The morning breeze was crisp and salty, carrying with it the faint whisper of waves crashing against the far shore. I woke before sunrise, long before the others had stirred. The sound of light breathing and rustling tents surrounded me, but my mind was already busy. Plans needed to move—quietly, precisely.
I zipped open my tent and stepped outside. The dawn air was cool, the kind that wakes your nerves instantly. D-Class's small camp was still half-asleep, only Hirata's silhouette moving faintly near the bonfire's ashes. I nodded at him before slipping into the forest path leading to the river.
The forest canopy above shimmered in streaks of early sunlight. I crouched low near the riverbank, listening to the water flow over smooth stones. My instincts told me Kiyotaka was already awake too, somewhere moving like a shadow.
When I returned to camp, he greeted me briefly, his face expressionless but eyes sharp as always. Hirata joined him, and they began a short discussion about Koenji's dropout the day before.
Kiyotaka looked calm, but I could tell he was calculating something deep."Koenji's departure cost us thirty points," Hirata sighed, his voice edged with frustration."Points can be regained," Kiyotaka replied flatly. "But trust… that's harder to recover."
As they spoke, I pretended to busy myself by checking equipment, though my mind lingered on what came next: the operation I'd quietly put in motion the previous night.
Miyamoto Gang — that's what the others had jokingly called it. I didn't mind. Every class needed someone who could work in the shadows while the front line handled diplomacy and distractions.
Before dawn, my three scout teams had already moved out following the plan I had drafted. The mission was simple but critical: find unoccupied zones before any other class could claim them.
"Report in every thirty minutes," I had told them last night, mapping each team's route into the dirt near the bonfire."Team One: Me, Yukimura, and Airi Sakura—we'll head north along the rocky path.
Team Two—Miyake, Hasebe, and Okitani—check the river's southern side.
Team Three—Ijuin, Mei Yu Wang, and Maezono—sweep the inner forest where the cliffs rise."
Our objective: to occupy new spots before anyone else realized their value.
Yukimura adjusted his glasses as he walked beside me that morning, his expression unusually serious. "I still think it's risky, Miyamoto," he said quietly. "If the teachers find out you're coordinating independent operations without approval—"
"They won't," I interrupted, my tone calm. "We're following the rules. The school said freedom, didn't they?"
Airi trailed behind us, clutching her camera nervously. "Um, Miyamoto… are we sure this is okay? If another class sees us—"
"That's why you're here," I said with a small grin. "Your lens sees what others don't."
She blushed slightly, her voice faltering. "R-right…"
The path grew narrower as we pushed deeper into the forest. Twisted vines and shadows made it harder to move silently, but we managed. Eventually, we reached a small clearing where sunlight broke through. A ridge extended eastward—and at its end, a small slope descended into a natural cave mouth.
"This could be it," I murmured, crouching low. I scanned the area, spotting faint footprints near the rocks. Fresh.
"Someone's been here," Yukimura said."Recently," I added. "Probably not D-Class."
We crept closer until Airi pointed out something—half-buried in the dirt—a used wrapper from an A-Class ration pack.
"So Katsuragi's group was here," I concluded. "But they didn't claim it. Probably scouting routes."
I activated my smartwatch, opened the occupation menu, and held up the small metallic leader card Sae had quietly given me after last night's "conversation."
It still amazed me how easily she agreed to let me act as a shadow leader. Maybe curiosity outweighed caution for her.
"Let's make this official," I said, pressing the card to the sensor attached near the cave entrance.
[Spot Occupied: D-Class — Leader Authorization: Miyamoto Soshi]
A faint tone confirmed success. +1 bonus point appeared on my watch.
"First one of the day," I smiled. "Good work, team."
"Now we mark it on the map and move to the next sector."
Meanwhile, back at camp, Kiyotaka stirred his drink thoughtfully as he stared toward the forest."Miyamoto's been gone since dawn," Hirata noted. "You think he's scouting?"
Kiyotaka's lips curved in a faint, unreadable smile. "Scouting, maybe. But knowing him… he's probably already securing something valuable."
Suzune crossed her arms, listening from her tent's entrance. "If he's taking initiative, let him. As long as it doesn't hurt our points."
"It won't," Kiyotaka said. "He's more meticulous than he looks."
He gazed at the map he had drawn earlier—its edges now filled with quick notes and arrows. "D-Class is beginning to adapt. That's the real test here."
By late morning, Team One had secured two unclaimed locations. My watch showed our total bonus points quietly stacking. I ordered the other teams to regroup at checkpoint B for debrief.
We hadn't walked far before we stumbled upon two figures blocking the path—Komiya and Kondo from C-Class. Their smirks made the air immediately heavier.
"Well, well," Komiya sneered, crossing his arms. "Look who's playing survivalists."
"Shouldn't you two be sunbathing with your boss?" I shot back casually.
"Ryuen-sama just wanted us to say hi," Kondo said mockingly. "He's at the beach with his crew. You're invited. That is, if you're tired of eating roots and bugs."
Airi flinched at their tone. I kept my voice calm. "Tell your 'boss' we'll pass. Some of us prefer working toward the future."
They laughed and left, still throwing insults over their shoulders. I watched them disappear before muttering, "Idiots."
Yukimura frowned. "What do you think Ryuen's planning?"
"Nothing," I said. "That's what's dangerous about him."
After a quick lunch, I regrouped with Kiyotaka and Suzune, who had just returned from visiting B-Class and A-Class territories. Their expressions were mixed—respect for Ichinose's unity, irritation from Katsuragi's cold discipline, and disgust from Ryuen's hedonism.
Suzune unfolded her notes beside the bonfire. "B-Class is well-organized. They probably won't collapse under pressure. A-Class has strict control over their area; we'll need to tread carefully."
Kiyotaka looked toward me. "And what about your operation?"
"Three occupied sites," I replied, showing him the updated list on my watch. "Unclaimed areas along the northern ridge and near the river bend. Small, but strategically spaced."
Suzune's eyes widened slightly. "You managed that without alerting the teachers?"
"Rules said freedom," I repeated calmly.
Kiyotaka chuckled softly. "Seems you're enjoying this."
"Maybe," I admitted. "But I'm not doing this for fun."
Later that afternoon, Kiyotaka asked Suzune to accompany him to the C-Class beach, and I let them go—someone had to monitor the base camp. But curiosity gnawed at me, so I took Airi along for a brief reconnaissance route of my own, shadowing from the cliffs.
From above, I could see them approach Ryuen's camp: massive canopies, grills, floating tubes, laughter echoing across the sand. It looked more like a resort than a test.
Ryuen lounged lazily on a chair, sunglasses glinting. His arrogance was palpable even from afar. I couldn't hear every word, but I could tell he was mocking them, spending all his points just to flaunt excess.
"Idiot," I muttered. "When the points run out, so does the fun."
Airi raised her camera, snapping a few quiet photos. "He looks scary," she whispered.
"He's dangerous," I said softly.
As evening descended, D-Class regrouped at camp. The smell of grilled fish mixed with smoke filled the air. Hirata oversaw the cooking while others prepared makeshift tables. For the first time since the test began, laughter drifted through the campsite.
I sat near the fire, my notebook open on my lap. Kiyotaka sat across from me, silent but watchful. Suzune joined a moment later, brushing dirt from her hands.
"So," she began, "your plan worked."
"For now," I said, writing coordinates into my notes. "But it's only the first day. The others will start to move tomorrow."
Kiyotaka poked the fire with a stick. "Then we'll just have to stay one step ahead."
Suzune glanced at him, then at me. "I'll rely on both of you for that."
Her words were simple, but they carried weight. For once, her tone wasn't sharp—it was almost… trusting.
After dinner, I gathered my teams quietly near the edge of camp. The forest was alive with the sound of cicadas and distant waves. Lanterns glowed dimly as I briefed them once more.
"Tomorrow, we expand our zone of control," I explained, showing the map. "Each occupied area gives us points and influence. The more we control, the harder it'll be for other classes to move freely."
Yukimura nodded, analytical as always. "And what if they find out you're the one holding the leader card?"
"Then they'll waste time guessing," I said with a grin. "Because they'll never think Sae-sensei gave it to me."
Airi raised her hand timidly. "What about Ibuki-san? I… I saw her walking alone earlier. Should we watch her?"
"Yes," I said after a pause. "She's not what she seems."
Hours later, when most had gone to sleep, I sat alone by the dying fire. The stars stretched endlessly above the black horizon. I heard faint footsteps—Kiyotaka's, quiet as usual.
"You're still awake," he said softly.
"Thinking," I replied. "About how much of this test is really about survival."
"It's not," he said, eyes glinting in the darkness. "It's about control."
I smirked. "You sound like me."
"Maybe that's why we understand each other," he replied, then turned away. "Get some rest, Miyamoto. Tomorrow will be worse."
When he left, I stared into the embers, feeling their warmth fade. Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted, and the forest swayed.
The dawn broke softly over the island, painting the sea in a pale orange hue. The salty breeze carried the faint scent of smoke from last night's campfire, drifting lazily across the D-Class campsite.
For once, everyone was in good spirits. The fourth day had begun with laughter. Thanks to the previous days' scouting efforts, we had found enough food and safe water sources to last comfortably. The other class will thought we were still carefully saving points — they didn't know I had already spent everything at the start to secure our base supplies.
Still, the illusion of control was important.
As I stood watching the morning sun rise over the horizon, Ayanokōji approached with his usual quiet expression."Morning, Miyamoto," he greeted."Morning. Heading out?" I asked, adjusting the strap of my bag.He nodded slightly. "Inspection. I want to check the north side again. There are still areas we haven't mapped.""Then I'll come with you. Two heads are better than one."
He looked at me briefly — those calm, unreadable eyes of his — and gave a small shrug. "Suit yourself."
We set off from camp, our footsteps crunching softly against the soil. The forest was alive with the sound of cicadas, and beams of sunlight pierced through the canopy above like glowing spears.
The northern ridge wasn't easy terrain. The path narrowed near a cliff, where the sea breeze grew strong enough to whip our hair around. That's when Ayanokōji stopped and crouched down.
"There," he said, pointing. Below the cliff, half-hidden by rocks, was a small hut. Weathered, but intact."Looks like an old fishing station," I said, noticing nets and rods stacked nearby.He nodded. "A-Class already occupied it."
Sure enough, a small digital monitor by the entrance glowed red — the indicator for an occupied zone."Efficient," I muttered. "They must have scouted this place early."Ayanokōji pulled out a folded page — a rough map he'd been sketching since the first day — and marked the spot. "They're organized. Probably Katsuragi's work."
We continued downhill, tracing the coastline until the forest opened up into a sandy clearing. There, a strange silhouette rose ahead — a tall, cylindrical tower made of metal and stone.
"What the…" I murmured.
The tower was at least twenty meters high, with an old observation deck on top. No monitors. No ropes. No signs of occupation."Too exposed," Ayanokōji said. "Anyone could see who's coming and going.""Which means no one's taken it yet," I replied, glancing at the unlit sensor by the gate. "If we secure it, it's an easy bonus point."I reached into my pocket, fingers brushing against my leader card. For a second, I considered claiming it right there.
But before I could move, the bushes behind us rustled.
Two boys in A-Class uniforms stepped out, their expressions sharp."Well, well. D-Class snooping around again," one sneered.The other stepped closer, hand out. "That map. Hand it over."
I stood still, silent. Beside me, Ayanokōji calmly folded the map and passed it to them.The taller boy smirked. "You're cooperative. Tell us who your leader is, and maybe we'll share some points."
I crossed my arms, expression unreadable. "Bribes? That's not very A-Class of you."
The boy's smirk twitched. "Watch your mouth."
Ayanokōji tilted his head slightly. "If you're trying to buy information, shouldn't Katsuragi be the one handling it?"
At that, both A-Class students stiffened. One of them scowled. "You're behind the times. Katsuragi isn't our rep anymore. Sakayanagi's in charge."
So the rumors were true — internal division within A-Class. I filed that away mentally."Then I'll remember that," Ayanokōji said flatly. The two A-Class boys tossed his map back and walked off without another word.
By midday, the sun was blazing overhead. We made our way down to the beach to check on C-Class's camp.
Or rather — what was left of it.
Tents were collapsed, bonfires cold, the ground scattered with trash and empty boxes. The place was a ghost town.
"They're gone," I said.
"Probably retreated to the ship," Ayanokōji murmured. "Just like Koenji."
A moment later, familiar voices called out. Ichinose and Kanzaki approached from the trail, both carrying clipboards and calm smiles.
"So you two are investigating too?" Ichinose asked, wiping sweat from her brow."Something like that," I replied. "Looks like C-Class quit the test."
Ichinose nodded gravely. "Ryūen's class spent all their points for comfort. He said he didn't care about the results.""Self-destruction as strategy," I mused. "If they can't win, at least they waste the school's time."
We talked for a while — about the test's mechanics, about class morale, and eventually about A-Class.Ichinose sighed softly. "Katsuragi and Sakayanagi… they're both brilliant, but they don't get along. Katsuragi is logical, disciplined. Sakayanagi is unpredictable. They clash constantly.""So internal tension," I said. "That's exploitable."
Ichinose smiled faintly. "Careful, Miyamoto-kun. You sound like you're planning something.""Observation isn't a crime."She laughed quietly and waved as they departed.
As we trekked back to camp, Ayanokōji seemed unusually quiet. The sound of waves filled the silence until he finally spoke.
"…Do you think we'll reach A-Class?" he asked suddenly.
I looked over at him. "That depends on what you really want."
He didn't answer. His eyes seemed distant, like they were staring past the horizon itself.
That night, I overheard him speaking privately with Chabashira-sensei outside the tent — her voice low and bitter. She told him how she'd once been a D-Class student herself, how her own mistakes had cost her promotion, and how now she lived with regret.
And then she told him something else — that someone had called the school, demanding his expulsion. Unless he aimed for A-Class, she would use that to remove him.
When I passed by the tent flap later, I saw him standing alone, gripping his collar as if trying to suppress the fire beneath his calm expression.
That night, chaos erupted.
The boys were shaken awake by urgent shouting. I jolted upright as Shinohara's voice cut through the darkness.
"Karuizawa's underwear was stolen!"
Within minutes, the entire camp was in turmoil. Karuizawa was crying in her tent, surrounded by the other girls. The boys stood outside in a confused semicircle, blinking sleep from their eyes.
"This is insane," Ike groaned. "Who'd even do something like that?"
"Who else?" Shinohara snapped, glaring at the boys. "It has to be one of you!"
Tempers flared fast. Hirata stepped forward, raising both hands. "Everyone calm down! We'll check each bag, okay? That's the only fair way."
I watched quietly as one by one, the boys opened their packs. Then Ike froze."Uh… what the—"
A flash of pink lace tumbled from his bag.
"Wait, wait, it's not mine! I didn't—!" Ike's face went pale. He flailed in panic, grabbing the fabric and looking around for help. His eyes landed on Ayanokōji, who simply stared back, unreadable.
Before anyone could react, Ike shoved the underwear toward him. "Hide this, man! Please!"
Ayanokōji sighed but took it anyway, slipping it discreetly into his pocket.
The inspection ended with nothing found, but suspicion still hung in the air like smoke. The girls demanded further checks. Hirata searched Ayanokōji himself — finding the hidden evidence — but simply shook his head."There's nothing," he said softly.
That was enough to keep the peace — for now.
Later, by the dim light of the campfire, I approached them."So," I said quietly, "you're covering for Ike."Ayanokōji looked up from the flames. "Would you rather I didn't?""I'd rather we find the real culprit," I replied.
He exhaled. "Hirata already asked me to investigate quietly. He doesn't want this turning into a witch hunt.""Understandable," I said. "But we can't let trust collapse. Once doubt sets in, this test is lost."
He gave me a rare smile. "You think like a leader.""I'm just cleaning the mess you keep walking into."
By morning, tension had split the class. The girls demanded separation. The boys were angry and defensive.
Horikita tried to mediate but failed — her blunt tone clashed against Karuizawa's emotional outrage. Even Airi, shy as she was, stepped forward to defend us.
"Stop accusing them without proof!" she said, trembling.
Karuizawa turned, voice sharp as glass. "Oh, please. You'd defend any guy who talks to you. Pathetic."
The words hit Airi hard. She turned pale, mumbled an apology, and ran off into the forest.
I stood to follow, but Ayanokōji caught my sleeve. "Let her go," he whispered. "She needs a moment."
I nodded reluctantly.
That evening, I found him again by the water's edge. Ibuki stood nearby, tossing pebbles into the surf.
"Rough night," she muttered."Rougher for some," I replied.
She glanced sideways at us. "So, you two think I did it, huh?"Ayanokōji's expression didn't change. "Do you want us to?"Her lips curved faintly. "You're strange."
But when she turned away, I saw it — the flicker in her eyes, a brief glint of guilt.
After she left, I spoke quietly. "It's her.""I know," Ayanokōji said. "Her reaction gave it away."
"Then what now?"He looked out over the sea, where the moon shimmered across the waves. "We wait. The right moment will come."