Chapter 41

After having lunch, I was walking down the hallway to take a breather at the observation deck to relieve the fatigue I had accumulated from living on a deserted island.

"Just admit it, Hashimoto! You betrayed me!"

"Stop trying to argue with me. I'm not betraying my class, okay?"

I heard such a voice coming from around the corner, so I peeked in and saw Hashimoto being complained to by students from the Katsuragi faction, led by Totsuka.

Hashimoto, on the other hand, was laughing out loud. Apparently he's being approached for selling class information.

Having made that decision, I headed around the corner to help Hashimoto.

In this exam, Hashimoto helped me many times, so I guess I should go help him.

"Hey, hey. Don't bully your classmates just because you lost like that, okay?"

When I appeared while saying this, Katsuragi looked at me with a sharp gaze, Totsuka had an expression filled with anger, the lower members of the Katsuragi faction had a hostile look that was one step inferior to Totsuka, and Hashimoto had a refreshing smile on his face.

He waves at me.

"Yo Hikigaya. Have you eaten?"

"Oh, just a while ago."

"What about Kamuro and Shiina-chan?"

"We parted ways to sort out our things. We'll meet up at the observation deck later."

"Hey, are you going to take a break at the observation deck? After that, how about we play in the pool?"

"Do not be silly!"

Totsuka gets angry when he talks like that.

"Hey, hey. Think about the trouble you're causing to those around you. Why are you even yelling at me?"

"Shut up! You teamed up with Hashimoto and Kamuro to bring down Class A! Otherwise, there's no way you'll find out our leader!"

Apparently, within Totsuka, I'm considered a guru along with Hashimoto and Kamuro.

Well, he's not wrong, but if I don't deny it, it will be difficult for the two of us, so I deny it.

"No, no. I knew who the leader was even without hearing from Hashimoto or Masumi."

"Don't lie!"

"It's true. I have a way to prove it."

I'm not telling a lie. To be honest, there are cards that can overcome this situation.

"Then prove it!"

Totsuka says so...

"I don't mind talking about it, but if you do, your position in Katsuragi's class will get even worse. Is that okay?"

This isn't a threat, it's serious. I think if I talk about it, even those who are still loyal to Katsuragi will rebel.

"Ha! If you can do it, try it!"

Looks like Totsuka is OK. Well, I don't care what happens to the person who insulted Hiyori, so that's fine.

"Ah. Well, I remember he said, "Oh, there's a hut, Katsuragi-san. Come on, I'll take over right away.''

"What?"

At my words, the A-class students' expressions changed to a blank stare.

"Then the next thing you said was, "Check your surroundings. There might be someone listening,'' right, Katsuragi? "

"Oh!"

Katsuragi seems to understand and has a stiff expression on his face.

"When Totsuka was told that, he said, "Yes. I'll make sure no one find out. I won't let Sakayanagi make a big deal out of this exam, and I'll crush that Hikigaya as well.'' right?"

"Huh! No way!"

At this point, Totsuka seems to understand and his anger disappears, revealing his surprise.

"In the end, Katsuragi said, "Aside from Sakayanagi, ignore Hikigaya. Unlike Sakayanagi, he doesn't have any power, so he can only provoke you. It hurts when it comes to points, but his humanity... You've been dissing me a lot, saying things like, "He's the worst kind of insect, so it's best not to get involved,'' right?"

It seems like he finally understands the situation. Katsuragi couldn't shake the tense expression on his face, and Totsuka also turned pale.

"What do you mean?"

Then the Katsuragi faction, who had been hostile towards me until just now, asked me a question.

"It's the first day of the exam. I found a spot at a hut by the sea right after the start. But since I'm not the leader, I tried to bring back the information, but Katsuragi and Totsuka came out of a cave nearby. So I hid and watched, and the two of them headed to the hut while talking about what I had just said.''

"Huh! So you were able to see through the leader of our class from the very beginning?!"

"That's right. And I passed that information on to Ryūen and Ichinose. That's exactly why A class's points are low. And the reason the leader was found out wasn't because of Hashimoto or Masumi's betrayal..."

I take a deep breath and smile broadly.

"It's just the carelessness of those two idiots. Because of that, you guys lost 150 points and bonus points."

moment...

"You bald head! "

The members of A-class yelled at Katsuragi and Totsuka.

"What the hell are you thinking, you bastard!"

"Don't have that conversation near Spot!"

"Totsuka! You caused trouble for us on the ship, and hold us back during the exam! You're bringing shame on Class A!"

Both of them are attacked with great force. There, both the Sakayanagi faction and the Katsuragi faction have nothing to do with it, and they blame the two of them.

"Yeah. It's great that both factions are on good terms."

It is axiomatic that even if two factions are hostile, if there is a common enemy, a temporary truce will be established.

"No, no. You really are merciless."

Hashimoto says this while feeling a little nervous...

"I told you in advance that your position would get even worse. It's Totsuka's fault for telling me to do it if I can."

If you want to occupy the spot in the first place, you should consider thorough countermeasures like in our class.

To me, it's extremely stupid that there were only two of them, and they didn't hide their faces.

"Well, that's true..."

"Well, now that my anger over insulting Hiyori has cleared up, I'll give him a break for now."

"Totsuka who insulted Shiina-chan was criticized by the class... I really don't want to make you my enemy.''

"If you can discern a person's malice, desire, jealousy, and anger, you can use them as great weapons to crush people. It won't hurt for you to remember that, too."

I've been exposed to malicious intent since I was a kid, so I'm confident in my ability to control that area.

"No, no. It's impossible to reach the level of you and Sakayanagi, right?"

"Is that so? In any case, Katsuragi's influence is now 0, and Arisu's request has been completed perfectly."

If you report this to Arisu, you might receive a further reward. She asked for not only a maid uniform but also a Chinese dress...no, she has become a complete pervert in her thinking.

"Anyway, I'm going to the observation deck. If you're going to eat, be careful not to eat too much."

To be honest, I was just having a meal for the first time in a while, and I got a little carried away and ate a little too much.

"Okay. See you later."

After a quick hello with Hashimoto, I walked down the hallway while watching the riot, then took the elevator to the observation deck on the top floor.

The air conditioning is working there, and from the window you can see the deserted island where you spent a week.

There was still an hour left until departure, so we could see the details of the deserted island.

I can see various places such as the sandy beach where we gathered at the beginning and end of the exam, the base camp used by Class C, the hut near the coast where I discovered the leader information from Katsuragi and Totsuka.

Among them was the mountain hut where I had spent the night with Masumi.

When I look at that hut, I am reminded of the fact that we kissed for the first time, Masumi's face at that time, and Masumi's naked body, and I inevitably feel embarrassed.

(But seriously, what should I do?)

Naturally, I was thinking about Hiyori, Masumi, and Arisu, who wasn't here.

The three of them, at least Hiyori and Masumi, are probably in love with me, or something close to that.

Even I know that it's impossible to kiss someone you don't even like.

I may be teasing Arisu, but they live together and she probably trusts me even if she doesn't have romantic feelings for me.

If two people, including Arisu, three people told me about their feelings, I wouldn't know how to respond.

Even though the three of them knew about my past, they still treated me the same way.

I'm already fully satisfied with my current relationship.

However, there is a possibility that the relationship will fall apart due to love, so please refrain from that.

(I don't have any love experience, so I can't even think about it)

Sighing, I sat down on a nearby relaxing seat and looked out at the island...but at the same time, the fatigue of living on a deserted island and the feeling of being full made me sleepy, so I didn't resist the sleepiness, or rather, I couldn't fight it, so I slowly rolled my eyelids. and closed it.

_________

"Oh? Hachiman-kun is sleeping."

"He must be tired. Let him sleep."

When Hiyori and Masumi arrive at the observation deck, they see Hachiman sleeping on a relaxing seat.

"That's right. By the way, I have something I'd like to ask Kamuro-san."

"What?"

"Does Kamuro-san like Hachiman-kun?"

Masumi can't help but gasp at Hiyori's straight-forward question. She never expected to be asked such a question out of the blue.

Although...

"...Yeah, is there a problem?"

If she couldn't be honest with Hachiman, instead of winning against Hiyori who was always at her best, she would lose in a one-sided game, so she became honest.

"No. The way you look at Hachiman-kun has become kinder to him every day. But I also like Hachiman-kun. Masumi-san is my friend, but I won't lose to her. And of course, Sakayanagi-san as well."

Hiyori was wearing her usual gentle smile, but she also had a serious atmosphere.

She also expressed her intention that she would never compromise on this matter.

"...I don't want to lose either."

"Yes. No matter who wins, you won't hold any grudges, right?"

"...You're quite refreshing, but if Sakayanagi wins, won't you complain?"

"Yes. Of course I may feel frustrated, but if Hachiman-kun says that Sakayanagi-san is good, then I will congratulate him."

Hiyori immediately answers Masumi's question.

When she saw Hiyori like that, she immediately realized that she was not lying, and was made to realize once again that her rival was a formidable enemy.

"Yes. I don't know how I will behave if I lose, but it doesn't matter because I will win."

"Hehe, that's what I want."

The two declared war without showing any hostility towards each other, and then the three of them slept side by side with Hachiman between them.

Needless to say, Hachiman was excited when he woke up.

_____________

It has been three days since the special exam on the deserted island ended, and the students are having fun using various facilities to relieve their frustrations from living on the deserted island.

Meanwhile, I...

"Damn it! I can't do it anymore!"

"Yo, Yoshida is eliminated now. Now it's a one-on-one battle, Hikigaya..."

"Retire quickly bastard..."

Currently participating in an endurance competition in the sauna.

It all started when Hiyori and Masumi tried to use the hot spring facility after playing together, and they happened to run into a boy from Hashimoto's group, and after talking about various things, someone suggested having an endurance contest in the sauna, and they got involved.

Until now.

1st place will receive 3,000 points each from 2nd place and below. There are 8 participants, so the winner will receive 21,000 private points, so even if you don't like it, you'll be motivated.

So, right now, there are only me and Hashimoto in the sauna, and whoever wins - wins the championship, but we are almost reaching our limit.

If you take a quick look at Hashimoto, you can see that he has a fearless smile on his face even though he is sweating profusely.

(Damn, I can't help but lose... huh?)

As I thought about it, my vision went black.

"Are you an idiot to have an endurance competition in a sauna in the summer and fight until you pass out?!"

"What would have happened to us if you died, Hachiman-kun?!"

"Yes. You're right."

Hashimoto and I are sitting straight while receiving a lecture from Masumi and Hiyori.

In the end, the result of the endurance competition was that I passed out and I thought Hashimoto won, but the moment Hashimoto gave a fist pump of victory, he also passed out and the match was declared null and void.

That would have been fine, but after that, a boy from the Sakayanagi faction spoke to Masumi, so Hashimoto and I were able to get along well and receive the lecture.

"Not at all. Don't do anything reckless just for the sake of 20,000 points. Is your life worth less than 20,000 points?"

"It was actually 21,000 poin-

"Shut up Hashimoto!"

"Shut up Hashimoto-kun!"

They shouted in unison. I looked towards the said person, he looked like he was about to cry.

I had no words to respond to Masumi's disdainful eyes and honest argument.

I really regretted it, and I'll try to be a little more careful about points from now on.

As I was thinking that, our phones went off at the same time. A high-pitched sound.

It was the sound of an email being sent when there was an instruction from the school or a change in an event.

By the way, the sound is forced to play even in silent mode.

"What?'' No wonder Hashimoto is wondering. He has never received an important email since he entered the school.

At about the same time, an announcement was made on board.

"I would like to inform all students. We have just sent an email from the school to all students with the following information. Please check your mobile phone and follow the instructions. Also, if you have not received the email, please contact a nearby faculty member. This is very important information, so please be careful not to omit any information. I repeat--"

"…They're talking about the email you just received, right?"

"That's the only option, isn't it?" I replied to Masumi's question as I operated my phone and opened the email, and the following was written there.

"The special exam will begin soon. Please gather in your designated room at the designated time. Penalties may be imposed on those who are more than 10 minutes late. Please meet in room 204 by 5:00 today. It takes about 20 minutes, so please use the restroom, etc., and put your cell phone on silent mode or turn it off."

"Tsk. I thought I could play on a luxury cruise ship for a week, but it's such a hassle..."

I can't help but click my tongue, but it can't be helped. After all, from the first day of the trip, I took a special test where I had to live on a deserted island for a week.

"But why are we meeting in the guest room? And at a half-hearted time."

"Huh? It's exactly 5pm for me."

"It's 5 o'clock for me too."

"It's 8 o'clock at night...Would you like to check?"

At Hiyori's suggestion, we show each other our phones.

result...

"I'm in room 203 at 8 o'clock, Hachiman-kun is in room 204 at 5 o'clock, Kamuro-san is in room 201 at 6:40, Hashimoto-kun is in room 201 at 5 o'clock...The times and rooms are all different.''

It's really disjointed. In that case, this time, unlike the time on the deserted island, the test may be conducted in small groups.

"For now, it looks like Hikigaya and I will be first, so I'll learn about the exam outline and then we'll talk about it. Why don't we meet at the restaurant at 6 o'clock?"

Hashimoto says this, but sharing information is important. Even if

Hashimoto and I don't fully understand the exam, Hiyori and Masumi might be able to provide some unexpected wisdom.

Hiyori and Masumi also agreed to Hashimoto's proposal, and they dispersed for the time being.

At 4:55, Hashimoto and I stepped onto the second floor and headed to our designated room.

At that time, several students were loitering in the hallway.

"Is 204 here? Well then, Hashimoto. See you later."

"Okay. See you later."

After exchanging greetings with Hashimoto, I arrived at room 204 and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

I heard such a voice, so I went inside and found Mr. Mashima, the homeroom teacher for Class A, inside. Miyake was across from me.

"Is this the same time as Hikigaya?"

"Well, Mashima-sensei, may I sit down?"

"Yes, Please sit down."

Mashima-sensei tells me to sit down.

There are only three seats, and Miyake and I are sitting, so there's only one left.

I think it's probably a class D student, but I don't know who's coming...

Just as I was thinking that, the door suddenly opened.

"Excuse me...Hikigaya is there too. It's the worst."

It was Shinohara who said that and came in. I didn't expect a particularly troublesome person to come in.

It seems like you have no common sense not to knock.

Well, there's no point in trying to explain common sense to idiots who make noise during class.

"Quickly sit down."

When Mashima-sensei said that, Shinohara reluctantly sat down.

"It's Hikigaya, Miyake, and Shinohara from Class D. I'll start explaining the special exam."

"Huh? Wait a minute. The exam is over."

"I'm not taking any questions at this stage. Please shut up and listen."

When Mashima-sensei calmly warns Shinohara of his complaints, Shinohara reluctantly shuts up.

Mashima-sensei is basically indifferent towards everyone, so he's the perfect person to warn an idiot like Shinohara.

"In this special exam, all first-year students will be divided into 12 groups, or zodiac signs.The purpose of the exam is to test their thinking ability.''

Thinking... Thinking ability?

I looked at Shinohara.

Doesn't the school know that it's very difficult for Class D and they still made this kind of outrageous exam?!

There's still so much we don't know.

"What is thinking? I don't understand!"

Look, she's already started complaining!

"Shut up, Shinohara!" Even Miyake is pissed.

"Hey!"

Shinohara, who is next to him, is so annoying that Miyake couldn't control himself, pointed his finger at her.

"I told you I wasn't going to take any questions. You seriously need to shut up!'' Mashima-sensei screamed out loud, while looking at Shinohara.

These idiots will shut up if you threaten them lightly. As expected, Shinohara was speechless.

"Mashima-sensei. Please continue." I tried to provide some comfort.

His eyes turned towards me now.

"Ah. However, Hikigaya, please refrain from making such extreme threats in the future. The Totsuka incident is a little too violent."

Come to think of it, Totsuka no longer has a place in A class. Well, it's a reasonable ending for an idiot who insulted Hiyori.

"I'm sorry about that, but I haven't broken any school rules, so please understand that."

I'm not particularly violent, and I follow the school rules. There is no reason to be blamed even if you are not emotionally convinced.

"...Well, that's fine. Let's get back to the topic for now. What is expected of a working adult can basically be divided into three main categories: action, thinking, and teamwork.

Last time It was living on a deserted island, I put a lot of emphasis on teamwork. That's what you all felt for yourself within a week. And this time it's about the ability to think."

"In short, an idiot who doesn't understand the rules and intent of the exam won't be able to clear this special exam." I concluded, looking at Shinohara who is annoyed by getting insults from everyone in the room.

"That's right, It looks like a very difficult exam for Class D because It requires the ability to analyze the current situation and clarify issues, the ability to clarify and prepare processes for solving problems, and the ability to use imagination to create new value. Do you have any questions so far?"

Mashima-sensei asked, and Miyake asked a question.

"Why are there only three of us? Are these three going to form a team and compete against other classes from other places and other D-class teams?"

I'm also concerned about that. If it's a special exam, three people is too few.

"As Miyake said, the three of you here will be in the same group. And right now, in another room, the same explanation is being given to the students who will be in the same group as you."

"Ah, I see. By the way, Mashima-sensei. Is Hashimoto from Class A in our group?"

"Good guess. As Hikigaya said, Hashimoto is in your group."

"Hikigaya, what's the matter?"

Miyake asks a question curiously.

"As Mashima-sensei said,  This means that students from other classes will be in the same group. And this time, all students from A to D will be mixed together. We're going to take the exam like this, okay?''

"I see. But how did you know that Hashimoto was there?''

"Hashimoto was summoned to room 201 at 5pm at the same time as us. I just thought that people who met at the same time were in the same group."

"That's correct. Each group is not made up of one class, but instead gathers about three to four people from each class. As Hikigaya said earlier, one of the members of class A is Hashimoto."

If that's the case, the question is whether the group members should cooperate or try to crush each other within the group.

Either is fine, but Hashimoto is someone you don't want to have as an enemy, so be careful.

"Wait a minute. Why are you cooperating with other competing classes? They are enemies, I don't understand!"

Shinohara opens her stupid mouth again, as if she's not satisfied, but we all asked her to shut up just a while ago.

And she again started bitching. 

"Are you saying they are enemies? Your school life has only just begun and If you have so many enemies only in just a few months. It'll be very difficult for you in the future, and  should start worrying about entering society like this."

Not at all. In the first place, she doesn't have the ability to compete with other classes.

There are some talented people in the D-class, but there are also some who are clearly insignificant.

Shinohara is definitely on the top of the list on the girls side.

"What you need to think about now is not to understand, but to think. The group you will be assigned to is the Snake. I will show you the member list, but it will be returned to us after reading it, so if you feel it is necessary, please memorize it now."

Mashima-sensei says that and hands me a postcard-sized piece of paper, which I take.

There...

A Class - Yusuke Ishida, Ryoma Sakaguchi, Yahiko Totsuka, Masayoshi Hashimoto

B Class - Takuya Kagawa, Chihiro Shiranami, Susumu Tsuzuki, Teppei Yamaguchi

C Class - Ryoko Kuroe, Haruki Suzumiya, Alberto Yamada

D Class - Satsuki Shinohara, Hachiman Hikigaya, Akito Miyake

This group is really full of people with the attributes of snakes.

Hashimoto's profile came into my mind.