On December 26, the day after Christmas, the students of Class D boarded a bus as planned. They were heading to the next Special Exam destination. Like the Uninhabited Island exam, this one would also take place outdoors.
At the front of the bus, Chabashira-sensei was using a microphone to explain the rules for the forest.
1. Don't litter. Protect the natural environment.
2. There are clearly marked trails and signs within the exam area. The surrounding forest is dangerous, and the uninhabited areas are not far away. Do not enter undeveloped areas without permission.
3. If you encounter danger, press and hold the red SOS button on your smartwatch for at least five seconds.
"Sensei, are there really bears?"
Ike raised his hand mischievously.
"Thanks for reminding me. The school has given everyone a bear bell. And if a bear eats you, the school has taken out a hefty insurance policy for each of you. Try to be more careful in your next life."
"Huh?!"
Ike's face fell. He looked like he was considering jumping out the bus window.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding."
"Helicopters will be patrolling the area the entire time. Ultrasonic devices have been set up to drive away wild animals."
"There's also a high-voltage electric fence around the perimeter, so be careful not to touch it. There probably won't be any saving an ordinary person who does."
Chabashira explained, and the whole bus burst into laughter, though curiosity and nervousness still lingered in their eyes.
"That really scared me!"
Ike grumbled inwardly.
There wasn't much tension about the Special Exam after finals. Most people didn't mind a trip.
The bus glided along the winding mountain road. Outside the windows, the scenery gradually shifted from the city's steel and concrete to suburban villas of all shapes and sizes.
Inside the bus, the air was heavy with early-morning sleepiness, but excitement and anticipation were even harder to hide. The morning sun slanted through the windows, falling across every youthful face and bringing a gentle warmth.
At the back, the Three Idiots had gathered around to play cards, their laughter breaking out now and then.
"Yamauchi, you've got so many cards stuck to your face, there's no room for more! Hahaha!"
Sudo mocked him relentlessly. After a semester of tutoring from Horikita, the gorilla had somehow become smarter than the intellectually challenged.
He used to play cards on instinct, but little by little, he'd started to notice patterns and strategies.
"Don't get cocky. I'm just having bad luck."
Yamauchi was so loud while playing that the driver glanced back and reminded them, "Keep it down, and be careful!"
The girls sitting in the middle chatted in small groups. Karuizawa discussed what sort of pictures they should take later, with her camera and phone already at the ready.
Sato fiddled with her backpack, checking whether she'd forgotten anything. "I've got sunscreen and water, but I don't think I brought enough snacks..."
A winter trip was different from a summer one. Keeping warm meant bringing bulky clothes, so everyone had to leave some things behind.
Only Horikita and Hirata had taken out the wilderness survival handbook and were seriously studying it, calculating how to survive as effectively as possible.
They seemed to have prepared for the coming adventure long ago.
After spending seven days on the Uninhabited Island last time, quite a few people had started taking camping know-how seriously.
After two outdoor Special Exams, it seemed the school had developed a real fondness for camping.
"Hey, Kagami, have you heard anything from the Student Council about this exam?"
On the bus, where the seats were arranged in pairs, Kushida had chosen a window seat beside Nagami. She'd even turned down an invitation from her good friend Wang Meili.
Sorry, Wang Meili, Kushida thought.
"Probably rules similar to the Uninhabited Island exam. The school's keeping a tight lid on things this time. The only thing I know is that they won't tell the homeroom teachers the rules until we arrive."
"With Kagami around, I feel so much better. I'm not worried about the Special Exam at all."
When she was around a crowd, Kushida used "watashi." When she was alone, she called herself "this girl." Her frequent changes of character made Nagami want to roll his eyes.
"Little Kikyo, just treat this as a trip. After all, I'm the strongest!"
"Mm!"
Kushida nodded enthusiastically, then gazed out at the scenery swaying past the window.
The bumps in the road made her eyelids grow heavy. Before long, she had closed her eyes and unconsciously leaned against Nagami's shoulder.
Her soft breathing was close enough to hear clearly.
He could even smell the faint fragrance of her shampoo.
When he looked down, the first thing he noticed was the part at the crown of her head. Her hair fell naturally from her forehead to the back of her head, the part winding like a path worn by years of footsteps. On either side, her silky strands hung softly.
The fine line of her part shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Her hair, so smooth and delicate from years of care, seemed to glow beneath the interplay of light and shadow.
Now and then, he could see faintly reddened spots on her scalp, slight indentations left by wearing a headband for a long time. Usually, they were hidden beneath her hair.
Her cheeks were smooth and luminous, as if the warm flush beneath her skin could be seen through it.
Her eyebrows curved like new moons. Her earlobes were small and round, her nose petite and straight, and her lips thin and soft, their pale pink like cherry blossom petals.
At such close range, more details jumped out at him: the tiny hairs growing between her brows, the small beauty mark beside her eye, the faint down above her upper lip, and the tiny blackheads on her nose.
Distance really does make things look better.
Even the smallest pimple looked bigger up close. Things appeared smaller from afar and larger nearby, Nagami couldn't help thinking.
Soft music was playing in his headphones: "Flower Dance" by the Japanese artist DJ OKAWARI. Despite having "DJ" in his stage name, his music was very gentle.
Some students had begun dozing against their seats, while others were reading novels. Only "Bear Ike," the wilderness survival expert, had something else on his mind.
"Wait, this direction... Are there primeval forests near Tokyo?"
Ike, the camping expert, marveled.
Sitting by the window, Ike propped his chin on his hand and gazed outside.
At first, the trees were short. Gradually, they grew taller and denser, as if a green gateway to a primeval forest had opened before them. Then came a continuous stretch of mountains and vast fields of green.
The distant mountain peaks appeared and disappeared in the mist, and the air seemed to carry the fresh scent of the forest.
As the bus drove deeper, the scenery grew more and more untouched. The lively bus gradually fell quiet, but the atmosphere grew more animated.
More people began watching the view outside. Some took out their phones to capture the boundless greenery; others simply put their phones away and greedily took it all in with their own eyes.
"Beautiful!"
Someone whispered in admiration.
Now and then, a stream could be seen trickling past the windows, weaving together with towering trees to form a vivid landscape.
At last, after some time, the bus stopped at the end of a narrow mountain road.
"We've arrived at the Special Exam site! Remember to check your luggage when you get off, and don't leave anything behind!"
Chabashira-sensei stood up and announced.
Many people jolted awake from their naps. One by one, they lined up and got off the bus in an orderly fashion, their eager steps carrying them into the embrace of the primeval forest.
[Tomato Weather Forecast]
Today's high: 10°C; low: 3°C. Weather: sunny. Air quality: excellent. Northeast wind, level 2. Ideal for hiking.
Before you continue