Chaos in Classroom of the Elite: Class 1-C

If Sakayanagi hadn't sent that message, Yukio wouldn't have called Matsushita to arrange for Karuizawa to help with the ad.

Before making the call, Yukio had already anticipated that D-Class wouldn't let go easily. They would likely seize the opportunity to exact some revenge on him, their sworn enemy, and try to squeeze as much as they could from him.

Even with these predictions in mind, Yukio still calmly agreed to their terms. The reason was the message from Sakayanagi, indicating that D-Class was doomed to lose.

This didn't mean that Yukio fully trusted Sakayanagi—that would be too far-fetched. At most, the two had a minor connection from a seaside encounter last year, but there was no logical reason for Yukio to place special trust in her.

Yukio believed Sakayanagi might win only because her message was filled with hints that Ayanokouji was underperforming. It even suggested that she found it boring and invited Yukio to join her at the fishery tomorrow to witness Ayanokouji's defeat.

If Sakayanagi wasn't absolutely certain of victory, would she really invite Yukio to watch her own downfall? Yukio could only wait and see what kind of last-minute counterattack Sakayanagi had planned to turn the tables on D-Class.

While Yukio was in high spirits, eager to watch the upcoming drama unfold, D-Class was abuzz with excitement: "Can you believe it? We're actually going to get Yukio to pay us private points! The situation has turned in our favor!"

"Who would have thought? Since last semester's midterm, we've been under Yukio's thumb, and now, thanks to Karuizawa, we might actually profit from Yukio's class."

"It's all thanks to Matsushita and Karuizawa. Ever since Matsushita took charge, things have clearly been looking up for us."

Because the phone was on speaker, all the D-Class students gathered around had heard the entire conversation. It was impossible for them not to be excited.

Seeing their joy, Karuizawa could only force a smile. Her mood had dimmed, feeling as if she had burdened Yukio and failed to do her best.

However, Karuizawa still trusted Yukio, believing that his quick agreement might indicate that he already had a plan. When she went over to shoot the commercial, she could ask him about it privately.

She couldn't imagine that Yukio would be so easily manipulated by Matsushita and Horikita—that seemed unlikely.

Kushida, while laughing along with everyone else, was already contemplating how to help with Yukio's bet and ensure that the class would fall to second place in the task.

In the crowd, the usually unnoticed Sakura was trying to shrink away, hiding at the back to avoid her classmates noticing the worry on her face.

At this moment, Matsushita took back the phone from Horikita and looked seriously at her good friend Karuizawa: "Kei, I'm sorry we made such a decision on our own."

"When Yukio called, I intentionally said what I did to secure some benefits for our class. I wasn't actually getting sand in my eyes; I was trying to give you a signal."

"I thought you would definitely pick up on it."

Here it comes, Karuizawa thought, steeling herself. She knew this was Matsushita probing her for her earlier lack of cooperation. After all, her actions at that time had indeed seemed suspicious.

Fortunately, Karuizawa had prepared herself mentally. When faced with Matsushita's probing, she didn't appear too concerned. Instead, she acted as though she had suddenly realized what was going on.

She then delivered the excuse she had prepared in advance: "Oh, so that's what it was, Chiaki. I was wondering why you suddenly seemed strange."

"You mentioned that I was still supposed to help Mr. Fujii with other promotions—my bad, my bad. I just didn't catch on at first. After all, being here all day surrounded by probiotics, I'm about ready to throw up from the smell."

"I just thought that helping Yukio with the commercial would give me a chance to get out and have some fun—I didn't think about it that much."

Karuizawa used her desire to get out and have some fun as an excuse to cover up her previous behavior of undermining Matsushita.

Matsushita nodded subtly to herself, finding Karuizawa's explanation quite reasonable. It made sense that Karuizawa hadn't considered the class's interests and had simply thought that helping Yukio with the commercial would allow her to leave the fishery.

Therefore, from Matsushita's perspective, it was perfectly normal for Karuizawa to keep saying things like "I'm not busy" during the call.

Her good friend Karuizawa was never the type of girl with a strong sense of the bigger picture; most of the time, she was more inclined to do whatever made her happy.

This explanation aligned well with Matsushita's established impression of Karuizawa, so after hearing it, she didn't harbor any further suspicions: "It's okay, it's okay. Anyway, Yukio has more or less agreed to the terms."

"Even though the contract will only officially take effect after this special exam, we've already made quite a profit. If you don't like staying at the fishery, you don't have to. Starting tomorrow, you can go to Yukio and shoot the commercial..."

"Oh, and if possible, while you're there, try to gather some information about the Yukata Workshop task. Whether it's any intelligence on Yukio's class or details about their commercial plot, you can note it down and later sell it to the third-year students."

"Not only can we make some extra money, but we can also use the third-years to suppress Yukio's class."

"Huh?" Karuizawa's eyes widened even more. Wow, Chiaki was really good at scheming, already thinking of using her to gather intel on Yukio's class and further press them.

Horikita, who hadn't left yet, perked up upon hearing this and joined the conversation: "If you're going to sell information, it's best to sell it to Class 3-A."

"The student council president is in Class 3-A; he would definitely know how to make good use of this information." Horikita was even a little excited, thinking that she might get to see her brother again when they sell the information.

Seeing Matsushita and Horikita so eager, Karuizawa quickly waved her hands, trying to stop them: "Wait, wait! You want me to go spy on Yukio's class?"

"Yes," Matsushita said, taking Karuizawa's hand, as if trying to pass on warmth and confidence to her friend. "Don't worry, Kei, there's nothing to be afraid of."

"It's actually not a big deal. Even if Yukio's class is on guard, they'll inevitably let you see some things while you're there, just like how Ibuki was sent to Ichinose's class during the Uninhabited Island Exam."

"No matter what it is, even if it's just the commercial's plot, all you need to do is remember it and relay it to us."

Fear? Worry? Being watched by Yukio's class?

Karuizawa blinked, her jewel-like blue eyes holding a barely perceptible, almost invisible hint of mockery. The thought of being able to openly go to Yukio made her too happy to even consider being scared.

As for being worried about being watched, that was even more absurd. She had already kissed the big boss of A class—how could she be under surveillance?

Matsushita and Horikita thought they were cleverly sending a spy into Yukio's class, but in reality, the spy was already a double agent, planted by Yukio within D class from the start.

It was like one of those classic double-agent scenarios you often see in movies.

But in truth, Karuizawa had been Yukio's person all along!