"Thank you, Takahashi. That makes nine of us, so we can split into three groups. It's one thirty in the afternoon now. Whether or not you find anything, I'd like everyone to come back by three for a briefing," Hirata told the group.
"I never imagined we'd end up together, my two boys. But never mind. The perfect me will lead you through the forest," Koenji said, looking at Takahashi and Ayanokouji.
Who would've thought Rokusuke Koenji would actually take part in the exploration?
"Hahaha! The sun is so refreshing. My body feels like it has boundless energy!" Koenji said, then charged into the forest.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the greenery grew ever denser. Compared to the glaring sunlight on the beach, the forest was pleasantly cool. But the hot, humid air clung to them all the same. Every breath felt like swallowing mouthfuls of steaming cotton, leaving them stifled and uncomfortable.
"Hahaha! It's so beautiful, truly beautiful! Me, strolling through the forest and standing in the heart of nature—I'm simply magnificent!" Koenji shouted from atop a large tree before leaping to another.
"Looks like we'll have to pick up the pace, Ayanokouji, or we'll get left behind," Takahashi said, glancing at him.
"Okay."
"We've gotten separated," Takahashi said, looking around. Koenji had already vanished from sight, and he had no idea where Ayanokouji had run off to, either.
Well, being alone will make things easier anyway, Takahashi thought, then headed for the beach.
"Relax. Eat and drink whatever you like. I'm generous with people who might be willing to work with me," Ryuuen said, tossing Takahashi a chilled drink. "Tell me how you figured out my plan. I don't think I left any holes in it."
Takahashi caught the drink one-handed and set it aside. "What's there to say? You beat up Ibuki in front of Class D and Kaneda in front of Class B. That's already a huge hole. And just look at all this barbecue, these drinks, the parasols, the lounge chairs, and the water sports equipment. You clearly weren't planning to win this exam by keeping your point total low."
"Takahashi, tell me what you want."
"Well, think about it. I have to play dumb and avoid exposing Ibuki, while doing my best to help her steal information about who holds our class's Representative Card. Every part of that is difficult. Especially since doing this is basically betraying Class D, which is going to weigh heavily on me."
"Enough with the excuses. What do you want?"
"More money!"
"After the exam, Class C will give you 200,000 points, then pay you 100,000 points every month until the end of next term. How does that sound?"
"Ryuuen, you know I'm not greedy, and your offer is quite reassuring," Takahashi said with a smile. Then he turned to Class C's homeroom teacher. "Sakagami-sensei, Chie, sorry for the trouble, but could you witness this agreement?"
"Honestly, Kamiya, I thought you called me over to the beach to make some romantic confession. I didn't expect you to put me to work," Hoshinomiya-sensei said, displeased, poking Takahashi's cheek with a slender finger.
"Hehe." Takahashi took Hoshinomiya-sensei's hand and grinned. "Sensei, it's not too late. How about showing me around your camp?"
"Oh, Takahashi, you're here!" Ichinose said excitedly when she saw him arrive at the camp with Hoshinomiya-sensei.
Looking at the harmonious, united atmosphere at the Class B camp, Takahashi couldn't help thinking how comfortable it must be to be part of a group like this.
"Honami, do you only have eyes for Takahashi? You didn't even greet your teacher," Hoshinomiya-sensei said, pretending to be annoyed.
When Takahashi returned to camp, Ayanokouji and Sudo were already back, along with a few others. The rest trickled in soon after.
"Everyone, guess what we found!"
As soon as they returned, Sudo and the other two stood on a large rock, striking what they thought were very cool poses as they asked everyone to guess what they had discovered.
"A river! A river! And the water is really clear! It'd be perfect for living at camp, and it's less than ten minutes from here."
"That's a fantastic find. Having a reliable water source would change our lives here. Once everyone's back, we'll head over," Hirata agreed.
"Ayanokouji, I'm glad to see you're back," Takahashi said, looking at him.
"Yeah... Sorry I couldn't keep up with you. Where's Koenji?"
"He disappeared as soon as I stopped for a moment. He still hasn't come back?" Takahashi said, checking his Watch. It was already a few minutes past three. "That's a bit of a problem, but I don't think he'll get lost. Have you told Hirata?"
"Not yet... I just got back, too."
"I'll let Hirata know," Takahashi said, heading over to him as the girls gathered around.
"Hirata."
"Oh? Takahashi, what's up? Did you find something?"
"Um... no. I'm sorry, but Ayanokouji, Koenji, and I got separated while exploring. Ayanokouji made it back, but I haven't seen Koenji."
"Koenji? He came back ages ago, then went for a swim."
Once he knew Koenji had returned, Takahashi went back to Ayanokouji to ask what he had found.
"You all got separated? Didn't you plan things out properly before setting off?" Horikita's voice cut in before he could say anything.
"Uh... Koenji's a free spirit. There's no controlling him, you know? You understand, right?"
Horikita then asked Takahashi and Ayanokouji for details and whether they'd found anything during their exploration. When she learned that Koenji had entered the forest and started leaping from tree to tree as if he were back home, she sighed and sat down. "I see. Aside from his personality, he's quite capable."
"That's right. Just like you," Ayanokouji suddenly said beside them. Takahashi silently edged away.
"What did you say?"
"Uh... well... nothing. Nothing."
Then Horikita abruptly fixed her gaze on Sakura, who was watching from the side but didn't dare come over.
"Were you just looking at me?"
"Huh? I... I wasn't. I... I... I'm sorry," Sakura stammered.
"All right, don't scare her," Takahashi said, getting up and walking over to Sakura.
He took Sakura's hand and led her to rest in the shade of a nearby tree, telling her how he, Koenji, and Ayanokouji had gotten separated in the forest.
Before you continue