Chapter 62 – I’m so stupid to be wary of you

Uninhabited Island, Day Two of the Special Exam.

Perhaps knowing that everyone was returning to the cruise ship today, opting not to bother with the school's special exam and instead spend a very happy and perfect summer vacation, Class C was full of energy. They enjoyed water activities like the water jetpacks, jet skis, and sea balloons to the fullest, knowing such opportunities wouldn't be available once back on the cruise ship.

Horikita and Ayanokoji from Class D, who came to scout, were met with such indulgence, leaving them both somewhat stunned.

After settling down on the first day, they had planned to scout other classes on the second, to see how they were coping with the uninhabited island exam, perhaps learn something useful for their class, or gather some intelligence on the enemy.

At the very least, they could deduce how many special exam points the other classes had spent based on the materials they had exchanged, to see if Class D needed to save more points.

The first target, of course, was Class C, their formidable enemy. But what they saw upon arriving was surprising. Various sea entertainment facilities, sun umbrellas, canopy tents, mini-fridges, barbecue grills!

This wasn't something they could learn! They couldn't possibly emulate Class C's way of having fun!

Horikita and Ayanokoji briefly scanned the area and noticed Yukio. He was playing cards with Ryuuen, Shiina, and a couple of others. Albert was standing guard like a loyal bodyguard, while Ishizaki looked rather miserable with white adhesive tape all over his face, seemingly having lost badly at cards. Some students from Class C were busy providing cold drinks or even making smoothies with a mini-fridge.

Others were using fresh ingredients and barbecue grills to prepare breakfast, leaving Horikita almost popping her eyes out. Are you serious?! Barbecue for breakfast?!

Are you here for the exam or on vacation?

Unable to contain her curiosity, Horikita briskly walked towards the card game, with Ayanokoji reluctantly following behind, appearing to anyone unaware like Horikita's assistant.

The arrival of outsiders caught the attention of Class C students, who continued doing their own thing, completely ignoring them and showing no sign of caution. Want to watch, want to scout? Feel free to look around, there's nothing to hide.

Before Horikita could speak, Yukio, somewhat delighted, covered his hand of cards on the small table and shuffled them, then turned to greet her: "Hey, isn't that Horikita? Good morning."

Ryuuen's eyebrows twitched noticeably as he too covered his cards.

This caused Shiina to pout a little in displeasure, cutely puffing up her cheeks: "I was just about to win."

"What winning?" Yukio feigned ignorance as he turned back: "How about this, Ishizaki, you take over. I'll chat with our friends from Class D."

"Yukio," Horikita interrupted the early morning entertainment of Class C, her tone tinged with frustration: "You really are living it up, aren't you? So much that you've forgotten we're in the middle of an exam?"

"Exam?" Yukio maintained a nonchalant smile on his face, glancing around: "Everyone, this is Horikita from Class D. She's reminding us about the exam, huh?"

The students of Class C, already somewhat unruly and more so under Yukio's influence, responded dismissively to the barbecue-for-breakfast individual: "Go away, will you? If you want to take the exam, then do it yourself."

The student making the smoothies was equally impatient: "If you want to survive in the wilderness, just go and pick bugs or dig up grass in the forest. Why come bother us?"

Horikita's expression instantly cooled, not expecting such hostility and derision from the students of Class C.

However, what concerned Horikita the most was not the words of the Class C students, but their reaction to Yukio!

With just a joking question from Yukio, the students of Class C rallied to his side, as if eager to defend him against Horikita.

This level of influence and unity in the class stunned Horikita. She couldn't understand how this young man had managed to achieve all this.

"You…" Horikita started to say something but was cut off by Yukio.

Yukio nonchalantly joked: "Did you hear everyone's response? Horikita, you're from Class D, so don't worry about how we run our class."

"Why are you so observant? Are you the person who tries to smell every tree in the forest to check if they're all fresh?"

"You!" Horikita was genuinely infuriated, her features almost contorted with anger! What kind of disgusting comment was that from Yukio?!

"Hahaha~!"

"Pfft" The comment was so unexpectedly funny that even the usually reserved Shiina couldn't help but chuckle. She glanced at Yukio as if asking why he had to say something so stomach-turning.

But Shiina couldn't help herself; she laughed with her shoulders shaking, while Ryuuen and Ishizaki laughed even more unrestrainedly. Ryuuen banged the table, and Ishizaki collapsed onto the beach, pounding the sand, unable to contain their laughter.

Seeing this scene, Horikita was furious to the point of exploding, her temples even starting to throb: "What's so funny! Is this a joke to you?!"

"I feel sorry for you! With such an incompetent leader, the rest of you won't have a good time! Yukio is squandering the special exam points! Don't you feel the loss?!"

"This could have been converted into class points later, narrowing the gap with the higher-ranked classes, and even increasing your personal points, right?!"

"Hahaha!" In response to Horikita's stern reprimand, the students of Class C burst into uproarious laughter, mixed with some disdainful jeers.

What does this girl know? She's clueless about Yukio's strategies. The real joke here is Horikita, and that's why the students of Class C were laughing.

They laughed at Horikita's naivety, at her audacity to criticize them, not realizing who the real clown was. How could they not laugh?

Horikita couldn't fathom what was going through the minds of Class C. Why were they laughing? This extravagant consumption was bound to deplete all their special exam points. Was it worth it just for temporary fun?

She couldn't accept this situation! With her personality, she saw Yukio as a formidable enemy, having been played by him during the mid-term exam.

This time, she was determined to get her revenge, but she hadn't anticipated that Yukio's group was almost ready to give up on the exam!

Horikita didn't feel the ease of an uncontested victory but was frustrated and dismayed, hoping for a direct confrontation with Yukio.

So now, Horikita's tone carried a hint of disappointment: "During the mid-term exam, you taught me a harsh lesson."

"Since then, I've been wary of you, and now I realize what a fool I've been. To think you're just content with this mediocrity. You're no longer worthy of being my opponent."

***

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