Demon Slayer: I was taken home by Shinobu Kocho at the beginning.

"So, the number of private points saved by the two classes is actually about the same?"

"You can understand that."

"Didn't Senior Ishikura ever think about giving up on Senior Inugari? If you give up on Senior Inugari, you can lose 300 points less."

Once Horikita-senpai gives up on Tachibana-senpai, the gap between the two classes can be instantly closed, and Ishikura-senpai can also get 2000 million more personal points than Horikita-senpai.

This large sum of personal points will likely come in handy in the subsequent special exams.

Ishikura glanced at Kamio, then gave a cold laugh.

"I will not abandon my teammates at this critical juncture, even if it means immediately closing the gap with Class 1."

We're already struggling against Horikita's class; if we abandon our teammates now, there'll be even less chance of graduating.

"Didn't you ever consider the possibility that Horikita-senpai might abandon his comrades?"

Ishikura answered the question almost without thinking.

"Indeed, abandoning Tachibana Akane at this time would instantly widen the gap between us to 600 points. If he really makes that choice, I'm afraid I'll lose my chance forever."

But based on my understanding of him, it's impossible for him to abandon Tachibana Akane at this time. It's precisely because they are enemies that I can make this assertion.

Ishikura's answer was firm and unwavering, showing great confidence in his judgment. In fact, his judgment was correct; Horikita Manabu was indeed mentally prepared to use points to protect his companions.

"So the purpose of this operation was actually to make Class 3B have 20 million more private points than the other classes."

"Yes."

Ishikura glanced at him; there was no point in lying about such things.

Moreover, all of this was within Tatsuya Kamio's expectations; the collaboration between Ishikura and Nagumo was simply to widen the gap in private points between the two classes.

If things continue like this, the difference in class scores between the two classes will probably not change much after this exam.

Because neither class intended to abandon their classmates.

Furthermore, no one from Class 3 became a group leader, so even if they got first place in this exam, they wouldn't get many class points.

Therefore, the class points of the two classes will not be significantly different or closer. Ishikura's goal is to deplete the 20 million private points held by Horikita Manabu.

Although personal points don't seem to play a particularly big role in Tatsuya Kamio's current exams, they are by no means useless.

They just need to explore the details further.

"So, Senior Ishikura thinks that the leading class's 20 million private points are enough to catch up with the 300 class points gap in the subsequent exams?"

"How will you know if you don't try."

“Of course I know.” Tatsuya Kamio looked at Ishikura. “You’re already scared. You’re afraid to fight on equal footing with Ban at this point.”

If Shicang works hard in this exam, he might be able to catch up with the class in terms of points.

But you gave up on the girls' group exam before the exam even started. You didn't think you could win this exam at all, so how could you possibly succeed?

How can you possibly win if you're filled with fear?

Kamio Tatsuya's words gave Ishikura a jolt.

How can you win if you're filled with fear?

"I have no fear; I'm doing this to win!"

Ishikura was slightly agitated.

"Senior Ishikura, you can fool others, but don't fool yourself too."

In fact, when Ishikura chose to join forces with Nagumo, he already had the idea that he couldn't defeat Horikita Manabu.

He just doesn't want to admit it.

Over the past three years, he tried every possible method for every exam, but even so, he never managed to get Class B's class score higher than Class 2.

That's why he agreed to Nagumo's request for combat without hesitation when Nagumo came to him.

It is precisely because of uncertainty that change is sought.

In fact, Ishikura's approach was not wrong, because as long as you can win, what's wrong with relying on external forces?

Kamio Tatsuya didn't think it would be so easy to persuade him to give up his cooperation with Nagumo; he was just testing Ishikura's attitude.

“Ishikura-senpai, there’s nothing shameful about this,” Kamio Tatsuya began to comfort Ishikura. “It’s normal to feel pressure when you’re in your current position and facing the current situation.”

It's normal to feel scared when you think about the final outcome, so it's not hard to admit to feeling fear.

Rather, what I truly admire is that Ishikura-senpai immediately partnered with Nagumo-senpai after realizing he couldn't defeat Horikita-senpai.

Ishikura fell silent again. In fact, he was well aware of the fear in his heart, and even felt guilty about collaborating with Nagumo to harm Horikita Manabu.

For the past three years, Horikita Manabu has always fought fair and square, and has never resorted to such underhanded tactics.

Even after becoming the student council president, he did not use his authority to interfere with exam rules to his advantage.

Therefore, Ishikura felt ashamed of herself for taking the first dishonorable actions, and naturally felt guilty.

“But now that all of this has been exposed,” Ishikura sighed. “Are you planning to tell Horikita about this?”

"Do you really think Horikita-senpai can't see it himself?"

Tatsuya Kamio had a strange expression.

The disappointment on Horikita Manabu's face last night was probably not only due to his disappointment with Nagumo, but also partly because of Ishikura.

The two fought each other honorably for three years; it would be strange if they hadn't developed some feelings for each other.

Ishikura paused for a moment, then gave a wry smile and let out a long sigh.

"That's right. If even you can see it, it's not surprising that Horikita could see it too. It seems I've lost again this time."

Now it was Tatsuya Kamio's turn to be speechless.

What do you mean, "Even I could see it"? You bastard, how much you look down on me!

Or do you think Horikita Manabu is the strongest guy?

How much do you trust him?

"You're giving up so easily?"

"Now that the conspiracy has been exposed, there's no point in saying anything."

Seeing the straightforward Ishikura, Tatsuya Kamio couldn't help but laugh.

"So you think that Horikita-senpai would have a way to prevent this once he found out about it?"

"Isn't that right? Although I can't think of a solution, if it were him, he might be able to break this strategy in an unexpected way."

Ishikura's question made Kamio Tatsuya laugh again. Just how amazing do you think Horikita Manabu is?

He's not a superhuman.

"Of course not. If this were targeting Horikita-senpai himself, he might have a way to deal with it, but since it's targeting Tachibana-senpai, then it's a different story."

Even if Horikita-senpai is incredibly talented, it's difficult for him to influence the girls.

Ishikura fell silent for a moment, then frowned. He didn't quite understand what Kamio Tatsuya meant by all that he had said.

"So what exactly do you mean?"

"I'm here to advise you to give up your cooperation plan with Nagumo," Kamio Tatsuya said with a nonchalant shrug. "After all, Horikita-senpai has been quite kind to me."

Ishikura suddenly found it amusing.

"You've said all that just for this?"

"Yes."

"I will not give up. Even if I have to cooperate with Nagumo or follow his arrangements, I want to defeat Horikita Manabu in the final moments of these three years."

Ishikura was very determined, and even Kamio Tatsuya didn't think he could be made to give up so easily.

"Alright, but Ishikura-senpai, you should think this through. Your plan with Nagumo-senpai isn't foolproof."

"What did you say?"

Ishikura's heart tightened, and he asked.

However, Tatsuya Kamio just smiled slightly and left. He still needed to find Shinta Yoshida.

Oh, Yoshida Arata is the third-year student in Class D who got information out of Kamio Tatsuya when school started.

Now he is a student in the same group as Kamio Tatsuya.

When they were divided into groups, the two greeted each other and got to know each other fairly well over the next two days.

The key to breaking this deadlock...

Of course, it wasn't him, but his girlfriend.

During their classes these past few days, Tatsuya Kamio unintentionally learned that Kamio's girlfriend was also in Class 3-D, and was currently in Akane Tachibana's group.

This time, we're counting on her to thwart Nagumo's plot.

I hope everything goes well, otherwise I'll just have to do as Nagumo wishes.

Chapter 253 I'll Make Them Lose Their Way

Not long after parting ways with Ishikura, Kamio Tatsu also left. However, he had only just returned to the second floor when he saw Nagumo at the bottom of the stairs.

"It seems this is no coincidence."

"Of course not. Senior Ishikura came out alone to meet me. I didn't expect you to be here when I arrived, so I didn't go up and disturb you."

"Thank you very much."

"No need to thank me." Nan Yun smiled. "But from what you just said to Ishikura-senpai, you should have figured out my real target, right?"

"Is it Senior Tachibana?"

"That's right. You, who are so highly regarded by Horikita-senpai, are indeed extraordinary and have not disappointed me."

Nan Yun sighed, his eyes filled with joy.

"I thought no one could see through this strategy that was beyond the norm, including Horikita-senpai. I didn't expect you to give me such a surprise."

"So what's your reason for doing this?" Kamio Tatsuya still didn't understand. "You must have heard my conversation with Ishikura-senpai. You're not just planning to use your 20 million yen to exchange for Horikita-senpai's 20 million yen, are you?"

"Of course not, this is just the beginning. This time I cashed in the 20 million from Horikita-senpai. Next time, I will continue to help Ishikura. I have never given up on my goal of defeating Horikita-senpai."

Sure enough, this guy's goal is to dethrone Horikita Gakucho from his position in the class.

"So? Is Kamio-kun planning to stop me?"

Seeing that Kamio Tatsu did not react, Nagumo said with a smile.

"I'll give it a try." Tatsuya Kamio returned the same smile. "It's getting late, it's time for lunch, so I'll be going now."

Watching Tatsuya Kamio's retreating figure, Nagumo's lips curled into a mocking smile.

You can't even see that you're in a desperate situation. Horikita-senpai, your judgment seems to be quite limited.

After parting ways with Nagumo, Kamio Tatsuya did not immediately take any further action. Who knew if Nagumo would become suspicious and follow him? So the best time was not now.

Besides, there are still three days until the exam, so there's no rush.

Because of what happened to Sakayanagi before, Kamuro hadn't eaten with Kamio Tatsuya for the past few days.

So the only person sitting next to him was Shiina.

"How did the exams go these past few days?"

"Yeah, thanks to Ichinose." Shiina nodded, in a good mood. "But Ichinose's life isn't easy either, Sakayanagi-san is always targeting her."

"That's for sure. Class B is just one step away from Class B. In this exam, almost all the boys in Class B were wiped out."

If Sakayanagi fails to produce results, Ichinose's rise to power will likely be inevitable.

That being said, the situation on Sakayanagi's side is really not optimistic.

Because the final day of the exams will include four tests: Zen meditation, public speaking, a road relay race, and a written exam.

Of these, Sakayanagi will definitely be unable to participate in the Zen meditation and outdoor long-distance running activities.

She probably won't get a perfect score on her speech either, because her heart condition simply doesn't allow her to speak loudly; she'd experience oxygen deprivation...

Therefore, her group is essentially missing a person.

This time, the results of the larger group are being considered; otherwise, Sakayanagi would probably never have been able to beat Class B's group.