"Senpaku, I am Sakamoto. What brings you here?"

His steps were slow, but his mind was racing, repeatedly processing what he had seen and heard at Camp A.

The chemical process of making salt, the dazzlingly efficient cooking techniques, the clearly defined functional areas of the campsite, and Katsuragi Kohei's seemingly dominant but actually absolutely obedient attitude towards Sakamoto...

All of this points to an almost unquestionable conclusion—Sakamoto was undoubtedly the one who led the Class A deserted island exam.

So, according to the most direct logic,

He should be the leader.

Holding the key card and personally leading the team to capture the stronghold is the only way to maximize efficiency and security.

This was also Ayanokouji's initial judgment based on the time difference.

However, a subtle observation...

But it was like a thorn, piercing into his chain of logic.

At lunchtime, he casually glanced at the Class A students sitting around the stone table.

In reality, they were taking a headcount.

The number of students seems to be less than the number that should be in Class A.

He couldn't match each person exactly to the missing one.

After all, it's impossible for him to remember the faces of everyone in Class A.

Ayanokoji's figure continued to move through the forest.

After wandering around aimlessly for a long time, a new scene finally appeared before my eyes.

A small waterfall cascades down the cliff and flows into a clear pool of water, the sound of which is gentle and gurgling. The surrounding area is lush with trees, and you can even see a few wild fruit trees.

Class C's camp was built in this scenic spot.

Several uniform tents were neatly arranged on the open ground by the pool, with several portable barbecue grills, obviously purchased using special points, set up next to them.

The students in Class C were busy, some reinforcing the tents, others washing the wild fruits they had picked. The atmosphere seemed harmonious and orderly.

Although it couldn't compare to the "civilized" feeling of the purely handmade creations of Class A, it was still a vibrant scene of collective labor.

"Ah, is it Ayanokouji-san?"

A vibrant voice rang out.

Ayanokouji turned his head and saw Ichinose Honami walking towards him with a smile, her long pink hair shining in the sunlight filtering through the trees.

She wore her usual bright smile, showing neither surprise nor wariness at the visitor.

"Ichinose-san."

Ayanokouji nodded in greeting. The two had met a few times and were acquainted.

"Welcome to our Class C's temporary camp."

Ichinose introduced it generously,

"How is it? Our place is pretty good, isn't it? We have water, shade, and wild fruits."

There was a hint of pride in her voice. Ayanokouji's gaze swept over Class C's campsite again. Tents, barbecue grills...

All of this clearly demonstrates that Class C used their precious special points to purchase these modern facilities.

This gave him a sudden, surreal feeling of returning to reality.

Yes,

This is the most practical and reasonable survival strategy that an ordinary class would most likely adopt in the special exam on the deserted island.

Those who, like Class A, build a miniature civilization from scratch almost entirely with their own hands and ingenuity are the true "outliers."

Looking back on the scene at noon, it truly felt like an experience straight out of The Peach Blossom Spring.

"Yes, the environment is very nice."

Ayanokouji responded in his flat tone.

"Right!"

"Everyone feels very comfortable here. Although it cost some points, I think it was worth it to make everyone feel more at ease."

She paused, then naturally asked in return:

"By the way, Ayanokouji-san, how's Class D doing? Have you found a suitable campsite yet?"

Ayanokouji paused for a second before replying:

"I found a place near a stream. But I haven't been back for half a day, so I don't know the specific progress yet."

He didn't reveal any further details. Ichinose nodded in understanding.

Then, she did something that surprised Ayanokouji.

She lowered her voice slightly, but her tone remained candid:

"Actually, it's okay to tell you. This time, Class C has decided not to try to guess the leaders of other classes."

Ayanokouji's eyes flickered slightly. This strategy was somewhat similar to the current tendency of Class D. Both were trying to avoid losing points by guessing wrong and to play it safe.

"and,"

Ichinose continued, a helpless, wry smile on her face.

"We probably won't bother to capture any strongholds."

"why?"

Ayanokouji followed up on her question.

Ichinose sighed and shrugged:

"Because we tried to find several possible stronghold areas."

"result……"

"They are all in a 'occupied' state. And the occupied classes are all the same—Class A."

Ayanokouji felt a slight chill run down his spine.

Are they all taken by Class A? That's incredibly efficient...

"So,"

Ichinose shrugged.

"Since we can't compete with them anyway, we might as well save our energy, build up our camp properly, and get through this week peacefully."

Ayanokouji continued to ask:

"Not even a single stronghold has been captured?"

Ichinose nodded affirmatively:

"Hmm, so far all the names we've found are from Class A. It seems Sakamoto-kun is going all out again this time."

Just then, a student from Class C called Ichinose's name from not far away, as if they needed her to handle something.

"Oh, it seems like someone needs to talk to me."

Ichinose smiled apologetically at Ayanokouji.

"I'll head over now! See you next time!"

"Goodbye."

Ayanokouji watched Ichinose walk quickly away, her figure blending into the busy Class C students.

Ayanokouji stood there, silent for a moment.

"They're all taken by Class A..."

This is indeed Sakamoto's work, consistent with his usual style—

If you're going to do something, do it to the best of your ability.

However, the timing doesn't match.

The A-class camp has been undergoing extensive construction, and Sakamoto will most likely be stationed there to oversee the project.

How could he possibly be in two places at the same time, quickly capturing multiple strongholds deep in the jungle?

unless……

Ayanokouji recalled again the number of people who were slightly "absent" during Class A's lunch.

Unless, in the end, Sakamoto himself did not take over the task of occupying the stronghold.

He was stationed at headquarters, strategizing and planning.

The others from Class A were tasked with carrying out the occupation mission.

The team is led by a true leader.

So, the fragmented clues began to point to another possibility.

Once the idea took hold, it quickly took root.

Ayanokouji realized that his previously "obvious" conclusion was now becoming increasingly precarious.

However, this conclusion, once established, fails to explain the situation where two strongholds were captured in quick succession just one hour apart yesterday.

The target, which had just become clear, was once again shrouded in thick fog.

Ayanokouji looked up at the sun, which was beginning to set in the west.

"Let's go back to camp first."

He muttered to himself, then turned and started walking back towards Class D.

First Grade Summer Vacation: Chapter 105: Sakamoto Investigating the Island

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the forest path in a warm golden light.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji walked alone on his way back to Class D's camp.

Koenji Rokusuke suddenly appeared beside him.

As abruptly as his appearance.

Ayanokouji was already used to this.

That man's logic was never within the realm of common sense.

There is an inherent difference between him and Sakamoto.

At this moment, Koenji made another unusual move—

Instead of returning directly to the camp, he deviated from the course and led him to a seemingly ordinary clearing in the woods.

Koenji said nothing.

Just sweeping across the ground under a patch of bushes,

He then let out a soft, ambiguous laugh.

He then turned and strode off toward the correct camp.

Ayanokouji paused for a moment.

He crouched down and carefully observed the area that Koenji had focused his attention on.

The soil was damp, and fallen leaves were scattered about.

But Koenji Temple seems to be hinting that something unusual is going on here.

Ayanokoji pondered for a moment,

He took a clean handkerchief out of his pocket.

Tie one corner of it to a nearby tree branch.

Let the rest hang naturally, its color creating a subtle contrast with the surrounding environment.

But it wasn't enough to attract the attention of ordinary passersby.

A simple marker.