The First Day on the Uninhabited Island: "Dispute"

On the uninhabited island.

Deep in the jungle.

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

Hirata stood in the middle, relaying the information they had just received from Chabashira, their homeroom teacher:

"Everyone, this exam is a little unusual. The school wants us to take on a week-long survival challenge on a deserted island, but they haven't left us completely unprepared."

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

Hirata spoke in an organized manner, his gaze sweeping over everyone in turn.

"Second, each class starts with 300 special points for the exam. We can use these points to buy things from the school. The available items include, but aren't limited to, food, water, toilets, and shower stalls."

At that, quite a few people breathed a sigh of relief, their anxious expressions easing.

Hirata smiled at the reaction and continued:

"Also, any special points we have left over at the end of the exam will be added directly to our Class Points. In other words, if we're careful with our spending, we can earn a decent increase in points when the exam ends."

"Then if we just tough it out and don't buy anything, won't we get 30,000 Personal Points next month?!"

Ike blurted out excitedly from nearby.

"That can't possibly be how it works. We have to survive for seven days on a deserted, uninhabited island. Never mind the food—how are we supposed to handle hygiene and the girls' need to relieve themselves? We'll have to buy at least one toilet."

Karuizawa firmly dismissed the idea.

In the corner, Ayanokoji barely moved his lips, wondering if he'd heard wrong. Had the difficulty of those two problems been reversed?

"Everyone, let me finish first."

To keep things from turning into an argument, Hirata picked up where he'd left off:

"There are two other ways to gain or lose points during this exam."

"First, we can claim the designated spots on the island. Each time we claim one, we earn one usable point. But these points can't be used during the exam. They'll only be added to the total and credited to our Class Points once the exam is over."

"Second, at the end of the exam, we can guess who the leaders of the other classes are—that is, the students selected as cardholders, as I mentioned earlier. If we guess correctly, we'll earn 50 points. If we guess wrong, or if another class guesses our leader correctly, we'll lose 50 points. And any points we earned from claiming designated spots will be forfeited."

That was a high-risk, high-reward deal...

Ayanokoji mused to himself as he listened.

"There are also a few other things everyone needs to keep in mind. Please listen carefully..."

Hirata's expression grew a little more serious, as if he were about to get to the important points.

"If anyone in our class becomes unwell during the exam and is unable to continue, the school will send them back to the ship to recover, and our class will lose 30 points. Polluting the environment without a valid reason will cost us 20 points. Each missed roll call will cost us 5 points, and using violence will disqualify the entire class from the exam!"

Once Hirata finished, a commotion broke out around them.

Quite a few people looked uneasy.

"Hey, shouldn't we buy some extra tents? If we camp out in the open and catch a chill or a cold, we'll just be costing the class 30 points for nothing."

In the corner, Horikita bit her lip slightly, her eyes full of frustration.

"Wait, catching a chill isn't even the worst-case scenario. If you just get a cold, you can tough it out for a while. As long as you don't get a fever, you could probably make it through the week..."

"Isn't food the most important thing? There are some wild fruits and vegetables on the island, but are they really safe to eat? If we get food poisoning, we'll have to go back to the ship for treatment."

Another boy argued.

Ike was just about to object to the boy's claim about getting food poisoning, but before he could even open his mouth, Karuizawa cut in, looking displeased:

"Hey, boys! Could you at least try to consider the girls' situation?"

Karuizawa's sharp rebuke drew everyone's attention.

She took a moment to compose herself, then said, "Food and tents are important, of course, but hygiene is important for the girls, too."

"At the very least, we should set aside some points for a toilet. We can skip the shower stalls."

As she spoke, Karuizawa glanced at the girls standing behind her, as if to show that she wasn't the only one who felt that way.

"A portable toilet will do. Spending 20 points on one is reasonable."

Yukimura spoke up after staying silent for a long time. Clearly, he was determined to go with the most economical option.

"Huh? Are you kidding?"

"If the girls were fine with that kind of toilet, do you think I'd have to speak up?"

"Don't assume girls can just go as easily as you boys."

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

"Why not?"

"Thinking hygiene matters so much when we're out in the wilderness is what's really foolish."

Yukimura adjusted his glasses, his expression cold, like a machine that cared only about efficiency and results.

"I mean..."

"That's enough! Everyone, listen to me."

Hirata, who had been listening for a while, finally spoke up. He couldn't just watch the class argue like this.

Everyone turned to look at him. Ayanokoji and Horikita did, too.

"As for the concern Karuizawa brought up, I think we need to give it serious consideration."

He turned to Yukimura, who had been firmly opposed, and said earnestly:

"Yukimura, I think we have to buy a toilet. Not just for the girls, but for everyone in the class."

"If everyone has to use a toilet they aren't comfortable with during their first few days living outdoors—and all of us have to share the same one—that's bound to create more anxiety and unease. That would be very bad for the activities ahead..."

At last, Hirata's earnest reasoning had an effect.

Yukimura turned his head away and fell silent for a while, but in the end, he gave in.

After all, he knew how difficult it was for Hirata to be caught between the two sides. He'd seen 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.

So, in the end, he chose to compromise rather than let the class become divided.

Once Karuizawa got her way, the resentment on her face faded.

She went over to Hirata and linked her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder as if rewarding him for taking her side at a crucial moment.

Hey, doing that's going to hurt Hirata's reputation, isn't it?

Ayanokoji inwardly winced on Hirata's behalf.

He'd been trying to mediate between the boys and girls, but now it looked like he'd simply taken his girlfriend's side.

What a terrible teammate, Karuizawa.

In the end, with Hirata mediating, both sides finally reached an agreement:

Apart from a toilet and a few necessary toiletries, they would save wherever they could and try to make use of the island's resources.

Watching the scene, Ayanokoji couldn't help feeling moved.

Hirata, this household would truly fall apart without you.

However...

He didn't yet know...

That his heartfelt remark would one day turn out to be eerily prophetic.