The ocean glittered under the midsummer sun — endless blue stretching toward the horizon, waves slicing softly against the hull of the luxury liner.
If not for the faint scent of salt and the distant cry of seagulls, it would've felt like a dream.
The end-of-term exams were finally over. The anxiety that had haunted Class D for weeks had evaporated, replaced by laughter and the sweet illusion of peace.
And for the first time in months, we weren't being judged by test scores or point charts.
Or so we thought.
Our cabin was surprisingly spacious. Ayanokōji was sitting quietly on the sofa, reading a small paperback novel. Hirata leaned against the window, admiring the vast ocean. Koenji, meanwhile, was standing shirtless in front of the mirror, flexing like a professional model.
"Behold this perfect body," Koenji said, his golden hair glinting under the cabin light. "Truly, the embodiment of human potential, yes?"
"Put your shirt back on," Hirata sighed, though there was a smile in his voice.
"Why?" Koenji turned dramatically. "Nature itself graced me with this physique. Should I not honor it?"
I sat cross-legged on my bed, sipping a can of juice. "You sound like you're about to start your own religion."
Koenji laughed proudly. "Fufufu! Perhaps I already have, Miyamoto-boy."
Ayanokōji turned a page. "He'd make a good cult leader, actually."
I smirked. "Yeah, until he charges everyone five million private points to attend 'divine training.'"
Even Hirata chuckled at that. For a moment, it felt like we were just a normal group of students — joking, carefree, untouched by the school's games.
But deep down, I knew better.
The school never did anything without a reason.
Later, we gathered on the deck with the rest of Class D. The salty wind tugged at our uniforms as the island — a lush, green shape in the distance — began to come into view.
"Whoa! Look at that!" Ike shouted. "It's huge! We're actually gonna camp there?!"
Kushida smiled beside him, her hair fluttering. "Seems fun, right?"
"Totally! Hey, Kushida-chan, can I call you Kikyo now?"
She blinked, a little flustered. "Uh, sure… I guess."
Ike turned red from excitement. "Yesss! I did it! I'm on a first-name basis!"
Sudō leaned forward, whispering to Ayanokōji. "Hey man, think I can do that with Horikita? Maybe you can help me practice later."
Ayanokōji stared at him for a moment, deadpan. "That sounds like suicide."
I snorted. "You might survive… if you wear armor."
Horikita wasn't present, as usual. Kushida wondered aloud where she'd gone, and Ayanokōji — ever the calm observer — simply said she was "probably reading in her room."
He wasn't wrong.
The island grew larger by the minute, its outline now sharp against the clear sky. You could see the dense trees, white sand, and rocky ridges.
The ship's intercom crackled to life."All students, please prepare for disembarkation. Assemble on the main deck immediately."
Hirata glanced at me. "Looks like it's time."
"Yeah," I said, standing. "The fun part's probably over."
Koenji stretched with a yawn. "Fufufu! A deserted island, eh? I've always dreamed of taming nature with my bare hands."
Ayanokōji replied quietly, "Just don't tame your classmates."
After disembarking, the humid air hit us instantly — thick, heavy, and alive with the sound of cicadas.
Rows of tents, equipment boxes, and teachers awaited us on the sand. Class A, B, C, and D all gathered near the pier as the announcement began.
Mashima-sensei from Class A stepped forward, clipboard in hand.
"The special exam begins now. Duration: seven days. Location: this uninhabited island. You will survive as a group, utilizing your class's resources wisely."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
"Survive?" Ike whispered. "Like, for real?"
"Seems so," I said.
Mashima continued, "Each class receives two tents, two flashlights, one box of matches, and a starting balance of three hundred S-points. You are free to spend these points to purchase additional supplies, food, or comfort items."
The word free sparked immediate excitement.
But then he smiled faintly — the kind of smile teachers used before dropping bad news.
"When the test concludes, any unspent points will be converted into class points. Therefore, the less you spend, the greater your class's reward."
And just like that, the mood shifted.
Freedom, huh?I knew that word well. It was the kind of freedom that came with invisible chains.
Chabashira-sensei, standing near us, took over the explanation."Let me simplify it. You'll live here for a week. If you waste points, your class suffers. If you get sick, injured, or cause trouble — your class suffers."
She held up a survival manual and began reading aloud:
"Those unable to continue due to poor health or injury will cost their class thirty points.Polluting the environment costs twenty points.Missing roll call at 8 AM or 8 PM costs five points.Violence, theft, or property destruction results in immediate failure."
Ike groaned. "Man, that's brutal."
Horikita had finally arrived, book in hand, and looked unimpressed. "You should've expected that much."
Meanwhile, Satsuki Shinohara was practically shouting. "Wait, what's this about a cardboard toilet?! No way!"
"Then dig one yourself," Ike shot back.
"Gross!" she yelled, face red.
I sighed. "So this is how civilization collapses. One cardboard toilet at a time."
Just when I thought the scene couldn't get any more chaotic, B-Class's teacher, Chie Hoshinomiya, appeared.
"Saeeeee~! You're still as strict as ever!" she said cheerfully, hugging Chabashira from behind.
Chabashira grimaced. "Get off me."
"Oh, don't be shy! We're coworkers!"
Then her eyes landed on Ayanokōji, and she leaned closer with a teasing grin. "Oh my, Sae-chan, this one's cute! Got a girlfriend yet, handsome?"
Ayanokōji blinked. "No."
"Boooring!" she laughed and skipped away.
Horikita's face tightened. "What kind of teacher is that woman?"
I shrugged. "The dangerous kind."
Chabashira cleared her throat and brought us back on track.
"There's more," she said. "Each class can occupy specific spots around the island. To do so, you'll use a special key card — available only to the designated leader of your class."
The students stirred again.
"The leader cannot be changed without a valid reason," she continued. "Occupying a location earns your class one bonus point every eight hours. Using another class's spot without permission costs fifty points."
I nodded slowly. So that was it — territorial control and deduction warfare.
A game of hidden leaders, deception, and resource management.
"Lastly," Chabashira said, "on the final day, each class may guess the leaders of the other three classes. Correct guesses award fifty points; incorrect guesses cost fifty."
"Ah, so it's a game of poker," I murmured.
Ayanokōji turned to me. "You think so too?"
"Yeah. You hide your hand, read your opponents, and bluff when necessary. Only this time, the currency is survival."
He gave a faint smile. "Sounds like you're already planning something."
"Always," I said
Around me, Class D began to move — some with excitement, others with visible unease. This wasn't just camping. This was survival disguised as a test.
Hirata, ever the responsible one, immediately took command."All right, everyone! Let's start by listing what we'll need: tents, food, cooking equipment, a toilet area—"
"Whoa, whoa, hold up," Ike interrupted, waving his hands. "Why do we need to spend points right away? We can just use the cardboard toilet thing, right?"
The girls froze.
Shinohara's eyes widened. "You can't be serious. That's disgusting!"
"Hey, it's just for a week," Ike defended. "We gotta save points! Food, shelter, that's what matters."
"But hygiene matters too!" Shinohara shouted. "I am not squatting behind a bush!"
The debate escalated in seconds. Sudō backed Ike up; Karuizawa stood with the girls. I stood quietly behind the crowd, watching the chaos unfold.
So predictable.The moment people face scarcity, priorities fracture.
Horikita stood nearby, silent but clearly irritated. Beside her, Ayanokōji leaned against a tree, expression unreadable.
"This class really loves arguing," I said quietly.
Horikita glanced at me. "You're not helping."
"I'm observing. Someone has to take notes for our next disaster."
Her sigh said everything.
While the others bickered, I slipped away toward Chabashira-sensei, who was standing a little apart, watching with mild disdain.
"Sensei," I called softly.
She looked over, eyebrow raised. "What is it, Miyamoto?"
"I'd like to discuss something privately. It concerns class management."
She crossed her arms but gestured for me to continue.
"I'd like to be designated as leader," I said simply. "Also, I'd like permission to use all of our 300 points immediately."
Her eyes narrowed. "That's… bold. And suspicious. What are you planning to buy?"
"Meal rations, a portable toilet, and an additional tent for the boys. Survival essentials."
"You realize spending everything now leaves no flexibility later?"
"Yes," I replied evenly. "But I'd rather ensure we survive the first three days than gamble on theoretical efficiency."
Chabashira stared at me for a long moment, then sighed. "You remind me of someone I used to teach. Fine. But if the class finds out and panics, that's on you."
I smiled faintly. "Understood, Sensei."
With that, I signed the authorization form. .
By the time I returned to camp, boxes of food and supplies were already being unloaded by the ship's staff.
Sudō blinked. "Yo, Miyamoto! What's all this?"
"School-issued supplies," I said smoothly. "I handled the purchase paperwork."
Ike frowned. "Already? Didn't we agree to wait?"
"Actually, we didn't," I replied. "We were still arguing about toilets."
That earned a few glares, but Hirata quickly intervened. "Well, since it's done, let's just focus on setting up camp efficiently. Good work, Miyamoto."
I nodded. "Of course."
Later, while helping carry equipment through the forest, I found myself walking beside Ayanokōji and Horikita. She looked frustrated, frowning down at her clipboard.
"This test doesn't suit me," she muttered.
"You mean because it's not academic?" I asked.
She nodded. "Physical endurance, adaptability, social coordination… it's inefficient."
"Maybe," Ayanokōji said quietly, "but it's still a form of intelligence. Ike and Sudō took initiative. That counts."
Horikita frowned deeper. "Those two? Please."
I grinned. "Hey, don't underestimate idiots. They're unpredictable — sometimes that's an advantage."
She glanced at me, almost amused. "You really think that?"
"I think under pressure, people show their real worth," I said. "And I plan to see what everyone's worth."
Her gaze sharpened slightly, but she said nothing.
By mid-afternoon, Hirata organized twelve volunteers into four search teams to scout the forest for campsites.
Kiyotaka was paired with Airi and Koenji — an unpredictable combination if there ever was one.
"Be careful out there," I called after them. "And make sure Koenji doesn't start a modeling shoot in the jungle."
Koenji flashed a grin. "Oh, I'd never waste a backdrop this beautiful, Miyamoto-boy!"
Later, I watched Ayanokōji's search team — including Airi and Kōenji — head into the forest. I'd decided to stay near the shore with Hirata, helping sort supplies.
Hours passed before they returned, Ayanokōji's expression unreadable as always.
Apparently, he and Airi had stumbled upon a cave occupied by A-Class — led by Katsuragi and Yahiko. A-Class had already started securing territory using knowledge they'd gathered beforehand.
Katsuragi's efficiency didn't surprise me. That man always moved three steps ahead.
When Ayanokōji quietly informed Hirata of what he'd overheard, I merely nodded. "They're staking claims early. That means they'll run out of points faster than they expect."
Horikita listened silently, her expression tightening. "Still, that kind of coordination is dangerous."
Evening approached, and the class finally settled near the river where Ike had discovered a flat patch of ground. The sound of running water filled the air, calm and rhythmic.
"We'll set up here," Hirata announced. "It's close to fresh water, and the area's level."
Suzune stepped forward. "Then I'll take responsibility as class leader."
I almost smiled. She didn't know she wasn't.
The students moved quickly. Ike demonstrated how to pitch tents and light a campfire. His movements were surprisingly skilled.
"Didn't know you were a camper," I said.
He scratched his head, grinning. "Yeah, my dad used to drag me to camps every summer. Guess it paid off."
Nearby, Shinohara approached him awkwardly. "Hey… sorry for yelling earlier."
He blinked, then smiled. "Yeah, me too."
The atmosphere softened — fragile peace, but peace nonetheless.
Just when the air started to settle, someone approached the firelight — a lone girl with sharp eyes and short hair.
"Who's that?" Ike whispered.
"From Class C," Ayanokōji answered. "Ibuki Mio."
She looked wary, arms folded. "I had a fight with a classmate. I was chased out."
Hirata immediately stood. "You're welcome to stay with us. It's safer together."
I raised a brow. "You sure about that? She's from another class."
He nodded. "She's still a student here."
Classic Hirata. The perfect moralist.
I walked closer, offering a canteen of water. "Rough night, huh? Boyfriend trouble?"
Ibuki blinked, caught off guard. "What—no. Just idiots."
"Idiots come in all shapes," I said casually. "You can rest here tonight. Just don't stab anyone."
She smirked faintly. "No promises."
As we settled in, Chabashira arrived, looking particularly displeased.
"I have an announcement," she said flatly. "Kōenji Rokusuke has withdrawn from the test due to poor physical condition. He's returned to the ship."
The camp went silent.
"What?!" Sudō exploded. "That guy ditched us already?!"
"His withdrawal means a 30-point penalty," Chabashira added.
"Unbelievable," Horikita muttered, visibly annoyed. "So much for cooperation."
I sighed. "At least now we have one less problem to babysit."
Later that night, after most had gone to sleep, I sat near the dying fire with Horikita and Ayanokōji. The air was thick with the sound of cicadas and the slow rhythm of waves beyond the trees.
"I have a proposal," I said quietly.
Horikita looked up from her notes. "Another surprise?"
"Not quite. A countermeasure." I leaned forward, voice low. "If we wait around, we'll fall behind. The other classes are already claiming territory. So, tomorrow night — we act."
Ayanokōji raised an eyebrow. "Act how?"
"Three scout teams. Officially, we're surveying. In truth, we're securing unclaimed spots before the others do."
Horikita blinked. "You're planning to occupy them secretly?"
I nodded. "Exactly. The school rules say every occupied site earns bonus points every eight hours. If we spread out, we can control multiple zones — and they won't even know until it's too late."
Ayanokōji's eyes gleamed faintly in the firelight. "Interesting. Risky, but clever."
Horikita hesitated. "And if you're caught?"
"We won't be."
I pulled out a small notepad and outlined the plan:
Team 1: Myself, Teruhiko Yukimura, Airi Sakura.
Team 2: Akito Miyake, Haruka Hasebe, Kyosuke Okitani.
Team 3: Wataru Ijuin, Mei Yu Wang, An Maezono.
"Each team takes a separate route. Occupy, record, retreat before sunrise."
Horikita looked conflicted. "You're taking Airi? She's not suited for—"
"She's brave when it matters," I said simply. "Besides, we need eyes, not muscle."
Ayanokōji smiled faintly. "Sounds like fun."