With Kei Karuizawa returning to the camp alone, the situation was clear—37 members of Class D, led by Ryuen Kakeru, had withdrawn from the exam and returned to the cruise ship.
If Ryuen Kakeru himself was still on the island, and with Mio Ibuki currently in Class B's territory, that left only two unaccounted members.
As for the remaining person, whether he had also left or was still on the island was uncertain. Without confirmation, Kure Ragna wasn't willing to make assumptions.
Perhaps he had already returned to the ship. Perhaps he was still hiding somewhere.
But one thing was clear—Ryuen Kakeru hadn't given up on the exam, despite what he had claimed earlier that morning in front of Class B.
If anything, he was the type of person who would loudly declare that he wasn't going to study, spend the night gaming with friends, then down a can of Red Bull and cram until dawn.
What a cunning bastard.
"Anyway, let's check out Class C first,"
Kure Ragna muttered to himself before heading toward their camp.
---
Meanwhile, in Class C's camp, everything was running smoothly under Ichinose Honami's leadership.
There was no conflict, no chaos—everyone simply did their part.
Despite being thrown into a survival challenge on an uninhabited island during summer vacation, they showed no complaints, accepting the situation without resistance.
Even when Kure Ragna, a member of another class, arrived at their camp, there was no hostility. Instead, they quickly notified Ichinose.
"Hello, hello~ Kure Ragna~?"
Ichinose greeted him cheerfully, her usual warm energy present.
Beside her stood a tall boy with short, curly hair—Kanzaki Ryuji. The moment he spotted Kure Ragna, his expression tensed, his handsome face growing serious.
Kanzaki Ryuji, huh…
No surprise there. They had crossed paths multiple times before, but what stood out most was the first day of the exam when Kure Ragna had witnessed the Class C leader selection.
"What a long time no see," Kure Ragna joked.
"Didn't we just see each other this morning?"
Ichinose let out a small laugh, but Kure Ragna quickly got to the point.
"I have a question. Did your class happen to… pick up a certain someone from Class D?"
He deliberately emphasized the word coincidentally.
Ichinose hesitated for a moment, exchanging a glance with Kanzaki before nodding slightly. Lowering her voice, she answered,
"To be honest… yes. Did your class pick someone up as well?"
"Yeah. And it's not just about picking them up…"
Kure Ragna shrugged and briefly explained how they had found the walkie-talkie earlier that morning.
Surprisingly, both Kanzaki and Ichinose's expressions turned serious at the mention of the device.
"So, you're saying this might be a spy sent by Class D?" Ichinose asked.
"Remove the word might," Kure Ragna corrected her.
Ichinose's face tensed as he continued.
"As far as I know, there are only three Class D members left on the island. Ibuki Mio is with my class, Kaneda Satoru is in your camp, and the last one…" Kure Ragna's eyes sharpened.
"Ryuen Kakeru."
Ichinose's eyes widened. "Wait—Ryuen-san stayed on the island?"
"But Kaneda-san told me he was kicked out for wasting class points…" She trailed off, realizing the contradiction.
"No, that actually lines up," Kanzaki murmured, locking eyes with Kure Ragna.
Kure Ragna smirked.
"Exactly. Think about it—Ryuen wants everyone to believe Class D isn't even attempting this exam."
"He pretends to kick out two key members, sends them to different class camps, then dramatically withdraws the rest of his classmates to the ship."
"That way, everyone assumes he's given up. But in reality… he's still here, hiding, waiting for the perfect opportunity."
Ichinose let out a stunned breath.
"That's insane… he's been enduring all this time just to make a comeback at the last moment?"
"It's classic Ryuen." Kure Ragna shrugged.
"That's why you should be extra careful when checking in. And don't get too comfortable with outsiders in your camp."
Ichinose nodded quickly.
"Yeah, I get it."
"As for me…" Kure Ragna paused, considering his next words.
"In a few days, when the exam is about to end, I'm going to threaten you to do something. Just go along with it."
Ichinose blinked. "Wait—threaten me?"
"Don't worry, it's nothing difficult."
She gave him a skeptical look.
Kure Ragna's smirk widened.
"Think about it. Ryuen's been suffering in silence, believing he's about to pull off something brilliant. But what if, just when he thinks he's won, he realizes all his effort was for nothing?"
Ichinose's expression twisted into a mix of amusement and exasperation.
"…You really have a terrible sense of humor."
"What can I say? There's nothing more satisfying than watching a manipulator get outplayed."
Ichinose sighed. "You really enjoy this, don't you?"
"Surprise, motherf—"
"Alright, alright," she cut him off, shaking her head with a small laugh.
---
After wrapping up his conversation with Class C, Kure Ragna returned to his camp, only to be immediately pulled aside by Kushida Kikyo.
She had been crouched in the grass like a hunter waiting for prey.
The moment he stepped foot into the area, she grabbed his wrist and dragged him away.
"Alright, spill it," she demanded, voice low.
"What the hell did you do to Karuizawa?"
Kure Ragna blinked.
"What?"
"She went out with you, but came back alone. Now she's locked herself in her tent and won't talk to anyone. Care to explain?"
Kushida crossed her arms, but Kure Ragna couldn't help noticing the smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
She's not actually mad. If anything, she looks entertained.
"I mean," Kure Ragna said slowly,
"Could you at least try to look concerned? You don't sound like someone who's mad. You sound like someone enjoying the drama."
Kushida didn't even bother denying it.
"So?" she pressed.
Kure Ragna sighed. "She just asked if we were dating."
"…And?"
"I said yes."
Kushida froze.
"…You what?"
"I said yes."
A long silence. Then Kushida rubbed her temples, muttering under her breath.
"God, you're such a pain."
"Yeah, yeah." Kure Ragna waved a hand dismissively.
"By the way, those guys from Class C left, if that's what you were waiting for."
Kushida's expression instantly changed.
"Good," she said, her voice suddenly softer.
She leaned in slightly, her tone almost playful.
"I found a nice spot this morning. Tonight, you're coming with me. I'll make it worth your while."
Kure Ragna raised an eyebrow.
"…Now that sounds like a threat."
Kushida just smiled.
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