-153- Use points to confirm an enemy

Saying that he took out the key card from his pocket, in reality, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka only pulled out the key card slightly, allowing only Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji sitting opposite him to see the name engraved on it.

However, even so, it still surprised Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji.

"This..."

"You..."

Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji were both shocked.

Taking advantage of this moment, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka had already put the key card back into his pocket.

However, Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji did see the name engraved on the key card.

And besides Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji, although the others present did not see the name on the key card, they saw the scene of Ayanokouji Kiyotaka taking something out of his pocket.

At this moment, when the others looked at each other, Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji also fell silent.

"Why...?"

After a long time, Ichinose Honami looked at Hori, sounding puzzled.

"Why did you show us the key card?"

This was a situation that Ichinose Honami couldn't understand.

Not only Ichinose Honami but also Kanzaki Ryuji didn't understand.

"It's true that we have established a cooperative relationship, but next, we agreed not to speculate about each other's class leaders." Kanzaki Ryuji took a deep breath and said very directly, "However, in this process, there is no need to reveal the identity of the leader, right?"

That's right.

There is no need to reveal the identity of the leader.

Because both sides only agreed not to speculate about each other's class leaders, not to guess each other's class leaders correctly.

In that case, as long as on the last day of the exam, both sides do not speculate about the leaders, there is no need to reveal the identity of the leader to the other party at all.

However, Hori just smiled slightly at this.

"If we're going to cooperate, we should be straightforward about it, don't you think?"

This sentence sounded somewhat inexplicable.

However, Ichinose Honami seemed to understand the meaning behind it.

Outside of love, Ichinose Honami is still very shrewd.

So, Ichinose Honami spoke out as if she had realized something.

"Are you saying that our cooperation is not limited to just this special exam?"

Ichinose Honami's thoughtful words prompted a shrug from Hori.

And a sentence like this.

"This should also be what you want, right?"

Yes.

This must be what Class B wants.

As a class being squeezed between Class A and Class C, Class B must want to establish a long-term cooperative relationship with Class D.

In this way, at least it can form a situation of "Class A, Class C" against "Class B, Class D".

Otherwise, it would be too difficult for Class B to deal with the squeeze from Class A and Class C alone.

Therefore, in Ichinose Honami's mind, there must be a desire to extend an branch to Class D.

However, Ichinose Honami obviously is not too eager to succeed but wants to slowly form a cooperative relationship.

However, Hori used the behavior of revealing the identity of the leader of Class D in this special exam to tell Ichinose Honami that he has seen through this.

Both sides should focus not on the current special exam but on future matters.

So, Hori boldly revealed the identity of the leader of Class D.

This is simply a bold and reckless act.

"Aren't you afraid that we will violate the agreement on the last day of the exam?" Kanzaki Ryuji couldn't help but ask.

This is a huge risk.

Now, Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji already know the identity of the leader of Class D.

So, if Class B violates the rules and guesses the leader of Class D on the last day of the exam, then Class B will receive a reward of 50 points, while Class D will lose 50 points, facing a significant penalty.

And this is also the reason why Hori revealed the identity of the leader.

"Since you want to establish a long-term cooperative relationship, can you resist temptation? Let me see."

With this simple statement, Hori revealed the meaning behind the entire behavior.

If Class B ultimately violates the rules and guesses the leader of Class D, it will prove that Class B is not trustworthy, and the cooperative relationship should not be established.

By then, Class B will not only face the pressure from Class A and Class C but also from the hostility of Class D, prolonging the situation that Ichinose Honami didn't want to see into future competition.

And if Class B can uphold the agreement, then Class D does not need to worry about whether conflicts of interest will lead to betrayal by their cooperation partner in the future.

So, this is not only a test of the cooperative relationship but also a test of trust. It's a test to see if Class B can withstand temptation and have a longer-term perspective.

At least, that's how Hori sees it.

"If 50 points can confirm an enemy, I think it's worth spending those points."

Hori said this casually.

Ichinose Honami looked deeply at Hori at once.

Then, the girl smiled.

A smile that was both helpless and admiring.

"It's worthy of being you, Nanaya-kun, to be so magnanimous and willing, not being limited by the current situation. It seems that our initiative to seek cooperation is not enough."

At that moment, Ichinose Honami made a decision on her own.

"In that case, to show trust and sincerity, we will also tell you the leader of Class B."

After saying that, Ichinose Honami leaned close to Hori's ear and told him a name.

Seeing Ichinose Honami like this, Kanzaki Ryuji didn't say anything.

It seems that Kanzaki Ryuji agreed with this behavior.

After telling Horikita the identity of the leader of Class B, Ichinose Honami also apologized.

"Because the leader is not me or Kanzaki, and the key card is not on me, so if you can't trust my verbal information, find a time to come to our camp, and we can show you the key card."

Only the name engraved on the key card is the true proof of the leader.

If it's not the name engraved on the key card, then no matter what, the other party cannot be the leader.

In this way, Ichinose Honami also maximized her sincerity.

"Then let's settle it like this."

With this sentence, Hori established the future relationship between Class B and Class D.

Of course, this relationship is not absolute.

In future exams, there will certainly be situations where two classes cannot cooperate.

But no matter what, at least, Class D, which was seen as flawed by others, has indeed gained a reliable ally.

This will become a major asset for Class D, laying the foundation for future competition.

Afterward, Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji left.

The camp of Class D regained its tranquility.

However, among the people present, there were not only members of Class D.

There was also a pair of eyes witnessing this scene.