COTE :  Oh No, I've Become the Substitute

The rain outside the cave had stopped at some unknown hour while the Class A students were still deep in sleep.

The sky had been washed a clear, translucent blue. The Class A students packed up their belongings, cleaned up their garbage, and walked out of the cave.

The sun, long absent, peeked through the gaps in the clouds and slanted across the entire deserted island, dazzling to the point of squinting. The air was damp. A single breath drew in the fresh scent of earth mingled with vegetation, cool and crisp, seeping straight into the lungs.

"There is less than one hour remaining until the conclusion of this special exam. Now, please fill in the names of any other class leaders you wish to guess on this form. Of course, if you have not identified any, you may also leave it blank."

At eight in the morning, Class A's homeroom teacher, Mashima Tomonari, arrived at the Class A camp for roll call as punctually as ever. In a businesslike manner, he handed the leader-guessing form to Katsuragi Kohei.

After receiving the form, Katsuragi furrowed his brow and contemplated for a moment. Steady as always, he decided, in accordance with the plan, to forgo guessing any other class leaders.

He then turned his head toward Fuyuji Mikage, who had just stepped out with Hashimoto Masayoshi and Kito Hayato, done who-knew-what, and quickly returned.

"Fuyuji-kun, what is your opinion?"

"Give it to me. I just so happen to have a freshly-obtained piece of intelligence on a class leader."

Fuyuji took the form with a beaming smile.

Not just Katsuragi, but even Mashima paused, a look of surprise surfacing on his face.

At this late stage, Fuyuji hadn't been in contact with anyone from the other classes. Where had this intelligence come from?

And Fuyuji couldn't possibly be unaware of the rule that the leader could be changed. Why would he still choose such a high-risk option?

Then he watched as Fuyuji, after receiving the form, swiftly scrawled a name in bold, flourishing strokes in the slot for Class C. Once done, he handed it back to Mashima.

Just one?

"Class C still needs to be kept in check. Otherwise, if Ryuen Kakeru really completes his unification of Class C, he'll be out causing trouble again."

That tone of certainty—how was he so sure that the name he filled in was Class C's current leader?

Before Katsuragi could voice his question, Fuyuji had already strode to the front and was leading the students toward the beach.

Forget it.

Katsuragi shook his head and stopped pondering the matter. He took one last quiet look back at the cave where Class A had spent seven days, then turned and followed.

So be it. Even if they guessed wrong, it was only a fifty-point deduction. Over three hundred points would still remain. This exam's results for Class A were already more than enough to satisfy everyone.

An hour later.

After seven days, the students of each class once again stood assembled on the sandy beach. The sun hanging high in the azure sky, the gradually scorching sand—all of it stirred a feeling in the first-year students as though it had only been yesterday.

Gathering firewood, picking fruit, setting up camp, fishing, chasing the goat, holding the bonfire party...

So much had happened in just seven short days.

However, compared to the scene seven days ago, when everyone was fully assembled, there were now some noticeable differences on the beach.

At the Class D assembly point, where the Class D contingent had originally numbered thirty-nine, only two had persevered to the very end of the special exam.

Sudo Ken and Hirata Yosuke.

"Yo, Hirata. How'd you end up in such a sorry state?"

The moment he spotted the two emerging from the forest, Ryuen Kakeru stepped forward, rubbing his chin as he sneered at the man who had once again made him a laughingstock before the entire school.

"Back when you were selling your supply points, why didn't you get on your knees and beg me? If you had, I would've generously prepared enough supplies for you to last the full seven days."

"You piece of trash—"

The hot-tempered Sudo Ken instantly erupted. His fist flew up in the blink of an eye, but Hirata Yosuke stopped him with a single hand.

"Forget it, Sudo-kun." Hirata shook his head calmly. "The exam isn't over yet. If you attack him, our class will be disqualified."

"Argh! Damn it!"

Sudo Ken released his fist and kicked at the sand, sending a cloud of yellow dust billowing across the entire Class D assembly area.

"After the exam, I'm going to beat the hell out of you!"

"Oi, oi. Is that any way to treat your benefactor who paid you? I was generous enough to buy up what little supply points you had left. Otherwise, that bunch in your Class D probably wouldn't have had a single point remaining, right?"

Hirata said nothing. He lowered his head and silently clenched his fists.

On the night of the second day of the special exam, this man had suddenly appeared at the original Class D camp. Using words of the utmost temptation, he had publicly pitched to the entire class a proposal: ten thousand personal points per person per month in exchange for one hundred and sixty supply points.

The result: the Class D students, who had spent two days finally getting on track, scattered in a single uproar. With an utmost urgency, they made Hirata sign the contract. The few voices of opposition in the class were drowned out in the tide.

On the fourth day of the special exam, while the other three classes gathered together, dancing and singing, holding the bonfire party—

He had watched from a corner of the forest in the distance. No one knew the complicated feelings in his heart at that time.

"Still, I have to say, Hirata—you're quite capable. I sent people searching for you in the forest for days and still couldn't find you."

With victory within reach, Ryuen was now so inflated he was practically floating. He pressed on, intensifying his mockery.

"If not for you, that scattered sand of your Class D... I really wouldn't have known who to sign the contract with. Ha ha ha!"

So saying, Ryuen threw his head back and laughed. His unrestrained laughter echoed across the beach. As he laughed, he glanced toward the direction of Classes A and B.

Now, with the exam about to end, he could finally reveal his entire plan.

"Bet you didn't see this coming—Class D signing a contract with my Class C! Right now, our class still has a full two hundred and forty supply points remaining! Katsuragi! Ichinose Honami! How are you going to fight me?! The winner is me!"

At these words, the expressions on the Class B students' faces grew somewhat unsightly.

They knew that when Class D withdrew, some students might have stayed behind on the island. But they had never imagined this additional layer to the situation.

"Katsuragi, I told you—this was a win-win plan. What a pity. Because of your stupidity and short-sightedness, you chose not to cooperate with me. Now, perk up your ears and listen well to how our Class C wins this special exam!"

The entire Class A student body: "..."

Never mind that our Class A's supply point utilization rate is higher than yours and that we also retained over two hundred supply points. Our Class A didn't even have to spend any money, and we're not the ones laughing. And you—you're laughing that arrogantly?

Mixed into the Class A crowd, Morishita Ai reached out and poked Fuyuji's side. She leaned her little head in and muttered quietly.

"Did you fry his brain last time? This kind of third-rate villain is going to lower our class's style."

Fuyuji leaned his head in as well and spoke helplessly. "Can't be helped. That's just how he is. The moment he gets cocky, he turns stupid."

"What if he passes out later?" The final member, Yamamura Miki, arrived at the battlefield and asked with a touch of worry.

Screech—

The harsh, piercing sound of a megaphone switching on spread across the entire beach. Immediately after, Mashima stepped out of his tent. His gaze swept over the trio of Fuyuji and the others with an odd expression.

"Standing casually is fine."

Waving his hand to stop the first-year students who were preparing to form ranks, Mashima raised the megaphone and spoke with a solemn expression.

"Over this past week, we faculty members have indeed witnessed your efforts in this special exam. Some faced the exam head-on. Some followed the theme of freedom. Still others circumvented the rules from the side, proposing solutions that even the school administration had never considered. Although the forms were diverse, overall, I believe the exam results were outstanding. You have all worked hard."

Such words made the first-year students on the beach freeze for a moment.

Solutions that even the school administration had never considered...

Ryuen, who had just been wearing an unrestrained grin, suddenly felt an ominous premonition rise in his heart.

"Well then... next, I will directly announce the results of this special exam. Let me state in advance: the school will not accept any inquiries regarding the results of this exam. Or rather, the results of this exam—even we were utterly astonished."

"I hope you will accept the results on your own, analyze them, and apply what you learn to the next exam."

The beach fell into a brief silence. Heartbeats quickened unconsciously amidst the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

"In last place: Class D, forty-two points."

The grating voice rang in Hirata's ears. He forced out a smile and comforted Sudo Ken, who had fought alongside him to the very end.

"It's fine. At least we're no longer at zero. We have forty-two class points now, don't we? We can work hard and earn them back later."

Sudo Ken clenched his fists and gritted his teeth, but said nothing.

He was still convinced by Hirata. If not for Hirata getting on his knees and borrowing points from their classmates, he wouldn't be standing here now.

The students of the other classes showed no surprise either. Class D, having withdrawn first, ending up in last place—this was the most natural outcome.

What mattered was the ordering of the remaining three positions...

The students of the three remaining classes couldn't help but swallow. Their heartbeats grew more and more urgent.

"Next, in third place: Class C, one hundred and ninety points."

One hundred and ninety points?

The brief announcement lingered in Ryuen's ears. His brain entered a momentary state of shutdown.

Achieving such a score could only mean one thing: Class C's leader had been correctly guessed by another class. How was that possible?!

His plan had been flawless. It had been the middle of the night. Even he himself hadn't known. How could someone from another class still have figured it out?

Before Ryuen could sort through his thoughts, the Class C assembly point erupted into clamor.

A torrent of condemnation poured forth from the Class C students toward Ryuen.

"Ryuen! How did you swear and vow and guarantee to us?! What is this now?!"

"To think that this time, I actually thought you'd done a decent job. And in the end, after all that effort, our Class C only got this much? Is this your fault?!"

"Explain yourself! Otherwise, going forward, I will not follow your orders any longer!"

...

Ignoring the uproar from Class C, Mashima silently raised the megaphone's volume and continued reading.

"Next, in second place: Class B, two hundred and thirty-five points."

"Haah~"

Ichinose patted her full chest and let out a long breath of relief.

Although they hadn't taken first place, Class B was more than satisfied with this result.

After all, their class had chosen to take the exam step by step. They hadn't guessed any leaders, nor had their own leader been guessed. It was simply the collective effort of their classmates—the remaining supply points plus the occupation points.

But...

She slowly turned her head and cast her gaze toward the Class A students, who were already revealing smiles.

By this point, which class had taken first place hardly needed guessing anymore.

"Finally, first place in this deserted island special exam: Class A, four hundred and twelve points. This concludes the announcement."

"That is all!"

After a brief silence—

WHOA!!

Excited cheers instantly resounded across the entire beach. The Class A students raised their hands high, threw their arms around each other's shoulders, and celebrated this enormous victory with elation.

Four hundred and twelve points. With a score like that, even if they suffered consecutive losses in the next exam, Class A would not slide down to a lower position.

"For the remaining time, you may rest a little longer. The ship will formally depart in two hours."

Having finished, Mashima switched off the megaphone, turned, and began walking back toward his tent.

"IMPOSSIBLE!!"

An enraged, indignant voice exploded from the center of the beach. Ryuen's eyes were tinged with red, streaks of blood vessels spreading across them. Step by step, he strode through the sand toward Mashima.

"Class A must have cheated! Otherwise, it's impossible for them to achieve such a high score! I demand the detailed score breakdown for this exam be made public!"

At this moment, Ryuen was like a gambler on the verge of losing every last chip, clutching his final token and betting everything on one last throw.

"Four hundred and twelve points! Even if Class A managed to guess my Class C's leader out of thirty-nine students, with Class A's base point occupation frequency, supplies plus occupation points would be three hundred and sixty-two points! How exactly did they arrive at this score?! Tell me!"

"Indeed..."

Students from the other classes in the crowd began to murmur.

"Why did Class A get such a high score?"

Mashima turned around and spoke flatly, his expression as impassive as ever.

"On this point, you may rest assured. I can clearly state that Class A's actions passed the school's verification. Although there is suspicion of exploiting a loophole, they did not cheat. However, in future exams, the school will likely patch this loophole. I cannot disclose the detailed circumstances. If Class A is willing, you may ask them yourselves."

The students of the other classes were collectively stunned.

What did he mean? No cheating, but they exploited a school loophole?

Katsuragi shot a discreet glance at Fuyuji. After receiving a thumbs-up of affirmation, he raised a hand and rubbed his temples, letting out a long sigh. After mentally preparing himself, he forcibly kept his face taut and struggled to recall the words Fuyuji had taught him. Feigning solemnity, he spoke.

"Since you're all interested—five thousand personal points per person, on a per-class basis. Since you want to know, I'll tell you this unparalleled, supreme, iron-clad loophole-exploitation method!"

I knew it. The school would definitely patch this loophole this time. Cunning school administration!

Having painfully lost yet another method of cheating, Fuyuji found a spot to sit in the shade of the forest. But watching a crowd of students from other classes surround Katsuragi, and feeling his own wallet grow just a little fuller, his mood couldn't help but brighten a touch.

"How did you do it?"

In a hidden corner of the forest, taking advantage of the students' attention being focused on Katsuragi, Mashima—having already returned the megaphone—silently appeared behind a large tree next to Fuyuji. He casually tossed a bottle of drink to him.

"Haven't you already figured it out?" Fuyuji caught the drink.

"That's not what I'm asking. How were you able to guess Class C's leader out of the remaining thirty-nine people?"

"You won't report this to the school again after I tell you, will you?"

Fuyuji half-narrowed his eyes. He twisted open the cap, tilted his head back, and gulped down the drink. He let out a comfortable sigh.

"The school figured that part out themselves. After all, you had so many supply points left over. Even if I hadn't said anything, the school could've pieced it together from the various clues."

"Fair enough."

"So how exactly did you do it?" Mashima asked once more.

Pressing the ice-cold drink against the back of his neck, Fuyuji leaned back and lay down, gazing at the azure sky. Then his eyes drifted casually elsewhere. "Mashima-sensei, switching the class leader has one inevitable, fatal flaw. Do you know what it is?"

"Is there one?" Mashima furrowed his brow. He had been a teacher for many years, had experienced the deserted island exam several times, and had never detected any flaw. "Where?"

"It's that the entire process must be redone from start to finish. Report it. Test the original leader's physical condition. Confirm without error, then switch the leader. Re-engrave the leader's name onto the key card. Then hand the key card back to the new leader. Archive it and report it to the school."

"How is that a flaw—"

Mashima's entire body froze. From just moments ago, Fuyuji's gaze had been continuously fixed on the staff tent.

"Noticed it now?"

Fuyuji pulled out the key card for this exam from his athletic pants. The bank-card-sized card spun nimbly around his fingertip.

"We, and you staff members as well—all of us had to complete all our work inside that tent for these seven days."

"Now this is truly interesting~"

Fuyuji dragged out his syllables and revealed the grin of a scheme successfully executed.

"Those who know the names of each class's leaders—aside from the students of each class, there are also you staff members."

"If you want to find the name engraved on another class's key card, sure, you can look for it from the other class. But you can also look for it from the staff members. So why wouldn't I, from the very start, set my sights on you staff members?"

"Look..."

Fuyuji snatched up the key card. The Romanized letters [Yamamura Miki] were engraved on it in neat, square characters.

"This kind of font can only be produced by a machine. In other words, no matter what, you have to type out the leader's name, square and proper, on the screen of some machine or computer."

"Furthermore—that's a tent, not some soundproof wall. Whether it's reporting to the school, or communication between staff during work, as long as you stand outside and listen carefully, you can hear it. The process of switching the leader requires the coordination of staff members. It's impossible for the leader's name not to be spoken aloud at least once."

"Anyway, the rules never said you couldn't obtain leader information from the staff members."

"Since that's the case, why should I waste effort playing hide-and-seek with people from other classes? Aren't you all a blatantly obvious target?"

"..."

The birds in the trees sang their grating songs. The roar of the ocean waves drifted over from the direction of the beach.

Mashima's mouth hung open, frozen in midair. He wanted to rush forward immediately, grab Fuyuji by the shoulders, and tell him in all seriousness:

This isn't how the special exam is supposed to go! The special exam can't be like this! How can it be like this?! How could it possibly be like this?!

You're supposed to follow the school's arrangements. Students compete against each other, battling wits and courage, then undergo trials and tribulations, growing through the experience together. That's what the special exam is!

What does it mean to set your sights on us?!

My bonus!!

"No!"

Mashima shook his head vehemently and retorted.

"It's not that simple! The school's staff members are all trained before they take up their posts. A student appearing near the camp—the staff would be on alert immediately. It's impossible for you to eavesdrop on information near the tent."

"Hmph ha ha..."

Fuyuji stood up and laughed, clapping Mashima on the shoulder.

"I say, Sadistic Teacher—what era do you think this is? Does eavesdropping and spying still require such primitive methods?"

"Could it be!"

Mashima's heart lurched again. His expression changed dramatically. "That bag of supplies—a compound scheme!!" He cursed inwardly. Another month's bonus!

"Honestly..." Fuyuji's expression turned somewhat helpless. He spread his hands and spoke with a touch of innocence. "I even stuffed playing cards in there. My true personal weapon—a miniature camera and recorder—taking up just that tiny bit of space. Would I really not have stuffed those in too? Sadistic Teacher, you're far too naive."

You're the one who's far too cunning!

Mashima silently clutched his heart. In all his years of teaching, no student had ever made him lose his composure to this extent.

"But—when exactly—"

Mashima's eyes widened once more. He recalled yesterday afternoon, when this guy had brought a genuinely ill Class D leader—a girl—to the camp.

"Aiya~"

Fuyuji rubbed the back of his head and laughed sheepishly. "After all, I had no idea which machine or which person among you handled the leader-switching. It seemed a bit more reliable to see it with my own eyes. And as it turned out, you're all diligent, responsible employees. I watched from a distance in the grove with binoculars once and memorized it all."

Right under his nose—and he hadn't detected a thing?!

Mashima's vision turned black. His future looked bleak.

Because he knew—they were going to lose at least half a year's worth of bonuses!!

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