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"...So? You're going to survive alone just to atone for a crime you were framed forâunderwear theft?"
It was around 9 AM. The time when everyone would have finished breakfast and roll call. In the forest, far from each class's base camp, Kamuro's exasperated voice could be heard.
I sat on a tree stump and tried to justify myself to Kamuro, who stood before me with her arms crossed, looking annoyed.
"Hmm... That's not exactly it. One reason is to reduce Karuizawa's psychological burden. Even though it's likely a false accusation, it would still be awkward for her."
"Then why not go to Class B or something? You're in an alliance with them."
She had a point, but there are some things that are just easier to do alone.
"Well... you'll understand later. How are things going with the Sakayanagi faction?"
I decided to change the subject and check on the instructions I'd given them on the second day.
Being confined in that space for three days, listening to those things being said by multiple people, they must be reaching their breaking point.
"They're fine, for now. But why did you have to tell Totsuka, 'You act so high and mighty, but you're just a lackey to Katsuragi, who does nothing'? Honestly, the atmosphere is terrible, and I hate it."
That's right. My instruction was to provoke Totsuka's overflowing pride. Judging by Kamuro's tone, it seems things have gotten nicely heated.
"Right... well, let's end that today. I have one last big job for you. Can you handle it?"
"...Sigh. I can't quit now after coming all this way. Maybe that's why there are so many bad rumors about you."
How rude. It was proven that those were just Ryuen-kun's provocations!
"Who proved it...? So, what do you want me to do?"
Saying this, Kamuro reluctantly held out her right hand. But looking at her face, it was obvious she was happy to be relied upon. She must have gotten used to being needed by others, in any form.
I intertwined my fingers with her right hand, just like on our first date. Oh, her face is turning red right before my eyes. So innocent.
"If you pull this off, I'll take you on a date, just like last time. Of course, it'll be my treat, and I'll make sure it's an unforgettable memory."
By the way, this money will come from Arisu-chan's wallet.
If I pull her close with my left arm and whisper in her ear, this innocent Kamuro will be a goner.
"O-okay...! Just hurry up and tell me what to do!"
"That's the spirit, Kamuro-san. First, I want you to look at this memo."
With that, I handed her a memo with the necessary information already filled in.
"This is... a map of the whole island?"
"That's right. The map shows the island's layout, which Ayanokoji-kun and I spent a whole day creating. It also has the locations of nearly ten spots, and the large circles show the base camps of each class and their estimated activity range."
"...You're a real piece of work, doing something like this."
Kamuro mumbled in admiration. This is information every class would kill for.
"And what I want you to do this time isâ"
After finishing my explanation, I looked up, and Kamuro's expression was a mix of surprise and awe.
"Are you serious? The penalty for getting caught is huge, and there's no guarantee I can pull this off."
"It's okay. I believe in you, Kamuro-san."
I took her hand again and looked into her eyes.
"...Okay. But don't expect too much."
Saying that with a red face has no impact, Kamuro-san.
"Thank you! Now, we have to punish the bad guys who hurt girls, don't we?"
"...I don't think you're the one who should be saying that."
---------
"Can everyone gather up for a moment?"
As I stepped out of the tent, Hirata called for a meeting. Everyone in the class soon gathered.
And there was Karuizawa, her eyes swollen red, trembling with anger.
"I can't trust the boys. There's no way I can stay in the same space as them...!"
"But it might be a problem for the boys and girls to live separately... Saito-kun said it himself, the exam is almost over. That's why we need to trust and cooperate with each other as classmates."
"...That's true, but I can't stand being in the same place as an underwear thief! And why are you listening to Saito-kun, Hirata-kun...?"
Karuizawa's reaction was surprising. When her underwear was found in Tsugumi's bag, only a few peopleâYamauchi and others with little connection to Tsugumiâtruly suspected him. I thought Karuizawa would never jump to the conclusion that Tsugumi was the culprit, but...
'No way...? Is Saito-kun the culprit?'
'No, that's why there's a high chance it's a false accusationâ'
'I can't believe it! So the rumors were true after all!'
'Karuizawa-san...'
'I believed Saito-kun wouldn't do it... And you said you were leaving this place to run away, didn't you?'
That's the exchange that happened just a few minutes ago. Tsugumi wasn't there because he hadn't packed his things, but he probably predicted Karuizawa's reaction to some extent.
For some reason, Tsugumi seems to be greatly disliked by Karuizawa. I hadn't felt that vibe at all until Tsugumi told me so himself.
"How many times do I have to say it, Saito isn't the culprit! Let's put this aside for now and try to do our best for the remaining two days!"
"That doesn't make any sense... Why are you defending the thief! If he really didn't steal it, he would be saying something different, right!?"
The person who retorted to Karuizawa's outburst was Ike, who was the first to defend Tsugumi when he was suspected.
...Whatever is said to Karuizawa now will likely be pointless. It's probably because she feels frustrated by the current situation: the 'perpetrator' Tsugumi is being defended, while she, the 'victim' Karuizawa, is being told to endure.
"Enough, Karuizawa. I deeply sympathize with you for having your underwear stolen, but the fact that the evidence was found in Saito's bag makes it impossible to find the real culprit right now. I refuse to be inconvenienced by you, who has done next to nothing for the past five days."
Yes. The reason this situation has gotten so complicated is the rising hostility towards Karuizawa from this exam... no, even before that.
As Yukimura just said, Karuizawa hasn't done much to contribute to the class compared to Shinohara and others.
However, the fact remains that Karuizawa is a victim whose underwear was stolen, and the suspect is one of the boys.
"Huh? Why are you playing the victim? Isn't it still true that one of you guys stole Karuizawa's underwear and framed Saito-kun!?"
Perhaps Yukimura's words were poorly chosen, as this time Shinohara raised her voice. The conflict has now become a three-way battle: the boys, including Ike and Yukimura, who want to understand Tsugumi's intentions; Karuizawa, who, due to her pride, has decided Tsugumi is the culprit; and the girls, including Shinohara, who believe the real culprit is one of the other boys.
"We think the culprit is a guy. So let's draw a line and separate the boys' and girls' areas. Boys will be absolutely forbidden from entering our side."
Shinohara proposed dividing the living space into sections.
"...So Saito's sacrifice was for nothing?"
"Shut up. There's no way we can live with the scumbag who put the blame on Saito-kun."
Class D, which had been so united, was torn apart by one unseen student.
---------
After that, it was decided that the boys' and girls' tents would be separated, and Hirata and I were tasked with moving them. The girls even said things like, "It must be upsetting to have a friend like Saito-kun do that... We're your friends, too." I was happy to be considered a friend of the whole class, but the stares from the other boys were making things incredibly awkward.
"...That was unfortunate for you, too."
"Ibuki. Well, I think Tsugumi is the one having the worst time."
"...I see."
As we were working under the blazing sun, Ibuki spoke to me. After the chaos from two days ago, she probably had her own thoughts on the situation.
"The underwear theft this morning sounds like a mess. I honestly thought the person who put it in Saito's bag was an idiot."
"Yeah. If they were going to frame someone, Ike would have been the best choice. I don't get it."
...Just to be clear, it's not that I dislike Ike.
I had only voiced a genuine question, but Ibuki must have thought I was angry. She looked awkward... no, she had a 'different emotion' on her face.
"Do you have any idea who the culprit is?"
"None at all, at this point. I'd rather not suspect any of the guys."
"Then who do you think did it?"
It was a probing question. I glanced at Ibuki, who was standing right beside me, but she didn't look at me, waiting for my answer. When I remained silent, Ibuki spoke again.
"If, as you say, a guy wasn't the culprit, then the next person to be suspected would be me, the outsider. People would definitely start talking. 'Maybe Saito made it look like he stole it.' Am I wrong?"
"At least I'd trust you. I don't think you're the culprit."
I answered Ibuki without hesitation. She looked at me, slightly surprised, as if checking if I was telling the truth. When I met her gaze, Ibuki mumbled softly, her eyes cast down.
"...Thank you. For saying that."
"You talked to Tsugumi, too, didn't you? He's a natural womanizer. And he has a refreshing charm that makes it not feel annoying. Even if something like this came out of his bag, no one would think he's the culprit, right? I'm guessing it was someone from Class A who doesn't know Tsugumi and did it quietly at night."
"That's certainly possible. And stop talking so fast; it's gross."
...So this is how much it hurts to be called gross by a girl.
"...Well, if my guess is right, the result will be the worst. If they said, 'We'll tell you the real culprit is from another class if you tell us the name of Class D's leader,' I would gladly tell them. Tsugumi is an essential asset for our class battles in the future."
"...He's that important?"
"Yeah. It's not just me. Horikita and Hirata would also gladly give up about 50 points if it meant proving Tsugumi's innocence."
When I said that, Ibuki's eyes widened in surprise. Now, let's see if she takes the bait...
"I-I see. Thank you. I'm going now."
Ibuki must be quite surprised.
---------
Because the underwear that was put in Ike's bag came out of Tsugumi's.
---------
"Hah... He's still the worst, as always... If he's hated after this, there's nothing I can do."
============
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