The broadcast's announcement brought Ayanokoji back to reality.
He seemed to have not been so immersed in memories for a long time.
Perhaps it was that conversation with Horikita that stirred up those distant memories in his mind.
Maybe Horikita was right.
What he knew was Amane, cultivated through the White Room's methods. But what Amane experienced afterward, he knew nothing about.
However, her smile showed that she hadn't been stripped of her humanity by his foolish father. That was truly good.
Indeed.
If he had the chance, he still wanted to try fighting Amane. That would definitely be very interesting, wouldn't it?
"We are currently tallying the exam results. Please wait. Since the exam has ended, students who need drinks or to use the restroom, please proceed to the resting area."
Ayanokoji listened, then glanced at everyone packing up their tents and belongings, and silently joined them.
At the same time.
On the beach on the other side of the island, Sakayanagi Arisu was happily humming a tune while drying Amane's hair.
"I wonder how the results will turn out this time."
Amane, sitting quietly on the beach, suddenly spoke.
"What is there to worry about? Aren't the results all within your expectations? Class A and Class B, and even Class C, have a chance to turn things around, but their current leaders will find it difficult to make correct decisions that benefit their class."
Sakayanagi put the borrowed towel aside and then poured Amane a cup of hot water.
The problem with Amane's clothes currently couldn't be resolved; she could only change once they returned to the cruise ship.
"How do I feel like Arisu, you're implying something?"
As soon as Amane spoke, she was lightly tapped on the head.
"I'm just speaking the truth."
Sakayanagi sat down next to Amane.
"Well, if you say so... *cough cough*, I think Arisu's words make a lot of sense. If Class A were led by you, it would definitely achieve even better results."
Amane felt the small hand already placed on her waist and quickly perked up, starting to flatter. Her practiced movements and sickeningly sweet words made Sakayanagi couldn't help but move away slightly, a look of disgust appearing on her face. However, Sakayanagi's gaze quickly softened.
"You haven't rested well these past few days?"
Amane was startled for a moment, then gave a wry smile.
Her dark circles must have been too alarming for Sakayanagi to notice. Otherwise, Sakayanagi would definitely not have noticed her current mental state under normal circumstances.
"I haven't slept for days. I had to keep an eye on Class B, but thankfully, the plan went smoothly... Eh? Arisu, you..."
Sakayanagi placed Amane's head on her lap.
"Just this once, get some sleep. It will take some time to tally the results. I'll wake you up when someone comes to pick me up."
Sakayanagi's unquestionable tone made Amane feel a sense of peace.
"Arisu, you should also exercise when you have time. Look, it's so soft, with no elasticity at all..."
"Miyako-san, what did you just say?"
Sakayanagi smiled and leaned her face close to Amane's.
"N-nothing, I'll sleep now."
Watching Amane obediently fall asleep, Sakayanagi let out a barely perceptible sigh.
She could probably guess some of Amane's thoughts, which were nothing more than using this opportunity to push some excellent students in the class to the forefront, and then she herself would enjoy an easy school life behind the scenes.
Otherwise, as the class leader, if Amane wanted to maximize her prestige, there would be no need to use a method that caused her to lose her exam qualification.
Amane would soon be able to live a relaxed high school life at this school, but she hadn't yet unified Class A.
She didn't even know if she would have a chance to compete against her in the future.
What a pity... Approximately half an hour later, the results were tallied.
Everyone came to the beach.
When everyone, even Katsuragi, saw Sakayanagi, they looked as if they had seen a ghost.
Kanzaki immediately raised a question, asking why Sakayanagi hadn't appeared in Class A's group from the beginning.
Sakayanagi gave the reason of feeling unwell. Then, Kanzaki, not giving up, continued to press why Class A remained on the island after being disqualified from the exam. After Mashima-sensei ruled that only those who left the island were not allowed to return, Kanzaki was so angry he couldn't speak for a long time.
At this point, all the classes knew that Sakayanagi had become Class A's biggest trump card. Any class that had filled in Katsuragi and Totsuka would likely have points deducted for guessing incorrectly.
This sudden surprise made the members of Class A cheer loudly for Sakayanagi. Even though they were losers, Sakayanagi's presence told everyone that Class A was not so easy to deal with.
Katsuragi looked at Amane nearby and suddenly remembered a casual remark Amane had made the day he cooperated with her.
"You will definitely sign it, because... you are not the only one in this class willing to agree to my conditions, Katsuragi-san."
At the time, Katsuragi understood that Amane would find people from the Sakayanagi faction to sign the contract. Rather than relying on the Sakayanagi faction's power, he might as well grit his teeth and sign the revenge contract himself.
Now it seemed that was not the meaning at all.
Was Miyako hinting at Sakayanagi's existence back then?
How could that be?
Even Katsuragi didn't know Sakayanagi was on the island. How could Miyako have confirmed it at that time? Or were the two of them actually working together to trick him? For a moment, Katsuragi's mind was in a whirl.
His thoughts also began to become confused, filled with those terrifying conjectures.
"Amane... Are you okay? Why didn't you tell me when you were moving around? Do you know how worried I was?"
Horikita looked at Amane, who was soaking wet and had dark circles under her eyes, with a pained expression.
Without even thinking, one could guess the difficult life Amane-san had experienced these past few days.
"It was sudden, wasn't it? Next time, I'll tell Suzune you in advance. By the way, how is Hirata-san doing?"
Before Horikita could even speak, Karuizawa took over and answered for Horikita.
"Yosuke's situation is very troublesome. Chabashira-sensei said the situation is a bit grim. It seems he fractured a bone after falling due to physical exhaustion. He might not be able to return to school immediately even after the summer break. Sigh, it's all that hateful Ryuuen's fault for breaking the rules and sneaking up on us. It's infuriating!"
Karuizawa's complaints immediately drew agreement from other First Year Class D students.
Amane-san's expression turned grim.
Without Hirata-san's restraint, neither Ayanokoji nor Horikita could get everyone moving. At this point, only the last plan could be implemented.
Amane-san's gaze fell on Kushida, who had been very low-key throughout the entire exam.
Just then, Mashima-sensei arrived in front of everyone with a clipboard and began to announce the exam results.
"First, the last place in the special exam results, First Year Class B, zero points."
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