The Gaps Between Classes

The words of Mashima-sensei floated through the sea breeze, stirring up a swirl of sand on the beach. The initial shock from the announcement quickly subsided, replaced by excitement among the students.

"So basically, if we just endure for a week… our allowance will skyrocket next month, right?"

Someone from Class D, led by Ike, shouted gleefully, unable to hide their enthusiasm.

If this were an exam based purely on academic performance, the upper-ranked Class A and Class B would undoubtedly dominate. As for Class D, they'd be lucky if everyone passed. Yet, this time, the rules were entirely different. On the surface, the exam seemed structured in a way that leveled the playing field between Classes A and D.

But only on the surface…

Hikigaya couldn't comprehend why these idiots were so happy. Anyone with half a brain could tell this exam was going to be terrible for Class D.

Class D was still leaderless. Even Class A, despite internal conflicts, could rally behind Katsuragi when it mattered. They understood that class points were of the utmost importance.

But Class D?

Hikigaya was almost certain they'd end up tearing each other apart.

At the front, Mashima-sensei continued, "Starting now, each class will receive a guidebook. If it's lost, it can be replaced using points, so take good care of it. Additionally, any student who withdraws from the exam due to illness or injury will cost their class 30 points. A-Class has one absentee, so their starting points are 270."

The students from Class A barely reacted—whether due to their innate composure or because they had already anticipated the deduction.

Meanwhile, the other classes showed a mixture of surprise and relief. But Hikigaya was simply envious of Sakayanagi.

He wanted to withdraw too.

Mashima-sensei's speech came to an end, and the students were dismissed to hear further instructions from their homeroom teachers. The four classes maintained a measured distance from one another, regrouping by class.

Class D, as usual, remained blissfully ignorant. The boys were lost in the fantasy of an increased allowance, while the girls excitedly chatted about what they would buy with their points.

Hikigaya watched in disbelief, his eyes narrowing as Chabashira-sensei began her explanation.

"First, each of you will be issued a watch. These watches can monitor your body temperature, and pulse, and come equipped with a satellite tracking system. In case of an emergency, you can send a distress signal by pressing the button. Removal of the watch without permission will result in penalties. Also, any student who withdraws due to illness will cost the class 30 points."

"Can we wear them while swimming?" one student asked.

"Don't worry. They're waterproof. If anything malfunctions, a replacement will be delivered immediately."

The school had thought of everything, it seemed. After all, this wasn't the first time they'd conducted such an exam on an uninhabited island.

There wouldn't be any logistical oversights. And that's always good to know.

"Chabashira-sensei, if we're expected to survive on this island for a week without using our points, does that mean we'll have to handle everything ourselves?" A student asked.

"That's right," Chabashira-sensei replied calmly. "You'll have to manage with whatever resources you have. Even your tents—if you don't have enough—you'll have to figure out a solution yourselves. That's part of the exam. Don't ask me for help."

"No problem!" Ike said, with a naive smile.

"We'll just catch some fish and gather fruit. We can make tents out of leaves and wood. Worst case, even if I get sick, I'll still give it my all."

Hikigaya shook his head. He had no intention of going that far for the class. If he felt even slightly unwell, he'd be the first to withdraw. The school wouldn't allow students to ruin their health, right? They'd intervene long before that happened.

And sure enough, Chabashira-sensei shattered Ike's grand plan.

"Unfortunately, Ike, your plan might not go as smoothly as you think. Take a look at the last page of your guidebook. It lists the penalties for certain actions. This information is critical for your survival in this exam."

Hikigaya was surprised. Chabashira usually didn't bother giving helpful hints. Yet this time, she had emphasized how "critical" the information was. It was becoming clear that this special exam could dramatically alter the class points, enough to impact the second semester.

Curious, Hikigaya glanced at the guidebook.

Key Penalties:

A student unable to continue due to severe injury or illness: -30 points.

Environmental damage: -20 points.

Calls are conducted twice daily. Absent students: -5 points per absence.

Engaging in violent behavior or stealing from another class: Immediate disqualification and forfeiture of all personal points.

Aside from the last point, the penalties were designed to prevent the exam from becoming a mere endurance test.

"If ten students withdraw, all your efforts will be for nothing," Chabashira warned.

"Keep that in mind."

Ten withdrawals meant zero points, which meant enduring wasn't a feasible strategy.

"Does this mean using a certain number of points is inevitable?"

Satsuki Shinohara, Matsushita's friend, asked cautiously. However, she was quickly met with resistance from others.

"I disagree! We should endure as much as we can," one student protested.

"But what if we get sick?" another countered.

"This is an exam! You're supposed to endure!"

It didn't take long for opinions to divide. Each student had their stance. Hikigaya sighed. He had overestimated them—at this rate, they'd be fighting before the exam even started.

Class D's boys weren't any better, but the girls were just as selfish, never considering others' perspectives. Without a strong leader, this outcome was inevitable.

Suddenly, Horikita raised her hand. "Chabashira-sensei, if we use all 300 points and someone still withdraws, what happens?"

"In that case, the number of withdrawals will increase, but your class points will remain at zero."

Just as Mashima-sensei had said, there was no real downside to this exam. Hikigaya realized that it was just like corporate team-building exercises—meant to strengthen teamwork and cooperation.

But that only worked if you succeeded. If the class failed, the division would only worsen. In that case, it might be better to spend all the points and enjoy a week of fun on the island, then return to the cruise ship to relax.

Given the current state of Class D, a failed team-building exercise seemed all but certain. Not that it was any of Hikigaya's concern.

He wasn't about to stick his neck out for this class.

[T/N: That's why this man is the GOAT, the GOAT!]

Chabashira-sensei checked the time before continuing, "The school has provided an eight-person tent weighing about fifteen kilograms. If the tent or any other equipment is damaged or lost, the school will not replace it. You'll have to use points to get a new one."

"Where will roll call take place?" someone asked.

"Each class will establish a basecamp. Roll call will take place there twice a day. Once you choose a location, it cannot be changed without a valid reason."

Naturally, a shaded area would be ideal. After all, it was summer, and heatstroke was a real risk. Then there was the matter of water for drinking and bathing. Their base camp needed to be near a water source.

Surely Kushida had considered all these factors by now. She had already studied the exam thoroughly.

As Hikigaya pondered this, Chabashira-sensei quickly moved on.

"Now, for the additional rules. Several designated areas on the island can be 'occupied' by a class. Occupying a spot will give that class-exclusive access for eight hours. After that, another class can take over. Each time a class occupies a spot, they will gain one point, though this point will only be counted at the end of the exam."

"One extra point?!" Ike's eyes lit up.

"We've got to capture them all!"

"Don't rush into it," Chabashira-sensei cautioned.

"These areas come with risks. You'll have to decide carefully."

Just as she said, the guidebook listed a series of rules for the occupied areas.

1. To occupy a site, a special key card is required.

2. Each successful occupation earns one point.

3. The occupying class has exclusive access to the area.

4. Unauthorized use of another class's occupied area results in a fifty-point deduction. Only the designated leader can use the key card.

5. The leader cannot be changed without a valid reason.

Hikigaya skimmed through the rules. While they were important, one in particular stood out to him.

6. On the final day of the exam, each class would have the opportunity to guess the leader of another class.

7. Guessing correctly would earn fifty points, while the guessed class would lose fifty points. Occupation points would also be reset to zero. Guessing wrong would result in a fifty-point deduction, but the guessed class would face no penalty.

This could be the perfect opportunity to strike at Class A.

"Um, Chabashira-sensei," Sudou interrupted. "Sorry to cut in, but I need to go to the bathroom. Where's the toilet?"

"The toilet? I was just about to explain. You'll be using that."

Chabashira pointed to a cardboard box nearby.

"Wait, how are we supposed to use that?" Sudou asked, bewildered.

"Yeah, and where are we supposed to bath?" someone else added.

The students began to panic.

"Calm down. You'll get used to it," Chabashira said. "This is a survival exam. If you're not prepared for it, you'll lose."

As her words sank in, a heavy silence fell over Class D. It was going to be a long, difficult week.