Yahiko Totsuka slowly regained consciousness, his head buzzing as if submerged in water. His vision was blurry, and a sharp pain throbbed in his jaw.
"Ugh…" He groaned, forcing his eyes open.
Trying to push himself off the ground, he felt his legs give way, and his body lurched backward. Before he could hit the ground, a firm hand caught him.
"Be careful, Yahiko," a deep, steady voice warned.
"...Katsuragi-san?" Yahiko immediately recognized the familiar, reassuring tone. He turned and was greeted by the sight of Katsuragi Kohei's bald head reflecting the dim light of the cave.
Still dazed, Yahiko asked, "What… happened?"
"We were targeted and ambushed," Katsuragi stated flatly.
Yahiko blinked, trying to process the words. "Ambushed?"
"If you don't believe me, check your wrist," Katsuragi instructed.
Confused, Yahiko glanced down. His breath hitched.
"Wait… where's my bracelet?" He patted his pockets frantically. "And my key card?! It's gone!"
Katsuragi nodded grimly. "I searched the area. Both our key cards were stolen."
"But… why? The key cards are only useful to the class leaders…" Yahiko muttered.
"That's exactly why they took your bracelet," Katsuragi said, crossing his arms. "The wristbands must have tracking or identification functions. Without yours, they can use your key card without detection."
Yahiko's face paled as realization dawned. "Then… doesn't that mean—"
"Class A has likely lost all its test points," Katsuragi finished. "We were already lagging behind by 270 points. Now, we're at zero."
Yahiko clenched his fists. He had been so confident before the exam, determined to prove the strength of the Katsuragi faction within Class A. But now…
Katsuragi took a deep breath. "We need to return to the beach and report this to the instructors. We may be able to negotiate something."
Yahiko exhaled shakily. "Yeah… let's go."
The two abandoned their stronghold and began the long trek back. Fatigue and frustration slowed their pace, turning what should have been a thirty-minute walk into an exhausting forty-minute struggle.
At the Beach Camp
When they arrived at the instructor's tent, Sae Chabashira from Class B and Chie Hoshinomiya from Class C were inside, discussing something casually.
Hearing footsteps, they turned in unison.
"Hm?" Chabashira exhaled smoke from her cigarette. "Aren't you Class A students? What do you need?"
Katsuragi stepped forward. "We'd like to check the current test points for Class A."
Chabashira raised an eyebrow. "You don't know how many points you've used?"
"Just confirm it for us," Katsuragi said firmly.
Chabashira shrugged and tapped away on her laptop. After a moment, she looked up.
"Your class has 120 points left."
"...Huh?" Katsuragi's eyes widened.
Not zero?
Why leave exactly 120 points instead of completely crippling them? If the attacker wanted to break Class A, why not take everything?
A dark thought crossed his mind.
This wasn't just sabotage—it was a calculated move.
By leaving them with 120 points, the attacker ensured Class A wouldn't immediately give up and return to the cruise ship. There was still a faint chance to recover, just enough to keep them struggling.
A cruel kind of mercy.
This isn't just an attack… It's psychological warfare.
Meanwhile… at Class C's Camp
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka moved through the forest with quiet precision, his steps light and calculated.
When he reached Class C's camp, students were chatting and organizing supplies. Without drawing attention, he approached a familiar figure.
"Ichinose-san," he called softly.
Ichinose Honami, who had been sorting through provisions, turned to him with a polite smile, though her instincts remained sharp.
"Ayanokoji-kun, right? From Class B?" she asked, tilting her head.
He nodded. Without preamble, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a key card. Holding it just low enough to avoid drawing attention, he turned it toward her.
Ichinose's breath caught as she read the name displayed on the scanner.
Totsuka Yahiko.
Her smile faltered for just a second. A Class A key card? Why does he have this?
Ayanokoji's voice was calm, measured. "I need you to clear this camp for three minutes."
Ichinose's expression remained neutral, though her mind worked rapidly. "That's a pretty bold request, Ayanokoji-kun. Why should I agree?"
"I'm showing you my cards," he replied simply, tilting the key card slightly. "This isn't a threat—just a transaction. You now know something valuable. Whether you use that information against me is up to you."
Ichinose's fingers twitched. He's putting trust in me? Or is he testing me?
Ayanokoji continued, "I won't harm anyone, and it won't negatively impact Class C. You can stay behind if you want."
Ichinose weighed her options. His calm, unshaken demeanor told her he had already accounted for every possibility. Refusing him wouldn't lead to anything good.
She let out a quiet sigh and smiled. "Fine. Three minutes—"
Before she could finish, a voice cut in.
"Ichinose, what's going on?"
Kanzaki Ryuuji approached, his sharp eyes flicking between Ayanokoji and the key card in his hand. A few other students, sensing the tension, turned their attention toward them.
"Who is this guy? And why is he showing you a Class key card?" Kanzaki pressed, his voice cautious.
Ayanokoji remained silent, allowing Ichinose to handle the situation.
Ichinose turned smoothly to face her classmates, her usual gentle smile in place. "It's fine, Kanzaki-kun. I was just negotiating something. Nothing that will harm us."
Kanzaki narrowed his eyes. "Negotiating? With a Class B student?"
"Yes," she said, her tone reassuring but firm. "Trust me on this one, okay? I need everyone to step out for a bit. Let's check our food supplies at the beach. I'll explain everything later."
A few students hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances.
"Are you sure?" Kanzaki asked again, still skeptical.
Ichinose nodded, her expression unwavering. "Yes. I wouldn't ask if I thought it was dangerous."
That was enough. Kanzaki exhaled and gave a small nod. "Alright, if you say so."
The other students followed his lead, gradually filing out of the camp.
Once the last student disappeared into the forest, Ayanokoji spoke.
"It seems your words carry a lot of weight in Class C," he observed.
Ichinose turned back to him with a small, amused smile. "I just don't want unnecessary conflict… But Ayanokoji-kun, what exactly are you planning?"
Ayanokoji didn't answer. Instead, he calmly walked up to Class C's stronghold terminal and pressed the stolen key card against the scanner.
Beep.
A loud alarm echoed through the camp.
Wait!" Ichinose's eyes widened in shock. "Mashima-sensei said using an occupied stronghold will deduct fifty points—!"
Her confusion deepened, but before she could process it, another alarm blared.
Ichinose exhaled, watching as the screen updated—Class A had just lost another stronghold.
She turned to Ayanokoji, her voice barely above a whisper. "You really don't hesitate, huh?"
Ayanokoji met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "You agreed to clear the camp. I only used the opportunity."
The game had begun.
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