Dark clouds loomed over the uninhabited isnd, blocking out every trace of sunlight. Raindrops, heavy and relentless, drummed against the leaves, filling the forest with a rhythmic pattering.

  Inside a cave at Css A’s camp, Katsuragi Kōhei meticulously recalcuted the points his css had accumuted in this special exam.

  Initial Points: 300Correctly guessing Css B and Css D’s leaders: +100Occupied base points: +172Sakayanagi’s absence: -30Final Score: 542 points

  Seeing this number in his notebook, even the ever-composed Katsuragi couldn’t suppress a satisfied smile.

  This score… should be enough to create an overwhelming lead against Css B.

  This time, even Sakayanagi’s supporters will have nothing to say.

  ---

  Staring in the direction of Css A’s camp, Ryūen Kakeru let out a cold chuckle.

  "Fine. I’ll let you have the highest score this time."

  "But the true winner of this exam is me—Ryūen Kakeru!"

  Leaders guessed correctly (3 csses): +150Occupied base points: +26

  And on top of that—his contract with Css A…

  "Hahahaha!"

  Ryūen burst into ughter.

  But then—

  As if recalling something unpleasant, his ughter ceased, his gaze turning dark as he gred toward Css B’s camp.

  Css B:Initial Points: 300Leader correctly guessed by Css A and C: -100Final Score: 200 points

  "Uesugi Gen…"

  "Just imagining the look on your face when you see the final results—it sends shivers down my spine! Hahaha!"

  Just wait.

  My grudge… Kaneda’s grudge… I’ll make sure you pay for all of it.

  This special exam is just the appetizer.

  I’ll make you live in fear of me forever. I’ll make you regret ever attacking me from behind!

  The moment Ryūen thought about Uesugi’s sneak attack, his fists clenched, veins bulging.

  He wanted to drag that bastard out right now and beat him senseless.

  As for Css D…?

  Ryūen scoffed.

  A css that sent almost all its students back to the ship, leaving behind only two—what could they possibly do?

  They were already as good as dead.

  …Wait.

  A bolt of lightning illuminated the sky—

  And for the first time, Ryūen’s smug expression twisted into one of shock.

  Cold sweat trickled down his back.

  Ibuki had mentioned it—

  Css D had no choice but to send most of their students back because they had run out of points, leaving behind just two people to make their final leader guess.

  Which meant…

  In a way, their situation was exactly like ours.

  And if that was the case—

  Then they might realize that I’m still on this isnd!

  Css C’s leader…

  Might be guessed!

  No way… No way in hell…

  He had been so damn careful.

  He had accounted for everything—everything!

  And yet, now—

  He had been thrown into chaos by the most worthless css.

  I won’t accept this.

  Ryūen clenched his fists, his nails digging into his skin.

  I spent days eating leaves just to make this pn work.

  I had Css A and B exactly where I wanted them.

  And now… Css D, of all people, is messing up everything?!

  I refuse to accept this!

  Ryūen lifted his head, his expression twisted in fury.

  There had to be a way—

  There had to be a way to turn this around!

  And then—

  A thought struck him.

  “The leader cannot be repced without a valid reason.”

  That’s it.

  Ryūen’s eyes widened in realization—

  Then, standing amidst the pouring rain, he let out a manic ugh.

  "I won! This exam still belongs to me!"

  "Hahahaha! Uesugi, you bastard—just wait for me!"

  With that, Ryūen vanished into the storm, chasing after a certain Ibuki Mio who had just left moments ago.

  ---

  Inside the tent, Horikita Suzune sat alone, hugging her knees as she listened to the rain hammering against the fabric.

  【Uesugi Gen’s goal was simple—by continuously eliminating potential leaders from other csses, he ensured that the one he designated would inevitably become the leader.】

  Ayanokōji Kiyotaka’s indifferent voice echoed in her mind.

  That guy… he really is smart.

  There’s no way I would’ve come up with something like that.

  Horikita turned her gaze toward Css B’s camp, her eyes distant.

  He must have pnned this from the very first day.

  Otherwise, he wouldn’t have said what he did to warn me.

  【But there’s a fw in this pn. He can’t eliminate everyone in one go—otherwise, he’d have no leaders left to guess. At the same time, he has to make sure only one remains to guarantee a 100% correct answer.】

  So in the end, he left me and Hirata… and Ayanokōji, wherever he is.

  Horikita restructured the situation in her mind.

  Three people.

  Herself and Hirata—in the open.

  Ayanokōji—in the shadows.

  A delicate bance.

  If Uesugi eliminated both her and Hirata at the same time, he would have no leaders to guess from.

  If he eliminated her, she would pass the leader role to Ayanokōji at the st moment, forcing Uesugi into a wrong guess and a 50-point deduction.

  If he eliminated Hirata, she would disappear at the st second, ensuring the same result.

  It was foolproof.

  Horikita bit her lip, turning onto her side and hugging her bag.

  And yet…

  At the final moment, he didn’t push me out.

  Instead, he showed up smiling and said—

  "We’re friends, right? Why don’t you come stay with us?"

  Friends?

  Friends my ass!

  You kicked out almost my entire css without hesitation, and when it was my turn, you suddenly hesitated?!

  "We’re friends," you say—while lying to me every single day?!

  At that moment, Ayanokōji’s voice drifted into her thoughts again.

  【Css C’s leader is most likely Ryūen Kakeru. But I’m unsure if he’s realized what’s happening. To avoid unnecessary risks, it’s better not to write their name.】

  【As for Css A’s leader, it’s Totsuka Yahiko. Their css got unlucky—I happened to catch them. And knowing Katsuragi, he likely wouldn’t switch leaders.】

  【With that, and the intel from Ibuki, we’ll know the final results tomorrow.】

  So it’s over?

  Horikita rolled onto her back, staring at the pitch-bck tent ceiling.

  At the start, she had been so confident, so sure she could keep up.

  He even reminded her to bring medicine—

  And yet, in the end…

  She had lost.

  Completely.

  Can I… really beat him?

  Horikita let out a quiet, bitter chuckle.

  And then—

  That annoying voice rang in her mind.

  【Horikita-san, don’t cry when you lose, okay?】

  Her fists clenched.

  "You’re the one who’s gonna cry!"

  A fire reignited in her eyes as she sat up.

  That’s it!

  At least once…

  I have to win against him. And when I do, I’m gonna punch him straight in the face!

  ---

  T/N: Kiyotaka....