Between Hell and Heaven 5

Day 3 – Part One

Sienna's POV

Flashback – The Previous Day

I crouched behind a thicket, well out of sight from where the smoke was beginning to rise. The "fire" was controlled—just a flicker on the surface—but perception was everything. I needed chaos, not danger.

I'd planned this carefully. Earlier that day, I'd collected a few discarded plastic bottles around the camp. They seemed like trash, insignificant—but they were exactly what I needed. Plastic burns hot and dirty, spewing thick, black smoke that would trigger immediate panic. It wasn't about destruction. It was about spectacle.

I tossed the bottles onto the fire, their surfaces warping and hissing as they twisted under the flames. Within seconds, a tower of greasy smoke began to rise—dark, oily, perfect. It blanketed the sky like an omen, so dense it turned midday into something more sinister. It wouldn't burn long, but from a distance, it would look like hell had cracked open.

Exactly the illusion I needed.

Sure enough, Class B responded like I predicted—students came rushing in, buckets swinging in their hands, barking orders at one another in a chaotic attempt to control the flames.

From my hiding spot, I watched them. And listened.

Chihiro Shiranami was visibly distraught, her voice trembling as she clutched the rim of her bucket. Ichinose Honami was beside her, calm and nurturing, trying to soothe her shaken classmate.

"It's not your fault, Chihiro," Kanzaki said, stepping in as the voice of reason. "It could've been a misstep on our part during the territory claim. Or… maybe someone spied on us while we set up."

Chihiro looked down, clearly internalizing the blame. I took note of that. Kanzaki's tone was measured, but the underlying message was obvious: Chihiro was important. A leader? Not officially, but symbolically? Most likely.

Then there was Lloyd.

Quiet. Detached. He didn't comment, didn't comfort—just helped extinguish the flames like a silent observer. But when Kanzaki began to theorize about how their leader might've been exposed, Lloyd finally acted.

He flipped the message board around.

That's when he saw it.

I had written it in German—Es ist sein Anhänger.

It means: It is his follower.

Lloyd would understand. I knew he sensed my distaste for him, maybe not the full extent of it, but enough to be wary. Still, he'd interpret the message as a warning—me tipping him off that Katsuragi might be uncovering their leader through those closest to them. The most likely candidate? Yahiko.

By feeding Lloyd this intel, it would seem like I was aiding him… or more precisely, offering a fair battleground later.

Just as planned.

End of Flashback

---

"Are you... Are you actually sure about this?" Yahiko's voice wavered between skepticism and disbelief.

"Yes. I am," I replied flatly, unshaken.

"But—how? How did you even find out?"

I shrugged. "That's irrelevant now. What matters is how you use this information. Give it to Katsuragi. Assist him like you said you would."

He narrowed his eyes, still clearly suspicious. "You're brushing it off too casually."

I met his gaze with a more serious tone. "Do you believe in my capabilities, Yahiko? I told you before—I want to see Katsuragi succeed. That wasn't a bluff. Does this prove that I have your trust?"

He looked at me, studying my face as if searching for cracks in my words. But I'd given him something he couldn't refute: proof. If I truly knew Class B's leader, then I'd have to know their members. And yet, I claimed I didn't. That alone was plausible—if I had made up a name, Katsuragi, who knew all of Class B, would have spotted the lie instantly.

Finally, Yahiko spoke. "I believe you, Sienna."

"Good. Then there's just one condition."

"What?"

"You don't mention me. Not to Katsuragi. Not to anyone."

He tilted his head slightly. "Why?"

"Because he's cautious. Especially toward anyone he suspects is tied to Sakayanagi… or caught in the middle of all this."

Yahiko nodded. "Understood. I won't say a word."

---

Back at camp, I leaned into my seat, letting the calm lull of the moment wash over me. A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

Ai noticed instantly.

"You're smiling. What, you just remembered something cringey from middle school or something?"

I blinked out of my thoughts. "No... I was just thinking that Hashimoto looks kinda hot today."

Ai followed my gaze, eyes landing on Hashimoto. She snorted. "Pfft. Mid at best."

I chuckled. Her honesty was always so blunt it was refreshing. But her comment faded from my mind the moment I remembered the bigger picture.

There was still much to do.

Then came Katsuragi—returning to camp with enough resources and supplies to last us the rest of the week.

Too many supplies.

The rest of the group murmured among themselves, questioning the quantity. I wasn't surprised—when I ran the numbers, it amounted to exactly 200 points.

Half our remaining balance.

It was out of character for Katsuragi, who was normally frugal, precise. His response?

"I have everything under control."

No hesitation. No second guesses. That's what troubled me the most.

He was hiding something.

The time read 1:34 PM—plenty of daylight left. Ai proposed scouting other classes to evaluate and guess their leaders. It was the most efficient way to gain an upper hand: a correct guess cost the enemy 50 points and stripped them of all their claimed bonuses.

But Katsuragi shut it down.

"No. I won't allow it."

I narrowed my eyes. His refusal was too rigid. It made no sense—unless he had another plan already in motion.

After a pause, he softened. "It's too risky. But if you insist, I won't stop you."

Hashimoto muttered under his breath, "Pussy."

I ignored his juvenile remark and instead analyzed the bigger issue.

Katsuragi didn't want to guess other leaders. He also wouldn't reveal our own. And despite spending 200 points, he remained calm—too calm. That means he either had a deal, or a guaranteed return on this investment.

Something's going on.

"Alright then," I said coolly. "Since you're not completely opposed, we'll go. I take it your followers won't join us?"

Katsuragi nodded without a word.

Ai led the scouting team out of camp. I stayed quiet, but my mind was racing.

---

Class C's Camp

Hashimoto and I split from the others, heading straight to Class C.

The contrast was jarring.

Laughter, loud music, the sizzle of food on barbeques—Class C wasn't just relaxed, they were partying.

Ryuen sat on a reclining chair, legs crossed, sunglasses perched low on his nose. He didn't even flinch when he saw us.

"If it ain't Hashimoto," Ryuen sneered, "Sakayanagi's little lapdog."

Hashimoto rolled his eyes. "Right back at you, dragon boy."

Ryuen chuckled darkly. "Kuku. So what brings you both here? Sightseeing?"

"Just checking up on the competition," Hashimoto said casually. "Can't hurt, right?"

"I suppose not." Ryuen grinned. "Still, funny timing."

Hashimoto leaned forward. "Wanna make a deal?"

Ryuen's grin faded. "Nope. Not interested."

He waved us off like we were flies. "I'm on vacation."

Hashimoto scanned the camp with a frown. "You're spending a lot. Guessing you're going for a zero-point strategy?"

"Ding ding. Give the man a prize," Ryuen said, mockingly.

I frowned. "So you're just giving up?"

Ryuen looked at me, amused. "Depends on what you call giving up. Maybe I'm redefining success."

His glasses slipped down as he smirked. "Wanna hang out later? Might make this vacation worth it."

"I'll decline," I answered coldly.

He laughed again.

As we turned to leave, Hashimoto murmured to me, "Was that enough?"

"More than enough. Thank you."

He tilted his head. "Why have me offer a deal anyway? Just to see if he'd take it?"

"Partially. I just wanted to ask him not to bully me~" I teased.

He deadpanned. "So all this was just you begging Ryuen not to harass you?"

I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly, playing dumb. But in truth, I was piecing everything together.

Ryuen had spent 100 points. But Katsuragi's supplies cost 200.

That meant Ryuen had helped fund the rest.

A partnership. Or more likely—a contract.

Katsuragi gained resources. Ryuen covered his tracks by pretending to play the fool. But that zero-point strategy? Just a cover-up.

Katsuragi didn't want to guess leaders because he already had a plan to win. He would widen the gap between Class A and the others while hoarding class points.

Ryuen would benefit too—through compensation or influence. A mutual gain.

And suddenly, it all made sense.

Every move, every lie, every silence.

Everything fit.

Perfectly.