Chapter 124: That's Right, the Leader is Me!
The edge of the jungle.
Elsie was struggling to make her way through the dense undergrowth. She had come out with Class D's scouting team to help find the path. Her original task was to accompany a few classmates to search for wild berries and edible plants while familiarizing herself with the surrounding terrain.
However—
She got lost. The scenery was so unique that Elsie dithered for a moment and ended up straying from the group.
"It's over, it's over, it's over..." Elsie looked around in all directions. "Where is this? Which way should I go?"
She spun around several times, completely unable to distinguish north from south. Even though she had come here the day before with Katsuragi Keima to scout the terrain, Elsie hadn't remembered a single thing! It had been too dark.
But Elsie didn't really care. After all, Keima had already given her the plan for this operation: she could do whatever she wanted, and he wouldn't interfere. The only rule was that she couldn't use her special demon powers recklessly.
So, Elsie didn't need to think too much. Finally, she decided to just pick a direction and walk.
"Anyway, if I keep walking, I'm bound to run into someone!" she thought optimistically.
After walking for about ten minutes, the trees ahead suddenly began to thin out. Sunlight spilled through the gaps in the leaves, growing brighter and brighter. Then, she heard a sound.
Music. Cheerful music with a strong rhythm. And the aroma of grilled meat.
Elsie's nose twitched. "..."
She subconsciously moved forward. The moment she stepped out of the jungle, she saw the scene before her.
On the beach, several boys were playing beach volleyball. Nearby, a grill was smoking, filling the air with fragrance. People were lying on beach chairs soaking up the sun with drinks in their hands. Several girls in swimsuits were applying sunscreen under parasols.
Elsie was stunned. "Wow..." she couldn't help but exclaim. "Is this... a vacation?"
She even felt a twinge of envy in her heart. Completely forgetting that she was supposed to be staying hidden, she walked straight out of the bushes.
At the same time, on a beach chair:
Ryuen Kakeru was resting with his eyes closed, calculating his next move in his head. Suddenly, Ishizaki Daichi leaned over and whispered: "Big Nii-sama, someone's coming."
Ryuen opened his eyes and followed Kaneda's gaze. A girl had stepped out of the jungle. She was wearing the Class D uniform. Her hair was styled in a strange way. She was looking around with a look of total bewilderment.
A classic case of being lost. But Ryuen's eyes narrowed.
This girl... looked a bit familiar. Where had he seen her? Ryuen quickly searched his memory. Then he remembered.
Katsuragi Keima's sister, Elsie. When he had first confronted Keima, Elsie had been right there. Originally, Ryuen had wanted to crush Keima's will in front of her. Instead, he had been the one taken down in an instant.
How irritating!
Ryuen's gaze landed on Elsie, studying her carefully. Why would she walk directly into Class C's territory? Isn't that a bit too arrogant? This girl looked ditzy and appeared completely harmless.
But—could someone who stayed by Katsuragi Keima's side really be simple? That guy Keima was someone Sakayanagi was obsessed with; he was definitely no ordinary character. Would someone like that have a commoner by his side?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
This seemingly ditzy girl had to be wearing a disguise. Purposely acting stupid to make others lower their guard. Then, she would casually collect intelligence and pass it back.
Ryuen's mind analyzed the situation at high speed. If this girl was truly Keima's confidante, she had to be hiding a secret. Perhaps—
Was she Class D's actual leader? No, that wasn't right. If she were the actual leader, Keima wouldn't let her wander around alone.
Wait... that could also be part of the plan.
The corners of Ryuen's mouth curled up slightly. Interesting. Too interesting. Was Keima trying to test him? In that case, he might be able to extract enough intelligence from her!
He took off his sunglasses, his face wearing a smile that looked utterly hypocritical. That smile made him look like a completely different person from the normally violent Ryuen Kakeru.
"Hey, woman over there!" He waved at Elsie, his voice warm and friendly. "You're from Class D, right? Come over here!"
Elsie froze for a moment, pointing at herself. "Huh?"
"Yeah! You! Come here, come here!" Ryuen's smile was cunning just to look at.
Elsie hesitated. The Kami-nii-sama had said nothing mattered. And it smelled really good over there. The aroma of BBQ wafted over in waves, and Elsie's stomach gave a treacherous growl. Besides, they were being so warm; it would be impolite to refuse, right?
She swallowed her saliva. "Then... excuse me?" She walked over cautiously.
Ryuen stood up from his beach chair and greeted her personally.
"This person is from Class D."
"Why is she here?"
"She's Keima Katsuragi's sister; she definitely isn't a pushover!" The Class C students whispered among themselves.
Ryuen's smile deepened. While he was thinking, Elsie's eyes sparkled as she stared at the meat skewers on the grill.
"C-Can I eat some?"
Ryuen hadn't expected Elsie to be so direct. "Of course! Eat as much as you want," Ryuen said with a cold laugh.
Normally, people wouldn't dare approach Ryuen. But Elsie seemed completely unbothered. She grabbed a skewer and took a huge bite.
"Delicious!"
Ryuen watched her with a smile, but his eyes were observing her every move. This girl—her eating habits were completely unguarded, and her eyes were fixed only on the food. But Ryuen knew this had to be an act.
A true spy had to act exactly like an ordinary person.
"Aren't you worried I've poisoned the meat?" Ryuen said tentatively. "While the school doesn't sell poison, buying things like laxatives is quite easy."
"It doesn't matter," Elsie said, completely unconcerned. After all, she usually ate Hell Food. If Keima ate it, he'd get diarrhea immediately, but Elsie was totally fine. She had an iron stomach.
At that moment, Ryuen noticed something. Something was hanging from Elsie's waist.
It was a card. The dedicated Leader Card.
Ryuen's pupils constricted slightly. Class D's leader card? Just... hanging from the waist of a seemingly ditzy girl? No sane person would do that.
So—it had to be intentional. Intentionally letting her carry the card, intentionally letting her "accidentally" walk into Class C's camp. The goal was to make him think he'd caught Class
D's weakness so he would focus all his attention on her. Meanwhile, the real leader could operate in the shadows.
Ryuen almost laughed out loud. Katsuragi Keima, you sure know how to play. Unfortunately, you underestimated me.
He looked at Elsie with a hint of admiration in his gaze. This girl's acting was superb. She was clearly an expert, yet she played the role of a fool so convincingly. If he didn't know she was Keima's associate, he might have actually been fooled.
"Elsie-san," Ryuen asked seemingly at random, "Where is Class D's camp? Is it far from here?"
"Mmm... it's pretty far!" Elsie said, her mouth stuffed with meat. "I walked for a long, long time to get here!"
"Then coming out alone, aren't you afraid of getting lost?"
"I was with my classmates originally, but..." Elsie lowered her head sheepishly. "I've already gotten lost..."
'Lost?' Ryuen sneered inwardly.
'I don't believe it. You just happened to "get lost" right into Class C territory?'
In reality, she must be on a secret mission.
"So, how is your class prepared for this exam?" Ryuen continued. "Do you have enough supplies?"
"Enough, enough!" Elsie nodded repeatedly. "Nii-sama bought so many things! Tents, sleeping bags, tools, medical kits... and much more!"
Earlier, Keima had told her that if she was questioned by students from other classes, there was no need to lie. Elsie didn't know why Keima would do that, as Class C should be their rivals. However, she still trusted Keima's judgment.
Hearing her words, Ryuen's smile deepened. "Then, who is your leader?"
"The leader is—" Elsie paused. If she said it, wouldn't they lose immediately? But the Kami-nii-sama said there was no need to lie.
'Trust the Kami-nii-sama!'
"It's me."
"Hahaha, is it you?" Ryuen laughed, then handed her another skewer. "Alright, alright, don't say it. Here, have another."
Elsie took the meat and continued feasting. Ryuen leaned back on his beach chair, his eyes landing on the keycard at her waist. The card was real. The Class D emblem was also real.
But because it was real, it was even more suspicious. How could a real leader card be exposed so easily? Therefore, this had to be a trap. This girl was definitely sent by Keima on purpose to make him take the bait.
Ryuen sneered in his heart.
'Katsuragi Keima, you look down on me too much. I won't fall for it. On the contrary—I will use this 'bait' to set a trap for you.'
He looked at Elsie with calculation in his eyes. Since she was close to Keima, she must know many secrets. If he could get her to talk...
"Elsie-san," Ryuen said suddenly, "Do you think you guys can win this time?"
Elsie looked up and thought seriously. "Yes!" she nodded vigorously. "Because my Nii-sama is here!"
"Katsuragi... is he really that amazing?"
"Of course!" Elsie's eyes sparkled. "The Kami-nii-sama is the best! He knows everything! He can guess anything!"
Ryuen's smile deepened. He knows everything? He can guess anything? Interesting.
"Then, are there any particularly amazing people in your class?" Ryuen continued. "Aside from Katsuragi?"
Elsie tilted her head and thought. "Horikita-san is amazing! She can do anything! Kushida-san is very nice; everyone likes her! Karuizawa-san, Sakura-san, Sato-san... they are all very good!"
Ryuen mentally noted these names. Along with a few ordinary girls. Among these people, who was the most likely leader?
Horikita Suzune? Possible. She was smart and fit for leadership. Kushida Kikyo? Also possible. She was gentle on the surface but deep inside, making her perfect for hiding an identity.
Ryuen analyzed the possibilities. By now, Elsie was finally full. She rubbed her round belly and sighed contentedly. "Thank you! I should head back. If I don't, the Kami-nii-sama will be worried."
Ryuen stood up. "I'll have someone escort you."
"No need, no need! I can manage!"
"Are you sure you can find the way?"
Elsie blinked. "...Not sure."
Ryuen laughed. "Ibuki, take her back."
"What does that have to do with me?" Ibuki Mio said with a look of displeasure.
At that moment, Ryuen raised a foot without warning and kicked directly at Ibuki Mio. Even though she moved to defend herself instantly, she still fell to the ground. Ibuki immediately stood up and began cursing Ryuen, who responded with cold sarcasm.
"Hey! What are you doing!" Elsie had no idea what was happening and could only try to intervene.
However, the split between Ibuki and Ryuen was now absolute. "Ryuen! You'll regret this sooner or later!" As she spoke, Ibuki Mio fled the class area and charged into the forest.
"Hey, it's dangerous over there!" Elsie hurriedly chased after her from behind.
At this moment, Ryuen Kakeru closed his eyes, a smile on his lips.
Interesting. Too interesting.
'Katsuragi Keima, you think sending a 'bait' over could fool me? Too bad, I saw through it long ago. That girl named Elsie isn't the bait at all. She is the real trump card. How could someone Keima keeps by his side be ordinary? Her coming here today was definitely not an accident. Either she came to collect intel, or to deliver false intel. Regardless, she is a key figure.'
Ryuen opened his eyes and looked in the direction they left. As for the leader card at her waist—hehe. How could a real leader card be exposed so easily? So, that must be a fake. It was used to confuse him.
The real leader card must be hidden on someone else.
Who could it be? Several names appeared in Ryuen's mind. Horikita Suzune. Kushida Kikyo. Or maybe even Katsuragi Keima himself.
This exam was getting more and more interesting. He picked up his juice to take a sip, only to find it was empty. It had been finished by Elsie just now. Not only that, most of the meat purchased with points had also been eaten by her.
Ryuen hadn't noticed any of this at the time. This girl...
The corner of Ryuen's mouth twitched slightly, but he soon took a deep breath to stay calm.
'No matter... everything is under control!'
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