After a brief moment of eye contact, Ayanokouji was the first to speak.
"Hikigaya, I went through Ibuki's bag."
"Uh..."
Hikigaya scratched his head, feigning confusion. "So, are you telling me about your... unusual hobbies?"
"...No."
Ayanokouji was at a loss for words at Hikigaya's response.
"If it were you, you'd have noticed something was off with Ibuki, right? Horikita asked me to find evidence. She practically forced me into it."
That explanation seemed plausible. Ayanokouji was indeed often at Horikita's beck and call, a fact known to everyone in the class.
But Hikigaya nearly burst into laughter, barely managing to stifle it. He decided not to push further, instead asking, "So, did you find anything interesting?"
"Unfortunately, nothing at all." Ayanokouji shook his head.
"Is that so? Well, I guess that's that."
Despite his words, Hikigaya didn't believe him for a second. Knowing Ayanokouji's cautious nature, it was more likely that he had noticed something odd in Ibuki's bag first, which prompted him to search it—rather than the other way around.
If they'd been in the same tent, Ayanokouji probably wouldn't have acted without knowing where Hikigaya was. But now, it seemed he had no choice.
"Anyway, I didn't see anything," Hikigaya remarked. "It doesn't concern me, after all."
"Thanks. That helps a lot."
With that, Ayanokouji calmly placed Ibuki's bag back where he found it. His composure spoke volumes about his experience. This guy was no novice.
Not long after, Hirata emerged from the tent, yawning.
"Good morning, Hikigaya-kun, Ayanokouji-kun. You're up early."
Hirata greeted them with a smile.
"Thanks to Hikigaya-kun's idea, we slept much better with the mats and pillows. Everyone's been praising you."
"Yeah, I've heard people say Hikigaya is quite dependable," Ayanokouji added.
"...You guys are exaggerating."
Hikigaya shot Ayanokouji a perplexed look, unsure of what he was trying to achieve. He understood why Hirata was being so complimentary—probably to help Hikigaya integrate into the class—but Ayanokouji? What was he up to?
Could it be that Ayanokouji had the same intention? But why?
This guy... There's something different about him lately.
Has his programming gone haywire?
As Hikigaya was lost in thought, Hirata pulled out the guidebook and began checking their progress.
"Though losing Koenji is a big blow, everyone's been working hard. According to the plan, we should have at least 150 points left by the end of the exam."
Having already identified Class A's leader, Hirata appeared much more relaxed.
"Keeping the class together is tough work," Ayanokouji remarked.
"Hehe, I'm just doing it because I enjoy it." Hirata's gentle smile was sincere.
"How many points we have left after this special exam will greatly affect our future at school. I want everyone in the class to be happy—that's all that matters to me."
Hikigaya couldn't detect a hint of deceit in Hirata's words. They were entirely genuine. Unfortunately, Class D was saddled with heavy debts, so even if things went as smoothly as Hira hoped, they'd only have a little pocket money left.
At that moment, Ayanokouji spoke up. "Hirata, Hikigaya, I want to ask you something. What would you do if there were students in the class aiming for Class A, and others who just wanted to stay in Class D?"
Hikigaya blinked, a strange expression crossing his face.
"It doesn't matter to me. I'd be fine in any class."
"Hehe, that's such a Hikigaya-kun answer," Hirata chuckled, then pondered the question deeply. "That's a tough one. If aiming for Class A means forcing the entire class to... Sorry, I don't have an answer."
"My apologies for asking such a strange question." Ayanokouji nodded, dropping the subject.
...It was strange.
Hikigaya was growing increasingly suspicious. Ayanokouji's behavior had changed noticeably. He wouldn't have cared about such things before, much less asked about them.
But now wasn't the time to investigate further. First, they needed to see how this exam played out.
"Hirata, the last few pages of the guidebook are blank, right?" Hikigaya suddenly said.
"I'm planning to do some exploring. Could you tear out a sheet and lend me a pen? I want to map out the locations on the island."
The guidebook did contain a map of the uninhabited island, but it was just a rough outline.
"Sure, I have some extra pages," Hirata agreed readily, though he added, "I'm fine with you exploring, but wouldn't it be better to bring a partner? Just in case something happens."
"It's fine. I'm more efficient on my own. Besides, this is just a man-made island. Nothing dangerous will happen."
Seeing Hikigaya's determination, Hirata didn't press the issue further, but he did remind him to be careful. After the morning roll call, Hikigaya had some fruit and fish before setting out for Class B's camp.
He planned to inform Ichinose about Class A's leader. But Hirata and the others believed it because of Koenji.
As for Ichinose...
Would that girl take it at face value?
...No, no, there's no way she'd believe it just like that!
Hikigaya dismissed the thought and followed Kanzaki's directions, entering the forest from the broken tree.
He quickly found Class B's camp.
"…Impressive."
How should he put it? While Class D's camp was decent, thanks to Kushida and Hirata's efforts, it paled in comparison to Class B's.
Their camp exuded a completely different atmosphere, like a well-coordinated, lively team. The tents they had started with had been supplemented by hammocks strung between trees, and they had made full use of a nearby lake, setting up homemade fishing traps.
But more than that, there was a unique energy about Class B. It was clear they were a united group.
Hikigaya was sensitive to such things, having been an outsider for most of his life. He could tell right away if a group was truly united or merely compromising for the moment.
Class B was undoubtedly the former, unlike Class D.
"Ah, Hikigaya-kun, welcome!"
Ichinose was on the camp's outer perimeter, the first to notice his arrival. It felt almost as if she'd been waiting there for him. Kanzaki was also nearby, and upon hearing the commotion, he approached as well.
"You guys have done an amazing job here. It feels like a vacation spot," Hikigaya complimented.
"Haha, not really. But thanks to your help, we were able to prepare everything in advance and avoid any chaos."
Ichinose scratched her head, her face tinged with embarrassment. Unlike Kushida, Class B had planned everything with their entire committee, putting them well ahead of the other classes.
"Hikigaya, you're here," Kanzaki greeted him.
"Yeah, I've got something I need to tell you."
With the two key members of Class B present, Hikigaya was about to get straight to the point. But Ichinose spoke first.
"Hikigaya-kun, if it's not urgent, would you like to tour our camp first?"
"Huh?"
"Hehe, since you're here as a guest, we should treat you properly. Plus, I'd like you to see the results of our hard work. After all, a big part of this is thanks to you."
"...Alright, if you insist."
Although Hikigaya didn't see the need, he couldn't bring himself to refuse such a warm invitation. Besides, he didn't have anything pressing at the moment, so he decided to take a look around.