while eating snacks and drinking juice.

A cheap provocation. But many students were clearly irritated.

Before leaving, they told us to come to the beach if we wanted to enjoy summer vacation.

“What should we do?”

“I wanted to observe Class C’s movements. I’m going.”

“Then I’ll come too. Should we invite Horikita-san?”

Ayanokōji-kun seems to keep an eye on Horikita-san.

Almost like taking on a disciple.

She’s been resting due to her condition, but she should be mostly recovered by now.

“Yeah. If she’s feeling okay.”

We invited her, and although she still looked a bit sluggish, she agreed to come.

So the three of us—me, Ayanokōji-kun, and Horikita-san—headed to the beach.

There, we found Class C recklessly wasting points and having fun.

It was a bizarre sight.

Then Class C’s leader, Ryūen-kun, spoke to us.

“Yo, defective products. Nice view, huh?”

“What are you thinking?”

“Isn’t it obvious? There’s no point in participating in some endurance contest.”

He said it without hesitation.

Right, Mashima-sensei mentioned it—the theme of this exam is ‘freedom.’

Whether you play around or not, it’s allowed.

But this strategy is basically throwing away a large number of points.

Unless you’re Class A, already far ahead, it doesn’t make sense for a lower class like C.

Is Ryūen-kun just foolish, or does he have some hidden aim?

Ayanokōji-kun observed him with interest.

Meanwhile, Horikita-san was getting heated at his attitude.

“Looks like Suzune didn’t like it. What about you two? You can enjoy your favorite beach volleyball here.”

He directed that at… no, at Ayanokōji-kun.

I’m probably just an extra to him. That annoys me a little.

“It looks fun, but I’ll pass. Doesn’t seem like anyone here could put up a proper fight against me and Matsushita.”

“You’ve got guts. Interesting guy, Ayanokōji. Was that camera in the special building your doing?”

“No idea what you mean.”

“Playing dumb, huh. Fine. After I crush Class A, I’ll play with you.”

“Crush Class A? That seems like a distant dream in your current state.”

Horikita cut in, and Ryūen laughed mockingly.

“I don’t mind strong-willed women. It’ll be fun when you break.”

She turned away in disgust.

“Ryūen-kun, about Ibuki-san.”

“What about her?”

“She was kicked out and is now at our base.”

“Hah. Big talk for someone who ends up relying on another class. I kicked her out for defying me. Didn’t expect you to pick her up.”

“Why did she oppose you?”

At my direct question, Ryūen finally looked at me seriously.

“She didn’t like my dictatorship.”

“I see. That’s what she said too. So that’s true.”

“Heh. What are you getting at, Matsushita?”

“Ibuki-san isn’t a spy you sent, right?”

It’s something anyone would suspect.

But asking him directly is normally foolish.

Still, I have confidence in my intuition.

If he shows even a slight crack…

He burst out laughing.

“Not just Suzune and Ayanokōji. You’re interesting too, Matsushita. Fine, if you think she’s a spy, throw her out. She’ll come crawling back to me anyway.”

“I see. Then she won’t just die out there. That’s reassuring.”

“You’re cold. You okay with that, Ayanokōji? Want me to find you another girl?”

“No. I’m not planning to break up with Matsushita.”

“Hah. Let me know if you change your mind.”

With that, we left Class C’s base.

I tried provoking him, but it didn’t work at all.

The only thing I learned is that he doesn’t particularly care about Ibuki.

His words didn’t feel like a lie.

Ibuki does hate him.

But in an exam like this, assuming someone from another class isn’t a spy feels too naive.

Maybe he sent her off as a potential spy but didn’t expect much from it.

Still, that doesn’t sit right either.

“You were trying to shake Ryūen, but that was rushed. Something on your mind?”

“Sorry. I just wanted to be useful. That was a mistake.”

I don’t care about Ryūen.

But I can’t deny I felt competitive toward Horikita.

She’s capable, but hasn’t achieved much yet.

If I could contribute here, maybe Ayanokōji-kun would look at me more.

I rushed it.

Ryūen is skilled in psychological warfare.

Honestly, I couldn’t match him.

All I did was make him more cautious.

“Matsushita, you always help. Don’t worry about it.”

“Thanks. But this is my problem.”

“…We learned Ryūen isn’t relying on Ibuki. That alone made it worthwhile.”

I didn’t expect him to keep encouraging me.

Even with his usual expressionless face, I could tell he was trying to comfort me.

It made me happy.

“Ayanokōji-kun, you’re a good boyfriend.”

“You’re a good girlfriend too.”

“I was happy when you said you wouldn’t break up with me earlier.”

“Well, I meant it.”

This relationship lasts until one of us finds someone we truly like.

But Ayanokōji-kun shows no signs of that.

“So, what about Ibuki? You’re not really going to kick her out, right?”

Normally I follow his instructions completely, but this time he’s letting me decide.

“Well, I said that in front of Ryūen, but I can’t leave her alone here. And you won’t let her figure out you’re the leader, right?”

“Of course.”

Then there’s no need to kick her out.

Keeping a potential spy is risky, but she’s pitiful, and arguing with Hirata would be worse.

Thinking that, we returned to base… but Ibuki was gone.

“Huh? Where’s Ibuki-san?”

Had she finally decided to help?

That’s what I thought, until Hirata said something unexpected.

“Ibuki-san retired. She said she couldn’t trouble us anymore. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen. Maybe it’s better than being alone here.”

“…I see.”

That was Ryūen’s instruction, wasn’t it.

The timing fits.

Telling us to kick her out, then making her retire himself.

It’s like he’s telling us she was a spy.

I still don’t understand what Ryūen is thinking.

But at least the chance of Class C identifying our leader has probably decreased.

Leaving uncertainty behind, Ibuki disappeared from Class D’s base.