Class B's third-in-command has become one of us?
Ayanokoji had considered before coming whether Amane would provide him with some unexpected help.
After all, it would be somewhat difficult for him to accomplish these things alone, and Amane never fights unprepared battles, so she should have a backup plan.
However, most of the help he envisioned before coming was intelligence from Sakayanagi's faction in Class A, perhaps regarding whether Class A and B would cooperate. But he never expected that Amane could flip Shibata, such an important figure as Class B's third-in-command.
Now, if he thought about it carefully...
If Shibata was on their side, didn't that mean Amane had planted Shibata as a secret chess piece a long time ago?
Class A's second-in-command and Class B's third-in-command had both become Amane's collaborators for various reasons.
This would immediately expand Class D's short-term advantage to an unimaginable degree.
Originally, Ayanokoji judged Amane's ability as a smart, clever, well-connected, and cheerful girl.
But now, looking back at Amane, he could experience a different feeling.
He had underestimated Amane. Amane was a player completely on par with him. Although they each excelled in different aspects of ability, it was undeniable that Amane's overall strategic vision far surpassed his.
"So what should I do?"
Even though he had realized Shibata shared his stance,
Ayanokoji still cautiously probed.
"Ayanokoji-kun, haven't you heard of 'hitting a snake at its seven inches'? If the goal was to make our class act first to gain control of the narrative, you could have continuously provoked Class B with their pain points, such as failure and point deductions."
Shibata confirmed Ayanokoji's understanding with a glance, then continued.
"Even if Ichinose gets angry and tells you to leave, don't worry. As long as you're thick-skinned enough, just stay here and keep mocking Class B. Then Class B will be helpless against you. Eventually, someone will lose their head, and then you can turn the tables and gain the initiative. But now you've lost that opportunity, which is a shame."
Shibata seemed to regret losing such a good opportunity.
Ayanokoji nodded, looking like he had learned a lesson.
"So, did Class B really team up with Class A? Also, why is Ichinose in Class B? I remember Class A seemed to have designated Classmate Ichinose as the exchange student."
Ayanokoji seized the opportunity to directly throw out all his doubts, then based on Shibata's answer, he would judge whether he was just pretending or if he was truly one of them.
"They did team up, but for now, it's just a verbal agreement. Katsuragi's main goal in cooperating with Class B is to return to Class A and stabilize its situation."
Although Shibata didn't know as much about Class A as Ichinose, who had been in Class A, it wasn't hard to find clues indicating that the internal conflicts in Class A had reached an irreconcilable stage.
Even if Katsuragi returned, he would probably only temporarily suppress the discontent within Class A. Once there was an opportunity, those restless individuals would definitely try to create chaos and trouble for Katsuragi again.
Upon hearing that a conflict had occurred within Class A, Ayanokoji's expression finally changed.
This was probably the signal Amane was waiting for.
They had lived on the island together for four days. Even if conflicts arose during that time, more than half of the time had been endured. What did the rest matter?
As long as it wasn't an extremely malicious bullying incident or violent conflict, given the average level of Class A students, most would choose to prioritize the bigger picture and temporarily endure for the sake of ultimate victory.
That would be the correct choice.
But reality was quite the opposite.
Not only did Class A's internal members show no intention of compromising, but they became even more agitated, as if ready to ignite at any moment. Even when conflicts usually arose, in the presence of outsiders, Sakayanagi's faction would more or less give Katsuragi some face to maintain the illusion of peace in Class A.
This time, however, they publicly clashed with Totsuka, a subordinate of Katsuragi, to the point where Katsuragi had to be called back. This showed the seriousness of the matter.
So, why were the people within Class A causing such a commotion?
To say it was to weaken Katsuragi's authority seemed unlikely, as Katsuragi was not at Class A's camp. When the unrest occurred, Katsuragi was still in Class B.
To say it was to undermine Katsuragi's authority was a bit far-fetched. Even if things escalated, everyone would only blame Totsuka for his incompetence in managing the class. Once Katsuragi returned and solved the problem in a few moves, his prestige would largely be unaffected.
The only explanation was that certain individuals in Class A were trying to send some signals.
After chatting with Shibata about Class A for a while, Ayanokoji went to Class A. Since it was almost lunchtime, Class A was very lively.
From a distance, he could see Katsuragi distributing lunch boxes.
After Katsuragi returned from Class B, Class A, which had been divided, for the first time united to establish a complete camp.
This would make certain actions easier... Ayanokoji chose not to tip his hand at this time. After memorizing the layout of the Class A camp, he decided to withdraw.
He needed to discuss the next specific actions with Amane.
Inside the Class A camp.
Kamuro, Hashimoto, and Totsuka sat facing each other.
All three were hunched over, shoveling their lunch boxes, with no intention of looking at each other.
Behind them, two distinct groups, with different stances, were clearly separated.
However, after Katsuragi returned, some wavering individuals joined Katsuragi's team.
Hashimoto didn't care about these fence-sitters. After finishing his meal, he forcefully threw his lunchbox into the plastic bag used for trash in front of him.
Unfinished rice grains immediately scattered everywhere. This action made Totsuka furious.
"Hashimoto, what do you mean?"
The green-haired Totsuka looked particularly comical when he got angry.
Hashimoto made no effort to hide his disdain for him.
"Totsuka, are you looking for trouble?"
Hashimoto's turning of the tables left Totsuka a bit confused.
He hadn't expected Hashimoto to be so shameless. It was clearly Hashimoto who deliberately threw the lunchbox in front of him, and now it looked like Totsuka was the one bullying someone.
"What happened?"
Katsuragi heard their quarrel from a distance. With a stern face, Katsuragi immediately strode over.
From the day he entered Class A, Katsuragi had always appeared as the class leader, earning the trust of many.
This made his influence in Class A almost reach its peak. Even Hashimoto was unwilling to openly oppose Katsuragi.
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