Chapter 63: Shiina's Performance
"What did you say?!"
Kanzaki looked at Shiina with disbelief, saying with some hesitation: "I don't believe Ryuen is the kind of person who would easily withdraw from an exam."
"Yes, Shiina-san, please tell us exactly what happened?"
"Well, the truth is, after Ryuen-kun learned the rules of this deserted island exam, he intended to adopt a strategy of endurance to save the Material Points to the maximum extent.
He claimed to have experience in outdoor survival and said he would find edible food on the island to get through this period. It turned out he accidentally ate a poisonous mushroom, and the school judged him unable to continue the exam due to physical discomfort, giving him the obligation to stay on the cruise ship for treatment and standby during this period... By now, he should have already returned to the ship."
Shiina timely showed a slightly troubled expression, and her tone became somewhat helpless. Hearing Shiina's words, the Class B students didn't react much, but Ibuki glanced at Shiina with a hint of surprise.
"Oh dear—" To avoid being exposed, Kaneda, who was wearing glasses, quickly shouted: "Shiina-san, why did you tell them everything?!"
Hearing the shout from the blonde Class C boy, the Class B students finally came back to their senses, exchanging glances and finding peculiar expressions on each other's faces.
Contrary to all the expectations of the Class B students, Ryuen, who had been trying every means to cause trouble for Class B, had withdrawn due to such a ridiculous reason.
"Um... Shiina-san." As a class representative, Ichinose was not easily convinced by Shiina's few words. She looked at Shiina with serious eyes: "Can you wait a moment and let us confirm this?"
"Of course, please go ahead." A faint smile appeared on Shiina's face, and she led the few Class C students to find a shaded spot and sit down.
Soon, in the shade not far away, Ichinose and Kanzaki found Hoshinomiya-sensei, who was squinting and sipping an iced beer. Hoshinomiya looked very cheerful, greeting the two with a joyful expression.
"Yo, Honami-chan, and Ryuji."
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, we have something to ask you." Kanzaki showed a somewhat troubled expression.
"Oh oh, have you decided what supplies to purchase?"
"Yes, we plan to buy a... Wait, that's not what we wanted to say." Ichinose nodded, then quickly shook her head.
"Oh? Then what do you need me for? If you have any questions about the rules of this exam, I'll answer them, provided they are within the allowed scope, you know." Hoshinomiya said this, then winked at the two, giving them a sparkling wink.
"We want to know if Class C's Ryuen Kakeru has already withdrawn from the exam."
"Hmm? Why would you suddenly ask that?" Hoshinomiya curiously leaned closer to Ichinose, bent down, and reached out her index finger to gently poke Ichinose's cute cheek, which was slightly flushed from the heat.
"Ah! Hoshinomiya-sensei, please don't do that..." Ichinose took half a step back, then said with a serious tone: "Class C's Shiina-san came to us seeking cooperation, and according to her, Ryuen-kun has withdrawn from this deserted island exam."
"Is that so?" Hearing Ichinose's reply, Hoshinomiya slightly narrowed her eyes, then shook the phone in her hand toward the two, and said: "I'm sorry, Honami-chan. Although I'd love to help, I don't have the authorization to check the status of other classes."
"Is that the case... We apologize for disturbing you, Hoshinomiya-sensei."
"That's a pity... You must do your best, Honami-chan."
Watching the two Class B students leave, Hoshinomiya, who had given as much of a hint as she could, showed a slightly regretful expression.
Seeing Ichinose and Kanzaki return to their Class B classmates, Shiina walked over alone and asked: "Ichinose-san, have you been able to confirm the situation?"
"Um, well, Hoshinomiya-sensei said she doesn't have the authorization to check the status of other classes..." Ichinose smiled awkwardly, then changed the topic: "Shiina-san, you said you wanted to cooperate. What exactly did you have in mind?"
"Well, it's actually like this. Although Ryuen-kun ruled the class with violence, it was precisely because of his command and leadership that our Class C students could unite and work toward a common goal. Now, with Ryuen-kun's withdrawal from the exam, everyone is at a loss about this deserted island exam, and several classmates already want to withdraw and rest on the ship. Therefore, to minimize losses, I hope to cooperate with Class B."
"As for the specific cooperation plan, our Class C will provide 200 Material Points to your Class B. In exchange, Class B will provide 20,000 private points to each of us in Class C monthly. In other words, we hope to exchange these Material Points for actual profit."
Shiina finished stating her proposal with a calm expression, then earnestly looked at Ichinose and Kanzaki with her beautiful purple eyes.
"This... We need to discuss this." Ichinose and Kanzaki exchanged glances.
"No problem, but I hope you can give me an answer quickly. I'm worried that my classmates might secretly withdraw and return to the ship while we are away. If that happens, our class's Material Points will be reduced again."
Seeing Shiina turn around to rest, the two Class B representatives immediately began discussing with their classmates.
"Kanzaki-kun, what do you think?"
"Their motive is quite reasonable, and this plan is actually beneficial to our Class B. If we can use Class C's Material Points to purchase supplies, and use them sparingly, we can save our own 300 Material Points. Furthermore, 20,000 private points per person per month for Class C is actually only equivalent to about 200 Class Points. And we can also monitor the usage of Class C's Material Points, taking this opportunity to confirm whether Ryuen-kun has actually withdrawn from the exam."
"Mmm, that makes sense."
After discussing for a while, Ichinose and Kanzaki approached the Class C students and agreed to the cooperation.
"Please follow me."
After both parties signed the contract, Ichinose and Kanzaki followed the Class C students to the Class C camp.
The two looked around but did not find Ryuen. A few Class C students were holding soda and ice cream, talking and laughing loudly, appearing completely unconcerned about the exam.
"Seriously, Ishizaki-kun, I told you we can't use any more Material Points, didn't I?" Shiina puffed up her cheeks, glaring at the boys.
"What does it matter? Ryuen-kun has already withdrawn anyway."
"I apologize, Ichinose-san, Kanzaki-kun, you must be laughing at us. Let's go find Sakagami-sensei."
Shiina led the two Class B students to Class C's homeroom teacher, Sakagami Kazuma, and proposed the idea of purchasing supplies.
"Hmm, your class has over 230 points left. Ryuen's withdrawal deducted 30 points, and a few students used some to buy food and drinks, so some has been consumed. Don't you plan to save some Material Points?" Sakagami asked with some confusion. When he mentioned Ryuen's withdrawal, his face showed a hint of regret.
Having received definite confirmation from Sakagami-sensei, the two Class B students quietly breathed a sigh of relief, the heavy stone suspended in their hearts finally settling down.
"Don's worry, Sakagami-sensei. We've reached an agreement to cooperate with the Class B students," Shiina-san said with a faint smile.
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