"...It's so hot out here."

While boarding the ship and waiting for our turn, Honami huffed.

Making students wait in high heat didn't seem like a good move.

However, nothing could be done about it.

"Why couldn't they give us the watches and tablets and then release us all together? This is making me annoyed..."

From a student perspective, this probably seems like the optimal way. However, from an administrative perspective, I can see the risks attached to this approach.

For example, a student might find a way to tamper with equipment to his advantage, which the school wants to prevent. But if anything, this tells me that they have no way of detecting if the equipment is tampered with during use.

This probably goes for defective functions too.

Honami seemed to be only venting her frustrations and not genuinely asking questions, so I didn't omit that out loud.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself." At that, she turned to me with a glare.

"How do you even get that impression?... You know what? I'm not gonna ask."

"But you already did."

"I take it back."

"No taking back."

"I'll take you back and kill you."

"And...?"

"...And?..." She fumbled on her words and then puffed her cheeks. "Dunno... probably kiss you."

"Now you can't take that back."

"I never intended to."

Her mood had gotten better, and now she was smiling.

"You two talk about the most useless things." From the side overhearing us, Kanzaki said to us while approaching us with Amikura by his side. "Your turn is about to come; get ready."

"HaiHai~!" She twirled and gave a salute before dropping her hand to her mouth and giggling.

Despite what it seems, this was mostly an act from Honami to cheer her classmates up. By appearing extra cheerful and bubbly, it would instill a sense of ease in our classmates and make them think that 'maybe this isn't so bad after all'.

Our class isn't in particularly bad shape, so this morale boost will likely be a long-term one.

Again, she managed to ensure optimal performance by massaging everyone's anxiety and taking care of it. That's what I call a power move.

I heard my name being called in the distance, so I walked toward the teachers to get my gadgets.

Honami followed closely behind. Despite not being called, they have given her equipment too.

They don't seem to mind this, as long as we follow the class distribution rule.

"So, what area were you assigned to?" Honami asked while we booted our tablets.

The time was a little past nine, so the first area distribution was already done.

"D6, what about you?"

"Oh, I was assigned to F8." We'll be that far, huh? "Looks like you have a long walk ahead of you. I won't take more of your time."

Catching up with the first-years, who were given a head start, isn't that arduous. However, my mind wasn't wondering about that at the moment.

Honami, who was urging me to go, didn't seem that dissatisfied that we'd be far from one another.

"Aren't you gonna miss me?" I decided to probe it.

"Of course I will. You expected me to start bawling my eyes out and cursing fate for this predicament? Sorry, but I won't do that..." Honami spoke with strong conviction. "There is no use in that."

As she turned her head to check for her group members, I continued staring at her, and then a slight smirk formed on my lips.

She has grown... a lot.

"Alright, I'll be off then," I said before I began to head north.

Outrunning the first years and claiming the early bird bonus doesn't seem like a good idea long-term.

Especially with the agreement in place.

Doing anything rash and thoughtless at this stage will thwart my future visions.

So I'm going to have to adapt to anything coming my way.

"Wait a minute." When I took the first step forward, Honami called out to me.

Without a second warning, she grabbed me from my elbows and dragged me in a circular motion, placing my back in the direction of the ship and herself in front of me.

Then she got on her toes, closed the distance between our faces, and placed her lips on mine.

Her crystal blue eyes were clear, and she had a faint blush, so this wasn't a kiss she was so intimately into nor was she planning for it to be long.

"This is just a 'gambare' so you do your best and keep yourself fueled for the next two weeks." She patted my shoulder and smiled at me like a commander psyching his soldier up.

"You know, the world is hit with global inflation; the prices are rising and basic needs are getting harder to meet. So one kiss is not enough."

"...That's the lamest excuse for being a pervert I've ever heard." She smirked and then gave me another kiss. This time, it was more intimate, with her rubbing my ab.

"That's excluding taxes, by the way."

"Oh, come on!"

~♡♡♡~

After Honami got together with her group members and bid farewell, I set my way toward D4.

The terrain wasn't as arduous as I imagined it to be, but not wholly different either. It looks like it was slightly altered to facilitate the touch.

There weren't any wild animals around, which is a relief.

I couldn't imagine my tent being torn down by a bear while I was enjoying a good night's sleep.

Well, that was a stretch. But it is indeed a very scary experience.

I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

Well, maybe, except for one person.

The route I have taken was a shortcut, so I haven't spotted many figures up until this point.

A hoard of people gathered in the center of D6, ranging from students across all grade levels to a group of adults.

There seemed to be a fishing task underway at the lake as the adults monitored the participants—who were all first-years—in their endeavors to fill their buckets with fish. Lots of students—mostly second and third-year students—were curiously spectating the event.

It was a little over 10 AM, and the tasks had already begun. It was pointless to check at this time since it was guaranteed that the first-years would take up all the participation spots—so it was an inefficient usage of power.

I sat down near a rock and observed as more and more students kept pouring in, some even out of breath from running over.

Everyone had a different strategy for tackling this exam.

I opened my backpack, reached for my tablet, and began to scour the information displayed. I currently have only one point in my score.

On the map, there were only four tasks displayed. One in E7, F8, and one in my area, D6. The last one was in the top right corner, H5.

The task in H5 was different from the rest. It only had a capacity for three participants, and its contents were all about reaching it.

Yes, you would be handed free points if you were to appear there within the time limit. It's what the details say.

Considering that all students began in D9, reaching H5 in an hour is an impossible order.

The average athlete doesn't have enough stamina to sprint all the way, even if he has the speed to make it under an hour.

If you somehow make it, the reward isn't worth the effort. A mere ten points for first place—it's not different from the tasks here. Additionally, you'd have to worry about going back to not miss your next designated area, too.

So, considering this is all true, why does it say that there are only two positions left?

Somebody had already reached it and claimed first place, all within thirty minutes.

It sucks that the GPS search feature isn't unlocked yet...

However, I knew that there could be only one person behind it. And it seems like he's taking our challenge seriously, too.

"Good morning, Ayanokouji-senpai." An overly polite voice reached my ears as a figure approached me. I looked up, and I found the happy face of Nanase Tsubasa.

"Morning." She seemed to wish to sit next to me, so I moved slightly and placed her on the rock. She humbly took it. "How have you been?"

It is important to mention that Hosen was in the area too, and he seemed to have noticed the friendly interaction.

More importantly, I haven't had a proper conversation with Nanase since that meeting, so I was curious as to how she was faring.

"I'm doing amazing, Senpai; what about you?"

"Likewise; I couldn't be better," I said truthfully. "You sure took a while to approach me."

When I arrived, she was already in the area, and she immediately noticed me.

I found it strange why she tried to time her approach at a moment when I wasn't looking.

"Ahaha. I'm sorry if I weirded you out; I had to resolve some matters with my group members." She glanced back at Hosen, who kept himself engrossed in spectating the task and doing his best not to stare in this direction. There was one girl beside him, who I presumed was Nanase's third group member.

Interestingly, the first-years decided to take advantage of their exclusive perk to form as many four-man groups as possible. The amount reached thirty-seven groups.

The math and the statement don't add up. It's because not all of them opted for this advantage. From every class, one three-man group was formed, and it contained the class leaders in it.

In other words, every class leader formed a three-man group, while the rest formed four-person groups irrespective of the members' class.

This has given me some important insight into the first-year formation; they were all cooperating, likely due to a meeting occurring behind the scenes, which would explain Hosen's passive behavior.

He didn't seem to be acting on instinct but rather waiting for a moment to pounce.

This is likely due to one person taking the lead for the first year, which I can safely presume is Takahashi.

However, from the information I gathered on Tsubaki, she isn't completely under his flag but rather doing her own thing. So it would be better described as a bipolar alliance.

Yagami is most likely playing the mediator. However, he may well be the one in control of the situation.

It's the kind of feeling he gave off when I talked with him at the cafe.

However, something wouldn't add up if that were the case.

"It's no biggie," I responded to her. "Did you encounter any problems by helping me at that time?"

Nanase took a risk by partnering with Kouenji. So it wouldn't be surprising if Tsukishiro came after her, or even Hosen.

She seemed to fumble a little under my gaze.

"No, I haven't. The acting director hasn't talked to me or even seemed to want to contact me. Hosen-kun, however, seemed to get humble and even speak to me with respect. I don't know why, though..."

Nanase expressed her perplexity about Hosen's inexplicable behavior.

It would be one thing if they decided to ignore what she did and proceed with caution. However, it doesn't appear so.

More likely, Tsukishiro asked Hosen to remain close by Nanase's side and wait for a moment to betray her back, at least on the surface.

However, it would be a problem for Nanase if she knew about this.

"I have a theory, but I'm sure that either way it's harmless. I mean... Hosen is trying to change his attitude toward his classmates. This could be an extension of it.

"But if you need any help, I'm sure Amasawa would be glad to help you."

"Amasawa-san?" I reaffirmed it with a nod. "I haven't spoken with her much, but she is friendly with me."

If she gets into trouble with Hosen, Amasawa is enough to put him in check.

The competition from earlier had ended with a group of Class 1-C winners. They had received a bunch of commodities for being winners.

"It's about time." The clock was a minute away from 11 AM, the time designed for the reveal of my next signaled area.

All students in the area, without exception, were staring at a tablet, waiting for the signal.

Although there was no real urgency, there was a sense of tension imbued in the silent atmosphere; everyone wanted to have an edge in the race. Probably due to the abundant number of students, that seemed a little too unreasonable.

"I'm going to go straight for my next area," I informed Nanase of my intentions and told her I'd be moving fast.

"Good luck, Senpai." Nanase smiled. "Imagine that we end up in the area again."

The chances are higher than 8.34% but in that case...

"In that case, you'd have to catch up with me," I replied with a small smug.

"I'll do my best," She matched my enthusiasm with a smug of her own.

Just then, my tablet vibrated in my hand, like it had received a notification. The map was simultaneously updated with a new marked area.

E5

Just then, the unreasonable number of people in the area began spreading in all directions.

I see.

As I had suspected, the school has gathered the whole student body in three main areas before spreading them apart. This was probably to ensure distribution in all parts of the islands.

I found it suspicious that I hadn't encountered anyone on the path I took; despite walking across obvious places, they all seemed empty when it could've easily been a designed area.

I chalked it up to chance. But it was brought back when I saw the hoards here. It looked way too crowded for the twelfth of the student body.

Well, no use in contemplating it now...

I set my head toward the northeast and began trotting next to the lake. I could already see my competition ahead of me, and I was feeling a peculiar determination to take over.

Just then, I was overtaken by a speeding figure named Nanase, who kept running ahead of me. It became obvious to me that we were heading to the same spot.

She was fast, extremely fast, but this excessive use of stamina came from my challenge earlier. So you could say I am reaping what I sought.

However, I wasn't going to just slack off after issuing a challenge.

At least not now...

~♡♡♡~

"Hah! Hah~! fuck, Senpai!" Nanase came, breathing heavily.

I couldn't lie; I was quite shocked to see such an innocent-looking woman like her curse so casually. But then I remembered Honami and wasn't so shocked.

I guess shy people do tend to get a little courageous with friends from time to time.

In Nanase's case, it's most likely from hanging around with Hosen and hearing him swear in his shenanigans, resulting in her cute puppy personality being lightly tainted.

In Honami's case, however, she evolved into a monster.

"Hello." While holding my tablet and scouring for tasks nearby, I greeted Nanase, who continuously ran all this way and only stopped when she reached me.

She didn't look deadbeat, but she still needed to catch her breath, which was understandable. She didn't need to worry about her endurance for the time being since we had four hours until the next interval.

"Did you get here first?..." She squeezed out a question as she sat on a rock nearby and began fanning her face with her hand

"Yeah, I got it." My score right now is 11 points.

"That's nice." Nanase seemed strangely happy that I won the contest. "We didn't manage to get much, but I'm happy with what we have."

For an arrival time to be determined, hence the ranking for the early bird bonus, all members of a group must be present in the specified area. If all but one member is late, the time will be set according to the last person's arrival. This is one of the scarce advantages lone wolves have.

While Nanase was quick on her feet, ostensibly she was slowed down by Hosen, who decided to take the easy walk.

"Tough luck." I proclaimed and gazed back at my tablet, then back at her. "A lot of tasks are made available right now, there is one available a couple of feet away. Want to recuperate by participating with me?"

"...Uh? Is that okay?" She was shocked at my invitation, probably because she thought that by coming over she'd hinder my chances.

"Yeah, there should be no problems."

She told me she'd get herself ready and then we set our way to the south. The whole walk was mundane with nearly no small talk, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

Nanase seemed to appreciate the small talk we had, so it wasn't a bummer.

Moreover, we reached the task site and immediately interacted with the teacher. Mashima-sensei signed us up and made us wait until the registration was complete.

"It looks like it'll be an English quiz," Nanase muttered beside me as we waited.

"Are you bad at English?" I found it unlikely, but I said it regardless. She shook her head.

"No... Well, I wouldn't say I'm good either. It's kind of normal?" She responded with her brows twisted a little.

"I see," I said. "But your OAA score says otherwise, and you didn't score that badly in the partnering exam."

Looking at her scores wouldn't give the image that she's just average.

"Ah, well. I'm good at remembering lessons, and I pay attention in class. But when it comes to practical English, or when I speak it, I'm nowhere near exceptional." She spoke passionately for some reason.

"So you should have no problems acing this quiz."

"Yeah... Wait no!" She got flustered and clamored. "I meant to say I would have no problems passing! You're so mean..."

"I get told that a lot."

"Then, they're right!"

"Then, they're right!"

Nanase momentarily froze as she heard her voice reverberate twice. No, it's not her voice that reverberated. That's what she must be thinking.

"Ara, I see that you're getting closer to Senpai, Tsubasa-chan."

"Amasawa-san?"

Two tomboy-ish ponytails and a familiar devilish smile, are the main distinctive characteristics of Amasawa Ichika.

And she looks just as imposing as ever.

"Why do you look so shocked at seeing me, when we are a team?" Amasawa interrogates her with the usual smirk on her face. "Could it be because I caught you lacking in a moment with your Senpai~?"

"N-No! That's not it!"

"Mhm, it looks like it." Amasawa seems to enjoy teasing people and making them flustered, whether they're Honami, Nanase, or anyone—including myself.

"You're a team? So that girl earlier with Hosen was just a facade?" I inquired and Amasawa set her eyes on me.

"Mhm~ I didn't tell you, Senpai, but I received a juicy offer from Hosen-kun to join his group. He was also so abject about it, you know? I just had to accept it." Amasawa explained with a meager grin. She decided to humor his request solely for her sadistic needs. "Looks like that slap I handed him humbled him so well~"

"I don't think the pain treatment will work with Hosen. At least, I don't think he's the type of person."

"You'll never know for sure, Senpai. You won't believe how many people will succumb to the pain inflicted by a superior and dominant female; they find pleasure in that humiliation."

"Uh, that's not what I meant..." I wondered if Amasawa had a different goal in discussing this topic, but I realized she was just enjoying herself. "Anyway, what are you doing here?"

I had assumed part of the reason she was here was to meet with her group mates. However, that was far from the truth.

"A task spawned near where I was, and you guys happened to be here. So..." She flipped her ponytails and momentarily looked toward the task site, which was crowded with students.

Amasawa's participation in the task means that Nanase would be excluded—if Nanase forfeits her position—since they are in the same group. However, that doesn't concern me.

There is a problem.

If Amasawa participates, it's guaranteed that we'll both tie if we decide to ace it. There was no rule disclosing the case where two participants tied for the same spot.

In the worst-case scenario, we retake the test, or the rewards will be split. In both cases, no one would be nearly as happy.

Fortunately, upon further questioning the staff members, it turns out that we'll receive the same rewards named in our position; a tie wouldn't matter.

"That's a relief; I thought I'd have to hold back so you could have a chance." Amasawa boasted to me with a taunting grin.

"First law of power: Never outshine the master." I quipped.

"Exaaactly~" She happily followed up.

"Laws of power, huh..." Nanase absentmindedly muttered behind us. "Anyway, good luck to both of you. And... oh, if you need to cheat, just call my name!"

"Yeah! We're counting on you, Tsubasa-chan!" Amasawa matched the enthusiasm of Nanase, who cracked a joke.

"You raised her well." I joked as I and Amasawa marched to take our seats.

However, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a rare shade of yellow that seemed to slightly reflect the sun's rays.

That long, shiny blonde hair belonged to a participant who sat in an inconspicuous corner of the open classroom, obscured by the hoards of students and equipment. That was the reason why he remained unnoticed by me until now.

There is no doubt about it.

As soon as I spotted that strand of hair, my mind linked it, and I felt a sense of ease.

"We're starting now."

After the distribution of the papers, Mashima-sensei announced, and all participants flipped the papers and began solving the English quiz. As I expected, the task went without a hitch, and all answer sheets were tallied and corrected after around twenty minutes.

During the correction process, I was approached by the blonde student.

"What a pleasant coincidence to find you here, Kiyo-boy," Kouenji spoke out to me as I was sitting and waiting for Amasawa.

"This is supposed to be my designated area. So it's more of a shocker to find you here."

"Haha! Well, greatness exists everywhere, you see."

Kouenji has always been extravagant and straightforward with his intentions when he takes action.

"While it may be the first day, do you mind sharing how many points you accumulated?" He's shown a sense of curiosity, which is typically rare in Kouenji.

"I'll be willing if you're willing to share yours."

"Mais bien sure!" He seemed exhilarated by this exchange of information.

But I've already acquired more than I wanted.

"You know what? I'll take it back." I unintentionally reminded myself of the events this morning, and I found it strangely funny.

"Oh, I see... So you duped me."

No, I didn't.

The fact that he didn't object to the exchange means that he's already aware that I am aware of his current points. This is further proved by his expression right now.

In this situation, where we're both completely aware of each other's thought processes, only time can make us progress forward.

This was just a mere display of superiority.

And if I don't take him seriously, I'll lose.

"I'll win," Kouenji announced abruptly with confidence.

"Everyone, please pay attention. The results are out:

In the first place, we have Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Amasawa Ichika, and Kouenji Rokusuke, all with 100 marks each.

In second place is Satoru Satonaka, with 95 points.

Third place goes to Iida Kasumi and Nishihara Tatsuya with 90 points.

Thank you for participating; the points will be allocated to your scores shortly."

Kouenji didn't seem surprised by the result and just hummed his way out of the vicinity.

I was shortly approached by Nanase.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to disturb your conversation." Nanase needlessly apologized and stood beside me. "You did well, Senpai. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Nanase," I replied as I watched Amasawa return to us after Hosen caught her and started interrogating her. "Is everything alright?"

"Mhm~ just some yapping." That talk didn't affect her mood at all. "Anyway, we have nearly four hours of free time; what do you suggest we should do?"

"I don't know... do more tasks?" Nanase suggested in an unsure tone.

"The two of us have to split up if we do that. Unless you don't mind being inefficient."

"Actually, there is something I need to discuss with you," I interjected, throwing that remark straight at Amasawa.

"Ooh~? What is it?" She was slightly surprised, and an amused grin flashed on her face.

"I'd rather discuss it in private, just the two of us..." I looked at Nanase. "No hard feelings."

"N-No! It's okay! I'm not bothered." She got a little flustered but didn't seem to be offended.

"Alright." I stood up and bid farewell to Nanase.

"I'll see you soon, Tsubasa-chan."

"See you soon, Amasawa-san, Ayanokouji-senpai!"

And with that, we entered the jungle alone, with Amasawa walking by my side.

When we were a good distance away, Amasawa interrogated me.

"So why did you want to speak with me alone? Are you curious about the deal Hosen gave me?" She had the same boisterous tone, but she was serious to some degree.

"No. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious."

"Heh~ there is really nothing much to it. Just some monthly private points and lip service." Her hand dismissively flaunted back and forth as she made fun of Hosen. "I imposed some conditions on myself and was granted freedom to do whatever I wanted. But in return, I had to 'do my best to carry my weight and win the exam'."

"Wow, what a good deal."

"Indeed~" She snickered. "Well, in their defense... Well... they don't have any. They're just plain dumb fufu~"

"That's not a nice thing to say."

"Wait what?" She was shocked at my sarcasm. "Did you become a good-deed warrior after you left the white room?"

"Maybe... what do you think?"

"Dunno, I don't like you that way."

We stopped at a curveway inside the jungle where it was spacious enough to put down our tents and use them as a base. It was decent enough for a small meeting between the two of us.

~♡♡♡~

"It's gotten late..."

My tablet showed the time as 10:46 p.m., which is around my usual bedtime.

There is no need to break the routine just because I don't have morning training scheduled.

No benefit can be achieved by doing that. Especially in this exam, where all the benefits are offered to the ones who can wake up on time.

I put out the campfire and headed inside my tent.

Today was a pretty long day.

I managed to secure a couple more points after the meeting with Amasawa, and my current score is 42 points. Not too bad for the first day.

The third designated area was another diagonal area at D4. Right now, I have decided to settle in the northwestern corner of E4.

I turned off my tablet and plugged it into the portable charger. I closed the tent's door and lay right in the middle.

I stared motionlessly at the moon on the tent's ceiling as I was engulfed in the night's calmness. There was no one in my vicinity to my knowledge, so I felt somewhat safe.

This will be the first night in so long that I'll be sleeping alone.

I used to spend my nights sharing warmth with someone else; now that person is not beside me, and I am feeling the coldness of the night more than usual.

This will be the first of many nights, so I wonder how long it'll take me to get used to this.

With those thoughts, I drifted to sleep.

----------------------

Lowkey, this is probably the best chapter I have written in a while.

Tell me how did it go.

I'm not sure how long it'll take me to upload the next one. I'm fighting off against college now. But worry not, I will do my best to upload and deliver.

Have a good one boys :3