After walking a while Soon the duo found themselves close to the camp of class B but before entering the decided to observe ane It was clear they were a class that, under Ichinose's leadership, worked well together and hikigaya told her something that could be important . Before they enter the camp itself, Horikita stopped.
"From here, I go alone," she stated.
Hachiman nodded in understanding. "Good call. You go in as the official 'leader' of Class D, seeking a parley with an ally. Makes sense."
"Exactly," Horikita affirmed. "But if I take you with me… it raises questions.
Ichinose-san and Kanzaki-kun are sharp. And they have their own enigma in Ayanokoji-kun. They might deduce that Class D doesn't just have one brain, but two. It's an unnecessary risk to reveal our hand."
Hachiman watched her for a moment, a flicker of something he couldn't quite name stirring within him. The old Horikita would never have thought of this. She would have been too focused on her own objective, perhaps even trying to figure out what her brother would do in this situation. But this was a new, improved Horikita. One who was thinking several steps ahead, considering not just the 'what' but the 'how' and the 'who sees it.' She was changing. Improving.
If she keeps this up, he thought as he turned to head back to their own camp, there will come a time when she no longer needs me. And I can go back to my solitary life. Back to how things are supposed to be.
The thought should have brought him a sense of relief, a pleasant anticipation of returning to his cherished peace. But instead, a strange, unwelcome unease coiled in his gut. Why? I should be happy about this. He shook his head, pushing the unwelcome feelings away. It was probably just indigestion from the weird island fruit. He trudged back towards his hammock.
Meanwhile, Horikita approached the perimeter of Class B's camp and was immediately greeted with a warm welcome.
"Horikita-san! I'm so glad you came!" Ichinose Honami said, her smile as bright as the midday sun. "Come, let me show you what we've been up to!"
Ichinose gave her a brief tour. It was strikingly similar to their own setup—a central fire, designated areas for food prep and sleeping—but everything was more… in sync. There was an easy camaraderie, a sense of shared purpose that Class D, with its factions and frictions, had yet to achieve.
Then Horikita saw him. A nervous-looking boy with glasses, sitting apart from the main group, looking just as out of place as Ibuki did in their camp.
"Who is that?" Horikita asked.
"Oh, that's Kaneda-kun," Ichinose explained, her voice tinged with sympathy. "He's from Class C. He says he was kicked out by Ryuuen-kun for speaking up against his methods, along with another classmate."
Another one? Horikita's mind raced. Two students, kicked out from the same class for the same reason, just happen to end up in the two camps that are allied against Class C? This is too much of a coincidence.
"Ichinose-san," Horikita said, her tone becoming serious. "There is something important I wish to discuss with you. In private."
Sensing the gravity in her voice, Ichinose nodded immediately. "Of course. This way."
She led Horikita to a more secluded area where two others were waiting: the ever-serious Kanzaki Ryuji and the perpetually placid Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
"What is it, Horikita-san?" Ichinose asked.
"It's about the strays from Class C," Horikita began. "We also have one in our camp. A girl named Ibuki Mio." She saw a flicker of recognition in their eyes. "I find it highly improbable that two students, expelled for the same reason, would conveniently land in the camps of Ryuuen-kun's primary opponents. It's far more likely they are spies, sent to gather information and sow discord." She looked pointedly at Kaneda. "I would advise you to be careful."
Ichinose sighed, a troubled look on her face. "I suspected as much. It did seem too convenient. But… it feels wrong to turn away someone in need, even if there's a chance they might betray us. I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt."
"That belief, while admirable, could cost your class dearly," Kanzaki interjected, his voice firm. He turned to Horikita. "Thank you for the warning. We appreciate your candor. We will keep a close eye on him."
Satisfied, Horikita moved on to her primary objective. "I also came to ask about Katsuragi Kohei from Class A. Do you know anything about his character?"
Ichinose nodded. "We've had some dealings with them. Class A is currently split into two factions. There's the Katsuragi faction, and the Sakayanagi faction. They don't cooperate well because their philosophies are polar opposites. Sakayanagi-san is aggressive, offensive, and favors bold, straightforward attacks. Katsuragi-kun, on the other hand, is extremely cautious, defensive, and a preserver of points above all else. He avoids risk whenever possible."
That was all Horikita needed to hear. A cautious man. A preserver. He would never gamble on a high-risk, high-reward strategy like making himself the obvious leader. The first possibility was the correct one. Katsuragi was the bait.
Yahiko is the leader, she concluded with certainty.
She owed Class B a debt for their help during the Sudou case. She disliked being indebted to anyone.
"To return the favor for your help," Horikita stated, "I will share some valuable information. The leader of Class A is Totsuka Yahiko."
Kanzaki's eyes widened. "Are you certain? Do you have evidence?"
"The evidence is in his character, which you just provided," Horikita explained. She laid out the logic: the two possibilities they had considered, and how Katsuragi's cautious nature made the 'obvious choice' gambit completely out of character for him.
Kanzaki's sharp mind processed the information, and a slow, rare smile touched his lips. "That… makes perfect sense. Thank you, Horikita-san. This is invaluable. A 50-point gain for us, and a significant blow to Class A."
"One more thing," Horikita said, turning her gaze to the silent member of their group. "Be careful not to be too obvious yourselves."
"What do you mean?" Ichinose asked, confused.
Horikita dropped her own bombshell. "Ayanokoji Kiyotaka is the leader of your class for this exam, correct?"
Ichinose and Kanzaki froze, their shock palpable. Only Ayanokoji remained perfectly calm, his expression unchanged, though Horikita could sense a subtle shift in his attention, a sharpening of his focus on her.
"H-how did you know?" Kanzaki stammered.
"It was an observation," Horikita said, attributing Hachiman's initial insight to herself. "Ayanokoji-kun is, in essence, the Hikigaya of your class. A quiet loner who prefers the background. The difference is, your class is filled with kind people who are willing to talk to him, so he isn't completely isolated. And yet, I've noticed something. Despite having two capable and charismatic leaders in you and Kanzaki-kun, your classmates often look to him for quiet confirmation or direction. When a group of natural followers looks past their official leaders to a quiet loner for instructions, it makes it very obvious that he holds a special, unspoken authority in this exam. Conclusion: he is the leader."
She let that sink in. "I am telling you this because we are allies. I have no intention of using this information against you. If I did, I would never have revealed that I knew. But if I could figure it out, your spy, Kaneda, might notice it as well. You need to be less obvious."
The respect in Kanzaki's eyes was now undeniable. Ichinose, recovering from her shock, beamed at Horikita.
"Thank you, Horikita-san. Truly. You've helped us immensely today." To show her gratitude, she insisted Horikita join them for a meal.
Horikita reluctantly agreed. She had to admit, Class B was pleasant, if a bit too friendly for her tastes. She observed a girl with violet twin-tails, Himeno Yuki, who was clearly uncomfortable in the group setting but still made an effort to communicate, avoiding complete isolation. She watched as even the ever-guarded Ayanokoji let his guard down fractionally around his classmates, and even more so around Ichinose, a testament to her natural charisma.
She found herself in a surprisingly engaging conversation with Kanzaki and Himeno, two people who, like her, seemed to prefer logic over excessive emotion. They were her kind of people. For a brief, pleasant hour, she was away from the pressures of her own chaotic class, a guest in a camp that felt like a well-oiled, functional machine. It was a glimpse of what a class could be.
Of course. Let's explore the philosophical advice Horikita gives and the reflective conversation she has with Hachiman upon her return.
The meal was surprisingly… pleasant.
Horikita found herself seated with Kanzaki and Himeno, a small island of quiet logic amidst the cheerful chatter of the larger group. The food was simple—roasted fish and some foraged berries—but it was shared with a sense of community that felt foreign yet intriguing.
"You have a well-run class, Kanzaki-kun," Horikita commented, observing the efficient way students cleared their plates and organized the supplies.
"It is thanks to Ichinose," Kanzaki replied, though a thoughtful frown creased his brow. "Her charisma is the glue that holds us together."
"Her charisma is also her greatest vulnerability," Horikita stated bluntly.
Both Kanzaki and Himeno looked at her, surprised by her directness.
"What she does," Horikita continued, choosing her words with precision, "it is not true kindness. True kindness strengthens both the giver and the receiver. When your 'kindness' to others comes at a significant cost to yourself or your own group, it ceases to be kindness and becomes a form of self-sabotage."
She saw her words land with heavy impact. "In an environment like this, a reputation for selfless, boundless altruism is not an asset; it's an exploit. A weakness that someone like Ryuuen Kakeru will not hesitate to use against her, and by extension, against all of you. You cannot afford to have a leader who is so willing to sacrifice her own position for the sake of an enemy."
She paused, a flicker of her own class's struggles crossing her mind. "My own class is facing a similar crisis. Our classmate, Hirata, is much like your Ichinose, though perhaps even more naive. His desire to please everyone and avoid all conflict is a liability I will need to address. I am giving you this advice as an ally: your leader needs a stronger shield, or she will break under the weight of her own 'goodness'."
Kanzaki was silent for a long moment, absorbing the cold, hard logic of her statement. Himeno, too, was looking at Horikita with a new level of respect. This wasn't an attack on their leader; it was a high-level strategic warning.
"That is… a harsh but accurate assessment," Kanzaki finally conceded. "Thank you, Horikita-san. Your insight is valuable. We will take it into serious consideration."
With her mission accomplished and her advice delivered, Horikita decided it was time to return. The sun was beginning its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and violet. The first day was drawing to a close. After polite farewells, she made her way back to the Class D camp.
She arrived just in time for the 8 PM roll call. The camp was a hive of activity, smelling of woodsmoke and damp earth. After Chabashira-sensei had taken attendance and departed, Horikita found Hachiman leaning against his usual tree, having already strung up his hammock.
"Report," he said, not bothering with pleasantries.
She relayed everything: her confirmation of Kaneda as a likely spy, the information about Class A's internal schism, her deduction about Yahiko being the leader, and her subsequent revelation about Ayanokoji.
Hachiman listened without interruption, his expression unchanging. "So," he summarized when she was finished, "you basically gave a key member of a rival class a detailed instruction manual on how to improve their leadership structure and shore up their biggest weakness."
"It was a strategic exchange," Horikita defended, though she knew he had a point. "I gave them valuable advice, but in return, I received critical intelligence about Class A. And by warning them about Ayanokoji, I built a significant amount of trust. In the long run, having a stable, predictable ally in Class B is more valuable than exploiting their short-term weaknesses."
"Or," Hachiman countered, a faint, knowing smirk on his lips, "you just like Ichinose Honami, don't you?"
The question caught her off guard. She opened her mouth to deny it, to frame it in purely logical terms, but the words wouldn't come. She couldn't deny it.
"She is… an unusual person," Horikita admitted, her gaze drifting towards the dying embers of the fire. "There is an aura about her. It makes her remarkably likeable, easy to approach. It's frustratingly effective."
She paused, her voice becoming softer, more reflective. "She is the first person I've met who seems genuinely kind, without any obvious ulterior motive. And yet, she isn't a fool. She suspected Kaneda herself. She just needs to be a bit more… cunning. More willing to protect herself."
She fell silent for a moment, the crackle of the fire filling the space between them.
"That stranger," she said, so quietly Hachiman almost didn't hear her.
"Someone I barely know, who has every reason to be my rival, treated me with more warmth and respect in one afternoon than my own family has in years."
The admission hung in the air, a rare and startlingly vulnerable confession. Hachiman didn't offer sympathy. He didn't offer empty words of comfort. That wasn't their way. He just stood there, a silent witness to her moment of honesty, which was, in its own way, the most profound form of support he could give.
"People are complicated," was all he said.
Horikita nodded, a small, sad smile on her face. "Yes. They are."
The first day of the island exam was over. They had survived, strategized, and even forged new, complex relationships. But as the last light faded from the sky and the deep, dark night of the island enveloped them, they both knew the real trials were still to come.
Meanwhile
The moon had risen high over the Class B camp, casting a silvery glow over the orderly scene. While most students were settling into their tents, lulled by the rhythmic chirping of crickets and the crackle of the central fire, Kanzaki Ryuji sought out two specific people. He found Ichinose talking quietly with some of her classmates, and Ayanokoji sitting alone on a log, observing the camp with his usual placid expression.
"Ichinose, Ayanokoji," Kanzaki said, his tone serious. "Could I have a word with you both? By the fire."
Sensing the gravity in his voice, they both followed him to a more private spot near the glowing embers. The warmth of the fire pushed back the cool night air, but it did little to dispel the tension Kanzaki carried.
"What is it, Kanzaki-kun?" Ichinose asked, her brow furrowed with concern. "You look troubled."
Kanzaki took a deep breath, his gaze direct and unwavering as he looked at her. "Ichinose," he began, dropping the usual honorific, a sign of the seriousness of his words. "I don't agree with the way you are running this class."
The statement hit Ichinose like a physical blow. She recoiled slightly, her eyes wide with hurt and confusion. "What… what do you mean? I thought we were doing well…"
"We are doing well despite your methods, not because of them," Kanzaki stated bluntly. He didn't give her time to process before continuing. "What Horikita-san from Class D told me today… she was right. What you practice is not kindness; it's self-sabotage." He gestured vaguely in the direction where the Class C "stray" was sleeping. "The evidence is right there. You let Kaneda into our camp, into our inner circle, even when you yourself suspected he was a potential spy. You risk the safety and success of our entire class for the sake of one person who is very likely an enemy. That is not leadership; it is a critical flaw."
Ichinose looked down, her usual bright demeanor extinguished. "I… I know," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper. "I understand what you're saying, Kanzaki-kun. Logically, I know you're right. But… you can't expect me to change who I am overnight. It's not that easy."
It was then that Ayanokoji, who had been listening in complete silence, finally spoke. His voice was calm and steady, a neutral force in the emotional conversation. "No one is asking you to change overnight, Ichinose."
Both of them turned to look at him.
"Kanzaki's point is valid," Ayanokoji continued, "but a complete change in your core personality is an unrealistic expectation. You don't need to stop being kind. For now, all you need to do is be more cautious. Assess risks more carefully. Just by adding a layer of caution to your decision-making, you can protect the class without fundamentally changing who you are. The rest you can learn over time." He paused. "Your kindness is what unites this class. To lose it entirely would be a greater loss than a few squandered points."
Ichinose looked at Ayanokoji, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. He hadn't just criticized her; he had offered a practical, achievable path forward. He had validated her while still supporting Kanzaki's warning. "Thank you, Ayanokoji-kun," she said softly. "I'll… I'll consider it. I'll try to be more careful."
Kanzaki let out a heavy sigh, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "I apologize if I was too blunt, Ichinose. But this is too important." He shook his head, a look of grudging admiration on his face. "I have to admit, I underestimated Horikita Suzune. She saw through so much today. Our leadership structure, our class's core philosophy… she's dangerously perceptive."
Ayanokoji shifted slightly on his log. "Not her," he corrected quietly. "Them."
Ichinose and Kanzaki looked at him at the same time. "Them?" Ichinose repeated.
"Horikita is intelligent, yes," Ayanokoji explained. "But she's not an analyst, not in the way this information was presented. Think about it. When she was talking to us, her focus was on the conversation, on us. She wasn't scanning the environment, she wasn't observing our classmates' interactions. When she first entered our camp, her gaze was fixed on you. The kind of detailed analysis she presented—about my role, about your class dynamics—it had to have been done by someone else. Someone who observed our camp before she entered."
Kanzaki was baffled. "But who? Hirata? Horikita herself admitted he's just a more naive version of you, Ichinose. Everyone else in that class is… well…" He trailed off, not wanting to insult their new allies, but his opinion was clear. He thought the rest of Class D were fools.
Ayanokoji picked up the unspoken thread, completing Kanzaki's sentence for him. "...is a 'defect.' Yes. That's the common perception." A flicker of something unreadable passed through Ayanokoji's eyes. "But it seems Class D has a hidden player. Someone who stays in the shadows, who analyzes from a distance, and who feeds their findings to Horikita to execute. They don't have one brain. They have two. And we don't know who the second one is."
The campfire crackled, the embers glowing in the sudden, heavy silence. The revelation settled over Ichinose and Kanzaki, fundamentally changing their perception of their new allies. Class D wasn't just a group of misfits being carried by one brilliant girl. They were a more complex, and potentially more dangerous, entity than anyone had realized. And somewhere out there in the darkness, a second, hidden mind was watching, thinking, and planning but ayanokoji was not finished.
"And i might know who that is"
...End...