"Kaneda-kun."
Ichinose waved her arm gracefully: "We are going to update our spot."
"Ah, yes! Then I'll go rest outside the camp for a bit."
Kaneda was very tactful as well; he wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned to leave without any hesitation.
He didn't act like a spy at all.
It seemed he was just trying to be worthy of his identity as a Class C student.
Even if they couldn't get any class points, he wanted to work hard to overcome this exam. He was also very diligent in his work.
Hmm.
Hikigaya watched the other's back with his dead-fish eyes.
He could only once again marvel that this was a top-tier school; even a person from Class C was this excellent.
Such a person would actually lose to Ryuen.
What kind of person was Ryuen, who ruled Class C through violence?
While thinking.
Hikigaya followed Shibata and others to the wooden hut. Under their gaze, Shirami Chihiro updated the spot's ownership.
"Um..."
Hikigaya couldn't help but speak: "Is it really okay?"
It was truly puzzling.
Ichinose and Kanzaki are both so excellent and have thought of everything—why can they remain so calm?
"It's fine."
Kanzaki looked back toward the boys' camp on the cliff and pondered:
"I've been observing Kaneda these past few days. He really doesn't seem to be a spy. At least it doesn't show in his actions. Or do you have other thoughts?"
"Well."
Hikigaya nodded and suggested: "How about we break something and frame Kaneda, making him withdraw from the exam?"
There was no other way.
After all, this was related to his own personal points.
He still hoped Class B would win.
"Uh..."
The people present were all smart; they understood Hikigaya's meaning instantly. Shibata and the others were dumbfounded.
"That won't do, right?"
"No matter how you look at it, that's too much."
Shibata and Kanzaki nodded in agreement.
"Yeah."
Shirami also said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "If Kaneda really was kicked out of Class C and we still frame him, wouldn't Kaneda be too pitiful?"
"Well."
Hikigaya scratched his head.
It was true.
Standing from the perspective of a bystander, Kaneda was indeed very pitiful.
He didn't really want to harm anyone either. Speaking of which, he didn't even want to work, but these people were just a bit too calm.
"It's okay, Hikigaya."
Ichinose smiled to comfort him: "Everyone has worked so hard, we can definitely pass this exam smoothly. Besides, when we update the spot, Kaneda never comes near it, right?"
"True..."
Hikigaya accepted this helplessly and asked curiously: "Speaking of which, how is Class A doing?"
Since the exam started.
He had been cooped up in the camp and knew nothing about what was happening on the island.
Since it was Class A, and they only had 60 points deducted in the first month, they were clearly the most outstanding existence among the four classes.
However.
It was such a class.
That had no presence at all, which seemed abnormal no matter how one thought about it.
"Class A, huh."
Ichinose explained with a smile: "Hikigaya might not know yet, but Class A currently has two leaders."
"Sakayanagi Arisu is absent from this exam due to her leg disability. The person in charge of this exam is Class A's leader, Katsuragi."
He seemed to have heard that name somewhere.
It seemed to be the person who ran for the Student Council at the same time as Ichinose and was rejected at the same time.
"Katsuragi is a very steady opponent who requires special attention."
Ichinose shared her view: "Compared to Sakayanagi, Katsuragi is more conservative. This time, he only occupied a cave on the island and hasn't come out. The specifics are unclear, but we probably don't need to worry."
"Is that so."
Hikigaya nodded.
"Anami strategy" (hole-bear strategy), huh. Focusing on defense—that indeed seems like there's no need to worry.
It was just a bit surprising.
That Class A would actually have internal strife.
But from another angle, even with internal strife, Class A still maintained first place; that self-discipline was indeed impressive.
Forget it.
Since it's irrelevant, whatever happens to Class A is fine.
The group chatted for a few more minutes.
Then they disbanded.
Hikigaya stared at the spot's screen with his dead-fish eyes.
Working hard will get you rewards.
That is undoubtedly a false idea.
Rather.
Most of the hard work in the world is just futile.
It's just that the fact that you worked hard can comfort yourself.
However.
What Ichinose said also made sense.
When updating the spot, that guy Kaneda had never even come near it; the defense was very tight.
But.
Changing the leader and framing Kaneda.
Both proposals were rejected by Ichinose and the others.
After thinking for a moment.
Hikigaya decided to forget it. He'd choose to believe in Ichinose here. He would just do something simple that wouldn't have any impact.
Body.
Was.
While thinking.
Hikigaya walked up behind Shirami (Xiaobai). She was preparing to cut corn for the evening's ingredients. Hikigaya gazed at her delicate and weak figure.
Speaking of which.
What was Shirami's name again?
Forget it, it doesn't matter even if he doesn't know.
Names aren't necessary for communication. He was already used to talking to people whose names he didn't remember, so there was nothing to worry about.
"Um..."
Hikigaya spoke softly.
"Eh?" Shirami turned around, a bit surprised: "Hikigaya-kun, is something the matter?"
"Yes."
Hikigaya nodded: "Can you let me see the key card?"
"Sure."
Shirami took the key card out of her pocket and handed it to him without a second thought.
The key card was green overall.
Its size was about the same as a bank card, but it was about three times thicker, roughly three millimeters.
"Thanks."
After examining it for a moment, Hikigaya handed the card back and cautioned: "That... even though I'm the one who asked for it, and it sounds a bit strange to say this, but you shouldn't just take the card out so easily, right?"
Was.
"Eh?"
The Shirami in front of him blushed and waved her hands frantically: "I wouldn't, it's only because it's Hikigaya-kun that I took it out."
"Ah, oh."
Hikigaya was stunned for a moment before reacting.
Shirami, huh.
If you say such thoughtless things, ordinary boys might fall for you very quickly.
But her meaning.
Was probably because they were classmates.
Shirami also had her own considerations; as a leader, she was naturally on high alert regarding Kaneda.
"That's good then. I'll head back first."
Hikigaya turned and left.
It was just that Shirami's nervous and shy personality was a bit worrying. If the exam failed, this girl would probably be quite self-reproachful.
After all, as a member of the cover-up team, he should try his best to cover for Shirami.
Afternoon of the third day of the examination.
Hikigaya was still honestly guarding the boiler.
A deserted island was a rare experience.
Although it was a pity he couldn't take photos to show off to Komachi, Ichinose seemed to have arranged for someone to take commemorative photos.
After the exam ended, they would be given the photos.
However.
If his figure wasn't in any of the final photos.
He might actually cry.
Just as Hikigaya was letting his mind go blank and thinking random thoughts.
"Good afternoon."
The glasses-wearing guy, Kaneda, appeared beside him and greeted him with a smile: "Is there anything here that needs help?"
"No."
Hikigaya was not polite at all.
"Don't be a stranger."
Kaneda arbitrarily picked up some firewood and threw it into the fire, saying with a bit of disappointment:
"Although Ichinose and the others were kind enough to take me in, I am still a member of Class C after all. I feel a bit guilty if I don't do something, so please don't be polite with me."
This guy.
He can really talk.
If I continue to refuse, wouldn't it make me seem cold and lacking in sympathy?
It had to be said.
Even from his perspective as a bystander, Kaneda had been working quite hard these past few days.
Not only did he build good relationships with most of Class B, but he also did his best to help with the work, showing no intention of eating for free.
If he were a bit more handsome, it would be hard not to develop a favorable impression of him.
For a moment.
One couldn't even tell.
Which one of them, him or Kaneda, was actually a member of Class B.
"Then..."
Hikigaya didn't hold back either: "Trouble you to put the cooled water into the PET bottles."
"Understood!"
Kaneda said while filling the water: "Speaking of which, I don't know your name yet. I am Kaneda Satoru from Class 1-C. What about you?"
"Hikigaya..."
Hikigaya only said half, hinting for the other person to hurry up and get lost.
"So it's Hikigaya-kun. Can I call you Hikigaya-kun? Of course, you can just call me Kaneda, or even better if you call me Satoru."
Eh.
Kaneda smiled, seemingly not caring at all.
"Hahaha."
Hikigaya gave a dry laugh without responding. Little Kaneda, with social skills like yours, you really don't seem like someone who would be kicked out of Class C.
"Actually, I've always envied you guys."
Kaneda continued filling another bottle, his tone slightly bitter: "Being assigned to Class B and having an excellent leader like Ichinose, unlike me..."
Although this guy's acting was excellent.
He couldn't escape the dead-fish eyes of the first-class human appraiser, Hikigaya.
This performance was far too deliberate.
He was clearly using his situation to gain sympathy.
A spy, right?
Definitely a spy!
Scheming boy.
Hikigaya could bet that Kaneda definitely wasn't as honest as he looked on the surface.
Since the other party wanted to chat, he could only go along with it.
"Then what about Ryuen..."
Hikigaya spoke up.
"Uh..."
Kaneda was choked up for a moment, his tone becoming somewhat unpleasant: "You're talking about Ryuen Kakeru, right? That guy is selfish and self-centered."
"He has no respect for people at all, a childish brat who thinks violence can dominate everything, no leadership charm whatsoever, he can't even be compared to Ichinose..."
Kaneda went on a long tirade.
His hatred for Ryuen was probably real.
If what he said was true and he had been beaten by Ryuen, it was impossible for Hikigaya to have a good impression of the man either.
But there was one sentence he quite agreed with.
Thinking that violence could dominate everything indeed sounded like a childish middle schooler.
Although he didn't deny there were such noisy people in the world, the "validity period" of violence was usually limited to the duration of compulsory education.
That is, during the period from elementary to middle school.
No matter how strong you are, can you be stronger than an atomic bomb or an iron fist?
After working for half an hour.
Kaneda wiped his sweat and turned to leave to help others.
Hikigaya watched his back unnoticeably.
Class B's defense was very rigorous.
Kaneda's style of action also showed great self-awareness.
No wonder Ichinose and the others were so confident, believing they could pass the exam smoothly without exposing the leader.
However.
To find a hidden leader.
It doesn't necessarily require specific questioning.
Since ancient times.
Language accounts for only 30% of human communication activities.
The remaining 70%.
Information is gathered from the rotation of the eyes and subtle movements.
Even if they intentionally hide Shiro's identity, as long as they know the fact that Shiro is the leader.
People's behavior patterns will inevitably show some degree of concern.
Simply put.
Some sense of incongruity will appear, such as special care for the leader, Shiro.
Ichinose and Kanzaki aside—they were excellent enough to likely avoid this—the others might not be the same.
If Kaneda were sharp enough.
The suspects should already be narrowed down to a few of them.
Although.
Ichinose wouldn't let him get definitive evidence. However.
Class C's "Zero Point Strategy."
Itself possessed a certain gambling nature.
Ryuen was clearly a guy who didn't consider risks, or at least wasn't afraid of them.
He would most likely still write down the name of a suspect during the exam.
In case he guessed right.
Class B wouldn't necessarily be finished, but they would definitely lose a large amount of class points.
The fifty points deducted went without saying, and the extra points for occupying spots would also become void.
Although Ichinose might not think so, Hikigaya felt her approach was also a gamble.
Aside from strict defense.
He saw no other action from Ichinose and the others.
While he could understand their confidence and kindness, the unease in his heart still couldn't be eliminated.
His two suggestions had also been rejected by Ichinose and the others.
Tricky.
He couldn't just knock Shiro out and throw him out, could he?
The next day.
Morning of the fourth day of the exam.
Hikigaya sat before the boiler as usual.
Strictly speaking.
This wasn't his job either.
But class points were related to his own allowance after all.
Since he was assigned to the cover group, he had the responsibility of covering for Shiro.
After thinking for a night.
The only thing he could do was manipulate Kaneda's emotions and judgment.
Although it sounds impressive.
In reality, it was just about provoking Kaneda's hostility to lead him toward a wrong method.
It might not be effective.
But it was better than staying here doing nothing except occasionally punching a clock.
Thinking of this.
Hikigaya stood up.
Even though Kaneda seemed to look down on Ryuen, it was an indisputable fact that he had lost the battle for status in the class to Ryuen.
This kind of guy who thinks he has a bit of cleverness.
Is actually the easiest to deal with.