"As expected, everyone has left. This way, the list of Class C's key card holders and infiltrators will be fixed. We just have to wait for the last day."
Katsuragi Kohei excitedly clenched his fists.
According to Class A's teacher, Mashima, if a key card holder or infiltrator withdraws, their identity will be re-selected. But if the entire class withdraws, their identity will be fixed at the moment before withdrawal, and even base camp points will be locked, making it impossible to occupy their base camp by checking in.
Right now, Class C has returned to the luxury cruise ship, enjoying the delicacies of the luxurious 24-hour buffet restaurant and the soft, large beds of their VIP single suites.
There's also the fun brought by various entertainment facilities like karaoke, cinemas, and opera houses.
Just thinking about these things carries the danger of being swayed.
"Oh, right, I heard Amane was an exchange student in Class C, wasn't she? Why haven't I seen her?"
Ichinose Honami curiously looked at Horikita Suzune next to her.
Horikita, at this moment, had a dark expression as she looked at a dark figure on the beach.
Her tracksuit was unzipped, and even the sports bra underneath was lifted a bit, revealing her round, full belly from eating.
"Amane, that guy..."
Horikita walked a few steps and squatted in front of Amane.
Seeing that Amane was already fast asleep, lulled by the sea breeze.
She, who had originally intended to tease her a bit, could only first carry Amane on her back... so heavy.
Even Horikita, who had been exercising since childhood and had martial arts training, felt a little strenuous the moment she put Amane on her back.
Hirata, who was nearby, saw this scene and quickly rolled up his sleeves.
"How about I carry Miyako-san?"
Originally, Hirata was just kindly offering to help, but as soon as he spoke, he immediately realized the problem.
Was it inappropriate for him, a male, to be so eager to offer to carry a sleeping female student?
"It's okay, I can do it."
Horikita knew Hirata's character, so she didn't say much.
She carried Amane and walked towards Class D's base camp.
Ichinose could only watch Horikita and Amane's backs gradually disappear.
"Horikita, that guy, really doesn't understand even basic etiquette. No wonder she was assigned to Class D."
Kanzaki, seeing Ichinose's question ignored by Horikita, felt a surge of anger.
He couldn't help but blurt out harsh words.
Katsuragi frowned.
He was very disgusted by Kanzaki's actions behind people's backs.
Ichinose's face also looked a little unpleasant, but she didn't say anything.
At this moment, Hirata passed in front of Kanzaki.
"Watch your mouth, lest disaster strike from it."
Hirata stared coldly at Kanzaki for a few seconds, then quickened his pace to follow Horikita.
"Tsk, clearly a class leader, but now he's become Horikita's dog. It's truly unsightly. If he had any backbone, his power wouldn't be usurped by a girl."
"Totsuka, let's go."
"Huh? Alright."
Katsuragi also had no mood to stay any longer, turned around, and left with Totsuka.
Ichinose opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but finally closed it.
She clearly knew that Kanzaki's behavior was wrong, but she couldn't bring herself to criticize her companion's actions.
This was probably where her contradiction lay; unreserved tolerance and partiality would only make them go crazy once they lost Ichinose.
Walking on the dark path, it was inevitable to stumble, especially since they had to pass through a large patch of woods. To prevent Amane from getting hurt, Hirata walked ahead with a flashlight, and Horikita walked very carefully with each step.
But the bumps along the way still woke up the sleeping Amane.
"Eh? Suzune? Why are you here?"
Amane saw Horikita carrying her and immediately happily hugged Horikita. This sudden movement almost caused Horikita to fall.
"Can't you just be a little more still, you? Also, everyone else has left, and you're still sleeping soundly there. Aren't you afraid of being taken onto the ship and counted as having withdrawn from the exam? You'd have nowhere to cry then."
Horikita complained irritably.
Indeed, according to school regulations, as long as one leaves the island, it counts as withdrawal, no matter how one leaves.
It didn't mention whether taking students from other classes off the island was a violation of regulations.
Nor did it say whether the person taken off would be considered to have given up the exam.
That's why Horikita was a little worried that Amane might be taken away opportunistically, which is why she followed to Class C's camp. Otherwise, there would have been no need to take such a long detour late at night.
"I'm not that stupid."
Amane's cheeks puffed out in anger.
Horikita underestimated her too much.
No matter how stupid she was, she wouldn't be carried away while sleeping.
"Who knows?"
Horikita smiled.
"What should we do next? Should we continue with the previous plan?"
Amane had devised a simple plan even before Ryuuen called her out.
So far, Class D's actions have largely followed Amane's plan.
However, with Class C's withdrawal, the plan has deviated somewhat from the initial idea.
Therefore, Horikita had to reconfirm the next course of action with Amane.
"Let's stick to the previous plan. Class A should have an easier time with Sakayanagi's help, so prioritize the plan against Class A."
Amane recalled what Sakayanagi had specifically told her before boarding the cruise ship.
"According to the upperclassmen, this vacation should involve some exams, but whether this year's will be a desert island survival exam like last year, I don't know yet, but... no matter what happens, I hope you can deal a heavy blow to Class A. Kamuro and Hashimoto will cooperate with you to complete this task."
Sakayanagi, with a rare serious expression, instructed Amane.
"Deal a heavy blow to Class A? Arisu, did you take the wrong medicine? First, let's not even talk about whether there's such an opportunity. Even if there is, can Kamuro and the others truly accept Class A suffering a major blow? This is closely related to their personal points..."
Amane had just finished speaking when she saw Sakayanagi's face break into a playful smile.
"You're still the same, always calculating gains and losses, but sometimes profit isn't calculated that way. Katsuragi's rule over Class A is simply too stable. Even though I already have influence in Class A that is no less than his, I haven't made any substantial contributions to Class A."
Sakayanagi first looked at Amane, making sure Amane understood, then continued.
"And to create contributions for Class A, I must become Class A's leader. This has become a vicious cycle. As long as Katsuragi doesn't make mistakes, Class A can continue to advance steadily. Naturally, there's no need for anyone else to interfere. If I don't interfere, I can't demonstrate my abilities, can't gain more recognition, and can't defeat Katsuragi. So, right now... I urgently hope Katsuragi makes a mistake, the bigger the mistake, the better. Even if we fall to Class B, it doesn't matter. With me, rising back up is only a matter of time."
Sakayanagi Arisu ignited the flames of a full-scale assault on Katsuragi Kohei.
She intended to use Amane as a sharp sword to carve a piece of flesh from Katsuragi, even if she herself had to feel the pain for it.
"Women can be truly terrifying when they get ruthless."
Even Amane felt a shiver down her spine.
She couldn't understand what had ignited such a strong desire in Sakayanagi.
Shouldn't being a class leader be a very tiring job?
How could Sakayanagi look like she was enjoying it, fighting to the death for it?
Well, never mind, it doesn't have much to do with Class D anyway.
It would be even better if someone provided help from within Class A. Amane believed that if she was given an opportunity, she would be confident in taking a significant bite out of Class A.
So Amane agreed to Sakayanagi Arisu.
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