2.1 The island exams(1)

[A/N: 7k words]

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The blazing sun and its scorching heat were beaten back by the cold breeze of the sea, all under the open blue skies and over the clear blue seas. A true ocean paradise…that I was not participating in. 

"How'd you feel?" I asked her as she lay on her bed under two sheets of thick blankets.

Her amber eyes were still clear as ever, "What do you think?"

"That you are feeling like shit?"

Horikita huffed, "Must you be here to annoy me?" 

"Of course," I said as I put the bottle of water and the medicine I was carrying right next to her head, that and a little bit of food I had gotten off the counter. "Eat up." 

With a tired sigh, she removed her covers and sat up straight. She had the box and the chopsticks in her hands. "You should be enjoying your time." 

"I plan to," I said, moving to the door, "How did you manage to catch a cold in the middle of summer anyway?" 

Flatly she declared, "Bad decisions." 

A chuckle petered out of my lips, "Well then, you know where the bin is. See you later," and I was out. 

It took me one step out of her room to run into our classmates. Two girls to be precise. "Oh! Heylel good morning!" One greeted me, and the other just gave a polite nod.

"Good morning," I returned as we walked past.

Ever since the Sudou trial, word had gone out and my commitment to just walking past people had died a miserable death—everyone greeted me. Same with Horikita. 

"Oh! Heylel," One of them called out as if remembering something. I turned and her hand was raised in the air, "Hirata asked you to join the rest of the boys."

I nodded, "Thank you," right, I should probably exchange contact info with the hero of our class. 

Maybe I would, but that depended on what Kouenji was up to, so I picked out my phone and texted the man. 

'Where are you?' 

'The massage parlour, my boy, they have good workers here.' 

'Right, enjoy your time then.' 

'I am, though it would have been better if the workers were women.' 

'I know, right? But then just imagine the waiting time.' 

'I suppose you are correct. But really won't the girls give me priority?' 

'...sure they will.' 

'Ha! I just know it.' 

Since Kouenji was out of the equation, I decided I might as well get to know the boys a bit better. 

Slowly I made my way to the deck. It was a gander as to whether the boys were there or not…maybe I should text Ayan—

"Whooooaaaaa! Kikyou!" A shout I recognised, it was Ike and it was coming from my destination. Seemed like he had a win there. Good for him.

Walking into the main deck I was welcomed by a few scattered waves from the boys in my class. Yukimura, among them, was the first to speak, "Look who decided to join us." 

"I thought you guys would get lonely without me," I shrugged as I walked over next to him.

A bit far forward and the idiot trio plus Ayanokoji were talking. Sudou upon noticing me gave me a small wave and then returned to their conversation. 

Having been rejected by Horikita made me think he'd have some resentment for me, considering I was the one who got him busted but he was quite cool about the whole thing—Ike and Yamauchi helped with that using porn apparently, my source being Ayanokoji. 

Oh well, "So what was that shout?" 

The boy sighed, his shoulders dropping as he did, "You heard it?" 

Tilting my head to the side and I gave him a dull stare. Duh. 

He ran his hand through his hair, "Ike asked Kushida permission to call her by her first name. And she accepted," He made a face that seemed displeasure. Though, was it with Ike calling the girl by her first name or him not being the one to ask? 

After that we kept the conversation going, talking about the most meaningless things as we did. 

Then, the crowd started getting riled up and making noise. The students' enthusiasm increased by leaps and bounds as a dot on the horizon became bigger and bigger. A tropical island.

An exciting chapter of our student life was about to unfold…but the ship slowed down, holding a slow and prodding pace as it inched forward. All of that and it didn't even approach the island. No, rather, it 'unfurled the sails' so to speak and picked up speed, gliding through the water at a stupendous pace. All to make passes around the island. Hell, we were about to get fucked over, weren't we? 

An announcement came over the PA speakers. "We will disembark in thirty minutes. Please assemble on the deck. All students should have changed into their jerseys. Make sure to check your designated bag and your luggage, and do not forget your cell phone. Please keep all other personal items in your room. There is a possibility that you will not be able to visit the bathroom for some time, so please do so now."

Hearing the announcement, I flipped direction and took my first step but then my eyes caught something, rather, someone. At the top level of the cruiser, Kouenji was watching the island with deep interest, knowing him, he had probably created a rough mind map already. Then in an instant, he looked down, almost as if he could sense I was watching him. Our eyes met and he smiled before he left. Freaky as always. 

Leaving the deck I was off to my room, one shared with people whose names I couldn't bother remembering. After having followed the instructions I was back on deck and so was everyone else. The whole student body, one hundred and twenty students had sectioned themselves off as classes, it was interesting just how self-regulating it was. 

It took me a few minutes to identify everyone, the three Class-C boys from the trial helped in that regard. Making their class easy to find.

Then came class B, which I recognised by identifying the pink-haired girl who had dragged away class B's homeroom teacher 

And by the process of elimination, the class that had gathered around the bald student was class A. 

"We will disembark now, beginning with the students from Class A. Cell phones are prohibited on the island. Please hand your phone to your homeroom teacher as you leave."

Following the loudspeaker's command, the students went down the stairs in an orderly fashion.

"Come on. Hurry up! Even though we're wearing thin clothes, we're all sweating!"

True enough, there was no place to hide from the sun on the open deck and since we were class D we would be waiting the longest. As we waited for everyone to slowly disembark I finally spotted the two idiots I was friends with, Kouenji and Horikita. They were by the edge of our group, so I waited till we were off the ship.

Once our feet touched land there was immediate relief for many students, since for most if not all the ride was a new experience. Well, except for the obvious exception, "Kouenji, I take it you are looking forward to this?" 

His was a smile of epic proportions, "More than you know boy. More than you know." 

"So, what did you see?" 

"Little things, a cave, a river spring, things of that nature. Why?" 

We stood at an arm's length from the rest, no one should have heard us, "Gut feeling says there is more to this than it seems you know," should have. 

"You think so too?" A voice came from behind me. Of course, she was there.

Still, I turned around and what do you know, "Horikita," my smile was bright, "It's bad manners to eavesdrop." 

She rubbed her hand a little, her cold was not better, well, what did I expect in fifteen minutes? "I didn't," She pointed at Kouenji, "He knew I was here." 

"It is not that I didn't know. I just didn't care. Besides, is she not yours?" He asked with complete bullishness. 

"We are not dating, if that is what you meant," Horikita denied flatly.

"Ha!" A scoff bubbled out of the blonde as he eyed me, pity in his eye—pity given by a king to a peasant, "I need you to provide you guidance on women it seems." 

"Fuck off—" I was smacked in the side of my head. "Language," She scolded as she pulled her hand back. 

Rubbing the part where she had struck I glared at her only for her to roll her eyes, "It was tap, stop pretending." 

"Oh, you're no fun." I turned my attention to our homeroom teacher, who was in the same jersey we were, as she pulled out her clipboard and instructed us to form up. 

"I will now start a roll call for Class D. When you hear your name, please respond loud and clear."

Following her instructions, we were quickly divided into two parallel lines, one for the boys and one for the girls. A slow process. 

"They are taking so long…" One of the guys in front of me bemoaned and he wasn't wrong, the teachers were taking their sweet time. 

The guy in front of him turned and gave a nod, "Yeah man, couldn't they have done this on the ship?" 

"Then that would defeat the point of making sure we are all off the ship," The first one argued. 

The other one made a bitter face, "True enough, still though, such a waste of time. We have to go back to the ship at night anyway." 

"True enough," I Interject. The guy just ahead of me nods, "Maybe, name's Akito Miyake," dark mop for hair and a decent build. A physically inclined dude. 

"You introduce yourself like we are strangers." We were but that was beside the point. 

An impish smile ripped on his lips, "You certainly seem to behave like one." 

I breathe through my teeth and recoil a little, putting on an embarrassed smile, "Guilty as charged I guess." 

"Oh?" He smirked, "Any reason trying to join up now?" 

I tilted my head to the side and lied, "Just that it got boring being alone most of the time." 

"Good as any," He drowned back his smirk turning it into a smile then jamming his thumb towards the boy upfront he named him, "Kyosuke Okitani," I nodded, he was the guy in Horikita's study group, "I know him." 

Akito nodded, "From Horikita's study group, right? I heard what you did." 

A groan left my lips, "How many people know about that?" 

Chin clasped in hand he called out to a girl parallel to us, "Haruka." 

The girl who responded to the call was one with waist-length blue hair, deep orange eyes with a mole under one of them and a well-developed body. She looked over, "Yes?" We were separated by two feet at most, so her sonorous voice was easily audible. 

"Did you hear about what happened at Horikita's study group?" He asked. She put her finger on her head, a cutesy act, "The Sudou, Heylel and pencil box saga? Yep."

'Sudou, Heylel and pencil box?' Fuck kind of name is that? 

"Yeah, thanks Haruka," Akito turned to me, "Seems like she knows." 

"And she's a good litmus test for the rest of the class?" 

"As good as any," He shrugged.

True enough. 

It was then that my name was called, "Heylel Dracina, present?" 

I raised my hand, "Present." 

Soon enough the roll calls were over and a tall teacher stepped onto a prepared white platform. It was Mashima-sensei, Class A's homeroom teacher who was built like a wrestler and spoke like a scholar.

"First, I would like to say that I'm happy you've arrived safely. However, it's unfortunate that one of you was unable to participate due to illness."

"Poor guy," Someone spoke up, voicing a sentiment shared by many. But only time would tell if they were the poor guy or not, judging by the grim looks the teachers had I leaned towards the 'not.' 

While Mashima-sensei surveyed the students in silence, adults in uniform had started setting up some kind of tent nearby. A whole ass computer tower and screen were being set up on a long table. That whole thing caught many students' eyes. 

And when the set-up was done, Mashima-sensei uttered a few cruel words. "Well then. We shall commence the current academic year's first special test."

"Huh? Special test? What do you mean?"

In seconds my classmates went from excited to tense, and from the tension came complaints. All of which I turned out, my eyes locking onto the Class A students. They all were calm, ready even. So, this was the difference between A and D. 

"The test commences now and lasts for one week, concluding on August 7th at the year's end. This test will determine if you can live on a deserted island together as a group. In addition, I should warn you that this special test is both practical and realistic, designed based on real-world corporate training."

"Living on a deserted island. Does that mean we're not staying on the boat, but on the island?"

Some students from Classes B and C voiced their obvious concerns.

"You are correct. During the test, you will not be allowed to board the ship without a suitably justifiable reason. It will be necessary for you to fend for yourselves on this island while you are here, from creating a place to sleep to preparing food to eat. Once the test starts, each class will receive two tents and two flashlights. You will be provided with one box of matches. There is no limit to the amount of sunscreen you can have. Each student will be provided with one toothbrush. As a special case, girls will be allowed to have as many feminine sanitary products as they'd like, without any restrictions. Please ask your respective homeroom teachers for those. That is all."

With that, the teachers began distributing the items.

"Huh?! So we have to live like survivors on a deserted island?! I don't want to hear this kind of insanity! This isn't an anime or a manga or something! We can't all sleep together in just two tents! And what are we supposed to do about food in the first place? This is unbelievable!"

Ike complained loud enough for everyone to hear. Yeah, kind of what the school is telling us to figure out. Also, the creator of this test was watching too much Bear Grylls. Well, I guess I would be putting his teaching to use today. 

What was it? Fire, water, shelter and food in that order right? Eh, even if it wasn't we had a whole class so we could probably run through the list quickly enough—preferably before the end of today.

"You may say this is unbelievable, but that's because you've lived a short, superficial life. There is an actual, prominent company that holds training sessions on uninhabited islands."

"Huh? B-but this…this isn't special at all. Is it? Isn't it too much to ask for us to start living on a deserted island with no warning? No way! This is unreal!"

"Keeping on like that would be shameful, Ike, so stop talking. What Mashima-sensei just said is only part of it. There are many companies in the world with many different training activities. There are workplaces where there aren't any chairs in the office and companies that decide salaries with dice rolls. The world is wider and deeper than you even know."

Chabashira-sensei, as if unable to overlook Ike running his mouth, chided him. She continued, "In other words, you are ill-equipped to distinguish between what is reality and what isn't."

Many of the students appeared unconvinced and wore dissatisfied looks.

"I assume you're all thinking something like, 'What does this test mean?' Or perhaps some of you doubt the existence of such training programs. However, students who remain at such a base level of thought are unlikely to become anyone promising in the future. What is your basis for determining this to be 'unbelievable' or 'ridiculous'? You're just students. In my opinion, you're all equally worthless. What kind of insignificant person determines that they can criticise a leading company? That's bizarre. Were you a president in charge of one such notable business, then you might have some right to deny our claims. However, there shouldn't be any grounds for someone from your station to be able to do that."

You said a prominent company does this, doesn't that mean there are like a hundred others that don't? So by proper analysis, we shouldn't be doing this. Also, aren't there leading companies that dissolve overnight? Like you know, FTX? A leading company in its field? 

What a corporate slave mentality—don't think about what is practical or impractical just follow along like the good little pigs you are. 

"But, teacher, isn't this supposed to be our summer vacation? We were brought here under the pretext of going on a relaxing trip. Don't you think that bringing us here and then springing this corporate training on us could be considered unfair?"

Some of the students in our class began to protest along these lines.

"I see. I suppose that you're not wrong about that. I can understand why you would be discontented."

"However, please do not worry. It would make sense for you to have complaints if you were being forced into a harsh situation. However, even though we're calling it a special test, there's no need to think about it in such unhappy terms. In the coming week, you can go swimming, or hold a barbecue. It wouldn't be a bad time for you to occasionally have a campfire and chat with friends, either. The theme of this special exam is 'freedom', after all."

What a fucking scam. 

"Huh? Huh? The theme is freedom. We can have a barbecue? Hmm? And this is still called a test? I'm so confused…"

"As a major part of this special test, we've decided to distribute 300 points to each class. By using your points well, you might be able to enjoy this week's special test just as you would a normal trip. We've also prepared a manual just for that purpose."

Mashima-sensei received a booklet that looked to be a few dozen pages thick from another teacher.

"This manual lists all of the ways you can obtain points. It also explains where to get drinking water and food, as well as necessities. If you want to have a barbecue, it explains how to prepare the equipment and ingredients. We also have numerous tools for you to be able to enjoy playing in the ocean to the fullest."

Gradually, the students' grim expressions grew calmer.

"So, we can do whatever we want with the 300 points?"

"That's right. It's possible to arrange for anything using your points. Of course, you must systematically use them, but with a solid plan, you can spend your week without any difficulties."

"B-but, teacher. You said this was a test, right? So shouldn't there be some kind of difficulty to it?"

"No, there's nothing difficult. It won't even have any adverse effects on your second semester. I guarantee it."

"So it's okay for us to just have fun for one week?"

"That's right. You're all free to do what you want. Of course, there are some bare minimum rules that you need to abide by as a group, but there shouldn't be anything difficult about that."

So, what's the catch?

"When this special test period is over, each class' remaining points will be added to their total class points. Your point totals will reflect this change once summer vacation is over."

Of course. 

A silence descended as people began to process the situation. A silence that Ike broke. 

"So if we can endure this for one week, then starting next month we could see a huge increase in our allowance?!"

Well, fuck that's good money. 

"Each class will receive one copy of the manual. If the manual is lost, you may have another copy. However, it will consume points, so please be very careful. Also, the student who was marked absent from this trip was from Class A. According to the rules of this special test, should any student have to leave due to illness, there will be a thirty-point penalty to the class as a whole. Therefore, Class A will be starting with 270 points."

A 10% disadvantage? Well, even if they got a 100 on this 'test' they had a good enough buffer that they would keep their class rank but if Class B got anything decent then they would be a good threat. Huh, this is interesting. 

As soon as Mashima-sensei had finished speaking, he told us to disperse. Another teacher's voice came over the loudspeaker, telling us that each class would receive supplementary instructions from our respective homeroom teachers. We then gathered around Chabashira-sensei. The four classes had congregated to keep some distance from each other.

"Thirty thousand points next month, thirty thousand points next month, thirty thousand points next month. Let's do it!"

Ike and the others struck victorious poses. The girls happily discussed what things they would buy. Well, it seems everyone was motivated at least. 

"I will now hand out wristwatches to every one of you. You are not to take them off until the end of the test. If you remove your wristwatch without permission, you will be punished. This watch doesn't just tell time. Its sensors also check your body temperature, your pulse, and even your movements. It's equipped with a GPS. Also, in the off chance something bad does happen, this watch comes equipped with the means to notify the school. If you find yourself in an emergency, please do not hesitate to push that button."

The vendor who supplied the watches had stacked them next to Chabashira-sensei. The time had come for Class D to collect our supplies. We were instructed to take the watches out of their boxes and put them on.

"When you say an emergency, do you mean, like, if a bear shows up?"

"Even if that was a joke, the test has already begun. I cannot answer any questions that might influence your results."

"Uh…that's a kinda freaky answer." 

Dude, the whole school and half the people in it are freaks. Get over it. 

"I don't think there are any wild animals here. If one of the students were injured, that would be a big problem. They probably gave us these watches solely to manage our well-being. Don't you agree? We're on an uninhabited island, after all, and the school has to ensure our safety," Hirata said.

"Is it okay for us to get in the water wearing these?"

"There shouldn't be any problem. They're waterproof. If they malfunction, immediately report to a test administrator and get it exchanged. 

"Chabashira-sensei. I understand that we're going to be spending one week on this island, but is it possible to get by without using any points?"

"Hmm. Well, the school isn't involved in the test process at all. That means that you must prepare your food and water. Thinking of solutions to resolve the issue is part of the test. I don't know of any way of doing so without points."

The girls looked visibly more perplexed than the boys. Understandable. 

"Don't worry. If we can catch fish and pick fruit in the forest, then we'll be fine. We can also use leaves and trees to make tents and stuff. And even if you start not feeling great, do your best!" Ike said, seemingly without any worry at all. He was determined to preserve the 300 points.

"I'm sorry, Ike, but I don't think things will go as you've planned. Open your manual."

Hirata did as Chabashira-sensei instructed.

"First, I'd like you to read the last page, where the penalties are listed. This is very important information that encapsulates the difficulties of this special test. It will determine whether you live or die."

On the last page, a line read, "These penalties will be applied to anyone who falls under the following conditions."

"Anyone deemed unable to continue the test due to significant deterioration in health or serious injury will be penalised by thirty points. That student will then retire."

"In the event a student has polluted the environment, he or she will be penalised twenty points."

"In the event students are absent during the 8 AM or 8 PM roll call, five points will be taken for each student absent."

However, the most serious punishment was detailed in the fourth entry on the list. "In the event a student is found guilty of an act of violence toward another class, robbing another class, or causing damage to another class' property, etc., the offending student's class will immediately be disqualified, and the individual will forfeit all of his or her private points."

Reasonable really. 

"You are free to behave as you wish. However, if ten students fall into poor health, then all your efforts will be for nothing. Once a student has retired from the test, he or she cannot come back."

A group test then. 

"In other words, using at least some points is unavoidable?" asked a girl named Shinohara, who'd been following along in the conversation.

"I disagree with the idea of compromising right away. I think that we ought to persevere for as long as we can."

"I understand how you feel, but it'll be bad if our health suffers."

"Come on, Hirata, don't be so discouraging! This is a test of our patience, right?" 

The argument had started and it didn't seem to care about stopping anytime soon, seeing the situation I crept up to Hirata, "Can I have a look through the book please?" 

Hirata nodded without hesitation and handed me the book as he went back to try and calm the conversation. I wanted to take a look through the available items at least. 

Reading through the list in my hands it was truly comprehensive, it had a lot of things available that I hadn't even thought of. From survival stuff like tents and cookware to walkie-talkies. 

And then I read the worst part, anyone could request anything, just report it. That was annoying. Some people were bound to try and sneak in some items. 

"Chabashira-sensei, can I ask you something? If someone were to retire after we had already used all 300 points, what would happen?" asked Horikita, her hand raised.

"In that case, all that would increase is the number of people forced to retire. Your points can't be changed any more after reaching zero."

"So, in other words, we can't get into negative points during the test?"

So, the Class-A teacher was being literal, no, not just him, this school is also always literal.

I need to go through every 'rule announcement' we have ever heard. I might have missed shit—not might—I have missed stuff. It is also something to keep in mind in the future.

Chabashira-sensei continued talking, occasionally glancing at her wristwatch to check the time.

"Each one of the supplied tents is large enough to accommodate eight people. The tents weigh close to fifteen kilos, so please be careful when carrying them. Also, the school will not step in to help should your supplied items become lost or damaged. If you need a new tent, remember to use your points."

"May I ask something? Where will the roll calls be held?"

"Each class will be accompanied by their respective homeroom teachers until the test is over. If you've decided where you want your base camp to be, report it. Once the base is set up, I will hold a roll call there. Make sure that you think long and hard about it because you can't change your base camp location without a justifiable reason once you've decided. The other classes are subject to the same conditions. There are no exceptions."

So, she is coming with us then? 

"Hey, teacher. I'm sorry to interrupt you when you're talking, but that juice from earlier went right through me. Where's the toilet?"

Sudou appeared before us like he hadn't heard the announcement.

"The toilet, huh? I was about to get to that point. If you want to use the bathroom, use this."

Chabashira-sensei grabbed one of the cardboard boxes from the stacked pile. She peeled off the packing tape and took out some collapsed cardboard.

"Huh? What's that?" Sudou asked.

"It's a basic toilet. Each class will be supplied with one. Please handle it carefully."

Sudou wasn't the only one perplexed by this. The girls were shocked.

"Don't tell me we have to use that?!" Shinohara, from Karuizawa's group, raised her voice in horrified surprise. It wasn't just her, the expression and the sentiment seemed shared by the entire female side of the class. 

"Both the boys and girls will use it. But do not worry, it comes with a single-button tent that you can use when you want to change. That way, no one will be able to see you."

"That's not the problem! Th-that's just a cardboard box! This is impossible!"

"It might be a cardboard box, but it's an especially well-made one. It can even be used in a disaster. I'll show you how to use it, so please commit this to memory."

While the girls booed her, Chabashira-sensei assembled the toilet with practised hands. Then she put a blue vinyl bag on it and placed what looked to be a white sheet inside.

"This sheet is made of water-absorbing polymer. It covers and solidifies waste. It'll make the waste invisible and also suppress the smell. After you finish using it, stack another sheet on top. By repeating this process, it's possible to get around five uses with one vinyl bag. These vinyl bags and sheets will be supplied to you in unlimited amounts. You can even change them after every use if you want."

"There's just no way I can do this! Absolutely no way!"

Starting with Shinohara, nearly all of the girls rejected the idea. Ike, who'd been silent, pouted and said, "Come on, just deal with it. This isn't the time to fight, Shinohara."

"Don't screw around! It probably doesn't matter to you boys. There's no way I can go to the bathroom in a cardboard box."

"The decision is yours. However, you are not permitted to relieve yourselves in the forest, the sea, or rivers. Do not forget that."

"But, but I definitely can't do it in a cardboard box! Besides, the guys are going to be close, right? That's gross!"

Shinohara, still unaccepting of the situation, directed her anger at the boys, especially Ike.

"What the heck? I don't get why you're treating us like perverts," Ike said.

"It's true though, isn't it? You do seem to be perverted."

"Huh? Jeez, that hurts! I'm a super gentleman!"

"Don't make me laugh. A gentleman? Get real. You're by far the top contender for biggest pervert!"

I caught something in her words and so, my voice broke through, "Contender for biggest pervert, what is that a list?" 

"Yes, they have lists! Hot, perverted, death…" A boy shouted from somewhere in the crowd, he had cracked his voice intentionally so we couldn't recognize him, though I am sure the boys around him knew. 

And so, her lips froze, "No we don't! I mean he is the biggest pervert!"

"Sure." Sarcasm evident. 

"Anyway, it's impossible for me," she scrambled to change the topic. 

"Well then, what are you going to do? It'd be impossible for you to not use the bathroom for one whole week, right?"

"That's—"

Our teacher, who had calmly watched Ike and Shinohara argue like it wasn't her problem, suddenly looked behind us with a disgusted expression.

"Yoo-hoo!"

We heard a piercing voice. Its owner rushed at her target, capturing our homeroom teacher and hugging her tightly from behind.

"What are you doing?" Chabashira-sensei grunted.

"What, I can't be friendly? I honestly wanted to see what you'd do," said Hoshinomiya-sensei, Class B's homeroom instructor. She gently caressed Chabashira-sensei's arms. "Whenever I touch your hair, Sae, it's always so smooth!"

"Don't you understand the school's rules at all? Eavesdropping on other classes when they are giving information is inexcusable."

"Aw, I'm just an unimportant teacher, though. Even if I did hear something, I'd never tell. But doesn't this feel like fate? I can't believe that we both came to this island together."

Fate? Why would it be fate? I can't be fate, it was all pre-arranged by the school unless she meant something else. Let's try and find out then, "Fate?" I repeated her words. 

Her eyes lit up, an almost sinister glee, "Oh, didn't you know? Me and Sae, we were classmates." 

A realisation came to me, "So, you two are our seniors."

For the first time, Chabashira-sensei's iron mask cracked, a hint of anger or maybe something else slid past her expression but vanished just as fast as it came. I didn't catch it well. 

Hoshinomiya-sensei on the other hand had a burning glee in her eyes. The bitch was elated. 

Chabashira-sensei's next words came as cold as they usually did, "Shut up. Just hurry back to Class B."

Hoshinomiya-sensei too was back to her usual self, "Ah! Aren't you Heylel? And Isn't that Ayanokouji? It's been so long, you two!" 

Both of us gave a slight bow. 

"Summer is the season of love. If you want to confess your feelings to a girl you like, perhaps it'd be more effective while standing before the beautiful ocean?"

I shrugged, refusing the question outright. Though Ayanokoji didn't, "The ocean may be beautiful, but I can't afford to do that during class."

Tears streamed down her cheeks. He had managed to draw all the eyes since I didn't speak. 

"You need to be more carefree!"

"Hey. Should I report you to the school authorities for behavioural problems? Besides, I don't have any more time." Chabashira-sensei said.

"Ooh, don't glare at me like that. Fine, fine, I get it. See you later!"

Hoshinomiya-sensei walked away with a sad look on her face. Chabashira-sensei immediately started on a new topic.

"Well then, allow me to explain some additional rules."

"A-additional rules? There's more?"

"Soon you will be permitted to roam about freely, but there are several designated 'spots' on the island. In these spots, there is what's referred to as the right of exclusive possession, and only the class that occupies that spot may exercise those rights. The class that obtains those rights is entirely free to determine how they wish to exercise them. However, rights of exclusive possession are only valid for eight hours after being invoked, after which they are automatically revoked. That means that another class can acquire those rights at that time. Also, you gain one bonus point if you occupy a spot once. However, that point is provisional, and cannot be used during the testing period. Therefore, bonus points are calculated and added to your total after the test has ended. Because the school is constantly monitoring you, there is no room for fraud. Please be aware of that fact."

"Huh? Huh? Well…wait, isn't that super important, though?! Getting to add a point is awesome! Leave everything to us!"

"Let's go looking right away!" Ike said to Yamauchi and the others, his eyes shining.

"I can understand your impatience, but be aware of the risks. After you take those risks into account, then you have to consider what to do. Everything is written in the manual."

I was the one holding the manual so I just started to read aloud, "A specialised key card is required to occupy a spot. We can earn one point by occupying a spot each time. Occupied spots can be used freely. We will receive a fifty-point penalty if we use a spot occupied by another class without permission. Only a designated leader can use the key card. It is impossible to change the leader without suitable justification. The right to possession resets every 8 hours."

And then came the most important rule, "On the seventh day, the last day of the test, we have the right to guess the identity of the other class' leader." I started with eyes well glued onto me, "Get it right and obtain fifty points for each correct guess. The other class would have to pay fifty points as compensation." 

I could almost see the gears turning, "But get it wrong and we lose fifty. Then if the leader is guessed, that class loses all bonus points." 

Seeing me stop, Chabashira-sensei stepped in, "One person must be chosen as the leader, no exceptions. However, you are free not to participate. Please tell me once you've selected someone. At that time, I will provide you with a key card stamped with the leader's name. You have until roll call today. If you do not decide by then, we will decide for you. That is all."

So, one glance was all we would need. 

Hearing it all done, Hirata quickly took the lead, "We'll have time later to think about who should be the leader. First, where will our base camp be? Do we camp somewhere around here, on the beach? Or do we go into the forest? We need to think carefully about our spot."

The manual included a simple map of the island, with only its size and the shape drawn. Things like the total area of the forest and the topography were completely unknown. So, I just turned it over to him. 

"It looks like we need to fill in the necessary parts ourselves." A ballpoint pen had been given to us as well, for that exact purpose.

"It's good to have a spot near the boat where lots of teachers are, right?"

"No, I'm not too sure. There may not be anything here."

Rather than take part in their discussion my eyes turned to Kouenji, he was watching me too, and he smiled, simply pointing to the clump of class A students. They were off, where? I tried to recall the time we circled the island…they were heading to the cave.

Intelligent. 

Switching over to Horikita who stood by the edge of the girl's gang I beckoned her over. 

Unhesitant she walked over, even as a few eyes did follow her. "What?" She asked as she neared. 

I leaned down to her ear and whispered, "Class A is off to a cave they spotted when the boat was circling the island." 

Her eyes widened as she whispered too, "Do you have a plan?" 

"Well, somewhat." I shrugged, "The only I have currently is to find a base camp 'spot' near a water source." 

"By the way, I think the girls will not budge on the toilet…I think we need to work on that."

"Look through the manual, we can spend points for a good one." 

She nodded and I backed off, when I did, Hirata was just a hand's distance from us…just far enough to not hear. A considerate human being, he had my respect. "So, what is the plan you two?" 

I didn't intend to do much in this one, not that there was much to do. If you got a good base camp it was simple smooth sailing from there. And guessing the leaders was a pipe dream at best unless you got your hands on the card itself. 

Even then, the leader could just take a tumble off a small incline, roll in the mud for a bit and ask to be retired if he found out that his card had been seen. Actually no, unless the name itself was seen, then seeing the card itself would be useless too, because the card could simply be given to someone else to throw off the scent. 

Then, if someone intended to stake out a spot that a leader was renewing then the class simply had to hurdle around the leader as he did it and or have three people hold the card together. Hell, why not also add darkness to the mix and do it at night? 

Or why not do a couple of fake-outs as well, have three different people hold the card at three different times, only the leader's attempt will go through and it would throw everyone off.

My point was that it was impossible to guess a leader of a well-managed class and the risk was too high to even try, especially for us, we simply could not risk the fifty points. 

So, I decided to pull myself out of the discussion and unless things became 'stupid' and risked my points I would not interfere. They were teenagers they could handle this much. 

"I think this one is all on Horikita." 

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[A/N: So, I have issues with how stupid a lot of supposedly smart and in 'their element' people were. Also, would appreciate it if you guys dropped a review!]