Classroom of the Elite Vol. 3 Chapter 5 Part 2

7

After about 10 minutes, Horikita came back and felt the uneasy air of the campsite. It was because of the dark smoke that could be seen from the back of the temporary toilet.

It was too early to make a fire. She also noticed that the place where this was coming from was very strange.

"What's that smoke? What on earth happened?"

As I joined Horikita, I caught Ike's tension nearby and asked him about the situation.

"This is serious. It's a fire! Fire! Something is burning behind the toilet!"

All the girls who were lined up in front of the shower room are gone. As soon as they heard that a fire broke out, they must have left in a hurry.

"I can't see Ibuki. The fire might have been her work. Where is she?"

"As soon as she noticed the fire, she just walked there."

I hurried to the back of the temporary toilet, there were Hirata and the others.

Ibuki was also there.

Horikita was ready to call out Ibuki, however the moment she saw her profile, she hesitated. Because Ibuki's expression was so genuine. She couldn't hide her confusion about the fire. That's the face she was making.

"Does that mean… She didn't do this?"

Such doubts attacked Horikita, causing her confusion.

If it was for the key card to be stolen, it had to be Ibuki. If there was a fire, only Ibuki could have caused it. Nevertheless, Ibuki was still on the scene and acted surprised by the fire.

When I looked into the origin of the fire, there was something left after the east side of the papers got burnt. But since most of it had been already turned into soot, I couldn't tell exactly what it was, as I saw it just for a moment.

However, some parts that had not burned completely looked familiar, so the moment I saw them, I realised.

"Did the manual get burnt?"

Horikita also noticed the same thing, so she raised the question.

"Yup. Apparently, it looks like that. Who would do this?…"

"… It's one after another…"

Horikita gave a small cough and looked down regretfully.

"I am responsible for this. The manual was kept in my bag. We kept them all piled up in front of the tent and I didn't expect mine to be stolen by someone during daytime. But first I have to digest properly what happened."

Rather that searching for the culprit, Hirata headed towards the river as he preferred to extinguish the fire first.

While scooping water in an empty plastic bottle, Hirata coughed with a gloomy expression on his face.

"Why… Who would have done something like this… Why can't we all come along…"

Spontaneously, with all his might, he squashed the plastic bottle in his hands.

Where did his usual refreshing expression go? There was a terrible atmosphere hanging in the air.

Hirata's body and mind, as he constantly worked as the leader to consolidate our class, continued to bear a heavy burden.

"I don't think you have to overburden yourself."

I said words that couldn't be considered comforting to Hirata, however, he stood up muffling a thank you.

"This incident… We have to discuss it, properly."

"That's right. Most of D class has witnessed the fire. I am sure they would like to find out the truth."

With a depressed expression, Hirata returned to the site of the fire, holding the scooped water in his hands.

"Hey, who did this? Does that mean there is a traitor in our class?"

When we went back, we found Karuizawa at the head of a confrontation between boys and girls.

"Why are you suspecting us? Isn't this a whole different matter from the one with the underwear?"

"You think we don't get it? Did you not burn it, so that you can mislead us?"

"Don't speak nonsense, as if we could do something like this."

"Wait a moment, everyone! Let's calm down and discuss altogether."

I received a request from Hirata to pass the water. Instead of him, I overtook the mission to extinguish the remnants of the fire. At once Hirata went to the center of the circle and intervened to mediate and convince them not to quarrel.

It may have been due to yesterday's theft of underwear incident, but both sides have now heated up and showed no sign of settling down. It seemed that the members of D class couldn't help starting a hunt for the culprit here.

"For the time being, there's no fear for the flames to spread out."

Shaking the overturned empty plastic bottle a few times. There should have been no more contents left inside, but one by one a few drops of water trickled down the fire.

I looked up at the sky.

"Rain…"

Drops of water were falling and dripping onto my cheeks. The clouds were getting darker than before. This was proof that heavy rain would come soon.

Originally, all of us agreed to unite and overcome the last pinch.

But now, boys and girls were strongly opposed to each other, and they remained unmoved as if they were having a real war with each other.

"I can't do this, anymore. Seriously, this is the worst. Having arsonists and underwear thieves in this class, this is the lowest of the low."

"That's why we've been telling you that it wasn't us! How long are you going to keep suspecting us?"

A quarrel that could keep going forever.

Hirata was supposed to stop this soon as usual, but he was standing still, looking dumbfounded for some reason. Was he thinking about who could be the culprit?

"Kanji, I can't see Ibuki…?"

Yamauchi noticed that Ibuki, who was nearby some time ago, wasn't here anymore. And I noticed that the bag that should have been left here was also gone.

"Perhaps, the culprit of this fire…"

"You're also doubtful, I see. If she was to start a fire, well, as expected…"

Men's suspicions began to turn towards Ikuki, and the girls also begun to doubt Ibuki little by little. However, before the resolution, the rain began to fall gradually stronger and stronger.

"Crap. Let's postpone the discussion for the time being. It's terrible if we're going to get drenched."

Ike and others, in hot haste, began to put into the tent the food and packages taken out.

"Hirata, give us instructions."

Ike called out to Hirata but, he still stood motionless in the same place. Hirata was staring at the empty space and didn't move the whole time. In the meantime, the sound of the falling rain was gradually getting stronger. I was getting anxious for this situation, so I approached Hirata but I didn't get any sign of recognition.

"Why...…Why is this happening...It's the same as that time…"

He coughed out lightly. I couldn't understand the meaning but it's certain that it's not a trivial matter.

This is not like Hirata at all. Hirata, who is always calm and composed.

"Because of me, up until now..."

"Hey Hirata, what are you doing!!"

A voice called Hirata from a distance. Still Hirata made no move, whether he had heard it or not. I gently placed my hand on his shoulder and he slowly turned over and looked back to me, surprised and astonished.

"Ike is calling."

"...…eh."

Hirata's expression completely lost life — he was turning pale. The second time that Ike called Hirata, he slowly regained back his sanity. So in that moment, he finally noticed it was raining.

"Rain..."

"It'd be better for you to help Ike and the others. We have to keep the clothes dry."

"Well, I have to settle everything quickly."

"Ayanokoji. Is that fellow, Hirata, okay?"

"As expected, it looked like a shock. Probably because many accidents happened in succession."

"In middle school, there was a young master and an honor student, and I guess he carried a lot of heavy responsibilities? Due to the fact that he took too many of them upon himself, he ended up exploding. From there, for a short time his class became a mess."

"Do you feel there's this sign in Hirata too?"

"Well, still it's an exaggeration to say he'll explode. In some respects, it's too much of a danger though."

I wonder if it'll be like Sudo's wild intuition. But he seems to strike the point unexpectedly. Since the start of this special exam, Hirata has been burdened with various things. It would be strange to compare these difficulties with the common trouble of school life. For sure, the environment surrounding Hirata was starting to change.

The issue of Karuizawa's underwear, the mud, and the uproar of the fire. His heart was stormy like this sky.

(Illustration: https://imgur.com/DTRmqZL)

"Well, for now, let's do something to take care of the baggage."

We joined to help the students who had already begun putting them in order. Thankfully, it was all completed in about 1 minute.

"Ok…All the preparations are over."

I supposed that Ibuki was going to disappear but at the same time Horikita did too. I read this as a fifty-fifty possibility but rather, she probably proceeded voluntarily towards a favourable direction. As soon as I focused on the road leading to the beach, I slowly stepped forward towards it.

(Horikita's POV)

Amidst the rain which began to fall heavily, I forced my sluggish body to chase after Ibuki. The sky, covered with rain clouds, blocked the sun, and visibility was poor. Even though I couldn't see Ibuki, fortunately there were footprints on the muddy ground. I'm sure that if I follow them, they will lead me to her.

She walked around a 100 meters from the base camp, going sometimes left and sometimes right, along the way. Then, unexpectedly, her figure stood still, as if she stopped and waited for someone to come and meet her. Inadvertently, I went into hiding, even though this action had no meaning.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Without even turning to look back, I heard Ibuki's calm voice through the sound of the falling rain.

"I am aware that you have been following me. Why don't you come out already?"

"Since when did you notice it?"

"Right from the start."

Her short answer, gave me an ominous feeling that I had not felt from her before. Her quiet and reticent impression didn't seem to change. But, something was different.

"So, what is the reason, you've been following, me?"

"I wonder if you do not know, unless I tell you directly."

"I don't know."

Now she made me look like I was the villain.

"You clearly understand very well why you are being followed, right?"

"I really have no idea. Why? What's the reason?"

Turning back to face me, Ibuki was looking at me straight in the eyes. There was no dejection in her eyes. I almost had the urge to apologize to her. I had no definite proof either. I was just acting based on my own intuition.

"Don't you think that there is no use in lying, anymore?"

I felt my own hesitation for a moment, but I pressed on for an answer.

"At least I want to hear from your own mouth, the reason why have you been following me."

"From the case of a piece of underwear being stolen, to the tumult of the fire. D Class has had a series of misfortunes."

"So what?"

"Do you realise that some people suspected you?"

"Ah!. Since I am an outsider. It cannot be helped being suspected."

"In other words, that's what I mean."

"That I am the culprit. So where are the evidence?"

"Unfortunately, there is no evidence at all about the underwear theft. Even so, I think it was you."

"This is quite a terrible story. You suspect me, even though there is no proof."

Well, she was so good at it. I could only praise her.

She didn't make her move until the 5th day and she did not try to approach anyone from D class, at all. This stance, conversely, allowed her to spend time with us, without being suspected.

"The reason I suspect you is because of today's actions. You do not need a further explanation, do you?"

Somehow, I wanted to take a testimony out of Ibuki. Trying to make me explain all the reasons why I suspect her. It's like to admit that I am the leader. Even if I am 99 percent certain that she is guilty, if there's a possibility of one percent that she is innocent, then, I should avoid pursuing things straight.

"Let's get straight to the point. Give back what you've stolen from me."

I said that to Ibuki who was standing in front of me, but without looking in her eyes.

"Whatever.."

Giving a short answer, she began to walk at a quick pace. I also kept chasing her, following her speed.

Ibuki changed her course heading straight into the forest.

"Where are you going?"

"Let's see, where am I going to?"

It was difficult to walk straight into the woods. I realised this in the past several days. Even more so in this weather, which doesn't give us much visibility. However, Ibuki didn't seem to care and stepped further into the woods. I also couldn't pull back, here. I have been following her, in order to find out the truth. Now that I have made a mistake, I must take the responsibility of solving the problem.

I must make up for my mistake. I must make up for my mistake.

The same words repeated over and over again in my head.

The trial had just begun. I couldn't fail here… Besides, it is my mistake for being so aggressive towards Karuizawa.

My heart beat became intense. Little by little. I held my breath and cut down the distance to Ibuki. It depended on the situation, but it might be necessary to consider recovering the key card by force.

It's alright. If it's me, I can do it.

I can do it, I can do it, I can do it…

I understand fully well, that I am not calm. But still, I have to do something about it now. I have been doing well on my own so far, and I will continue to do well by myself. There is no one else to turn to.

Being in the forest was somewhat better than being in the open, on the road where the rain and the wind were fierce. But the visibility was even worse, and the footing was much worse than I expected. And as I went right and left along the path, I naturally lost my sense of direction.

But my biggest problem was my physical condition. I have noticed from a little while ago that as time passed, it deteriorated. Up until now, I had signs of a little fever, but maybe because of this rain, my body temperature dropped. My limit line had collapsed and a cold was coming to attack me all of a sudden.

When Ibuki suddenly stopped, she unexpectedly looked up at the tree. A piece of handkerchief wet with rain was tied in front of her.

"Until when will you chase me? Would you stop it?"

"Until you return what you've stolen from me."

"Would you calm down and think for a bit? If I had stolen the keycard, it's not like I would have had such a dangerous thing forever. Someone seeing that means immediate disqualification. I won't end up just losing points."

I didn't refer to a keycard even once while telling her to return the stolen item. In other words, it looks like Ibuki confessed in that moment. She showed me her white teeth while faintly smiling as I was trying to pursue that point.

"You thought I had confessed? Sorry, but that's wrong."

"If that's so, then what's the deal…"

"I'm fed up talking with you."

Ibuki crouched down starting to dig the ground using both hands.

"Oh, hah…"

Being strucked by intense dizziness and nausea, I leaned on a large tree beside me without thinking.

"You look very sick."

Ibuki turned her head once noticing my condition. However, she continued with her operation.

"Ohh… Ohh… Hah…"

Until now I managed to breath normally to the utmost, but I couldn't endure anymore. My jersey soaked with downpouring rain suddenly snatched my body temperature away. I fought against the feeling of wanting to lay down the best I could, but I couldn't properly lift my head. …When I thought about my resilience, it only really started there.

"Ibuki-san. I'll start investigating you using sheer strength. You won't mind?"

Muttering, Ibuki stopped digging up the earth, stood up and approached.

"——- Sheer strength? Would you be more specific? To wield violence?"

"… This is the last warning. Return it obediently."

I confronted Ibuki with a sharp tone. I wanted to avoid using force, but there was no other way. I can't show this side of self to anyone…

There was a problem with Sudou that had occurred before. He was hitting C class students and the case turned out in a trial involving the school. That time, I condemned Sudou who had to deal with a lot of unexpected difficulties. I deserted it then as a well-deserved punishment. To think that I was about to try to solve things with violence like this is seriously hilarious.

"The last warning, huh… I get it, I get it. So what if I do as you please?"

She dropped the bag onto the ground, lightly raised her hands and took a pose of surrender. She got here very obediently. I couldn't watch her resignation, but I couldn't let go of this opportunity.

I stretched out my hands, checking the bag first.

The next moment, Ibuki's small leg aimed for my face. The smallest precaution saved me. I bounced backwards, avoiding the kick. The thief jumped and took a defensive posture clinging to both hands.

"You'll really do it."

"Violent act means immediate disqualification…"

"Are you saying someone might see us in this place? You're willing to do it as well."

While I was contemplating whether she smiled suggestively, she grabbed my shoulders and pushed me down in the next moment. Without even managing to react defensively to the unexpected events, I collapsed into the muddy ground.

"Would you like a few moments to rest?"

Her face looking down on me from above seemed blurred to me, who was riddled with wounds. Ibuki made a fist tightly as she grasped my collar and pulled up the upper part of my body. If I received this directly, it would tear my consciousness to pieces. I dusted it off, rolled on the ground, and escaped. I got up from the muddy ground with my hands, desperately trying to raise the upper part of my body. For the first time, I was glad I did martial arts.

"Huh? You can sure move. You practiced something?"

Without losing her head, Ibuki looked at me in evaluation as if impressed. Detecting instantly that I had knowledge of martial arts, she realized I wasn't an average person. How should I respond without telling her that my condition is at its worst?

"Indeed… I'm nothing but failure in this trial."

I have not contributed a thing to D class. In fact, in spite of my poor physical condition, I butted in trying to pull D class' legs that were working so hard. I wish I could have reported from the start.

Since I felt unwell, I could have requested another person to be the leader. Or I could have just refused. But my pride interfered which was unforgivable.

I made a fool out of many, and hated the fact that I, who had cursed at those incompetent, wasn't of any use. Ha ha… I let a dry laugh in my mind. Was it until now that I made excuses for myself like this?

"It was you, right…? Who stole the keycard."

Ibuki, who I was trying to chase, stopped. We shortened the distance shortly after. She pretended to do an attack with her right arm, only to do a high, fast kick with her leg. I escaped her attack and stretched my arm trying to distract her counterattack. Ibuki avoided my arm being instantly aware of the danger. She then switched over the next attack, forcing me to do a bewildering defense.

While having bad foothold, I kept the center of the gravity low, without worrying about giving the impression that I had the skills. Besides, in her, I didn't see any hesitation in hurting others.

Ibuki laughed showing her white teeth, like she was enjoying this situation. I never thought I would see her with such a big smile. Because of all the moving around, I was attacked by an intense cold and nausea. It was only a matter of time to stand still until the end.

"You did your best until here so I'll give you a reward and tell you the truth. I'm the one who stole the keycard."

Ibuki put her hands in her pocket and slowly she took out the card. On the surface facing my way, my name was engraved firmly.

"You admitted it pretty quickly after all that."

"It has come to a point where it doesn't matter whether I admit it or not. There's no striking evidence that I hurt you. It's not like the school can make a right judgement. Isn't that right?"

Ibuki's reading was right. There was no factor that could make the school perceive this situation as it really was.

Ibuki reached the same conclusion. Even if I got damage unilaterally here, Ibuki could find any excuse as much as she liked. Even if I complained, the two guilty parties of the crimes won't get punished. It was D class that had many points to lose.

But, if I managed to get back the keycard, we could possibly be saved. By seizing reliable evidence, there was no choice but to force C class to admit to their faults.

Fingertips remained on the keycard.

There was a chance that we could claim its legitimacy if stolen. If it functioned to make the truth come to light, the school may thoroughly investigate as well. I couldn't abandon that hope. But I couldn't get back the keycard unless I gained total control of Ibuki's next actions. I couldn't believe she was stupid enough to show this kind of bold behavior.

If she took it away, the card won't ever be discovered or found anywhere else.

If that happened, it'd only become a dispute involving me not stealing what had already been stolen.

From there, I had no more energy to break into a run and draw near to her. To make matters worse, I had no strength in my fist either. But all I had to do was to make use of whatever force I had left.

I wonder if Ibuki had some reasons why she was rushing things, or she was just underestimating me. I advanced through the ground and commenced the attack. Like a hunter who enjoyed a one-sided hunt. She glanced at me for a moment, taking advantage of my weak situation.

She was all fake.

While I focused my attention on the lower half of the body, she turned without wavering and swung her right fist with the smallest movement. She barely grazed my hair and avoided any physical contact or attack at any short distance, then she applied a little force to the back of my body and made use of her momentum. Even if I was incompetent then, I'd still try everything until I defeated her.

I tried to take her arms and she lost her balance but again, she grasped the situation in a moment and slipped through my arm. I was trying to see things through by using my strength and speed but I was also avoiding any physical contact. I mustered my remaining strength and I drove into the pit of her stomach with my left fist.

"Ah…"

Ibuki, who couldn't breathe anymore, kneeled on the spot like she was suffering. But at the same time my strength also reached the limit and my field of vision was distorted. There was no way I was going to chase her if she escaped, so I kept her under control.

"That's the worst…Already reached my limit."

Because I moved my body intensely and overdid things, my condition, which was already bad enough before, became hopeless. But I couldn't let myself collapse. My blow was superficial and it wouldn't defeat her.

"I don't know…I was sure you were involved in it."

Ibuki stood up wiping her muddy face.

"Involved? In what...?"

Ibuki showed a moment of hesitation but eventually, standing alone, she revealed.

"I didn't burn the manual."

"Do you have the intention of just repeating a lie again?"

"What would my profit be in doing such a thing like the arson? It's inevitable that people would want to search for the criminal again with the uproar of the fire. And I also would strongly suspect myself. But there's only great damage and not even one advantage in this."

"That's…"

Certainly I agreed with what she was saying. She was stealing the keycard before the fire broke out. There was no time for her to bother burning the manual and fan the flames.

Then, who? Did it even make sense to burn the manual?

"The reason I talked to you in such a roundabout way was to confirm that. You seem to be much different. But in that case, it's better to say that it was hard to understand. Do you think he's in the D class? I'd say a guy who seemed to be aware of my crime even before you."

Ibuki sighed as if she couldn't understand.

"You mean…"

Immediately, after the appearance of said person in my mind, I noticed that Ibuki was gone. The next moment, a blow shocked me and hit me hard when she attacked my head with a blunt weapon. I fell, hard.

"Our conversation is over."

I unconsciously started to feel that I had to get up, but the hand which had lightly been bruised by Ibuki's right foot made me fall again. Then, Ibuki gripped my bangs firmly and pulled me up.

"Ah, let me go…"

"Sorry. I've got a busy schedule ahead of me."

Suddenly, she aimed at my face and slapped me with her right hand. My thoughts and my body were at their limit and it was impossible for me not to suffer damage. I shook off the hand that was gripping my bangs. Then, I tried to get upright and draw distance with clumsy movements.

But my legs tangled and crumbled again to the ground like they used all their strength.

"Did you think that such a coercive method will be excused?"

"Come on now. I don't feel like answering."

When I narrowed the distance, she raised her feet high and kicked me in the face knocking me out.

How many times I repeated this to myself.

I…made a great mistake.

In an attempt to repair that mistake by myself, I transformed it into an irreparable situation.

8

(Ibuki's POV)

I let out a deep breath overlooking Horikita who had lost her consciousness completely. It's been a while since I had such a stubborn opponent. Maybe if her physical condition had been good, it wouldn't have been a ridiculous situation regardless of the winner. She was that strong.

I continued what I was doing shortly afterwards and dug up the flashlight and transceiver wrapped in vinyl. Although I would have rather gotten by without using those if I could.

"What…?"

Right after I took out the two items buried in the ground, I was caught by a mysterious sensation. I didn't know the cause of it. It's just that for some reason I had a feeling they were different compared to the last time I had buried them.

"Could it be… due to rain?"

Concluding it must have been only my overthinking, I got my hands on the transceiver. Then I reported my current location to him who was waiting to be contacted from somewhere and sat down to rest.

30 minutes must have passed since then. A flashlight flashed its light in front of me. Two times. Three times. It was well-regulated like the Morse code. I did the same and sent a signal using the flashlight near my feet. In order to resonate with each other, his guiding light went stronger. With his irritating face I didn't want to see, Ryuuen showed up.

"Oi. Thank you for your hard work, Ibuki, it was a good performance."

"… That was justified, right?"

"Justified? You knew you had to do it without making a mess or you wouldn't have taken a risk coming here"

"There was no other way, right. I didn't think the digital camera would break."

That's right. If only the digital camera hadn't wrecked, I would have taken a photo of the keycard and everything would have ended there. I'd have a certain proof in my hands. I wouldn't even have called Ryuuen using the transceiver. But as a result, I went into a big risk carrying the card that led to Horikita finding out my true colors.

"So, where's the card?"

"It's here."

I took the card from my pocket and handed it over to Ryuuen. Ryuuen illuminated the card with the flashlight, confirming the name carved on it was that of Horikita Suzune.

"You, come here to confirm it as well. You demanded it from the start. Be at ease. No one is supposed to be here in this weather and darkness. It's good to take precautions but don't waste your time."

A class' Katsuragi appeared from his hiding place. He was the calm and steady type of guy. Completely opposite of our leader. I pretended to be calm, but my mind couldn't help but be once again aware of Ryuuen's awfulness. Right after this trial started, Ryuuen said he'll coax A class against me and he really did carry that out. But how the hell…

Taking Horikita's card from Ryuuen, Katsuragi observed it with his own eyes. It couldn't have been forged in this uninhabited island.

"Looks like the real thing."

"Do you agree with this?"

Although it exhibited a certain proof, Katsuragi didn't change his stern expression. I've heard he's a cautious guy, but being this careful is kind of a disease.

"You managed to infiltrate into D class well. Weren't you suspected?"

"Under normal circumstances I would have been. But, how I managed to do it – that's a secret to be traded."

I unconsciously rubbed my cheek. When the espionage operation was launched on D class, Ryuuen hit me to make my leave less fake. But the pain and the hatred behind it was all real. Naturally, I misunderstood that students in class D were beaten and kicked out as well. Maybe if I hadn't been injured, I wouldn't have gotten in so smoothly.

"Don't ponder about it forever. It's a black-and-white situation. Besides, you've already done half a thing for us. Don't be stupid and withdraw here."

"…That's right."

Although he replied this, it looked like they didn't reach consent. Perceiving this, Ryuuen smiled as if ready to attack his prey. Rather than getting annoyed, he whispered:

"What would you do if this is not a meritorious deed? Did you know that Sakayanagi's faction has now overtaken yours and has the majority ever since the rumors spread about you failing to enter the student council after presenting yourself as a candidate? Here's your chance, right?"

"Son of a bitch… Why are you telling me this?"

"A class holds its firm place by forming alliances. If that's the case, even those who have betrayed you will come under your umbrella. Or will I turn to an enemy? What will happen if that's true…"

It's not like Katsuragi signed a contract with the devil. He was just negotiating. But that thought was naïve. Once you discuss with the devil, it will lead to a mandatory blood contract.

"Sakayanagi is now absent. It's impossible that someone who can't make decisions here rules A class."

"…We've concluded the negotiation as promised. I'll accept your proposal."

Having said this, Katsuragi stretched his arm to Ryuuen. Without an answer, Ryuuen boldly smiled.

"That's good. You've made a right judgement."

"But what's the negotiation about? Would you explain to me in detail?"

I didn't care whatever they did, but I had the right to know details. After aiming for A class, I had to decide if being connected with Ryuuen had been the right thing to do.

"To unite with A class."

"Let me return. I don't want to arouse suspicion staying here longer than normal"

Katsuragi returned the card to me. Then he disappeared in the darkness.

"So, what about negotiation? What are the details? What's the compensation?"

Thunder came roaring from the sea right after thunderstorms filled the sky with shining white light. Without even being surprised, Ryuuen, with an eerie smile, told me the details of the contract. Those details weren't simple, but complicated. However, even with ordinary methods piling up troubles, and achievements that were surely difficult, there was the prosime of a big reward.

Before the beginning of the trial where the majority of students was about to retire and fully enjoy holiday on a boat, a situation no one imagined had happened and just about everything moved according to Ryuuen's aim. I hated this guy's guts to the point I wanted him dead, but he was extremely close to A class after all. I confirmed this again.

"But… Is there a guarantee Katsuragi will continue keeping the promise? Even on a wastepaper."

"Naturally, there's a cover for it. He has no choice but to keep it."

I walked up to Horikita and grasped the keycard with her hand after wiping off my fingertips. There was nothing this girl could have done. She could have only stayed silent and endure knowing C class had found out about her leadership until the end of the trial.

I was sure about it after observing D class for a week. This girl didn't trust anyone. Even after knowing the keycard was stolen she didn't inform her classmates. It looked like she had opened her heart to Ayanokouji only to isolate from that guy again.

In addition, if we added up her incompetence, she would be harmless.

Besides, if she had the keycard, the fact her leadership was found out due to her mistake might have not been leaked to D class. I understood this girl's nature to a certain extent. Patient and stubborn. The type of person that doesn't listen to others' opinions. In other words, no matter how painful it is she will endure it for the remaining time.

"Use your smart head and protect yourself."

In the darkness, we disappeared in the woods quietly.

9

I kicked the wet ground and ran after Ibuki. One bothersome problem was the weather. Depending on the weather, there might be the possibility of getting stuck somewhere or getting involved into an accident. It was also a concern the fact that the sun would go down sooner than I expected and it'd be difficult to push forward without a flashlight.

The passing shower became stronger and the wind was also starting to blow more violently. The weather was just one of the bad circumstances. There was no advantage here. Visibility could only be maintained for a few meters due to the pouring rain. And even if it looked like I lost my way, thanks to the rain, the footprints of two people remained on the muddy ground, so it was easy to follow them.

Those footprints suddenly vanished. No, they weren't interrupted, rather they continued in the deeper forest. This implied that the path changed sharply and the persons intentionally bought themselves into the forest, they didn't go astray. Using the flashlight, when I aimed the light deeper in the forest, the two pairs of footsteps gradually were entering deeper and deeper. There was no reason why those people would put their feet in a dangerous forest like that.

Just to be sure, I tried to illuminate the regular route leading to the beach, but there were no footprints there and the ground was clean. With my hand, I cleared away the dripping rain from my bangs. Then I followed the footprints and went into the forest.

Naturally, the visibility soon got worse. It was safe to say it seemed night already. The ominous atmosphere floated around the dark forest but I pushed forward relying only on the footprints.

It happened about 30 meters after. In a moment, I felt a light entering brightly in my field of vision.

Immediately, I turned off the flashlight and concealed my breath. Staring fixedly at the direction of that brightness, I could see the light again. It was a flashlight. It was like it was sending off a signal. Ibuki and Horikita? No. Both of them wouldn't have anything to make a light. I quietly turned my feet towards that light and shortened the distance.

Hearing voices of people making small noises in the rain, I concealed myself. It didn't matter who was there and what they were talking about. The problem was that I discovered them. Grasping the situation was secondary.

And then, shortly after, the light of the electric torch went far off. It seemed to be over. Just to be sure, I approached cautiously. And then, there...…

Near a big tree, there was Horikita's figure, covered in mud, who lost consciousness and she really looked like she was dying.

A keycard was dropped to the ground near her hand that had no force left. On her injured body, traces of excavated soil. Looking at the situation, it was confirmed that Horikita has been found out as the class leader by none other than Ibuki. After picking up the keycard, I hoisted Horikita up in my arms.

"Um…"

I felt a sense of discomfort when I held her in my arms. I sighed faintly and Horikita, slowly but surely, opened her eyes very weakly.

"Did you come to your senses?"

"Ayano…Kouji-kun..."

Whether she could understand the situation, she uttered another faint comment.

"...my head…hurts..."

"You have a high fever. It's better for you not to strain to talk"

"I see…I, to Ibuki...but, why are you here?"

Even if I told her to sleep, Horikita would concern herself with this and that problem while her fever was still rising. Then, she started to understand the situation little by little.

"As expected…it was Ibuki who stole my card"

"I see"

"I can't be any more stupid than Sudo-kun and others. And I'm usually the one who exposes the disgraceful behaviours"

She closed her eyes lamenting a situation I couldn't do anything about.

"It's not a trial where you should keep hiding for 24 hours. You can be open to attack"

I intended to follow-up with something else but it seemed like it made Horikita sad. She was too injured and in a state of total heartbreak.

"It could have been avoided if I knew how to rely on someone"

If you seriously wanted to protect the leader's identity, you would have to rely on trustworthy people from the bottom of your heart. Doing so, people would have protected the existence of the card on a 24-hours basis. But Horikita had no friends who could have done it.

She looked miserable and she was coughing a little.

"When I was losing consciousness, I felt like I heard Ryuuen's voice…That's odd, he should be retired since long ago…"

"You were losing consciousness. Maybe you saw him in your dream"

"If it was really a dream, it would be even worse"

I wonder if she really heard Ryuuen's voice. Even if she fell asleep and lost consciousness, her brain probably allowed her to wake her up by herself after she heard something. It's no wonder that she unknowingly picked up Ryuuen's voice.

"I'm sorry"

While I was thinking silently, Horikita apologized.

"Why are you apologizing to me?"

"That's because…there's no else I can apologize to, except you"

Hmm yeah. It's something that makes me think hard.

"If you think that's bad, in the future try to make some reliable friends. Start from there"

"That's difficult…nobody is willing to be my ally"

I laughed when I felt the signs of such a resigned masochism.

"It's no use even if you laugh, it's pitiful to make fun of someone"

"No, it's not that. I think, deep inside you, you're starting to feel that you need allies"

"Nobody said that…"

The usual Horikita, now, would be insulting the other party but this time, there was another meaning to her words. The meaning included in her words was that of «exchanging and changing» oneself. Otherwise she wouldn't have said «Nobody who is willing to be my ally».

Still, it was not easy. Until now, nobody had any difficulties if he could change steadily and skillfully the way he was moving forward. Horikita's vacant eyes seemed to be looking at someone else through me, rather than at me.

"Such a thing…I understood it since long ago"

You should not live alone in this world. Both school and society consist of a huge amount of people.

"Don't talk. You're sick"

I can persuade her to be quite but Horikita didn't stop her repentance. However, for Horikita, there are no alternatives other than rely on nobody. And even if she saw a new one, she couldn't choose it.

"With my own strength, I will rise to A class. I will surely recover from this failure"

Without strength, she grabbed my sleeve and made an impassionate appeal.

"I'm ready to be cursed by all the classes…I failed to that extent"

"According to this school's system, if you fight by yourself you can't go up to A class. We need classmates' cooperation at any cost. It's inevitable"

She had no strength to keep her eyes open. So her eyes, in the end, shut. Horikita's faint grasp on my sleeve, actually, made me feel strong.

"It's impossible to admit. Regardless of how hard it is... in the end…I am alone"

"Ahh Shut up. Stop talking. There's no persuasive or convincing power in a sick person's words"

I embraced Horikita a little strongly.

"You can't bear heavy responsibilities. You're not that strong. Sorry to tell you"

"You're telling me to give up? I have a dream that my brother will recognize my dream to be in A class"

"I didn't say that. You don't have to give up"

I looked down to Horikita suffering and groaning a little in my chest and added these words.

"If you can't fight by yourself, it's better to fight with another. I will give you a hand"

"Why...? You're not the kind of person…who says such things…"

"Then, why not?"

It's better for me to be intentionally vague. Shortly after, Horikita used up all of her strength and lost consciousness again. What I have to do now is carrying this out without being noticed by anyone. The easy choice would be to retire, but I don't know which one is the emergency button on the wristwatch. If the helicopter is dispatched for an emergency, the sound will echo all around.

"I confused the road…it's dangerous, dangerous.."

I was proceeding with the prayer to exit from the path but, unfortunately, I got out on a steep cliff.

Another step forward and I would have fallen. I tried to make light below. It seemed to be about 10 meters. Unfortunately, it looked like I was walking in the wrong direction. Anyway, should I retreat back to the original route? I tried to invert my direction slowly as to not to put a burden on Horikita, but right after ―――

Unluckily, the soil under my footing collapsed and I lost my balance.

If I were alone, I would have grabbed a tree branch and I would have stepped on it, but both of my hands were blocked with Horikita.

I fell. It was inevitable.

I curled up my body to protect Horikita but I tumbled down the steep slope at loss for what to do. For several seconds, I had the sense that I was flying. I can't remember clearly what happened after I fell.

Should I say that it's fortunate that it didn't hurt Horikita somehow? I looked up to the sloped but with my state of still holding Horikita in my arms, it's very unlikely for me to crawl up.

"I screwed up"

However, now it's not the time to be stuck here. This time I will carry the still unconscious Horikita on my back and I'll go forward with a single lightstick in the forest.

Rain came without mercy hitting my body and robbing away my physical strength. The heat that came from Horikita on my back is not usual. If she's exposed to the rain any longer, it could be dangerous.

But, here, deep in the forest, there were no caves or other man-made shelters that people could use, so, there was no other choice but to rely on the power of nature.

Fortunately, the trees here were overgrown, and depending on the place, our bodies may stay relatively dry.

I looked around for big trees and then I moved us right under them. Of course, it was better than being directly under the rain, for the rich foliage prevented a lot of rain.

Gently, I left Horikita to lay down on the ground.

(Illustration: https://imgur.com/jJITGQc)

Her jersey most probably will get dirty, but this is something that we have to put up with at a time like this. I sat there putting Horikita's head on my lap.

Here, there was some relief as the surrounding area is cool, however, the humidity was so high that it felt damp and hot.

Horikita's condition wasn't good. I felt her trembling as she curled her body from the cold.

I embraced Horikita holding her close to my chest as much as possible, hoping that the burden would be eased a little bit and just waited quietly for the time to pass.

How much time had already passed, I wondered.

Horikita finally woke up being her usual fierce self but she seemed to be absent-minded or maybe she was unable to understand the gravity of the situation in which we were.

"How… Did you?… I…"

I wondered if she was temporarily confused, it looked like she didn't remember what happened a little while ago.

I explained what happened. However, I was a bit doubtful whether she understood it all clearly.

"That's what happened… I remembered everything, now"

"That's good"

"I don't know how good this is. Since I can remember my mistake, I feel the worst"

If she could talk in such a self-deprecating manner, then, I was relieved for the time being.

"It's almost six o'clock, Horikita. You might think that it is harsh, but you should retire. I guess your body is at its limit already"

She barely have come this far by pretending to be alright, but from now on this will no longer possible.

"I can't do that. We can't afford to lose 30 points, because of me… Wasn't I, the one who confronted Karuizawa and the others who used our points, carelessly? It will make me look like a total fool…"

The penalty related to poor physical condition was severe. Speaking of the possible lost points alone, there were more than Karuizawa personally used.

She laid her arm bitterly over her own eyes, so that she could conceal the tears from her eyes.

"It's not only that… The key card was stolen from me, too. You clearly understand what that means…?"

"D class will lose another 50 points."

Horikita nodded her head slightly. Then, D class would have just a few points left.

"Go back alone and leave me here. If we do this, at least for now, I will be the only one absent from the evening's roll call."

"And, what are you planning to do?"

"By tomorrow morning… I will somehow return alone to the camp. If I manage to surpass my bad condition during morning roll call, then for sure we will be able to do something about retirement, too"

So we could pass this through with a minus 5 points. That was the target.

"This situation isn't so easy, you're pretty weak right now, and the teacher in charge isn't naive enough so that you get through this with a fake performance. Above all, it is impossible for you to get back on your own."

"Still, I have no other choice… So that some points remain in D class"

Aside from the key card case, there was still a possibility that we could protect some points in relation to roll calls and retirement. That was certainly not a small number.

"Go!"

Although Horikita was weak, I felt that behind her words, there was still some kind of an indomitable fighting spirit. She could stand all the strain on her own, but it seemed to be unbearable for her to involve others. Without saying a word, I rose up steadily, putting her head to rest on the base of the big tree. She really meant to set me free from this situation.

"I will leave you alone without hesitation, but if things go on like this, our classmates will blame you"

"… Yeah. That's correct judgment. It was my responsibility and it's all my fault."

Horikita praised my cold decision as being accurate. But she was just feeling ashamed of herself for growing weak. She embraced her trembling body to endure the cold.

It is hard when you are not dependent on others.

The weather was still stormy, and there was no sign that the rain or wind will end, soon.

"Can you really come back alone tomorrow morning?"

"Yeah… I'll be ok"

"… Horikita, do you really think that it's alright not to retire in this situation?"

I blurted out unnecessary words.

"Of course I won't… I do not have the option of retiring"

It was quite convenient to keep fighting with an indomitable fighting spirit, but then again, it had no meaning if you lost in the end.

"Hey. Why do you think we are driven to the corner, in despair?"

"My negligence brought mismanagement. That's all"

"That's not right. Not right at all"

Horikita Suzune fought as hard as she could. And tried to finish the test without failing.

"… Please, go… Because I think of you as a friend, this is my request…"

Horikita said this and suddenly pressed her lips.

"I am going to make it right. As, if it didn't happen at all"

"No. I think this is the worst part of it"

"It's alright. I… alone!…"

And when she suddenly stood up she shut her eyes again in pain. After all, it was a burden for Horikita.

"Please, go…"

When she finished her sentence, Horikita lost consciousness, again.

I gently picked her up, shifted my position to make her feel even a little comfortable, and then, when I stood up, I looked up at the unquenchable darkness and I let out a sigh.

"It would have been much easier, if you had retired by your own will"

This stubborn princess will not resign from the exams until the very end.

Splendid. Yes, I think it's splendid. Your ideas and actions were almost right.

But, unfortunately, Horikita, there's one thing that's definitely wrong. Only now, this moment, let me tell you in all honesty.

I have never thought of you as a friend or an ally. I've never cared about you as a classmate. In this world, winning is everything. The process to do so, does not matter. I do not care what the cost is. I am totally fine as long as in the end, I have my victory.

You, Hirata and everyone else are only the tools for that.

It's not my fault that Horikita was driven to this point. I just complied with it. So, don't blame yourself, Horikita. What I mean is that you were useful to me.

I walked down the muddy road, while lighting up the flashlight. My shoes were already covered with mud, and the inside of them was flooded.

I don't mind it anymore.

(Illustration: https://imgur.com/rSVu74q)

The first thing to do was to grasp an understanding of my location. When I went down the slope, without a doubt I drifted far from the base camp of class D. But I was sure if I turned the other way back, the distance to the shore should be way shorter. I can go through the woods that I've been walking for several days, relying on the map in my head.

"It was close, after all"

Eventually, I reached the beach. The ship was afloat and its lights were reflected in the sea.

Then, it took me a couple of minutes to return to the previous place and pick up Horikita who had been lying on the ground, without any strength left. Her beautiful face stained with mud. Although I lifted her up in my arms, there was no sign of her, regaining consciousness.

I took hold of Horikita and started walking towards the shore, instead of the base camp direction. I continued walking, the time was around 7 in the afternoon, when I barely managed to get there in time. The tents set up by the teachers were now folded so as not to be blown by the wind.

I went up the ramp on the pier and reached the deck of the ship. Then one of the teachers noticed my presence and ran up to me.

"You are prohibited from entering here. You will be disqualified"

"I have an emergency case. She got a high fever and now she is unconscious. Please, allow her to rest at once."

As soon as I explained the situation, the teacher skipped the instructions and brought a stretcher. I laid Horikita down.

"Is she ok with retiring?"

"That's without a question. However, let me confirm something, please. Because it is not 8 o'clock yet, her roll call has no effect, right?"

It was fifty-eight minutes past seven, it's almost certain that we are safe.

I must win the teacher's promise, here.

"… Certainly. She is at the very limit, but you are out."

"I understand. One more thing. This key card, I have to return it."

I handed over the key-card from my pocket to the teacher.

"Well, then, I am going back to the exam"

I couldn't stay here. I was going down at the beach again, in the rain. With this, class D would lose 30 points with Horikita's retirement and I would end up losing 5 more points with my absence during roll call.