Two million points!!
This way, the last loophole could also be filled.
Amane's smile also became radiant.
"Don't worry, I won't let you down. But words alone are not enough; we need to sign a contract. Is that okay?"
"Of course, no problem."
Katsuragi said, starting to look around for paper and a pen.
However, Class A's fire had burned all of Class A's supplies, and those who fled in a hurry had no time to worry about small items like paper and pens.
Just as Katsuragi was troubled by not being able to find paper and a pen, Amane casually pulled out a few folded pieces of paper from her pocket, along with a few ballpoint pens for Katsuragi to choose from.
"You knew from the start that I would agree?"
Katsuragi was unwilling to be seen through by Amane in all his actions.
But Amane's preparations all indicated that she was ten-tenths sure Katsuragi would agree to hire her to attack Class B.
Otherwise, Amane would have no need to carry basic office supplies like paper and pens with her.
"That's right, from the beginning, I knew you would definitely agree to my terms."
Amane's triumphant smile was so dazzling.
"You're quite arrogant. Saying such things in front of me, aren't you afraid I'll refuse to sign the contract?"
Katsuragi intended to test Amane, but to his surprise, Amane shook her head.
"You will definitely sign, because... you're not the only one in this class who is willing to agree to my terms, Katsuragi-kun."
Amane's words made Katsuragi's pupils contract slightly.
Her meaning was very clear: if Katsuragi Kohei, as Class A's leader, didn't have the courage to sign the employment contract, she would immediately choose to abandon Katsuragi and instead sign an agreement with the Sakayanagi faction.
Once Amane succeeded, the Sakayanagi faction would have, in effect, thoroughly avenged all of Class A. It was obvious that Sakayanagi's approval rating would significantly increase.
In other words, from the outcome, Amane had Katsuragi completely figured out.
By the time Amane returned to the base, it was late at night.
All base check-in records were sealed for investigation due to Amane's report, but with the school in such disarray, it was questionable whether the review could be completed before the end of the exam.
Even check-ins had to be temporarily suspended.
Ryuuen and Hirata had been sent to a hospital outside the island for treatment before she left the camp for Class A.
This meant she could finally quietly enjoy a... half a night.
Amane walked into the camp, and a tent that was still lit caught her attention.
"Is anyone there?"
Amane reached out and pulled aside the curtain hanging over the tent entrance.
"Amane-san, you're back."
Ayanokoji sat cross-legged and greeted Amane outside the curtain, his gaze never leaving the chessboard.
Both hands were holding black and white pieces, rapidly placing them on the board.
Amane curiously walked inside.
Looking at the board full of black and white pieces, this game of chess must have started right after Amane left.
"It's so late, Ayanokoji, aren't you going to sleep? And speaking of which... where did you get these chess pieces?"
If it was an impulse purchase, it would be far too extravagant.
"The chess pieces can be bought from the shopping manual, but I heard from Chabashira-sensei that since basically no one would want such a thing, there was only this one set in stock, so I bought it," Ayanokoji said casually.
But Amane knew that even if no one bought it, the price of this chess set would certainly not be cheap. If Horikita, who was in charge of managing the special points for the exam, were to hear about it, things would be bad.
"As for sleeping... I can catch up on sleep during the day. Amane-san, are you interested in a game?"
Amane sensed that Ayanokoji might have something he wanted to say.
So, Amane came and sat down in the seat opposite Ayanokoji.
"What's the point of playing against yourself? It's always better to play against someone else to prove your strength. Anyway, it's almost dawn, so it won't hurt to play a few rounds with Ayanokoji-kun."
Seeing Amane say this, Ayanokoji silently nodded while clearing the board.
"Indeed, games like chess are most interesting when played with others."
Amane said, taking the black pieces and making the first move.
A black piece landed in the center of the board.
Ayanokoji, holding the white pieces, seemed a bit hesitant, unsure where to place them.
But the board in front of him was blank. Where exactly was Ayanokoji going to place his piece?
"Ayanokoji-kun, is there something you want to ask me?"
As Amane broke the silence, the oppressive atmosphere in the tent eased.
"I'm very curious how you, Amane, knew that Ryuuen had violated the rules and come to the island. I remember that at first, when you realized Class C's people started to act, you also looked very surprised, but you immediately determined that the person acting was Ryuuen, and you concluded that Ryuuen had illegally entered the island. Although the series of events that followed proved that your judgment was correct, I'm very curious how you managed to predict the future."
Ayanokoji still clearly remembered that at the time, he and Amane had a disagreement about this matter. Ayanokoji believed that if Ryuuen had left a contingency on the island, he should have returned to the camp immediately.
But Amane insisted that Ryuuen's contingency could not be anyone other than himself. Just as Ayanokoji thought Amane would choose to accelerate their return to help, knowing Ryuuen was still on the island, he didn't expect Amane to propose going directly to the school to complain about Ryuuen.
This series of actions made Ayanokoji unable to understand Amane's logic. He thought for a long time and still felt that if it were him, he would never go to the school staff to freeze Class C's key card.
Various confusions even prevented Ayanokoji from sleeping soundly. Therefore, he could only personally ask Amane why she was so certain that the other person hidden in Class C was Ryuuen, and that Ryuuen had coincidentally violated the rules.
"Because Albert doesn't have that much guts. Besides Ryuuen, I really can't imagine anyone else having the courage to ignite gas. Besides... Ryuuen is a complete dictator. He would never allow someone else to control Class C's key card at the most critical moment."
Amane explained her thoughts at the time with a confident tone.
Ayanokoji, however, frowned.
"Then why did you conclude that Ryuuen must have violated the rules?"
"Because I trust my eyes. I saw him leave the island by boat with my own eyes, so there's no way he could have stayed without violating the rules."
Ayanokoji nodded, accepting Amane's answer.
Immediately after, Amane placed another piece on the board, right next to the black piece.
Ayanokoji also picked up a white piece and placed it, then continued speaking.
"Amane, why do you condone Horikita-san contacting people from other classes? You should be aware that even though Horikita-san hasn't done anything out of line yet, once the two sides clash, Horikita-san's position will become very delicate... It's hard to say she won't provide some help to the other side."
Ayanokoji's other doubt was that Amane had been intentionally allowing Horikita to act freely.
If the class's absolute safety was to be ensured, then Horikita, this 'nail' from another class left in Class D, should have been removed earlier.
Facing Ayanokoji's question, Amane just smiled and shook her head.
"Ayanokoji-kun, Suzune and I actually have a very good understanding. For example, this time, she guessed that my real target was Class B, so she had Shibata deliberately mislead Kanzaki into secretly occupying Class A's stronghold, causing Class B and Class A to fall into conflict. However, she probably didn't expect, just like me, that Class A would be eliminated so quickly."
Amane's only miscalculation was that Class A was directly eliminated. This meant she would have far fewer helpers.
However, Ayanokoji was not satisfied with this answer.
"Even so, it's undeniable that if Horikita-san continues to rely on outsiders, she will sooner or later bring irreparable losses to Class D."
Before Ayanokoji finished speaking, Amane's piece cut off Ayanokoji's retreat on the board.
"I know that, but right now I need to use her methods to save Ichinose, so for now, whatever she does, I can pretend not to see it."
Amane's words made Ayanokoji a little confused. He didn't understand what Horikita and Shibata teaming up had to do with saving Ichinose.
Seemingly noticing the confusion on Ayanokoji's face, Amane continued to speak.
"I need Shibata as a 'knife' to sever the connection between Ichinose and Class B. Only then can Ichinose truly be free and not be treated as a puppet by those foolish people, eventually becoming just a mouthpiece for 'everyone.' So, it's fine to let Suzune do what she wants for now; I'll back her up anyway."
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"