Chapter 74: Saiki, You're the Last Opponent I Want to Face
"We have information about Class B's leader. Do you need it?"
Ryūen Kakeru smiled at Katsuragi Kōhei. His spy in Class B had gathered details about their leader, though no concrete evidence yet.
"Without solid proof, it's unnecessary. Just focus on the exam and take a good bath afterward."
Katsuragi shook his head and turned to leave.
"If that's the case, my task is done."
Ibuki Mio said, walking toward the shore. Her mission was complete, and there was no reason to stay.
By noon on August 7th, the uninhabited island exam officially ended.
After each class leader submitted their guesses about other leaders to their homeroom teachers, all students gathered on the shore.
"Finally, it's over."
Every student looked exhausted. Surviving in such conditions as high schoolers was no easy feat.
Just then, Ryūen emerged from the forest, using a tree branch as a crutch.
"What? Ryūen?"
"Wasn't he supposed to have forfeited?"
"Could it be... Ryūen stayed on the island alone the whole time?"
Except for Katsuragi, everyone looked shocked.
Ryūen smirked, believing his class was the biggest winner.
He'd allied with Class A, buying 200 class points' worth of supplies and providing intel on other leaders. In return, Class A would transfer 20,000 personal points to him monthly.
His main goal was those personal points, but gaining class points in the exam wouldn't hurt.
Though their initial 300 class points were spent, Ryūen could still earn points by guessing other leaders' identities.
Using spies, I've identified Class B and C's leaders, and I know Class A's too.
Ryūen narrowed his eyes at Katsuragi.
Class A was split: Katsuragi on one side, and Sakayanagi Arisu on the other—the one Ryūen saw as his biggest rival.
With Sakayanagi's faction's help, Ryūen learned Class A's leader and misled them into occupying the wrong base, costing them points.
No one expects me to still be here. Guessing the other leaders earns me 150 points.
Smiling, Ryūen approached Class C. His gaze fixed on Horikita Suzune.
"Well, well, Horikita."
His tone was mocking.
"Surprised to see me?"
"Ibuki was obviously my spy."
Suzune glared at him.
"Yeah, but I didn't expect Class C to be so gullible. I wrote down your leader's name, you know."
Ryūen smirked, confident.
"Is that so?"
Suzune replied with a mocking smile.
"Oh?"
Ryūen's brow twitched.
Is she bluffing? Doesn't matter. Victory is mine.
"Announcing the class scores now."
Homeroom teacher Mashima Tomonari stepped onto the stage, megaphone in hand.
He paused, seemingly stunned by the results.
"Fourth place: Class D, 0 points."
"What?!"
Ryūen's eyes widened.
0 points? Why?!
Wait... Guessing a leader right gives 50 points, wrong guess or being guessed deducts 50... Did the other classes guess I was the leader?!
No, impossible... Especially Class B's defensive strategy... Unless I guessed a leader wrong and was guessed myself... Who?!
"Third place: Class B, 90 points."
"Huh?"
Ichinose Honami looked confused. Beside her, Kanzaki Ryūji was equally stunned.
"Impossible. We calculated 190 points..."
Class B's strategy was purely defensive—no guessing other leaders, no occupying bases to avoid exposure.
Yet they lost 100 points.
"Was Kaneda from Class D a spy? That's only 50 points... Another class guessed our leader? Did Class D cooperate? Or something else...?"
Ichinose couldn't figure it out.
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka glanced at the ship.
"Second place: Class A, 120 points."
Katsuragi's face darkened. The result didn't match his calculations.
"First place: Class C, 300 points!"
"What?!"
"300 points?!"
"We're first! Higher than the other three combined!"
Class C erupted in cheers.
Suzune turned to Ayanokōji, serious.
After replacing Saiki Kusuo as leader, Ayanokōji had revealed the other leaders' identities.
Using Saiki's intel, they identified Class A's leader.
The radio revealed Class D's.
Knowing Ibuki was a spy, they used her and the rules to mislead Class D.
Suzune realized Ayanokōji wasn't ordinary.
But she wondered how he'd guessed Class B's leader. They'd had minimal contact, and Class B was purely defensive.
"Ayanokōji, how did you know Shirnami Chihiro was Class B's leader?"
Amid the celebrations, Suzune asked seriously.
"I don't know."
Ayanokōji wasn't lying.
Guessing three leaders right earned 150 points. Saiki's cost-cutting added more, totaling 300—an absurd score.
Even I could only identify Class A and D's leaders. How did Saiki guess Class B?
"Saiki figured it out."
Ayanokōji replied after a pause.
"Saiki?"
Suzune was surprised.
"So, switching leaders was your plan?"
Before she finished, Class C students surrounded her.
"Amazing, Horikita! You guessed all the leaders!"
"Incredible!"
"Ayanokōji said you saw through Ryūen's scheme!"
"Huh?"
Suzune was baffled.
"Class rankings have changed."
Chabashira Sae approached, beaming.
"Congratulations! You're now Class B!"
Meanwhile, on the ship, 'recovered' Saiki Kusuo enjoyed desserts, oblivious to the shore's events.
After the exam, students had free time—swimming or resting on the ship.
Sakura Airi and others immediately found Saiki in his room, lying in bed as if he'd never left.
"Saiki, how are you? Great news! We're first place!"
"300 points! Thanks to Horikita guessing all leaders!"
"We're Class B now! Closer to Class A!"
Huh? Class B already?
Saiki wasn't thrilled, but everyone credited Suzune, sparing him trouble.
After chatting, the students left, except Ayanokōji.
"Thanks."
Saiki nodded. Ayanokōji had helped significantly.
"One question, Saiki."
Ayanokōji asked, meeting his eyes.
"How did you identify Class B's leader?"
Huh?
Saiki was surprised.
Shouldn't you know too?
Class B's defense made intel impossible. I'd have given up, but Saiki guessed it. How?
Well, telepathy and clairvoyance.
Saiki couldn't say that, so he improvised, recalling Shiina Hiyori's words.
"Because... obvious people aren't leaders. I ruled out Ichinose... But she'd choose someone trusted... Others would think Kanzaki, so I ruled him out... Shirnami Chihiro seemed likely."
Even Saiki doubted his words.
Ayanokōji will suspect me...
"I see."
Ayanokōji nodded.
Impressive. Saiki's understanding of others surpasses mine. Predicting actions based on personality—he's a monster. There's a scarier existence than Shiro.
Saiki's dangerous, but our goals align for now.
Saiki knew Ayanokōji's misunderstanding grew, but he saw no solution.
Hopefully, we won't become enemies. If we do...
Just then, urgent knocks came from the door.
Saiki heard the knocker's thoughts—Horikita Suzune, demanding answers.
Here comes trouble.