"Do you want to avoid drawing attention to yourself after the exam?"
Ayanokōji asked.
"Exactly."
Saiki nodded.
"As a leader, that's not easy to do."
Ayanokōji replied, quickly formulating a plan in his mind.
But if we can replace the leader, it'll work. According to the original plan, we'll let Ibuki discover the key card, making her misjudge the leader's identity. We'll also destroy her camera, forcing her to take action to gather evidence. Then, we'll deliberately create chaos—like starting a fire—giving her a chance to escape and spread misinformation, leading other classes to guess the wrong leader.
Later, we'll use the rules to replace the leader, causing other classes to misidentify the leader and diverting attention from our classmates. Saiki should be able to come up with a strategy like this too.
The key is replacing the leader. If the leader withdraws due to unforeseen circumstances, a replacement is necessary. Otherwise, the exam can't continue.
'Did this guy already have a plan like this?'
Saiki thought, hearing Ayanokōji's inner voice.
'And... was it you who started the fire?'
Saiki had foreseen a possible fire earlier, thinking it was an accident, but now it seemed Ayanokōji might have caused it.
This guy is terrifying.
"Replacing the leader should do it."
After a few seconds, Saiki continued,
"We can also use this to feed Ibuki false information, and then..."
Saiki repeated Ayanokōji's plan, omitting the part about destroying the camera.
"Right."
Ayanokōji nodded.
As expected of Saiki, almost identical to my plan.
'Sorry, it was your plan to begin with.'
Saiki looked at Ayanokōji and added,
"We'll create an opportunity for Ibuki to escape with the key card and meet the others."
"Right, but—"
"We can't start a fire; it's too dangerous."
"Okay."
Ayanokōji nodded.
"The biggest issue now is how to replace the leader. Normally, the leader must withdraw due to unforeseen circumstances, like illness or injury. So..."
Saiki's physical condition is already superior. Getting sick isn't easy. The only option is an accidental injury.
"Leave it to me."
Saiki had an idea.
"You arrange the next leader, and in return, I'll share the other class leaders' info with you later."
After all, Saiki and Ayanokōji had agreed to make Class C first in this exam. Ayanokōji would help Saiki divert attention, and Saiki would reveal the other class leaders' identities.
Honestly, even if I didn't say it, Ayanokōji could probably guess the other leaders' identities.
"Got it."
Ayanokōji nodded.
...
After their brief conversation, Saiki returned to the riverbank, choosing a spot closer to Ike this time.
"Saiki, why are you here?"
Ike was surprised to see him.
"Just trying a different spot."
Saiki replied casually, waiting for the right moment—
to feign illness.
As a psychic, Saiki rarely got sick.
But he could pretend.
Saiki secretly used telekinesis on his fishing rod, creating huge ripples in the water, as if he'd hooked a massive fish. He feigned struggle, leaning forward.
"Saiki, I'll help!"
Wait, are there fish this big in this river?
Ike rushed over, but Saiki had already 'lost his balance' and jumped into the lake.
.....
An hour later, Saiki, now in dry clothes, lay in the camp.
"Saiki, you tried too hard!"
Hirata sighed beside him.
"Kusuo..."
Sakura looked worried.
Sorry, but to avoid future trouble, I had to do this.
Saiki thought.
"You know, Saiki fought a meter-long fish for us to have grilled fish tonight! He lost his balance and fell in... It's my fault... I couldn't help him in time."
Ike wiped fake tears, exaggerating the story.
"Saiki tried so hard?"
"I didn't think he was so selfless..."
"Saiki..."
Class C students gathered around, some even tearing up. Saiki wanted Ike to stop, but since he was feigning illness, he couldn't react.
Falling into the water in front of Ike makes my illness believable.
Saiki thought, then said,
"I feel dizzy... Maybe I have a fever."
"Fever?"
Ike checked Saiki's forehead and screamed,
"So hot!"
Too hot...
Saiki adjusted his body temperature to a realistic level.
"Really?"
Hirata was surprised. Falling into the water and getting a fever was possible, but this fast?
He checked Saiki's forehead and confirmed the fever.
Saiki glanced at Ayanokōji, who understood and said,
"If it's a fever, it's serious. Saiki should return to the ship for treatment."
"Right!"
"Saiki's done so much for us."
"Thanks, Saiki!"
No one objected, unlike when Kōenji withdrew earlier.
Sorry, Class C will lose 30 points, but the saved food points and rewards for guessing other leaders' identities will outweigh this. Consider it my contribution.
Saiki thought, hearing the others' thoughts.
Ayanokōji, for instance:
Saiki actually faked illness. I thought he'd fake an injury. How did he do it?
Answer: Psychic powers.
Saiki replied mentally.
Meanwhile, outside the tent, Saiki heard Ibuki's voice:
Found it!
Saiki turned, his vision piercing the tent to see Ibuki outside.
Ibuki was searching Class C's belongings for the key card. With everyone focused on Saiki, no one noticed her.
She found the key card in Saiki's bag.
Saiki Kusuo? The leader? I never expected it.
Sorry, Class C. I don't agree with Ryūen's methods, but being too nice has consequences.
Hopefully, you'll learn your lesson.
Ibuki smiled, took photos with her camera, and left the camp.
...
Ten minutes later, Chabashira, Ayanokōji, and Horikita took Saiki to the shore. Medical staff soon brought him back to the ship.
"Hey, Glasses Boy, didn't expect you back too!"
On the deck, Kōenji lounged in a chair.
"You're sick too? Just like me. I've been getting treatment, but no ice water on this hot ship?"
I'll break your AC later.
Saiki, annoyed by Kōenji, didn't want to engage.
The exam ends soon, but at least I'm back early.
Saiki returned to his room and lay down.
I told Ayanokōji the other leaders' identities. I'll monitor the situation to prevent surprises.
He activated his clairvoyance.
...
"Saiki got sick so quickly?"
Horikita looked at the ship, still puzzled.
"Even if he caught a cold, it shouldn't be this fast."
"Maybe he was already sick but pushed through until now?"
Ayanokōji explained.
"Possibly, but I didn't expect Saiki to be so capable."
Horikita shook her head, then asked,
"If Saiki withdraws, how will we secure our base? Only the leader can use the key card."
"The rules wouldn't allow such a loophole."
Ayanokōji approached Chabashira, his emotionless gaze meeting hers.
"Teacher, since Saiki is unwell, we should replace the leader."
"Right."
Chabashira smiled meaningfully.
"What? We can replace the leader?"
Horikita was shocked.
"Make Horikita the leader."
.....
Meanwhile, in the forest on the island,
Ibuki leaned against a tree, waiting for someone.
Two figures emerged from the forest:
Kanzaki and Ryūen.
Ryūen looked disheveled, covered in dirt, with stubble and injuries.
To convince others that Class D had withdrawn, Ryūen survived alone on the island without supplies, drinking river water, eating wild fruits, and sleeping in caves or bushes.
"I got the photos."
Ibuki handed the camera to Kanzaki.
"Saiki... Kusuo?"
Kanzaki paused, not recognizing the name.
But it didn't matter.
"The deal is done."
Kanzaki told Ryūen, who smiled and nodded.
This was all part of Ryūen's plan.