Horikita's "Threat"

Onizuka scanned the area briefly, quickly calculating the considerable value of the cornfield in his mind.

If planned properly and rationed, this corn would be enough to sustain their entire class for at least three to four days.

If they also considered nutritional balance, it would be best to consume it at the same rate as the school's paid meals to minimize any resistance from their classmates.

To ensure this resource wasn't snatched up by another class, he and Horikita decided to stay and guard it immediately, while Ayanokoji was "commissioned" by Horikita to return to camp and gather people for the harvest.

Although Ayanokoji had tried to protest during the discussion of who should head back, saying things like, "Why not let Onizuka go?"

Under Horikita's characteristically icy gaze, he could only shrug helplessly and accept the "order."

Sometimes Onizuka really couldn't understand the relationship between the two of them; it was clear that Ayanokoji manipulated Horikita in serious matters, yet in daily life, Ayanokoji was the one suppressed by her?

In any case, Onizuka didn't quite understand their... dynamic?

"Onizuka-kun,"

After confirming that Ayanokoji had left, Horikita stood quietly at the edge of the cornfield, turning slightly to look at Onizuka.

After a moment of silence, she spoke softly, as if she had finally made up her mind:

"Onizuka-kun, what do you think of this exam?"

Onizuka was taken aback by the question, then smiled.

"What do I think? I think doing our best is enough."

He shrugged, seemingly not viewing this exam as anything particularly severe or complex.

To him, while the situation of Class D was certainly not ideal, as long as he contributed his fair share, the rest could be left to everyone else to fulfill their own duties.

Horikita frowned slightly, appearing dissatisfied with Onizuka's nonchalant answer, but she ultimately didn't refute it.

Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment, as if she were contemplating his true attitude.

Onizuka noticed her expression and revealed a playful smile, adding faintly:

"Actually, Hirata and the others are doing well, aren't they? At least much better than I expected."

He paused, his gaze drifting toward the direction of the distant camp:

"Although everyone has different abilities, there are still people in the team willing to put in the effort to improve the overall performance of Class D, which is already rare."

"Sudo is trying his best to integrate into the group and help his classmates, and while Koenji has a strange personality, he at least left us this cornfield. And you, Horikita..."

Onizuka deliberately deepened his tone, looking straight into her eyes.

"You are already able to listen to others' suggestions instead of acting solely on your own, aren't you? Just like you're doing right now."

A flash of discomfort crossed Horikita's face, and she shifted her gaze slightly.

She wasn't used to him pointing out her changes so directly, especially with such a nonchalant yet precise assessment.

Just as she lowered her head, Onizuka suddenly had a lapse in judgment and, driven by some strange impulse, said:

"Horikita-san, you don't actually think your tsundere traits are well-hidden, do you? They've been exposed since the very first day of school~"

"Gu... eh???"

Horikita froze, then jerked her head up, her face filled with surprise and embarrassment.

Almost instantly, her fist struck Onizuka in the side of his waist.

"Ugh..."

You have to give it to her, her strength was actually quite impressive!

Under normal circumstances, Onizuka would have been fully confident in dodging that blow easily.

But... his gaze shifted slightly downward, landing on the compass gripped tightly in Horikita's other hand.

The tip of the metal compass glinted with a cold, icy light in the sun, carrying an indescribable sense of intimidation.

Onizuka didn't doubt for a second that if he tried to dodge, the hand holding the compass would pierce him without mercy.

Onizuka's mouth twitched, and he suppressed the urge to retort.

What kind of bizarre survival tool choice was this? She was probably the only person who would bring a compass to a deserted island! And she used it so "handily," too.

Horikita retracted her fist and gave a faint huff: "If you dare to talk nonsense again, I won't mind actually using this compass to stab you."

Onizuka squeezed out a smile, raising his hands in a gesture of helpless surrender, abandoning any thought of arguing back.

He suddenly understood the sense of awe Ayanokoji felt toward Horikita...

A moment later, Ayanokoji returned to the cornfield with the students from Class D.

From afar, he saw Onizuka with his hands raised in a mock military salute, looking utterly helpless.

Meanwhile, Horikita stood before him, holding a... compass?

Seeing this, Ayanokoji stopped in his tracks, leaning toward the nearby bushes to maintain a "prudent" distance.

Hirata, who was leading the group, didn't realize the situation at first, but walked over upon seeing Onizuka and Horikita, greeting them enthusiastically.

"Onizuka, Horikita, we've brought the manpower! I can't believe there's so much corn here, what an unexpected harvest!"

"But, what exactly is going on here???"

Horikita heard this and showed no intention of explaining, simply withdrawing that chilling, aloof expression before turning to look at everyone and nodding indifferently.

Onizuka finally lowered his hands, a bitter smile hanging on the corner of his mouth as if he had narrowly escaped a disaster.

He diverted the topic to Hirata, saying, "That's right, this corn is enough to cover our food supply for several days; although the taste is monotonous, it's better than going hungry."

Hirata nodded happily, and the other students also revealed excited expressions one after another.

Everyone began to prepare, grabbing bags and tools, ready to start harvesting the corn.

Standing to the side, Ayanokoji glanced at Onizuka, his tone carrying a hint of mockery: "It's a good thing you didn't get 'stabbed'."

Onizuka glared at him, replying with a trace of helpless amusement.

"In this survival on a deserted island, we aren't just facing the challenges of nature, but apparently some 'dangerous individuals' around us as well."

Hearing the two of them actually daring to gossip about her behind her back, Horikita's gaze turned cold in an instant, and the compass in her hand flashed with a cold glint once more.

Feeling that chill, Onizuka and Ayanokoji shut their mouths instantly, tacitly moving closer to Hirata and the others.

Horikita glared at them, but ultimately, mindful of the number of people around, she took no further action and simply withdrew her gaze sharply.

The two of them quietly breathed a sigh of relief, though sheepish smiles still remained on their faces.

Seemingly wary of the many people present, Horikita gave them one last fierce glare before finally letting it go.

Not long after, everyone worked together to finish picking the corn, and after properly packing up the fruits of their labor, they returned to the camp with their heavy harvest.

In the gaps between everyone's busy work, Onizuka, Horikita, and Ayanokoji exchanged a tacit glance, silently agreeing to continue exploring the movements of the other classes.