Morning roll call ends.

Ibuki is still here as usual, so that means Class C should have been hit with minus ten points when you include last night as well.

If my prediction is correct, this minus probably doesn’t really mean anything.

Now then, it’s day two.

That said, there’s honestly no need to force ourselves to move.

Since Ibuki is here, actively searching for spots would only increase the risk of being exposed.

Even if we assume exposure is inevitable, moving around carelessly and giving Ibuki reasons to distrust us would defeat the purpose.

I need to keep showing a clear stance that I’m properly wary of Ibuki.

If we’re going to get through this exam by orthodox means, endurance and patience are unavoidable no matter what.

When it comes to detailed knowledge about classmates, Kushida, Kei and Hirata have that covered, so I’ll leave the steering to them.

There’s no need for me to issue instructions at every turn.

More importantly—

“Living in the forest looks rough. I almost feel bad for the other classes.”

“And they’ve gotta put up with eating weird nuts and stuff, right? Pretty impressive, honestly.”

As I’m thinking, I hear voices.

They look familiar.

They’re Komiya and Kondō from Class C.

Are they Class C’s designated provocateurs?

It’s a bit comical how they flinched once they noticed I was watching.

Since it’s not like I’m the only one here, they finish provoking Class D for a bit, then—

“This is a message from Ryūen-san. If you want to enjoy a vacation on this uninhabited island, come to the beach. Let’s share a dreamlike time together. Especially you, Ayanokōji—we’d really like you to come.”

After saying that, the two of them leave.

“What are you planning to do, Ayanokōji-kun? It could very well be a trap…”

Hirata asks.

“Well, there’s no problem with going. Even without me, you guys can manage the class just fine and it’s hard for them to lay hands on people from other classes.”

Unlike Ibuki, who was beaten, it’s easy to attack someone from your own class.

“I’ll do my best to keep things together. You be careful too, Ayanokōji-kun.”

There’s no way anything will happen to me.

Oh, right.

“For now, I’m planning to bring Horikita with me. You can use the rest of the classmates however you like.”

It is, after all, an invitation from Ryūen.

“That’s impossible… Class C—no, Ryūen-kun—what on earth is he thinking?”

Horikita mutters.

She’s probably gotten through things by steadily improving herself and taking the straightforward path until now, so this kind of thinking likely doesn’t come naturally to her.

* * *

Fishing rods, food, toilets and even jet skis.

Objects that must have cost an enormous amount of points fill the entire view.

“Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t mean you should stop thinking. If you think it through, you should naturally reach the answer.”

It might be tough since I’m pushing her despite her poor condition.

But if it were Horikita at her usual level, she should be able to understand Ryūen’s strategy.

“…I see. So Class C’s aim is—”

“Oy, as expected of you, Ayanokōji. You’re bringing a different girl from last time. Is she the last one from those three-timing rumors of yours?”

Horikita’s voice is cut off.

Honestly, the timing is perfect, but having that topic dragged back up still annoys me a bit.

“That’s true, but don’t joke about it. Thanks to the rumors you spread, things have been a pain for me.”

“That’s great to hear. Otherwise, there’d be no point in spreading them. By the way, what’s this girl’s name? Karuizawa and Kushida stand out, so I know them, but I don’t recognize this one.”

“…Horikita Suzune.”

She understands she’s being provoked, but she stays calm.

No matter how she responds, just being near me already makes her a target for Ryūen, so the result won’t change much.

“Hmm. Must be nice having so many capable women around you. Our class has two girls with ability, but they’re useless. One was obedient, the other rebellious, so I kicked them out. I wonder what they’re doing now?”

“Just as Ibuki-san said, you were the one who chased her out and injured her, Ryūen-kun.”

“Hah. So that girl ended up crying to Class D after all. Pathetic. If she’d just obeyed, she’d be enjoying herself right now.”

Ryūen doesn’t hesitate at all.

And everything he’s saying seems to be true.

“Hearing that from the king of Class C is laughable. Ibuki-san is still a member of your class.”

“In a kingdom, it’s easier to get rid of people who get in the way. I kicked out one more besides Ibuki. I don’t know or care what they’re doing now. If Class D wants to take care of them all together, that’s fine by me.”

I see.

So there’s another spy.

Though that one is probably in Class B.

Class C’s position is almost as harsh as Class A’s.

Class A being targeted by everyone goes without saying, but Class C is similar, with Class B above and Class D below, meaning they can be targeted from both sides.

Even if Ichinose is the leader of Class B and unlikely to attack other classes, teaming up with Class C is still extremely unlikely.

And for us in Class D, teaming up with nearby Class C would only really be for taking down Class A.

That leaves Class C with essentially only Class A as a possible partner.

And even then, Class A would almost certainly be cautious.

Without exceptionally favorable conditions, Class C can’t easily form alliances at all.

Whether Class A and C are already connected isn’t confirmed yet, but we’ll find out eventually.

I’d say there’s already about a seventy percent chance they are.

* * *

In the end, we didn’t linger and headed back quickly.

Even just seeing this much was more than enough.

“So Class C’s basic strategy is to spend all three hundred points early to eliminate the downside of negative points. That part is certain, right?”

On the way back, Horikita continues the cut-off discussion.

“Yeah. That’s almost certainly correct.”

By taking advantage of the fact that points can’t go below zero, they spent everything on day one, forced a spy onto us to nullify roll-call penalties and now, with zero points, they can freely cause environmental damage or retire.

“…And the two who were chased out. We don’t know who the other one is or where they are, but Ibuki-san is definitely a spy. This time, Class C is putting everything into guessing the leader.”

“Exactly. If they guess right, it’s plus fifty for them and minus fifty for the opponent, with the bonus canceled. The net difference is easily over a hundred points.”

In the end, it all comes down to this.

They want to guess the leader and they don’t want their own leader guessed.

Even if they kept all three hundred points, if every class guessed their leader and they failed to guess anyone else, they’d end up at zero.

At least the second part won’t happen unless they make nominations.

“…I just need to make sure Ibuki-san doesn’t see through me. That’s enough, right?”

“Yeah. Or rather, you can act however you think is best. This exam’s theme seems to be freedom.”

She’s probably starting to realize it.

Do as you like, Horikita.

No matter what happens in the end, it’ll be fine.

* * *

“Ahhh, I want a girlfriend tooooo!!”

Ike and the others shout.

Simply put, watching Sakura and Ken being affectionate is apparently too much for them.

Only Ken and I are allowed to use the chainsaw.

Ken shaved down a log he cut and turned it into a simple bench, then sat next to Sakura.

That’s all they’re doing, but to single guys, seeing the two leaning together is painful.

Hasebe and Kei, on the other hand, treat it like a healing spot.

This might just be a gender difference.

“Hey, Kiyotaka, make one too. Then I can sit next to you!”

Kei says to me.

“…You want me to do that in this atmosphere? Honestly, I feel awkward.”

“Boo, boo. I’m working hard to keep the class together too, you know. You can give me a little reward. Besides, you’re going to make me do something later anyway, so this is an advance.”

That’s hard to argue with.

“Alright. Though you can probably act freely too, Kei. Just do what you think is best.”

I lightly pat Kei’s head and get to work.

* * *

She stays in a good mood the whole time after that.

I decided to ignore the boys’ stares.

“By the way, Ayanokōji-kun, do you know where the manual is?”

Hirata asks.

“About that. I burned it in the campfire.”

“…What!? Don’t you need to use points to reissue it!?”

“I felt it was dangerous that anyone could buy things. So I took the manual and dealt with it. Don’t worry, everything’s in my head. If you need anything, just ask me. I’ll buy it if necessary.”

Kōenji already bought a hammock without permission anyway and he helped build the houses, so you could call it a necessary expense.

“I see. Got it, Ayanokōji-kun.”

Hirata backs off easily.

The fact that he came at all means—there are a lot of people who really lack patience.

For now, during this uninhabited island exam, I’ll firmly rule as a tyrant.

Taking inspiration from Ryūen.

* * *

NG Scene

“Yeah, that’s true, but don’t joke about it. Thanks to the rumors you spread, things have been a pain for me.”

“That’s great. Otherwise, there’d be no point in spreading them. By the way, what’s the name of this chick? I know Karuizawa and Kushida since they stand out, but I don’t recognize this one.”

“Horikita Suzune. Dragon Boy.”

“Huh?”

“Class king, my foot. Ibuki-san is still a member of your class.”

“In a kingdom, it’s easier to get rid of people who get in the way. I kicked out another one besides Ibuki. I don’t know or care what they’re doing. If Class D wants to take care of them all, that’s fine. By the way, why don’t you go enjoy the jet skis? Or since your legal wife isn’t around, maybe I’ll lend you a tent—”

“Yes. Then lend it to us right now. We’ll be resting for about three hours.”

“‘What?’”