"Something's wrong, there's a fire, we're going to die!"
"We must have angered the island inhabitants!"
"Quick, call the school to deploy a rescue helicopter, or the whole island will burn down!"
Panicked voices came from Class D camp.
Ibuki Mio, who had just obtained a crucial mission item, was momentarily stunned. She suspiciously looked at the wisp of smoke rising from behind the restroom.
"Everyone, calm down, it's just the guidebook that's burning!" Hirata Yousuke arrived at the scene first, and seeing him, many students immediately calmed down.
What exactly was going on?
Ibuki Mio was confused, she definitely hadn't started the fire.
"Why... who would do such a thing... why can't everyone just get along?"
As Hirata Yousuke muttered to himself, the students of Class D exchanged glances.
There was no doubt that someone had set the fire, in this environment, spontaneous combustion was impossible.
Seeing Horikita Suzune rushing towards the scene, Ibuki Mio knew she couldn't stay a second longer.
She immediately grabbed her backpack and taking advantage of everyone focus on the fire, ran into the forest without hesitation.
Soon, the sky flickered with lightning, accompanied by the rumble of thunder and rain began to fall like bullets from the sky.
The weather at sea was unpredictable, especially in summer.
The warm monsoon from the distant southeast had brought abundant rainfall to Japan.
As Ibuki Mio walked, she suddenly stopped and looked back, just in time to see Horikita Suzune figure.
"What's your reason for chasing me?"
Horikita Suzune was slightly out of breath.
Her physical condition was worsening, but she believed she could still hold on.
She forced herself to ask "You should know better than anyone, right? You're the one behind all this, aren't you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about" Ibuki Mio denied her accusation.
"Unfortunately, although there's no evidence, I'm certain you're the one who stole the socks" Horikita Suzune said.
"What you did today only confirms my suspicion. If you don't want to suffer, please return my belongings to me."
Ibuki Mio ignored her and immediately turned to run, leaving Horikita Suzune momentarily stunned before she quickly gave chase.
However, the former agile figure darted left and right through the forest, making it even more strenuous for the already weakened Horikita Suzune.
"If you don't stop, I'll have to resort to force to resolve this!"
Hearing Horikita Suzune voice, Ibuki Mio responded with a slightly cold tone.
"Hmph, go ahead and try."
With that, the petite girl came to a halt in front of a large tree with a handkerchief tied around it.
Horikita Suzune tried her best to calm her rapid breathing and with a serious expression, assumed a karate stance.
She was dead serious!
She absolutely wouldn't let this girl escape!
***
A few minutes later, Ibuki Mio glanced at the unconscious Horikita Suzune before squatting down and digging out a bag from beneath the tree.
Inside were a digital camera and a walkie-talkie. Ever since the camera had inexplicably broken, she had hidden it here.
After about half an hour, Ryuuen Kakeru emerged from the depths of the forest.
"Why is there an extra person here?"
"She chased me all the way, but I've already taken care of her."
"Tch, another slip-up. You've disappointed me, Ibuki."
Facing Ryuuen Kakeru reproach, Ibuki Mio merely snorted coldly not refuting his words, as she knew she was partly to blame.
"What about the keycard?"
Taking the keycard from Ibuki Mio, Ryuuen Kakeru examined it for a moment before saying.
"Katsuragi, aren't you going to take a look?"
At this, Katsuragi Kohei also emerged from the depths of the forest.
"Your methods are really straightforward and brutal."
It was the first time Katsuragi Kohei had seen someone steal a card and then beat up the owner in the process.
"Just tell me if it's the real deal or not" Ryuuen Kakeru said with a fearless smile. "With this keycard, your chances of defeating Sakayanagi are even higher."
"...As per our agreement, we will fulfill the terms of the contract" Katsuragi Kohei silently returned the keycard to Ryuuen Kakeru, ignoring his deliberate provocation.
"That's good. You've made the right choice" Ryuuen Kakeru extended his hand.
The two shook hands for a moment before Katsuragi Kohei turned and left the area.
Just as Ibuki Mio thought the matter was over, Ryuuen Kakeru crouched in front of Horikita Suzune to check her injuries.
"I didn't kill her" Ibuki Mio explained.
"Obviously, I know you didn't kill her. Otherwise, it wouldn't just be a compensation of three million personal points" Ryuuen said.
"It seems she's just unconscious. It shouldn't have any lasting effects."
Due to the rain, he didn't find Horikita Suzune unusually high body temperature strange.
"Take her to Class B."
"Why?" Ibuki Mio felt she couldn't keep up with Ryuuen train of thought.
However, Ryuuen had already started walking toward Class B direction on his own.
Left with no choice, Ibuki Mio carried Horikita Suzune on her back and hurried after him.
After walking for a while, Ryuuen spoke up "When she wakes up, she might figure out my involvement."
Ibuki Mio was taken aback.
"But it's fine. Let her discuss me with Ichinose. It would be best if she mentions my name."
"Wait, what do you mean by that?"
"It's simple. This is the perfect opportunity to have Classes A, B, and D all mention my name, and then I'll withdraw from the exam" Ryuuen said, barely able to contain his smile.
"Even Kaoru Mitoma probably didn't see this coming. I've long seen through his intentions and deliberately didn't form a mutual defense pact with them."
Only then did Ibuki Mio realize that Ryuuen had never signed a friendly treaty with Class A from the beginning.
It had mostly been straightforward transactions, so a betrayal was entirely reasonable.
"Hmph, Kaoru Mitoma is definitely Class A leader!" Ryuuen said with certainty.
He had long wanted to strike a blow against Class A, which was why he had been playing dumb and even willing to make concessions to them.
He couldn't wait to see Kaoru Mitoma expression. It felt like ants were crawling all over his body!
"What if he's not?"
"Are you doubting my intuition?"
"Just considering the worst-case scenario."
"Don't forget, Ibuki, I'm the leader!"
"..."
Soon, the two arrived at the outskirts of Class B camp and promptly left Horikita Suzune in a spot where Class B would easily find her.
Only after secretly witnessing Class B discover Horikita Suzune did Ryuuen and Ibuki Mio slowly leave the area.
They returned to the beach, where the school tents still stood.
C Class homeroom teacher, Sakagami and Kanda Satoru were both there.
"I'm applying to withdraw from the exam" Ryuuen stated matter-of-factly, looking at Sakagami.
If a student withdrew from the exam, the leader naturally had to be replaced, as the school didn't restrict students from voluntarily withdrawing.
Sakagami nodded and then asked "Which of you two will take over as leader?"
At this point, with Ryuuen withdrawing from the exam, only Ibuki Mio and Kanda Satoru remained in C Class on the island.
The two exchanged glances and quickly came to a decision.
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