"Oh? I remember the people with special identities in Class A are Katsuragi Kohei and Totsuka Yahiko. You know we need to treat this kind of thing cautiously. Before you tell me who exactly it is, I need to confirm with you: are you serious?"
Amane's gaze became sharp.
For a moment, Hashimoto actually became somewhat nervous. Amane was only calmly looking at him, yet Hashimoto felt as if some kind of flood beast was looking down on him.
After a difficult calming of his emotions, Hashimoto nodded vigorously.
"Is that so... Then tell me."
Amane crossed her arms, her gaze never leaving Hashimoto for an instant.
Hashimoto first wiped away some sweat, then spoke.
"The infiltrator is Katsuragi Kohei, and the key card holder is Totsuka Yahiko."
"Words alone mean nothing."
Ayanokoji's single sentence directly shut down all of Hashimoto's subsequent words.
Amane looked at Ayanokoji with satisfaction.
"Just as Ayanokoji-kun said, words alone mean nothing. I really want to believe you for Sakayanagi's sake... but I need to be responsible for all decisions I make concerning Class D. So... please let me see the 'evidence'."
Amane showed a slightly cruel smile.
Evidence?
To prove that what he said was true, there was only one way: to steal the key card from Totsuka Yahiko.
Only then could Hashimoto prove that what he said was true.
But Totsuka wasn't a fool either.
Such an important item would surely be kept close to him; how could Hashimoto easily steal it?
"This is a bit difficult... Can we change it..."
"I'm sorry, Hashimoto-kun, my answer is no. I must see the key card with my own eyes. Of course, I will also take action before that, but if you want a better outcome, you need to bring me the evidence. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Amane's words made Hashimoto's face turn pale.
It was precisely because he understood the meaning behind Amane's words that his expression changed so dramatically.
If Amane attacked Class A, Sakayanagi's supporters couldn't possibly not cooperate. But if they took action and Amane chose to abandon the attack because she didn't see the key card, then these internal unstable elements would face Katsuragi's reckoning prematurely.
Hashimoto realized at this moment that he was actually playing with fire.
But now he had no retreat.
"I agree to your terms, but I hope you can quickly demonstrate Class D's attitude. Otherwise, I won't be able to persuade those who support Sakayanagi to take action and cooperate with you in creating trouble for Katsuragi."
Although the task was arduous, Hashimoto could only grit his teeth and agree.
"Of course, I hope our cooperation is pleasant."
"Happy cooperation. It's almost dawn; I must go back. If I'm discovered not to be in the camp at night, things will become even more troublesome."
After Hashimoto finished speaking, he intended to turn and leave.
"Wait a moment, you can't go back yet. Tomorrow, let our people escort you back."
Amane's words made Ayanokoji couldn't help but turn his head to look at Amane.
From the moment he heard Hashimoto's basic situation, he had been planning how to deal with Class A. But what he hadn't expected was that Amane's thoughts also coincided with his own.
"Are you sure? I have a bad feeling. I think it would be better to go back."
Hashimoto felt inexplicably uneasy looking at Amane's smile.
Just as he was about to leave, Ayanokoji blocked his way back.
"This is also part of the plan. What you need to do now is cooperate. We'll take care of breakfast tomorrow. Ayanokoji, please take him to find a place to stay for now."
Amane gave the command in an unquestionable tone.
"Hashimoto-kun, please follow me."
"Ah, I understand."
When under another's roof, one must bow one's head.
Although Hashimoto wasn't clear about Ayanokoji's capabilities, he had witnessed Amane's terrifying power. Even Kitou was instantly defeated by Amane, and it was said he had nightmares for several weeks afterward.
Such strength was clearly not something he could refuse.
Watching Hashimoto follow Ayanokoji dejectedly, Amane didn't immediately go back to rest.
Instead, she sat down where she was.
It was as if she was certain Ayanokoji would return.
Sure enough, after settling Hashimoto, Ayanokoji came back.
Seeing Amane still sitting there waiting for him, Ayanokoji was a bit surprised.
However, thinking of Amane's usual demeanor, he soon felt somewhat relieved.
"Are you coming with us tomorrow?"
Ayanokoji opened with a rather abrupt question.
"Don't you already know the answer?"
Amane asked back with a smile.
"What if we go a bit too far?"
Ayanokoji sought Amane's guidance on controlling the intensity of the conflict.
"Then go all the way."
Amane said, then stood up and brushed the dirt off her clothes.
"Any more questions?"
"Not at the moment... but there's one more thing I'm curious about."
"Oh? Tell me."
"Do you really intend to bring everyone in this class up to Class A?"
Ayanokoji asked the biggest question that had been in his mind until now.
He didn't believe Amane intended to bring everyone up to Class A.
"Is that very important?"
Amane's attitude already indicated something.
However, Ayanokoji still longed for an answer.
"It's quite important, at least to me. Since we've made an agreement, I must know the employer's true needs, mustn't I?"
Ayanokoji's words forced Amane to directly answer his question.
"It depends on luck. If luck is good, getting into Class A is only a matter of time. If luck isn't good, I also have a backup plan for Horikita. That's all. Can you accept this explanation?"
Amane turned around, her gaze gently fixed on Ayanokoji.
"Of course."
"That's good. We've talked for so long, and I'm a bit sleepy. Good night, Ayanokoji-kun. You should rest early too."
After Amane finished speaking, she waved at Ayanokoji and walked towards the fishing gear room.
"Goodnight..."
This night was destined for some to be sleepless.
Early the next morning.
When Horikita groggily opened her eyes, she felt something like an octopus holding her tightly.
After she had been awake for a while,
Amane's flushed face became clear.
The distance between them was only as close as a fingertip.
Feeling Amane's warm breath and taking in Amane's adorable sleeping face,
Horikita, as if uncontrollably, leaned her head closer.
Soft... Before Horikita could savor the moment, an uninvited guest arrived at her territory, breaking through her defenses in a few moves and beginning to entangle with her.
At this moment, when the flustered Horikita looked at Amane again,
Amane, who had just had an adorable sleeping face, now had a triumphant expression on her face... At the same time,
A group of more than ten Class D students whose identities had not been spied upon, including Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Yukimura Teruhiko, and Kushida Kikyo, swaggered into Class A's camp accompanied by Chabashira-sensei, saying they wanted to see Mashima-sensei.
Seeing Chabashira-sensei, Mashima didn't suspect anything and allowed these people to come and talk to him.
At this moment, Mashima-sensei and everyone in Class A had no idea that they were about to fall into a conspiracy targeting Class A.
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