A while later, under a tree on the outskirts of the Class C campsite—
"So, we were rejected." Hiyori Shiina wasn't surprised at all.
Ryūen sneered, "Now I fully understand what you meant—the only real power in this school is the school itself."
Although he hadn't held out much hope, he'd felt a flicker of anticipation when Teacher Sakagami had told him to wait. In the end, after waiting for a long time, the only answer he got was a cold "not allowed," without even an explanation. It was infuriating.
"Are we still going ahead with the plan?" Hiyori Shiina asked thoughtfully, ignoring his comment. "Even though we placed the camera outside the tent to monitor who visited the homeroom teacher, the rules don't state that the person themselves must collect the key card. If we can't see the holder, the chance of making a mistake isn't low."
"Of course, we're continuing," Ryūen said calmly, crossing his arms. "The fact is, most people can't even see through the hidden rule that's right in front of them. If someone can go a step further, figure out this rule's only weakness, and even consciously guard against it, then I'll just have to accept it."
With that, Ryūen thought for a moment, then turned to Ibuki and casually gave an order, "Go pick five girls with good physical stamina. Have them work in pairs to keep watch on the cruise ship in shifts. Report back if anything happens."
The boys were needed for expanding the camp. With teachers and staff on the cruise ship, safety wasn't a concern. Assigning a few athletic girls to Ibuki would be enough.
Ibuki hesitated for a moment, glanced discreetly at Hiyori, and asked coldly, "Why me?"
Ryūen noticed her small gesture and scoffed. "Don't worry, I won't let this woman leave the campsite."
Given Hiyori Shiina's ridiculously weak constitution, he couldn't think of any use for her other than keeping her at the camp as a mascot. Ibuki's worry was completely unnecessary.
"I understand." With that, Ibuki stood up and met Hiyori's gaze.
Hiyori thought for a moment, then clasped her hands together and said with a smile, "Please don't worry. I won't wander off while you're gone, Ibuki~"
Ibuki silently averted her gaze, gave an almost imperceptible nod, and then went into the camp to select the personnel.
"Hmph!" Ryūen couldn't help but scoff—being wrapped around Hiyori's finger like that, that Ibuki woman was probably a lost cause.
After watching Ibuki leave with the group, Ryūen didn't linger. He waved goodbye and disappeared alone into the forest—he had to go move the surveillance equipment.
"When it comes to initiative, Ryūen-kun is probably beyond reproach," Hiyori said with a light laugh in her mind.
"Don't you think Ryūen has it pretty rough?" Symon teased in her mind. "He has to do everything himself."
"I suppose there's no helping it," Hiyori Shiina remarked casually.
Class C's biggest weakness is a lack of talent. There are only a few people he can confidently entrust tasks to, and most of them are the brawler type. Among them, Ibuki is considered one of the more reliable ones.
Their idle chatter aside.
Meanwhile, on the other side—
In the Class D campsite, Ayanokōji stood behind the check-in machine, examining the adhesive marks under the camera. He had reached a conclusion.
"Ayanokōji-kun, what are you looking at?" Kushida approached, holding a pen and paper, a cute smile on her face.
"Nothing. Did you need me for something?" Ayanokōji didn't answer directly.
Kushida didn't press the matter, asking in a sweet voice, "Since everyone slept poorly last night, we're planning to make pillows out of the free plastic bags and absorbent cloths. I'm counting how many we need. Do you need one, Ayanokōji-kun?"
Ayanokōji paused for a moment, then nodded. "I was having that problem, actually. It's great that you came up with a solution."
This was a lie. He didn't actually have high standards for his quality of life; he just didn't want to stand out.
"Got it. Well, I'm off to see Horikita-san. Bye-bye~" Kushida jotted it down, waved goodbye with a brilliant smile, and left.
Watching her go, Ayanokōji scanned the campsite and quickly found a boy with glasses—Hideo Sotomura, nicknamed "The Professor."
"How do you read the video from a wireless camera?"
Hideo Sotomura was a bit surprised by the question. He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "If it's cloud storage, you just connect to the internet. If it has a built-in memory card, you can use a phone that supports memory card expansion to read it directly. More high-end models can also transfer data wirelessly via a Wi-Fi hotspot or Bluetooth."
"Cameras can transfer data wirelessly?" Ayanokōji was a little confused.
"That's right," Sotomura said enthusiastically. "A lot of wireless cameras have that function now. Let me tell you, the progress of technology is beyond your imagination..."
The Professor began to lecture Ayanokōji.
Quite some time later, after having learned a heap of useless knowledge, Ayanokōji returned to the check-in machine. He blocked the lens with his hand and removed the camera.
Shortly after, Ayanokōji looked at the memory card he had removed, thought for a moment, then walked into the woods and found Sae Chabashira's tent.
"Oh, it's you," Sae Chabashira said, casually lighting a cigarette. "What do you want?"
She wouldn't even bother putting on an act now that her true colors were showing, he thought. He said casually, "I need to exchange points for a smartphone that supports memory card expansion."
"Most of the available phone brands have that function. You don't need to specify it."
Chabashira said this calmly, then found the guidebook, flipped through it to the smartphone section, and said, "That'll be 6 points. Care to tell me what you're planning to do?"
Ayanokōji took the camera and memory card out of his pocket and replied nonchalantly, "This is a pinhole camera that Class C placed in our campsite. They've probably put them at the other spots, too."
"I see. Are you planning to reap the rewards while others do the work?" Chabashira's tone was meaningful, her eyes full of admiration as she looked at the boy before her.
"I'm not so sure about that," Ayanokōji said flatly, ignoring her tone. "At the end of the day, I'm not exactly an expert on electronic devices. I just plan to give it a try."
This wasn't a lie. He had been educated in the "White Room" since childhood, where internet-connected devices like smartphones and computers were strictly forbidden. He had only just started using them in his free time over the past year and was far from being well-versed.
Seeing that he wasn't faking it, Chabashira didn't ask any more questions. After a moment's thought, she casually reminded him, "If you're in a hurry, the item will be delivered along with the free supplies Kushida requested."
Ayanokōji shook his head. "No, that's fine. I'll go to the cruise ship and pick it up myself."
Chabashira took out a satellite phone and said with a smile, "Go ahead, then. I'll call ahead and let them know."
It seems she's gotten her hands on an ace...
______
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