Due to the large number of people, Kaoru decided to take matters into his own hands and quickly prepared a pot of chicken soup.
He then chopped the chicken into smaller pieces so that everyone could have a taste of the meat.
Next, he added all of it into the soup and in no time, the entire campsite was filled with a tantalizing aroma.
However, Kaoru had thoughtfully saved two chicken legs for Kamuro Masumi and Morishita Ai, one for each, while he resigned himself to eating the chicken wings alone.
As dusk gradually enveloped the area, the crackling sparks from the bonfire sent faint wisps of white smoke through the crevices of the valley, drifting off to who knows where.
The glow of the flames illuminated everyone faces, revealing a hint of excitement in their eyes.
They whispered among themselves, the chatter never ceasing.
"It feels a bit like our middle school field trip" Kamuro said, sitting on a rock facing the bonfire, her delicate face tinged with a wine-red hue from the firelight.
"Back then, we stayed in the mountains, and on the last night, the teachers built a huge bonfire. We all held hands and danced together."
"Should I invite you to dance now?" Kaoru couldn't help but ask.
"No, I'm just making conversation" Kamuro replied after a moment of thought.
"You've never really told me about your past."
"Why do you ask?"
"Can't I be curious? For example, why did you come to this school? I'm really curious."
"Maybe because of the tuition completely free?"
"Your ambitions are really small, then."
"And what about your ambitions?"
"Heh."
Though she seemed dismissive, most students were here for the sake of advancing their education and future careers and this convenience store thief was probably no exception.
Kaoru didn't want to delve further into the girl thoughts, but Morishita had been staring at the two of them for a while.
"It's so strange. What exactly is your relationship?"
To be honest, Morishita Ai had been observing Kaoru Mitoma for some time.
The more she paid attention to him, the more puzzled she became.
Not to mention Sakayanagi Arisu, the way he interacted with Kamuro Masumi felt off—not like ordinary friends, but not like a couple either.
"Kamuro is the first friend I made here, my good buddy."
Hearing Kaoru response, Kamuro suppressed the urge to kick him, her face stern.
"Don't listen to his nonsense. This guy never tells the truth."
Morishita Ai looked even more confused and said seriously.
"But he's not lying. I can sense his thoughts. When someone lies, there are always subtle tells, like..."
"Wait, I get it. Stop" Kamuro quickly interrupted her, well aware of the girl earnestness, while shooting Kaoru a sharp glare.
"Speaking of which, I'm surprised you guys actually follow Katsuragi orders. I thought you'd stay neutral" Kaoru Mitoma said, seemingly trying to change the subject.
Aside from the Sakayanagi and Katsuragi factions, there were quite a few fence-sitters in Class A, and Morishita Ai was the type to just go with the flow.
"As long as we can get through the exams, it doesn't matter who we listen to" Morishita Ai said, turning to Kamuro Masumi.
"Instead of worrying about the neutrals, you should be more concerned about what's going on between Kamuro and Hashimoto."
It's no surprise that the neutral faction would obey Katsuragi Kohei orders.
What's truly strange is that the Sakayanagi faction remained quiet and even accepted Katsuragi's deal with Class C.
"Don't lump me in with them. Besides, it was Sakayanagi who had Hashimoto take over command. As for what Hashimoto does, I have no idea" Kamuro Masumi said indifferently.
She didn't consider herself part of the Sakayanagi faction, she simply belonged to Sakayanagi Arisu.
As they spoke, Kaoru noticed Katsuragi taking a flashlight and leaving the camp alone.
As expected of a leader, he could be quite decisive at times.
Not long after Katsuragi left, Mashima Tomonari began roll call for Class A.
Thus, Class A lost another five points today.
"Where did he go?" Kamuro wondered, baffled by the sudden deduction of five points.
She couldn't understand what Katsuragi was thinking. Not just her, but the Sakayanagi faction also looked displeased.
Fortunately, Totsuka Yahiko stepped up immediately to explain, sneering as he said his boss had gone out for reconnaissance and might even take down a leader.
His attitude was so hostile that the two sides nearly came to blows.
Honestly, Kaoru couldn't help but wonder if these people were really from Class A.
Though he thought so, since it didn't escalate beyond exchanging harsh words, the matter quickly passed.
By around 9 PM, Katsuragi returned with a grave expression.
"I went to scout Classes B and D, but unfortunately, I didn't see their leaders. They've blocked the check-in devices, so I could only see several students gathered together."
Katsuragi deliberately raised his voice, not only explaining to Class A but also reporting the situation to Kaoru.
"Logically, they shouldn't be this vigilant. Since roll call is approaching, they'd have to set up camp on the outskirts of their base."
According to the exam rules, roll call could only be conducted at the camp, and once the camp location was confirmed, it couldn't be changed.
"So I observed for a while longer and noticed that both Classes B and D had an extra student from Class C" Katsuragi said.
"If I'm not mistaken, these students are part of Ryuuen scheme. What's puzzling is why Classes B and D would take them in."
Although they took in the Class C students, they took precautions just in case, which inadvertently also thwarted Katsuragi covert observation.
"They're really a bunch of idiots" Yahiko sighed, shaking his head.
Even he knew not to take in students from other classes, yet Classes B and D acted like fools.
What's even more baffling is that, despite recently being attacked by Class C, why would Ichinose Honami still take in Class C students?
Kaoru expression turned odd.
Could it be that, like trying to change him, Ichinose also wanted to change Class C?
In any case, with Katsuragi return, Class A tasks for the day were essentially over.
It was time to rest, as many were exhausted from the day's activities—boarding the cruise ship and setting up the camp.
The tents couldn't accommodate everyone, so two-thirds of the group would have to sleep outside tonight.
The cave floor had been transformed by Class A into something resembling tatami mats, with uneven areas deliberately smoothed out.
Lying on it, while slightly uncomfortable, was enough to make do.
Katsuragi Kohei also bought more than a dozen blankets, with several people sharing one, ensuring they had enough to avoid catching a cold at night.
Since there were no partitions, they had to mix genders, though they tried to keep some distance.
Well, next to him was Kamuro Masumi.
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