Ayanokoji's words made Shibata pause.
He originally thought Ayanokoji was here to scout Class B's information, so he even deliberately probed him, after all, it's very rare for an ordinary student to casually run to another class's camp in this school.
Every action of a person most likely contains a certain purpose.
So, the moment Shibata saw Ayanokoji, he judged that he should be here to investigate Class B's information, especially since yesterday they insisted on following Katsuragi's suggestion to observe Karuizawa Kei.
This in itself is something that Class D could easily view as hostile.
Even Ichinose expressed opposition, but under Kanzaki's instigation, they still chose to follow Katsuragi's suggestion and first find the student in Class D with special status.
Seeing this, Shibata simply had no intention of trying to persuade them.
It seems that after one failure, Kanzaki hasn't learned his lesson.
According to Amane's personality, even if she doesn't ask Horikita to attack Class B, Amane will definitely come to demand an explanation.
Even if observing someone is Class B's freedom, such a reason is not acceptable to Amane; once Amane really comes knocking, unless Ichinose is determined to break ties with Amane, Class B will have no choice but to suffer in silence.
As for breaking ties?
Shibata immediately dismissed that possibility.
Knowing Amane's value and then severing friendship with her is something only an idiot would do.
Ichinose, let alone, would absolutely not break ties with Amane; even if Class B and Class D were enemies, Ichinose might not choose to break ties with Amane.
However... the current situation is a bit strange.
In his imagination, it would be normal for Amane to even come in person to demand an explanation, but what does it mean to send Ayanokoji, who doesn't have much influence even in his own class?
Could it be... Shibata's heart began to race.
What if, and he means *if*, Ayanokoji received instructions from Amane to come and provoke Class B? Sending someone without prominence to negotiate is in itself a way of belittling the other party's leader and class.
The goal was to provoke the other party.
Once Class B students resorted to physical action, Class D could even gain the upper hand in subsequent negotiations.
However, if that were the case, it would mean Amane had completely lost patience with Ichinose, and if Class B and Class D truly went head-to-head, Class B would definitely be the one to suffer.
Undoubtedly, Ichinose's current 'turtle-style' defensive tactics were quite outdated.
This had nothing to do with Ichinose's own ability, because Ichinose was listening to everyone's ideas; she was merely a mouthpiece for the Class B members. But what good ideas could Class B members, assimilated by Ichinose's personality, come up with to contend with a cunning enemy like Amane?
In other words, if Amane decided to declare war, the current Class B would absolutely not even have the strength to parry.
If Class B were to suffer another heavy blow, Ichinose would probably have to step forward and take responsibility, and that's when his opportunity would arise.
Thinking this, Classmate Shibata looked at Ayanokoji-kun with even more friendliness.
"In that case, come with me. I'm sure Classmate Ichinose will also be interested in the news you bring."
After Classmate Shibata finished speaking, he strode ahead, leading the way.
Ichinose Honami was currently making a hammock with Hirono Yuki.
Although this exam would end in a few days, Ichinose had no intention of being perfunctory; every day, she was earnestly enjoying her life on the island.
Originally, when she was an exchange student in Class A, because she wasn't very familiar with everyone in Class A, many things could only be managed with compromise.
She also had no mind to make hammocks or other simple tools to make life more comfortable.
However, after reaching mutual trust with Katsuragi last time, Ichinose was able to return to Class B, and relatively, Katsuragi also returned to Class A.
Ichinose naturally knew the main reason: Katsuragi was not as good as he claimed, saying things like, "To prove that Class A and Class B can get along amicably on the island, we decided that the exchange students from both sides should return to their original classes."
Such nonsense could only fool others.
Ichinose had been surviving with Hashimoto's group these past few days and had generally heard about the struggle between Katsuragi and Sakayanagi.
Unlike the harmonious coexistence in other classes, Class A almost daily had arguments over trivial matters.
Sometimes it seemed deliberate, as Hashimoto used such tactics to continuously exhaust Totsuka's physical and mental strength.
Finally, Totsuka had no choice but to seek help from Katsuragi, and to stabilize the class in time, Katsuragi chose to return to Class A at such a crucial moment.
Otherwise... would Katsuragi the man rather stay here to monitor Classmate Kanzaki for class points?
Just as Ichinose was somewhat distracted, Classmate Shibata's voice came from afar.
Ichinose quickly put down her work and looked towards the entrance of the camp.
"Classmate Shibata, did you find the dry branches we need for tonight?"
Early this morning, the Class B students caught a sizable fish in the small river. After gathering everyone's opinions, they decided to buy some side dishes and make a pot of fish soup for dinner.
Classmate Kanzaki took charge of this, so Ichinose didn't ask much. To prevent Classmate Kanzaki and Classmate Shibata from arguing again, Ichinose asked Classmate Shibata to find some dry branches for the fire.
"Yes, Classmate Shibata brought back quite a few dry branches, but... there's also someone from Class D."
Someone from Class D?
Ichinose quickly washed her hands with the remaining drinking water in the bottle.
"Is it Amane?"
Ichinose waited for the answer with some anticipation.
A difficult expression appeared on the latter's face.
Amane's name still felt like a nightmare to them.
"It seems to be a boy."
"Oh."
Ichinose somewhat disappointed, dried the water droplets from her hands and walked towards Classmate Shibata.
"Classmate Ichinose, I'm back. This is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka from Class D. We met outside the camp. He said he was delivering a message for Amane-san, so I took the liberty of bringing him over."
"It's alright, Classmate Shibata, you've worked hard too. Go put the dry branches aside; holding them must be tiring."
Ichinose first smiled and responded to Classmate Shibata, while using the corner of her eye to observe Ayanokoji-kun. Unlike Classmate Shibata, Ichinose had met Ayanokoji-kun before. She knew that Ayanokoji-kun was very close to Amane and Horikita in Class D.
How could someone favored by Amane be an ordinary person?
"Hello, my name is Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. We met at the Student Council."
Ayanokoji-kun felt a little relieved to see Ichinose here.
Originally, Ayanokoji-kun thought Classmate Shibata would just take him to Classmate Kanzaki, in which case his lie might intensify the conflict between the two sides.
After all, Classmate Kanzaki's attitude always seemed very firm.
With Ichinose present, he would have a way to deceive Ichinose.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 70 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!