My next stop was the Class C camp. The deserted grounds confirmed my earlier suspicions – their "zero-point" strategy had reached its inevitable conclusion.
Ichinose and Kanzaki of Class B stood amidst the deserted tents, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and disappointment. Their presence here was unsurprising. They were likely here to determine the fate of their defeated rivals.
"It seems Class C has withdrawn," I stated flatly, approaching the pair.
Ichinose offered a weak smile. "Indeed. It's a shame, but a predictable outcome considering their strategy."
Kanzaki simply grunted in agreement.
Seizing the opportunity, I decided to probe for further information. "Is there… discord within Class A?" I inquired, my voice devoid of inflection.
Ichinose tilted her head, considering my question. "Not discord, per se," she replied. "More like… opposing viewpoints. Katsuragi and Sakayanagi often clash in their approaches."
"Opposing forces," Kanzaki interjected, his voice gruff. "Their methods are incompatible. Katsuragi is the one in control of most students of Class A without the presence of Sakayanagi. But still, there without Sakayanagi's support, he won't be able to keep the entire Class A in line.."
This information was intriguing. The two students I encountered earlier adhered to Sakayanagi's authority despite her absence. This spoke volumes about her influence within Class A.
"Thank you for your insights," I concluded, my voice unchanged.
I then thought of something and stared at Ichinose and Kanzaki. I spoke to Ichinose, "…Since all the students of the Class C have withdrawn, I wonder if Ibuki-san and Kaneda-san will retire as well. Considering that the Class C's points have already turned to zero, there won't be any penalty if they do retire, right?"
Ichinose and Kanzaki were startled upon hearing my words. Especially Ichinose.
Just as the two were lost in thoughts, I added, "It's just that I find it uncomfortable that some of us in our class will have to share our meals with Ibuki-san. Although I didn't mind sharing it earlier since she might have become the target of bullying by her classmates if she had retired earlier and affected their points, but now, I don't think she needs a reason to stay on the island any longer."
"…You are right about that," Ichinose spoke, seemingly thinking deeply about my analysis. "Even if they delay their return because they fear being bullied by their classmates upon returning, they will still have to eventually return to the side of their classmates once the special exam ends. So it shouldn't matter if they return now or later."
I was internally satisfied with the conclusion that Ichinose had come to. I guessed that the situation that I had imagined would be averted now, which was the Class C's leader successfully guessing Class B's leader.
After all, considering that suspicious transmitter I saw on the table next to Ryuen, I had a feeling that the Class C's strategy wasn't just as simple as that zero-point strategy. If my suspicions are right, this zero-point strategy is just one part of their true strategy.
As for why I informed Ichinose about this matter, it was a calculated risk and opportunity so that I can have her as my tool in the future.
With that, I turned and walked away, leaving Ichinose and Kanzaki on the beach.
~~
(Fifth Day)
An unwelcome commotion erupted within the D-Class camp early the next morning. The shrill voices of the girls, punctuated by sniffles and sobs, shattered the pre-dawn tranquility.
Shinohara, her face flushed with indignation, relayed the news – Karuizawa's underwear had vanished. Apparently, their luggage had been left outside the tents to create space, and someone had taken advantage of the situation. Karuizawa, unsurprisingly, was in a state of distress, surrounded by her tearful friends.
The commotion inevitably spilled over to the boys' side of the camp. Hirata, predictably, stepped in as mediator, attempting to calm the agitated girls and establish a semblance of order.
Their request to search the boys' luggage was met with a wave of protests, but Hirata managed to negotiate a compromise. The inspection commenced, each bag being scrutinized with varying degrees of thoroughness.
As Ike nervously rummaged through his belongings, a flash of pink caught my eye. Karuizawa's missing underwear, nestled precariously within his bag. The sight was both unexpected and strangely amusing.
Ike's immediate reaction was one of pure panic. His frantic denials and flustered behavior confirmed my initial assessment – he wasn't the culprit. He wouldn't have been so careless as to hide the evidence in his own bag, nor would he have maintained such a composed demeanor prior to the discovery.
He shoved the incriminating item into my hands, his voice a desperate plea. "Hide it, Ayanokouji! Quick!" Before I could respond, he scurried away, Yamauchi trailing apologetically behind him.
With a sigh, I pocketed the incriminating evidence.
Soon, Hirata completed his cursory search of the remaining boys' bags. As expected, his inspection yielded nothing.
Shinohara, however, remained unconvinced. "We haven't checked them thoroughly!" she insisted, her voice laced with suspicion. "They've been acting suspiciously!"
Her accusation was aimed at Ike, Yamauchi, and me.
Hirata's gaze met mine, a silent question hanging in the air.
He then conducted a search of Ike and Yamauchi, which yielded nothing.
Feigning nonchalance, I allowed him to complete the charade of a search. His practiced hands brushed against my pocket, but he discreetly let the moment pass.
"There's nothing," he announced, his voice even. "Let's discuss this later when everyone has calmed down."
The girls, though unsatisfied, eventually dispersed.
Back in the tent, I addressed Hirata directly. "Why the deception?" I queried, my voice flat. He had known the underwear was in my pocket.
Hirata met my gaze unflinchingly. "Did you take it, Ayanokouji?" The question was a formality, his expression betraying his belief in my innocence.
"No," I replied simply. "I found it in Ike's bag."
Hirata frowned. "Ike wouldn't do something so blatant. There's another possibility."
He extended his hand. "Give it to me. As Karuizawa's… companion, I can handle this situation with the least disruption even in case the underwear is found on me."
"Indeed," I concurred. "The culprit could be within our own camp."
The request was logical. "There's also the possibility it's someone within the camp," I added, observing the situation from a detached perspective.
Hirata seemed to ponder this for a moment. "Find the culprit, Ayanokouji," he requested, his voice serious. "Report only to me. I want to handle this… discreetly."
Hirata's motives were transparent. He desired to maintain the illusion of unity within D-Class, even if it meant concealing the truth.
Inside the tent, I continued to think and believed that the situation with the missing underwear demanded a solution.
An outburst from the girls, particularly Shinohara, would undoubtedly fracture the fragile unity within D-Class. The accusation, however unsubstantiated, could turn the girls against the boys, creating an unnecessary obstacle.
Fortunately, I had the necessary tools to deal with this situation.
Exiting the tent, I spotted Kushida amidst a group of her classmates. I signaled her to excuse herself from her friend circle and meet me immediately privately. Her surprise at my request was a minor inconvenience, but she readily followed me away from the watchful eyes of her friends.
"The girls, particularly Shinohara and Karuizawa's group, are on the verge of an emotional outburst," I stated flatly. "This will escalate tensions between the boys and girls."
Kushida offered a slow nod, her expression contemplative. "Shinohara's anger is… understandable. Reasoning with her on this issue would be futile."
"Currently," I continued, "Hirata is in possession of the missing undergarment."
Surprise flickered across Kushida's face, momentarily shocking her.
Seizing the opportunity, I pressed on. "I need you to take it and discreetly place it within the bag of one of Karuizawa's associates. The girls wouldn't allow a boy near their luggage, but you, since you are a girl and have a good image, wouldn't arouse their suspicion."
Kushida's brow furrowed slightly, but she listened intently.
"Once planted," I elaborated, "you will then need to steer the girls towards searching each other's belongings. Finding the underwear in one of their bags will effectively resolve the current discord."
This solution, while unconventional, would maintain the illusion of unity within D-Class.
My conversation with Kushida concluded, and she disappeared into the throng of girls. The first individual she was going over to meet was Hirata.
Later, as predicted, the inevitable uproar erupted. The girls, fueled by Shinohara's indignation, began demanding segregation from the boys. Discord simmered, threatening to boil over.
The moment was ripe. Kushida, with calculated timing, emerged from the group and addressed the girls. Her voice, though soft, carried a hint of authority.
"Perhaps," she suggested, "we should also search the girls' bags? Maybe it was misplaced and ended up in someone's belongings by accident. After all, the boys' luggage has been thoroughly inspected, even their pockets."
Shinohara's frown betrayed her frustration, but she couldn't refute the logic presented.
Furthermore, the boys, eager to deflect suspicion, readily voiced their agreement.
A search commenced, and with practiced ease, Kushida ensured the "misplacement" was discovered within the bag of Maya Sato, one of Karuizawa's closest friends.
The ensuing confusion and accusations, however orchestrated, effectively diverted attention away from the true culprit. The girls, their initial outrage quelled, eventually abandoned the issue.
The real perpetrator remained unidentified, but that was no cause of concern for now.
As for this moment, the facade of unity within D-Class remained intact, thanks to Kushida's timely intervention.