COTE: Popularity System

Takada Hikaru didn't end up doing anything significant.

He roamed around the island with his classmates. After finding the stronghold device set up by the school, he followed Honami's arrangements with the others, transforming the spot into a state that could accommodate 40 people.

"Takada-kun, come and help."

According to school requirements, once students found a stronghold, the homeroom teacher had to pitch a tent nearby to assist students in purchasing supplies at any time.

Seeing Hikaru's slacking attitude, Hoshinomiya Chie really couldn't stand it anymore, so she called him over, using the excuse of helping to pitch a tent.

"Takada-kun, don't you have any other thoughts about the class leader?" Hoshinomiya Chie said worriedly, looking at his indifferent expression.

Takada Hikaru unhurriedly helped her pitch the tent, his tone calm and tinged with a faint hint of amusement, "Chie-sensei, do you think Chihiro isn't suitable?"

Hoshinomiya Chie's expression was troubled. "Although I don't really want to talk about my own students, Shiranami... she really is a bit..."

The pressure on a leader is much greater than on an ordinary student. If they don't have strong psychological resilience and excellent adaptability, it's easy for other classes to notice something is wrong with their state, thus finding a breakthrough.

Not to mention, Chihiro is inherently timid, and her inner emotions are displayed on her face, making her easier to read than others.

"Chihiro always likes to stay with Honami, and it's no exaggeration to say that Honami is the most popular person in the entire grade."

After pitching the tent, Takada Hikaru wiped the sweat from his forehead. "When students from other classes come to scout, they will most likely focus their attention on Honami, and by extension, the people around her will also be noticed."

At that time, whether Chihiro deliberately kept her distance from Honami, or interacted with Honami as usual, students from other classes would focus their attention on her.

With 40 people in the class, it would originally be difficult to find the leader. But Class A's actions helped students from other classes narrow down the scope.

From this perspective, Chihiro should be the least suitable person in the class to be the leader. Her relationship with Ichinose Honami was simply too good.

"It would be great if Takada-kun could choose the leader." Hoshinomiya Chie sighed softly, her brows slightly lowered.

"Then I might have to disappoint sensei. I previously suggested to Ryūji a strategy where Class A would voluntarily give up choosing a leader and not occupy a spot." Takada Hikaru said with a smile.

Hoshinomiya's eyes widened in confusion, "Why does Takada-kun think that?"

Takada Hikaru expressed his thoughts, "In our class, the only ones capable of ensuring their identity won't be discovered by other classes are probably Honami, Ryūji, and me. The others either lack ability or their psychological resilience isn't up to par."

"Other classes might have similarly astonishing observational skills. If they come to scout, it's hard to guarantee that no flaws will be discovered within seven days."

Hearing this, Hoshinomiya Chie was surprised. "So Takada-kun has considered so much. It would be great if Takada-kun were chosen as the leader."

But she knew that was impossible. Takada Hikaru, Ichinose Honami, and Kanzaki Ryūji held high positions in Class A, it was no exaggeration to call them celebrities. If students from other classes came to scout, they would definitely put more effort into these three.

Hoshinomiya Chie pressed his shoulder and said in a coquettish tone, "Takada-kun, even if it's just for fun, please help the class. I finally got to experience the feeling of being promoted to Class A, I don't want to just fall back to Class B."

She had previously taught two Class B batches, but those classes at best only stagnated, unable to be promoted to Class A nor demoted to Class C.

This was the first time she had seen a former Class B promote to Class A right at the start of the year, and she didn't want to just fall back so easily.

Takada Hikaru asked with a smile, "Then... Chie-sensei, may I ask a few questions? Based on the answers, I will take some action."

Hoshinomiya Chie's eyes widened, and a smile appeared on her face. "What does Takada-kun want to ask?"

"You once said that if the leader is guessed correctly, 50 special exam points will be deducted."

Takada Hikaru paused and continued, "So, is it 50 points deducted every time the leader is guessed, or will a maximum of only 50 points be deducted?"

Hearing his words, Hoshinomiya Chie's lips curved into a smile. "Takada-kun, the answer is the latter."

No matter how many times it's guessed, a maximum of only 50 points will be deducted.

Guessing an opposing leader correctly would add 50 points. So, students would subconsciously assume that 50 special exam points would be deducted every time their leader was guessed correctly. But in reality, the true rule was that no matter how many times it was guessed, only 50 special exam points would be deducted.

"In that case, if all four classes cooperate, they can achieve a win-win result where each class gains 100 class points." Takada Hikaru remarked.

If each class revealed its own leader and guessed the leaders of the other classes, it would result in a -50 for the class whose leader was guessed, and a +150 for guessing three leaders, ultimately leading to a total increase of 100 class points for everyone.

Takada Hikaru wasn't surprised that the school would set up such an exam. After all, Advanced Nurturing High School High School was established to cultivate students who are "more competitive in international situations."

Cooperation for mutual benefit is something that often occurs in competition. The Deserted Island Exam having a win-win outcome was not an unacceptable thing.

Hoshinomiya Chie said, "But not all classes are willing to accept the result of gaining 100 class points. For Class B, compared to a win-win of 100 points, participating in the exam normally to get more points would be the preferred choice, wouldn't it?"

A win-win outcome, where all classes gain 100 class points, should be acceptable for Class C and Class D, which have fewer class points. However, for Class B, which has over 1000 class points and is almost Class A, there's a high probability they would refuse to cooperate with other classes, wanting to achieve the best results in this exam to reclaim their Class A position.

Takada Hikaru smiled. "It's fine, I never planned to cooperate with Kōhei-san anyway. I'm just a little relieved after hearing that a maximum of only 50 points will be deducted if the leader is guessed correctly."

"If points were deducted every time it was guessed, then I would have to find all three of the other classes' leaders."

(End of Chapter)

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