"Good morning, Tsugumi."
"Oh, you're early, Ayanokōji-kun. Did you sleep well last night?"
It was the morning of the second day. As I was spacing out by the river, Ayanokōji-kun came up to me, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
"Not at all. This is a tough environment for a city boy like me."
"...Can you even call that a city?"
It was a joke that was hard to play along with. Ayanokōji-kun gave a light laugh and sat down next to me.
"How about you, Tsugumi? Did you sleep?"
"Easily. I don't think bears or boars will show up, and with a tent, it's heaven for me."
"What kind of environment did you live in to get like that?"
My ex-girlfriend's deadbeat dad used to throw me into the forest in the clothes I was wearing. It was tough for me back then when I was scrawny.
"Speaking of which, how are things with Sakura-san?"
"With... Sakura?"
Oh? Are you playing dumb? You pervert.
"There's no point in playing dumb. I know things are going well with Sakura-san, right? It's not like with Ike-kun, but don't you want to make some progress during this exam?"
Ayanokōji-kun was called a "masterpiece," but when it came to romance, he was worse than the average person. I consciously let the corners of my mouth turn up and continued to prod him.
"To be honest, I don't have any intention of doing anything with Sakura right now. She probably has trauma from men after that incident, and above all, I don't have the confidence to make her happy if we were to date. Even if we last until graduation, I can't guarantee anything after that."
"...I see."
You're so serious. Please stay that way, Ayanokōji-kun. I teased Ayanokōji-kun to hide the self-deprecating smile I had unconsciously put on.
"Do you think people date to get married? Ayanokōji-kun, you're so pure and cute."
"...You're not that different from me, Tsugumi. You've dated over 20 people but you're still a virgin, right? Sakayanagi told me."
What... how did she know that?
"It seems Sakayanagi believes what you said. She said something like, 'Tsugumi-kun would never lie to me. The only time he would lie is to surprise me.'"
So, Arisu-chan still believes me when I said, "I haven't lost my virginity or had my first kiss" back when she found out I was a sugar baby. It's not a lie, but... Arisu-chan would never believe I'd lie to her, huh...
"Don't talk about my personal life when I'm not around... Well, to be honest, I'm still a virgin, and I haven't even kissed anyone."
"...Is that true? From your way with women, I honestly can't imagine that. And it's a little sad. Your girlfriends from elementary and middle school."
Oh, that's right. When he asked me about my past relationships, I told him about my previous life. Crap... I didn't think Ayanokōji-kun and Arisu-chan would get this close. I was careless... Well, if it gets out, I can just say I was trying to look cool.
"A lot of things happened."
"...Hey, Tsugumi, I have something I want to... "
"Good morning, you two. Let's do our best today."
"..."
Ayanokōji-kun was about to say something, but Yōsuke-kun's voice from behind us drowned him out. It was too soft for me to hear.
"Oh, sorry. Was I interrupting?"
Yōsuke-kun gave a wry smile. He looked a little tired.
"No, it's fine. Good morning, Hirata."
"Thank you for yesterday. It was a big help that you went out to explore."
The conversation went from Yōsuke-kun, to Ayanokōji-kun, and then to me. The "exploring" he was talking about was when he organized the teams to go find food and other supplies while I was explaining the tents and cooking utensils.
"I should be thanking you. Thanks to Tsugumi-kun, we were able to get a good deal. There are no problems with the supplies so far, and everyone is working hard. It got a little crazy last night after Kōenji-kun retired, though."
Right. The reason Yōsuke-kun looked a little tired was because he had been struggling to erase the class's resentment toward Kōenji-kun, who retired yesterday. Of course, I helped, but unlike me, he seems to be a little too serious.
"That's tough. Both of you."
Ayanokōji-kun said that to us.
"I'm just doing what I love. I'm content as long as everyone in the class is happy. I left most of the negotiations with Ryūen-kun to Tsugumi-kun, so I have to do my best, too."
"What would you do if there were students who wanted to reach Class A and students who wanted to stay in Class D?"
"Isn't that a little mean, Ayanokōji-kun?"
When I teased him, Ayanokōji-kun said he was sorry and retracted his statement. I'm sure he was curious, but it's not something you should ask now. However, Yōsuke-kun answered him without getting angry.
"That's a difficult question. Aiming for a higher class means forcing everyone to push themselves... I'm sorry, I don't have an answer right now. Do you two want to aim for Class A, or are you happy as long as you can enjoy school life?"
"I guess I'm just helping Horikita-san, since she wants to get to Class A."
"Same here."
Both Ayanokōji-kun and I answered immediately. We both had different reasons, but our goal of helping a friend achieve their dream was the same.
"I see. I don't know how to say this, but you three are so cool."
"I haven't done anything, though."
"That's not true. I, and everyone else, know that you've been cooperating with us, Ayanokōji-kun."
As expected of Yōsuke-kun, he's so good at giving a follow-up. Ayanokōji-kun looked a little touched, which was amusing. He was a little worried about his standing in the class, or something like that.
After roll call, we had free time. I'd already given instructions to everyone yesterday, so I was free today. And the deal with Class C was already done.
"What should I do?"
I had two choices: either to mess with Ibuki-san or to go scout other classes... Well, I'll go with the safe option. I went to Ayanokōji-kun, who also looked bored, and Horikita-san, who had just finished occupying the spot for the third time.
"I'm going to go scout the other classes. Do you two want to come with me?"
After they both nodded, we walked toward Class B's base camp, which I had learned about this morning.
"How are the girls doing? Are there any complaints?"
"Well. For now, it's just bug bites and the ground being a little hard. It's less than I expected."
"It was a good idea to use the leftover points to prepare for that."
The conversation continued with me, Horikita-san, and Ayanokōji-kun. We used the leftover points from the deal with Ryūen-kun to buy things like bug spray and mosquito coils, and it was a good idea. It would be fine if other classes had the same complaints. If they were different for boys and girls, it would get complicated like the toilet situation yesterday.
"I think we'll be able to use the sleeping mats tonight, so it's a big deal that we were able to compromise on drinking water."
We saved almost 50 points just from that.
"Did they retire already?"
"I don't know. When you think about what you can do with only 100 points left, they probably just enjoyed a vacation yesterday and called it a day."
"...I don't understand that."
For Horikita-san, who wants to get to Class A, she probably couldn't understand Ryūen-kun's mindset of prioritizing private points.
"They might not even want to get to Class A."
While we were talking, we soon arrived at Class B's base camp.
"As expected of Class B..."
When we arrived at Class B's base camp, we saw a completely different way of living. The well in the center was probably their spot. The area around it was narrow and surrounded by trees, but they seemed to have made up for it by putting up hammocks.
"It seems the school intended for us to live around the spots. They're using completely different items."
"Oh! Good morning, you three!"
If we acted in a group of three, we would stand out. Ichinose-san, who was putting up a hammock in her jersey, greeted us.
"It looks like you're doing well."
"Haha. It was tough at first. But we somehow managed to come up with various ideas. Then we ended up having more things to do. We still have a mountain of work to do."
"I have some extra time, so I can help you with the setup. We're on good terms, so how about we work together while we talk?"
Our goal is for Class B to get second place, so it's in our best interest to help them. I also wanted to tell them about Class C, so it was a good opportunity.
"Really! That would be a huge help, thank you~! Okay, I'll teach you how to tie the knots!"
Ichinose-san said that and handed us a hammock.
"Just watch."
It's been a while since my past life, but it seems my body remembers. I quickly tied a tight knot, and the hammock was done in an instant.
"...That's surprising. I knew Ike-kun had experience with the outdoors, but you too?"
"Just a little. Ichinose-san, why don't you teach those two?"
"Okay! Then—"
The two of them were quick learners, and we were done setting up hammocks for everyone in no time.
"Thank you, everyone, for helping! It's done in a flash~"
We all had a meaningful time, sharing information about our respective classes. Ichinose-san happily looked at the completed hammocks from afar.
"Still, Ryūen-kun's idea is amazing. Everyone retiring on the first day. No wonder we couldn't find them when we went to scout."
"Thanks to that, we have a clear path to finishing the exam. I know a friend of my enemy isn't my friend, but it was honestly a huge help."
"But I'm a little envious. Even if one person retires, they still have 270 points, right?"
Ichinose-san sat on a hammock and relaxed. The offer of 200 points worth of supplies was certainly tempting, even if they had to pay a large amount of private points.
"If the offer came to Class B, would you have accepted it, Ichinose-san?"
"Hmm... I don't know. To be honest, I didn't even notice the conditions of the deal until you told me, and it seems like something Ryūen-kun would do. Like, intentionally giving us broken supplies."
"Do you guys have too negative an image of Ryūen...?"
Ayanokōji-kun's mumbling made everyone laugh. Class B and Class D. Even though we were in different classes, it wasn't impossible for us to cooperate. That was all thanks to Ichinose-san's personality.
In the midst of the warm atmosphere, Horikita-san suddenly brought up a topic as if she just remembered it.
"That's right, Ichinose-san. As Saitō-kun said, we're in a cooperative relationship, so I'd like to propose a new rule to exclude each other from the leader guessing game."
"I was thinking the same thing. It would be a huge help to have one less class to worry about. But since Class C seems to have retired, we only have to worry about Class A."
We finished exchanging information and confirming our cooperative relationship, and Horikita sighed in admiration as she looked around. It seemed that each student was doing their part, and there was a sense of unity among them. Compared to Class D, which was motivated by its overwhelmingly advantageous situation, Class B was still better when it came to overall class unity.
"This class... is more organized than I imagined. Are you the one leading it?"
"Yeah. I am, for now. Does Class D have someone who brings everyone together? Is it just Saitō-kun and Horikita-san?"
"...It is—"
"Don't be so conceited. It's mainly Tsugumi and Hirata."
"...I wasn't lying, though."
Horikita-san is so good at pushing my buttons by trying to act conceited like that.
"When you look at it this way, Class D has a lot of popular guys. There's Saitō-kun, who's ranked number one in the handsome guy rankings, Hirata-kun, who's number three, and Ayanokōji-kun is number six, right? One of the girls in my class told me that the other day."
Arisu-chan voted, too, didn't she? I laughed when I heard that.
"...So there was a ranking like that. I didn't know."
We got off track, but we eventually learned about Class A's base camp.
After thanking Ichinose-san, the three of us continued to walk through the deep forest, following the landmarks.
"There was one in Class B, too. A student who was kicked out for going against Ryūen."
"So it wasn't just Ibuki-san. A vacation for them, and violence and expulsion for the students who opposed them. What era does he think he's in?"
"I don't understand why he would hit a girl. She's still swollen, and on her face, too."
Even if it was efficient, the fact that he could do it without hesitation shows that he's a big deal.
And when we cut through the forest, we found a huge cave that could be used as a base. As if to prove it, there were two temporary toilets and one shower room near the entrance.
"Okay. Let's go in."
"Yeah."
"Wait, you two...!"
Ayanokōji-kun and I jumped out of the bushes without any hesitation. We wouldn't get anywhere by just sitting here. Besides, we were planning to approach them anyway, so this was a win-win. When we got closer, we saw that a huge blindfold made of a blue tarp had been put up at the entrance of the cave. We couldn't see anything inside.
"Who are you guys? Which class... Hey, you!"
"Hello again. Was it Totsuka-kun?"
Near the entrance, Totsuka-kun, who had pushed Arisu-chan and mocked Class D without apologizing, was on guard. He must have remembered me because I was close to Arisu-chan.
"We came to scout. Is there a problem? ...I thought you'd be living a smart life, calling yourselves Class A..."
Horikita-san let out a fake sigh as she looked at the entrance to the cave covered in a blue tarp.
"This isn't smart. This is underhanded and cowardly."
"What? ...I don't have to listen to a bunch of stupid Class D losers!"
"'Stupid,' huh? Then showing us the inside shouldn't have any effect, right? Or will you be in a pinch if we see the inside?"
You're doing great, Horikita-san. Keep it up.
"Of course not!"
"Then there's no problem with showing us the inside, is there? Excuse us."
"W-Wait! Hey! Wait! Don't do whatever you want!"
Totsuka-kun anxiously tried to block us, but Horikita-san wasn't the type to be stopped by that.
"—What are you doing? I don't recall giving you permission to invite guests."
Just as we thought we could push through, the student who was being explained things by Arisu-chan came out of the cave.
"Katsuragi-san! These guys came here to scout our sleeping quarters! They're so dirty!"
"You're being dramatic over a sheet of plastic. We just want to take a look inside."
Horikita-san turned around and faced the men without any sign of fear.
"Then go ahead and take a look. But be prepared. The moment you touch anything, I'll report it to the school as an act of interference with another class. I won't guarantee what happens to Class D as a result."
...Hmm. So he's Katsuragi-kun. This is the first time I've met him in person, but he's definitely a different type of leader than the ones I've seen so far. His quick decision to occupy the cave, and his caution in not allowing other classes to scout—he's excellent in every way. It's no wonder Arisu-chan said she wanted him on her side. He was calmly responding to Horikita-san's strong tone.
"...Oh, well. I'll look forward to seeing what Class A is capable of in the results."
"You're very brave. I'll look forward to it, too. Class D's futile struggle."
We had no choice but to retreat. Now, the question is how to tell him...
"That's right. There was a guy named Saitō in Class D, wasn't there?"
As we were turning to leave, Katsuragi-kun started talking as if he just remembered something... I see. So this is what he's like.
"Huh? If you're talking about Saitō, that's me."
"Sakayanagi asked me to give you a message. 'Please don't get sick.' Are you two acquaintances?"
"To put it simply, we're childhood friends. So I personally don't want to fight Class A."
I said this with a wry smile. Katsuragi-kun looked genuinely sympathetic.
"...I see. That's a misfortune. If you're close with Sakayanagi, we won't treat you poorly either. We can't do anything now since we're in the middle of an exam, but no one would complain if you came to visit Class A when we're not busy."
"Haha. Thank you, Katsuragi-kun."
It seems they have a pretty good relationship. Katsuragi-kun is a good guy, too... Honestly, my heart is going to break.
"Why did you tell a Class D student that? And a message from Sakayanagi, of all people!"
"Sakayanagi is an essential person in the class struggle. Why do you have such a vendetta against her?"
"Ugh... No, that's..."
I could hear Katsuragi-kun and the others talking behind me. I told Horikita-san, who was walking with a bitter expression, that I had some business to attend to.
"Oh, right. I have a place to stop by, so you guys can go on ahead."
"? Okay. Let's go, Ayanokōji-kun."
"Yeah. See you later, Tsugumi."
However, things have a priority. Unfortunately, I'm not going to compromise on that.
Even though I could feel eyes on me from behind, I walked a few minutes into the deep forest. After confirming that no one was around, I mumbled to myself.
"You can come out now. It's been a while, Kamuro-san. And it's nice to meet you, everyone from the Sakayanagi faction."
At my words, four students came out and surrounded me. There were probably more of them, but these were probably the ones Arisu-chan trusted the most. Kamuro-san was the one who took a step forward from the group.
"Just so you know, no one besides me trusts you yet."
"So you trust me, Kamuro-san? I'm happy to hear that."
"...Shut up. Hurry up, you don't know who might show up."
She's so cute, even though she happily ate my bento box. The Sakayanagi faction students were still on guard. Arisu-chan's way of introducing me was probably bad...
"I introduced you as someone I deeply respect. I may have raised the bar a little too high, but I'm sure it's nothing for you, Tsugumi-kun."
...I'm definitely going to play a naughty prank on her when I get back. With that resolution in mind, I spoke to them.
"I understand that you can't trust me since we just met. But our principles are the same. We want to give Arisu-chan the position she deserves. To do that, we have to completely destroy the current system led by Katsuragi-kun."
"...What do you want us to do? We can tell you the leader's information right now if you want."
"That's not necessary, Kamuro-san. What I want you, the Sakayanagi faction, to do is—"
When I told them about the plan, their faces were filled with shock. I didn't want to do this either. But they have to pay the price for what they did.
"...Are you serious?"
"Yes. Since Totsuka-kun is the leader and you can feel the atmosphere of Class A, it shouldn't be difficult. I'll give you more details later, but for now, I want you to make contact with Ryūen-kun, who is somewhere on the island. Just make it look like a coincidence."
And I handed them a memo with the location I had marked beforehand.
"Understood."
When I gave the signal to disperse, they disappeared like spiders scattering.
"Well, just a little more. I'll do my best."
My whisper echoed in the empty forest.
"..."
============
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