"Deal with our Class B? Why would Classmate Katsuragi want to deal with our Class B?"
Ichinose was completely unaware of what Kanzaki had done yesterday. She looked at Amane with a puzzled expression, unable to fathom Katsuragi's reason for targeting Class B.
This was because a circular mountain range separated the two classes' camps, directly isolating Class B from Class A.
Coupled with Ichinose's strict management of Class B, students from Class B usually wouldn't cross the boundary without permission.
When Katsuragi left as an exchange student, he hadn't shown any dissatisfaction with Class B. Since Katsuragi left Class B's camp, Class A and Class B had no further interaction. Even using 'not seeing eye to eye' as an excuse, Ichinose found it hard to accept.
"Amane... you're not lying to me, are you?"
Ichinose asked in a small, embarrassed voice.
As soon as the words left her mouth, Ichinose still felt it was inappropriate. Since Amane had told her this news, it indicated that it was most likely verifiable.
Moreover, Ichinose couldn't think of a reason for Amane to deceive her. To take a step back, even if Amane wanted to deceive her, there was no need to use Class A as a shield. After all, Amane and Class B had indeed had unpleasant incidents before, so there was no need to use Class A as an excuse for revenge.
If the news were false, the only possibility would be that Amane was trying to incite conflict between Class B and Class A.
But the relationship between Class B and Class A was also irreconcilable; Class A would never show goodwill to those chasing them from behind.
This meant Amane had no reason to deceive her.
So, it was most likely true.
"You can ask Kanzaki about this. Taking money to eliminate trouble for others, since Class A and I have reached an agreement, I can no longer cooperate with you, Ichinose. Please forgive me."
Amane's words made Ichinose feel troubled.
If it were just her cooperating with Amane, Amane might agree, but with Class B... the probability was already low, plus Class A had inexplicably reached an agreement with Amane.
Under such circumstances, Amane could no longer cooperate with Class B.
Ichinose returned to the tent, somewhat dejected.
Seeing Ichinose's dispirited appearance, everyone naturally knew that Amane had rejected the request for cooperation.
"That guy is truly ungrateful. There's the fastest way to end the exam, but she's unwilling to cooperate with us. As expected of Class D's style of doing things; it seems there's a reason she was assigned to Class D."
Kanzaki complained with dissatisfaction.
Ichinose remembered Amane's words and couldn't help but ask Kanzaki.
"Amane said Class A hired her to deal with us, and that Classmate Kanzaki, you knew the reason for this. Classmate Kanzaki, are you hiding something from everyone?"
Ichinose's words made everyone in the tent turn their gaze to Kanzaki.
Except for Shibata, who slightly lowered his head, not intending to participate in the discussion, everyone else had confused expressions.
When had Kanzaki reached the point where Class A would specifically target him?
In their impression, Kanzaki had barely left Class B's camp, so he naturally shouldn't have had much interaction with Class A.
So what exactly did he do that made Class A willing to pay a certain price to deal with Class B?
Seeing everyone's eyes on him, Kanzaki's vanity was greatly satisfied.
He was about to boast about his achievement, but his gaze inadvertently fell upon Shibata, who was sitting in the corner with his head down, saying nothing.
This plan was suggested to him by Shibata. If he explained the whole story clearly, everyone's attention would surely be on Shibata, who proposed the idea, and not on him, the actual executor.
After a slight hesitation, Kanzaki decided to make some appropriate adjustments to yesterday's events.
"Since it's already known, I won't hide it anymore. Yesterday, while Class A was distracted by their fire and not paying attention to their bases, I occupied all of them. This way, even if Class A withdraws from the exam, they won't get any base points. Undoubtedly, Class A will also become the last-place class this time, just like Class C. No, they should finish the exam with zero class points, becoming the worst class, right? Hahaha."
Kanzaki laughed triumphantly.
Those around him looked at him with surprise.
"As expected of Classmate Kanzaki, to be so meticulous as to discover Class A's oversight. That's truly amazing!"
"Exactly, exactly! This way, the victory of this exam is undoubtedly ours, Class B, right?"
"Classmate Kanzaki is so cool! With such an unexpected move, Katsuragi's face must be twisted with anger when he finds out, right?"
...Listening to everyone's compliments, Kanzaki repeatedly waved his hand.
"Oh, it's nothing, nothing. I just usually think about sharing Classmate Ichinose's burden. Yesterday, I happened to think that Class A might be careless after the fire, so I went to check with a bit of luck. I didn't expect to guess correctly. Perhaps Heaven is also helping our Class B."
Ichinose hesitated to speak. She had originally intended to scold Classmate Kanzaki for being so reckless, even if Class A was destined to be Class B's enemy.
But before Class B was ready to confront Class A head-on, Class B should have been more low-key and accumulated strength.
Now, with Class A busy with internal strife, it provided Class B with ample time.
However, with Kanzaki's actions, Katsuragi could use this to unite Class A's students against an external enemy. Facing a temporarily united Class A, Ichinose felt the pressure weighing heavily on her shoulders.
The words of reprimand reached her lips but ultimately turned into a bitter smile.
Everyone was praising Kanzaki for making a huge contribution to the class, so how could she disappoint her classmates' good intentions and jump out to criticize Kanzaki at an inopportune moment?
Sigh.
"So Miyako-san didn't lie after all. Then what should we do? Miyako refused Classmate Kanzaki's proposal. Are we just going to watch her monitor us here?"
A girl cast a disgusted look towards where Amane was.
"Don't worry about that. Miyako isn't Class D's leader. What right does she have to refuse our proposal? I think it would be better to directly discuss this with Hirata."
Kanzaki spoke again, offering his suggestion.
"Bypassing Amane? Perhaps we can try. Then, Classmate Shi... Shibata, please go to Class D and convey Classmate Kanzaki's suggestion to Classmate Hirata. Remember, you must not get into a conflict with Class D."
Ichinose emphasized, not at ease.
The reason she didn't choose Kanzaki was that she was afraid Kanzaki would look down on Class D, leading to an attitude that Class D wouldn't accept, ultimately affecting Class D's decision.
Having Classmate Shibata, known as 'the male Ichinose,' go might be better. It's just that such a title made Ichinose feel very embarrassed.
"Please rest assured and leave it to me."
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