Island

The sea breeze, carrying a salty chill, brushed past the deck. Students from Class D gathered by the ship's railing in twos and threes, excitedly pointing at the gradually clearing outline of the island in the distance.

Shiina Hiyori's silver-gray hair was gently lifted by the wind. She gracefully navigated through the slightly noisy crowd, heading straight for Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona, who were gazing into the distance by the railing alone.

This ease that transcended class boundaries drew the gazes of the surrounding Class D students—although everyone knew that this beautiful girl from Class C had some level of private friendship with Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona, seeing her so naturally step into "enemy territory" still caused a subtle commotion and curious whispers.

Shiina Hiyori seemed oblivious to the surrounding gazes, or perhaps she was long accustomed to them.

She approached Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona with light steps, a brighter-than-usual smile on her face, tinged with anticipation. She directly asked, "Kanade, Kiyona, do you want to do the 'vacation' together later?" Her voice wasn't loud, but it was clear, carrying her unique soft and sticky tone.

Kiyona withdrew her gaze from the sea surface and turned to look at Shiina.

Her expression was neutral, and she simply nodded calmly, "Okay." For her, there was no reason to refuse this invitation—whether it was out of trust in Shiina personally or simply looking forward to the relaxation of the "vacation" itself.

At this moment, despite their suspicions, they, like their classmates immersed in the illusion of a "dream trip," believed that only sunshine and beaches awaited them.

Hoshino Kanade's gaze slowly returned from the vast sea horizon, finally settling on Shiina Hiyori.

He keenly caught the brighter-than-usual anticipation in Shiina's eyes. This proactive invitation was undoubtedly a revelation of her true feelings.

Shiina Hiyori, a girl who usually preferred to keep to herself, was now taking the initiative to propose traveling together with the three of them. The meaning behind this was extraordinary.

Moreover, Hoshino Kanade understood that this journey was by no means a simple vacation.

Two consecutive special exams awaited them, and the brief vacation time afterward felt more like a reward for this arduous journey.

Shiina's invitation undoubtedly provided him with an excellent opportunity.

Acting with Shiina... Hoshino Kanade quickly calculated in his mind. This way, I can smoothly detach from the main force of Class D and avoid unnecessary disturbances. And once they understand the rules of this special exam, they'll naturally assume I made a strategic choice to prevent Class C from discovering Class D's leader. Everything can be cleverly packaged as a necessary layout made "for the ultimate victory of Class D."

Even setting aside these deeper considerations, enjoying this rare time together with Kiyona and Shiina was something Hoshino Kanade had longed for.

The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve into a gentle, clear arc. His eyes were filled with sincerity and warmth, and his voice was softer than usual. "Of course, Shiina. I'm really looking forward to spending this time with you both."

"Then it's settled!" Shiina Hiyori's smile brightened even more upon receiving an affirmative reply, as if a small burden had been lifted.

She waved her hand lightly and, without lingering, turned and left the Class D area as she had arrived, her silver hair tips swaying slightly with her movement.

Watching Shiina Hiyori's retreating back, and then thinking of Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona, who were considered quite attractive companions even within Class D, especially Kiyona's cool temperament that perfectly complemented Shiina Hiyori's gentle beauty, a thought involuntarily surfaced in the minds of many Class D boys: Spending time with two beautiful girls of different styles on a picturesque island... This is like something out of a novel!

"Damn it—!" Not far away, Yamauchi Haruki witnessed the entire scene, his envy and jealousy almost manifesting physically.

He scratched his head forcefully, feeling a sourness in his mouth like he had eaten lemons. "Hoshino, that guy... why is he so lucky!"

Ike Kanji, standing beside him, also thumped his chest and stamped his feet. "Exactly! Classmate Shiina is a rare quiet beauty in Class C! And Classmate Kiyona too! It's too enviable!"

This intense sourness stimulated Yamauchi Haruki, and a plan that had been wavering in his mind suddenly became clear and urgent.

He abruptly turned to his best friend, lowering his voice with a tone of desperate determination. "No! I can't wait any longer! The plan to confess to Kushida must be moved up! Right here on this island! I can't just watch others enjoy their youth anymore!" He feared that if he waited any longer, he would be so jealous he'd experience plasmolysis.

"This is an announcement to all students." A broadcast suddenly echoed from the ship, breaking the strange atmosphere in Class D. "If you have time, please gather on the deck. We are about to see the island. I believe you will see a very meaningful view in a short period."

The voice was flat and rigid, but the content carried a deliberate, almost coaxing tone. "Must," and "meaningful view"—these words seemed abrupt and subtle in the context of everyday instructions to students.

The Class D students exchanged confused or indifferent glances, but this sudden call and the promise of a "meaningful view" still drove most of them unconsciously toward the ship's railing.

Curiosity and a slight expectation of the unknown outweighed their doubts.

They leaned against the cold metal railing, their gazes fixed in the direction indicated by the broadcast—that deep ink-blue sea horizon.

They didn't wait long. At the end of their telescope-like vision, a bluish-gray silhouette quietly pierced the monotonous sea line.

At first, it was just a vague protrusion, like a mirage.

But as the ship steadily advanced, the silhouette quickly became clear and three-dimensional—it was a continuous mountain ridge, covered in vegetation so dense it was almost ink-green. The coastline was rugged and steep, with massive black reefs interlocking and jutting into the waves.

Under the blazing white sun, the island's full panorama was revealed without reservation—primitive, precipitous, and far from the "vacation island" with sandy beaches and coconut trees that many had imagined, exuding an oppressive aura that warned people away.

"Uh... this is the 'meaningful' view?" Ike Kanji grinned, pointing at the steep cliff face. "It looks like a place from a wilderness survival show."

"It feels so desolate..." Karuizawa Kei's voice lowered, her previous anticipation replaced by a vague sense of unease.

Kiyona's slender fingers pointed at the gradually clearing island outline outside the porthole. Her voice dropped even lower, almost a whisper brushing past Hoshino Kanade's ear. "The vegetation is deliberately kept primitive, but the rock cutting faces and slope adjustments exceed natural thresholds." She swept her sharp gaze over several areas with obvious signs of artificial modification. "It doesn't look like a vacation spot at all. It's probably another exam." Her tone was certain, based on detailed analysis, leaving no room for doubt.

Hoshino Kanade was not surprised. He scanned the island, committing its features to memory, and nodded slightly. "Yes, I think so too." His voice was equally low and clear. "The 'meaningful view' mentioned in the broadcast likely means that the true meaning lies in us observing the island's geographical features during the voyage. Conducting preliminary terrain reconnaissance on the ship is preparation for the upcoming exam."

They exchanged a tacit glance, instantly reaching a consensus.

Without drawing attention, they moved slightly away from their excited classmates, standing in a relatively secluded corner of the deck. Using the railing as cover, they began to discuss in low voices.