The girls' understanding of perverts improved.
For example, wearing stolen underwear or putting it directly on their heads.
"I don't rule out that possibility."
Hachiman shrugged, then continued, "However, I think it's more likely that the person threw the panties away after using them. After all, the risk of keeping them and being discovered is too great; once discovered, it's over."
Listening to Hachiman's words, the girls became increasingly hesitant.
Because what he said made a lot of sense.
Even Shinohara Satsuki, who had just suggested a body search, was suddenly speechless.
Because indeed.
Since they would secretly do such a thing, there was no reason they wouldn't realize they were committing a crime.
Keeping criminal evidence or something was too foolish.
It was more likely that they would throw it away immediately after use.
"So even if you want to look now, you probably won't find it."
Hachiman said, shaking his head regretfully, "Although this small island isn't very big, hiding a pair of panties isn't difficult. Just throwing them into some bushes or digging a hole to bury them would make them hard to find. And even if they were found, no one would know who did it."
"So if the culprit is in our Class, you won't find them by searching."
"And if you do find them, there's only one possibility," Hachiman said.
"What possibility?"
At some point, Ibuki had already arrived at the edge of the tent.
She had also shared a tent with Karuizawa yesterday.
"It's a frame-up."
"For example, it's a student from another Class framing us. The purpose is to split our Class," Hachiman said.
"Then,"
Shinohara said, "Are you saying the culprit is Ibuki?"
"…" Ibuki.
Currently, Ibuki was a genuine student from another Class here in Class C.
So was Hikigaya's statement suspecting her?
Because she had already come to the tent's edge, and it was possible she had been seen coming here.
So Ibuki said directly.
"Indeed, my suspicion is the greatest right now. Because I am from another Class."
"What are you thinking?"
But Hikigaya quickly said.
"If we follow this line of reasoning, then there's a probability it's you, but I personally don't think so," Hachiman said. "Because you have no reason to do such a thing. You've completely broken with Ryuen, so if it were Ryuen, he might be able to do such a despicable thing, but you, I don't think it's possible."
"…" Ibuki found herself unable to refute Hikigaya for a moment.
"Moreover, your injuries, and Ryuen even specifically arranged for people to come and mock you before he withdrew—these are all facts everyone can see."
"If it's like this, and you're still working for Ryuen, wouldn't that be too terrifying?" Hachiman said.
"I see…"
The other girls looked at each other, then nodded. Because if that were the case, Ibuki would be too terrifying.
"…" The terrifying Ibuki.
Ibuki, who had just been momentarily worried about being exposed, suddenly relaxed.
Because her suspicion had been cleared.
Because everyone thought she wasn't such an excessive person, and so she was cleared.
This made Ibuki feel a little uncomfortable.
Because after coming to this Class, not only was she taken in, but Kushida even gave her food.
They were very kind to her.
So this Class was really full of kind idiots.
They were no match for Ryuen.
Ibuki sighed softly in her heart.
But Hikigaya had already moved past her and continued his analysis.
Because Hachiman continued,
"You should know that our Class currently occupies a large number of bases, and according to estimates, the total number of bases is about 25-26, so the pressure on other Classes is immense."
"Therefore."
"Class A is also a possibility," Hachiman said. "Class A must be anxious, otherwise Ryuen couldn't directly sell them the supplies exchanged with initial points."
"You should know that taking on another Class's initial points is a risk."
"Admittedly, it can save your own Class's initial points."
"However, before the exam ends, your own Class's initial points could also be consumed in the Team Leader guessing phase."
"And once Class A's initial points are reduced at the end of the exam, but they still have to pay living expenses to Class D every month, then they'll suffer a huge loss."
"So how could Class A see our Class still so relaxed?"
"It's also possible they arranged for someone to come and cause division, since we didn't arrange for anyone to stand guard at night, so the probability of a Class A student coming to act is also high."
And these words made people frown deeply.
"If that's the case."
"Class A students are really shameless," Karuizawa said.
Although she had been crying earlier because her underwear was stolen, now, after Hikigaya's strategic analysis, Karuizawa seemed to have been somewhat comforted.
Because this meant that her underwear might not have been taken by a pervert.
But rather due to a conspiracy by another Class.
"So, according to the analysis, anything is possible," Hikigaya said. "And Shinohara, your desire to find the culprit by searching was unrealistic from the start. On the contrary, you might have fallen into another Class's trap."
"Think carefully, if boys and girls truly become antagonistic, what will happen to our Class?"
"The next special exam might have problems."
"And that's definitely what other Classes would want to see," Hachiman said.
"Eh."
Shinohara sighed at these words. "It seems I was indeed reckless. You were right to stop me."
Thus.
Because of Hachiman's analysis, searching for the underwear would bring more negative consequences, and the girls found it hard to bring it up again.
So they implicitly agreed with Hachiman's previous actions of uniting with Hirata to sacrifice Yamauchi first, and then maintaining Class stability.
Watching the girls no longer making a fuss, Hachiman glanced at Karuizawa, then got up and left the girls' tent.
He had gone out with Kouenji early in the morning to capture bases, and then came back to such a mess.
Hikigaya was preparing to go back to his tent for a nap.
Because he had to act as Ibuki, he would have to continue capturing bases with Kouenji and Sudo in a few hours.
Even if it's just for show, it's still three times a day.
It's not easy.
So, adequate rest is very important.
Hachiman had just returned to his tent, and since he didn't have a pillow, he used his personal small bag as one.
Inside were his personal belongings.
But as soon as he rested his head on it, he suddenly took the small bag out from under his head and placed it in front of him.
He unzipped the bag, and what met his eyes was a pair of pink striped panties.
And these were women's panties.
Hachiman's mind replayed the detailed analysis he had made in Karuizawa's tent.
It could be a setup by another Class, or it could be the act of a pervert from their own Class.
So, whoever had the panties might be the pervert.
And now...
The panties were actually with him!
So, was he a pervert?
Or was he... framed?
Generally, framing involves choosing someone who looks like they would do such a thing, making it easier for the accusation to succeed.
And in Ibuki's eyes...
Was he that kind of pervert?
...
Hikigaya instantly lost all sleepiness.
"So, what is this supposed to be?" Kushida asked in a cute voice.
Hikigaya, Kushida, and Horikita left the campsite.
They were now heading to the section where Kushida picked fruit yesterday.
Yesterday, Ibuki was found by Yamauchi, but Yamauchi was also one of the members who went fruit picking with Kushida, so Kushida also knew the location where Yamauchi found Ibuki.
"I was going to go back to my tent to sleep," Hachiman said. "But I unexpectedly found this."
Hikigaya then reached into his pants pocket with his left hand and pulled out a pair of striped panties.
Upon seeing what Hachiman held, Horikita and Kushida's expressions instantly changed.
"Are you a panty thief?" Kushida asked.
"..." Hachiman.
Hachiman just wanted to give Kushida a '6'.
Because what kind of talk was that?
Did she think he was that kind of person?
"Horikita, what do you think?" Hachiman asked.
"Did Ibuki frame you?" Horikita Suzune asked.
Hmm.
Horikita really was cuter than Kushida.
Kushida, you really need to learn from Horikita.
Hachiman's deliberate analysis in Karuizawa's tent was not in vain.
Because Karuizawa had a history of being bullied, if her panties were stolen, besides the possibility of a pervert stealing them, she might also lament and worry about being bullied again.
Because why would only her panties be stolen?
It's not victim-blaming, but Karuizawa's past would make her overthink.
So, Hachiman went to soothe her heart.
But he also had to prevent some people from thinking that way, after all, there were quite a few idiots in Hachiman's Class, so he had to make some moves.
That is, he had to sacrifice a popular girl and have her panties stolen as well.
That way, Karuizawa wouldn't be the only one whose panties were stolen.
And Hachiman had been hesitating about who that person should be.
Should he ask Horikita, or choose Kushida?
But Kushida, your words just now made him feel like he could only choose you.
"The panties were Ibuki's doing," Hachiman said. "She and Karuizawa are in the same tent, so it's easiest for her to act. And Karuizawa is the type to shower in the morning, so when she goes to shower in the morning, she'll find her panties missing."
"That way, it can immediately cause a commotion," Hachiman said.
"I see," Horikita Suzune nodded.
At this moment, she understood why Hikigaya brought them along to look for what Ibuki buried yesterday.
Yesterday, she analyzed that Ibuki was a spy, and then Ibuki's hands were very dirty, confirming that Ibuki might have buried something nearby.
And Hikigaya analyzed that the buried item was likely a communication tool with Ryuen.
Then Hachiman entrusted her to find Ibuki and Ryuen's communication tool.
But today, he actually wanted to come along himself.
Because he was targeted by Ibuki for framing.
"..." Horikita.
She suddenly felt that Hikigaya was a bit petty, but Ibuki's actions were indeed annoying.
Because there weren't many students in the Class who could be useful, Hikigaya was a key player in ascending to Class A.
And if Hikigaya could be framed, the Class would be divided, and Hikigaya's reputation would be damaged.
Then Class C would start to fracture.
So, Ibuki had evil intentions.
Thus, the three continued their journey.
"It's around here," Kushida said. "This is where Yamauchi found Ibuki yesterday."
They arrived at a small grove, and Kushida pointed to the base of a tree.
All the surrounding trees looked somewhat similar, so Kushida's ability to quickly identify the location showed her excellent sense of direction.
But it was also possible that she was quite emotional and was eagerly looking for places to lean on, so her gaze was sharp.
Hachiman walked to the spot Kushida indicated.
Then he looked around at the nearby ground.
It hadn't rained yesterday or today, so there were no hidden tracks.
Soon, Hachiman noticed an area where the soil looked fresh.
It seemed to have been recently disturbed.
Hachiman then squatted down and started digging.
After digging with his hands for about two minutes, he immediately felt something hard.
After clearing away the covering soil, he found a small cloth bag.
Hachiman opened the cloth bag and took out what was inside.
"This is..."
Kushida and Horikita were a bit surprised.
Because what they saw was a camera and a walkie-talkie.
There was only one walkie-talkie.
Normally, to use it, at least two people are needed, and Ibuki only buried one here, indicating that she indeed intended to contact someone else.
"It seems confirmed that Ibuki is a spy," Horikita Suzune said. "Using the walkie-talkie, she can contact people, and using the camera, she can take pictures of the Team Leader card information."
"Ibuki really came to get our Class's Team Leader information."
"Although Ryuen Class gave up the exam and returned to the island, they haven't given up on the Team Leader guessing segment," Horikita said.
"Yes," Hachiman said. "And, I think Ryuen is very likely still on the island. He might even be the Team Leader for Class D this time."
"Ryuen is Class D's Team Leader?"
"To make such an arrangement as placing a spy, it's impossible for Ryuen to simply forfeit," Hachiman said. "And he should have already teamed up directly with Class A. If he wanted to get our Class's Team Leader information, Ibuki wouldn't need to take pictures; she could just go back and tell Ryuen after finding it. The need for a camera to get information indicates that he needs a record to gain others' trust."
"And Class B is our ally, Ichinose and Ishizaki owe me favors, so the possibility of teaming up with Ryuen Class can be ruled out."
"Then it can only mean that Class A's deal with Ryuen this time is very comprehensive," Hachiman said.
"What do you want to do?" Suzune quickly looked over.
According to her experience, Hikigaya probably had some plan that ordinary people wouldn't think of.
"Of course, it's to use their own methods against them," Hikigaya said.
"Ryuen and Class A have already gone too far."
"Then we have to give them a big gift no matter what."
Hachiman said, "In this exam, Ryuen Class gets 0 points, and Class A, aren't they firmly holding onto their initial points?"
"Then let's make sure they get less than 100 points in this exam."
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