Chapter 129: The Contract is Fulfilled; Just Who is This "Katsuragi Keima" Anyway?
After Ryuen Kakeru's words fell, Katsuragi Kohei fell into silence. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows between the two men. From the distance came the faint sound of waves, making the jungle feel all the more hushed. The night wind blew, rustling the leaves as if they were eavesdropping on this secret transaction.
"Private points?" Katsuragi finally spoke, his voice low. "How many?"
Ryuen held up two fingers. "Twenty thousand per person, every month, for the entire Class C. Continuing until graduation."
Katsuragi's pupils contracted slightly. Twenty thousand per person per month for forty people meant 800,000 points a month—nearly ten million a year. With over two years left until graduation... this was an absurdly astronomical sum.
"Are you insane?" His voice was pressed low, but it betrayed clear shock. "That's over twenty million points! Do you think Class A's private points are blown in by the wind?"
Ryuen laughed, his smile appearing exceptionally composed under the moonlight. "Over twenty million? You certainly calculate clearly." He took a half-step forward, closing the distance between them. "But Katsuragi, you need to understand—I'm not begging you. This is the price of our cooperation. You aren't paying for points; you're paying for insurance."
He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. Under the moon, the paper was densely covered in writing.
"On the first day of the island exam, your Class A stayed in a cave, consumed the least, and saved a vast amount of supplies. Whereas our Class C..." He handed the paper to Katsuragi.
It was a handwritten list of supplies—drinking water, food, tents, tool kits, medical supplies... every column had points marked behind it. But the last few lines of the list shockingly read: Three high-end tents, five beach chairs, two sets of parasols, one BBQ grill set, one audio system set, various entertainment games...
"We bought these," Ryuen said. "Spent 285 points. We have 15 left."
Katsuragi glanced at the list, his brow furrowing deeply. "All entertainment items? You—are you just giving up?"
"Yes, all entertainment items." Ryuen interrupted him, his smile deepening. "So, in everyone's eyes, Class C has already flunked. We will hit rock bottom. We will be last place. That is what everyone will think." He paused, looking straight into Katsuragi's eyes. "But Katsuragi, do you know? Those 285 points bought more than just a week of fun. They bought—the fact that no one will be on guard against us. They'll think Class C is finished and focus their attention on you, Class A, and Class D."
Katsuragi fell silent. He had to admit Ryuen had a point. If Class C had shown a strong competitive desire, other classes would certainly be wary. But now, with everyone assuming they were slacking, no one would waste energy monitoring them.
"And your Class A?" Ryuen asked. "How much did you save? At least 200 points left, right? Those points will eventually turn into Class Points. You'll win. But if..." He pressed a step closer, his voice dropping even lower. "What if I told you I know who Class B's leader is? What if I told you Ibuki Mio can dig out Class D's true leader very soon?"
Katsuragi's eyes flickered.
"Guessing another class's leader adds 50 points," Ryuen said. "Guess all three correctly, and that's 150 points. Added to the points you saved, how many can Class A get this exam? At least 300 points as a starting point, right?" He stepped back, spreading his arms. "300 Class Points is enough for Class A to sit firmly at the top of the grade rankings. And with Sakayanagi absent, this credit belongs entirely to you, Katsuragi."
Katsuragi's breathing quickened slightly. 300 Class Points. For Class A, that was no small amount. If he could obtain those 300 points, his prestige within the class would rise significantly. Those in Sakayanagi's faction would be forced to re-evaluate his position. Furthermore, these points could completely cover the "vacancy" left by the trade—in fact, they would come out far ahead.
"I'm trading this intel for 20,000 points per person per month," Ryuen said. "Class A points. Total..." He paused. "I'm not asking for a handout. This is a purchase. You pay points; I pay intelligence. A fair trade."
Katsuragi stared at him, calculating rapidly in his mind. If it were truly as Ryuen said—Class C and Class A cooperating and sharing intel—Class A would indeed gain a massive amount of points. After the Class Points rose, the private points each student received monthly would also increase accordingly. 20,000 points... for Class A students, it wasn't exactly unaffordable.
But the problem was...
"Why should I believe you?" Katsuragi asked. "Your Class C has never kept its word. The whole school knows your methods."
Ryuen laughed. "That's why I brought something." He pulled another piece of paper from his pocket. This time, it was a written contract. Katsuragi took it, reading carefully by the moonlight.
The contract details were written meticulously:
In this island exam, Class C shall provide Class A with all intel regarding the leaders of Class B and Class D. Intel must be provided at least six hours before the final leader-guessing phase begins, ensuring Class A has sufficient time for discussion and confirmation.
If Class C provides true and valid intel as promised, Class A shall, starting next month, pay every student of Class C 20,000 Private Points per person per month. Payment must be made before the 5th of each month; late payments will incur a 10% late fee. This agreement is valid from the date of signing until both parties graduate. Neither party may unilaterally terminate the agreement, otherwise, they must pay a penalty—20,000 points per person per month until graduation. This agreement is made in duplicate, one for each party. In case of dispute, the written contract shall prevail.
At the bottom, Ryuen Kakeru's name and the date were already signed. Katsuragi looked up, his gaze complex. In this school, once a contract was established, it had to be followed; even the school administration would intervene. The party that breached the contract would receive punishment.
"You... you prepared this long ago?"
"Of course," Ryuen said. "Cooperating with you was part of my plan, so I have to show my sincerity first." He pointed to the contract. "You can add clauses. For example, if my intel is fake, the agreement is void. If I only give half the intel, you can terminate the payments. Write it all in."
Katsuragi stared at him. This man's calculations were far deeper than he had imagined. What kind of confidence was this?
"One more question," Katsuragi said. "You are the leader of Class C. If you come in last this exam, can you still remain the leader?"
Ryuen's smile stiffened for an instant. Then he laughed. "Last place? Who said we're going to be last?"
"You just said—"
"I said 'let everyone think' so." Ryuen interrupted him. "Katsuragi, you don't know me. I don't make trades at a loss. These points I spent—I intend to earn them back ten-fold, a hundred-fold." He walked to a tree and leaned against it. "Ibuki Mio is in Class D. There is another person in Class B. I can get intel on both classes. On the last day, if I guess all the leaders correctly, I can get 150 points. Added to the 15 we saved, Class C will get at least 165 points." He turned his head to look at Katsuragi. "Do you think 165 points will be last place?"
Katsuragi fell silent. 165 points indeed wouldn't be last place. But the problem was... "What if Class D and Class B also guess correctly? What if they also get many points?"
Ryuen laughed. "Then it'll depend on whose luck is better. But at the very least, Class C won't be last. And as for me..." He paused intentionally. "No one in my class dares to defy me. Even if someone does, I will snuff out that thought in their heart—this is good for our future cooperation."
Katsuragi looked at him, weighing the options quickly in his mind. This contract was indeed beneficial to Class A. Moreover, if Ryuen truly held the intel for both B and D, Class A guessing those two leaders was almost a certainty. 150 points plus the points he saved himself... Class A could get over 300 points this exam.
"One final question," Katsuragi said. "Why not take first place for yourself? Why share it with Class A?"
Ryuen's smile became meaningful. "Because I need allies. There's only one of me in Class C. But you, Class A..." He paused. "You have Sakayanagi's people watching you. If you lose this time, Sakayanagi will take total control of Class A. When that happens, you should know better than I what Class A will become."
Katsuragi's expression changed slightly. Sakayanagi. That name was his greatest heartache. That person who did as she pleased without caring about the survival of the class. She was capable of instructing her subordinates to sell class intel to Ryuen just to strike at him. She could maintain agreements with Class C regardless of the students' interests just to ensure he could never rise again.
If she took complete control of Class A... what would Class A become? He didn't know. But he knew it was absolutely not what he wanted to see. The only silver lining was that Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't participate in this particular exam. But for some reason, Katsuragi had a lingering bad premonition. Even though she couldn't participate, Sakayanagi Arisu acted completely unbothered—as if the outcome of this exam were already preordained.
"I agree," he finally said.
Ryuen's smile widened. "Sign it."
Katsuragi took the pen and signed his name on the contract. "As for the rest, I will have the other students in Class A sign it. I can guarantee those in my faction will agree to this request. As for Sakayanagi... she isn't here, and her faction won't be able to stir up much trouble."
Under the moonlight, this contract appeared exceptionally eerie—two leaders from different classes reaching a secret agreement in the jungle of a deserted island.
After signing, Katsuragi put the contract away, but his mind was still thinking about Sakayanagi Arisu. Her attention had been constantly on Katsuragi Keima. Could it be that that person was actually the key?
"By the way," he suddenly asked, "how much do you know about Katsuragi Keima?"
Ryuen's expression became complex. "Not much. But I know that man is dangerous."
"Dangerous?"
"Mhm." Ryuen nodded. "Last time, I took Ishizaki, Albert, and Ibuki to find him, intending to give him a warning. As a result..." He paused, seemingly remembering something unpleasant. "As a result, several of us didn't even have time to react before being taken down."
Katsuragi's pupils contracted slightly. "Him alone?"
"Yes. Alone. If you want to be technical, Elsie—the girl you saw—was also there," Ryuen said. "Moreover, I don't remember what happened at all. I only remember my vision going black, and then I knew nothing. When I woke up, the several of us were lying there, bodies aching all over."
Katsuragi fell silent. He thought of Sakayanagi Arisu's focus on Katsuragi Keima. He thought of her words: "That person is very interesting." "He's much more fun than I imagined."
Now it seemed Sakayanagi's "interest" wasn't simple admiration. It was a dangerous interest. But Katsuragi Keima looked so thin and weak; just how did he do it?
"So, can your plan succeed?" Katsuragi asked.
Ryuen looked at him. "Are you questioning me?"
"I'm asking a reasonable question."
The two stared at each other for a few seconds. Then Ryuen laughed. "Katsuragi, do you know? Your biggest flaw is being too cautious. Cautious to the point that you sometimes miss opportunities." He walked back to his original position. "But this time, you don't need to worry. My plan will definitely succeed. Because..." He paused. "Because even Katsuragi Keima has a weakness."
"A weakness?"
"As long as someone is human, they have a weakness. Enough, let's end it here for today. You should head back. If you stay any longer, your people will get suspicious."
Katsuragi nodded and turned to leave. Ryuen, however, looked up, squinting slightly at the sky. "Katsuragi Keima..." he muttered to himself. "I'd like to see what tricks you can play."
.
..
.
On the other side, in the jungle.
Katsuragi Kohei walked on the way back. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground. His mind was occupied by the conversation just now. 20,000 points per person per month for the whole of Class C until graduation. This amount was no small sum. But if it could truly buy victory in this exam... then it was definitely worth it.
He thought of Sakayanagi Arisu. She was willing to use any means for her own whims; even the expulsion of a Class D student was her doing. She was a complete danger. If someone like her took complete control of Class A... what would happen?
And why would someone like Sakayanagi Arisu be interested in a boy from a lower class? If Katsuragi Keima was truly that powerful, why was he in Class D? And why would he let a student expulsion happen in his own class? Truly a strange fellow...
Just what was Katsuragi Keima's background? Katsuragi Kohei didn't know. But he knew he must win this exam. For Class A. And for himself. He quickened his pace and vanished into the night.
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