"It was arson, but where's the evidence? Frankly, the makeshift restroom had a certificate of conformity, and the gas canister remnants have been professionally inspected, confirming the explosion was due to an internal open flame. The cut surveillance wires and your assault certainly look man-made, but we need evidence. Because Class A failed to extinguish the fire in time, putting it out alone delayed things for nearly three hours..."
Mashima picked up a glass of water and took a sip.
"Three hours is enough to destroy all physical evidence. Also, we found this near the tent remnants."
Mashima glanced at Nagumo.
Nagumo carefully placed a charcoal briquette, almost burned to ash, in front of Katsuragi.
"This charcoal briquette ignited the tent. As far as I know, only your class purchased charcoal for a party that day, correct? If this arson was man-made, the probability of it being internal is very high."
Mashima's words struck Katsuragi's heart like a heavy hammer.
Internal.
This was an answer Katsuragi had never considered.
If it really was internal... "I think I might know who it is."
"Hashimoto has an alibi, and he was the one who rescued Totsuka and you."
Mashima seemed to have anticipated Katsuragi's answer and explained before Katsuragi could say the name.
Even Katsuragi fell silent for a moment.
"Is there really no other way?"
Just as Katsuragi, still unwilling, wanted to argue for Class A to be exempt from punishment,
Totsuka's noisy voice came from outside.
Katsuragi glanced at the time, twelve fifteen.
At this time... Totsuka returned a bit too quickly. Normally, walking from here to the Class A base would take about twenty minutes, and returning would also be twenty minutes.
But Totsuka only took twenty-five minutes to return, which could only mean Totsuka ran all the way back.
Katsuragi couldn't help but walk out the door.
"Totsuka, what happened?"
"Katsuragi! Our base has been completely taken over!!!"
Totsuka cried out loudly to Katsuragi with a long face.
Katsuragi's mind instantly went blank.
His body swayed twice, but he managed not to collapse through sheer willpower.
"Katsuragi, are you alright?"
Totsuka quickly ran over to support Katsuragi, but was pushed away by Katsuragi. The furious Katsuragi glared at Totsuka, then turned and returned to the room.
"What happened?"
Seeing Katsuragi's expression wasn't good, Mashima asked in confusion.
"Mashima, I request an investigation into which class occupied Class A's base. We suffered a fire, yet someone took advantage of our misfortune to seize our base. I demand that the school invalidate their occupation."
Nagumo glanced at Katsuragi.
"The rules are fair. It's impossible to invalidate someone's occupation just because they took advantage of a situation, as they followed the rules. Of course, if they violated the rules, it could be invalidated."
Nagumo's words brought Katsuragi back to his senses from his rage.
He knew that since Nagumo said that, it meant the situation was irreversible.
Instead of continuing to argue for the invalidation of their occupation, it was better to think about how to deal with the aftermath.
"Then could you please find out which class occupied our base?"
"From the base punch-in numbers, it was someone from Class B who punched in at your base before you. As for who punched in, we cannot disclose that information."
Mashima-sensei said helplessly.
"I understand."
Katsuragi nodded and turned to leave the room.
The few people in the room looked at each other, a bitter smile on their faces.
Everyone knew that Class A had suffered a huge loss this time.
But if they followed the school rules, everything was reasonable, and there was no way to get justice for Class A.
Even the fire, which clearly looked like it was intentionally set, could only be blamed on Class A because there wasn't enough evidence.
Everyone knew Class A was innocent, but reality was cruel.
Just as Katsuragi was about to go find Ichinose for an explanation, he saw an unwelcome guest wandering around their temporary camp.
"Miyako-san, do you need something from us?"
Katsuragi was already furious, and seeing Amane still wandering around and enjoying the spectacle made his expression even darker, his gaze carrying a hint of ill will.
"Don't be so agitated. I came to discuss a collaboration with you. After all, we've also encountered some nasty rats."
Amane's words softened Katsuragi's expression somewhat, but he remained wary.
"I heard you guys had your base stolen by Class C? The rats we encountered were Class B. I don't think there's any point in our two classes cooperating."
Katsuragi decisively refused to cooperate with Amane.
"Is that so? Currently, Class B is the only class with base points."
Amane's words stung Katsuragi's heart.
Yes, Class B was now dominant. Even if Class B hadn't stolen Class A's base, Class A would definitely have to find a way to make Class B lose its base points too. Only then could everyone return to the same starting line.
But... they were leaving tomorrow. What could they do in one night?
"I understand what you mean, but unfortunately, we'll be evacuating this island and returning to the cruise ship tomorrow. If it weren't for this penalty, I'd be very willing to team up with you, but now... there's no chance."
Katsuragi's attitude finally softened, a bitter expression showing on his face.
"You're withdrawing from the exam?"
Amane asked in surprise.
"Yes, so even though you've convinced me, it's a pity we don't have a chance to cooperate. I want revenge, but there's nothing I can do."
Katsuragi spread his hands helplessly.
Class B's base-stealing act made Katsuragi wish he could burn down Class B's base as well, but the reality was that he was about to withdraw from the exam and was powerless to seek revenge.
Amane hadn't expected the school's punishment to be so severe, but since she had come, she wasn't planning on leaving empty-handed.
"Since we can't cooperate, let's try another approach. Would you like to hire me to help you get revenge?"
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