Ichinose's Hand Really Is Soft

"But they can't be as lucky as we are."

Since early morning, the students in our class had been discussing things with great enthusiasm.

So far, everything in our class had gone unexpectedly smoothly. If we could keep up this streak of good luck, we might even be the ones to win in the end.

After we finished hauling the corn, Takashima excitedly told Ichinose that there was nothing wrong with the well water. The atmosphere in the entire class immediately grew lively.

Everyone was working with boundless energy. Even I had nearly gotten caught up in their enthusiasm.

After roll call that morning, we set to work in an orderly fashion.

Until—

"Hey! Stop right now!"

"What are you doing?!"

Suddenly, someone's shout rang out across the camp. The voice brimmed with anger, drawing my full attention and forcing me to stop what I was doing.

Four students were mocking Kaneda in front of them. I didn't know who they were, but from the way things looked, they seemed to be in Class C and siding with Ryuen.

Even violence could win people's loyalty.

The four of them were holding all kinds of food: lamb skewers brushed with sauce, potato chips for snacking, chilled drinks to beat the heat...

Ah, so the students in Class C really had listened to Ryuen's nonsense and were living it up? They had it way too good.

"Hahaha—I was wondering where you'd gone. Turns out you ran off to hide in Class B. How stupid. Wouldn't it have been better to stick with us?"

"Don't you think that's enough?!"

"We're not talking to you. Why are you buzzing around us like a fly?"

"You—"

"Quiet! What's going on here?" Ichinose hurried over, radiating an aura completely different from the night before as she intimidated the Class C students.

"They kicked Kaneda out, and now they've come over here just to mock us."

"Ridiculous. Am I mocking you? You're the one taking it personally."

"That's enough. Leave our territory at once, or we'll report you to the teachers for trespassing without our permission."

"And what if you do? We don't have any points left to deduct anyway."

"But the school rules are still in effect. The rules for the exam might not apply, but the school will still punish you accordingly. You don't want to get into trouble, do you?"

"...Tch—"

The student at the front casually munched on his chips, scattering crumbs everywhere as he continued to provoke us. In the end, though, Ichinose's words made him back down. After tossing out a mocking invitation from Ryuen, he left.

"Those guys are exactly the same as before. They haven't changed at all." Kameyama clenched his fists, as if he might lash out at any moment.

"Calm down. They just came here to pick a fight. Don't do anything impulsive because of them."

"I'm fine. I just can't stand what they're doing."

"None of us can... Kaneda, are you all right?"

"I... I'm fine... Could you give me something to do? Maybe I'll feel a little better if I keep busy."

"Okay."

After we regrouped, everyone went back to their assigned tasks. I resumed setting up the hammocks.

If Ryuen's invitation really was what he said it was, then if I went over there now, could I still enjoy an ice-cold drink?

"Raku, do you have a moment?"

Just as I was imagining myself stuffing my face at Class C's camp, Ichinose suddenly came over.

"Um, I think I'm setting up the hammocks... right?"

"I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"...What is it?"

"Could you come with me to take a look at the other classes' territories?"

"Wouldn't it be better to ask Kanzaki?"

"But you promised me this morning, didn't you, Raku? You said you'd help when I needed you."

Retribution had come so quickly, I hadn't even seen it coming.

"...Does this really count as something important?"

"Of course it does. We're trying to find out what the other classes are up to. We might even run into another class's leader, and we can find out where we stand in the rankings."

"So that's all the more reason to ask... Fine. I get it. I'll go."

"Then let's set off now."

Faced with Ichinose's pleading expression, I couldn't bring myself to make another excuse. I put on a reluctant face, told Kanzaki what was going on, and left our camp.

"Hm, hm-hm, hm—"

The whole way there, Ichinose hummed some unknown tune, looking delighted.

"You look happy."

"Yeah, I really am. I've been stuck at camp the whole time, thinking about one thing after another, and haven't had any time to enjoy the scenery. So I'm really happy."

Why did she seem like a different person when she was with me?

"Weren't we supposed to investigate the other classes? We didn't come out here to sightsee."

"But we don't know where the other classes have set up their camps, and we might not even find them. We can just enjoy the view in the meantime. If it weren't for the heat, which is a bit of a drawback, this forest would be quite beautiful, don't you think?"

"...I don't really think so."

I'd never thought of a forest as beautiful or pretty.

My only impression of forests was the law of the jungle: survival of the fittest.

"Aw, Raku, honestly."

"Sorry. I ruined your mood."

"That's not what I meant... Let's head to the beach first. The Class C students mentioned it earlier, so we can see what Ryuen's up to."

"I don't mind."

There wasn't a leader among us, so we didn't have to worry about going out on patrol. Before we left, we'd also handed the card that unlocked the special device over to Kanzaki. Without the slightest weight on my mind, Ichinose and I made our way to the beach with light steps.

Ichinose's Hands Were Really Soft

Ryuen Kakeru, Class C's dictator.

Just from hearing Ichinose and the others talk about him, I'd formed an image of someone I'd never met.

He was probably a sinister, ruthless person, like a snake.

Whether he was repeatedly provoking students in other classes, getting into conflicts with Class D, or tormenting his own classmates, he undoubtedly deserved the title of "schemer."

He would attack by any means necessary to achieve what he wanted. If there was a chance to learn the rules and exploit them, he would never let it slip by.

Special Rule Four: If a student commits an act such as assaulting students from another class, stealing another person's supplies, or damaging equipment, their class will immediately be disqualified, and all of that student's private points will be confiscated.

The four students who had just mocked our class were his attempt to make us trigger that penalty, secretly provoking us into taking action. As high school students, we could probably restrain ourselves from hitting someone, but it was harder to resist the impulse to take someone else's supplies. After all, it wasn't easy to deal with the elements.

The fact that he'd planned things out so carefully showed that he wasn't someone who would give up easily.

0

Since our destination was clear, Ichinose and I soon made our way out of the lush forest, where trees were everywhere, and reached the edge of Class C's camp.

I'd imagined how crazy they would get in the zero-point strategy, but the scene before me took my imagination to another level.

"This... is way too crazy."

Even though I'd heard what Class C had been doing, I couldn't help letting out a disbelieving gasp when I saw it for myself. It all seemed far too extravagant to those of us who were strapped for cash.

Volleyballs flew through the air. Under the canopy, plenty of students were happily grilling meat, sending thick black smoke straight up. Jet skis sped across the sea, their engines roaring and the students cheering with delight, loud enough to hear from two camps away. And of course, they had all the usual amenities, like portable toilets and showers.

Even a rough estimate based on what I could see suggested they'd spent well over 150 exam-only points.

"Looking at this, they really don't seem to have any intention of saving points... So has Class C really given up on this Special Exam?" After thinking over Ryuen's actions, I turned to Ichinose in confusion.

"Honestly, I don't think Ryuen is the type to give up easily. Maybe they have another plan in the works."

"They've already gone this far. Do they still have some way to turn things around?"

"...I'm not sure."

Ichinose seemed ready to keep thinking it over, but the Class C students had already noticed us. They reported our arrival to Ryuen, then came over to invite us.

"Ichinose, Ryuen wants to see you."

"...Raku, should we go?" After a moment's hesitation, Ichinose turned to ask what I thought.

"If you can, please don't ask me questions like that. They put me in a difficult position. You can decide, Ichinose."

"If that's the case... Hmm. Then let's go take a look."

The man confirmed our answer, then led us to Ryuen with long strides.

He had long, wine-red hair, darker than Sudo's and almost black. His open collar made him look like he had ties to the underworld, and like the kind of thug who could hold his own in a fight.

At that moment, he was sprawled on a chair in his swimsuit, basking in the sun with a carefree air. When he saw us, he flashed his white teeth.

I didn't care what he looked like, but the sweet, mouthwatering smell of grilled meat carried over on the sea breeze made me swallow hard.

"Yo, Ichinose. The people in Class B sure got up early today."

"Likewise. I was wondering why you sent your underlings to our camp first thing in the morning to harass us."

"Ha, harass you? I wouldn't waste my time using such a low-level trick on you. If you consider a simple invitation a form of harassment, I'll be very disappointed."

"Do you really not know what your classmates did at our camp?"

"Oh? So something interesting happened this morning?" Ryuen turned toward the students playing happily on the beach. "Hey, you four, get over here!"

"W-what is it?" The students who'd been mouthing off at our camp that morning suddenly became timid in front of Ryuen, their fear plain to see.

"Ichinose tells me you did something this morning that I didn't order you to do?" Ryuen pretended not to know anything, smiling as he looked at the four of them.

"N-no. We just found Kaneda there."

"Oh, Kaneda? I didn't expect your Class B to take him in. How ridiculous, those two."

"Wasn't it you who drove Kaneda out? Why would you do that to a classmate? And you caused the injuries on his face too, didn't you?"

"Why did I do it? Ask him yourself. You'll understand soon enough. That guy dared to argue back at me, so I gave him a little lesson. I didn't think he'd be so weak that he couldn't take it. In the end, he ran off to beg another class for help. What a joke."

"Whatever else he is, he'll be your classmate for the next three years. How can you expect him to obey your leadership if you treat him like this?"

"Ha, what the hell are you talking about? I rule this class. If that guy won't obey my orders, why should I treat him like one of my companions? Isn't it easier to throw out someone like that?"

"Your behavior—"

"If you're thinking of lecturing me, you're still too green, Ichinose. Even if a woman like you meekly surrendered herself to me, I wouldn't be interested. But if you want me to step on you, I might consider it."

"You're saying things like that now? Don't you think you're getting a little too arrogant? At least right now, we're still ahead of you."

"Haha, so what? The one with real strength is the guy who can lose as many times as he likes and still win in the end. I don't recognize anything else."

"But you're not taking this exam seriously, either. If things keep going like this, the gap between us will only get wider."

"Haha, what an interesting conclusion. That's why I say you're a foolish woman, Ichinose."

"Hey, Ishizaki, bring over some more fruit, and some cold drinks too."

Ryuen casually wasted the supplies in his hands, then turned back to us.

"Who would want to survive out in the wild on an island this unbearably hot? Even the exam's theme is stupid. Come on, it's vacation. Who wants to bust their ass for a measly one or two hundred Class Points?"

"Don't tell me you think this exam is easy?"

"Isn't it? Stop exaggerating. Teamwork and all that—trust doesn't form in the first place. People are creatures driven by self-interest. They can betray others without a second thought. In the end, the only person you can trust is yourself."

After Ryuen shared his thoughts on trust, he didn't give Ichinose a chance to argue before continuing. "So my message really was genuine. The guy beside you is that boyfriend you're always rumored to have, right? What, are you two looking to play some special game? If so, I can prepare a private tent for you. I'll even guarantee that no one will disturb you."

"So you believe the rumor even though it's just a rumor? No wonder you doubt that people can trust each other, when you can't even tell fact from fiction. And you can insult me if you want, but I won't let you drag the people around me into it."

"So what? You can't do anything under the rules, can you?" Ryuen smiled disdainfully, then narrowed his eyes and basked in the sea breeze.