18 Classroom of the Elite Vol. 3 Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Rivals on the Move

Lately, I wake up in the morning always way earlier than I thought I would. Tonight, the heat and the humidity made me turn over in my sleep countless times. So, before I even realised it, I was awake already. I felt my back warm and I remembered that in my tent we kept the lamp alight all night. Moreover, I was feeling already sweaty. The subject of how to use the tent, was still a complicated matter, so we kept it unchanged. The night air that was coming in the tent was a blessing, but as soon as the dawn breaks then the temperature is slowly rising. Without wanting to wake up anyone else, I sneaked out of the tent, as quietly as possible. Outside it was like being enclosed by mountains, because a lot of packages were stuffed close to our tent. My classmates, boys and girls alike prefer to keep their things, supplies and bags out of their tents. Because we wanted to do the best out of the use of the tent, we did not bring any of the packages inside.

First, I checked that no one was close around and then, I started looking for a certain thing of a certain color. Yesterday, we found a girl from another class, Ibuki and it is her bag that I am looking for. Because her bag has a different color from those we use in my class, it will be easy to find it.

As soon as I see it, I stretch my hands to take it. While I am opening the zipper slowly, I am thinking that if I get caught by someone this very moment, then I am sure I will be stuck with the stigma of being a pervert. Inside there is a towel, a change of clothes, underwear. Just the fundamentals that everyone would carry in their bags. But, wait, what is this?…

"A digital camera?!…"

So, I was right… I knew I heard a dull sound yesterday when Yamauchi tried to help get the bag and it fell close to a nearby tree. This is not an item fitting to have on a deserted island . At the bottom of the camera there is the sticker seal that proves it has been lent. Why Ibuki has such a thing? I have to think of the reasons why. If I were in Ibuki's shoes… What would I use this for? As soon as I bring the image in my head, a lot of possibilities are rising into the surface. Well, now that I retrieved a digital camera the first thing that I have to do is to find a source of electricity and try to check what kind of images it has saved in its memory card. There are no traces that proves it has been used, no data that have been uploaded. After I found out what I was looking for, I returned the bag to its place and returned to my tent.

"Good morning, Ayanokouji, where are you going, to the toilet?"

Hirata was not sleeping anymore, instead he was being awake and turning his head towards me, he was speaking to me, already. How come? I was so taken aback that I feel that he even noticed my hands getting wet from sweating.

"Oh! Did I wake you up, maybe?"

"No, not really. It is not like it's easy to sleep well in this environment. It's just… my lower back hurts. Well, when we do not have anything to use as a proper mattress below us to sleep, then it is only natural."

Certainly, here we have no mattresses and no pillows, plus, we are really crowded in the tents, so sleeping in these conditions is not comfortable, however, with the exception of us, now, I could hear nothing other than the sound of our classmates sleeping. I bet they are tired of moving around doing various tasks, all day long.

"The points that we used yesterday and also the fact that Kouenji retired, combined, cost us around 100 points. I talked to everyone about the worst possible scenario, to be left with only 120 points. However, in reality we cannot know exactly how many points we are going to have in the end… As I was thinking about all these, I woke up"

Hirata took out the manual as if wanting to confirm the situation. Kouenji's retirement, no doubt, was a hard blow.

"It will be all right. We came to this conclusion for the benefit of our class"

It is not that simple though and I do not want to bear the burden on my shoulders all alone. From my side of things I have to look into the manual. We have to adjust the place that we keep the manual so that it is not hard to look into. But, such a detailed attentiveness is welcome.

"I am only doing this because, I like it. In addition, I will do what I can for the comfort of our class. That is my only satisfaction, I get from this, but, I have to admit this is unexpectedly difficult. How many points remain in this special examination from now on will affect deeply our school life. In other words, I think it is wrong to force a wrong feeling"

So the class does well and we can live in comfort eh? Well, if there is a chance to succeed then this conversation is nothing more than a dream. To be honest, this is nearly impossible. Because the point system of this school is simply legendary.

"Do we aim to be like the students of A class? Or do we try to catch up to them by being ourselves as the students of D class? So, what should we do?"

Hearing myself asking this question, I understood that it had no meaning, I ended up making an ill-tempered question. Hirata is a lump of good mannered intentions. He thought that I just wanted to hear his opinion on the matter, so he spoke.

"It's a difficult question. To aim on catching up to the classes above us, even if we work all together with all our might… I'm sorry. I can not give you a proper answer, right away."

How many times does he have to think of that matter? Hirata offered a reply like an apology while smiling back at me faintly.

"Ayanokouji, do you aim to reach A class? Or are you a person that thinks school life should be just for fun?"

"How should I say it? It is a priority in my school life. But ascending to A class is not something to think as something realistic."

"I see. Me, too, I feel that it is not that simple. For example, even if all of us together in unison, to aim at A class, the failure of our first month in school that we carried on our shoulders is big"

Even though Hirata was not a big mouth, he included a lot of other students in this plan. If we are talking about the top rank, we cannot omit class A. Even with great effort it is not easy to shorten the difference. We have to fill up a difference close to a 1000 points. For real this is an enormous thing to do. We have to keep in mind that the utility factor of this examination, is to try and win points by our everyday life here. So, if we look about the situation of class D this means that we have to gain about 100 to 150 points. However, even if we want to surpass class C, which is the immediate class above us in ranking, it is a dream that still remains just a dream, at the moment.

"I think that we do not have to be impatient. First of all, now, D class has to pass this test as a whole. In order to do this, we have to look at our next goal with ease."

Hirata is free to choose the way that we will do this. Moreover, the large part of our classmates will approve his decision, for sure. It is a necessary need for all of us to understand that we have to give a great effort into earning our daily necessities, here, so that we earn the points for our class. It is not a bad idea to close our eyes and ignore the huge difference in points between us and the other classes, at least for now.

As I was getting into Hirata's naïve resolution, he got up quietly, without waking up anyone, went out of the tent and headed towards the toilet. Hirata's absence made the tent quieter, so I threw myself into the open space and stretched my body. Somehow we should check out the situation of A class, if not, then we should find out the spots of C class and B class.

We have an advantage because we control the river, however, it is hard to say that it gives us a level of superiority. Once again, I check and make sure that all the members in our tents are sleeping. Looking into the manual book I found around 5 blank pages. One of them is beautifully cut. I borrowed his ballpoint pen. After simply replicating a map of an island, I folded it into a small piece and put it in the pocket. Shortly thereafter Hirata, who came back from the toilet, peeked inside from the entrance.

"Would you like to go have a face wash with me?"

I accepted. The temperature inside the tent was steadily rising with the sunrise.

We decided to go to a nearby river so we took out the towels from our luggage which were wrapped in vinyl. Hirata took the opportunity to put the manual in his bag so it took us some time. Plastic accessories that were attached to Hirata's bag made a rubbing sound.

"Are those gifts from Karuizawa, perhaps?"

"You've figured it out well. How did you know?"

It was easy to guess looking at the accessory that had a heart mark.

When we headed for the river, we unexpectedly noticed someone was there.

"What are you doing here?"

Kanzaki from B class was watching this way examining D class' process. With him were unknown boys, probably B class students, who were watching somewhat further away. He was slightly surprised, as if he hadn't suspect us coming so early from our tent, but soon regained his calmness.

"One day has passed so I was wondering what had happened. I came to check your situation. You've seized a good place."

He was honestly interested looking at the base camp from a riverside. It didn't seem he had an especially ulterior motive.

"Indeed, you are… B class Kanzaki, right?"

Hirata seemed to recognize Kanzaki since he remembered his name.

"Have I surprised you? Sorry, it wasn't in ill intention."

Apologizing, Kanzaki turned his back on us and started walking.

"Kanzaki, where does B class have their base camp?"

I didn't know if he was going to tell us, but I tried asking. Kanzaki then turned back and replied without reluctance.

"There are large crooked trees on the way back to the beach when going along the road from here. There is a camping ground where B class stays when heading into the forest southwest from there. You won't get lost when you enter into large trees. Tell her I won't mind if she comes in need."

He left saying this. Hirata exchanged curious look with me.

"They were friends. But what does he mean by telling her?"

"Hmm, what could that mean…"

Kanzaki, Ichinose and Horikita were once cooperating due to the previous false accusation. Perhaps he thinks they're still in good terms.

"Did you come spying D class to see how we used our points?"

There was no doubt that was one of the purposes after seeing a discomfort look on his face. He could check with certainty regarding our points consumption by only seeing the number of toilets, showers and tents. However, that isn't only the only thing they wanted to know. They probably wanted to know who's the leader of the class. The right of owning a spot expires every 8 hours, which means it was possible they calculated backwards and aimed for time update. But of course, we predicted that too. For that reason, by purposely postponing the second update yesterday the ownership right was adjusted to expire after 8 o'clock. By doing this after the roll-call, it is possible to update the occupancy rights by using crowds as a camouflage.

Hirata washed his face in the river as if he absolutely didn't mind being spied. If anything, it seemed that he was more uneasy. He wiped in the towel and muttered:

"Isn't our strategy wrong… Even if we don't win over other classes, I'd like to team up and complete the trial at least. That's why I don't want my leader identity to be noticed."

His hair wet from water was shining. A breathtakingly handsome man doesn't have to care about anything.

"Don't worry so much. You should be more carefree."

"Thank you. Saying this makes me honestly happy."

After washing my face, I scooped river water with my hand and put it into my mouth. Even in extremely hot forest, the river water was cold and tasty. Since groundwater flows into the river as spring water, the river water warms up and cools down hardly and since it flows from the upstream its temperature hardly rises. It was quite of luck that we seized this place as a base.

"First of all, I think that we need to adjust our bed properly. Since the ground is hard here, it's going to be a tough week without a substitute for cushion like a mat. Get into action by gathering opinions when everyone wakes up. We have to cooperate and do our best."

1

After the end of the morning roll call, we were free to move as we pleased. Of course Hirata gave instructions to reliable classmates, also starting a strategy on how to save points. On the other hand students who didn't really feel like helping out or people like me and Horikita who preferred to be independent began their own activities.

"Who the fuck are you guys?"

Suddenly, Ike's angry voice resonated through the camp's ground. I looked in the direction of the voice in order to peep through the situation. And then two male students stood grinning like Cheshire cats.

Ibuki, who showed a bitter expression only for a moment, stepped into the shade of the tent like she was trying to hide herself.

"Komiya and Kondou?"

Like Ibuki who coughed abruptly, I also found those two people familiar. They were two students of C class.

"Well well, it seems that D class is living a rather frugal life. As expected, this is a class of defectives"

While filling their mouths with potato chips snack, they bought PET bottles to fight the heat. And it was not just water there, it looked like soda.

"It seems that you have a very comfortable life instead. You C class fellows"

"Do you know Ryuuen?"

"He's a C class student. I heard various rumors about him. Quite a reckless fellow, it seems"

"Not quite so. Everything that guy does ends up being messy"

Ibuki then spoke, becoming irritated, as if she was talking about her own enemy.

"Those two are that Ryuuen's gang mates. You can say they're his underlings"

If I think about it, those two fought a lot with Sudo in the past as well and rather than accidently appearing in this place, it's more probable that Ryuuen is moving more in the shadows and sent them here.

"What did you have for breakfast? Grass? Or insects? Here, you can eat snacks too"

With that, he took out one potato chip and threw it near Ike's foot who, meanwhile, crawled to it. The whole D class couldn't help but be irritated, while watching that instigating behavior. Exactly because they still continued to cut the supplies of food.

"We have a message from Ryuuen-san. If you want to fully enjoy summer vacation, you should come to the beach right now. Don't be reserved. You better come. If you're sick of living like fools, let's spend a dream time together"

I thought they would go back immediately after but they stayed here. They continued to eat snacks before everyone as a form of harassment.

It seemed that Ike was snarling at them repeatedly but there was nothing to worry about. On the contrary sometimes a repeated provocative behavior seemed to fuel even more antipathy. Such provocation from C class continued for 10 minutes, but as Hirata decided it was the moment to leave and gather again, we went back to the direction of the place we considered our own campsite.

"It doesn't seem like they came to search for me"

"Ah, they simply had a harassing purpose"

It was a bizarre behaviour but we were able to obtain the information that C class, by using points, had their hands on luxury goods such as sweets and juice.

In this special trial where we should save up, even if it's only one point, what the hell is that suppose to mean?

"A while ago, those two told us to share with them a dream time, do you happen to know what were they talking about?"

"...maybe, I wonder if it's not moving towards the worst case scenario"

Ibuki didn't say anything more than that, and just like yesterday, she headed to the side of a tree that was a little far away.

The worst case scenario…

Just in case, it seems better to put it in Horikita's ears.

"Horikita, are you here?"

After breakfast, Horikita returned immediately in the tent and didn't show up anymore. I called out to her in front of the girls' tent. Although there was no reply for a while, a sound of the tent swaying slightly and of cloth rubbing was heard. When that sound stopped, Horikita came out slowly from inside.

"Did you hear the voices a while ago?"

"Yeah, I heard it was a cheap provocation on C class's part"

"I'm a little worried and I'm thinking of going to supervise the situation, do you want to go together?"

"It's something rare…seeing you act by yourself, taking the initiative. Are you ok? Is your physical condition good?"

These are actually words I want to return back to her.

"After all, I'm free for a week. I have nothing special to do today too and this is a way to kill time"

"I don't want to move too much. Now that I'm the leader, there is also the possibility of an accident, if I stand out too much and too poorly"

"It's a risk you have to take since you've been designated as a suitable leader"

Even if you're not sure on who is the leader, if you report a student as a leader, there's always a possibility of being right. The more you stand out, the more you will be on the list of suspicious people to keep an eye on.

"I understand your feelings but, even if you remain secluded, it won't change the situation. You've been keen to look for Ryuuen and you've been observing Ichinose. There's also the fact that you're the sister of the students' council president and your colleagues are also aware of it. In other words, no matter what you do, you will become one of the targets"

Either way, whether you guess right or you miss the target you still get 50 points just this once, and since there's no definite evidence, gambling on this is hard. The moment we designated a leader, certain conditions became necessary.

"You're right. No matter what I think about it, I guess you can't tell which one is the right leader. Well, ok, I'm also concerned about other classes' situations. Let's go"

Contrary to our bad feeling, along with Horikita who proceeded with heavy movements, we set out for the beach where C class was waiting.

2

Just before passing through the forest, from the bushes we saw a lot of C class students on the beach. The situation we were looking at had been far beyond our imagination.

"It can't be… This kind of stuff… Is it possible?"

As if she couldn't believe the sight, Horikita was repeating "impossible" many times over.

I thought the same. It was a pattern we didn't expect at all. There weren't only provisional toilets and a shower room installed. Turf with sunlight protection, barbecue set, chairs, parasols, snacks and drinks. There were all kinds of equipment necessary for entertainment.

Smoke from a burning meat and laughter. On the coast, the students were loudly enjoying the sea while the water bikes were running through. Even with only roughly calculating the visible range, more than 150 points were spit out.

"What the hell is C class doing? Does this mean they don't have to save points?"

We could only think that way looking at this. It exceeded the level of splurging.

"Let's check that out. What the hell is C class thinking doing this?"

The two of us walked in on the beach from the bushes, stepping firmly on the sand. One of the male students noticed us and called out to the boy nearby. We couldn't see his face from here well because he leaned his body on a chair. One of the boys immediately rushed to us.

"Err, Ryuuen-san called…"

Said the male student somewhat frightened, or perhaps I should say without drives.

"Just like a king. Using classmates like this. Looks like we're welcomed by the king. What are we going to do?"

"That's on you to decide, Horikita."

"Alright. I wanna know what's going on. Let's go."

We accepted and accompanied the male student. A savory smell of burned meat got into our noses as we approached the sea.

"...This is outrageous."

I realized again how we're not enjoying vacation even a little.

We drew near the guy who seemed to had commanded this dionysia.

"Hey. Were you the one secretly snooping around? What do you want from me?"

"You're doing very good. This really looks like an extravagant spree."

Ryuuen, who was tanning in the chair in his swimsuit, showed his white teeth.

"As you can see. We're enjoying summer vacation." He said this spreading his hands, showing off the entertainment that fully unfolded on the beach.

"This is the trial. Do you understand what that means? Although I'm shocked that you don't understand the rules themselves…"

He was rather disappointed than delighted, being alerted about his incompetence.

"Oh? I'm amazed. Does that mean you're showing humanity even to an enemy like me?"

"If the ones at the top are incompetent, then those under will deal with hardships. That's only pitiful."

Ryuuen only laughed, taking a plastic bottle of water that was next to the radio.

"How much did you use to enjoy this much of pleasure?"

"Hah. I wonder. I didn't neatly calculated." Without hiding, Ryuuen answered.

"Jeez. It's already getting warmer. Hey, Ishizaki. Bring ice-cold water." He said, throwing away about half of the remaining water in sand provokingly.

Ishizaki, who was playing volleyball in vicinity, rushed to get the water into the tent. A large number of what appeared to be card-boxes with food and water were carelessly piled up in the tent. Sakazaki looked into a cooler box next to the boxes.

"As you can see we're only enjoying summer vacation. Basically, it's impossible for us to become your enemies during the trial. Do you understand?"

As if she's having a headache, Horikita pressed her forehead in non-understandment, creating wrinkles between the eyebrows.

"It's not about being enemies, but the matter we said before. I was foolish for being alerted and coming here."

"Who's foolish? Is it really me? Or is it you?" Far from accepting insults, Ryuuen clapped back at Horikita likewise.

"Survival on this awfully hot inhabited island? Isn't that a joke? In order to pick up 100 or 200 small class points you, the lowest D class, have to put up with hunger, heat and emptiness. You're making me laugh by just imagining it."

Running over the sandy beach, Ishizaki came back with new water dripping with sweat, handing over to Ryuuen what looked like a cold pet bottle. However, the moment Ryuuen took the bottle he threw it at Ishizaki's body.

"I said bring ice-cold water. This one is still warm."

"B…B-but."

(Illustration: https://imgur.com/QZaRcqv)

"Huh?"

Ryuuen's sharp pupils resembled those of a snake. Making his body stiffened, Ishizaki picked up the pet bottle and ran toward the tent again.

"… This trial is about endurance, calculation and cooperation. That seems impossible for you from the beginning. You can't even set up a proper plan."

You couldn't even last a week using points this lavishly. Living hell would arrive sometime soon. And at that time things like turfs, parasols and chairs would only become obstacles.

"Cooperation? Don't make me laugh. People easily betray. Lie. Relationships involving trust aren't practical. You can only trust yourself. If your scouting is finished then leave. Well, if you truly desire you're welcomed. You can enjoy yourself as you like, whether it's eating meat or having fun on the water bike. Or would you like a different type of entertainment with me? I'll prepare a tent for personal use."

"Not an answer I would expect from someone who has declared war before."

"I hate hard work. Patience? Saving? You must be kidding."

Ishizaki came back again and stretched out the water. After receiving the water, Ryuuen opened the cap and drank it up.

"This is my way of doing things. No more, no less."

"Right. Well, do as you please. It works fine with us."

Horikita surely made the same thought in her head. The fact that now, C class is no longer a problem, they are already out of the competition.

"In order to find out the situation of the other classes, we shed our sweat moving around, so your efforts are really appreciated"

Horikita turned around to leave, but as she made a step to move, she hesitated and stopped.

"There is just one more matter. You know Ibuki, right?"

"Ah, yes! She is a member of our class. What about her, though?"

"Her face is swollen. What is the meaning of this? Who did this to her?"

Almost as having decided who the culprit is, Horikita made an indirect hint towards him

"Heh? I thought she ran away. What? After all, she asked help from the members of another class instead of her own, right? What a pitiful woman!"

Ryuuen laughed scornfully and once more he lied down.

"Within this world, there are a lot of hopeless idiots, a ruler of command does not need underlings that go against his will. It was decided that I get to use the points of my class as I like. That is a matter of decision. Besides, it would be pointless if somebody was about to rise in revolt"

"In other words, the way Ibuki ended up meeting us, is related to the way you used the points"

"Well, if you want to think of it in a simple manner, I guess it is. That is why we gave her a light punishment"

Saying that he made a movement like giving a punch to an invisible cheek. Just as I thought it was Ryuuen who punched her face.

"There was another guy who defied me. I expelled him, too, of course. I learned from some piece of information that he is not dead, but he is somewhere living by lying on the grass trying to catch bugs to eat."

I did not feel that this was a remark towards a friend. However, here we must agree on one thing. We found out about Ibuki's absence during the roll call, so her absence has no effect whatsoever on C class. That is why her classmates did not bother to look for her at all. Horikita noticed the fact that all this was done in order to delay us.

That's right. Since the beginning of this examination, we were granted with 300 points, if now they are minus these points, then they are as good as lost already. Where and how? And more importantly. Who had the idea to use all the points? The effect of this decision is nonexistent at the moment.

"So, that's how it is. It is me who used all our points. Ibuki is not the kind of person that she would be charmed by points. So, do not mind about her. Besides that is what we call freedom, right?"

"Well… It is definitely an unexpected turn of events to be with 0 points"

That is exactly what a minus factor is. They are going to negate this with their 0 point strategy. It is an unexpected way of fighting, but even though it will not help them reach the highest ranks it will definitely will not let C class end up at the bottom. Even if the leaders of all the classes are proven to be the right choices, they cannot expand their points more than 150.

"If Ibuki was really at your place, then it would be better that you have expelled her already. Your awkward sympathy will not help her. Plus, it will save you provisions that you waste for one extra member, for water and food and bed and other arrangements. Anyhow, you do not have to put up with this any longer, she can come back now. If she kneels and begs for forgiveness, I will allow her comeback, with a generous heart "

He seems to have the conviction that even if they defy him and running away, in the end, they will return to him. Actually, he knows it would be difficult for Ibuki to live all alone for a week in a deserted island.

"It is a simplistic way of thinking, right? You may think that I am doing this for the favour of the points. But even if there is something else hidden, what are you planning to do? After all, even the simple task of finding food, here, is a hardship"

"Hehehe, well what should I do? After all ordinary people have to express their uncomplicated ideas. You have become desperate into protecting the points bestowed to us, who to choose for a leader, to find and protect a spot for the team, searching in the woods for provisions drenched in sweat, completely foolish"

Even if we want to see the truth it is unreachable. His state of things is not just confusing, Ryuuen's way of thinking is just laughable.

"That's enough. Ayanokouji let's go back already. If we do not go back now, I am going to feel sick."

"We'll talk again, Suzune"

As this conversation was about to end Ryuuen seems to remembered Horikita's first name.

"Well, confident women are not unpleasant to me. Anyway, I will let you submit in front of me. That time will be the ultimate moment and I will savor it."

Saying that Ryuuen, with his own hands nearly touched his groin above his swimsuit and made a gesture of provocation. As Horikita put the whole of her disdain in one look, eventually she turned her back pretending not to see this scene and begun to walk away. I was just about to leave, too, but a different scene caught my eye. I watched at the pier one boat, also students swimming in the water, or playing volleyball, a flag, also some students doing barbecue and celebrating. I saw a tent on the beach where they are stocking food. Apparently, Ryuuen intends to ridicule the school rules thoroughly.

"Unexpectedly for C class. They will be saved by their own self-destruction"

"It seems that this is the case. For real they have used all their points, already"

Even if they save some points by using all the points, I cannot see it. These are the points that are saved when Ibuki and another one student are absent from roll call.

"I do not care to think about the trouble that might happen later"

"I am sorry but, C class will not be in trouble in this exam"

"It won't be in trouble? How come? There is no way you can endure this exam without having any points."

"That is alright. Besides, this is exactly Ryuuen's goal. The points that was given was our fund, for a one week vacation to enjoy ourselves no matter how impossible it seems. However, no matter how simple and prudent we are with food, or with other necessities there will be no favourable conclusion. Our school makes these kind of rules, in this manner"

Understanding this, Horikita nodded in agreement

"So we are trying to save resources in order to overcome the week"

"Ah, but Ryuuen's plan is quite different. For one week he cannot see the situation past the end of his nose"

"He cannot see… what… for over a week"

"Let me say this differently. What if the exam ended today, what would you do?. Do you think that this whole thing will turn into a real vacation?"

"That's right… I understand. But after all what is crucial? If you have 0 points in your hands."

"That is a simple-minded conclusion. Well, that is something like Kouenji would do anyway"

"Eh?!"

"He is in bad physical condition and mentally unstable. He should use these things as a reason and retire already. Then everyone can return to the ship and back to their normal everyday life. This is what it means that you can fully enjoy the summer vacation without any hardships"

I cannot deny that the school's behavior is almost sick on this examination. 300 points are only enough to use freely for a 2 day 1 night vacation. But change will come even if we feign ignorance in repeat.

"Well, then that means he has abandoned the exams from the very start, for real?"

Well, this might not be just a theory. Maybe Ryuuen wanted to avoid the troubles that would occur, or maybe he wanted to conserve physical strength by avoiding mental strength for survival. Or it was just for boosting the morale?

"This exam is literally free. Ryuuen's way of thinking is not completely wrong and one of his plans might actually hold the correct answer. In C class Ibuki and another student seem to be absent due to a violent rebellion and it results in saving 20 points each day. However, if you are going to lose points no matter how much you are trying to save them, then you might need a drastic strategy."

I cannot guess because I do not know exactly when he decided to get rid of all the points and at what timing.

"We should be thinking about a method to take the points back without giving up. His method is absolutely wrong. I do not understand it."

That's right. I can hardly understand what Ryuuen is thinking. However, as we talked, I believe that there was a certain effect of the measures he took. Everyone who saw this situation should feel not only anxious, but also afraid, especially about the bizarre trickery of Ryuuen. This impression will not fade away so easily. However, I am not sure if he was aiming from the start to do all these.

After passing through the sandy beach, I turned back to look around the beach one more time.

"A 0 points tactic… huh? I get it. This is intriguing."

It would be a quite interesting way, if we were able to actually shut down the objections of our classmates. Again, this exam is not only about saving points. We have to plot strategies in order to win. What happened earlier, it was certainly a scene that made me feel like this.

3

Having decided to check situations of A and B class in order to effectively use our spare time, we proceeded going into the forest from the root of a broken big tree as Kanzaki told us. When I think about it now, the tree wasn't broken naturally but was created by the school as a sign. I can't help having a feeling it was a hint that there was a spot ahead.

The moment we walked into the deep forest, we noticed some change. It was easy to walk through since there were traces of a lot of students beating the path. By simply following the trail we reached B class campsite. That could also be a reason why Kanzaki didn't give a detailed explanation. Mosquitoes waching for a chance to jump on our arms and legs sucking our blood were quite a pain in the ass.

Soon after, we reached B class campsite.

"I wonder if it's gonna look like as one would expect of B class…"

There was a completely different view of life from that of D class when we arrived at the campsite. Well's surroundings that was used as a spot was fickle and there was no space to spread 3 or 4 tents for 8 people. They secured a space to stay by supplementing tents for hammocks. Even though we started in the same way, the items they used were completely different. One unfamiliar device that was placed near the well caught my eye, but the unique atmosphere around B class was what surprised me the most.

"Huh? Horikita-san? And Ayanokouji-kun?"

As if sensing a presence of sudden visitors, a girl who was tying a string to attach a hammock to a tree turned her head toward us and called out. A figure in jersey resembled a lot of Ichinose. A little far away was Kanzaki.

"The class is functioning surprisingly well. Although you are facing many hardships with your base."

"Ahaha. It was hard at first. But I tried figuring out various ways and I've made it work. Although there's still plenty of work to be done." Said Ichinose smiling while finishing tying the rope tightly.

"Then I assume it's wrong to be in your way."

"I'm sorry. I guess that has become a way of leave-taking. It's okay to take some break, right? I wonder if you came to visit to ask me something."

Without detest, Ichinose encouraged us to sit on the hammock, but instead decided to sit on herself since Horikita refused her offer.

"I wonder if it's okay to think we're more or less in a cooperative relationship since the last time."

"At least I think that way."

"Well, how many points did you use so far? On what did you use points? And if you could tell us the rating of your tools, we'd be saved. We'd tell some information as well, of course."

I wonder if Kanzaki could estimate what we were planning to do seeing us that morning. We wanted to negotiate after being sure it wouldn't become a hard blow if we inform them directly. Ichinose smiled and took out the manual from her bag. While showing that they had a list of what they bought on a blank paper, she read it out loud:

"Hammock, cookware, small tent, lantern and provisional toilet. Fishing rod and water shower… If we combine it with food, it's a total of 70 points."

(Illustration: https://imgur.com/iSGFZOF)

Excluding Kouenji who retired, we almost had the same utilization rate as B class.

"What's water shower? I'd like to know."

Although we figured out it had something to do with bathroom based on the name, since it was 5 points cheaper than provisional toilet we concluded that its effectiveness is weak and passed up the installation.

"Well then, let's explain the situation little by little, shall we? Since there are various places containing fruits and vegetables in the woods, we substitute shortage with points while searching for supplies. Then we go to the sea and catch some fish too. That's what we eat. We're not worried about water since we have a well."

Did B class ended up obtaining this place because Kushida and others found several fruits? Even judging by the word "vegetable", should we look at it as being their fruit of labor in comparison to D class?

Ichinose took us to the front of the well, moved a pulley and with a wooden bucket scooped up the water.

"At first there was a danger of water being polluted so I was worried if we should drink it, but looking from the cultivated food and surrounding environment I concluded the well was well-managed. For caution's sake only I tried drinking it yesterday. I waited some time but I didn't got diarrhea. From this morning everyone's sharing and using well's water."

So they didn't jump at water well from the beginning, but they started using it after they checked it out properly. Although it could become something you would naturally want to drink lured by having a point saver right under your nose.

"I also figured the amount of water is abundant. It'd be enough even using it for shower. This is water shower."

As expected, it was the large machine place next to the well.

"I can make hot water in a few seconds when I put water in this tank. It's convenient. I'm using it now since heat source from the gas can can be removed . If it runs out, I ask for supplementation."

Horikita asked Ichinose, who explained a usage of unexpected tool as something ordinary, rather mockingly: "Did you know about this water shower?"

"No. I've just heard and used it for the first time. The school rules are pretty scary, aren't they? There aren't any details in the manual. You can't ask teachers detailed questions either. We were saved because there's a kid in our class that's familial with outdoor activities."

There was a single-button-press type of tent in a set with a simple toilet near the water shower. There was nothing inside.

"We're using this instead of a shower room so that kids who hate being seen by others while taking a shower can be able to use it. The fabric is also waterproof."

So that's why it's empty. It makes sense since the ground inside the tent is wet.

"You don't have trouble with the hard ground when you go to sleep?"

"Ah-yes. I thought of what to do first, but I took appropriate measures. Wanna see?"

After receiving objections from the babbling girls who were inside, Ichinose lifted a little under the tent.

Under the tent is spread a thick vinyl, which thickness is about 2 cm.

"When we paid with our points for a simple toilet, it was a rule that the usage of vinyl was unlimited. Maybe I used too much, but we had it already in large quantities. Of course, I do not want to waste our resources, so I am planning to use a lot of our unused vinyl at once. I intend to return it all in the end "

"By the way, how about measures against the heat? It feels somehow cooler around here"

"I wonder if it is because we are sprinkling water. Because we are close to the water well. We can sprinkle water around here, casually. We are putting the water in plastic bottles and give to everyone to carry them around, so this happens pretty quickly. The soil is easy to soak in water, because we release it in a long period of time. The effect lasts and it takes away the heat by evaporation quite efficiently"

Ichinose and the rest seem that they are not depending on tools, but they enjoy their camping life using their wisdom. Additionally, Horikita brought us information about class B and she made them explain their situation properly, so, we'd better not cut corners around here and do not forget the spirit of fairness.

"I see… It is hard that you came out of retirement"

"Yes. But, there are still a lot of uneasy things that need to be fixed in our class, so I will try to fix them, somehow"

"That's right. Is it ok with you to continue this cooperative relationship? Also, we could exclude the rule to find out the identity of the leader for our respective classes. What do you think?"

"I was thinking too, that we should talk about this. I would appreciate if we could break away from the whole subject of honoring the class. If you do not mind, Ichinose, I would like you to accept the proposal"

"Of course, it's ok"

Having finished the task of reconfirming information exchange and cooperation relations one after another, Horikita looked around and let out a deep sigh. There is a feeling of solidarity in perfect order, where each student acts with their respective role. In addition to that, we can see that everyone is doing their part happily. Of course, there are some who do something that they hate, or they try to skip it.

"This class… It is going better than I'd imagined. After all it is you who lead them, right?"

That means that Ichinose gathers up and commands firmly the class in school as well as outside of school.

"And is there a person that gathers everyone's approval in D class? Is it you Horikita?"

"No. Since we have Hirata, who is a boy and everyone in class is gathering around him"

"Ah! That boy from the football club! I know, I know. He is very popular among girls."

Horikita is really not interested in talking about Hirata, so she moved away from the topic.

"Ichinose, I am sorry that I only ask you questions, but we would like to confirm the situation of A class. Is there something that it could help us reach their base camp? Even a hint of the place that they set it up, it would be of great help"

"Even a small hint would 'probably' be useful in order to find out their location. However, don't you think it is difficult to obtain information?"

As expected of B class. Or should I say better, as expected of Ichinose, they have done their research already about A class.

"As you leave this place, there is an opening. Turn right from there and then, all straight, where you can meet a cave. Class A seems to be camping there…probably. I have already checked myself, going there with my own two legs, but I did not understand things properly. That's because of all the secretiveness, or putting it in other words, their defense is thorough"

"Secretiveness? What kind of measures has A class taken?"

"Seeing is believing. I think that you'll understand by a single glance, when you see it. Since from now on, you are going to A class, does that mean that you two already know the situation of C class?"

"Yes. We just went there, a little while ago. They did such incredibly stupid things, that we could not just believe all these"

"Yup. It seems that they do not intend to work on the exam seriously. The remaining 5 days. It is clearly visible that they will run sort of their points, before the exam is over. I do not think they can change the situation, even if they are switching into saving mode, immediately. They do not even looking for a spot. I wonder if they find it difficult to understand the purpose of this exam even for a little?"

Ichinose, too, did not seem able to derive the right answer, either.

"Sly tricks cannot help you in this exam. Ryuuen will certainly exhaust all the points. Although it may be fun for now, later he will absolutely regret it"

Horikita talked to Ichinose daringly, but she did not talk about the succession plan that I told her about. But it seemed to me that Ichinose would find out about it sooner or later.

"I am sorry to interrupt you. Ichinose, do you know where Nakanishi is?"

In the middle of the conversation, a male student appeared and asked with modesty.

"Could Nakanishi have gone to the shore at this time? What for?"

"He went there to offer some help. He should not have? Was it unnecessary?"

"No, that's not it. Kaneda is really nice and always helpful. Well, then can you follow up Chihiro and bring them back? I will be alright as long as you tell them that I said that"

"Understood. Thank you very much"

Horikita looked curiously over this short exchange.

"It seems he is quite formal, when talking to his classmates"

"Ah, he.."

"Is he C class student, or..?"

Then Ichinose responded to my words before I even get to ask further and I just nodded.

"Did you notice? He seems to be faithful to C class. He was saying that we'd better leave him alone, but I did not want to let him go. I have not heard what caused his situation because I do not want to talk about it"

Apart from Ibuki, another student run away because he opposed Ryuuen's ways. Apparently it seems that it was picked up by B class. So maybe he found a place to offer something in cooperation instead of staying in a humiliating situation.

"We also picked up a student yesterday, a student escaping C class"

Horikita speaks as she has met Ryuuen a little while ago and has heard the details. It seems that this student is one of the two who rebelled against Ryuuen. Ibuki is the other one, who seems that she was also beaten.

After hearing all this Ichinose's glare hardened as a determination to protect further her team.

"Let's go now Ayanokouji. It is bad for B class, for us to linger around here, any longer"

Horikita and I separated from Ichinose quickly, we started walking, leaving behind us the grounds of class B.

"Well, I cannot help talking about D class and the high compatibility of our members"

After leaving class and becoming unpopular Horikita's words can be taken as a defeat. However, I have the same impression with Horikita. There is already a big difference between class B and class C. And it is not just a points difference.

"Well, it cannot be helped. B class has a special ability that D class lacks of"

"That is teamwork, right? B class seems to be the superior class. It is kept under control with a firm hand by a great leadership so it cannot be manipulated or be divided."

In D class there is a selfish student like Kouenji who takes charge of the class team and runs away in difficult times and there is no student with the power to stop him. Meanwhile, Ichinose put together class B, which seemed to have a united force that did not get disturbed by a single string. That may be the biggest difference between D class and B class right now. The longer it takes the struggle for the completion of the exam, the more obvious the difference will become.

4

Coming out from the deep forest, a cave showed its appearance of what looked like a demon opening its mouth. There were two provisional toilets and one shower room near the cave.

"I can't see what's inside from here…"

It was near impossible to confirm while taking a distance in a hiding place. Both Horikita and I didn't know anyone from A class so planning to gather information while being hidden, even in a stealthily way, would lead us nowhere. I went ahead of Horikita who hid herself and stepped on a road that led to the cave.

"Hey, wait a minute."

"Let's go. It's A class – of course we'll be frightened. But there isn't much to do about that."

Together with Horikita, I headed towards the cave I thought to be A class' camp base.

"What are you thinking? There's no advantage even if we carelessly expose ourselves to them."

"You think being in hiding does? We can hardly see the facility and there's no one around. There are many things that cannot be seen unless we enter the cave."

"…Isn't it too quiet? What do you think?"

"I don't think so. Please don't worry about it."

"I don't get your half-assed responses, but okay."

She was staring at me with terribly cold and scary eyes, but I pretended I hadn't noticed them.

Naturally, we were seen by A class students who were in a vicinity when we arrived at the entrance of the cave. Although I expected I could check the situation to a certain extent if I could see the interior of the cave directly…

A huge blindfold connecting the vinyls was spread out so I couldn't see anything inside.

"Who are you? From which class are you coming?"

This guy was for sure… Yahiko who was one of the two people who found the cave promptly on the first day. The other bright one – Katsuragi – seemed to be absent.

"We came to snoop around. You have problems with that?"

Oh, as if she changed her way of thinking for a moment Horikita's response was imposing. Then she continued:

"Now that you revealed yourself as A class, no doubt you're leading a tough life…"

She sighed affectedly when she saw the entrance of the vinyl-covered cage.

"Rather than being tough, it's a makeshift. A coward method, right."

"What?" Yahiko clapped back at with an irritated tone as if she got on his nerves although it was an easy-to-understand provocation.

"I'm Horikita from D class."

"Huh, I'd say myself you're D class. You're a bunch of weak-headed."

"Weak-headed, right. Therefore there won't be any particular impact even if you show us what's inside, right? Or does it put you in an uncomfortable position by us just being able to see inside?"

"It could be the case!"

"So it's not a problem if you show us inside? Sorry for bothering you."

"Wa-wait! Hey! Wait! Don't do things as you please!"

Yahiko cut in so he could stand in Horikita's way, but then Horikita's words jumped in like a knife: "I'll just look inside. That won't be a rule violation itself right?"

"Stop playing around, this is occupied by A class! D class has no permission to use it!"

"Really? You occupied this place? I didn't know that. Is the device inside?"

"Y-yes. Therefore step back!"

"There are no rules saying you can't go inside the cave without problems. Sure, you can't use the cave while being occupied, but it's different from monopolization. We should also have rights to check out the inside or the device, right? Otherwise we'd be able to forcibly monopolize all stops. That's not what the trial is about."

"Huh…!?" A sharp argument like this had stabbed Yahiko without problems.

Horikita tried to tear off the veil of the cave that was hidden in vinyl while seducing with her hair. However…

"What are you doing. I don't remember approving to call guests."

A large-statured boy passed me from behind and continued walking toward Horikita. Certainly, his name was…

"Katsuragi-san! Those guys came to snoop around our crib! They are a filthy bunch."

"You're exaggerating stuff, it's just vinyl. Show me just a little bit inside."

Viewing back, Horikita wasn't even a bit frightened of confronting those guys.

"Then it should be okay to take a look inside. But be prepared. If you touch things even once, I'll notify your actions to the school as an obstructive act toward another class. I can't be sure what will happen to D class then."

Katsuragi's words were probably a bluff. It was unlikely to be disqualified from touching vinyl. And yet, him saying he'll sue us invoked the slightest danger.

"I've explained to him as well, but this is an overbearing monopoly act. It isn't a right protected by rules."

"No doubt that's right. That point is certain. But I think this is like an implicit rule. You guys from D class have a spot near the river. B class has a well. I'm occupying the land so that is monopolized partly. Have you used force on someone trespassing your land?"

The calm and hefty words of Katsuragi stopped Horikita's legs without prevention.

"One class holds one occupied spot. And they keep on protecting it while continuing to obtain points until the end of the test. If you break this implicit rule, havoc will happen. Of course, A class will step into the D class' base camp as a retribution. Troubles should be avoided."

It was possible to ignore these words, but we couldn't. As Katsuragi was saying, the other classes unconsciously seized a spot forcefully as well. Troubles could arise with breaking that rule. Horikita turned around and passed by Katsuragi while going away from the entrance of the cave.

"Well then. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of A class' ability."

"It's very powerful. We as well anticipate D class' useless resistance."

After the short conversation, Horikita sank. Or should I say, it killed her enthusiasm. If Katsuragi hadn't showed up, Horikita would have stepped into the other side of vinyl.

"Yahiko, don't jump on cheap provocations. It is her goal to forcefully steal a glance of the inside. It is the other side that goes down if you thrust your dominance and righteous in their face."

"S-sorry."

So, they managed to put Horikita who instantly settled for retreat out of the way. Splendid.

"It seems there is no other option beside leaving A class alone. It's impossible to investigate."

They built up impregnable defenses once the exclusive spot of the cave was seized. However, no matter how much they tried to hide the interior we could figure out it was something providable.