Uninhabited Island Trial Begins, Images from Memory

Under the azure sky, a luxurious giant cruise ship was sailing slowly.

The deck was packed with people.

Their gazes were drawn to a lush, verdant island ahead, and they couldn't help but let out exclamations of wonder.

"Wow! What is that? It's so beautiful."

"It's a small island! Could that be our destination?"

"This is so dreamy! Does this mean we don't just get to enjoy a luxury cruise, but also go on a wilderness adventure?!"

"..."

Ayanokoji stood to the side, listening to these miscellaneous discussions, feeling nothing but admiration in his heart.

Just what kind of sugar-coated, pampered environment did these guys grow up in to be able to talk about wilderness survival in such a relaxed tone?

He couldn't even imagine how happy that must be.

It was simply.

Enough to make a person green with envy!

At this moment, the sound of an announcement echoed in their ears:

"Attention all students. If you have time, please be sure to gather on the first deck. I believe you will see a meaningful sight shortly."

Hearing this, the students on the ship looked delighted and rushed out from inside the ship, some even shirtless, with only a towel wrapped around their private parts.

Yes, I'm talking about you, Koenji.

However, after lingering for only a second, they hurried back inside, looking slightly flustered.

"Additionally, all students are requested to change into sportswear and bring the required items and your mobile phones before gathering on the deck."

"Other than that, all personal items are prohibited. We will be landing on the island in thirty minutes. I repeat, bring only your mobile phones and compliant items; we will be landing on the island in thirty minutes!"

The broadcast sounded again, and Ayanokoji pursed his lips slightly.

Good grief, so this is what they were waiting for.

It just so happened that he was already by the deck railing, and he had already changed into his sportswear beforehand, so he didn't need to move much.

However, he still decided to go to the restroom first.

Because the cruise ship had just finished circling the entire island, and he hadn't spotted any facilities resembling restrooms, nor were there even any buildings on the island.

The island wasn't large, so he could see it in great detail.

To avoid the embarrassment of having to relieve himself in front of others, he decided to take care of business first.

The Tyrannosaurus had a large displacement, so the speed of relief was naturally extraordinary.

In the blink of an eye, he returned to the deck.

Basically all the students had gathered on the deck, congregating in front of a platform resembling an awards podium, forming four queues divided by class.

Ayanokoji walked over silently and habitually stood at the very end of his class's line.

It was just like how he used to habitually try to slack off at the back during morning calisthenics.

Not long after, the homeroom teachers of the four classes walked to the front of the lines.

The homeroom teacher for Class A, who was standing on the platform, looked stern and spoke in a deep, powerful voice:

"Good afternoon, everyone. I am the homeroom teacher for Class A, Mashima Tomoya."

"First, congratulations to everyone for arriving here safely. At the same time, I also feel regret regarding the absence of one student due to illness."

"..."

"Without further ado, the school will now hold the first special exam of this school year: a seven-day uninhabited island survival challenge."

"All matters after landing on the island are to be decided by you yourselves. Detailed exam rules will be explained to you separately by your respective homeroom teachers later."

"Now, let us enjoy the destination of this trip together!"

"A special exam?!"

As Mashima Tomoya's deep voice faded, the students on the deck instantly erupted into chaos.

"Isn't this supposed to be a relaxing island vacation? How did it turn into an uninhabited island survival challenge?"

"You've got to be kidding me... I have no experience camping in the wild."

"I was wondering why I couldn't see any tourist bases or residential buildings on the island when we circled it earlier. This is definitely a trap!"

"My surfboard... my beach bath..."

Wails echoed in his ears. Ayanokoji closed his eyes in brief contemplation, then opened them and turned his gaze toward Horikita Suzune.

Although she was wearing sportswear, she was holding one arm with her other hand, looking extremely sensitive to the cold.

Seeing this, Ayanokoji sighed imperceptibly, then hurried back to the dormitory once more before the time to disembark arrived.

Given this island expedition, it is unlikely that students will be allowed to return to the ship unless there are special circumstances.

Since this is an exam, given Horikita's personality, it is impossible for her to voluntarily withdraw halfway; if I leave her be, she might really end up in trouble.

Ayanokoji thought to himself as he tucked the emergency cold medicine into his pocket and headed back. He had already checked the notices beforehand; certain emergency supplies, including sanitary products for girls' menstrual cycles, were permitted to be brought onto the island.

As for whether Horikita had brought any, or if she had even brought them onto the ship in the first place, he had no idea.

However, judging by her appearance, she didn't look like someone who had taken any medicine...

Regardless, it is better to be prepared than sorry.

Horikita Manabu, you owe me far too much!

Ayanokoji joked to himself.

Finally, the time to land on the island arrived.

The massive vessel made a few adjustments before finally coming to a steady halt at the island's port.

A retractable staircase, similar to those used for boarding planes, extended down to the beach below, and everyone disembarked from the ship in an orderly fashion.

Ayanokoji followed among the last group to disembark, looking down from the ship toward the beach.

Those who had already reached the shore had tacitly gathered into four groups, waiting for their homeroom teachers to come over and provide instructions while discussing among themselves.

Ayanokoji narrowed his eyes slightly.

He had a feeling that what was about to happen would be quite troublesome.

Looking up inadvertently, he saw a white-haired girl standing on the top deck of the cruise ship.

With one hand leaning on a cane and the other resting on the railing in front of her, her already petite frame looked even smaller and more delicate against the height of the guardrail.

Her gaze was fixed on the crowd of people disembarking one after another.

Ayanokoji couldn't help but put himself in her perspective; it must feel like watching a line of ants marching in formation.

The next second, sensing the girl shift her gaze toward him, Ayanokoji locked eyes with her for a brief moment.

Though brief, he could vaguely sense that her eyes held some hidden meaning, as if conveying the message:

I hope you like my gift?...

Ayanokoji made a rough guess in his heart and was just about to look away when the next scene seemed to stir a memory buried deep within him, leaving him somewhat moved.

A sea breeze blew, causing the girl's hair and skirt to flutter slightly, and a moment later, the beret on her head was carried away by the wind like a balloon.

Watching the girl reach out with a slightly helpless gesture, for some reason, he felt as though he had seen this scene before.