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The boat finally came to a halt near a secluded forested area surrounded by water.
"We're here," the teacher announced.
All the students stepped off the ferry, looking around at the dense trees, muddy paths, and scattered sunlight leaking through the canopy.
Some students wandered ahead as the teacher handed each group a survival kit. One boy opened the box, eyebrows raised.
"Seriously? This is all we get?" he said.
Inside were a few loaves of bread, instant noodles, canned coffee, and bottled water—all neatly packed in something that resembled a makeshift toilet box.
"This won't feed all of us," the boy muttered.
"We need to stay calm," Airi said, stepping forward. "If we work as a team and manage resources carefully, we can get through this."
She took out her notebook. "First things first. Let's reveal our roles so we can form a strategy."
Tetsuro thumped his chest. "I'm a knight!"
Airi quickly jotted it down.
Another boy stepped forward with a confident grin. He had blonde hair and carried himself like an athlete.
"I'm also a knight. Name's Takuma Rindo."
Airi nodded.
Emika raised her hand shyly. "I'm a bishop…"
Rina, avoiding eye contact, added softly, "Me too."
Bunta, munching on bread, said with a full mouth, "Rook."
Airi frowned. "Don't talk with your mouth full."
"Sorry," he laughed awkwardly.
Another boy raised his hand. "I'm also a rook. Naru Ichijo."
With the roles coming together, Airi looked at the remaining students.
"That means the rest of you are pawns."
Everyone nodded—except one.
Kota was lying under a tree, fast asleep.
Airi picked up a small stone and tossed it at him. Thwack!
"Ow!" Kota groaned, sitting up and rubbing his head.
Some students nearby whispered, "Seriously, why is he always so lazy?"
"He doesn't even care…"
Airi crossed her arms. "Are you a pawn or not?"
Kota yawned. "Yeah."
Airi sighed. "I'm the queen, by the way. That's why I need to know everyone's role."
The surrounding students lit up.
"We're lucky she's the queen!"
"She has the highest marks in our class."
Airi ignored the praise and turned back to her notebook. "Alright. We'll set up two tents—one for boys and one for girls. Each group will have one team leader. I'll choose Emika for the girls."
"W-What?! Why me?!" Emika's eyes went wide.
Airi gently patted her head. "Because I trust you."
Emika's face turned red. "I-I… okay."
Takuma stepped forward, smiling. "I'll lead the boys, then."
"Yeah!" the boys cheered. "He's smart, and good at sports!"
Airi narrowed her eyes but sighed. "Fine."
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That Night – Outside the Tents
Kota sat quietly by a rock, staring at the stars while the other boys laughed and chatted inside the tent.
No peace even here, he thought, standing up.
As he walked through the quiet woods, he noticed Airi standing under a tree alone, arms folded.
"You couldn't sleep either?" she asked softly as he approached.
Kota just looked away.
"I want to ask you a favor."
Kota sighed. "What now?"
"I need your help to pass this game," she said.
He raised an eyebrow.
"I want you to keep an eye on Takuma," she continued. "Something feels off. I don't trust him."
"…Fine," Kota said.
She looked surprised, then smiled gently. "Thank you."
Kota blinked, stunned. That's… the first time I've seen her smile like that.
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Flashback – Earlier in the Semester
Airi walked past him in the hallway, calm and emotionless, always carrying her books—never smiling.
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Kota thought, Maybe she really does trust me.
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The Next Morning
A loud scream rang out from the girls' tent.
Everyone scrambled outside.
"What's going on?!" one boy shouted.
Another voice followed—this time robotic, coming from the phones.
> "Class D has lost 5 points. Five pawns have been eliminated."
"What?!"
"Already?! How?!"
Everyone turned pale.
Airi stepped forward, eyes wide.
"They took down five of our pawns overnight…?"
Kota narrowed his eyes.
So the real game has already started... and someone is moving fast.
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Next Time: Chapter 11 – The Hidden Hand
Can Kota figure out who's betraying them before Class D collapses?
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