By afternoon, the division of Class D's camp had become an established fact. A clear distance now separated the boys' area from the girls' area. Though necessary communication continued, the atmosphere had grown noticeably colder—more distant than before.
Behind a relatively secluded thicket, Kushida Kikyo carefully pushed aside layers of branches and leaves. Her movements were deliberate, almost soundless.
According to her plan with Ibuki Mio, Ibuki had been responsible for removing the stolen items from their hiding place last night. Today, Kushida would transfer them to the vicinity of Class A's frequently active area. If someone from Class A discovered a Class D girl's personal belongings, suspicion of "outside-class infiltration and sabotage" would naturally fall upon the class currently most prominent—and most likely to incur hostility from others.
At that point, Class D's anger and suspicion would turn outward. She, Kushida Kikyo, would remain perfectly hidden while further stirring the pot. Two birds, one stone.
Ryuuen's intelligence had been accurate: Class A's activity range was relatively fixed, especially regarding resource collection. Finding a place they frequented—or had to pass through—was not difficult.
But when Kushida's fingers touched the soft soil where she remembered hiding the package, her expression froze.
Empty.
She quickly pushed aside more branches and camouflage, carefully inspecting the small pit. Inside, apart from damp soil and a few fallen leaves—nothing. The waterproof storage bag containing the stolen items had vanished.
"How could this be...?" Kushida's heart plummeted. The anticipation on her face had vanished, replaced by panic. "Did Ibuki take it early? That's impossible..."
The plan had been clear: she, Kushida, would execute this crucial step after Ibuki had been cleared of suspicion. Ibuki had no reason—and no need—to retrieve the items early. Doing so would disrupt everything.
Had a wild animal carried it off? Had someone else accidentally discovered it?
Various possibilities raced through her mind. Yet none could perfectly explain this strange disappearance.
A tool that should have been firmly in their hands had vanished without a trace before the plan could even be executed.
Kushida suppressed the unease churning within her, quickly restored the scene to its original state, and returned to camp as if nothing had happened.
She needed to speak with Ibuki immediately.
The opportunity arrived soon enough. In the afternoon, most students were resting or engaged in minor activities in their respective areas, leaving the center of camp temporarily empty. Kushida spotted Ibuki sitting alone on a rock at the edge of the girls' area, staring blankly at the stream.
She approached silently.
"Ibuki-san." Kushida's voice was barely a whisper, her sweet smile firmly in place. "The thing... did you touch it?"
Ibuki Mio turned. Seeing it was Kushida, a flicker of doubt crossed her eyes. She lowered her voice in return. "No. You said you'd handle it. What happened?"
Her reaction didn't seem feigned. That flicker of doubt was genuine.
Kushida's heart sank further. "It's gone... I just went to check. The thing is gone."
Ibuki's brows knitted immediately. "Gone? What do you mean, gone? Who took it?"
"I don't know... I thought it was you. What do we do now? Our plan—"
The two girls, each with her own schemes, stared at one another. In both pairs of eyes, the same confusion and unease reflected back.
The plan had barely begun, and already an uncontrollable variable had emerged.
It felt as though an invisible hand had suddenly reached onto their secret chessboard and casually moved a crucial piece.
Just as Kushida and Ibuki fell into brief silence and mutual suspicion, an unexpected figure appeared at the entrance of Class D's camp.
Sakamoto stood there, dressed in the school's standard athletic uniform, tall and straight. He calmly adjusted his glasses, taking in the divided camp before him.
His presence immediately caused a stir.
Horikita Suzune, who had been counting dwindling public supplies near the boys' area, noticed him first. After a moment's thought, she set down what she was holding and approached.
"Sakamoto-kun." Her tone was measured. "May I ask if there's something you need?"
Sakamoto offered a slight nod—a greeting. "Horikita-san. I was passing by and thought I'd check in on your class's progress. It seems you've undergone some adjustments?"
His gaze lingered briefly on that invisible dividing line.
Horikita's brow furrowed. She had no desire to reveal Class D's internal predicament, but the divided camp was plain to see—undeniable. "Just some necessary internal management arrangements," she replied vaguely, then pivoted. "What about your class?"
"Thank you for your concern. Class A is proceeding as usual." Sakamoto's tone was flat, betraying no emotion.
No further explanation offered.
Kushida Kikyo also noticed the commotion at the camp entrance. She temporarily suppressed the doubts churning within her and quickly made her way over, her signature bright smile firmly in place.
"Sakamoto-kun! What a rare visitor! Are you here to see Horikita-san about something?"
She had heard about the cornfield incident—how Sakamoto had helped Class D collect a significant amount of corn. If he had business at their camp, it would likely involve either Horikita or Ayanokoji, the two he'd assisted before.
Sakamoto's gaze shifted to her. "Kushida-san. I was merely passing by."
After a few brief exchanges, Sakamoto showed no inclination toward deeper conversation. He turned back to Horikita. "It seems your class still has matters to attend to. I shouldn't impose further. Farewell."
With a slight nod to the group, he turned and followed the path he'd come, calmly departing. His figure quickly vanished into the shade of the trees.
Horikita watched the direction he'd disappeared, her expression thoughtful. The timing was too strange. Such an incident had occurred just that morning, the culprit still unidentified—and now, at midday, Sakamoto appeared at their camp entrance.
Meanwhile, Kushida stood still. The smile on her face gradually faded after Sakamoto left.
A thought crept into her mind.
The mysterious disappearance of the stolen item. Sakamoto's perfectly timed "passing by" visit.
Could there be a connection?
That man always operated beyond normal comprehension. Had he noticed something? Or even... had he taken the item?
There was no way to confirm—not yet.
She would need to reconvene with Ibuki and Ryuuen, to reassess the entire plan. A hitch had already occurred, and things were beginning to move in directions Kushida had not anticipated.