Looking at the unguarded Albert, Horikita didn't dare to be careless. She carefully circled Albert and came to Amane's side.
"Amane, Amane..."
Horikita gently shook Amane, her gaze warily fixed on Albert. Without understanding what had happened, she dared not be careless in the slightest.
"Mm, Suzune? Why are you here? Am I still not fully awake?"
Amane groggily rolled over, intending to continue her sweet dream.
"What is this guy doing...?"
Horikita had no choice but to shake her again.
But Amane, who had fallen back asleep in an instant, clearly wouldn't be disturbed by Horikita's level of interference. Helpless, Horikita changed position and pinched Amane's ear with one hand.
The pain made Amane open her eyes, and Horikita quickly covered Amane's mouth.
But the next second, Amane almost reflexively pulled out the dining knife she had under her and held it against Horikita's throat.
Horikita trembled all over and dared not make any further movements.
Amane vigorously shook her head, trying to clear her mind. When she clearly saw that the person beside her was indeed Horikita, she put the knife away.
"Suzune, you almost scared me to death! I thought someone was going to..."
"You almost scared me to death!"
Horikita raised her voice angrily. She had almost been injured just now.
Although her actions were indeed somewhat inappropriate, she had no choice but to do so when she couldn't wake Amane.
Who would have thought that Amane would carry dangerous items with her?
Before Amane could answer, Albert was startled by Horikita's voice and turned to look at the two of them.
However, due to the darkness of the night, Horikita could only vaguely make out Albert's eyes.
"Have your friends come to pick you up?"
Albert also remained vigilant. He wouldn't be careless just because the other party was a girl; Amane was the best example.
Even he had almost been successfully ambushed by Amane when he wasn't paying attention.
"Yes, this is Suzune, she's in the same class as me."
Amane quickly explained to Albert.
Seeing that Amane was indeed very close to the other person, Albert finally relaxed, nodded silently, and said nothing more.
"Hello, my name is Horikita Suzune..."
"You're the one who came to our class to see Miyako that day. I have some impression. Since you can come here, you can take Miyako out. The rain has lightened a lot, so you two should hurry back."
Albert had no intention of greeting Horikita Suzune.
He just glanced at Horikita and then looked away from her.
Facing this type of boy, she, who was already bad at socializing, didn't know what to do for a moment.
"Do you want to come back with us? Food is on the house."
Amane very casually patted Albert's sturdy shoulder.
Albert was a little tempted. Anyway, Amane had already seen through him, so going back with them probably wouldn't make much difference.
But Amane's mention of the key card holder made him a bit wary.
Although he didn't like to get involved in class matters, he wasn't completely ignorant of them. He had made an effort to remember some things related to the exam, including some things not in the exam rules.
For example, Sakaue-sensei had emphasized that if a key card holder was eliminated, their class could choose a replacement. If the class did not designate anyone as a replacement, the school would randomly assign one.
This meant that if he was truly the only Class C student left on the island, then he should undoubtedly be the key card holder. However, he didn't have a key card. Although Ryuuen had told him he would be the only one left, what if Ryuuen had a backup plan just in case?
Albert was carrying out Ryuuen's arrangements under such an unclear identity.
Even he himself didn't know his own identity, so how could others be sure?
But similarly, Albert didn't dare to gamble. If he really was the key card holder, but he himself didn't know, then once his existence was exposed, Class C could suffer losses.
So, even though Amane's suggestion greatly tempted him, he still shook his head in the end.
"I must complete Ryuuen-san's arrangements."
Seeing Albert's firm attitude, Amane did not try to persuade him further.
"Alright, if anything happens, you can find me in Class D. I still have some candy on me, so I'll give it all to you. Hopefully, it hasn't gotten wet."
Amane threw a small bag of candy she carried to Albert.
When she came out to track Albert, she hadn't brought any food other than candy. As long as she had candy for energy, even if she didn't eat for a few days, she would only feel weak but wouldn't lose the ability to move.
Therefore, sugar was also a type of strategic material during special times.
"Thank you."
Albert hesitated for a moment after receiving the candy, then still thanked Amane.
"It's nothing. If anyone should be thanking, it should be me."
Amane smiled and pointed to the practical but crude rain shelter nearby.
Albert seemed a bit embarrassed and turned his face away.
After Amane chuckled mischievously a few times, she waved goodbye to Albert and walked away with Horikita.
The sound of the rain had stopped by now, with only the occasional drip of water from the leaves.
The sky after a downpour was exceptionally clear; this storm came suddenly and left gracefully.
If she hadn't been drenched like a drowned rat, Horikita might not have even felt the changes brought by the downpour.
From the moment Amane and Albert started talking, Horikita remained silent, watching Amane skillfully communicate with others, then leave with ease and cheerfulness.
Now, watching Amane constantly observe the position of the stars to determine direction, and then confidently lead the way, Horikita had even completely forgotten how she had gotten there. Amane, however, hummed a tune as if she were returning home, steadily moving along the muddy path.
Horikita Suzune knew that she could never reach Amane's level. The more she understood Amane's excellence, the more uneasy she felt. Amane had initially spoken to her because she didn't know anyone.
But now, she knew more and more people, and more and more girls were willing to play with Amane.
As Amane continued to shine, more people would pay attention to her. Would Amane... really treat her the same way she used to?
Was she the irreplaceable one?
Kiryuin, Sakayanagi, they were all excellent girls, but Horikita felt that she was no worse than them.
All she lacked was an opportunity to showcase her abilities.
Amane could trust and rely on them without reservation; Horikita Suzune could do the same.
One day, she would become the only one Amane could rely on... "Oh dear."
It proved that one should never let their mind wander while walking; it's easy to get hurt if one isn't careful.
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