Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had never placed his hopes on identifying Class C's leader. When he realized there was at least one more person from Class C hiding on the island, he knew the plan to uncover the leader was doomed. If Kitagawa Ryo could orchestrate such a meticulous setup, he certainly would've prepared countermeasures against the exposure of their class leader.
There was a hidden mechanism in the rules of this special uninhabited island exam.
When he previously explained the rules about the leader to Horikita Suzune, Ayanokouji had expected her to notice this, but she didn't. She naively kept searching for Class C's leader, making Ayanokouji's evaluation of her drop yet another notch.
That hidden mechanism, ensuring the opposing classes can never guess the leader correctly, was simple:
In the final moments before the exam ended, the leader could either voluntarily or involuntarily withdraw. By paying just 30 class points, the class could protect their leader's identity. Other classes wouldn't have enough time to investigate a new one.
Once this was understood, it became clear that searching for Class C's leader was meaningless. No matter what evidence was gathered, Class C only needed to swap leaders before the end to invalidate any findings. On the flip side, if one assumed a swap and guessed someone else, Class C might not make the switch at all. Whether the leader was Kitagawa Ryo or Ryuuen Kakeru, neither Class A nor Class D could make a 100% accurate guess.
In fact, the most effective strategy would be for Class A and Class D to guess Kitagawa and Ryuuen respectively. That way, at least one class would be guaranteed to be right. But neither class was willing to accept a 50% risk. Horikita might gamble once, but given Katsuragi Kohei's cautious nature, he'd likely choose to abstain.
While thinking all this, Ayanokouji braved the rain and trekked through the forest in the dark, searching for his target.
There was another, simpler and more efficient way to deal with Class C.
Since their plan involved manipulating the guesses of the other classes, to win their trust, Class C must've promised a hefty compensation if their provided leader names turned out false. Otherwise, no class would cooperate.
Ayanokouji stopped and strained his ears, lowering his presence to near-zero.
On the sixth night of the special exam, the rain fell in pitch darkness. With the exam ending tomorrow, most classes were saving points by only eating one meal. Due to the storm, they had all returned early to their tents. Anyone still moving around at this hour...
Hiding behind a tree, Ayanokouji's golden eyes gleamed for the first time as he locked onto a faint light moving in the dark.
He had to admit, Kitagawa Ryo had executed a tightly interlocked plan that might have been in the works even before landing on the island. If successful, it would not only yield a massive profit for Class C but could shift the entire school's power dynamic.
But such intricate plans had a fatal flaw:
Break just one link, and the entire thing would collapse beyond repair.
Class C's strategy hinged on knowing the leaders of Classes A, B, and D. While it was unclear how they obtained intel on A and B, D's leader was undoubtedly exposed—because D's leader was Karuizawa Kei.
Ayanokouji had long suspected her of being a covert contact for Class C.
To make her the class leader was tantamount to handing over intel on a silver platter.
But—
Ayanokouji trailed closely behind the figure ahead. The person seemed to notice they were being followed and quickened their pace, trying to shake their tail.
Yet on this pitch-black rainy night in the dense forest, rushing blindly only increased the risk. The person tripped and nearly fell.
Ayanokouji closed the gap. Lightning streaked across the sky, thunder crashing. In that instant, his emotionless golden eyes gleamed. He lifted his right leg, swinging a precise arc aimed at the person's neck—a blow calculated to knock them out without lasting harm.
But the rain-coated figure didn't react as expected. Instead, they agilely reached up and blocked the surprise attack.
Ayanokouji furrowed his brow. For the first time, he felt the situation slipping beyond his control.
Beneath the dark raincoat was not the pair of startled blue eyes he'd anticipated, but equally calm and empty black ones.
"Not hiding anymore?"
"Ayanokouji-kun?"
With those words came a rushing wind. A heavy fist tore through the rain, aiming straight for Ayanokouji's chest.
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Kitagawa Ryo was fully aware of the fatal flaw in his plan: the replacement of the leader.
Just as Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had anticipated, Kitagawa had already realized this hidden rule—or rather, this loophole—even before arriving on the island. However, this wasn't a rule everyone noticed. Throughout the six days of reconnaissance, Classes A and B had shown no indication that they intended to swap out their leaders at the last moment. Confident in their defensive strategies, they firmly believed their leaders were well-protected.
Moreover, even if Class A did become aware of this strategy, their remaining 50 test points and Katsuragi Kohei's declining influence would prevent them from executing such a maneuver. Class B, having played purely defensive, was completely unaware that their leader's information may have been leaked.
Thus, the class most likely to face problems was Class D. And the only ones capable of recognizing and exploiting this rule were Kouenji Rokusuke and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Kouenji had already withdrawn at the start of the exam, allowing Kitagawa to focus entirely on Ayanokouji.
The biggest issue for Class D was that their leader, Karuizawa Kei, was Kitagawa's planted spy. If Class D tried to have her voluntarily step down to change leaders, the information would undoubtedly be leaked. In the end, it would only result in a waste of 30 test points without successfully concealing the leader.
This left Ayanokouji with only one option to break the deadlock, and Kitagawa was certain he would choose it:
Force Karuizawa Kei to "passively" withdraw from the exam right before it ended.
This was a tactic only Ayanokouji would employ. Having been through the "White Room," Kitagawa understood its philosophy. Since Ayanokouji was the only successful product of that system, he was undoubtedly its embodiment.
Therefore, Kitagawa predicted Ayanokouji would physically harm Karuizawa Kei and make it look like an accident, forcing her off the island and out of the exam. With his skill, doing this silently in the rain was child's play. If Karuizawa withdrew, Class C's entire strategy would collapse.
Failing to identify Class D's leader before the exam ended would saddle Class C with enormous debts to Classes A and B. Meanwhile, Class D—having protected its leader—would emerge as the ultimate victor. All of Kitagawa's efforts would have served to benefit their enemy.
But—
"This special exam had a third phase: neutralizing you, the unpredictable element."
"Ayanokouji."
Kitagawa swung his fist in the rain. Ayanokouji dodged, the wind of the punch grazing his nose.
"Kitagawa Ryo, huh?"
If we count the simulated battles, this would be his 101st confrontation with Ayanokouji.
But Ayanokouji had no intention to fight. The moment he saw Kitagawa, he knew his plan had failed. As he backed away, scanning the area, the heavy downpour limited his visibility to a few meters.
"You know that using violence against other students during the exam means expulsion, right?"
He tried to use the rules to deter Kitagawa.
"Wasn't it you who first planned to lay hands on a classmate?"
Kitagawa pressed forward. Since Ayanokouji made the first move, he had the moral high ground. May as well enjoy the fight first.
Ayanokouji blocked Kitagawa's whip-like kick and wiped rain off his face.
"There's no point in continuing this."
"True, but thinking about what you planned makes me want to punch you again."
"So, the successful White Room specimen solves everything with violence?"
Kitagawa refused to back down. His raincoat flapped sharply in the storm.
"You know about me?"
The mention of the White Room surprised Ayanokouji, but he quickly regained composure.
"No wonder you seemed fixated on me."
Back on May 1st, when Kitagawa first led the charge against Class D, Ayanokouji had sensed something strange. But he hadn't expected him to so easily name his origins.
"If you had just stayed a normal student, I wouldn't have needed to target you."
Kitagawa landed a punch on Ayanokouji's arm. They were evenly matched in physique and reflexes, and neither could get the upper hand.
"Honestly, I was curious why you, who had remained quiet for a whole semester, suddenly became active during summer break."
"Some annoying circumstances. Not my preference."
Ayanokouji sighed, thinking that if he had known he would face someone like Kitagawa, he would have bargained more with Chabashira.
"Class C wins this exam."
Hearing Ayanokouji admit defeat, Kitagawa halted his attacks and nodded. A moment later, another figure emerged from the forest behind him.
Even on a dark, rainy night, her honey-blonde hair stood out.
Ayanokouji's true target finally appeared.
Karuizawa Kei's presence was unexpected. Given that Kitagawa had predicted Ayanokouji would act against her, it would have made sense for her to be sent back to Class D. But the next moment revealed why she was there.
She was holding a digital camera, the same model Horikita Suzune had exchanged for two days ago.
"If I'm not mistaken, Ayanokouji-kun made the first move, right?"
Kitagawa draped his coat over Karuizawa and stood in front of her.
"You escaped the White Room and enrolled here. Chabashira is probably threatening you with expulsion to make you act. But..."
He waved the camera.
"What happens to a student who commits violence during a special exam?"
"State your terms."
Ayanokouji stood firm, rain dripping down his face and shoulders. Perhaps because he had already been blackmailed once by Chabashira, he now appeared much calmer.
"Kei, what do you think?"
But Kitagawa didn't answer immediately. He turned to Karuizawa.
"If you want, we can use this footage to expel Ayanokouji. He was targeting you, after all. Though he failed, you should decide."
Karuizawa nodded and stepped forward. But rather than hitting him, she extended her hand—offering a handshake.
"Ayanokouji-kun might've gone overboard, but he didn't hurt me. As long as he contributes to Class D from now on, that's enough."
Ayanokouji looked down at her smiling face.
He noticed something.
Facing away from Kitagawa, Karuizawa was mouthing words.
A glint of danger sparkled in her eyes—even Ayanokouji was taken aback.
["T-W-E-N-T-Y M-I-L-L-I-O-N P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L P-O-I-N-T-S"]
"Well?"
Karuizawa turned back toward Kitagawa, her expression once again soft and sweet.
"Whatever Kei decides is fine by me."
Kitagawa nodded, leaving the final decision to her.
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Ayanokouji Kiyotaka quietly circled back to Class D's camp. Since it was the final night and heavy rain was pouring down, even the students on night watch had gone to bed early. This gave him and Karuizawa Kei a perfect opportunity to slip away unnoticed.
"Why are you only just getting back?"
Horikita Suzune appeared to have been waiting for him. As soon as she saw Ayanokouji's figure, she walked over to him.
"It was raining, I got lost," he said casually.
On a normal day, such a flimsy excuse would never fool Horikita. But right now, she was in an unusually excited and confident state.
"I got it!"
She pulled the camera from her chest and brought up a photo.
"The leader of Class C is Kitagawa Ryo."
[Just as he predicted.]
Ayanokouji recalled what Kitagawa had said before parting ways. He made no effort to correct Horikita or offer any further explanation. Instead, he even mustered a mock expression of excitement, though his tone remained utterly flat:
"That's great news!"
"You really are something, Horikita."
"We've definitely won."
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