Chapter 12

'Uwah…'

Hikigaya thought, rubbing his stomach.

Maybe he ate way too much much sashimi. It had been a long time since he last had the chance to eat some. The quality was top tier though.

*Brrr*

Was Ichinose giving a status update?

Ichinose - [Hikigaya-kun…]

Ichinose - [Tearing up sticker]

What in the world happened in the few hours after he had just given her advice? Did Class C actually make the mistake of messing with Ichinose?

Hikigaya - [Was it Class C? Or Sudo?]

Ichinose - [What? No… Kanzaki figured out our relationship!]

Oh that… wasn't that bad? Wasn't Kanzaki supposed to be her assistant or something? He had always followed her around anyways, rather it was weirder that he hadn't figured it out earlier.

But it seemed that Ichinose was sad over it, so he would have to step up and be the supportive friend.

Hikigaya - [So what do you need of me, my Lady? I only need an order to assist!]

Hikigaya - [Saluting sticker]

But alas! The only time Hikigaya had been supportive was regarding his own sister! Therefore he had no idea how to cheer someone up that wasn't his younger sister Komachi!

So he had responded how he would if it was Komachi on instinct. He could only pray that his life experience wouldn't betray him.

Ichinose - [www]

Ichinose - [What's that supposed to mean? www]

It worked! Hikigaya got on his knees to thank his past life experiences.

Hikigaya - [So it isn't a secret anymore?]

Hikigaya - [Confused sticker]

Ichinose - [No, he said he'd keep it a secret!]

Then what was the issue!? Hikigaya didn't understand!

Hikigaya - […]

Hikigaya - [Expressionless sticker]

Ichinose - [Ehe?]

Ichinose was forgiven.

Ichinose - [Also, what did you mean when you asked about Class C and Sudo?]

"Keugh…!"

A direct hit!

He didn't want to admit that he was being protective.

Hikigaya - [What are you talking about?]

Hikigaya - [Looking away + whistling sticker]

Ichinose - [Were you worried for me?]

Ichinose - [Giggling sticker]

In order to prevent her from taking his previous statement too seriously, Hikigaya decided to go with a joking manner of text.

Hikigaya - [No not really?]

Hikigaya - [Looking away + whistling sticker]

Ichinose - [www]

Ichinose - [How cute.]

Ichinose - [Teasing sticker]

Hikigaya had accidentally revealed a kink in his armor when Ichinose had suddenly texted him with a depressed tone, and Ichinose took advantage of it!

Hikigaya truly made a rookie mistake. He should have thought a little before overreacting.

Hikigaya - […]

Hikigaya - [The pain!]

Hikigaya - [Coughing up blood emoji]

Ichinose - [www]

Ichinose - [Thanks for worrying. See you tomorrow!]

Hikigaya - [See you.]

Did Ichinose really just text him to tell him that Kanzaki had figured out their relationship?

Bruh.

—+—

Currently, Hikigaya was spending his start of summer break staying home.

Other than when he left to get groceries and workout, Hikigaya was in his natural habitat almost 24/7!

There was a week until the school's arranged "Summer Cruise." Would happen.

Hikigaya was positive that there would be 2 Special "Events" he still didn't know the name of.

If staying at a deserted island would last a week, then it will probably be at the beginning of the two weeks, and the remainder to relax on the cruise ship to host the second event. He assumed that the second test was 3 or 4 days after to create a sense of security and lasted until the last day of the vacation.

Ichinose had invited Hikigaya to the public pool earlier, but he politely declined.

He did the swimming classes semi-unwillingly, but he would never willingly go to a pool.

It was a breeding ground for male hormones to act up. And when anyone said otherwise, they were lying.

As a man of chivalry, Hikigaya saved himself the pain by not going. It wasn't because he couldn't be bothered to go.

Definitely not.

Other than that, about the special "Events" he didn't think that telling Ichinose was particularly necessary.

This was because he couldn't verify his sources other than: "Oh yeah I psychologically analyzed the president and the secretary by asking questions that would apply the Barnum effect so I figured it out."

Ichinose knew that Hikigaya was smart. Hikigaya knew that Ichinose knew that Hikigaya was smart.

Even so, revealing that Hikigaya was the type to psychoanalyze people when they first meet would not leave a good impression on Ichinose.

They probably wouldn't allow anyone to bring anything other than their uniforms, so there was nothing wrong with not saying anything. For the second exam he had no idea what it was about, other than that it was on the Cruise Ship.

There was no point is stressing out over it.

All he had to do was wait until the Special "Events" happened.

—+—

Hikigaya finally found out the name of the exams.

…They were called Special Exams.

It wasn't has grand as Hikigaya imagined, but regardless, his questions were finally answered.

Hikigaya watched as Mashima-sensei made walked in front of the students, before explaining the rules of the exam.

It was less complicated than he imagined.

Each class will be granted 300 S-Points

S-points can be spent to purchase items listed in the manual.

In addition, bonus points acquired during the test by fulfilling certain conditions will only be added on after the test is finished. They cannot be used during the test.

Each class will choose one student to be their leader.

Leaders cannot be changed without a legitimate reason.

On the last day of the test, each class can declare who they think is the leader of the other classes.

For each leader guessed correctly, that class receives 50 bonus points.

If the leader is guessed incorrectly, the class loses 50 points as a penalty.

In addition, a class whose leader is guessed correctly loses 50 points as a penalty and losses all bonus points gained during the test.

Spots on the island that serves as the testing ground can be occupied under the following conditions:

A special key card is required to occupy a spot.

The key card can only be used by the person designated as "leader".

Each occupation of a spot grants one bonus point to the occupying class.

Occupation rights expire every eight hours, and each renewal grants another bonus point to the class in question.

Use of another class's occupied spot without permission will result in a 50-point penalty.

Students will receive set penalties under the following conditions:

Those unable to continue the test due to poor health or injury will result in a 30-point penalty and retirement.

Pollution of the environment will result in a 20-point penalty.

Each absence at 8 AM and 8 PM daily roll call will result in a 5-point penalty.

Violence, theft, or destruction of property against another class will result in immediate failure for the class to whom the offending student belongs and the forfeiture of all that students' private points.

Hikigaya had already figured out a way to not have their leader discovered unconditionally.

Class A was the only class remaining.

Ichinose and the others were trying to decide on a class leader.

"Should the Leader be me?"

Ichinose asked, some nods in agreement, but Kanzaki tried to prevent it.

'What is he doing?'

"Wait, wouldn't that be too obvious?"

Hikigaya had to interject before something stupid happened.

"No, it's fine if Ichinose takes the Leader position."

The rest of his classmates looked at him.

He didn't want to get attention that much, but being stupid and losing chances for free points was even worse.

Ichinose was a person who would be willing to follow through with his plan. Rather, he thought that she was the only person who would be willing to follow through with his plan.

Thankfully, it looked like he had built up respect from the rest of his classmates from his time tutoring.

"Why? Wouldn't that be too obvious to guess?"

Kanzaki countered.

"That's the point."

"Make everyone know that Ichinose's the Leader?"

Kanzaki asked, confused. A majority of his classmates shared the sentiment.

"Remember what Mashima-sensei said? Leaders can't be changed without a legitimate reason."

"So make either her or me the Leader. Perferably me."

His classmates became even more confused.

"If I spend my time walking around the island farming points to occupy as many spots as possible, and then call in sick right before the test ends, you guys can say that I couldn't attend roll call and they can't tell who's the leader,."

Looks of understanding rang around the group.

Ichinose looked at Hikigaya with worry as the plan focused around Hikigaya doing the most walking, but Hikigaya was fine with walking around every few hours if it meant more money.

Hikigaya looked reassuredly at Ichinose until she eventually relented.

"I think Hikigaya's plan is pretty good."

With Ichinose's approval, they decided on a course of action.

They spent a few S-Points for cooking tools and a restroom, and they started their way to a home base.

"Also, when the boat was circling the island earlier, I saw a small hut. Could we check that place out first?"

Hikigaya said, getting a nod from Ichinose, and the class made their way to the smaller hut to find 2 fishing rods, but the location was inconvenient for a large group of people so they looked for a different location.

After occupying the spot, Class A made their way around the island, before settling in a relatively flat ground near a river for food.

Before they had made their way there, Hikigaya had occupied 7 spots, so their Class Points increased by 7.

Hikigaya even assisted in setting up camp, before taking a rest near a campfire before making his rounds around the island.

This was what all of his consistent workouts led to. More money was his destiny.

Ichinose sat next to him with a face of worry.

"Hikigaya-kun, you don't have to do so much work you know?"

Ichinose said in concern.

"It's fine. You know what one of my favorite things are?"

"What?"

"Free money. If I just have to walk around to get more money, then it's a job well done."

Ichinose giggled, before her expression settled into a more neutral face.

"If you ever feel tired, you have to tell me immediately, okay?"

"Yeah, don't worry. Also, are we still having an alliance with Class D during the exams?"

Hikigaya had to make sure of this before he looked started wandering around.

"I don't know yet… Me and Kanzaki can ask when we go to Class D's camp!"

"Thanks. Then I'll be seeing ya!"

Hikigaya got up, mock saluted Ichinose, and walked away.

Hikigaya would find out the class leaders before the day ended.

The island was relatively large, but he could probably cover a solid amount of ground everyday.

It was all for the money.

"The money… the money…"

Hikigaya mumbled like it was a mantra.

A/N: This is definitely a much shorter chapter that was done to introduce the island exam. I didn't include anything about the ride there because I couldn't be bothered. I think I spent the entire day writing. Other than 2 hours spent eating and doing homework.

I promise to go into more detail in the coming chapters. This was more of a setup chapter than anything.

I was just getting lazy.

Hikigaya obviously didn't go to the pool. Hikigaya is not that type of guy anyways.

But Hikigaya is the type who would spend a week wandering around for free money.

I hope you enjoyed.

Thanks for reading.