Island

The salty sea breeze swept across the deck. Class D students gathered in small groups by the ship's rail, excitedly pointing at the island taking shape in the distance.

Shiina Hiyori's silver-gray hair fluttered in the wind as she moved lightly through the noisy crowd, heading straight for Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona, who stood alone by the railing, gazing into the distance.

Her casual disregard for the boundary between classes drew the surrounding Class D students' eyes to her. Everyone knew that the beautiful girl from Class C had some degree of private friendship with Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona, but seeing her step so naturally into "enemy territory" still stirred a faint commotion and curious whispers.

Shiina Hiyori seemed oblivious to the attention around her—or perhaps she was already used to it.

She approached Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona with a light step, her face bright with a smile more radiant than usual and touched with anticipation. She asked outright, "Kanade, Kiyona, want to go on vacation together later?" Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear, with her characteristic soft, sweet quality.

Kiyona turned away from the sea and looked at Shiina.

There was little expression on her face. She simply nodded calmly. "Sure." She had no reason to refuse—not with the trust she placed in Shiina, nor with the relaxed anticipation she felt about the "vacation" itself.

At that moment, despite their suspicions, they—like the other students caught up in the illusion of a "dream trip"—believed only sunshine and beaches awaited them.

Hoshino Kanade slowly drew his gaze back from the vast horizon, finally settling it on Shiina Hiyori.

He keenly noticed that Shiina seemed more hopeful and cheerful than usual. Her taking the initiative to invite them was undoubtedly an expression of her genuine feelings.

Shiina Hiyori, a girl who usually preferred to keep to herself, had now taken the initiative to ask the three of them to go together. That meant a great deal.

What was more, Hoshino Kanade knew this trip was no simple vacation.

Two Special Examinations awaited them in succession, and the brief vacation afterward seemed more like a reward for enduring the difficult journey.

Shiina's invitation had undoubtedly presented him with an excellent opportunity.

If I go with Shiina... Hoshino Kanade quickly weighed his options. I can leave the main group from Class D without arousing suspicion. Once they learn the rules of this Special Examination, they'll naturally assume I made that strategic choice to prevent Class C from figuring out who's leading Class D. I can easily frame the whole thing as a necessary move "for Class D's ultimate victory."

Even setting aside those deeper considerations, spending this rare time with Kiyona and Shiina was something Hoshino Kanade had always dreamed of.

The corners of his mouth lifted in a warm, unmistakable smile. His eyes were filled with genuine warmth, and his voice was gentler than usual. "Of course, Shiina. I'm looking forward to spending the time ahead with you both."

"Then it's a promise!" Shiina Hiyori's smile grew even brighter at his answer, as if a little burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

She waved lightly and didn't linger. Turning around, she left the Class D area with the same light steps she'd arrived with, the ends of her silver hair swaying gently as she moved.

Watching Shiina Hiyori walk away, and thinking of Hoshino Kanade's companion from Class D, who was also strikingly attractive—especially how Kiyona's cool demeanor complemented Shiina Hiyori's quiet beauty—many boys in Class D couldn't help thinking, Spending time on a picturesque island with two beautiful girls who are so different from each other... This is the kind of thing that only happens in novels!

"Damn it!" Not far away, Yamauchi Haruki had witnessed the whole thing. His envy and jealousy were practically bursting out of him.

He tugged hard at his hair, his mouth as sour as if he'd swallowed a lemon. "That Hoshino... How does he get so lucky?"

Kanji Ike beside him was just as frustrated, pounding his chest. "Exactly! Shiina is one of the rare quiet beauties in Class C! And so is Kiyona! I'm so jealous!"

The intense jealousy stirred something in Yamauchi Haruki. A plan he'd been wavering over suddenly became clear—and urgent.

He abruptly turned to his close friend and lowered his voice, his tone resolute. "No! I can't wait any longer! I have to move up my plan to confess to Kushida! I'll do it on this island! I can't keep watching other people enjoy their youth!" He was afraid that if he waited any longer, he'd be so jealous he'd "undergo plasmolysis."

"Attention, students." A sudden announcement from the ship broke the strange mood in Class D. "If you have time, please gather on the deck. We're about to catch sight of the island. You will likely see something very meaningful in the near future."

The voice was flat and mechanical, but the message carried a deliberate, almost coaxing undertone. "Please" and "very meaningful"—those words seemed oddly out of place in an ordinary announcement to students.

The Class D students exchanged confused or indifferent glances. Still, the sudden call and promise of "meaningful scenery" prompted most of them to head toward the ship's rail without thinking.

Curiosity and a little anticipation of the unknown overcame their doubts.

They leaned against the cold metal railing, looking toward the direction indicated by the announcement—the deep, inky-blue horizon.

They didn't have to wait long. At the far edge of their vision, a gray-green outline quietly broke through the monotonous horizon.

At first, it was only a blurry rise, like a mirage.

But as the ship continued steadily forward, the outline quickly became clearer and more defined. A continuous Mountain Ridge was covered in vegetation so dense it was nearly dark green. The coastline was rugged and steep, with huge black reefs jutting into the waves like jagged teeth.

Under the glaring white sunlight, the island revealed itself in full: primitive and treacherous, a far cry from the "vacation island" of sandy beaches and coconut palms that many had imagined. It radiated an oppressive sense of danger.

"Uh... This is the 'meaningful' scenery?" Kanji Ike grimaced, pointing at the steep cliff face. "It looks like a place from a Wilderness Survival show."

"It feels so desolate..." Karuizawa Kei's voice trailed off, her earlier excitement replaced by a faint unease.

Kiyona pointed a slender finger at the island taking shape beyond the ship's window. Her voice dropped until it was little more than a breath against Hoshino Kanade's ear. "The vegetation's been deliberately kept in a primitive state, but the rock cuts and slope adjustments exceed natural thresholds." Her sharp gaze swept over several spots where Artificial Modification was obvious. "This doesn't look like a vacation destination at all. It's probably another exam." Her conclusion, based on what she'd observed, left no room for doubt.

Hoshino Kanade wasn't surprised. He swept his gaze across the island, committing it to memory, and gave a slight nod. "Mm, I think so too." His voice was equally low and clear. "The 'meaningful scenery' the announcement mentioned probably means the island's Geographical Features they've shown us during the voyage. Conducting preliminary Terrain Reconnaissance from the ship is preparation for the exam ahead."

The two exchanged a knowing look and instantly reached the same conclusion.

Without drawing attention, they moved slightly away from the still-excited students and stood in a relatively quiet corner of the deck, using the railing to shield themselves as they began to discuss matters in low voices.