Chapter 59: Please Withdraw
"A better plan?"
Katsuragi rubbed his bald head, a hint of doubt on his face, and cautiously chose tactful words to address Yukinoshita: "Yukinoshita-san, the supplies the school provided us with are too scarce.
If you plan to make the students desperately endure hardship to save points, I'm afraid it won't be very effective... The rules of this exam are quite restrictive, and I think seeking cooperation is necessary. As long as the Class A students each contribute a portion of their private points, Class C can help Class A achieve first place in this deserted island exam. Cooperating with Class C can effectively solidify Class A's standing."
"I see..." Yukinoshita quietly listened to Katsuragi's speech, then gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, saying calmly: "Seeking cooperation is indeed necessary, but we don't necessarily have to cooperate with Class C."
"What... do you mean by that?"
"Katsuragi-kun, do you remember before the midterm exam, Sakayanagi-san collected 40,000 private points from each of the Class A students? Before the midterm exam began, we signed a contract with Class D. Class A provided Class D with test papers containing the actual exam questions and 1.6 million private points, and in exchange, Class A gained the right to command Class D for one special exam."
"The right to... command Class D?!"
Katsuragi looked utterly bewildered, his eyes wide. When Sakayanagi collected private points from the Class A students, she claimed a large number of points were needed to purchase test papers that would ensure the Class A students passed the exam and sealed the news from the other classes. She never mentioned signing a contract with Class D.
"Yes, before this luxury trip began, Sakayanagi-san handed this authority over to me. I believe this special exam is very suitable for using it."
"Is that so? Sakayanagi-san had already made preparations in advance..." Katsuragi glanced at Yukinoshita with a complex expression, then looked toward the direction of the Advanced Nurturing High School. After a moment of contemplation, he lightly sighed: "Fine, as long as Class A's standing can be maintained, I will cooperate with you."
"I understand... Let's move on to the next topic then. Katsuragi-kun, who do you think is more suitable to be the leader?"
The leader is a position of great importance; if a mistake occurs and their identity is exposed, it could have enormous repercussions.
"Yahiko... No, forget it. Yukinoshita-san, you decide."
Katsuragi glanced at Totsuka Yahiko who was looking around nearby. Recalling his behavior on the cruise ship, he said no more and relinquished the decision of the leader to Yukinoshita.
"Well... to minimize the risk of the leader being discovered, it would be best to find someone with a very low presence to take the role."
Yukinoshita looked at Hikigaya with her deep blue eyes, the corners of her mouth curving slightly, then casually shifted her gaze away.
'This guy is infuriating! Who would want to take on such a troublesome role? Not only is there no benefit, but you also have to run around occupying bases every day. Most importantly, if the class leader is correctly guessed, the person serving as the leader might become a target.'
Just then, Kamuro suddenly interjected: "Yukinoshita, when do you plan to use this right of command? Class D looks like they're already arguing."
Hearing Kamuro's words, the group quickly turned to look in the direction of the other classes. Classes B and C had already discussed their countermeasures and had each gathered a few students and headed into the forest, while the Class D students were still standing on the beach, loudly arguing about whether or not to purchase a toilet.
Hikigaya surveyed the Class A students. Aside from the few girls who were anxious about the toilet issue, most students were quietly discussing the exam rules and countermeasures, not showing any confusion due to the sudden exam.
In contrast, the Class D boys and girls were divided into two factions, fiercely arguing about something. A slender, handsome boy stood between the two sides, looking conflicted and unsure of what to do.
Yukinoshita thought for a few seconds and quickly made arrangements: "Kamuro-san, please go over and find the Class D representatives and tell them I have an important matter to discuss. I'll join you shortly. Katsuragi-kun, please take the classmates to move the supplies and wait in a shaded area for a while, or have a few students scout for a base or the most suitable base camp. Hikigaya-kun, you come with me to find Mashima-sensei for the leader card."
"Understood." Saying this, Katsuragi turned around and relayed Yukinoshita's instructions to his classmates. Kamuro also nodded and walked silently towards Class D on the beach.
'Huh? No way? Does she really intend to make me the leader?'
As if sensing Hikigaya's resistance, Yukinoshita smiled faintly and said nothing more.
"Mashima-sensei, may I bother you for a moment?"
Hikigaya followed Yukinoshita and quickly found Mashima-sensei, who was communicating with staff via a walkie-talkie next to a small boat.
"Oh? Yukinoshita-san, and Hikigaya-kun. Have you already decided who will be the leader?"
"Yes, Mashima-sensei, I intend to use that," Yukinoshita nodded lightly, then told Mashima-sensei her idea.
Mashima-sensei looked seriously at Yukinoshita, then said something into the walkie-talkie.
"The key card will be ready soon. You two wait here for a moment."
"Understood."
A few minutes later, a staff member came up to Mashima-sensei, bringing the key card with the leader's name written on it.
"Alright, Hikigaya-kun. You take the key card back to the leader first. I need to go discuss something with the Class D representatives."
On the way back, Yukinoshita handed the received key card to Hikigaya and stopped walking.
"I see..." Hearing Yukinoshita's words, Hikigaya accepted and put away the key card, but couldn't help but ask curiously: "Doing it this way will indeed make it difficult for the leader to be discovered. But Yukinoshita-san, how exactly did you manage that?"
"Who knows..." Yukinoshita closed one eye slightly, wearing a proud and confident expression.
.
.
.
The bright sun high in the sky cast golden light, intensely heating the sand. The Class D students endured the scorching sun, standing their ground and arguing loudly about whether or not to purchase a toilet. Just then, a purple silhouette detached itself from the gathered Class A students who were moving supplies and walked toward the area where the Class D students were.
Noticing Kamuro walking toward them, the Class D students temporarily stopped arguing.
"Hello, Kamuro-san. May I ask what brings you over to us?" Hirata emerged from the crowd and softly asked for Kamuro's intention.
"Well, Yukinoshita said she had an important matter to discuss with you..."
No sooner had Kamuro spoken than Yukinoshita was seen quickly approaching Class D.
"Yukinoshita-san, long time no see. We owe a debt of gratitude to you for providing us with the test papers, allowing Class D to pass the midterm exam smoothly. Thank you very much." Hirata gave Yukinoshita a friendly smile.
"We were simply fulfilling a contract. In fact, the reason we are here now is to address that very matter."
"You mean..." The somewhat disheveled Horikita walked out from the crowd. As if feeling a bit cold, she unconsciously rubbed her arms while speaking.
"As stated in the contract, please hand over the right to command Class D for this deserted island exam to Class A," Yukinoshita said with a businesslike demeanor and a calm expression.
Hearing Yukinoshita's words, the smile on Hirata's face subtly faded, and Horikita stared at Yukinoshita with sharp eyes.
"Eh? What? Why should we follow the commands of people from Class A? Aren't we enemies?" Yamauchi Haruki seemed completely confused, scratching the hair on his forehead as he asked.
"Haruki, we passed the midterm exam by memorizing the answers on the test papers, and we each received 40,000 points from Hirata and Kushida. Those test papers and points were all provided by Class A, you know," Ike Kanji pressed down on Yamauchi's shoulder, explaining the current situation to the airheaded guy.
"Ah! You've got to be kidding? Didn't you say just a moment ago that if we endured for a week, we would get a lot of pocket money next month? I refuse to follow the orders of those hateful Class A guys!" Yamauchi shouted loudly, just short of lying on the ground throwing a tantrum.
"Even if you say that, this contract was notarized by the student council. If you intend to violate the contract, we will file a complaint with the student council," Kamuro revealed a look of disgust.
"Yukinoshita-san..." Hirata quickly signaled to Sudo to take Yamauchi and Ike away, then turned to Yukinoshita and asked: "We understand your demands. However, I think the students in our class are very confident about this deserted island exam, you see..."
"Hirata-kun, Class A has already fulfilled the terms of the contract. We are merely collecting the owed compensation," Yukinoshita scoffed: "Or are you hoping to wait until a special exam that could get a student expelled before handing over the right to command to us?"
Hearing Yukinoshita's rebuttal, Hirata fell silent, lowering his head.
Just then, Class D's archangel, Kushida, ran out and asked with a cute smile: "Then, Yukinoshita-san, what do you plan to do after acquiring the right to command Class D?"
Yukinoshita scanned the Class D students, then looked directly at the Class D representatives in front of her, took a deep breath, and revealed a cruel smile—
"I hope... No, I demand that Class D convert all 300 Material Points into supplies for Class A's use, and then, I ask that all of you in Class D withdraw from the exam before tonight's roll call begins!"
"Eh—?!!"
Yukinoshita's words stunned the Class D students into silence for a few seconds, then erupted into a massive collective gasp. Chabashira, who was observing the students from a distance, also frowned, looking at Yukinoshita with a complex expression.
"Th-This..." Kushida stared at Yukinoshita in shock, looking completely unable to accept the demand.
Yukinoshita's request had greatly exceeded the expectations of the Class D representatives, leaving them dazed.
"Yukinoshita-girl, what an interesting idea!" Koenji, who had been standing alone in the shade fanning himself with a leaf, suddenly spoke up with an interested smile.
"Koenji, do you have an opinion?" Kamuro asked, looking at Koenji.
"No, I accept. Your idea aligns perfectly with my original one. In that case, the promise I made to help you with one thing remains valid. However, it's not my style to make such an unceremonious exit... I have a question for Yukinoshita-girl, if I may?" Koenji continued before Yukinoshita could answer: "Can you tell me how you view this place?"
Hearing Koenji's question, Yukinoshita was about to answer "The deserted island where the school is conducting a special exam," but suddenly felt that something was wrong, yet she couldn't put her finger on it.
Seeing Yukinoshita frown in concentration, Koenji laughed heartily, not explaining anything, but continuing: "Well then, I shall go for a walk in the forest... Farewell until the end of the exam, Yukinoshita-girl, Kamuro-girl."
Having said this, Koenji ran towards the forest, shouting things like: "How beautiful. I, standing leisurely amidst nature, am truly beautiful! The ultimate beauty!" He quickly disappeared from everyone's sight.
"Ah, that Koenji!" Sudo stomped his foot in anger. Fine sand and dust scattered in the air with his movement.
"Now then, Class D everyone, what have you decided? Will you desperately endure a week on a sunny, danger-filled deserted island, or will you quickly withdraw and return to the cruise ship to enjoy the air conditioning and free gourmet food?" Yukinoshita pointed toward the cruise ship anchored in the distance and spoke softly.
"Ah, now that you mention it, withdrawing sounds quite nice..." Yamauchi scratched his head, looking longing.
"Hey, Yamauchi! Don't drool while smiling like an idiot! Your drool is getting on my clothes..."
Yukinoshita looked at Horikita, who was biting her lip. Horikita wore an unwilling expression, her lips twitching, but she couldn't say a word.
After struggling and hesitating internally for a long time, Horikita finally lowered her proud head, answering in a low voice: "Your request, Class D... accepts."
"Is that so... Thank you very much for your cooperation," Yukinoshita gave a faint smile, then turned to Hirata, signaling him to take the guidebook issued to Class D: "Then, without further delay, Hirata-kun, please come with us to your homeroom teacher to purchase supplies. I wouldn't want the Class A students to wait too long."
Yukinoshita and Kamuro led the sullen-faced Class D representatives to the silent Chabashira-sensei, then unscrupulously began to use the Material Points that originally belonged to Class D.
And so, through Yukinoshita's planning, Year 1, Class D withdrew on the first day of the deserted island exam.
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