With all the issues sorted out, Class C began to discuss their strategy.
However, it wasn't much of a discussion; it was really just the core figures like Kamio Tatsuya and Ryuen thinking about the exam plan.
"In any case, we need to avoid being isolated by other classes."
More than getting first place, Shiina was worried about students from their class being expelled.
"I was just asking, it's not like that situation will actually happen," Kamio Tatsuya said to comfort Shiina. "If nothing else, Class B's good-natured people wouldn't just stand by and watch an entire class get expelled."
"Heh, you're learning to use other people's kindness, aren't you?" Ryuen praised Kamio Tatsuya. "But this might be something we can use."
That's right, they could even use this to trap others.
However, this would require someone to stick their neck out. If no one stepped forward, they'd have to rely on sheer strength, and Class C might not be able to win then.
But for this exam, the first-year students' role would be limited, as being forced to team up with a larger group restricts them.
It's like the Sports Festival. Even if Class C won overall first-year honors, the Red Group of the D Alliance would still be the ultimate winner.
Putting the girls aside, the most ideal setup for the boys would be a 11+1+1+1 combination. But getting other classes to agree to this plan wouldn't be easy.
Unless other classes adopted the same strategy.
So, Kamio Tatsuya and Ryuen very tacitly avoided creating a specific plan because it was unnecessary. If their senior year teammates were uncooperative, other classes would gain a lot of points.
Therefore, the best approach for this exam was simply to react as things unfolded.
The top priority then would be to ensure no one gets expelled.
"By the way, Hiyori, when the girls are choosing their groups, it's best to pick groups that are easy to communicate with."
"I don't really know the older girls, so I'll leave it to you."
"That's fine. If you know someone in the group, communication will be easier. After we get off the bus, pass this message along to the girls."
Shiina nodded, indicating she understood.
As for the boys, she didn't need to worry about them.
After simply deciding on their course of action, Kamio Tatsuya took out his phone and sent a message to Ichinose of Class B.
"Do you want to cooperate for this exam? Maybe you can defeat Class A and advance your class."
Ichinose, who was discussing countermeasures with her classmates on the Class B bus, felt her phone vibrate. She apologized and took out her phone.
However, after reading the message, she hesitated. Ichinose's goal for this exam wasn't to win, but to protect her classmates from expulsion.
"What's wrong, Ichinose?"
"Kamio from Class C wants to cooperate with us for this exam."
Facing Kanzaki's question, Ichinose didn't hide anything and directly showed him her phone.
"Kanzaki, do you think we should cooperate with Class C?"
Kanzaki thought for a moment and then nodded. "If this was the old Class C, there would be no reason to cooperate. We'd always have to watch out for Ryuen backstabbing us. But if Kamio is the one proposing it, I think it's worth considering. Our previous cooperation went pretty smoothly."
What Kanzaki meant wasn't just the events on the uninhabited island. At that time, Kamio Tatsuya was in Class D, and he had given Class B a great gift.
Then came the Sports Festival. Kamio Tatsuya, as a student of Class C, had guided Class C students to cooperate quite well with Class B.
Although Class B didn't win first place in the Sports Festival, it was due to their lack of strength. There was nothing to resent about losing in a head-on competition.
Now that Kamio Tatsuya was proposing cooperation again, Kanzaki felt they could give it a try.
Besides, what Kamio Tatsuya said in the text message was very tempting. Class B and Class A were only a dozen points apart. If possible, they really had a chance to defeat Class A and advance in this exam.
So, in principle, Kanzaki also agreed to cooperate with Kamio Tatsuya.
It could only be said that they were truly worthy students of Class B. Influenced by Ichinose, they were all very straightforward and didn't seem to fear being tricked by Kamio Tatsuya.
"In that case, I'll reply to Kamio-kun."
A few minutes after sending the text message, Kamio Tatsuya received a reply from Ichinose.
"Please discuss the specifics with Kanzaki-kun after we get off the bus."
Seeing this reply, while Ichinose didn't explicitly say yes, it was as good as an acceptance.
Meanwhile, on the Class A bus for the first-year students, Sakayanagi was giving orders to the male students. However, after hearing them, Katsuragi frowned.
"Sakayanagi, are you saying we should form groups of 13+1, and have the other six join other groups?"
"That's what I mean. Do you have a problem with that, Katsuragi?"
Although Sakayanagi appeared to be smiling, she was actually already displeased with Katsuragi's question.
She needed pawns who would obey her commands and use their abilities, not people like Katsuragi who always questioned her.
"I don't have a problem, I just hope you don't forget that Class C has a very troublesome man."
The man Katsuragi was referring to was, of course, Kamio Tatsuya. During the summer, he had tried every method possible to celebrate his sister's birthday, even approaching the student council president.
But even so, he was still helpless.
As a result, Kamio Tatsuya directly suggested he go to his homeroom teacher.
And it actually worked.
This was more than just being good at scheming. The man had even seen through Mashima-sensei's unwillingness to ignore a student's troubles.
Furthermore, in his usual student council work, Katsuragi could sense Kamio Tatsuya's unconventional approach to problem-solving.
Therefore, upon hearing the details of this exam, his intuition told him he needed to be wary of that person.
Sakayanagi's strategy was not wrong; he thought the same way. Thirteen excellent Class A students, even with a liability, would still have a good chance of winning first place in the exam.
However, he felt they shouldn't be the first to suggest such a thing. They should observe the situation first.
But Sakayanagi hated those who questioned her the most. And he even mentioned Kamio Tatsuya, who had repeatedly defeated her, which made Sakayanagi lose face even more.
So, she didn't listen to Katsuragi's suggestion at all.
He had made his suggestion, but Sakayanagi didn't change her plan. Since that was the case, Katsuragi couldn't be bothered to care anymore.
After all, he was no longer the leader.
As for what would happen to Class A...
Facing the combination of Kamio Tatsuya and Ryuen in Class C, he really couldn't imagine how Class A would win.
He could only take it one step at a time, hoping that Class A wouldn't suffer too much of a setback because of this.
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