ReruoIzayoi
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Chapter 67: How Did This Student End Up in the Sahara Desert?
🕑 Added 2025-04-25 08:09:00 +0000 UTC'We shouldn't occupy this base directly. Occupying a base without fully investigating the surroundings would only increase our risk of exposure.'
'I'll have to be the one to carry the key card and act. That way, even if students from other classes are around, they'll instinctively assume I'm the leader.'
'For this special exam, we'll be collaborating with Class D. It's a gamble, but if we succeed, it will bring huge benefits to Class A.'
Saiki Kusuo could clearly hear Katsuragi Kohei's thoughts.
'Yare yare, using such a method? But anyone with common sense would realize that no leader would openly run around like this.'
Saiki Kusuo thought to himself.
'And Class A is collaborating with Class D?'
As he pondered this, he could also clearly hear Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's thoughts.
'Katsuragi wouldn't make such a rookie mistake. He definitely isn't the leader. Occupying a base requires the leader to personally execute the task, so Totsuka Yahiko must be the leader.'
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had also figured out the truth, though he wasn't yet aware that Class A had already begun collaborating with Class D.
"We're so lucky to find a suitable cave right away! Even with only two tents, this should be enough."
Totsuka Yahiko smiled as he spoke to Katsuragi Kohei, but the latter's expression remained stern.
"Luck? Have you noticed nothing so far? I knew about this cave before we even landed. Finding it was inevitable. Also, watch your words. We don't know if someone might be eavesdropping. As the leader, it's my duty to supervise. Don't make any careless mistakes!"
'The more he says this, the more it feels like he's trying too hard to hide something.'
Saiki Kusuo complained inwardly.
"How did you know about this cave beforehand?"
"The announcement on the cruise ship was a hint..."
Katsuragi Kohei explained briefly.
"...If everything goes smoothly, that Sakayanagi girl should finally shut up."
'If we succeed, my standing in the class should surpass Sakayanagi's.'
'Sakayanagi? I remember the school chairman's surname is Sakayanagi. But the Sakayanagi Katsuragi mentioned probably isn't a school official. It sounds like there's someone named Sakayanagi in Class A who's his rival. Earlier, Ryuen mentioned someone in Class A he really wants to defeat. Could it be Sakayanagi?'
Saiki Kusuo couldn't help but think to himself.
'But this has nothing to do with me...'
Soon, Katsuragi Kohei and the others left, and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka led Saiki Kusuo to the entrance of the cave, where it was displayed that Class A had already claimed ownership of the area.
"Class A has already occupied it. Saiki, do you think Katsuragi is the leader?"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka asked.
Just as Saiki Kusuo was about to play dumb and brush it off, he heard Ayanokoji's thoughts.
'Saiki must have seen through Katsuragi's little trick. But given his style, he'll probably pretend he noticed nothing.'
'Tch, you guessed my thoughts?'
After a moment of consideration, Saiki Kusuo spoke up.
"I don't think Katsuragi is the leader. That would be too obvious. As a member of Class A, he wouldn't make such a rookie mistake."
'Hmm, I think the same as you.'
'Saiki isn't hiding it this time? No, this approach actually makes it easier for him to conceal his true abilities. If he kept playing dumb, it might raise suspicions. Saiki's response is quite clever.'
'......'
"Koenji is gone. Let's head back."
"Alright."
This was the only point on which Saiki Kusuo and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka could agree.
......
Soon, the two of them returned to where the rest of the class was gathered. They reported what they had seen and heard to Hirata Yosuke and learned that Koenji Rokusuke had already returned, claiming he went for a swim at the beach before leaving again.
At the same time, Ike Kanji also returned and informed everyone that they had found an unoccupied base near a river.
It was a suitable location with a good environment, so the members of Class C decided to set up camp around the riverside base.
'With this, the issues of water and food are temporarily resolved.'
Saiki Kusuo thought to himself, then shifted his gaze to the others.
'Now, the only remaining problem in the class is—who will be the leader?'
The issue of the leader had yet to be decided in Class C.
"I think we need to choose a leader as soon as possible."
At that moment, Kushida Kikyo gathered everyone in a circle.
"I've been thinking about this a lot. Hirata-kun and Karuizawa-san are too noticeable. But if we're to assign the leader role, it has to be someone responsible, right? I think Horikita-san fits both criteria. What do you all think?"
Kushida Kikyo smiled meaningfully as she glanced at Horikita Suzune, who looked momentarily puzzled. She hadn't expected Kushida to nominate her.
'I've secretly collaborated with Ryuen. I'll push Horikita Suzune into the leader role. If Class C fails the exam, as the leader, she'll have to bear the brunt of everyone's blame!'
'Yare yare, so that's how it is.'
Saiki Kusuo heard Kushida Kikyo's thoughts. Fortunately, this exam was a group activity, so he could just blend in and avoid drawing attention, as long as nothing unexpected happened...
"I think there's a better candidate."
But at that moment, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka suddenly spoke up.
"Who?"
Everyone's attention turned to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
"Saiki-kun. He's not noticeable, and he's responsible—he helped us get exam materials from the seniors and even tutored some classmates."
This sudden turn of events caught Saiki Kusuo off guard, and he immediately turned his gaze to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
'Maybe this will force Saiki to show a bit of his true abilities.'
'You jerk!'
At that moment, Saiki Kusuo couldn't help but imagine spinning Ayanokoji around like a yo-yo.
'If I become the leader, wouldn't I have to personally participate in all the base occupations? And if the class doesn't do well in the exam, wouldn't I be seen as the scapegoat?'
"Saiki?"
Everyone looked puzzled.
'Yes, yes, that's it! Someone, please object!'
Saiki Kusuo thought to himself. If someone objected, he could legitimately decline the role.
"I... I support Saiki-kun... He really is a responsible person..."
At that moment, Sakura Airi, who usually had little presence in the class, unexpectedly spoke up. She looked at Saiki Kusuo and nodded firmly.
'Hey, hey, hey, Sakura, why are you suddenly acting like this? But with just Sakura's support, it's unlikely to convince everyone...'
"I think it's a good idea."
At that moment, Horikita Suzune nodded in agreement.
In her impression, Saiki Kusuo was somewhat capable and the least noticeable in the class. For the sake of the exam's success, Saiki Kusuo was undoubtedly the best choice.
"If it's Saiki, then we have no objections!"
Ike Kanji and the others turned to Saiki Kusuo, giving him a thumbs-up with smiles on their faces, their teeth gleaming in the sunlight.
'Hey, hey, don't look at me with those disgusting expressions.'
At that moment, Saiki Kusuo was desperately hoping someone would object, but he could clearly hear the thoughts of those around him.
'Saiki? Oh right, we have him in our class!'
'I almost forgot Saiki was in our class. The other classes would never guess it's him!'
'Wait, his name is Saiki? I always thought his surname was Saito...'
Listening to these thoughts, Saiki Kusuo felt incredibly conflicted. But no one objected, so he could only turn to Kushida Kikyo, hoping she would use her influence to change their minds.
Saiki Kusuo knew very well that if Kushida Kikyo opposed him, many of the boys in the class would follow suit, and then...
'Damn it, an unexpected situation... Saiki? If most people think Saiki is a suitable candidate, it wouldn't be wise to object now.'
Kushida Kikyo thought to herself, then smiled.
"Alright! I also think Saiki is a good choice!"
'You don't really think that, do you?!'
"In that case, it's settled. Saiki-kun, it's up to you."
Hirata Yosuke gently patted Saiki Kusuo's shoulder, clearly showing his approval.
'There's no way to refuse now...'
At that moment, Saiki Kusuo felt a sense of despair.
......
Saiki Kusuo's appointment as Class C's leader was immediately reported, and the others began preparing to set up camp.
Although the school had provided two initial tents, each tent could only sleep eight people at most. The two tents were barely enough for the girls, so the boys would have to camp outside. Additionally, they needed to complete essential tasks like starting a fire.
Although Saiki Kusuo was the leader, Hirata Yosuke was still the one leading the class. Saiki Kusuo didn't want to do anything too noticeable.
"Saiki-kun, could you help gather some branches around here? We'll need them to start a fire tonight."
Hirata Yosuke, who was busy setting up the tent, asked Saiki Kusuo.
"Sure."
Saiki Kusuo nodded. Staying here doing nothing would only invite criticism, so it was better to find something to do to pass the time.
He then left the campsite and walked deep into the forest. After making sure no one was around, he activated his powers, and the scattered branches around him seemed to come to life, instantly gathering in front of him.
For others, gathering this many branches would take a long time, but for Saiki Kusuo, it was as easy as breathing.
'That's done. Now I have about half an hour of free time. What should I do...'
As Saiki Kusuo pondered, he looked down at the grass in front of him—an unknown insect was crawling ominously toward him.
'......'
In the next instant, Saiki Kusuo teleported tens of thousands of kilometers away.
......
"Huh? What's going on?!"
At that moment, in the staff camp on the island, a staff member responsible for monitoring the students' movements shouted in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
The others nearby quickly gathered around to check.
"Just now, a student's location suddenly appeared in the Sahara Desert."
"Don't joke around. That's impossible."
"I'm not joking! It definitely was... Wait, it's back now?"
"You must have misread it. Use your brain—this is impossible!"
"You're right... It must be a system glitch... I can't believe the expensive tracking system the school bought would malfunction..."
......
"That was close..."
At that moment, in the Sahara Desert, Saiki Kusuo looked down at the smartwatch on his wrist.
'It all happened so suddenly. I didn't have time to tamper with the watch's tracking system... Hopefully, it didn't cause any panic...'
Saiki Kusuo sighed, then waved his hand, causing the sand around him to float in the air, shielding him from the sun.
'I'll wait here for a while before heading back.'
