COTE: Popularity System

Just when Himeno Yuki wanted to retort, Takada Hikaru stopped in his tracks. Influenced by him, Himeno Yuki also subconsciously stopped and then looked ahead.

She saw two male students from another class walking over with straight faces.

"Class A students, this is already our Class B base camp, passing is prohibited ahead."

"Class B's base camp?"

Himeno Yuki was slightly stunned, then looked ahead, and sure enough, she saw the base camp device installed by the school on the uninhabited island. Obviously, this was indeed a base camp that could be used for checking in.

But what was strange was that there were only two people staying at this base camp, and no other Class B students were to be seen.

"This isn't your main occupied base camp, right?"

As if sensing her question, Takada Hikaru posed a question to the Class B students.

Hearing Takada Hikaru put it that way, Himeno Yuki realized.

So that was it.

Unlike Class A, which only checked in at their living area, Class B had already expanded their check-in range to other areas.

According to Hoshinomiya Chie, because Sakayanagi Arisu did not participate in the exam, Class B started with 30 fewer special exam points than the other classes. Counting the existing 26-point gap in class points with Class A, that was a difference of 56 points.

In an ideal state, checking in at one spot could increase the class's temporary points by 21. Class A could only check in at one spot, thus increasing by 21 points, with a 77-point gap from Class B.

If Class B could check in at four spots simultaneously without being discovered, then after the exam ended, they would overtake in class points and become the class with the highest class points in the first year, becoming Class A again.

"Hehehe, you're scared, aren't you?" The Class B student laughed.

"As early as yesterday, we followed Katsuragi's instructions and split into several groups to search for base camps on the island, then took the opportunity at night to occupy them."

"Now most of the spots on the island have been occupied by our class. Even if you wanted to snatch them, it's too late."

Hearing the Class B student's words, Himeno Yuki felt a bit nervous.

They had already occupied most of the spots. The number must definitely exceed 4, right?

"May I ask, how many spots have you occupied now?" Takada Hikaru's expression remained unchanged, and he asked in a calm tone.

"I'm not afraid of scaring you by saying it."

As if victory was already in their grasp, convinced that the position of Class A was already in their pocket, the Class B student stated the specific number directly, "We have currently occupied 10 spots. And we will definitely be able to get more in the future."

Hearing the number stated by the Class B student, Himeno Yuki trembled in her heart.

When she heard Takada Hikaru say that the people in the class were participating in the exam with a half-hearted attitude, she was still a bit unconvinced. But after learning about Class B's actions, she realized that Class A had indeed done too poorly in this regard.

Damn it, wasn't it said that Katsuragi was a conservative?

Occupying so many base camps, are they crazy?

Even the conservative-styled Katsuragi dared to have the leader check in everywhere on the island.

And the people in Class A not only could only check in where they lived, but also had to worry all day long that they might be found out by people from other classes. This gap was simply too big.

— — —

Third day of the Deserted Island Exam.

Class A's living area.

Himeno Yuki furrowed her brows, her face etched with melancholy.

"Himeno, did you not sleep well last night?"

Kobashi Yume, who was sleeping in the same tent, saw her and quickly asked with concern.

There was a significant difference in comfort between tents and school dormitories. Many people were unaccustomed to sleeping in tents at first, leading to a lack of energy the next day.

Himeno Yuki shook her head slightly. "No. I just couldn't sleep because I was worried about Class B's actions."

Class B's actions were simply too audacious. They actually attempted to check in at over ten spots simultaneously.

If successful, Class B, led by Katsuragi, would not only be promoted but also leave the other classes far behind.

"So you're worried about this." Kobashi Yume smiled helplessly.

Through yesterday's investigation, the fact that Class B was heavily checking in at spots was no longer a secret.

It wasn't that the Class B students couldn't keep a secret. Rather, this kind of behavior couldn't withstand scrutiny in the first place.

Basically, every spot occupied by Class B had people guarding it, precisely to prevent students from other classes from approaching.

As long as one paid attention to this, they could figure out that Class B students were occupying a large number of spots.

Kobashi Yume smiled reassuringly. "Himeno, you don't need to worry too much. Katsuragi and his classmates checking in at so many spots simultaneously also means that the possibility of the leader being exposed has increased, hasn't it?"

If the leader is guessed correctly, all points obtained from checking in will be invalidated. Therefore, Katsuragi's approach has both pros and cons.

If successful, it can bring a large number of points to the class.

If it fails, it will be futile and cost 50 class points.

"But their defensive measures are also very good." Himeno Yuki said with her brows slightly lowered, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Yesterday, when she was scouting with Takada Hikaru, she saw many spots occupied by Class B and noticed that curtains were set up next to all the stronghold devices to obscure vision.

When Class B checked in, it was usually a few people, led by Katsuragi, who entered behind the curtains to check in.

By the time outsiders could see what was happening inside, the check-in was already over. It was simply too difficult to find out who Class B's leader was by peeking.

Kobashi Yume said, "Speaking of which, it's quite unexpected. Kanzaki-san described Katsuragi as a conservative, but his performance in the exam has been quite bold."

Most classes probably only dared to check in at their own spots. Katsuragi, however, led people to occupy strongholds everywhere. It's hard to imagine that this would be a conservative.

Himeno Yuki sighed slightly, "I heard Takada-san say that Katsuragi is only conservative relative to Sakayanagi. A more accurate description is that he's good at defense, seeks victory steadily, and doesn't forget to attack."

"He might have thought that setting up curtains and other obstacles near the strongholds was enough to defend against probing from other classes, which is why he dared to occupy so many spots."

What counts as steady?

Making your class points more than 500 points higher than the second place is the steadiest.

Himeno Yuki was a little scared. If things continued like this, after the Deserted Island Exam, wouldn't they be surpassed by Class A by over 500 points? Then what's the point of playing?