152 -151- Will definitely guess

Ichinose Honami's voice echoed throughout the camp.

"Cooperation?"

The students of Class D were all astonished.

"Ichinose-san, you mean..."

Hirata Yousuke and Kushida Kikyou seemed to vaguely understand Ichinose Honami's intentions.

In this situation, Ichinose Honami, still wearing a bright smile, said:

"I believe that in the additional rule of identifying the leaders, eliminating mutual suspicion between classes is also a feasible strategy, don't you think?"

Upon hearing this, as long as they weren't too dense, everyone could understand Ichinose Honami's meaning.

Was Ichinose Honami trying to say this?

"Although guessing the leaders of other classes can earn a reward of 50 points, being guessed will also incur a penalty of losing 50 points." Ichinose Honami raised a finger, explaining confidently, "Even though the reward is tempting, the punishment is equally daunting. Therefore, I believe reducing the risk of penalty is necessary."

Thus, Ichinose Honami came here.

The cooperation she mentioned referred to Class B and Class D refraining from guessing each other's leaders, thus jointly eliminating the risk of losing 50 points.

And since they wouldn't guess each other's leaders, it naturally wouldn't be a competitive relationship anymore, and revealing each other's point usage wouldn't be a problem.

Hori understood Ichinose Honami's intentions and generously revealed Class D's point usage status.

Ichinose Honami would similarly disclose Class B's point usage status without hesitation, and the reason was clear.

Both of them understood very well the purpose of this conversation.

In light of this...

"Since Nanaya-kun has disclosed to us the usage status of the points, can we consider that you have intentions to cooperate with us?"

Ichinose Honami looked directly at Hori, smiling gently as she said so.

The other students also looked at Hori, seemingly waiting for Hori to make a decision.

As for Hori's decision, it was like this:

"I don't really mind," Hori said casually as he drank his herbal tea, "but eliminating the risk of punishment, while a valid approach, also means giving up the opportunity to gain 50 points. Do you think that's acceptable?"

The higher the risk, the greater the potential reward.

If the risk is reduced, the potential reward naturally decreases as well.

Ichinose Honami wanted to eliminate the risk, which was indeed a good strategy, but at the same time, it meant forfeiting the chance to gain a significant reward.

"And isn't Class B eager to achieve good results in this special exam?" Hori met Ichinose Honami's gaze and continued, "You mentioned before that this special exam is your chance, right?"

Just relying on school discipline and test scores, it's almost impossible to surpass Class A.

Ichinose Honami had long realized this reality and set her sights on the special exam, believing it to be the opportunity to overturn the current class differences.

In other words, Ichinose Honami intended to turn the tables in the special exam.

Now, by giving up guessing Class D's leader and forfeiting 50 points, it might not necessarily be a good thing for Class B.

That would mean giving up a chance to get closer to Class A.

As the class closest to Class A, logically, in this situation, most people would prefer to choose a do-or-die fight rather than eliminate the risk and take a chance.

Ichinose Honami, on the other hand, chose to give up an opportunity, which could be seen as reasonable but overly cautious.

Regarding this, Ichinose Honami couldn't help but smile bitterly.

"That's true," Ichinose Honami said somewhat helplessly, "but guessing the hidden leaders of other classes is not an easy task, and espionage and investigation are not our strengths either. Moreover, considering the current situations of Classes A and C, it's very difficult for our class to even think about guessing the leaders of other classes."

Ichinose Honami's somewhat helpless words made Hori raise his eyebrows slightly.

Not only Hori, but even Ayanokouji Kiyotaka also paid attention.

"The situations of Classes A and C...?" What happened to these two classes?

Why would it be extremely difficult for Ichinose Honami to think about guessing the leaders of these two classes?

C class is understandable, given their circumstances; Ichinose Honami must have understood that, thinking C class is already prepared to give up on the special exam, it's almost impossible to guess their leader.

But what about Class A?

Perhaps sensing everyone's curiosity, Ichinose Honami didn't hide much, but she didn't directly answer either, just saying:

"You can go and see Class A's camp. I can provide you with the location, and then you'll understand."

That's what Ichinose Honami said.

So, Ichinose Honami's reason for wanting to establish a cooperative relationship with Class D has become clear.

Because it's almost impossible to guess the leaders of Classes A and C, so trying to gain points from those two classes is already out of the question.

D class, although still a target, is currently the furthest from Class B's list of hostile entities.

Class A doesn't want Class B to catch up, so they will consider the class closest to them as their number one enemy.

Class C is obstructing Class B, so they will consider it an obstacle to deal with.

As Ichinose Honami said before, these two classes are currently Class B's enemies.

For Class B, caught in between these two classes, if they still focus on Class D, it would be like having enemies on three sides.

In other words, in Ichinose Honami's mind, risk and reward no longer correlate.

Compared to the gain of 50 points, being enemies with Class D would create more future risks, which is undesirable.

Even if other classes don't regard Class D highly, Class B, under Ichinose Honami's leadership, won't do the same.

In conclusion, Ichinose Honami chose to establish a cooperative relationship with Class D.

Moreover...

"I'm not very confident," Ichinose Honami continued to look directly at Hori, then smiled after a moment, "I always feel that if the opponent is Nanaya-kun, I have no confidence in hiding the identity of Class B's leader."

In other words, she meant to say this, right?

"If it's Nanaya-kun, he will definitely guess the leader of our class," Ichinose Honami chuckled cutely and said, "although it's just my intuition."

Silence fell suddenly.

All eyes were focused on Hori.

Under the scrutiny of everyone, Hori toyed with the tea cup in his hand and then turned to look at Kanzaki Ryuji.

"Is this also your intention?" Hori asked the second-in-command of Class B.

Kanzaki Ryuji immediately straightened his posture.

"I believe Ichinose's approach is correct," Kanzaki Ryuji spoke rationally.

However, the next moment, Kanzaki Ryuji spoke again.

"After all, you two are in a romantic relationship, so as far as cooperation partners go, you are trustworthy."

The earth-shattering statement turned the conversation into utter stillness.