This shouldn't be happening. It was most likely a deliberate attempt to lure out any potential hidden observers, forcing them to reveal an inappropriate reaction.
The real leader was still behind.
Judging from Kaoru Mitoma usual behavior, he couldn't possibly be unaware of the consequences of this action.
Ayanokouji took a deep breath.
He trusted Mitoma abilities.
As the vice president of the student council and someone who had outsmarted Horikita Suzune, he wouldn't expose his class leader.
And so, under Ayanokouji slightly anxious gaze, Kaoru Mitoma silently aligned the key card with the scanning device.
Although he couldn't hear it, Ayanokouji felt as though he heard a click, indicating that the card had successfully refreshed its status on the machine.
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Ayanokouji desperately looked toward the path behind, hoping to catch a glimpse of someone who might be the leader, but there wasn't a single person in sight.
No matter how he looked at it, the only person standing at the base of the tower was Kaoru Mitoma, and he was indeed a student of Class A.
Every action screamed to Ayanokouji that Kaoru Mitoma was undoubtedly the leader of Class A.
Ayanokouji felt a sense of absurdity.
Could it be that the opponent he had been constantly thinking about and guarding against was actually just an idiot?
No, there had to be something more to this.
This move was like raising a torch high in a dark forest while shouting to the surrounding people.
Either he was a child, or he was a master of deception.
Between the two, Ayanokouji was more inclined to believe that Kaoru Mitoma was luring someone out.
But who?
Ayanokouji instinctively glanced in Horikita Suzune direction. At this moment, what would her reaction be?
If it were Horikita Suzune, she might not be able to suppress the upward curve of her lips.
It was easy to imagine her eagerly writing his name down.
This was a normal reaction.
Most people, seeing their plan come to fruition, wouldn't think deeper and would instead sneer at their opponent stupidity.
However, Ayanokouji thought of a crucial question, one he had been pondering all along.
There was no legitimate reason to replace the leader.
From this rule, it seemed difficult to replace the leader, but the school hadn't completely closed off this path.
As long as there was a legitimate reason, the leader could be replaced. The only question was how the school defined a legitimate reason.
Kouenji Rokusuke excuse was that he wasn't feeling well and the school staff directly allowed him to return to the cruise ship.
So, could a leader also use this as an excuse to withdraw from the exam and then have the class elect a new leader?
Thinking this, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka finally understood Kaoru Mitoma plan.
Losing thirty points to make the opponent guess the wrong leader and gaining fifty points—no matter how you looked at it, it was a profitable move.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka felt a chill in his heart.
As expected of someone suspected to be from the White Room—he was all too familiar with such tactics!
But would Horikita Suzune see through it?
Seeing a familiar figure appear before her, Horikita Suzune was also taken aback.
At first, she had the same doubts as Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, but when she saw Kaoru Mitoma place the key card on the machine, her doubts were completely dispelled.
As everyone knew, only the leader could operate the key card.
All she had to do was wait for Kaoru Mitoma to leave and she would immediately know the final answer.
To think she had actually lost to such a person back then—it was both shameful and laughable!
Horikita Suzune shook her head.
She felt her head was heavy, her body alternating between hot and cold, and she couldn't focus on anything else. Only one thought remained in her mind.
She was certain to win!
Next, Horikita Suzune felt she only needed to do two things.
First, fill in Kaoru Mitoma name before the exam ended and second, sell this information to Class B in exchange for enough personal points.
So, without making a sound, she quietly watched Kaoru Mitoma leave.
Strangely, before leaving, Kaoru Mitoma seemed to glance in Ayanokouji Kiyotaka direction.
Had he noticed something?
Horikita Suzune tried her best to stay alert.
Since the other party showed no reaction, it was likely they hadn't noticed her and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
After a few minutes, she emerged from the woods and approached the check-in device.
Sure enough, she saw the countdown on it, which had clearly been updated by Kaoru Mitoma.
"I didn't expect the leader of Class A to be so careless" Ayanokouji Kiyotaka appeared beside her.
"Generally, they would either station someone here or cautiously abandon this place."
Frowning slightly at his comment, Horikita Suzune calmly replied.
"Class A isn't an invincible entity. They make mistakes too. Overconfidence isn't necessarily a good thing."
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka silently watched her. Did she really understand what he meant?
Was his hint too subtle?
Originally, he thought Kaoru Mitoma was targeting Horikita Suzune, but upon further reflection, perhaps that wasn't the case.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka recalled the moment earlier when he had also noticed Kaoru Mitoma gaze.
The other eyes were completely unguarded, as if they had pierced through the woods and instantly spotted his presence, revealing a hint of amusement.
Though it was just a fleeting moment, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka realized he had been exposed.
Not only had he been exposed, but the other party was actually targeting him.
It seemed he couldn't count on Horikita Suzune anymore.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka mood grew heavy.
Speaking of which, there was still a bug in his room that he hadn't dealt with.
He didn't know who had installed it in his room, nor when it had appeared. By the time Ayanokouji Kiyotaka noticed it, it was already July.
He hadn't removed it immediately, not wanting to alert the person behind it.
Rumor has it that some listening devices can operate continuously for two to three months.
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka plans to dismantle it during the summer break to see if he can find any clues.
For now, he suspects it's Kaoru Mitoma doing.
"How's your body holding up?" Ayanokouji suddenly asked with concern.
"I'm perfectly fine, don't overthink it" Horikita Suzune replied with a calm demeanor, though fine beads of sweat were forming on her forehead.
Just half an hour hidden in the woods had already taken a toll on her body.
"You're not planning to tough it out until the exam ends, are you?" Ayanokouji pressed further.
Horikita fell silent for a moment. "If I give up now, wouldn't all my efforts so far be in vain?"
In other words, she really intended to endure until the exam was over.
Ayanokouji eyes gleamed as his mind raced at full speed, considering potential targets he could exploit in response to Kaoru Mitoma invitation.
The other party was suspected to be from the White Room, so he couldn't afford to let his guard down.
He even began to wonder if Chabashira Sae knew something, which was why she chose to threaten him at this moment.
"Let's head to Class B next. Ichinose-san will probably be happy to hear this news, though it's a shame we don't have any photos."
Horikita wanted to wrap up the deal quickly and return to the camp to rest.
Her body couldn't handle being active outside for too long.
Ayanokouji followed her in silence, gradually forming a rough plan in his mind.
Whether Kaoru Mitoma was from the White Room or not, Ayanokouji would make sure he wouldn't leave unscathed!
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