Shimiya Kuki held the list of optimized purchases and walked steadily toward Hoshinomiya Chie, who was watching the workers put up a temporary shelter with great interest.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, this is Class B's final purchase list." He handed her the paper.
Hoshinomiya-sensei turned around and took the list, blinking her big eyes dramatically. "Oh my, oh my? Has everyone in Class B already reached an agreement? You've worked so efficiently—you've really impressed your teacher! My luxurious Seaview Bachelor Pad isn't even finished yet!" As she spoke, she quickly scanned the list. When she saw the tarps, ropes, shower, and even the entertainment equipment, a playful smile tugged at her lips. "Oh my, oh my? Are you planning to turn Deserted Island Survival into Star Camping, Shimiya? What an interesting idea~"
Shimiya Kuki calmly added, "Also, besides the items on the list, we need to request a large quantity of plastic bags and Absorbent Cloth." He then gave her a staggering amount.
"Ehh?!!" Hoshinomiya-sensei gasped in shock, her voice rising with disbelief. "W-wait! That's an absurd amount! Shimiya, are you planning to cover the whole island with plastic bags?! Or make an inflatable castle for everyone?" Her cry drew everyone's attention.
Even Shibata, who had been putting up a tent, stopped what he was doing and looked over curiously. "Whoa, what's Shimiya up to? Why go this big?"
Shimiya Kuki wasn't surprised by her reaction. His expression remained impassive as he confirmed, "The School Rules allow unlimited quantities of these Basic Supplies. Can the school provide this much?"
Hoshinomiya-sensei stared at Shimiya for a few seconds, as if trying to find even a trace of a joke in his expression, but failed. She soon regained her usual playful demeanor and ruefully rubbed her forehead, clearly amused. "Sure~ Of course we can! Rules are rules, after all. I just feel bad for the staff who'll have to haul all that stuff~" She gave him a playful wink. "All right, all right, I'll put in the request for you now! The supplies should arrive in about half an hour! Everyone, please wait patiently!" With that, she waved the purchase list and headed toward the communications equipment, humming a tuneless song.
While they waited for the supplies, the students continued putting up their tents.
"Secure this side a bit more!" "Can someone help me pull this corner?" Everyone worked together, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Meanwhile, Shimiya Kuki used the wood he and Ichinose had gathered earlier to build a campfire in a spot he'd selected at the center of the camp. His movements were exceptionally practiced and fluid, almost as if they followed some curious rhythm. In just two or three minutes, he'd made the beginnings of a carefully designed fire pit with clearly layered wood. Small twigs and Dry Leaves formed the bottom, with thicker logs stacked progressively higher.
"Wow, that's impressive!" "You're done already?" A few students helping nearby couldn't help murmuring their admiration.
Shimiya took out the Matches. With a soft scritch, an orange flame instantly caught the kindling, dancing merrily as it steadily spread to the wood above.
"By the way, didn't we order cooking equipment and a Gas Canister?" Ichinose Honami asked, tilting her head as she watched the campfire catch. "Why go to the trouble of lighting a fire? Wouldn't it be more convenient to use gas?"
"I think Shimiya-kun is considering more than just cooking." Kanzaki Ryuji walked over, examining the structure of the fire as he answered Ichinose's question.
"The smoke from a campfire will be a visible landmark during the day, and its light can pierce the darkness and be seen from far away at night. Its main purpose must be navigation and safety. As long as the fire stays lit, no matter how far we explore in the forest, we'll be able to clearly find our way back to camp, greatly reducing the risk of getting lost. It's a very thorough plan." The surrounding students looked enlightened as they listened.
Before long, the large order of supplies for Class B arrived.
"Everyone, the supplies are here! Come help carry them!" Ichinose immediately called out.
The students responded at once and hurried over.
"Wow, this tarp is heavy!" "Can someone give me a hand?"
"Careful, don't let anything fall apart."
"Fishing rods! We can finally go fishing!"
"Wow! A new volleyball!" Shibata picked up a volleyball from the Entertainment Set and excitedly bounced it a couple of times, drawing the attention of a few boys nearby.
"Get to work first, Shibata!" Hamaguchi laughed and gave him a smack.
Everyone worked together to quickly carry all the items to the designated storage area. They were a little tired, but the mood was lively.
While everyone was busy, Shimiya Kuki took a new notebook and a pen from the supplies and went to a quiet spot under the trees, where he quickly sketched out a plan.
Once all the supplies had been unloaded, everyone took a short break and gathered again. Shimiya Kuki closed his notebook and began clearly assigning tasks as their leader. His voice was steady, yet loud enough for everyone to hear. His instructions were precise, and everyone listened intently.
"First, Ninomiya-kun and Xiao Qiao." He looked at the two students known for being conscientious. "The two of you will take turns tending the campfire and making sure it stays lit. It's the camp's central landmark, so this is very important."
"Don't worry, Shimiya! I'll keep that fire blazing!" Ninomiya replied energetically. Xiao Qiao nodded earnestly as well.
"Moriyama-kun, please help them. Your main task is to gather enough dry firewood from a safe area nearby. You can take one bamboo basket. (We ordered five in total.)"
"Sure, leave it to me!" Moriyama thumped his chest.
"Tetsuya." He turned to Hamaguchi Tetsuya. "I heard you have some fishing experience. You'll be in charge of that for now."
"Haha, it's finally my time to shine! I'm great at fishing!" Hamaguchi Tetsuya said confidently with a grin.
"You can find two other interested students to join you. Your equipment will be one bamboo basket and three fishing rods. Put any fish you catch in the basket, then secure it in the shallow part of the pool to keep them alive. We'll prepare them all together when we're ready to eat. Other students can take turns once they're interested."
"No problem! Hey, who wants to come fishing with me? I'll teach you everything you need to know!" Hamaguchi immediately started recruiting, and soon two boys volunteered.
Next, he turned to Ichinose. "Ichinose, lead the other girls in using the Simple Tool Kits you've been given to make the Dwelling Components first." He handed her some of the plans he'd drawn. "These are the specific requirements. Cut the large waterproof tarps into these sizes, and divide the ropes into these lengths and quantities."
"Got it!" Ichinose took the plans and studied them before turning to the girls behind her. "Everyone, come take a look. We'll need to divide up the work!" The girls immediately crowded around, chattering as they discussed the plan.
Then he looked at Kanzaki. "Kanzaki, lead some of the boys to the edge of the forest and find sturdy wood and branches of suitable lengths for the Dwelling Frame. Once you've gathered them, your team will build the main structure after Ichinose and the others have finished making the components." He handed Kanzaki the other part of the plans.
Kanzaki Ryuji took the plans and examined them carefully. They clearly showed the structure of the shelter and detailed the support points and connections. They even suggested the best locations and heights of the trees to secure the ropes. A note of admiration flashed in his eyes. (If you have the chance, you can try this. We used to build secret hideouts like this when we were kids. We'd use branches for the roof beams, then secure the kind of clear plastic sheeting used for farming over them. After that, we'd loop ropes around higher branches and tie them up. The structure was similar to a yurt, except one relies on internal support while the other is supported by tension from the outside in every direction.)
"This is an exceptionally detailed and professional design. With plans like these, we can ensure the construction is precise and efficient. We'll handle it."
He turned to a few boys who looked strong. "We need to find straight, sturdy logs of a moderate thickness. We'll need about this many..." He began assigning specific tasks based on the plans.
"Then, Ichinose," Shimiya added, "once your group finishes making the Dwelling Components, your next task will be to make simple mattresses." He showed her another plan. "First, make plenty of thick, square Absorbent Cloth pads. Once Kanzaki and the others have finished building the frame and laying down the bottom waterproof layer, fit the pads tightly together over it. Then cover them with waterproof tarps and secure them."
"Plastic bags wrapped around Absorbent Cloth to make cushions? You can do that? No wonder Shimiya-kun asked for so much," Shiratori Chihiro said with delight.
"It should be a lot more comfortable to sleep on that way!" another girl agreed.
"This feels like arts and crafts. It'll be fun!" The girls seemed quite interested in the task.
"Lastly..." Shimiya's gaze turned to the girl who usually spoke little and had a cool, reserved air—Hino Yuki.
"I'll go ahead and explore deeper into the forest to find out what resources are available. Along the paths I take, I'll leave simple terrain markers and notes about where resources can be found."
Hino Yuki listened quietly, her expression unchanged. She simply gave a small nod to show she understood.
Shimiya continued assigning tasks. "Hino, your task is to enter the forest after me and use the notes and markers I leave behind as a basis for drawing a clearer, more complete resource map of the area around camp. You'll also lead a few boys who are assigned to help you along the safe route I've explored and gather some fruits I've confirmed are edible to bring back to camp. The finished map should clearly mark safe paths and roughly show where resources can be collected."
Hino listened, her expression still cool and composed. She gave a slight nod and replied evenly, "Understood. Thank you for trusting me. I'll do my best to complete the map using the information you leave behind." Her answer was concise and direct, without a hint of unnecessary fuss, yet she seemed dependable enough to put everyone at ease. She then looked at the boys waiting to be assigned. "I need five students to come into the forest with me and help gather fruit and carry it back to camp. That's all. You just need to be in good shape." Five boys quickly stepped forward.
With the tasks assigned, everyone in Class B began moving like precisely meshed gears, each person working toward their goal under Shimiya Kuki's coordination. The camp instantly filled with life: some students added firewood by the campfire, others cast their lines by the pool, the girls spread out the tarps on open ground and carefully measured and cut them, the boys worked together in the forest to find suitable wood, and another group prepared to follow the explorers... The first day of Deserted Island Survival had officially begun, with orderly teamwork and enthusiastic cooperation.
Before you continue