After nearly half an hour, Saiki Kusuo (Saiki) felt it was time to return to the island. He cautiously checked the area where he had been earlier, ensuring the bugs were gone, and sighed in relief.
"Time to head back," he muttered.
Using telekinesis, Saiki gathered some branches and prepared to return to the campsite. But just then, he heard a faint, familiar voice nearby.
"So painful, so painful."
'I've heard this voice before, but I can't quite place it. Definitely not from Class C, though.'
Saiki approached the source of the voice, branches in hand, and spotted a short-haired girl.
It was Ibuki Mio (Ibuki). Saiki vaguely recalled her name; she had often been seen with Ryūen Kakeru (Ryūen). Her right ankle was swollen and red, clearly from a severe injury.
Ibuki noticed Saiki as well.
"That's... I remember him as Shiina's friend."
'So, you don't remember my name either?'
"According to Ryūen's plan, I'm supposed to fake a falling-out with him, infiltrate Class C, and cause chaos from within." 'Yep, figured as much.'
"I'm also supposed to gather info on Class C's leader... but Class A insists on proof, so I need photos..."
'Ryūen's deal with Class A is clear: they provide points, and Class D gathers intel on the other classes' leaders. But Ibuki, you won't get those photos.'
Saiki had already teleported his key card home as a precaution. If this mission failed, he didn't want to be blamed.
"Right, right! I remember now—his name is Saiki, yes, Saiki!"
'Remembering my name isn't exactly something to brag about.'
"He wears glasses and looks harmless. If he sees me, he won't ignore me. Perfect for infiltrating Class C."
Ibuki and Saiki locked eyes. She began planning her next move.
Saiki looked away, pretending not to notice her, and walked off in another direction.
"Hey! Seriously? You saw me, didn't you?! Ignoring me like that is just too much!"
Ibuki was caught off guard by Saiki's indifference. She even quickened her pace, trying to catch up.
"Saiki, where are you?"
At that moment, Yamauchi Haruki (Yamauchi) called out from nearby.
"Oh! There's a girl here! Which class are you from?"
Yamauchi, who had been looking for Saiki, spotted Ibuki.
"Are you looking for the guy with glasses? He just walked past here!"
Ibuki, sitting on the ground, pointed in Saiki's direction.
"Tch."
Saiki had no choice but to pretend he'd heard Yamauchi and turn around. Sakura Airi (Sakura) was with Yamauchi.
"Saiki-kun... I was worried... The campsite was crowded, so I came looking for you... Didn't expect Yamauchi to be here too..."
Sakura seemed flustered, but she quietly greeted Saiki:
"Saiki-kun..."
Yamauchi, however, had other thoughts.
"Perfect excuse to be alone with Sakura! I never noticed before, but she's actually pretty. Kushida's nicer, but too hard to handle. Sakura's easier..."
'Stop your delusions. You fall for every girl you see. Even Ike's better than you.'
Saiki turned to Ibuki, unable to ignore her now.
"You saw me and just walked past, didn't you?"
Ibuki, proud as she was, was annoyed by Saiki's disregard.
"Sorry, I'm severely nearsighted."
Saiki pointed to his glasses, making up an excuse. The glasses actually blocked his petrification ability.
Ibuki frowned but couldn't argue.
"How did you get hurt?" Yamauchi asked, concerned.
"I... had a disagreement with someone in my class."
Ibuki replied slowly.
'To go this far to deceive us—she's impressive in her own way.'
Saiki thought, observing her injuries.
"I can't leave an injured girl alone in the forest!"
Yamauchi declared, trying to impress Sakura.
"Sakura must think I'm a hero now! My stock's rising for sure."
'Your motives are transparent. Too bad Sakura's not paying attention.'
Saiki glanced at Sakura, who was nervously looking everywhere but at Yamauchi.
'Might as well check Sakura's feelings for Yamauchi...'
Saiki opened his affinity meter, checked the number, and quickly closed it.
'Better not let him know.'
"Come with us to the campsite! You must be hungry and thirsty!"
Yamauchi smiled, feeling charismatic.
"Really? We're enemies, you know? You're all too naive."
Ibuki replied, playing along.
Saiki noticed a digital camera in her bag and a radio buried beneath her.
"What do you think?" Yamauchi asked Ayanokōji Kiyotaka (Ayanokōji) and Sakura.
"I... I..."
Sakura looked to Saiki, who internally refused.
'Ibuki's Ryūen's spy. Can't let her into our camp.'
Saiki considered exposing Ibuki's thoughts but paused.
'Wait. Bringing her back might be good. If Ryūen's plan fails, he'll cause more trouble. If we bring her, he'll think it succeeded. I'll reveal my leader status to her, letting Class D guess. If I identify the other leaders, we'll place second or third, avoiding blame and attention.'
Saiki smirked, deciding to use Ibuki.
"It's fine."
He nodded.
"Great!"
Yamauchi beamed, turning to Ibuki.
"I'm Yamauchi Haruki. Nice to meet you!"
"You're all idiots, but kind ones."
Ibuki shook her head.
"I'm... Ibuki."
"I don't agree with Ryūen's methods, but to climb, we need him. Class C, remember: in this school, naivety won't survive!"
Ibuki's thoughts echoed loudly.
Soon, Ibuki joined Saiki's group at the campsite, sitting apart from the main group, claiming she didn't want to bother others.
Saiki and the others prepared a fire.
"I'll do it!"
Yamauchi, eager to stand out, took matches from Hirata Yōsuke (Hirata) and struggled to light them. He finally succeeded but failed to light the branches, using up most of the matches.
'Unbelievable...'
Saiki, exasperated, used his powers to ignite the branches as Yamauchi approached.
"I did it!"
Yamauchi celebrated, turning to the others—only to realize no one was watching.
Saiki moved to a quiet corner, using his clairvoyance to check on Kushida Kikyō (Kushida) and Hirata, who were foraging. He didn't want more incidents.
'They've found edible fruits. Good.'
Relieved, Saiki relaxed.
After half an hour, everyone returned to the campsite. With fruit trees and a nearby river, they were set. If needed, they could ask Chabashira Sae (Chabashira) for food using points. Teachers accompanied each class but mostly supervised and provided supplies.
The conversation turned to Ibuki.
"A student from another class here? Too coincidental. She's probably a spy."
"Agreed. Yamauchi shouldn't have brought her!"
"Her injuries are serious. Maybe we can use this to get info from her."
The group debated, with Yamauchi finally considering the spy possibility.
Hirata, after questioning Ibuki and seeing her injuries, decided Class C would care for her, despite some objections. As the de facto leader, his decision stood.
"Where's Kōenji?" someone asked.
"He's back on the ship," Chabashira replied, smiling.