You Dare Choose Him as Leader?

Seeing Zhuge Linghao having another episode, Ayanokoji silently made a note to himself: Correcting Zhuge Linghao, point two: he's arrogant and delusional, likes taking on tasks beyond his abilities, and tends to go to extremes!

Before entering the forest, Hirata instructed Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo to go off on their own and look for a place to set up camp.

Then, carrying all their supplies, the group set off toward the forest in a grand procession.

Walking at the back, Zhuge Linghao asked Horikita Suzune, "What's wrong? You don't seem very interested."

Horikita Suzune rubbed her arms and said coldly, "I still prefer being alone. Group living isn't for me."

Zhuge Linghao lectured her, "That's what I've been saying all along! School doesn't just test your individual abilities. Strong teamwork is an important measure too!"

Horikita turned her head aside and said haughtily, "I have realized a few things. Some things simply can't be done alone. For example, I couldn't do what Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo are doing by looking for a place to set up camp. In the end, they're the ones contributing the most to the class."

Zhuge Linghao pointedly remarked, "You look like you're not feeling well. Be careful, or they might dock you 30 points!"

Horikita picked up her pace. "It's none of your business."

Everyone grew tired along the way, so Hirata found a relatively flat area where they could rest.

Yukimura Teruhiko walked over to Zhuge Linghao and said awkwardly, "I'm sorry. I didn't think things through at first. Could you take back what you said about dropping out if we couldn't earn S Points?"

Zhuge Linghao shook his head. "No. It took a lot of effort to unite the class. I think they'll do their best to help, both to keep me from dropping out and to avoid losing Class Points!"

Ayanokoji's eyes flickered. "So this was your goal? Create a common enemy, then unite the whole class against him?"

Ayanokoji said impassively, "But do you have the ability and the responsibility to play that role?"

Zhuge Linghao grinned. "Guess we'll find out!"

Hirata came over too and said warmly, "Thank you, Zhuge. You've got a good grasp of the situation."

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

Hirata continued, "Actually, spending some points where appropriate can make things more efficient. Holding back too much can cause stress to build up and stir up negative feelings. Besides, everyone's personal hygiene is taken care of now, so the girls can feel more at ease and focus on this exam!"

Zhuge Linghao gave Hirata a thumbs-up!

[Not bad, Hirata! You figured it out so quickly! You've improved!]

Standing in the middle of the crowd, Hirata called out, "Everyone, listen up! Next, we need to send some people out to look for a suitable place to set up camp!"

Karuizawa Kei asked, "Really? Why?"

Hirata Yosuke explained, "The quality of the location is directly connected to how many S Points we'll have left."

Hirata Yosuke looked around. "Would anyone like to come explore with us?"

Meili-ge was the first to raise his hand from up in a tree. One after another, eight more people raised their hands, including Zhuge Linghao, Ayanokoji, Kushida Kikyo, and Sakura Airi.

Horikita said in surprise, "I didn't expect the two of you to volunteer at the same time! That's very unusual."

Ayanokoji said expressionlessly, "If I don't take on some responsibility, I'll stand out for the wrong reasons."

Horikita looked at the other one and said coldly, "And you?"

Zhuge Linghao flashed eight gleaming white teeth. "Me? I just want to go out and have fun!!!"

"..."

As for Sakura, when she saw Zhuge Linghao raise his hand, she hurriedly did the same. She quickly went over to him, even forgetting the backpack by her feet...

Hirata Yosuke smiled. "Thank you to our nine brave adventurers. Set out in groups of three, and be sure to stay safe!"

After that, Zhuge Linghao, Sakura Airi, and Koenji Rokusuke were assigned to the same group.

At that moment, Koenji, the "blond monkey," was flying from tree to tree.

Zhuge Linghao and Sakura Airi couldn't keep up with him at all.

Zhuge Linghao said to Sakura, "Um, Sakura, could you wait here? I'll go after Koenji by myself."

Sakura hesitated. "Are you sure that'll be okay? Koenji is just so fast..."

"It's fine. I can do it! If I can't catch up, I'll come back."

With that, Zhuge Linghao took off after Koenji.

"System, has the shop been upgraded? Let me take a look!"

[Beep... Opening the Level 3 Shop...]

[Huh? The experience cards no longer have a one-day limit? I can choose how long they last? From a minimum of one hour to a maximum of ten days? With the regular discounts and limited-time discounts, this will greatly reduce the cost in Emotion Points!]

[System, give me a Tarzan Experience Card with a one-hour duration!]

[Beep... 20 Emotion Points consumed. Tarzan Experience Card equipped! Countdown: 60 minutes...]

[So you're the only one who can fly through the trees, huh, blondie? Watch me use my Identity Skill Card!]

Koenji was flying up and down, shouting, "How beautiful! I look so beautiful, drifting leisurely through nature! The ultimate beauty!"

Suddenly, Koenji stopped moving and said, "Black-haired Boy, I knew I was right about you. I didn't expect you to keep up with my speed."

"Breathing heavily, drenched in sweat," Zhuge Linghao said, "I just had a temporary burst of potential! I have something to talk to you about, Koenji!"

Koenji took out a mirror. "Black-haired Boy, what is it?"

Zhuge Linghao paused for a long time to catch his breath, then said, "After we got off the ship, the teacher said each class had to choose a leader. I think you'd be the best choice!"

Koenji combed his hair and said, "Oh? That sounds interesting, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

Actually, Zhuge Linghao had expected this outcome.

So Zhuge Linghao leaned close to Koenji's ear and grinned. "In that case, I'll have to ask you to withdraw from this exam!"

Sakura Airi waited anxiously where she was.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming from ahead.

Zhuge Linghao burst out of the bushes, looking frustrated. "Sorry, Sakura. I still couldn't bring Koenji back."

Sakura's cheeks flushed. "I-it's okay... If anything, this is better..."

Zhuge Linghao looked confused. "What did you say, Sakura?"

Sakura hurriedly waved her hands. "N-nothing. What should we do now?"

Zhuge Linghao rubbed his chin. "The two of us will just have to set off and explore together..."

Sakura replied happily, "O-okay!"

After a while, Sakura was a little out of breath. "Zhuge, the mountain trails in the forest are really hard to walk!"

Zhuge Linghao nodded in agreement. "And it's so hot. We're losing water quickly. Are you okay?"

Sakura said firmly, "I'm fine!"

Zhuge Linghao took a bottle of water he'd already drunk from out of his backpack and handed it to Sakura. "Sakura, you didn't bring your backpack, so you probably didn't bring any water either, right? Here, drink mine!"

Sakura froze like a startled little animal, too scared to move!

[Huh? Isn't this basically an indirect... k-k-kiss...]