Chapter 64: Class A's Exam Situation
Shortly after Hikigaya handed the key cards to Class A's leaders, Kamuro returned to the shade where the Class A students were, conveying the notice to the classmates to move supplies from Class D's location.
Under Katsuragi's arrangement, the Class A students quickly received the supplies from the school staff. Just as Hikigaya intended to follow his classmates to move supplies, Kamuro called him over to Yukinoshita's side.
"Hikigaya, you've been a little strange these past few days. I feel like you're not very energetic... but you were like that before too. Or is it that you have no presence... it seems like you were like that before too. Ah, or those dead fish eyes... no, no, no, that's an old habit. Well, something's just not right!"
Walking beside Hikigaya, Kamuro curiously sized up Hikigaya, who had been somewhat subdued since the start of the deserted island exam, talking while rubbing her chin.
"Are you worrying about me or insulting me... Well, it's hot lately, so my eyes and personality are prone to decay."
"Oh! That's a vivid and apt description!"
Kamuro showed an expression of sudden realization. Kamuro's sincere compliment lifted Hikigaya's spirits somewhat.
He was just about to chuckle smugly, but his expression fell again. Thinking about it carefully, that girl's evaluation was quite excessive.
Yukinoshita glanced at Hikigaya with her deep blue eyes and asked softly: "Hikigaya-kun, did you hand the key cards to the leaders?"
"Yes, I've given them to them."
The moment Hikigaya finished speaking, Katsuragi next to them could no longer suppress his curiosity.
After confirming that no one else was around, he asked Yukinoshita the doubt in his mind: "Yukinoshita-san, why... does our class have three key cards? The rules of this exam clearly state there can only be one leader."
That's right, Hikigaya had received a total of three key cards from Mashima-sensei.
The appearance of these three key cards was somewhat similar to bank cards, but they were a few millimeters thicker than ordinary bank cards.
The back of the key cards had the common magnetic stripe design, and the front, as Mashima-sensei had stated, was engraved with the leader's certification.
Hikigaya had tried touching them; the leader's name was machine-engraved and would not easily rub off.
"There can only be one leader, and theoretically, only one key card can occupy a base. But key cards can be forged."
Hearing Katsuragi's question, Yukinoshita showed a faint smile.
"Forged?" Both Katsuragi and Kamuro showed somewhat astonished looks.
"Yes. Earlier, before the deserted island exam began, while the students were still on the cruise ship, Kamuro-san and I went to find Mashima-sensei, using 200,000 private points to purchase a certain authority—the authority to purchase items on the deserted island using private points from our account."
After seeing Hikigaya and Sakayanagi gain the right to command Class D for one special exam through the midterm exam, Yukinoshita was inspired by the incident and took action before the start of this deserted island exam.
"Although we could only purchase one item, it was enough. I spent 200,000 points and bought two replica key cards from Mashima-sensei. These two replica key cards are identical in appearance to the genuine key card, and they can also be used to occupy bases, displaying 'Occupation Successful' when occupying a base.
However, the difference is that when using these two key cards to occupy a base, although the countdown will also start from eight hours, the timer will expire after one minute.
Furthermore, occupying a base with a replica key card will not earn points, nor will other classes' students have Material Points deducted if they use the supplies in the base within that one minute." Yukinoshita finished her unhurried explanation and concluded: "All in all, these two replica key cards can only be used as a means to cover the true leader, and cannot bring in additional profit."
"Even so, this can effectively conceal the leader's identity. What an extraordinary method," Katsuragi exclaimed in a tone of complex admiration, then asked with some doubt: "Then, who exactly is the true leader?"
The names engraved on the three key cards Hikigaya brought back were all different: Kito Hayato, Totsuka Yahiko, and Kamuro Masumi.
Yukinoshita did not choose Katsuragi Kohei as the leader because she knew the other classes had long heard about the internal class struggles within Class A, and choosing Katsuragi as the leader would be easily guessed.
Since occupying multiple bases requires constant travel back and forth, Yukinoshita believed the leader needed a strong physique for such high-intensity activity.
After careful consideration, she ultimately chose the physically fitter students from the Sakayanagi faction, Kito Hayato and Kamuro Masumi, to hold the key cards. "I do not plan to
disclose that. I believe it's important to protect all the students chosen as leaders equally to effectively mislead the other classes.
Also, since the replica key cards expire one minute after occupying a base, I suggest the three of them occupy a base simultaneously when we do so. This will better confuse the public."
Yukinoshita shook her head and did not answer Katsuragi's question.
"I understand. I will personally provide cover for the three students," Katsuragi said in a steady tone.
"Mmm, got it," Kamuro also nodded seriously.
"Since the matters of supplies and the leaders have been arranged, the only thing left to consider now is finding a base and establishing a base camp."
Yukinoshita flipped through the guidebook, her brows slightly furrowed.
The guidebook included a simple map of the island, which only showed the island's size and shape, with the forest area and slope remaining unknown. It was virtually a blank piece of paper.
The school had issued ballpoint pens to the students, seemingly intending for the students to explore the deserted island themselves and fill in the necessary details.
"Regarding that, I discovered a cave that is very suitable as a base camp while still on the cruise ship. I have already sent someone to check it out," Katsuragi said.
"That's a great help, Katsuragi-kun."
"No, Yukinoshita-san, you are the one who prepared so much in advance. Regarding the cost of purchasing the replica key cards, I will explain the situation to the classmates after the exam and have everyone share the expenses," Katsuragi said seriously.
"Is that so... Thank you, I appreciate your effort."
Under the command of Yukinoshita and Katsuragi, the Class A students left a portion of people to guard the supplies and entered the forest following Katsuragi's indicated direction.
After walking in the forest for about five minutes, Katsuragi looked around the dense, leafy woods and sighed faintly with some helplessness.
"This forest is much larger than I had anticipated. At first, I thought marking the tree trunks would be enough, but that assumption was wrong.
Since we can't cross natural obstacles, our path is constantly forced to change left and right. If this continues for a few more minutes, it feels like we might even forget which way we're heading."
Fortunately, before long, an artificially cleared path appeared in the deserted island's forest. Although it was not a paved road, there were signs of large trees being cut down, trimmed, and the soil leveled.
If this was a road created by the school, there might be a base ahead.
The Class A students quickened their pace, following this cleared path, and soon arrived at the spot Katsuragi mentioned.
A cave, appearing as if it was carved out of the deep mountain, like the gaping mouth of a monster, appeared before everyone.
"Woah... It's huge, Hikigaya! It's huge!"
Kamuro stood beside Hikigaya, looking at the cave entrance that seemed to be a large hole opened up in part of the mountain, showing a look of amazement.
'Hey... Kamuro-san, please speak properly. Don't sound so lewd, okay? Several girls are already looking at me with weird expressions.'
Hikigaya raised his head to look at the cave before him.
At first glance, it looked like a natural cave, but upon closer inspection, the walls inside the cave seemed to have been reinforced and strengthened.
Perhaps the cave itself was artificial.
'In that case, this is clearly not a truly deserted island.'
Since ancient times, caves have served an excellent function as human dwellings.
If this place was designated as a base, there should be evidence marking it as such somewhere.
The Class A students entered the cave with their supplies and indeed found a black device at the very back. Katsuragi gestured for everyone not to rush to occupy the base.
He then walked to the cave entrance, quietly stood still facing southwest, carefully observing the surroundings.
Only after confirming that no one else was secretly peering in did he re-enter the cave, discussed briefly with Yukinoshita, and then had the three students holding key cards step forward together and occupy this cave base. "Base Occupied. Occupier: Year 1 Class A. Remaining Time: 07:59:59."
Totsuka Yahiko looked around the cave, showing a happy expression: "With a cave this size, those two tents are more than enough, Katsuragi-kun. Speaking of which, we're so lucky to be able to occupy a base this quickly."
"Luck? What have you been looking at until now? I had an idea that there was a cave here even before we landed. That means finding it was inevitable. Also, watch your words and actions.
Since we don't know if anyone is eavesdropping, now that you've been selected as a leader, you must be careful not to make even the slightest mistake." Hearing Totsuka Yahiko's words, Katsuragi frowned. "...S-Sorry."
"Yukinoshita-san, why don't we use this place as Class A's base camp? This cave is large and can accommodate the entire class.
I believe that since it can serve as a base, the school has confirmed it's safe. There are also signs of reinforcement inside the cave, so there's no need to worry about safety.
As for the lighting inside the cave and separating the male and female students, that's completely manageable for us with our abundance of supplies," the handsome Satonaka Satoru suggested.
"Mmm, staying here is indeed better than staying in tents, and its ability to ward off wind and rain is much stronger than a tent.
Moreover, the cave maintains a constant temperature year-round. It will be cooler and more comfortable inside the cave during the summer, ensuring the students can rest without difficulty due to the heat. A
s long as we guard the entrance, the other classes won't be able to confirm our class's situation. It is indeed very suitable,"
Yukinoshita said after observing the cave's environment and considering for a moment.
After determining the location of the base camp, Katsuragi and Yukinoshita quickly arranged for a portion of the students to return the way they came to bring the classmates and all the supplies left on the beach to the cave.
The remaining students were tasked with searching the forest for firewood and bases, as well as cleaning the interior of the cave and exploring the surrounding area.
After that, there wasn't much physical labor, just spreading beds and organizing supplies.
Other than moving the bottled water and the components for the standalone toilet, which required some effort, there wasn't much else.
"Then please go find Mashima-sensei and explain the situation. I plan to take the three students to check out the surroundings.
There are about two other paths visible from the ship. I believe there will be facilities or something similar at the end of those paths."
"Wait a moment..."
Yukinoshita looked at the group intending to leave the cave, reached out to stop them, and handed two walkie-talkies to Katsuragi and Kamuro respectively: "If anything happens, use the walkie-talkies to contact us."
Yukinoshita had exchanged Class D's Material Points for a complete set of walkie-talkies.
As long as the frequency was set correctly, they could maintain contact on the deserted island.
"Understood, I got it."
"Kamuro-san, your drawing skills are quite good. Please record the terrain and geographical features you see."
"...Mmm."
Kamuro tore off a few sheets of white paper and copied the simple map from the guidebook. Incidentally, Hikigaya was pretending to observe the cave walls, looking for places to hang the lights, diligently trying to minimize his presence.
In Hikigaya's opinion, if he didn't do something at a time like this, extra work seemed likely to fall upon him later, so he first created an atmosphere of "I'm helping out, for what it's worth."
Hikigaya's thought of escaping work was quickly seen through by Yukinoshita.
She glared at Hikigaya and said: "Hikigaya-kun, why don't you go with them to check out the area? You probably don't have anything else to do on your own anyway."
"How do you know I have nothing else to do? Are you a stalker? Have you heard of anti-harassment laws? Or do you not want to be a part of society anymore?"
Hearing Yukinoshita's words, Hikigaya sneered, his eyes deliberately becoming very cold, just like the usual Yukinoshita.
"Oh! Hikigaya, you're quite a good mimic!"
Kamuro's eyes instantly lit up, and she excitedly patted Hikigaya's shoulder.
'It seems my acting is to Kamuro-san's liking. Being similar is all that matters.
Practicing in front of the mirror every time I shower seems to have paid off.
….What am I even doing?'
"Who... are you imitating?"
Although it was summer, Hikigaya saw the illusion of a blizzard appear behind Yukinoshita.
'That twitching smile is terrifying! I'm sorry, I was wrong!'
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