Chapter 24 - Details
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I hope everyone enjoys the chapter. Powerstones are greatly appreciated, and so are reviews and opinions on the story thus far.
Sorry about the no upload yesterday I have finals now and final papers that are due real soon so that was keeping slowed down as you could imagine and it might again I'm not sure honestly but on the bright side the semester is ending soon.
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"Success is the sum of details." ~Harvey S. Firestone
"I'm a bit surprised you're not fighting me on this plan to win the game," Ryuen remarked casually, lounging on his beach chair. It was day two on the island, and everyone was treating the exam like a holiday. Our campsite was decked out with all the amenities of a luxury resort—minus the actual resort. From the comfort of our tents to the chilled sodas and barbecue grills, it was all there, even a volleyball net. And with everyone in swimwear, you'd never guess we were here for an exam.
"Your strategy isn't bad," I admitted. "It's clear that getting our class to work harmoniously would be difficult, so I would say 800,000 points each month is a reasonable amount to gain even if we have to give up on the main portion of the test. Plus, there's still a shot at gaining 150 class points. Sure, we could creep closer to Class A if we played by the book, but we need to be realistic about our position and what we stand to gain by taking a step back. As for your spying scheme, I'm not exactly a fan, but if Ibuki and Kaneda are on board, if Class A means that much to them to reach Class A, then it's out of my hands."
Before long, Ishizaki came running towards us, panting. "Hey!" he shouted as he approached. "Some dude from Class A is lurking in the woods. He's asking to speak with one of you."
Ryuen and I shared a knowing look. This could be a traitor from the Sakayanagi camp aiming to sabotage Katsuragi or perhaps a trap set by Katsuragi himself. "Can you handle it? I've got other matters to attend to," I said coolly.
Ryuen's sharp. He'll figure out this stranger's intentions, whether they're genuine or not.
"Really? What kind of matters?" he inquired, rising to his feet.
"Nothing major. Just some scouting. We have our informants, but I prefer to verify certain details firsthand," I explained.
"Alright then, good luck," he said, heading off. As he disappeared, I made my way into the dense woods.
"Ryuk, did you get a chance to look around the island while you were out getting apples?" I inquire.
"It turns out that apples straight from the wild taste way better than the ones from the store," Ryuk remarks.
I can't help but chuckle at his response.
"Come on, I'll show you where the classes are," Ryuk offers.
"Actually, I'm interested in Class B specifically," I tell him.
"Huh? Why's that?" Ryuk wonders, veering off in a new direction.
"Well, you said Class A's holed up in a cave, right? Not much I can do there. And Class D… I'm waiting for their leader to make a move," I explain.
"That's odd. Usually, you say the one who moves first has the upper hand," Ryuk points out.
"That's often the case, but not always. Take chess, for example. The player who goes first, white, has an edge if they make the right moves. But against a beginner who barely knows how the pieces move, that advantage isn't as strong. Making a bad opening move like h3 can waste it," I elaborate.
"So, you're saying Class D's leader is at a crippled?" Ryuk probes.
"Hahaha, you could say that, but it's not literal like Arisu Sakayanagi's situation. Think about it: why do newcomers to chess play moves like h3?" I pose the question.
Ryuk pauses, then says, "Because they're cautious, right? They're trying to be safe and test the waters."
"Exactly. They see h3 as a safe bet, letting the other player take the risks. But they miss out on crucial strategies like controlling the center and developing their pieces. If their opponent knows what they're doing, they're in trouble," I clarify.
"So, what's your interest in Class D's leader? You must see some potential, yet you call them crippled," Ryuk observes.
"They're crippling themselves by staying hidden. We've confirmed they're lying low, which limits their options. All their moves are weaker than if they were out in the open. I'm curious about Class D's true leader because they've managed to achieve things despite being hidden. It's not much, but it shows their potential, especially in manipulating others. That's why I'm letting them make the first move," I conclude.
"I get it now; this could turn out to be quite the game," Ryuk says, a hint of thrill in his voice. "We're here. Class B's area is just up ahead."
At his words, I slip behind a tree, stealing glances at Class B's camp. It's only day two, yet they're working together like a well-oiled machine. It's the kind of camp you'd expect from a well-planned outing, nothing too extravagant, but there's a sense of ease in the air.
"Light, are you planning to look for their terminal? Finding it could lead us straight to Class B's leader, couldn't it?" Ryuk probes.
I whisper back, "It's not worth the effort. Class B might be naive, but they're not fools. They probably have scouts checking the area before they update their terminal. And a single spying attempt won't confirm who holds their card if they're using any tricks. Plus, snooping around their camp isn't the brightest idea—I could draw attention or bump into one of their members, putting them on high alert. If I just stay here and remain alert, thats way less likely. And who's to say their terminal is even out in the open?"
"So, what's the point of being here?" he questions.
"I'm here to gather intel, no matter how minor or unclear," I reply.
Fifteen minutes pass before Ryuk speaks up again, "What kind of information can you get by just watching?"
"More than you'd think. Patience is key, Ryuk," I answer.
Another quarter of an hour slips by, and Ryuk breaks the silence, "Do we really need to do this, Light? It's boring, and besides, isn't that Kaneda guy from your class going to be keeping tabs on Class B? Why bother yourself?"
"It's not about necessity. But would I really rely on whatever Kaneda comes back with? That's never been my style," I retort.
"So, have you figured anything out yet?" he asks.
"Consider this, Ryuk: which type of class do you think would take the longest to decide on their cardholder?"
He's puzzled. "I don't follow. What do you mean?"
"Think about it. If a class lacks greedy or ambitious members, they'd quickly agree on a cardholder, right? The decision would hinge on who's seen as the most suitable choice. With that logic, it's likely Class B settled on their cardholder swiftly, given their personalities."
"You're not suggesting you've figured out who Class B's cardholder is, are you?" Ryuk inquires.
I let out a soft laugh. "No, Ryuk, even I have my limits. I can't pinpoint exactly what Class B looks for in their cardholder. Generally, one would look for capability, stealthiness, or both, if possible. I can't say for sure which trait Class B prioritizes, but it narrows down the list of suspects significantly. The real point is, once a class decides on their cardholder, what's the first thing they'd do?"
Ryuk muses, "I'd say they'd hurry to find the best spot to set up camp before anyone else."
"That's right. So, Class B must have staked their claim early on. The test started at around 10, and they quickly moved from the starting point to choosing their cardholder. Then, they likely split up to scout for a base camp. Considering this island isn't that large, and this spot is about a half-hour from where we landed, it probably took them an hour to find this place. Then, another half-hour for everyone to regroup and move here together. By my estimate, it would've taken Class B at least two hours to secure this camp."
"And why does that matter?" Ryuk probes.
"It means they would've claimed this spot by noon yesterday. They'd need to reclaim it at 6 p.m. the same day and then again at 2 a.m. this morning," I explain, glancing at my watch. "It's 9:40 a.m. now, so it's likely they'll need to reclaim this location soon. Of course, my analysis might be slightly off; I don't know if Class B faced any delays while searching for a camp."
For a solid two hours, I was silently observing hidden within the trees, watching every move and every interaction.
What was I observing? Everything.
Ichinose was the group's heart, mingling and assisting without claiming any specific role. She was the glue holding everyone together, offering help with a smile that seemed to brighten the entire camp.
Shibata, not quite as magnetic as Ichinose but still a central figure, was the go-to guy for many. His popularity was evident, and his athletic build was put to good use as he easily tackled the physical tasks around the camp.
Amikura, another standout in Class B, drew people to her with an almost magnetic charm, though she didn't quite reach Ichinose's level of popularity. Her strength lay in her ability to connect with everyone, sticking to simpler tasks but always surrounded by classmates.
Kanzaki was the thinker, the planner. He might not have had the social pull of the others, but his intelligence was undeniable. While Ichinose inspired effort, Kanzaki ensured that effort was applied effectively. He moved through the camp, offering assistance wherever needed, and he did so effortlessly.
These four were the pillars of Class B, with Ichinose and Kanzaki standing a notch above in terms of leadership.
I didn't stop there. I watched the others, too—their tasks, interactions, and even their breaks. Even from a distance, actions speak volumes. Who seeks company, who is sought after, the length of their breaks, their preferred hangout spots—all these details I meticulously noted until I was satisfied.
"Okay," I whispered to myself, stepping away from the tree that had been my cover, making my exit from the forest as quietly as I had entered.
"Did you learn anything? We were here for over 2 hours in total." ryuk said.
"Yes. I'm almost certain of it," I reply.
"Really? Who is it? How did you figure it out?" Ryuk inquires.
"Chihiro Shiranami," I state, "It's quite straightforward. Even before arriving here, I knew of Shiranami's timid nature in Class B. If I had to assess her as a student, I'd say calling her average is the most one could say. She is neither particularly bright nor dumb, and physically, she is below average; I can see from here she's not cut out for strenuous activity, socially, she's reserved but not isolated, placing her just below the average mark."
Ryuk nods, "She does seem like your typical high school student; nothing remarkable at first glance."
I consider his words, "What tasks would suit someone of her abilities in a camp setting? Someone of average intellect, limited physical prowess, and moderate social presence?"
"Perhaps something straightforward and undemanding," Ryuk suggests, "like laundry or sorting tasks—organizing clothes, food, or equipment."
"Indeed, there are numerous roles—cooking, cleaning, waste management, inventory checks, or simply circulating information within the class. But then, why include her in the group of ten sent to the forest to collect firewood?"
Ryuk gazes at me but doesn't respond to my question.
"Gathering food and firewood demands physical strength and intellect. We're on an island, Ryuk. The terrain is tricky to manage, and it's easy to lose one's way. As outlined in the booklet and briefing, the island harbors poisonous fruits and plants—nothing that would kill you, but risky nonetheless. It requires some intellect to forage safely, and Shiranami doesn't fit the profile for such tasks physically and may just barely fit it intellectually. Moreover, the search commenced shortly after 10 am—the time I deduced Class B's terminal would need reactivation. Shiranami's inclusion is an anomaly; she was out of breath upon return, unlike the others. It's illogical, considering the efficiency of all Kanzaki's groups." I elaborate, my voice laced with the confidence of my deductions.
"Perhaps, but Shiranami's choice to work in collections could just be a simple preference," Ryuk suggests.
"Unlikely but true, although it's not just her role at the camp that raises questions. Two other details strike me as odd," I continue.
"Before heading out, Shiranami forced small talk with Ichinose and Kanzaki. That's not unusual, although it does go against the more reserved character we know her to be. But what really interested me was that upon her return, she reverted to her more isolated ways. She engaged in brief chats with those nearby, including Ichinose, but she didn't attempt to converse with Kanzaki, who was also part of the collection team. It's as if they had matters to discuss beforehand but nothing to say after."
"Then there's the final piece that adds to my suspicion," I say, glancing down at my wrist, "it is her watch."
"Her watch?" Ryuk echoes, puzzled.
"Exactly. Shiranami, along with Ichinose and Kanzaki, kept a vigilant eye on the time before departing for collections. On this island, punctuality is hardly a concern—there are no strict deadlines. So why the constant time checks? Well, there is one task that time is important in regard to: the refresh of the terminal. It might seem trivial, but once the collection team left, Ichinose, who remained in camp, stopped her frequent glances at her watch as if there was previously something to worry about that was no lingerie issue. The same happened with Kanzaki and Shiranami upon their return from collecting necessities. Kaneda will observe Class B, and if his findings differ significantly from mine, I'll disregard his report."
"If you're correct, then Class B's choice for their cardholder was based on who they thought was the most discreet figure in the class," Ryuk concludes.
"Exactly," I affirm as we make our way back to Class C's camp.
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Idk how I feel about this chapter I don't know if many would like the idea of Light being able to figure out the class b leader through observation or will think the chapter wasn't entertaining or dumb.
I did it as best as possible, considering Ryuen figured out all the leaders except classes d's in the original. So, honestly, I didn't give myself much to work with. That's probably my fault. I could've planned this out better to make this arc longer, but upcoming chapters should be exciting. This special exam will be a bit short, but I think it will end pretty well, and you guys will enjoy it.
I appreciate opinions on everything.
Were you hoping this arc would be long? I personally thought it should've been, but I see no reason it should.