Capítulo 70: Chapter 70 – Everyone is qualified, except you, Class D
Horikita's use of the word "also" directly informed Katsuragi that Class C didn't just make a deal with Class A but with Class D as well!
In fact, Class A had a real opportunity to make substantial gains this time and widen the gap with the other classes. Katsuragi had it all planned out; starting with an initial 270 special exam points due to Sakayanagi's absence.
According to the contract with Yukio of Class C, they could utilize the resources exchanged by Class C. Although some entertainment resources couldn't be used for confidentiality reasons, food and beverages were fair game, leading to significant savings.
So, in the first two days, Katsuragi led Class A members to endure and spent only 40 special exam points on a temporary toilet and shower, and another 10 points on food for the first two days from the school authorities.
They saved a whopping 220 points! Receiving resources from Class C afterward wouldn't require any further expenses. Add to that the promise in the contract about identifying the leaders of Class B and D, that's 320 points!
With the Leader Card mechanism, allowing for a point accumulation every 8 hours and the many card swiping machines on the uninhabited island, careful maneuvering could lead Class A to a net gain of 350 points or more in a week!
But now, everything was ruined. From Horikita's statement, Katsuragi realized where they lost: Yukio's ruthless strategy! He sold the information to all the classes, trading the leader information of each class without any reservation.
Class A's loss was here; they had thought they could accurately guess the leaders of Class B and D and get a reward of 100 class points.
But, unexpectedly, their own leader's information got leaked somehow. Class C, along with Class B and D, jointly deducted 150 points from them, causing a one-sided deduction.
Because the leader information was guessed correctly, all accumulated points from card swipes were invalidated, resulting in Class A only being able to secure second place with 170 points, contrary to Katsuragi's expectations.
Horikita's face was as cold as ice. Seeing Katsuragi understanding the situation, she sternly fixed her gaze on Ibuki: "So, in this special exam, only your Class C is the winner!"
"You snatched those 150 points right from under the other three classes, causing each of us to lose fifty points!"
"Shut up!" Ibuki, who is accustomed to the company of delinquents, is not intimidated by Horikita's stern demeanor: "So what?"
"We provided you with accurate information about the class leaders, didn't we? Isn't a deduction of only fifty points bearable? Without our information, you could have lost a full one hundred and fifty points!"
"So, D class guy, don't get all high and mighty with me!"
Faced with Ibuki's rhetoric, which is reminiscent of a delinquent's language, Horikita's expression becomes even colder, her sharp, blade-like eyebrows seemingly frosting over: "But there was no deal like this!"
"It's supposed to be mutually beneficial, a win-win situation. But from your side, you're only concerned about your own gain, pushing your business partners under the bus. In the long run, will Class C have any credibility left? Will anyone want to cooperate with you again?!"
"Opting for a short-term small gain at the expense of a promising future is short-sighted!"
"Ha?" Ibuki almost bursts into laughter at Horikita's righteous indignation: "What are you even talking about?"
"If Class A said this, I might understand, as our deal with them was the first. But with your Class D, it's already the second deal, isn't it?"
"If you say we lack credibility and foresight, then I'd like to ask you, why did you engage in a second deal with us? Haha! Is it because you're even more short-sighted? Haha!"
Amused by her own words, Ibuki laughs heartily, finding Horikita incredibly amusing. It's as if anyone but Class D has the right to criticize Class C. Horikita, however, jumps out as if offering her face for a slap, and the thought alone makes Ibuki unable to suppress her laughter.
The tension between them seems inherent, as if they are fundamentally incompatible. Ibuki nearly cries with laughter, wiping the corners of her eyes before holding her belly: "In the end, isn't it just that you were greedy for profit, giving us the opportunity?"
"Everyone thinks this way, so don't pretend to be so honorable. Honestly, it's quite disgusting. Compared to you hypocrites, I think Yukio is much better."
At this, Horikita is left speechless by Ibuki's boldness, biting her lip and staring at Ibuki, barely managing to suppress her anger and avoid a physical confrontation.
Katsuragi, who is typically composed, catches the most crucial information amidst the heated exchange: "Let's pause for a moment, Ibuki."
"I'm not interested in your gratitude or lack thereof towards D class. I just want you to tell me one thing," Katsuragi, with his imposing stature, steadily approaches Ibuki, aiming to exert psychological pressure: "How exactly did you find out who our Class A leader was?"
"And us too!" Horikita seizes the opportunity to interject with extreme dissatisfaction. This is the absolute core of the entire special exam.
Logically, the identity of each class's leader should be top secret, never easily disclosed to other classes.
Yet, somehow, Class C has such extensive knowledge, knowing precisely who the leaders of the other classes are, even to the extent of dealing this information to three different classes.
This level of intelligence gathering is terrifying, something Katsuragi and Horikita became acutely aware of only after the fact, and now they are desperate for an answer from Ibuki.
Ibuki, who had been quite confident, is now at a loss. If Katsuragi and Horikita had asked about something else, she could have continued her bravado, but when it comes to how they guessed the identity of the other classes' leaders, she's clueless. She only personally investigated the leader of Class B, while the others were informed to her by Yukio in a late-night visit. Where could she possibly get the details from?
Maybe it's better to change the subject, she thinks. Though it might seem a bit cowardly and humiliating, personal pride seems trivial compared to the interests of the class: "I just..."
But today, after the exam, is destined for twists and turns.
Before Ibuki can even get a few words out, Katsuragi and Horikita are interrupted by Kanzaki from Class B, who unexpectedly joins the conversation: "Because we've all been deceived by Class C!"
"Ibuki! You took advantage of our class's kindness, pretending to be expelled from your class by Yukio, just to infiltrate our base and secretly investigate the identity of our class leader, didn't you?"
"I thought I was good at judging people, but I never imagined there would be someone like you in this world, a high school girl with such convincing acting skills!"
"This time, our Class B lost because I was fooled by your performance. Next time, we definitely won't make the same mistake!"
Ibuki is once again taken aback. What's this about? Kanzaki thinks it was all an act? She was just genuinely upset with Yukio!
This misunderstanding seems to be too deep to clear up now. And what about next time? If there's a next chance, she vows to engage in a direct confrontation, with no acting involved!
***
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