Chapter 238 Reward Time / Island Exam Results
Why does everything always revolve around Sakayanagi Arisu?
This girl had been calculating this grand drama since June. Looking deeper, the fact that Class A was in such a predicament now—wasn't the root cause her own machinations? It was remarkable that even though she wasn't on the island, she seemed to be the invisible hand behind every event.
Shimizu Akira didn't dwell on it further. He looked at Katsuragi Kohei and Ichinose Honami, his tone sincere: "We all see each other around school; I won't drive things to a dead end. Honestly, you all could have drafted a 'Non-Guessing' contract. Rest assured, from the beginning, I had no intention of leaking any class's leader name to anyone else, except for Ryuen's Class C."
After all, Katsuragi had paid him 500,000 points a few days ago, and Ichinose was his friend. Other classes weren't stupid; if they really wanted to prevent leaks, a mutual non-guessing treaty would solve the problem. There was no need to be overly aggressive.
Choosing to reveal the voice recorder publicly rather than secretly contacting other leaders was a calculated move:
Class B already knew about the recorder. Hiding it would be meaningless and make him look foolish once exposed. Smartphones were unusable on this island; contacting other classes anonymously was impossible. A recording alone is hard to verify. Only by presenting it at this specific time could the recording's relevance be proven. Class D's state had changed since the start of the term. Ayanokouji, Sudo, Ike, and Horikita were now taking initiative. The island exam had truly forged their unity.
Shimizu wasn't worried about being treated as a "blood bag" by his classmates now that he'd shown his strength. If they dared to exploit him, he'd simply leave. He had proven his worth and had over 10 million Private Points; any other class would take him in. Public disclosure was the optimal solution.
He wanted points, but being too obsessed with them makes enemies. Unlike Nagumo Miyabi or Ryuen Kakeru, Shimizu's idea was simple: he just wanted to spend three stable, comfortable years in this school. His goal for points was clear: to pave the way for a future class transfer and to prepare for any potential expulsion crises.
Hearing this, the tension in Ichinose and Katsuragi's faces relaxed significantly. The worst-case scenario had been avoided.
"However, one thing must be clear," Shimizu's tone grew more serious.
"During this island operation, Class B helped me at a critical moment. Without the recorder they provided, I couldn't have pushed the plan forward. I have a partnership with Class B, so I won't guess their leader. But Katsuragi-kun, you collaborated with Ryuen, you knew about the spies, and you even planned to guess Class D's leader. Personally, I'm not the type of person to swallow my pride when someone brings a provocation to my doorstep. Therefore, I will be submitting the name for Class A's leader."
He laid out his plan frankly. He wouldn't push things to the extreme, but he wouldn't compromise without boundaries either. He knew people in Class A and didn't want to see Sakayanagi's faction completely monopolize it. Plus, there was a possibility he might transfer to Class A himself later. Why offend everyone? Know when to stop.
Katsuragi froze, a complex look flitting across his face, before he turned away. "I understand. Your decision is fair. In a way, I should thank you for showing mercy. Even though you're working with Class B, you didn't leak my leader's info to them, and you took the time to explain everything to me."
What else could he say? This result was better than expected. Compared to losing 150 points and spot rights, this was lucky. Shimizu had even explained the logic and motives behind his actions. Since Class A had intended to screw over Class D, even if Shimizu forgave Katsuragi, the rest of Class D wouldn't have agreed.
Ichinose blinked, watching Katsuragi leave, still processing the words. "Eh?! Shimizu-kun?! You don't plan to guess our Class B leader?!"
"Correct. From the moment I got the recorder, I had no intention of guessing your class," Shimizu nodded. He had predicted Class D would have around 150 points. Guessing two classes added 100 extra points. Chabashira-sensei's target for him was over 250 class points; as long as he got the 2 million Private Points, his mission was a success. Why try harder when there's no extra reward? It was better to do Ichinose a favor.
'Wait! Isn't this a form of point manipulation?'
Shimizu was reminded of Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Matsushita Chiaki. But those two manipulated their own test scores; he was manipulating Class D's points and holding every other class's fate in his hands.
"Shimizu-kun, are you... doing this for my sake? But won't Class D think you've betrayed the class's interests?" To Ichinose, Shimizu's words were incredibly pleasant to hear. Seeing his nonchalant attitude, her heart rate quickened. Was he being too good to her? If it meant he faced backlash, she'd rather B Class lose the points.
"Don't worry, it's fine," Shimizu replied. "I specifically explained the plan in front of everyone so the other classes would know Class D and B are partners and that your recorder was the key. Besides, you helped Class D in June. Even if they know I didn't guess Class B, they'll understand. Without your recorder, none of this would have happened."
"I see... as long as you're okay." Ichinose breathed a long sigh of relief. But her thoughts raced as she looked at the boy who had truly shined on this island.
'Wait! Did he announce the plan publicly specifically to pave the way for 'Class B providing the recorder'?'
He had done so much preparation just to avoid guessing Class B? While others in Class D just wanted to maximize profits, he put in extra effort for her sake. What was he thinking? How could someone be so physically capable yet so meticulously thoughtful?
If things had gone according to the original path—with Kaneda as a spy and Class A and C collaborating—her class would have lost 100 points plus all spot bonuses. Now, not a single point was lost, and for 500,000 Private Points, they had ironclad info on a leader, gaining at least 50 points. This turnaround was all because of Shimizu Akira.
'Shimizu Akira has really done too much for Class B!'
Recalling him giving her a chicken a few days ago, Ichinose asked on impulse: "Shimizu, um... do you have any thoughts about transferring to Class B?"
She immediately regretted it. She didn't have 20 million points; why bring it up? It sounded like she was trying to sow discord or string him along. Hoshinomiya Chie had mentioned it to her, but Shimizu had never expressed the desire himself.
"Transferring to Class B?" Shimizu was stunned. Honestly, he had considered it—out of the four classes, B was the best choice for a transfer.
Seeing him in thought, Ichinose felt happy. Even if she felt a bit bad for Class D, she truly wanted him in her class.
"Well, Class B has about 4 million Private Points right now. Unfortunately, we can't afford a transfer yet, but I can sign a contract! I guarantee that once we have 20 million, we'll buy you in. I won't lead you on! And we'll give Class D an extra million as compensation. You can even take the lead for Class B, what do you think?"
Shimizu laughed. Ichinose was so pure. Or rather, she opened her heart to those she considered friends.
"Ichinose, don't rush. Have you discussed this with your class? I doubt others would agree to let me lead. Plus, if I transfer, I'll cover at least half of the 20 million myself."
"That..." Ichinose was speechless. She hadn't discussed it with anyone.
Shimizu answered seriously: "For now, I'm comfortable in Class D. People I'm close with, like Kushida, Horikita, and Ayanokouji, are there. But I promise, if I ever decide to transfer and you're still willing to take me, I'll choose Class B. And I'll pay half the points."
He'd wait to see Class D's attitude after the exam. If they just wanted to "suck his blood," he'd head to Class B.
"Mhm! Okay! It's a deal!" Ichinose beamed. Not only were points saved, but she had also secured Shimizu. She added, "Since you helped us identify Ryuen's plot and D Class isn't guessing our leader, I want to give you 150,000 Private Points every month as a reward. Is that okay?"
Shimizu froze. "150,000 a month? Did I hear that right?" Was she serious? He thought it would be a one-time thing, but every month? For the next two years, he'd get a fortune for doing almost nothing.
"Yes!" Ichinose nodded. "Guessing a leader costs 50 points, and we got 25 spot points. This is a fair trade for both of us."
Shimizu accepted. He wasn't one to refuse a "sky-high agreement." To Ichinose, this money was essentially his "transfer fee" for the future. The more he had, the closer he was to joining her. A win-win.
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Shimizu returned to the beach where Class D was waiting. He explained: "Since Class B provided the recorder, we are partners, so I won't be filling in Class B's leader."
"Oh! That makes sense!"
"Right! We're partners! Don't forget Ichinose helped us in the boxing match in June!"
Matsushita Chiaki and Kushida Kikyo were the first to support him. With Kushida around, he didn't have to worry about the class ostracizing him; she had always been good to him. And Matsushita had been speaking up for him ever since their private talk.
Under the cover of his classmates, Shimizu operated the voice recorder. He listened to the segment from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. He easily heard the names: Class A was Kamuro Masumi, Class B was Shirami Chihiro, and Class C was Shiina Hiyori.
He hoped Kamuro wouldn't be too angry when she found out he guessed her. He filled in the names for Class A and C and submitted the form at 10:00 AM.
He returned to his tent and packed his backpack, digital camera, and bug spray. By 10:30, everyone was at the beach. He returned the school equipment. At 11:00, the microphone crackled. Mashima stepped forward with Chabashira, Sakagami, and Hoshinomiya.
"Good work on the island exam. I will now announce the final scores." He added: "Only total scores will be announced, not specific point deductions! No questions or objections will be accepted."
"Last place: Year 1 Class C, 0 points." Hiyori, Kaneda, and Ibuki weren't surprised. Ryuen might have looked pathetic at the end, but Class C hadn't really lost. The 20,000 points from each student in Class A were enough to make them smile, plus Hiyori's 500,000 "sale."
"Third place: Year 1 Class A, 190 points." The Sakayanagi faction immediately turned on the Katsuragi faction.
"190? That's it? Katsuragi, you said we'd get at least 500!"
"Nothing could be done! Who expected someone like Shimizu Akira to appear?"
"We should actually thank him—if he told B and C our leader, we'd lose even more."
"Second place: Year 1 Class B, 235 points."
"Great! This is all thanks to Shimizu-kun!" Most in Class B thought he helped for free. After subtracting supplies and his 25-point cut (-110), adding the guess for C (+50) and spots (+25), and the deduction for the leader withdrawal (-30), it was exactly 235.
"First place: Year 1 Class D, 255 points." Class D erupted. "Hahaha! 255! We're moving up to Class C!"
"Shimizu-kun is our savior."
As Shimizu turned to leave, Karuizawa Kei called him. They hadn't spoken much during the exam.
"Shimizu, you were active this morning! That recorder was something. But since when did you care so much about the class?"
"I'll tell you later," Shimizu replied, instead walking to the staff to thank them.
"The recorder's already been used; what's the point of thanking them now?" Karuizawa asked.
"Of course there's a point," Shimizu looked back.
"Laying the groundwork for the next island exam! If we have one next summer, maybe these same guys will be sent to help!"
"Pffft! No way!" Karuizawa laughed. The school wouldn't repeat an exam like this. But as she laughed, she noticed the staff members avoiding eye contact or scratching their noses awkwardly. She froze.
'Huh?'
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Back on the ship, phones were returned. Shimizu saw his notifications.
Katsuragi Kohei: 500,000 points (the camera payment). Ichinose Honami: 650,000 points (500k for the info, 150k monthly salary). Chabashira Sae: 2,000,000 points (the agreed reward). She asked: "Why let B Class go?" Shimizu: "Because you only asked for 250+." She left him on 'read'.
His balance jumped from 14.4 million to 17.55 million.
"Making money feels good!"
Then, Sakayanagi Arisu called.
"Shimizu-kun, my people told me how active you were. As expected of you."
"You did well too," Shimizu replied. "But letting Class A fall into chaos, aren't you worried?"
"Heh, not at all. The opponent was just Ichinose; she's not worth mentioning. More importantly, was Yamamura Miki useful?"
"Watch your phrasing. But yes, she's a genius at tailing. Why did you send Shiina Hiyori to oppose me?"
"Just for fun.
Shimizu-kun," Sakayanagi's voice turned curious. "How many points did you pay the staff to notify all four classes to gather at 8:00 AM?"
"200,000," Shimizu answered. "You caught that?"
"Heh... your plan required everyone to be there. Without the school's help, it would have been hard. What if they said no?"
"Then I'd use Kushida. With her popularity, she could call everyone together."
"Shimizu-kun, have you heard of the 'White Room'? And do you know your classmate, Ayanokouji-kun?"
Shimizu was genuinely surprised. He knew of it. Intelligence had told him Ayanokoji's father was the manager.
"You knew him before?"
"Yes, I saw him there as a child. I thought he would show his strength, but you appeared instead. My eyes are entirely on you now, Shimizu-kun—you have to take responsibility for me."
"Sorry, Sakayanagi, I'm a normal man with needs."
"Heh," she laughed. "Being in the same class as him isn't fair to the others. I crave equal rivals. So in the future, I will push for one thing: transferring one of you to a different class."
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