Onizuka gave the cornfield a quick once-over, swiftly estimating its considerable value.
With proper planning and careful rationing, the corn would be enough to meet the food needs of the entire class for at least three or four days.
If they also took nutrition into account, they could ideally eat it once a day, just like the school's paid meals. That might also reduce the other students' reluctance.
To make sure the other classes didn't get to this resource first, he and Horikita immediately decided to stay and guard it, while Horikita "appointed" Ayanokoji to return to camp and gather people to help harvest it.
Although Ayanokoji had tried to protest when they were deciding who would head back, saying things like, "Why not send Onizuka?"
But under Horikita's usual cold gaze, he could only shrug helplessly in the end and accept the "order."
Sometimes, Onizuka really couldn't figure out the relationship between the two of them. When it came to serious matters, Ayanokoji clearly had Horikita under his control, yet in everyday life, Ayanokoji was the one being pushed around by Horikita?
In any case, Onizuka didn't really understand their... dynamic?
"Onizuka."
After confirming that Ayanokoji had left, Horikita stood quietly at the edge of the cornfield. She turned slightly to look at Onizuka.
After a moment of silence, she seemed to steel herself and spoke softly:
"Onizuka, what do you think of this exam?"
Onizuka was taken aback, then smiled.
"What do I think? We just have to do our best."
He shrugged, seeming not to regard this exam as particularly serious or complicated.
As far as he was concerned, Class D's situation wasn't great, but as long as he contributed his share, he could leave the rest to everyone else to do their part.
Horikita frowned slightly, seeming a little dissatisfied with Onizuka's offhand answer, but in the end, she didn't argue.
She simply let her gaze linger on his face for a moment, as if considering his true attitude.
Noticing her expression, Onizuka gave a hint of an amused smile and added mildly:
"Actually, Hirata and the others are doing pretty well, aren't they? At least, much better than I expected."
He paused, his gaze settling on the distant camp.
"Even though everyone's abilities vary, there are still people in the group willing to make an effort and improve Class D's overall results. That's already something rare."
"Sudo is trying to fit in with the group as much as he can and help his classmates. Koenji may have an odd personality, but at least he left us this cornfield. And you, Horikita..."
Onizuka deliberately emphasized his words and looked straight into her eyes.
"You're able to listen to other people's advice now. You're not insisting on doing everything your own way anymore, are you? Just like you're doing now."
A hint of discomfort crossed Horikita's face, and she shifted her gaze away slightly.
She wasn't used to him pointing out her changes so directly, especially with such a casual but accurate assessment.
Just as she lowered her head, Onizuka suddenly had a brain freeze and said, as if possessed:
"Horikita, you don't actually think you've hidden your tsundere side well, do you? It's been obvious since the first day of school~"
"Guh... Huh???"
Horikita froze, then jerked her head up, surprise and embarrassment rising on her face.
Almost instantly, her fist landed in Onizuka's side.
"Ugh..."
You know what, her punch really did pack a wallop!
Under normal circumstances, Onizuka would have been completely confident he could dodge that with ease.
But... his gaze shifted slightly downward, falling on the compass tightly gripped in Horikita's other hand.
The metal tip of the compass gleamed coldly in the sunlight, giving it an unmistakably menacing look.
Onizuka had no doubt that if he so much as leaned aside to dodge, Horikita would unhesitatingly stab him with the hand holding the compass.
Onizuka's mouth twitched as he suppressed the urge to complain.
What kind of bizarre choice of tool was that for surviving on a deserted island? She was probably the only one who'd brought a compass, and she was using it all too "skillfully."
Horikita pulled back her fist and gave a cool snort. "If you say anything like that again, I won't hesitate to actually stab you with this compass."
Onizuka forced a smile and raised both hands, as if reluctantly giving in, abandoning the idea of talking back.
He suddenly understood a little of why Ayanokoji felt such respect for Horikita...
A short while later, Ayanokoji returned to the cornfield with the students from Class D.
From a distance, he saw Onizuka with both hands raised, giving some country's military salute, looking utterly helpless.
Horikita stood in front of him, holding a... compass?
Ayanokoji stopped in his tracks at once and sidled toward a nearby bush, keeping a "sensible" distance.
Hirata, leading the group, didn't notice what was going on at first. When he saw Onizuka and Horikita, he walked over and greeted them cheerfully.
"Onizuka, Horikita, we've brought the people! There's so much corn here. What an unexpected find!"
"But what's going on with you two???"
Horikita didn't seem inclined to explain. She simply put away that unnervingly cold expression, turned toward everyone, and nodded calmly.
Onizuka finally lowered his hands, a wry smile on his lips, as if he'd just escaped disaster.
He changed the subject with Hirata. "That's right. There's enough corn here to keep us fed for several days. It may not taste like much, but it's better than going hungry."
Hirata nodded happily, and the other students also looked excited.
Everyone began to get ready, bringing bags and tools to start harvesting the corn.
Ayanokoji, standing to one side, glanced at Onizuka and said with a hint of teasing, "Good thing you didn't get 'stabbed.'"
Onizuka glared at him and replied with a helpless smile.
"Well, surviving on a deserted island means facing not only the challenges of nature, but also some 'dangerous people' around us."
Hearing the two of them gossip about her behind her back, Horikita's gaze instantly turned cold, and the compass in her hand gleamed again.
Feeling that chill, Onizuka and Ayanokoji immediately fell silent and, without a word, edged closer to Hirata and the others.
Horikita glared at them, but in the end, mindful of how many people were around, she did nothing more. She simply turned her gaze away with a sharp look.
Only then did the two quietly breathe a sigh of relief, though sheepish smiles still lingered on their faces.
Perhaps because so many people were present, Horikita gave them a fierce glare but eventually let it go.
Before long, everyone worked together to finish harvesting the corn. After carefully packing up the abundant haul, they returned to camp with their heavy loads.
And while everyone was busy, Onizuka, Horikita, and Ayanokoji exchanged a knowing glance. Without saying a word, they decided to continue investigating what the other classes were doing.