The Journey Home and the New Student

On the morning of the fifth day, the atmosphere in Class D's camp was completely different from the previous days.

There was no tension, no anxiety—only a relaxed and contented mood. Students were packing their belongings in small groups, with occasional laughter breaking out. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows, and the sea breeze carried a faint salty scent across the camp.

Hanyu Xiuyi stood at the camp's edge, gazing at the distant sea. Today was the last day on the island; by noon, someone would come to take them back. The five-day special exam, with all its twists and turns, was finally coming to an end.

"What are you thinking about?" Horikita Suzune walked over and stopped beside him.

"About what happened these past five days," Hanyu said. "It feels like it's been a long time."

"Yeah," Horikita replied, unusually without rebuttal. "I feel the same way."

The two of them stared at the sea in silence. After a while, Horikita suddenly spoke: "Hanyu, I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Why did you choose to trust me from the start?" Horikita looked at him, her black hair gently swaying in the sea breeze. "I was so cold, and I didn't care about class matters. Why were you still willing to cooperate with me?"

Hanyu thought for a moment and answered honestly: "Because of your eyes."

"My eyes?"

"Yeah," Hanyu said. "There's a longing in your eyes—a desire to prove yourself, to push past your limits. Same as me."

Horikita was stunned. She stared at Hanyu for a long time, then looked away.

"You... are really strange." Her voice was very soft, but Hanyu could hear a certain emotion hidden within it.

"Maybe," Hanyu said with a smile.

Just then, a commotion came from the camp. The two turned to look and saw Sudo Ken frantically helping Sakura Airi pack her luggage. The shy girl's face was as red as a tomato as she murmured something. A few nearby girls covered their mouths, stifling laughter.

"That Sudo guy..." Horikita shook her head. "All thumbs."

"But he's sincere," Hanyu said. "Sakura can feel that."

At another corner of the camp, Karuizawa Kei and a few girls were sitting together, sorting through photos from the past few days. Although phones weren't allowed, someone had secretly brought a Polaroid and captured many precious moments.

"Look at this one!" Karuizawa held up a photo. "It's the moment Sudo carried Sakura back!"

In the photo, Sudo Ken was carrying Sakura Airi on his back, trudging through the thick fog. Both of their expressions were a bit disheveled, but it was inexplicably heartwarming.

"Let me see!" Sakura rushed over, face red, but was playfully blocked by the other girls.

"No way, no way! This is precious material!"

"You guys..." Sakura looked like she was about to cry, but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Hirata Yousuke stood not far away, watching the scene with a smile. His blond hair sparkled in the sunlight, and he radiated a warm glow.

"Everyone's gotten closer," Kushida Kikyo said as she walked up to him, her shoulder-length short hair gently swaying.

"Yeah," Hirata nodded. "Thanks to Hanyu. If it weren't for him, we might still be a loose sand."

"It's not just Hanyu," Kushida said, looking at him. "Hirata, you've done a lot too. Every time someone was feeling down, you went to comfort them. Every time there was a conflict, you mediated. All of that matters."

Hirata looked a little embarrassed: "I just did what I had to do."

"What you had to do isn't something everyone would do," Kushida said seriously. "So thank you, Hirata."

Hirata looked at her sincere eyes, paused for a moment, then smiled: "You're welcome. Kushida, you've worked hard too, always looking after the girls' feelings."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

On the other side, Yukimura Teruhiko and Matsushita Chiaki were huddled over a map, discussing something. Yukimura pushed up his glasses and pointed at a mark: "Based on the data from these past few days, I've drawn a topographical map of the island. I can compile it into a report when we get back; it might be useful for the other classes."

"We could sell it to Class A," Matsushita said coolly. "They should need this kind of material."

Yukimura's eyes lit up: "Good idea! How many points can we get for it?"

"At least fifty thousand," Matsushita estimated.

The two exchanged a look and revealed a knowing smile.

At the center of the camp, Hasebe Haruka was organizing the plant specimens she had collected over the past few days. Her brown short hair was a bit messy, but her expression was focused and serious.

"Hasebe, can these be eaten?" Ike Kanji leaned in and asked.

"Some can, some can't," Hasebe pointed at a few plants. "These are medicinal, these are poisonous—you need to be careful to tell them apart."

"Wow, you know so much!" Ike said admiringly.

"It's just a hobby," Hasebe said quietly, but a faint smile played on her face.

Nearby, Yamauchi Haruki was discussing traces of wild animals with Sotomura Hideo. Although Sotomura didn't talk much, when it came to animals, he became completely animated.

"These are wild boar tracks, these are rabbit tracks..." He pointed at marks on the ground, explaining earnestly.

"I see!" Yamauchi looked at him with admiration. "Sotomura, you're amazing!"

Sotomura's face reddened, but a glint of recognition shone in his eyes.

Hanyu Xiuyi took in all these scenes, and a sense of indescribable satisfaction welled up inside him. Over these five days, he had not only seen everyone's unique talents but also witnessed their gradual cohesion.

"Hanyu."

A soft voice sounded behind him. Hanyu turned around and saw Sakura Airi standing not far away, her brown long hair slightly tousled by the sea breeze, both hands nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.

"Sakura? Is something the matter?"

Sakura took a deep breath, as if she had made a great decision, and walked over to stand in front of him. Then, she bowed deeply.

"Thank you for saving me!" Her voice trembled slightly but was firm, "If it weren't for you... if it weren't for all of you coming to save me, I don't know what would have happened. I'm truly grateful!"

Hanyu was taken aback for a moment, then said gently, "Get up, Sakura. You don't need to do this."

Sakura straightened up, her eyes red, but she forced a smile: "And... I, I will get stronger! I won't hold everyone back anymore!"

"You're already strong," Hanyu said seriously. "In that situation, you didn't break down, you didn't blame others. That itself is a kind of strength."

Sakura's tears finally fell, but her smile grew even brighter.

Not far away, Sudo Ken watched this scene and suddenly spoke up: "Hey, Sakura! I'll carry you on my back when we go back!"

"No, it's fine!" Sakura hurriedly waved her hands. "I can walk on my own!"

"It's okay, I'm used to it anyway." Sudo walked over and, without waiting for her consent, hoisted her onto his back. "Let's go!"

"Sudo!" Sakura's face flushed bright red, but this time she didn't struggle.

The girls around them let out kind laughter. Karuizawa Kei raised her Polaroid camera, and with a click, another moment was frozen in time.

At eleven in the morning, a ship's horn sounded in the distance. A vessel appeared on the sea, heading toward the island.

"The ship is here!" someone shouted excitedly.

Everyone began gathering their final belongings, preparing to board. Five days of wilderness survival were coming to an end, and each person couldn't wait to return to school, take a hot bath, and eat a proper meal.

But as they stood on the dock, looking back at the island where they had lived for five days, a sense of reluctance stirred in their hearts.

"Will we miss this place?" Karuizawa whispered.

"Probably," Kushida said. "After all, it's a place we struggled together."

The ship docked. Chabashira Sae stood on the deck, watching the students. Her expression was still cold, but a flicker of satisfaction seemed to pass through her eyes.

"Everyone board," she said. "After returning, organize your personal belongings. There will be a class meeting tonight. The results of the special exam will be announced then."

The students boarded one by one. Hanyu Xiuyi was the last to step onto the deck, turning back to take one last look at the island.

Sunlight spilled over the forest, waves crashed against the rocks. Five days ago, this place had been unfamiliar and full of danger. Five days later, it had become a shared memory.

"Hanyu." Horikita's voice came from behind him. "Let's go."

"Mm." Hanyu turned and walked into the cabin.

The ship slowly pulled away from the island, heading back in the direction they had come.

On the return trip, most of the students were exhausted and fell asleep. Five days of wilderness survival had drained too much energy, and now that they could finally relax, drowsiness swept over them.

Hanyu Xiuyi sat by the window, watching the island gradually recede into the distance. Beside him, Horikita Suzune had her eyes closed, her breathing steady, seemingly asleep. Her black hair spilled over her shoulders, and her usually cold, sharp features softened considerably in slumber.

On the other side of the cabin, Sudo Ken and Sakura Airi were leaning against each other, asleep. Sakura's head rested on Sudo's shoulder, her brown hair cascading down. Sudo's posture was a bit stiff, probably afraid of waking her.

Karuizawa Kei was lying with her head on Kushida Kikyo's lap, both girls sleeping soundly. Hirata Yousuke, Yukimura Teruhiko, and Matsushita Chiaki were still quietly discussing something, likely plans for after their return.

Hasebe Haruka hugged her plant specimen, a faint smile on her lips. Sotomura Hideo, Ike Kanji, and Yamauchi Haruki were huddled together, sleeping in a messy heap.

Ayanokoji Kiyonaga sat alone in a corner, his eyes closed. But his breathing was steady, not like someone asleep. Hanyu noticed that even in this relaxed state, that person's vigilance remained high.

Just who is he?

This question surfaced in Hanyu's mind again. But at this moment, he didn't have the energy to dwell on it.

The ship sailed smoothly across the sea. Sunlight streamed through the portholes into the cabin, warm and bright.

Hanyu Xiuyi closed his eyes, and scenes from the past five days flashed through his mind: the chaos of the first day, the adaptation of the second, the challenges of the third, the unity of the fourth, the rewards of the fifth.

In every moment, the figures of these classmates were present.

They might not be the best class, but at this moment, they were the most united class.

And that was the key to victory.

The ship continued forward. In the distance, the outline of the school gradually came into focus.

The special exam was over.