The jungle. Late afternoon.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka moved through the undergrowth with the silent efficiency of a shadow, emerging into the small clearing where Class D had temporarily gathered. His arrival drew little attention—most students were too fatigued to notice, their faces streaked with sweat and dirt from hours of fruitless exploration.
"Classmate Ayanokoji."
Horikita Suzune's voice cut through the ambient murmur. She approached with her characteristic measured stride, her expression carrying that familiar blend of irritation and reluctant concern.
"You're back. I take it you lost Koenji-kun?"
Ayanokoji's nod was barely perceptible. "He's not the type who can be controlled. You're aware of this."
He offered nothing more. The cave, the occupied base, the glimpse of Katsuragi and Kamuro—all of it remained sealed behind his impassive facade. In his assessment, unverified intelligence was worse than no intelligence. It created false certainties, narrowed options, led to decisions based on sand rather than stone.
And the question of Class A's leadership... that was particularly unstable ground. Better to observe longer before drawing conclusions.
Before Horikita could press further, a sharp clap drew everyone's attention.
Hirata Yousuke stood at the clearing's edge, his gentle smile undimmed by the day's hardships. "Everyone, I have good news! Ike-san appears to have located a promising water source. Let's regroup with him and assess its potential as a temporary campsite."
The announcement injected fresh energy into the weary group. Mumbles of appreciation rippled through the crowd as they gathered their meager supplies and followed Hirata into the deeper jungle.
The streamside clearing. Moments later.
The terrain opened unexpectedly, revealing a scene that seemed almost designed for camping. A clear stream curved through the space, its gentle murmur a soothing counterpoint to the jungle's constant cacophony. Flat ground stretched back from the water's edge, shaded by trees spaced just widely enough to feel open without sacrificing cover.
Exclamations of relief and approval rose from the Class D students.
"Perfect spot!"
"Fresh water—finally!"
"And flat ground! My feet are dying!"
But Ike Kanji, the expedition's accidental hero, stood in the clearing's center with none of the triumph his discovery warranted. His face was drawn, his posture tight with frustration.
Hirata approached, concern creasing his brow. "Ike-san? This location is excellent. What's troubling you?"
Ike gestured wordlessly toward the clearing's edge.
There, half-hidden behind a massive tree trunk, stood a metal pillar. Its display glowed with quiet, damning illumination:
[OCCUPYING CLASS: A CLASS]
[REMAINING OCCUPATION TIME: 7:32:26]
Hirata's gentle expression flickered—just for an instant—into something more calculating.
"That's strange," he murmured, more to himself than to Ike. "If Class A claimed this location, and it's as suitable as it appears... they should have established a permanent camp here. Or at minimum, left guards."
His gaze swept the clearing. No Class A students. No signs of recent habitation beyond the pillar itself.
A possibility crystallized in his mind. Prioritizing multiple occupations over securing a single base. Rapid expansion to accumulate points, accepting the risk of exposure to gain strategic momentum. Bold. Risky. Effective if executed properly.
But that speculation was for later. The immediate problem demanded attention.
Hirata turned to face the assembled Class D students, raising his voice to cut through their excited chatter.
"Everyone, if I could have your attention."
The noise subsided. Tired eyes focused on their class's emotional anchor.
"This location has indeed been claimed by Class A ahead of us." Hirata gestured toward the pillar, acknowledging the obvious. "However, the rules state that base occupations last only eight hours. After that period expires, the claim is released, and any class may occupy it."
He let that sink in, then continued.
"I can see how exhausted everyone is. Night will fall soon, and we need a secure campsite. This location offers water, flat terrain, and reasonable visibility. Since Class A hasn't established a presence here, I propose we set up a temporary camp nearby. When the occupation timer expires, we can officially claim it as our own."
The proposal met with immediate, enthusiastic approval.
"Yeah! That makes sense!"
"Great idea, Hirata!"
"Finally—a place to rest!"
Hirata acknowledged the response with his characteristic warm smile, but his eyes briefly met Ayanokoji's across the clearing. A silent exchange passed between them—recognition that this solution, while practical, was also a gamble. Class A might return. Other classes might have observed the same opportunity. Nothing on this island was guaranteed.
But for now, it was the best they had.
As the class dispersed to begin setting up camp, Ayanokoji lingered at the clearing's edge, his gaze fixed on the glowing pillar.
Class A's strategy is aggressive. Multiple occupations, rapid expansion, minimal defense. But that requires confidence—confidence in their ability to secure other locations, confidence in their leadership structure, confidence that their key assets won't be compromised.
And Sakamoto is at the center of that confidence.
The question is: how?
The jungle offered no answers. Only shadows, lengthening as the sun declined toward the horizon.
The streamside clearing. Late afternoon.
"Hirata-kun is absolutely right! I can't feel my legs anymore!"
"Finally—a decent spot! We can't let this go to waste!"
"Even if we can't use the water directly yet, there has to be a stream nearby we can draw from. Let's just set up already!"
The chorus of weary agreement swept through Class D like a tide. Hirata Yousuke absorbed it with his characteristic gentle smile, nodding in acknowledgment.
"Then it's settled. We'll establish a temporary camp here and prepare for the night."
He moved through the group with practiced efficiency, assigning tasks with the quiet authority that had made him the class's emotional anchor. Some students were sent to gather firewood. Others to scout the immediate perimeter for additional water sources. A few began clearing the flattest section of ground for sleeping arrangements.
Despite their exhaustion, the promise of rest transformed their energy. Purpose, however small, was a powerful motivator.
Meanwhile, away from the bustle.
While the camp took shape, a quieter conversation unfolded among the class's strategic core.
Hirata had stepped aside to consult with Horikita, their voices pitched low enough to avoid casual ears. Ayanokoji stood nearby, ostensibly observing the camp's progress but actually lost in calculations that had nothing to do with tent placement.
Horikita's tone was characteristically direct. "Hirata. Before we commit to a permanent encampment, we need to resolve the leadership question. It affects not only base occupations but the final-day guessing phase. Delaying this decision only creates uncertainty."
Hirata's expression grew serious, the gentle mask slipping to reveal the thoughtful strategist beneath. "I agree. This isn't a choice we should make lightly. I'd prefer the entire class to have input—this affects everyone."
Horikita glanced toward Ayanokoji, a silent invitation for his perspective.
He did not respond immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the glowing pillar across the clearing—that silent testament to Class A's presence, their efficiency, their speed.
In his mind, he was calculating.
The cave stronghold. The streamside stronghold. Approximately one hour between them.
One hour to traverse unknown jungle terrain. One hour to locate this clearing. One hour to complete the occupation process and withdraw before any Class D students arrived.
The implications were staggering. Class A's leader possessed not only intimate knowledge of the island's geography but physical capabilities far beyond the ordinary. The speed required, the endurance, the navigational precision—these were not traits of an average student.
And there was the name. The one he had heard from Katsuragi and Kamuro at the cave. The one that surfaced every time Class A's extraordinary performance demanded explanation.
Sakamoto.
The answer, when it crystallized, was almost too obvious. Too simple. Too direct.
And yet—Ayanokoji's mind circled back to the contradiction. If Sakamoto was the leader, why were Katsuragi and Kamuro handling the cave occupation? The rules required the leader's personal involvement. Every base claim required that specific individual's presence and activation.
Unless...
Unless Sakamoto is not the leader.
The thought surfaced, persistent and troubling.
Unless Class A has done something unexpected. Something that complicates every assumption.
He filed the contradiction away. More data was needed. More observation. More time.
But one thing was certain: whoever led Class A possessed capabilities that Class D could not match through conventional means.
Horikita was still waiting for his response. He offered only silence, his gaze never leaving the pillar.
The answer was obvious.
The answer was also, somehow, incomplete.