The next morning, at the Class C campsite.
"Should I say, as expected of you?"
Kakeru Ryūen stood before Hiyori with a pleased expression, showing off the two cameras in his hand. He laughed, "That Ayanokōji really did buy these things and even tossed them over here."
"How did you find them, Ryūen-kun?" Hiyori asked, tilting her head in confusion as she looked at the thumb-sized cameras.
Ryūen sneered, "These things have a 30-meter signal range. You can just refresh the search on your phone to see if there are any around."
"I see." Hiyori silently quipped to herself, 'Feels like I've learned some useless knowledge…'
"It's not so bad, is it?" Symon replied with a mental laugh. "All it means is that the stuff your school provides is a bit shoddy. It doesn't even have a feature to hide the device's signal."
After the idle chatter, the rest of Class C gradually emerged from their tents and shelters.
Perhaps because their sleeping quarters were much more spacious, everyone's spirits were quite good today. Aside from a few who woke up with a stiff neck, almost no one complained. It was like they had gone from frugality to "luxury."
After roll call, Kaneda found Hiyori to ask about the day's plans.
Hiyori thought for a moment before replying with a smile, "Our basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter have been met. All that's left is to improve our current living conditions. As long as safety is ensured, Kaneda-kun, you can let everyone have a moderate amount of freedom to do as they please."
Kaneda was silent for a moment before nodding. "I understand."
Her words were well-put, but upon closer inspection, one would realize the girl hadn't actually said anything concrete. She was clearly taking a hands-off approach.
However, given Class C's current situation, it was indeed no longer wise to enforce the previous high-pressure policy. Letting everyone have a bit of leeway might even spark some creativity.
The scene changes. Time fast-forwards to dusk.
Hiyori and Ibuki were huddled quietly at the edge of the camp. Beside them was a small stack of unopened blue plastic bags. They were taking unopened sanitary pads and sticking them onto the plastic bags, gradually assembling the shape of a pillow.
"So... who exactly came up with this idea?" Symon was a bit speechless.
Hiyori pondered and replied mentally, "I heard Class B came up with it first. Later, it seems Manabe improved it by replacing the waterproof cloth used as pillow stuffing with sanitary pads."
As she spoke, the girl stuffed some more unopened sanitary pads into the bag and patted the fully formed "pillow" in her hands. She chuckled softly, "See? At least the softness is definitely up to par."
"Up to par? I told them to use their creativity, and they've taken it to a whole new level." Symon couldn't help but complain mentally.
A glint of amusement flashed in the girl's violet eyes. "Well, it certainly is creative."
Meanwhile, elsewhere—
Outside the cave base, Kakeru Ryūen had his hands in his pockets, looking at the grim-faced Katsuragi and the rest of Class A. He asked casually, "So? Have you made up your mind?"
Just a moment ago, he had casually dropped the name "Yahiko Totsuka," directly exposing the identity of Class A's leader, whom they thought they had hidden so well.
Katsuragi frowned in thought for a moment before speaking calmly, "Alright. 200 Class Points. But I want to know how you found out."
The corners of Ryūen's mouth twisted into an eerie grin. He sneered, "You'll thank yourself for making the right choice today."
Katsuragi didn't reply. He turned to the stunned Yahiko and instructed him calmly, "Yahiko, go find Mr. Mashima and have him draft a contract."
As soon as he finished, Yahiko snapped back to his senses. After a hurried acknowledgment, he ran directly towards their homeroom teacher's tent.
At the same time, seeing Katsuragi and Ryūen reach an agreement, many in Class A frowned. They secretly glanced at Hashimoto and Kamuro, and seeing both of them with their arms crossed, looking as if it had nothing to do with them, they couldn't help but sigh internally.
—Including the 100 points they had spent earlier to avert disaster, Class A's losses were now almost unbearable. Even if they won in the end, it would only be a pyrrhic victory. It was hard to say whether they had ultimately gained or lost.
A while later, Mr. Mashima walked over with the contract. He looked at the students outside the camp, paused for a moment, then took out the contract in triplicate. He handed a ballpoint pen to the two of them and spoke in a calm voice:
"According to the terms of this contract, upon its effect, Class A will transfer 800,000 Private Points to 'Kakeru Ryūen' at the beginning of each month for a period of three years. In exchange, Class C must change its leader before the end of the exam and inform Class A of the name of the final leader before the exam concludes."
"If there are no objections, please sign."
Katsuragi nodded. "I have no objections."
Ryūen glanced at the expressionless Mashima. After a flicker in his eyes, he said with a smile, "Neither do I."
Although the contract had its pitfalls, he didn't care. As long as there was a profit to be made, it was fine.
After both sides signed, Katsuragi took one of the three copies and handed it to Ryūen. He said sternly, "Can you tell me now?"
"Of course."
Ryūen took the contract with satisfaction and gestured for Katsuragi to lean in. Once he did, Ryūen leaned over with a smile and lowered his voice, "That's because, of course..."
Half a minute later, under the puzzled gazes of the Class A students, Ryūen straightened up. Looking at Katsuragi, whose expression remained completely unfazed, he remarked with some surprise, "From the look of it, you don't seem surprised at all."
Katsuragi's expression was calm. "No, it's just much better than the worst-case scenario I had envisioned."
For once, Ryūen showed a curious expression and asked without reservation, "To be honest, I'm a little curious. May I be so bold as to ask?"
"There's nothing to hide," Katsuragi shook his head and said casually, "My worst-case scenario was that there was a traitor in Class A."
Hashimoto took a step forward and said coldly, "Katsuragi, what do you mean by that?"
Before this trip began, Sakayanagi had instructed them not to go out of their way to cooperate with Katsuragi, but also not to deliberately cause trouble—just to let things play out naturally. He hadn't expected to almost be scapegoated like this.
"Rest assured, I am not targeting you."
Katsuragi's gaze didn't waver as he explained calmly, "As a leader, I am obligated to consider all possibilities. It is my responsibility and my duty. If you feel offended, I can apologize now."
Hashimoto crossed his arms. "You sure know how to spin a pretty phrase."
"When it comes down to it, isn't it the fault of you people from the Sakayanagi faction for being such mavericks?" Yahiko muttered with a disgruntled pout.
Unfortunately, Hashimoto merely glanced at him, showing no intention of engaging. Talking to someone like that was beneath him.
Having silently watched the amusing scene play out, Ryūen folded the contract, put it away, and said cheerfully, "By the end of the special exam, Class C's leader will be me. The deal is done. I hope our next collaboration will be just as pleasant."
With that, Ryūen put one hand in his pocket, waved goodbye to the Class A students, and casually turned to leave.
Behind him, the Class A students exchanged glances for a moment before someone hesitantly asked, "Katsuragi, spending this much... is it really okay?"
"No. This exam... we've already won."
A rare smile appeared on Katsuragi's face. He turned to Mashima beside him and said seriously, "Teacher, please exchange for a smartphone for me."
Mashima was taken aback for a second. After a moment's thought, he pulled a satellite phone from his pocket and said calmly, "That's six temporary points. It will be delivered later with your nutritional meals."
"Understood."
...
_____
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