" Ibuki here. I've acquired Class D's key card, as directed. "

Inside Class A base is a simplicity of a luxury as several students rest on their behalf to wait for the rain to stop. Katsuragi grip his radio to his ear so no one else would listen.

" Yes. Yes. I see. We'll meet up there. " Katsuragi then place the radio down as he glance on his paper he has written for the points. " Class A's final points will be 544. 350 points ahead of Class B. "

Sakayanagi dropping out (-30 SP), Spot misuse (-50 SP), 16 spot occupation (+274 SP), Naming Class D's leader (+50 SP).

Katsuragi then close his notebook. " ... And ahead of Class D by ... an overwhelming number. "

____________________

Suzune slowly open her eyes. With a short gasp she sat up.

" Awake? "

Kiyotaka's voice ask making Suzune turn to Karma and Kiyotaka in suprise. " Where am I? What are you two doing here? "

" We found you passed out and brought you here. " Karma said.

Suzune look down as she slowly regain her memories from earlier before she pass out. " I ran after Ibuki-san, who stole the key card ... But I couldn't get it back. "

" I see. "

Hearing this Suzune can feel herself flinch.

" Horikita, you should drop out. "

Another gasp came out of Suzune's mouth. Karma focus his gaze on Kiyotaka as Kiyotaka stands up. " We'll figure out a way to handle Ibuki and the key card. You can't hold out any longer. "

Suzune didn't manage to turn around. " We can't afford to lose any more points because of me. "

" But.. "

" I don't have a choice ... To reach Class A ... " Suzune cup her hands to her forehead in anguish.

" Why are you so obsessed with A? " Kiyotaka ask.

" It's all to gain my brother's acknowledgement. " Suzune answered.

" What good will that have to you? What is it you hope to do? "

Her throat felt clogged as she replied heavily. " I'm responsible for all of it. If I'd had allies, we could have taken shifts to protect the card. "

Kiyotaka slowly approach to Suzune's back and place both his fingers to add pressure to her neck.

" But ... since I don't have any friends like that ... I brought this all on myself. "

Kiyotaka's gaze stare straight at the black-haired female infront of him. It was neither tantalizing or pitying, it was something else, more sinister.

" You're starting to feel like you need allies, then? "

It seems that Kiyotaka has complete control of Suzune now.

Suzune sniffed as she tries to steady her voice. " I swear I'll make up for this failure. Even if I have to do it alone ... "

Karma turn his head to the direction of Suzune with an unreadable expression. " You can't do it alone. You're not that strong. Sorry to tell you. "

" You're telling me to give up? "

" We didn't say that. There's no need to give up. If you can't fight by yourself, fight with another. We'll help you. " Kiyotaka informed.

" You're not ... the kind of person ... who says things ... like that. " This was Suzune's last words before she faint once again, Kiyotaka finally let go of her.

The two boys then stand up eyeing the sleeping girl infront of them. The sound of raining now only circulating around them.

_____________________

Miss Chabashira focus herself on her tablet as she sat outdoors under a tent together with other teachers. The light glowing around the gloomy looking area, the ground out of the boundary damp and hostile but the woman stayed unwavered. She hears a voice infront of her.

" Excuse us. "

Chabashira remove her eyes and suddenly flinch as two familiar boys is infront of her, dampen by the rain, one of them carrying a girl looking unwell. She is familiar with the girl as well.

" Horikita ... What happened? "

Chabashira stands up.

" She's passed out with a fever. Please take her to rest immediately. " Kiyotaka said.

The teacher stayed silent before speaking up. " She'll have to drop out. Do you accept that? "

" Yes. " Karma shortly replied.

///

Not too long, the rain slowly stopped and the dark blue sky illuminates itself to show the white full moon.

" I heard Horikita-san dropped out. " Kei said to the girls who were surrounding the fireplace.

" Ibuki-san's gone missing too. Do you think she was the one behind the arson today? "

" What do you think she was trying to accomplish? Do you think Ibuki-san is C's leader? "

" Who knows? Everyone in C's retired. It was probably one of them. "

Karma and Kiyotaka stand behind Yosuke who was kneeling down probably absorbing and contemplating with their misfortunes today.

" Our key card was seen. "

Karma nod. " Mhm. Though you're the only one we've told. It suggests Ibuki infiltrated Class D to find our leader. She probably stole the panties, too. "

" But why? " Yosuke fiddle more with his hands. " No, thinking won't get us anywhere ... The greater worry is ... tomorrow, they'll name our leader ... "

" The penalty from our drop-outs and a guessed leader alone will be minus 110 S-points. Having our leader guessed will negate all our bonus points. " Kiyotaka explain.

" Which only leaves about 50 S-points? " Yosuke buried his face. " Once the test results are revealed, the finger-pointing will start ... "

" It'll become a witch trial ... " Karma finished.

" I thought this test would be a chance for our class to come together ... I thought, if we could work together to beat this, it would forge bonds between us. But ... this could be the end of Class D. " Yosuke can feel himself break into tears.

Karma starts to pity the Class cheer leader, it wouldn't be entirely his fault that Class D would bring down to it's doom, it hard to begin with when finally realizing that there's complicated essentials between each of the students.

He was sure, he was sure that if all this would happen, his classmates would break to a fit of despair but it hasn't happened yet, he can see them alive and energetic, worried but hopeful, accussing but reasonable.

As soon as yosuke finished his sulky remark, Kiyotaka then proceed to step to the balcony.

" Hirata ... there's a favor I want to ask you. "

___________________

Each class group themselves infront of their teachers near their base.

" Before the test ends, we'll commence the naming of the class leaders. " Mr. Mashima of Class A said as he give the clipboard to Katsuragi.

Katsuragi recieve it, he can feel a smile creep onto his face, confidence swelling his chest. To get bonus points it will truly affect their points if he write the leader's name wrong but already having a backup help from Class C, it will truly write off the deal.

It also goes the same as Chie, teacher from Class B gives the clipboard to Ichinose in their base.

" Write who you think were the other classes' leaders on here. If you don't know, you don't have to write to anyone. "

Ichinose smiled cautiously at Ryuji. " We won't submit anyone, I guess. "

Ryuji smiled back at her. " The penalty for guessing a leader wrong is 50 points. No need to take that kind of risk. "

" Yeah. " Ichinose gives the clipboard back to Chie. " We have over 200 points anyway. "

///

In Class D camp, the students were busy on packing up and rolling their sleeping bags.

Karma has finished and wait for Kiyotaka to finish rolling his items until he sees Sakura approaching them.

" Um... " Sakura start. " It's finally over, huh? "

Kiyotaka nod. " Yeah, it is. "

" What do you think our score will turn out to be? There was the thing with Ibuki-san, too. " Sakura said as she peek over to Yosuke who was nervous while holding the clipboard to which he has to guess the other Class leader.

The two boys didn't reply.

____________________

With no less than minutes the students line up infront of their teachers on the shore, preparing to leave the island.

" Okay, looks like all the classes are here. So, as of now, I declare the special exam over. " Mr. Mashima announced.

Katsuragi remain his smirk before a voice bangs in.

" Hey. Don't end this without me. "

Everyone looked shocked as they see Ryuen standing behing them from the forest. Dirt covered his clothes, hair disheveled and face already obtained hair sprouting on his chin.

" What's Ryūen's doing here? " Kikyo ask in pure disbelief.

" You mean he stayed on the island? "

" Ryūen's here, but Ibuki isn't? "

" But why? "

" Excellent work, Ryūen. " Ryuen frown as he turn his head to Katsuragi. " We of Class A will earn over 500 S-points. Let me extend a hand of gratitude for your hard work. "

A smirk then return to Ryuen's face as he let out a chuckle. " Hey now. You're about to see something interesting. "

Katsuragi furrow his brows. " What do you mean by that? "

~ Flashback ~

[Day 1.]

" If we hang a curtain in front of the cave and hide the stuff there, the other classes won't discover our plan. " Katsuragi said as he look at the slip Ryuen gave him. " This is a bold plan you've thought of, though ... "

" You really think I'm going to honestly apply myself to some test put up by the school? I hate hard work. " Ryuen smirk.

' On the first day of the test, I forged a contract with Class A. Class C would transfer 200 S-points' worth of goods to Class A. And I'd give information Class C found about other class leaders to Katsuragi. '

Katsuragi then frown. " Regarding the leaders, I need more than your word on them. I need you to show me a photo of the key card, or the real thing. "

" Sure thing. " Ryuen obligued. " But.. Shouldn't you be trusting your allies in this case? "

Ryuen proceed to beat up Ibuki and Kaneda in the forest. The two students both groaned in pain by the blow.

Kaneda lied down to the ground and Ibuki glared at Ryuen.

" That's right I need you to really hate me. If you don't ... " Ibuki was about to land a blow to Ryuen but stop. " ... Then you can't fool anyone else. "

Ibuki grit her teeth with fury at the sudden attack.

" Go. " Ryuen ordered.

Ibuki let down her leg before walking away together with Kaneda.

' Then I sent Ibuki and Kaneda to act as spies in Classes D and B. '

____________________

[Class C camp. Day 2]

' Then, the reveling. '

Ryuen lied down underneath the heat watching as the Class C goes wild across the beach.

' We spent all of the 100 S-pints we had remaining after the trade, and then had everyone except Ibuki and Kaneda drop out. I alone remained. I hid myself on the island. '

In the forest evening, Ryuen rest himself alone by the fireplace he made as he eat roast snakes he haunted by then.

" You must really hate Katsuragi, eh? "

' I was in contact with Class A's Sakayanagi faction, too. One of them was intentionally misusing a spot to reduce his own class' points and was human garbage forthright enough to tell me Class A's leader. '

_______________________

[Forest. Day 6]

' What I didn't expect was for Ibuki's digital camera to break. Thanks to that, Katsuragi and I had to personally verify the card Ibuki stole. '

As Ryuen recieve the card from Ibuki he then pass it to Katsuragi. As Katsuragi take his hands on it he nod in approval. " It's genuine. Good job. Our contract is complete. "

Ryuen recieve the card back. " Shall I tell you who B's leader is, too? B was naturally closely guarded, and I have no incriminating photos or concrete evidence, but ... "

" If you have no solid evidence, then I don't need it. " Katsuragi turn around as he walk away. " Ryūen, you stink. Go take a shower or something. "

________________________

[Forest. Final Day]

Mr. Sakagami of Class C roam around with a GPS in his phone, as he drew closer he smirked.

" Ryūen. Are you there? "

" Is it finally over? " Ryuen ask as he uncover himself from the bushes.

" Kaneda-kun and Ibuki-kun have dropped out. "

" I see. "

" The... " Mr. Sakagami gives the clipboard to Ryuen. " Shall we finish it? "

Ryuen recieve it with a confident look on his face. " Yes. "

' Class A's leader is Yahiko Totsuka. B's is Chihiro Shiranami. D's is Suzune Horikita. ' Ryuen then wrote the supposed leaders on the paper.

Mr. Sakagami sighed as he cross his arms. " Honestly ... You claim to hate hard work, but look at you. Dirty clothing, injuries all over ... They all speak of your determination and hard work toward seizing victory. "

" Cut the babbling, Teacher. " Ryuen then gives back the clipboard before walking away.

Ryuen walk towards the shore as he peeked from the trees.

" Now I can guess the leader of each class, subtracting 50 points from each, and negating their bonus points. In terms of points gained, A will be reduced to a mere 170. We of Class C will receive 150 just from guessing leaders. "

[S-Points as calculated by Ryūen (I)]

[Class B. Starting Points: 300 Penalties: Lifestyle expenses: (Approx~)-100 S-Points Leader guessed: -50 S-points Negated Bonus Points Total: 150 points.]

[S-Points as calculated by Ryūen (II)]

[Class C. Starting Points: 300 Penalties: Transfer of goods to Class A: -200 S-Points Lifestyle expenses: -100 S-Points Bonus Points: Spot Occupation: +26 bonus points Leader guesses: +150 bonus points. Total: 176 points.]

" Combined with our bonus points from securing spots, we'll exceed Class A. "

~ Flashback end ~

' I win. '

The smirk forming in Ryuen's face is visible making the other students a tad bit wary.

The other Class C students were resting in the cruise restaurant until they too hear the announcements of the results.

Mr Mashima then begin. " I will now reveal the results of the exam. Coming in last place ... Class C, with zero points. "

Ryuen blink is shock. ' What? '

" Next, in third place, Class A, with 120 points. In second place, Class B, with 140 points. And in first place, Class D, with 225 points. That is all! "

Kikyo is the first to describe the suprise from the other Class D students. " Ehh? First place? "

" R-Really? " Sakura ask.

It took a split second before they started to celebrate.

" We did it! " Ike cheered as he shake Yamauchi's shoulder. " I dunno what happened, but we got first place! "

The other classes were shocked to see a class that were supposed to be labeled as defectives gone first place, even managed to earn 225 points!

Kei smiled happily as she hug with the other girls. " I guess we actually did work really hard! "

Yosuke sighed out in relief.

Karma starts laughing and then goes towards Ryūen and Katsuragi. " BHAHAHA!! Katsuragi! Ryūen! Based on your shocked expressions the results were not what you thought, right? "

Katsuragi's eyes widen. " Karma Akabane... "

Ryuen growled. " ... You did something, didn't you? "

Karma then places his finger on his chin, and then tilts to the side, acting confused. " Ehh? You think it was dear ol' me? Well, maybe I did something, maybe I didn't. "

Karma then flashes his signature taunting smirk, making Katsuragi and Ryūen to glare at him.

* Bonk!

" I-Ittai-! " Karma wince at the sudden pain on his head.

Kiyotaka place his palm drag Karma using his head back to the Class D group. " Don't make any more trouble. "

As soon as his hand left Karma's head, Karma rub vigorously.

" Ow- Stop doing that! What if I become more of an idiot than Sudo what will you do? Will you share your brain cells with me?! "

Kiyotaka looked indifferent. " How would you think I would be smarter? "

Karma bump Kiyotaka's chest. " So obvious. "

In the sparanza, where Suzune rest watching on the television, she too was shocked by the outcome of the scores, seeing the two top Class having to be under them is a big deal.

" What on earth happened? " She can't bring herself to answer as she continued to eye on the screen.

____________________

Standing near the pool, Kōenji laughs heartily infront of his classmates.

" Welcome back from the test, all! " He laughs again making some pissed.

Sudo stomped over to Koenji. " Hey, Kōenji! We lost 30 points because of you! "

The male just sip his drink and laugh unfazed. " Calm yourself. I was laid up and in poor health. "

" Damn you ... Cut the crap! Quit glistening with pool water! "

Karma refrain himself from laughing, even though it's such a waste to drop their points, Koenji is a kind of man Karma can't get tired of. He notice Kiyotaka being uninterested and they both walk away from their class group.

The two boys made their way through the stairs until they hear a faint voice calling over them.

" Wait! "

The two stop and turn to see Suzune under them as she pants. It took a while until she raise her head to them.

" What's going on here? "

_____________________

" It all happened more or less as I expected. The Katsuragi faction will lose a great deal of influence. " Sakayanagi said through the phone as she fiddle with her chess pieces.

In the speranza dorm hallway, a student from Class 1-A, is Hashimoto who spome to Sakayanagi through the phone, he walk through the hallway as he continued conversing. " Yes. If we're united heading into the second term, Class A will be invulnerable. "

Suddenly Hashimoto's eyes widen as dozens of Class A students surround Katsuragi.

" Katsuragi's here. I need to hang up! " Hashimoto said quietly waiting for the other person's reply.

" Yes. Well done. "

Hashimoto then quickly end the call as he walk towards the fuming crowd.

" How are you gonna take responsibility, Katsuragi?! "

" That contract you signed was a huge mistake! "

Yahiko tried to fought back. " You all signed off on it, too! "

Katsuragi didn't look fazed as he continued to listen to their complaints.

" This is just pathetic, Katsuragi! " Hashimoto said as everyone stop to look at him.

" Hashimoto ... " Yahiko angrily spat. " Having someone as untrustworthy as you around is why Katsuragi-san couldn't move around in a crowd! And because of that ... "

Hashimoto just smirk. Before Yahiko could continue Katsuragi place a hand on his shoulder.

" O-Oh.. "

" Hashimoto, you were in contact with Ryūen, weren't you? You sold the name of Class A's leader to him. "

Hashimoto only chuckle before walking away to the opposite route not caring if he were stared at.

_________________

Ibuki close the door from the room where Albert is busy shaving Ryuen's beard. It was a quiet moment as she force out her bravery

" Sorry. "