COTE: Popularity System

In Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's estimation, the chosen leader should be someone with excellent athletic ability. After all, according to his plan, they would need to circle the island at least three times every day. Without excellent athletic ability, it would be impossible to check in at multiple locations.

Class D has many students with excellent athletic ability, but most of them have problems.

Sudō Ken was a good choice, but he has already been expelled.

Kōenji has the best grades in physical education, but he has no intention of contributing to the class, meaning he cannot be controlled.

Hirata is a member of the soccer club and also the class's peace ambassador, needing to mediate class conflicts.

Although Horikita has good athletic reflexes, she unfortunately caught a cold and might not have the stamina for extensive exercise on the island.

The remaining people are only Miyake Akito and Onodera Kayano.

The former's physical education grades are also very high in the class, and the latter's athletic ability is not inferior to Horikita's and even somewhat superior.

The leader Ayanokoji Kiyotaka initially wanted to choose was actually either Miyake Akito or Onodera Kayano.

But the troublesome thing was...

Kushida Kikyo suddenly stepped forward to set the pace, stating that Horikita looked very much like a leader, and therefore felt that the latter was most suitable to be the leader.

This reasoning... was too far-fetched.

At other times, her theory would still make some sense. But now it's a special exam where guessing the leader's identity will result in losses.

The leader Class D should choose should not be someone with a strong presence like Hirata, Kushida, or Horikita, but rather someone who usually doesn't have much presence in the class.

Unfortunately, the classmates didn't notice this and were easily swayed by Kushida. Even Horikita Suzune herself agreed with her statement and agreed to become the leader.

Seeing how things had developed to this stage in less than two minutes, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was quite speechless.

You guys, would it kill you to think a little more?

If he weren't emotionless, he probably would have burst out laughing on the spot.

"Sae-chan, I've come to play with you."

"Oh, where's Sae-chan?" Hoshinomiya Chie's lively voice rang out.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka turned his head to look, only to see a female teacher in a pink shirt blinking, looking around at the students in confusion, as if searching for Chabashira Sae.

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, our homeroom teacher has already gone to the luxury cruise ship to make the leader's special card." Hirata Yosuke stepped forward and explained with a smile.

"Class D has already chosen a leader so quickly?"

Hoshinomiya's face showed a slight surprise, and she said somewhat unexpectedly, "Your efficiency is really high."

Hirata Yosuke smiled helplessly. "Yes, I'm a bit surprised too."

He originally thought choosing a leader would be a difficult task. After all, if their identity was guessed, examination points would be deducted. If it were really guessed, not only would he feel burdened, but he would also be blamed by the entire class.

Such a thankless job would normally require a long discussion before any results could be achieved.

Unexpectedly, Kushida Kikyo, with just a few words, pushed Horikita Suzune into the leadership position.

Hoshinomiya Chie said, "Since you've chosen a leader so quickly, hurry up and find a place to live. It would be terrible if a good spot was taken by someone else first."

Hirata Yosuke was slightly stunned. "But we still have to wait for Chabashira-sensei..."

Hoshinomiya Chie said with a smile, "It's okay. The watches on your wrists have a GPS system, so Sae-chan can find your location. Once she gets the special card, she'll quickly find you through the positioning system."

"Uh..."

Hearing her words, Hirata Yosuke frowned slightly.

The education he had received since childhood made him reluctant to defy a teacher's words. He could vaguely sense that the female teacher in front of him seemed to want to cause trouble, but he didn't know what she intended to do.

'Intentionally delaying our access to the special card?' Ayanokoji Kiyotaka quickly understood Chie's thoughts.

The current location of Class D is very close to the luxury cruise ship, so Chabashira Sae would quickly be able to come over and hand the card to the students of Class D after obtaining it.

However, if Class D listened to Hoshinomiya Chie and started looking for a base, Chabashira Sae would have to chase after the moving class, and a considerable distance would be opened up.

Finding a base certainly isn't something that can be achieved by just walking around. It would waste a lot of time along the way, and they might even wander around in one place.

By then, other classes would have already chosen their leaders and obtained their special cards to occupy bases, while Class D would still be waiting for Chabashira Sae's special card, falling a step behind others.

Occupying a base requires two conditions: a leader and a special card, neither can be missing.

Even if the students of Class D found a base, they would have no way to occupy it without a special card. It was also very possible that during this time, they would be "attacked" by leaders from other classes, and their base would be occupied by others.

In this exam, using a base occupied by another class without permission would result in a deduction of 50 special exam points.

The safest method would undoubtedly be to obtain the special card first before taking action.

'Hirata, don't agree to Hoshinomiya-sensei's words.' Ayanokoji silently prayed in his heart.

His flawless plan had already largely failed. If they were to be further penalized for occupying someone else's base without permission, it would be difficult to manage.

Fortunately, Hirata Yōsuke was still salvageable.

He said with a smile, "Hoshinomiya-sensei is right, it's indeed better to look for a base now. However, most of our class should stay here to avoid Chabashira-sensei having to make an extra trip."

That way, Chabashira Sae would only need to hand the special card to anyone, without having to chase after the students.

"Alright then."

Hoshinomiya Chie sighed with a hint of regret, "I didn't expect Class D to have smart kids too."

After saying this, she left the Class D gathering spot and walked towards the location of the class she was leading.

—

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, you're finally back."

Seeing their homeroom teacher arrive, Honami and the others quickly went up to her.

"Sensei, we've already decided on a leader." Honami said with a smile.

"Really? Then tell me quickly." Hoshinomiya Chie perked up her ears, actively leaning them close to Honami's lips.

"Our class leader is Shiranami Chihiro." Honami said in a tiny voice.

Afraid that Chie wouldn't know who Chihiro was, she even used her full name.

Shiranami Chihiro?

Is she one of Honami's people?

Hearing the name she uttered, Hoshinomiya Chie was a little disappointed.

If the leader is guessed, the class will suffer losses and bear the greatest pressure. Therefore, a leader needs strong psychological fortitude and the ability to adapt to circumstances.

As the homeroom teacher of Class A, she naturally understood her students. Shiranami Chihiro is a bit timid and somewhat weak-willed.

By then, others might be able to detect the fact that she is the leader just from her facial expression. Her personality is not suitable for being a leader.

"Are you sure?" Hoshinomiya Chie wanted to subtly remind them that this wasn't a good choice.

"Yes, our leader is Shiranami-san." Ichinose Honami's answer remained unchanged.

"Alright, I understand."

Hoshinomiya Chie nodded slightly, then her gaze fell upon the young man not far away. She stared continuously for several seconds.

Hikaru-kun, help!