First Day on the Deserted Island: "Dispute"

On the deserted island.

Deep in the jungle.

The students of Class D gathered together on a relatively flat patch of grass.

Standing in the center, Hirata was relaying the information he had just received from their homeroom teacher, Chabashira:

"Everyone, this exam is a bit special. The school requires us to survive on this deserted island for one week, but they haven't left us completely unprepared."

"First, the school has provided each class with two 8-person tents, two flashlights, a box of matches, a limited supply of toiletries, backpacks, and some sunscreen for the girls..."

Hirata spoke clearly and logically, his gaze sweeping over everyone in turn.

"Second, each class starts with 300 special exam points. We can use these points to purchase items from the school. These items include, but are not limited to, food, water, toilets, and shower stalls."

Upon hearing this, many people let out a sigh of relief, their anxious expressions softening considerably.

Seeing this, Hirata smiled and continued:

"Furthermore, any special points remaining at the end of the exam will be added directly to our class points. In other words, as long as we are frugal, we can achieve a significant increase in points once the exam concludes."

"Wait, if we just endure and don't buy anything, wouldn't that mean we could get 30,000 personal points next month?!"

Ike, standing to the side, couldn't help but exclaim in excitement.

"How could you possibly think that's feasible? We have to survive on this uninhabited, primitive island for seven days. Never mind food, how are we supposed to handle hygiene and the girls' bathroom situation? We absolutely have to buy a toilet."

Karuizawa, standing nearby, rejected the idea quite firmly.

In the corner, Ayanokoji pursed his lips, keeping a low profile. He wondered if he had misheard; were the difficulty levels of those two things reversed?

"Everyone, please let me finish."

To prevent the situation from devolving into further argument, Hirata took back the floor:

"Regarding this exam, there are two other ways to gain or lose points."

"First, there are strongholds located on the island. Occupying one grants us 1 point. However, these points cannot be used during the exam; they will only be added to our total class points once the exam ends."

"Second, at the end of the exam, we can guess the leaders of the other classes... that is, the people previously selected as cardholders. If we guess correctly, we receive a 50-point reward. Conversely, if we guess wrong or are guessed by another class, we lose 50 points, and the point rewards gained from occupying strongholds will be voided."

High risk, high reward, indeed...

Ayanokoji, listening from the sidelines, muttered to himself.

"There are also a few other things to keep in mind, so please listen carefully..."

Hirata's expression turned slightly more serious, as if signaling them to take note of the important parts.

"If anyone in the class becomes physically unwell during the exam and cannot continue, they will be sent back to the ship to recover, and their class will be penalized 30 points. Additionally, polluting the environment without cause will result in a 20-point deduction, missing a roll call will cost 5 points, and the use of violence will result in the entire class being disqualified!"

As soon as Hirata finished, the area erupted into noise.

Anxiety began to show on many faces.

"Hey, shouldn't we buy some tents? Otherwise, if we camp out in the wild and catch a cold or something, wouldn't that just be a waste of 30 class points?"

Hearing this, Horikita, in the corner, bit her lip slightly, her eyes filled with reluctance.

"That's not right. Catching a cold isn't even the most severe situation. If you catch a cold, you can just push through it; as long as you don't have a fever, surviving the week is doable..."

"Food is the most important thing, isn't it? Although there are some wild fruits and vegetables on the island, are they really safe? If we get food poisoning, we'll really have to go back to the ship for treatment."

Another boy argued.

Ike, standing nearby, was just about to refute the boy's "food poisoning" comment, but before he could open his mouth, Karuizawa cut him off with a look of displeasure:

"I'm talking to you boys! Can you please consider the girls' situation for a second?"

As Karuizawa's rebuke rang out, everyone around turned their gaze toward her.

She calmed herself slightly and said, "Food and tents are important, but the girls' hygiene is just as important."

"At the very least, we should budget for a toilet. We can skip the shower stall."

As Karuizawa spoke, she glanced at the girls standing behind her, her eyes suggesting that this wasn't just her own opinion.

"A portable toilet should be fine; 20 points is an acceptable range," Yukimura, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up. Clearly, he was sticking to the most cost-effective method.

"Huh? Are you kidding me?"

"If the girls were all okay with that kind of toilet, would I even need to stand up and voice my opinion?"

"You boys shouldn't just assume that girls have it as easy as you do."

Karuizawa fired off three questions in a row, her expression growing even more displeased.

"Why wouldn't it work?"

"Thinking that hygiene is so important while out in the wild is the most foolish thing of all."

Yukimura adjusted his glasses, his expression cold, like a machine that only considered efficiency and profit.

"I say..."

"Enough! Everyone, listen to me for a second."

Having listened for a while, Hirata finally couldn't help but speak up; he couldn't just watch the class continue to argue like this.

In an instant, everyone's gaze turned toward him, and Ayanokoji and Horikita also cast their eyes in his direction.

"Regarding the issue raised by Karuizawa, I think it is necessary to give it serious consideration."

He wore a serious expression as he looked at Yukimura, who was insisting on his opposition, and said:

"Yukimura, I think we really must buy this toilet. It's not just for the girls, but for everyone in the class."

"If everyone has to use a toilet they aren't accustomed to during the initial wilderness survival, especially with so many people sharing one, it will inevitably breed more unease and anxiety, which is extremely disadvantageous for our upcoming activities..."

Finally, Hirata's earnest persuasion began to take effect.

Yukimura turned his head away and remained silent for a while, but eventually, he relented.

After all, he knew it wasn't easy for Hirata to be caught in the middle, and he had witnessed everything Hirata had done since the start of the school year; if he had to choose the person in Class D who cared most about the class, it would undoubtedly be Hirata.

Therefore, he ultimately chose to compromise and step back, no longer letting the class fall into opposition.

Once Karuizawa obtained his agreement, the resentment on her face dissipated.

She sidled up to Hirata, linked her arm with his, and leaned her little head against his shoulder, as if rewarding him for standing on her side at such a critical moment.

Hey, doing that is going to damage Hirata's reputation, you know.

Ayanokoji broke into a cold sweat for Hirata in his heart.

What was supposed to be a mediation between the boys and girls was now starting to look a bit like he was shielding his own girlfriend.

What a terrible teammate you are, Karuizawa.

In the end, under Hirata's mediation, both sides finally reached an agreement:

Aside from the toilet and some necessary daily supplies, they would save on everything else, trying their best to obtain resources from the island itself.

Ayanokoji watched the scene before him and couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.

Hirata, this family would truly fall apart without you.

However.

What he didn't know at this moment was.

His words of sentiment would unexpectedly become a self-fulfilling prophecy in the future.