Chapter 4: Encirclement. Kouenji VS Free Group

Despite the latter half of the battle having started, Kouenji was keeping up a steady advance without weakening. Until the 10th day, today, Nagumo's group has been steadily accumulating points that stuck to them. On this day, past 5 o' clock in the afternoon, Class 3-B's Kiriyama finished a conversation on his transceiver and closed his eyes once. When the list of the top ranks was released at the 4th day, Kouenji's name was included. And though they were more or less surprised, at that point in time, neither Kiriyama nor Nagumo showed any signs of being flustered.

Because seeing that he was operating alone, he would hit his limit right away. That's what anyone would've thought.

"Kiriyama. Don't you think Nagumo has been lagging behind? He was supposed to have come running in by himself once the latter half started. Because he's been putting that off, it's the 10th day and we still haven't finished up. We're completely evenly matched."

Mikitani was showing the students of class 3B a tablet and discussing something. The tablet reflected the group of Nagumo's total points - 236. Kouenji had 230. 6 points apart. Even if they got first place with arrival points, their position could still be reversed. Nagumo's group had the member increase card and turned into a large group. They only needed to make it in time to get a guaranteed 7 points. On the other hand, Kouenji could only get 1 point, but by virtue of being solo it was easier for him to secure first arrival points. Among all the groups, he had the highest count of first arrivals, and he took pride in that.

"Even supposing that Nagumo will be able to outpace his enemies by far, if you don't do well then at this rate, we'll have 3rd place. And if you lose against a lone 2nd year, then we'll know that you're worthless. Your value will plummet, you know."

Kiriyama's group's total score was 188 points. Little by little, their point difference with Kouenji was widening.

"Now that you mention it, a little bit after the time Kouenji entered this school last year, there were some rumors. At that time, the 2nd and 3rd years were approached

as if it were no big deal and allowed a little private point trading. What did you think about that?"

"Don't get swept up just because you have some money, is just about all I thought of it."

"A student with limited academic ability, who, despite seemingly having a lot of physical ability, didn't bring any good results that stood out. He was only set apart by his parents' money. That was without a doubt the whole student body's image of him."

Mikitani nodded to Kiriyama's reply.

"The biggest and main reason that Kouenji wasn't highly valued, all things considered, was because he lacked seriousness. The opposite of what a student should fundamentally be. Even when it came to tests, from the beginning, he approached them with a strong mindset of doing nothing."

This fact didn't only reach the 2nd years, but even the 3rd years.

If Kouenji had happened to be a sincere human being, then Nagumo's circle would have recognized him to be an enemy they should stay vigilant of even sooner. They would've taken visible action to hammer the nail that stood out.

"I don't know what happened, but for this uninhabited island test, Kouenji has literally been bringing out all the stops. Because of that, he has completely become the student body's number one strongest enemy. That stamina that's as if he can't even feel tiredness is especially scary. After all, he might actually keep breaking through like this until the end."

He's been taking advantage of moving alone to the very limits. With an inexhaustible supply of physical power, he plunges forward.

Having come this far, even though they were third years, they were struggling to make their next move.

At this rate, if they didn't do anything then without a doubt, Kouenji would end the test at 3rd place or higher.

Depending on the situation, it's not as if it was impossible for him to overtake Nagumo's group.

Losing to their juniors in itself would have been a problem. If they lost to a solo group, they embarrassment would stick with them forever.

They weren't able to afford losing to this opponent and wished to deal with him quickly.

It went without saying that they should avoid using violent means as much as possible.

Hypothetically, if 3rd years launched a surprise attack on Kouenji, wounded him, and made him retire, it would of course be a problem.

If, for the sake of keeping him from the upper ranks, they employed violent means, an investigation would be unavoidable.

They had to be able to sink Kouenji as quietly as they could. "Have you decided what to do? Kiriyama."

"Yeah. Sure enough, we'll use free group."

Free group. He intended to use the 15 groups that Nagumo had prepared; 5 groups per each class from B to D, each composed of 3 members, that were to act as his hands and feet. In each of those 15 groups, 2 people were to move as instructed while 1 person would reach their designated area so as to not receive any penalty.

That meant that for every 1 free group, 2 people could be used freely. "Yeah, I thought so. So, how many will we use?"

"The whole 6 groups I was put in charge of. Mobilize all of them."

"6? Are you seriously saying that? The opponent is only 1 person. No matter how many you bring, as long as they merge with my group, 4 groups are enough, aren't they? The remaining groups can be-"

As if to interrupt Mikitani's words, Kiriyama continued.

"The threat is only Kouenji. If it were anyone but him, a follow-up after crushing them would be effective enough until we pass the 12th day, when we can no longer view their points. We will thoroughly contain Kouenji for 2 days starting from tomorrow. If a solo group like Kouenji loses his momentum even once, he won't be able to get it back a second time."

Even supposing that this happened to other groups, it would be the same thing.

"That's right, hasn't Nagumo said that there were other groups that caught his attention? If we hit all those empty groups after Kouenji, the remainder would be too little."

Though he wasn't allowed to hear the names of those groups, assuming that those were the 2nd years that entered the top 10, it could be Ryuen's group, Sakayanagi's group, or even 1st year Utomiya's group.

"That's not a concern anymore, isn't it? It's just Nagumo's unfounded worries." Of course, Kiriyama knew which group Nagumo was cautious of.

But that group hasn't showed their face in the top 10 for the past 10 days.

If they started accumulating points at a fast pace at this stage, they still wouldn't be able to reach the winners' podium.

"That point is Nagumo's mistake."

"...It's rare that Nagumo misreads someone." "A ghost was on his shoulder. It's no wonder."

The only man that Nagumo had ever acknowledged, Horikita Manabu's only legacy.

Nagumo's eyes that could see battlefields holistically being clouded because of that was no wonder.

"Then, it's fine for us to leave Kouenji to 6 groups and accumulate points normally, right?"

"No, I'll oversee Kouenji's containment directly myself." "You? That's a bit inefficient, isn't it? Let me do it."

If Kiriyama's group which presently held 3rd place moved to obstruct Kouenji's rapid charge, that would reflect on their points.

"Leave the overseeing to you?"

"Now, this is the 『decisive moment』, you know. Unlike you, who's guaranteed to win, I need to curry Nagumo's favor, so please leave it to me."

Despite Mikitani making that suggestion, Kiriyama showed no signs of listening.

"That's too bad. If I use 6 free groups and still end up failing, it'd be a serious blow."

"But you have to take 2nd place, don't you? Don't spend your time on needless things."

Mikitani, thirsty for an achievement, didn't back down.

"Aside of me or Nagumo, there is no one who can stop Kouenji. This conversation is over."

Hearing those words, Mikitani's brows almost creased, and he made an irritated face. But Kiriyama's line of sight didn't even turn to Mikitani, so he didn't notice.

In order to stop a single student, 6 groups, spearheaded by a hurried Kiriyama, departed at night.

Kouenji's ability, the bottom of which a regular student wouldn't even be able to know, appeared ghastly to Kiriyama.

The problem was where his designated area would be tomorrow, on the 11th day, at 7am.

Depending on whether Kouenji would move north, south, east or west, the span of the encirclement would change.

Because of that, they had to find out where he was camped. Then, from nighttime, when nobody would move, until 7am the next day, completely surround Kouenji. That would be an ideal flow.

Luckily, Kouenji's current spot of B3 was relatively close to Kiriyama's location of E3.

Since the points of the top groups could only be viewed until the end of the 12th day, it would only be possible to confirm the results of this plan tomorrow and the day after. By the end of the 12th day, the difference between Nagumo and Kouenji should at the very least be 30 points.

"How far do you intend to go for today?"

Mikitani, who had been killing time since the beginning of this long trip inquired from Kiriyama.

"As much as I can. I know that travel during nighttime is dangerous so in case something goes wrong I want to be in the tiles immediately surrounding Kouenji. I need to have caught up to him by 7am, after all."

Once they start their first movements, the difficulty of catching him will increase twice or thrice.

"Well, since we have two days, I think kicking him down will be easy, though. Plus including our group of 6 people will make a total of 7 groups with 18 people you know."

When Mikitani thinks back, it's possible to show the figures of 16 3rd-years.

"Don't let your guard down. In this vast forest, the fear of him making his escape isn't unfounded."

"I know he's a pretty crazy guy for a 2nd year. Him being younger than us doesn't mean we'll treat him differently though."

Neither Kiriyama nor Mikitani had ever seen Kouenji's prodigious physical ability directly. That makes it hard for them to evaluate him accurately. Even so, once he does several tasks with 3rd years, data regarding that Kouenji's physical ability will increase.

"Let's do this seriously. Acknowledge the opponent as our greatest enemy." "Greatest, huh."

Just as he had thought, he couldn't entrust this to a human being like Mikitani, Kiriyama said in his heart.

If the enemy must be eliminated, he must do it with the intention to choke the life out of them.

If he went at it half-assedly, he would end up being the prey.

1.

The next day, 11th day. Past 6am.

Kiriyama's group, including Mikitani and the 6 free groups were successfully surrounding Kouenji.

"What's the situation?"

"It looks like there's still no movement from his tent. Sleeping like a damn baby. If his condition turns out to have deteriorated and he sleeps in for the whole day we'd have an easy time though."

Mikitani starts speaking with the members of the free groups.

"Hey, what if we encircle him and prevent him from going anywhere before he leaves his tent? If we make it so he can't even catch his bearings, that Kouenji guy won't be able to go anywhere, right?"

In reply to Mikitani making that sort of proposal, those in the free groups also agreed that that would be easy to do.

"Indeed, if we prevent him from picking up his tent then we can already slow him down from reaching his designated area. But if a 3rd party sees that, what excuse do you intend to give them? Even if we do that, as known since the first day, crude actions must be done discreetly."

Even if you were to commit a violation, you must eliminate the danger as much as possible.

"It'd be okay to use the GPS search, wouldn't it? Because how many points do, we have to throw away anyway?"

"Our tablets cannot grasp the positions of teachers. Don't forget that searches aren't absolute. As originally planned, when Kouenji leaves his tent, packs it up and start to move, I'll leave things to you. If you encounter a 1st, 2nd year, or an adult setting up a task, open a distance of at least 2 meters from Kouenji right away."

Don't make a distance close enough to touch him, Kiriyama warned. Once 7am arrived, a change in the situation finally appeared. "Kouenji is moving."

As if he didn't imagine for even a little bit that someone was watching him, he started packing his tent while humming unconcernedly. He was tactless. As if before 7am, he had completed his preparations to depart.

And in his hand, in his tablet, he was waiting for the exam continuation at 7am. "Go."

Kiriyama, having judged that now was the best timing to come out, started walking towards Kouenji.

Mikitani and the free groups followed from a short distance away.

As though he didn't notice them quietly drawing near to him, Kouenji continued using his tablet. He didn't show any sign of raising his face. Even after he was surrounded by a complete force of 18 people, he didn't change. Like he couldn't see what was in his surroundings with his eyes, he continued his behavior.

Judging that he was pretending to not notice them although he already had, Mikitani tried to come near. But with just his eyes Kiriyama easily held him back.

"Can you spare some time, Kouenji?"

Though his name was called, Kouenji didn't even try to lift his face or line of sight from his tablet.

"What is it you want with me?"

Despite his complete lack of manners with his seniors, Kiriyama didn't reproach him and continued.

Because he knew all too well that regular common sense didn't apply to the human being called Kouenji Rokusuke.

"In this special test, I didn't think that you would act this much. While you have the ability, why is it that up to now you haven't been participating seriously?"

"Is that something to be discussed here? In a very short time, it will be 7am. Shouldn't you lot also hurry and prepare to head to your designated areas?"

"You get it, don't you Kouenji? You've accumulated too many points."

Although he was talking as if he didn't understand what was happening, that shouldn't be the case, is what Kiriyama was saying.

"For the whole day today, I want to ask you to not move from this place." "Don't earn more points... is what you mean?"

"Yes."

Of course, even after saying such a thing, Kouenji wouldn't nod his head.

"I don't know who you are, but if you think about it, you will understand it's impossible. Despite that, to have come here with this many people... if I don't comply, you have the resolve to obstruct me from moving, isn't that, right?"

"Even if you continue the special test at this pace, you wouldn't get 1st place. You are alone against Nagumo's group which has 7 people, and our group which will take 3rd place has 6 people. I'll acknowledge that you've steadily come this far. But I'm also looking at the fact that in this second half while tiredness kicks in, the number of points one can earn is decreasing."

"If that's so then wouldn't it be fine to not inconvenience someone like me?"

"I'm being as sure as I can be. Besides, from the perspective of a 3rd year it's hard for me to accept you vying for a high rank while being solo. Of course, if you honestly comply then I won't do anything bad. If you join Nagumo, who is the Student Council President, as an ally, then your student life will be steadier."

Whether to be suppressed through tough measures or to honestly obey and curry favor with Nagumo were the two choices prepared for Kouenji.

The time reached exactly 7am and the tablet displayed the first designated area of the 11th day.

Kouenji verified that and relaxedly placed the tablet into his backpack.

To move or not to move. The instant when Kiriyama and the others were watching the situation.

"I'll hurry ahead so please excuse me."

At the same time Kouenji uttered words of refusal, he instantly sped up and took off running towards the free groups.

"Hey! Oi!"

He was surrounded but there was enough excessive space in between them. His figure reached those gaps. To say that Kiriyama and everyone with him hadn't been even a little bit careless would be a lie, wouldn't it. They naively saw the possibility of him ignoring the orders of 3rd years and dashing off as low.

"Chase him!"

Despite Mikitani calling out, even during the time it took for him to do so Kouenji's figure continued to disappear into the heart of the forest.

"He's really rushing. If I match my pace to Kouenji's, I see a painful experience." "Is this a time to be relaxed!? You let him slip!"

"He might end up getting some arrival points, but that's it. If Kouenji chose to run away from place to place, then that means he can no longer participate leisurely in tasks. On the other hand, if he brazenly chooses to participate in tasks, then we can chase him."

It would be risky to decide which area Kouenji was going to based only on which direction he was headed. But the fact that it was impossible to hide because of GPS searches was something that Kiriyama understood well.

Despite that, perhaps because he was nervous, Mikitani started to chase Kouenji double time.

2.

With Mikitani as the head, Kiriyama and the free groups were pursuing Kouenji. "What's Kouenji's position?"

"About that, he hasn't been moving at all for some time. We've searched thrice but that seems to be the case."

To not move at all despite the lack of anything like a rest period is unnatural.

Wanting to see the incomprehensible Kouenji's movements, Kiriyama also peeked at a tablet.

"It seems unlikely that a task will even appear nearby."

"Yeah. Another 200 meters and we'll have caught up with Kouenji." "This time don't let your guard down and corner him for sure. Okay?" "You don't even need to say."

6 hours after the ones who Kouenji left behind started to chase him, they would meet his surprising visage again.

The reason he wasn't moving was because despite the broad daylight, he had fallen asleep.

Astounded, the 3rd years exchanged glances.

As their representative, Mikitani drew near, looked down on Kouenji's face, strengthened his tone and started talking.

"Wake up Kouenji. Escaping only to take an afternoon nap, you're awfully composed. Or, after running around with all you might for 10 days straight, are you, as I'd expect, totally exhausted, so much so that you can't go without sleep?"

Despite not wanting to sleep, not being able to help but sleep.

Thinking about the reason he was sleeping before he ran away, nothing else entered Mikitani's mind.

Kouenji slowly opened his eyes and quietly laughed.

"Isn't that natural? I am, after all, a human being like you lot."

"Then just like that, rest for today. Your tiredness up to now has been piling up, hasn't it? Your senior's kind words are something you should lend an ear to, you know."

"Rest for today? You say funny things, don't you?"

Not even slightly flustered from being surrounded, Kouenji stands up.

Mikitani was looking down on him, but when Kouenji, whose height surpasses 180cm, stood up, Mikitani's line of sight naturally turned upwards.

Those eyes were overflowing with energy. Even compared to the Kouenji from a while ago, they looked one size more energetic.

"Don't push yourself. Because if you rest for just a little, your tiredness will be thrown away. So, nobody will suffer."

Despite feeling the intimidation, Mikitani confidently closed the gap between them.

"Your worries are unnecessary. My stamina has already recovered perfectly, after all. If you talk about me like an ordinary person, I'll be troubled."

Though he could also take it for a simple bluff, Kiriyama showed his composure and pointed his words at Kouenji.

"Indeed, I can see that you're fine. But as Mikitani said, you've run past these 10 days and more with all you might, more so than anyone else. I also have no doubts that you've been getting 1st arrival rewards more than anyone else. It's just that even though you hold a stamina that surpasses ordinary people, I think you're near your limit."

"But seeming near my limit is something that doesn't appear in the range of ordinary people

"But if it seems that I am reaching my limit, that is still not something within an ordinary person's limits to discern. Wouldn't you agree?"

"You mean you're not at your limit?"

Kiriyama emphasized his doubtful expression. In return, Kouenji immediately slashed back.

"I'm an extremely short sleeper, you see. My constitution has exceedingly short REM sleep."

"Ah? So, what if your REM sleep is short, ha?"

Mikitani flared up at Kouenji's statement, but at that point for the first time Kiriyama's facial expression hardened.

"Short sleeper... if that's true then it'll be a huge problem." "What do you mean Kiriyama?"

"A human being's ideal amount of sleep in one day is approximately 7 to 8 hours. That's because from the viewpoint of maintaining one's health, less than that or more than that cannot be called good. However, short sleepers are identified to have constitutions that can maintain their healthiness even given less than 6 hours of sleep."

Sleeping alternates and repeats between REM sleep and non-REM sleep. REM sleep is, so to speak, the stage at which the brain adopts an active state and wakes up. On the other hand, non-REM sleep is when the brain sleeps.

Short sleepers have a short REM sleep period, and so even if their rest is short, the brain and body can sufficiently rest.

"I thought it was strange that you were brazenly sleeping, but it was that sort of thing..."

Though Kouenji possessed physical power that stood out from the others, if required to repetitively perform intense travel and tasks for a long time, the strain would steadily accumulate.

The remaining time after reaching a designated area and the times when a task was not nearby.

Steadily sleeping here, Kouenji had successfully preserved his physical power up to a high standard.

If his declaration about being an extremely short sleeper was true, then not only does Kouenji's physical power outdo that of a normal people, but even his ability to recover is, in the same way, removed from that of a normal person. That was the meaning.

Now Kiriyama started to feel a little bit nervous within himself.

Even while controlling their pace, anyone would be strained and feel tiredness.

Just by walking, one's legs and feet scream for rest. Thinking, "I don't want to do this test anymore," one's heart would tend to fold.

That was the common understanding within the depths of the students' minds.

Exactly because of that premise, they had thought that suppressing Kouenji wouldn't be hard.

If that premise were to collapse and disappear- "By the way, what is it you still want with me?"

"Whether or not you have stamina left doesn't matter. Quietly-" Just as the irritated Mikitani tried to order Kouenji, Kiriyama cut in. "We don't really want anything with you. Don't mind us."

Keeping him from directly expressing himself with all his might, he was trying to let things advance peacefully.

Even as he was dissatisfied because of such a lukewarm approach, Mikitani further bore with it.

"Fufu. Even as you say that you seem considerably aggressive."

Nothing whatsoever about the 3rd years' warnings and threats seemed like it was of imagination.

In the middle of the conversation, when the 3rd designated areas were announced, Kouenji looked at his tablet and set out towards that direction immediately.

"He won't listen to something like a warning, Kiriyama." "That might be the case."

"And he spouted all that crap about being a short sleeper, but for sure that's a bluff."

But as it had already been happening, while the efficiency of many students largely decrease, Kouenji was maintaining a good pace that was more or less the same since the beginning. It was obvious that he had trained his body thoroughly and incessantly every day. He wasn't even treating this uninhabited island special test as anything but a part of that. He had that sort of attitude.

"There's no helping it. We're changing our strategy. Suppress the tasks."

Here at last, Kiriyama made a judgement and gave the respective orders to close in on Kouenji.

But as if dissatisfied with the contents, Mikitani pouted his lips.

"Right now, the one giving orders is me. Don't cause trouble Mikitani." "Tch..."

Even while feeling baffled from the perpetually willful Kouenji, the 3rd years started deploying far and wide.

As the 18 people adopt a triangle formation, they position themselves around Kouenji at the middle.

Additionally, Kiriyama summons his teammates on the transceiver as he makes contact with them.

Not even thinking about what will happen from here on out, Kouenji continues walking.

He doesn't stop his movements or take a rest.

The plan Kiriyama put together had 3 parts in total. First was to simply persuade Kouenji to give up on getting first place with words. Of course, exerting pressure by doing things like surrounding him with several people at the same time was part of this plan. Next, the second strategy was to surround Kouenji, who moves without letting himself be restrained, and move while surrounding him. And the third is to reach the tasks Kouenji aims for before he does.

They had 6 free groups, with a total of 7 groups counting Kiriyama's. The hurdle of participating in tasks will inevitably rise to a certain degree. Furthermore, if all of them were to conduct themselves only to shut down Kouenji, then it would become possible for their winning rate to fall as well.

The participation conditions for every task differs, but there is a decided pattern for that.

The two types: the "tasks where groups can participate depending on their head count" and the "tasks where whole groups can participate."

In case of the latter, the free groups, none of which are complete, won't meet the participation requirements. But tasks in which whole groups can participate on a basic level mostly require 2 or more people. That means that because Kouenji is moving alone, the tasks he can do are limited to require only 1 person, and so the 3rd years in this place hold the same qualifications to participate in tasks.

Although for now the 3rd years were staying composed and following Kouenji, little by little, something like impatience was born.

The speed Kouenji was walking with could, from an outsider's perspective, even be mistaken for speed walking. Just from running him the stamina loss would be intense. Even if one were to simply walk at the same speed, they would begin to feel severely tired.

Because they couldn't match with a walking speed they couldn't get used to, they forcefully came near.

Rather than that, running was more fun. "Kouenji! Don't act tough with me!"

Judging that he was putting on a brave front, Mikitani impatiently yelled.

"Good grief. Noisy, aren't you. Then, just a little bit, shall I make my pace faster?"

Along with those words, Kouenji once again broke into a dash. "Don't let him escape this time! Surround him!"

The 3rd years who had been following while keeping their distance moved towards Kouenji at the same time.

But before they could close him in, Kouenji slipped from that network in an instant.

"You're kidding-!?"

Such words of a 3rd year rode the wind and disappeared.

Just as if he had been maintaining them, the legs of Kouenji who had dashed off were fresh on the ground.

And at a speed that would put even sprinters to shame, he escaped into the woods.

Of the free groups composed of 12 people, most of those members would boast of their physical strength.

Even besides OAA, their physical abilities were only B and above.

They were gathered by Nagumo and Kiriyama in order to monopolize most tasks. Soldiers, so to speak.

"Chase him! Don't you dare let him escape!" "Wait Mikitani, don't act selfishly!"

"Shut up! Will I put up with letting him escape a second time!? Catch him force him along and knock him down!"

Ignoring orders, Mikitani and the others took off running after Kouenji. "Are you stupid..."

Kiriyama hesitated for a second whether or not to chase after them, but he composedly looked at his tablet and revised the strategy.

It's hard to think that Kouenji would take off sprinting without any meaning. He considered whether he was aiming for a designated area or a task.

"The nearest task Kouenji can participate in is E3 Area 1. But the reward at 1st place is 8 points, huh... Though it wouldn't be strange if he prioritized the first arrival reward of 10 points... where is this guy's designated area?"

Direction-wise, D4 is very likely but it can be a random area besides that. "For all my analysis I'm not suited to this opponent."

Kiriyama was fully realizing that because of his absurd thinking, logic couldn't be applied to his opponent's reasoning.

3.

As a result, what Kouenji was aiming for turned out to be a task in E3.

He arrived in the blink of an eye at the task he was aiming for, took a participation slot, and stopped moving right away.

Later by a few minutes, Mikitani and the others caught up to Kouenji. But after Kouenji, one other person had arrived and filled up another slot, filling the task's capacity. Because of that they were forced to wait. The task was an English test. There were participants from 1st to 3rd year, but the contents were uniform.

The result was that the 3rd year who could also be called a genius, Doumichi, took first place. But Kouenji took 2nd place by a slim margin. Therefore, he received 4 points.

Because the eyes of the faculty members were watching, Mikitani and the others were at a short distance away from Kouenji and the task place trying to devise a way to get closer to him. But before those faculty members stopped watching him, Kouenji took off running.

Repeatedly chasing after Kouenji, who was too fast to keep up with, lead to them forcing themselves to keep running while being behind.

The next time they were able to surround Kouenji was at 3am, upon arrival to his 3rd designated area.

By the 3rd time, Mikitani had succeeded in cornering him.

"It seems you lot are also doing your best, right?" "We don't have time to care how we look!"

The outcome of trying to arrive before Kouenji in every single task on the 11th day: not succeeding even once.

To say that the pride of the 3rd years was ripped to shreds wasn't an exaggeration. Nagumo will be very disappointed when he learns this.

Now that things have become like this the word peaceful has already lost its meaning.

"This is your last warning Kouenji."

Kiriyama surrounded Kouenji with the free groups and declared such.

"Only tomorrow is fine. Obey us and stay still without doing anything. That's all."

If Kouenji is held back for 1 day, then Nagumo will be able to win at 1st place for sure.

The important part was not letting Kouenji take 1st place again.

"O-Oi, Nagumo told us to suppress him for 2 days...! Shouldn't we make it tomorrow and the day after?"

"The top groups will already be unverifiable by the day after tomorrow. There probably won't be any groups that will put on a hot chase, but it's more important to get more points for we rather than to contain someone."

This was Kiriyama's judgement after seeing Kouenji's state from up close. "You can't say it's a good idea to allot 3 whole days for Kouenji, right?" "Then at least put a few people to watch over him for the remaining 2 days!" "Do you think Kouenji will accept that?"

If it were only for 1 day, then there would be a good chance for Kouenji to keep 2nd or 3rd place.

But if he were to cease for 2 days, then the possibility of him dropping from the winners' podium appears.

"It's not as if he'll honestly accept a situation in which he loses."

"That depends on the method, doesn't it?"

After bearing his dissatisfaction and following Kiriyama until now, Mikitani opposes him.

"...You can do it?"

"I can do it. If I, do it, please prepare a ticket for me to transfer to Class A." Saying that, Mikitani brushed Kiriyama aside and took a step forward.

Then he points his words to Kouenji.

"You've been listening right? Tomorrow and the day after that, please stay here.' "That's your request hm?"

"No, it's an order."

"It's not a request I can honor, though. What happens if I refuse?" "Worst case scenario, you will be expelled."

After he said such, Mikitani let several of his comrades go near Kouenji.

Even without saying it with words, the fact that it was suppression from violence was clear as day.

Though threatened with violence, as if he were invincible, Kouenji didn't stop smiling and waited for the 3rd years' approach.

"Can I take your silence to mean that you'll obey?" "I won't obey anyone."

"Then let's do this the disobedient way. Okay? Kiriyama." "I'll trust getting Kouenji to obey to your judgement."

As he laughed from his nose, Mikitani assumed a confident posture that didn't crumble.

But at the same time as the last designated area of the 11th day was announced, Kouenji stood up.

Mikitani saw that and hurriedly gave direct orders. Kouenji was surrounded. "I told you, didn't I? Stay here."

Because they were close enough to touch skin, Kouenji's movements didn't do anything but forcibly push the 3rd years.

"This can't be called a beautiful situation. I don't like men."

"Then what will you do? If you try to break through, we will take it as a declaration of war."

"Fufu. Is that so?"

Kouenji took a step while laughing.

Of course, that big step was a sufficient movement to touch Mikitani who was in front of his eyes.

But he didn't extend his arm or do anything to move them.

Because he only walked normally, they ended up bumping shoulders.

In other words, a test of forcing his way through with strength without raising his hands.

Though that couldn't not be considered as breaking through, the excellence of his body and the fact that he stopped stepping made Mikitani examine his self- confidence. It was a chance to verify the fact that the speed of his legs and his power were different problems.

"!"

Mikitani felt a sensation as if a big boulder was slowly crashing into him. But when he realized it, he had let Kouenji vacate his area and move to his side in a forceful maneuver.

The opponent Kouenji, without even showing any signs that he had collided with them, silently walked away.

"Asshole, wait!"

Mikitani hurriedly grabbed Kouenji's shoulder, but he couldn't stop him with that half-baked power.

Here, before his very eyes, the inane event of letting Kouenji escape was repeating itself.

Even if Mikitani who realized that resisted it, Kouenji's feet would not stop. Having shown that to Kiriyama, Mikitani clicked his tongue and changed his mind. Calling 1 comrade, he tried to stop Kouenji with 2 people.

Morooka, as if he was being pulled along, joined in trying to apprehend Kouenji and was put off balance.

Then he exaggeratedly collapsed and acted like he was feeling pain.

Right after seeing that, Mikitani forcefully stopped Kouenji, who had walked around.

"Tte! My arm might be broken!"

Loudly appealing like a Soccer player, Morooka screamed wildly.

"Looks like you've done something awful, Kouenji. You've injured Morooka didn't you."

"It's like he got hit by a car."

"No matter what you say, the fact that you pushed him away won't change."

Everyone changed their positions and completely surrounded Kouenji so he wouldn't escape.

The reserved strategy from until a moment ago was silent.

"As expected, this seems to have become a situation I cannot overlook. Now then, what should I do?"

"You look like you're going to go on despite striking your senior. But just to make absolutely sure, if you strike us again it's going to become a big problem you know?"

You won't hit us again, won't you, was the forewarning.

But without even denying it, Kouenji continued behind Mikitani.

"I don't have any intention of going easy on those who stop my advance, much less on those who bare their fangs."

He was willing to commit violence. Mikitani's face hardened for an instant at that answer.

"How would we explain this to the school?"

"Whatever would happen? Wouldn't this become nothing more than a disgrace carved into the 3rd years who tried to beat a 2nd year in large numbers?"

The fact that Mikitani and the others' wristwatches were moving normally didn't even need to be verified. If they weren't, then arriving at, qualifying for and entering tasks before Kouenji wouldn't be possible.

"Will this be fine soon? Because of you lot keeping me company, a shadow has been cast over my acquisition of the arrival rewards after all."

It has already been more than 10 minutes since the designated areas were announced.

Kouenji was aiming towards his designated area before his competitors came one after another.

Though it was plenty possible for him to take 1st place if he recovered now, it's unclear what would happen.

"Sorry, but... I won't let you."

Hardening his resolution, Mikitani told Kouenji that he was prepared to quarrel with him.

"I won't easily let you off either, no matter what." "Could you be bearing your fangs against me?"

The 3rd years had been bewildered by Kouenji's aura until now. But they remembered their roles. Though they understood that surrounding a junior in large numbers must look pathetic, if it were their only way to survive, then there was no need to care about appearance.

Usually, the fact that one wasn't thinking about the future would be something that the opponent would also perceive, but Kouenji was different.

The man who carried no interest in anyone but himself was only thinking about how he could deal with this development in a beautiful way here. About his blond lustrous blond hair that would put women to shame, the maintenance of which he maintained even in his activities at the uninhabited island. He lightly and gently touched his slightly disheveled bangs and smiled.

Then in that instant, Mikitani, wisely frightened, took some distance. "Time is money, come quickly."

Kouenji straightened his posture into a welcoming one. He slowly widened his arms and gestured for the third years to attack.

"Is this alright Mikitani? We're really gonna do it."

"...Yeah. If push comes to shove, I'll just take Kouenji down with me. I'm coming!"

At the same time, he raised his voice 3 students rushed towards Kouenji in one breath.

One of them was aiming to bind Kouenji's arms behind his back. The other 2 approached from his front and left side.

At a glance it may seem that the 3 of them flying at you at the same time would be hard to deal with, but although these 3 are especially accustomed to fights, that doesn't mean that they are as good in coordination.

They were trying to oppose Kouenji with only a timing that seemed like mere pretend.

None of them were truly trying to hit him. If it had to be said, the thought of leaving that to someone else took center place.

Kouenji dodged all of that with a single gorgeous step. He caused the surprised 3rd years to collide head-on with their comrades.

"Tte. Hey, be careful!" "You are too!"

Far off from a beautiful combination. The 3rd years were exchanging complaints to quarrel with one another.

"Don't lose sight of him you guys. The target is Kouenji."

In this place Mikitani, who was accustomed to fights, shouted at his self- destructing comrades.

4.

After a short time, exhausted third years were kneeling and suffocating around Koenji.

He broke his heart by continuing to nullify the attack without turning his fist at all.

"Ah, ah ... shit, what's that? His really a monster. I think it would have been easier to shake us off a while ago ... "

Even when Mikitani left in awe, he realized that he was able to take a chance.

"It's a hassle to be hung up forever. It doesn't feel good for dead leaves to hit my cheeks over and over again. "

Kiriyama, who was listening to it, doesn't panic and continues to analyze even in this difficult situation.

"I see. Certainly, Mikitani was prepared to pursue you forever. If you can show the overwhelming difference in ability,

your heart will be broken. However, it's a trick to break the other person's heart without fighting back,

and you're the only one who can think of it and do it in words. "

Even if you throw away the order of arrival reward in the designated area and pick the buds of the counterattack of the third years here.

Kiriyama and his colleagues were scooped up by Koenji who decided that. "Are you okay, Mikitani?"

"Oh. I'm not suspicious ...

Some students fell or were slammed into the ground in the form of a suicide bomb, but all were almost intact. At best, you only have to rub your hands slightly.

in front of the overwhelming power, it was a form that showed a difference that does not need to shake a fist.

"Is it okay for me to go?" "Koenji, if you like"

"Then, I'm sorry. "Adieu"

Koenji has left because no one can stop him anymore... After that, Mikitani murmured with his heart broken...

"What is he. Are you really a high school student? It's like a cloud in the south. " " After all, we can only crawl on such a ground forever? " .

"To such a weirdo's junior! Even stupid! Damn! Damn!" "Our fight isn't over yet.".

"Are you going to report my failure to the southern cloud?"

"What's the benefit of doing that?". I'm the one who has already decided to win. " " That's right. "

" Don't worry, Koenji is out of the standard from the beginning.. However, there are always weaknesses in any opponent. You say that big is also small. "

Mikitani nods quietly, feeling somehow grateful for the words of Kiriyama.

However, Kiriyama was not upset because he expected this to happen from the beginning.

A Strategy to make Koenji blow a bubble, which is sure to eliminate the obstacles ahead.

Although it was disturbed by a large number of people, it was hardly harmed. As a result, Koenji strongly felt that it was not a big deal for

third years. That was the aim of Student Council Vice President Kiriyama.

On the 11th day, before 5 pm. When I arrived at the last designated area J10, I was fascinated by the scenery. Other than that, it was important to collect scores and goods from tasks, but it's more important to be more careful about scoring operations. It was surprisingly difficult to keep my spot around 11th place.

It is necessary to step on the designated area so that you won't be penalized,

and you need to score points so that you will stick around as you score 10th place.

On the 10th day of yesterday's test, the random movement of B9 was announced after F4 on the third basic movement,

and it was abandoned early. I couldn't reach the next which was C9, so I decided to go through for 2 consecutive times.

While I managed to avoid the catch-up penalty with the first basic move to C8 this morning,

it was today when I couldn't catch up with the random area of H9 and caught up with I9.

If an area is specified even once for a long distance, the movement will continue to be swayed by it.

Maybe because I'm riding in the wind, I can't hear it well, but it's a voice that I'm familiar with.

I thought I might be acquainted, so I decided to take a peek.

The voice comes from the west, that is, from the direction of the sea.

There I meet a group. It is a group consisting of three B-class girls in the second year,

and there are also three members from another group of second years. I haven't seen since the test start date.

Ishizaki, Nishino, Tsutsube.

The table should have been different originally, but did the designated areas overlap this time?

"Oh? Ayanokouji-kun, it's you, isn't it?"

The five of them were in conversation and hadn't noticed this yet, and only Hiyori, who was in front of me, felt a sign or noticed this existence. I waved my hands as soon as our eyes met.

"It looks better than I expected."

"I have everyone do their best. The maximum number of people in the group has also increased to six. "

That's why I joined Ishizaki and others.

It seems that many students are not satisfied with their honesty ability, but it will be able to make a strong contribution in terms of brains rather than Hiyori.

That support would be. However, it cannot be said that the physical ability is high enough to compliment. Even considering the group members,

it can be said that they are functioning in a well-balanced manner. "Did you plan to join with Ishizaki and the others from the beginning?"

"I agree. There are several priorities for merging, and it is one of them. "

She admitted without denying, and at the point where he turned his gaze, Ishizaki and his colleagues were chatting while staring at the sun, which would soon set to heal their tiredness.

Basically, it seems to be good friends only for the group built in B class for 2 years.

The only different class of Tsutsube is well integrated. "Ayanokouji-kun, is your physical condition the same?"

Even if you see that no one comes from the following, it seems that Hiyori does not particularly care.

"Oh. Somehow for now "

"Don't worry but be careful. There is a risk that I will retire with just one suspicion. "

"I know"

Because I was beckoned, I decided to sit next to Hiyori. "It's three more days."

"That's right."

.

After that, we quietly stare at the sea and cultivate our spirit.

When I meet a friend or someone close to me, I am often asked what the current situation is.

As long as it was a battle for survival, it was something that I was really worried about.

However, Hiyori doesn't seem to ask me how the score is.

It feels like I believe I shouldn't drop out, rather than not being interested. "Hey Ayanokouji-kun!"

I wonder why I finally noticed this, Ishizaki showed a very happy smile for some reason.

It seems that the rest of the members soon noticed this, but they grabbed Ishizaki's shoulder as he approached.

"What's that?" "Don't disturb"

"What? You don't hate Ayanokouji, right?" "That's not the good thing about Ishizaki-kun." "No, it's good? It's just that I can't read the air."

" Yeah, I can't deny it. "

Nishino and Tsutsube have come to talk to each other.

It will be a sight seen by many groups in a long-term battle on an uninhabited island.

If we work together with all our might to avoid dropping out, we can easily overcome even the smallest gaps in the walls.

But at the same time, it's also cruel.

When this special test is over, the battle by class will resume again, and the future of kicking each other awaits.

At that time, not a few students will not be able to make normal judgments. "It's bad to disturb you."

I decided that I wouldn't be able to talk about it if I was in D class, but I hurriedly grabbed my shoulder when Ishizaki rushed over.

"One man has a narrow shoulder, please go out with me Ayanokouji ~" "I'm going out with you..."

"I don't have an exam today anyway,"

J10, which is a designated area, is not suitable for setting up a tent because the wind is strong, and the ground is full of rocks.

In that sense, as Ishizaki said, I was planning to avoid the seaside and make it around I9 ....

"It's a wonderful idea.".

These two are relatively close to me, so there are few problems, but what about the other girls?

"Isn't it okay? Ayanokouji-kun seems to be harmless to humans and animals." "That's right.".

I thought it was a group with a cozy and peaceful atmosphere that made me forget that I was taking a strict special exam.

This kind of atmosphere tends to be seen in the Ichinose class, but it seems that the Ryuen's class is beginning to change little by little.

"Ayanokouji-Senpai, Ayanokouji-Senpai ...!"

At midnight when I was asleep, I woke up when I heard a voice calling me.

The voice is so quiet that you can't hear it in the surroundings, and you can hear it right next to the tent.

The time I checked on my watch was around 2:30 midnight. "It was Nanase Tsubasa."

Immediately awaken your consciousness and show your face out of the tent. Nanase's panicked appearance is projected by the light of the tablet in the dark.

"What happened at this time ... Are you suspicious?"

"I'm fine, because I was in the same place as my seniors. Actually, in the evening, I saw him from a distance, but I decided to avoid contact because I was acting with Hoizumi-kun. "

" ... So? "

Today ... No, it's exactly yesterday because the date has already changed, but on the 12th day from Hoizumi-kun,

I was told by Ayanokouji-Senpai that he would make a big gimmick on the first years. " .

It is unknown what day it is, but Hosen was called by Takahashi, Hachiya, Tsubaki, Utomiya, but ignored it. However,

a student who seems to be a member of the group appeared on the 9th day with a walkie-talkie and asked Hosen for cooperation again. The contents are like this.

At the end of the uninhabited island test, I was forced to retire.

And aiming to hunt down and retire senior students who act alone in the same way.

It seems that the transceiver is still owned by Hoizumi, as he will contact you on the day of the event. However,

Hosen is not willing to cooperate with each other, and it seems that Nanase is told that it is a calculation to pretend to cooperate and use it.

Will it be set in the final stage? It's worth the effort in "advance".

"It's the correct answer that I didn't tell you the date and details of the decision until the last minute."

If the date and contents were leaked here, it would be easy to take countermeasures.

The details of the operation have not yet arrived at Hosen, which may betray the facts.

"Who is conducting?"

"I do not understand. However, Tsubaki was the main person I was talking to on the walkie-talkie. "

" I didn't seem to be the type that was so open and various. "

" I agree. I had the impression that the C class was centered around Utomiya-kun. However,

do you say that Utsunomiya-kun and Hosen-kun are not on good terms?

It's possible that Tsubaki-san was intentionally used as an intermediary because the discussions quickly became a quarrel or a waist. "

"I'm grateful that I just knew the date of the decision.

You shouldn't stay too long even at midnight. It will be troublesome later if it is known that the information was sent to me. "

Anyway, it may hinder Nanase's future school life.

For better or worse, you have to spend the same year in class D as Hosen. Instruct to return before being realized by Hosen.

"Yes, I'll let you know if there's any big move."

"Oh, thank you, but this uninhabited island test is enough. If you see the movement of the first years,

you don't have to come to teach, and you don't have to help poorly. " " But ─── "

" Nanase got enough information. After that, as a member of the Hosen and Amasawa group, you should do what you should do. "

If Nanase loses all the credibility here, information will not come down in the future.

In that case, the utility value will drop sharply. "If Ayanokouji-senpai says so ... I understand."

Nanase went away in the dark night for a short run she decided to bow deeply.

When I couldn't see her back, I took out my tablet and thought about it for a moment.

The drowsiness disappears completely, and the time to stare at the screen begins.

It's okay to conclude that the information Nanase heard is genuine, but it's a different matter if things go according to that information.

The details of the 1st year class D are unknown, but Hosen is a human who controls the class with a type of power like Ryuenn.

However, as a similar and different part, there is a tendency for oneself to take the lead in breaking through obstacles.

Meanwhile, Hosen had Nanase by his side from the beginning of school.

Certainly, Nanase has a strong mentality that ordinary first-year high school students do not have. There is no doubt that he is a valuable existence because of his high academic ability and physical ability.

However, the reliability of Takaraho Izumisen for Nanase remains completely unknown.

If you don't trust it, will you let Nanase hear about the one-year surprise attack operation? I don't think that Hosen alone can have the idea that Nanase is on my side, but it's no wonder that I feel something strange.. If Amasawa is biting, there is a possibility that the cylinder will come off ....

In any case, the first-grade attack plan is not surprising. It was assumed from the beginning that I would aim for the uninhabited island test, which was originally a bounty. I'm grateful that Nanase came to report, but this plan hasn't changed at all.

5.

After that, after sleeping for a while, we started the GPS search at 6 am. If we decide today, we should see some unusual movements in the major first graders, including Hosen.

"Positioning hasn't changed."

The only table, Hosen, is close, but everyone else is more than 3 squares away. I don't seem to be working on anything yet. It is unlikely that you will attack in a conspicuous place, so you can think that it is safe while Ishizaki and others are nearby.

Hiyori and Ishizaki started to wake up and started preparing for the exam on the 12th day today.

Start walking all at once when everyone is ready. "It's hard to climb here from the morning."

Ishizaki, who hasn't awakened yet because he woke up, complains.

"It can't be helped, right? If you suddenly step on the designated area, you will lose it. "

Nishino rushed into Ishizaki.

I wonder if I've been communicating like this for more than 10 days.

The rest of the members are concentrating on walking, as if listening to them.