Divergence (3)

After the bathroom dispute, a second disagreement quickly emerged: the drinking water problem. It seemed that choosing a campsite with a river didn't automatically solve the water issue.

"Let's put the water problem aside for now. Arguing will only divide the class, and I think this exam is largely testing our teamwork," Hirata said, trying to smooth things over with his classmates.

Even though kicking the can down the road wasn't a real solution, since it was Hirata who suggested it, no one bothered to object. But unexpectedly, a boy cut in.

"Shinohara, can you stop complaining about everything? This exam requires the whole class to cooperate!"

The speaker was the class's notorious troublemaker—Sudo. His tone today was different from usual, almost like he was trying to persuade Shinohara.

"Wait... that's hilarious. Whole class cooperation? Coming from you, Sudo?"

Shinohara doubled over laughing, and Sudo deserved her contempt—he'd been nothing but trouble since enrollment, constantly dragging the class down. Come to think of it, he and Horikita were about equally bad at cooperating with others. No wonder he wanted to be Horikita's loyal dog.

Sudo knew full well he'd caused the class plenty of problems before, but he pressed on anyway: "I know I've caused trouble in the past, that's why I'm trying to give advice! If we keep getting on each other's nerves over stupid stuff like this, we're going to pay for it sooner or later."

"Give me a break. You're just saying that because you don't want to spend class points."

"That's not it at all! And Kanji, don't get mad either—who'd be okay with drinking river water all of a sudden? Even I have a hard time accepting it. Hey, I remember that boiling water kills bacteria, so why don't we try that first?"

"Boil river water? Are you kidding me? Stop coming up with random ideas! Boiling water only kills most bacteria with high heat, but river water has way more types and quantities of bacteria than tap water. What if there are heat-resistant ones in there?"

Shinohara was the type who'd tear into anyone she didn't like, no matter who they were. She showed Sudo no mercy at all.

Seeing the argument escalating, Hirata stepped in again: "Let's break for now. We still have time, no need to rush a decision."

Since Hirata was the one speaking, Shinohara gave him face and walked off without another word. Soon after, Hirata went to Teacher Chabashira to request a rental portable toilet.

Ike was still fuming, glaring at Shinohara's back through gritted teeth. He bent down, picked up a small stone, and threw it at the river—the stone skipped five or six times across the surface and actually made it to the opposite bank, its trajectory so clean it looked like a fluke. Anyone else trying the same throw would be hard-pressed to match that accuracy.

"Come to think of it, you seem pretty good at wilderness survival knowledge?"

"Huh? No... not really. I just grew up camping with my family, so I'm used to drinking river water directly. I can roughly tell if a water source is clean just by looking at it."

He said it casually, without his usual bragging.

"Then you should've said you had camping experience earlier. If everyone trusted you, things would've been easier."

Going about things silently without any explanation, no matter how skilled you were, would only invite suspicion.

"What's there to brag about with a little camping experience? Besides, look at those girls—even if I told them I had camping experience, it wouldn't matter."

It seemed Ike was still down after getting chewed out by the girls earlier. Normally, he was desperate to be popular with them.

"But..." Ike hesitated, "this kind of wilderness camping life, everyone seems to be experiencing it for the first time. I thought they'd all have at least some knowledge about it. Maybe I was expecting too much."

This was the first time Ike showed regret and quickly realized his own problem.

"Sorry, I think I can't really sort out my thoughts right now. I'm going to swim in the river for a bit."

He stood up and walked away with his back to them. For now, it was best to let him cool off.

"Ayanokouji, can you catch up to him?" Horikita said from beside him.

"Hmm... why?"

Once Ike was out of sight, Horikita spoke to Ayanokouji again: "His knowledge might prove useful. In other words, he could be an indispensable asset for Class D in this special exam."

"Why don't you go convince him yourself?"

Horikita seemed surprised by Ayanokouji's response. "Me?... Have me convince him? Do you think I can do it?" She then looked over at Takahashi. "Takahashi, you go."

Takahashi's expression: →_→

Takahashi's thoughts: Saying you can't do it with that smug face on—really something. Your social skills really are far below average.

"Why don't you try it yourself? You managed to straighten Sudo out before, didn't you?"

"I'm too blunt, and I know I can't do it, so I'm leaving it to you two."

Tsk tsk. Being able to ask for help with your arms crossed and looking all imposing—only a social incompetent like you could pull that off, Takahashi thought to himself.

"Alright then, when the time is right, I'll talk to him," Ayanokouji said.

"Well, since Ayanokouji agreed, let him handle it. I'm off," Takahashi said, leaving.

Seeing that Ayanokouji had agreed, Horikita also turned and left.

That bastard Yamauchi, taking advantage of Takahashi's absence, kept pestering Sakura with conversation, seemingly blind to the disgust in her eyes.

Sakura, seeing that Takahashi, Ayanokouji, and Horikita had finished talking, said, "Sorry, I need to step away for a moment," and quickly hurried over to Takahashi.

"Takahashi," Hirata said, approaching him. "Do you know how to set up tents? The school-issued tents are too big, and we're not sure how to assemble them."

"I know a little. Please gather a few classmates to follow my instructions later."

"That's great, Takahashi. Thank you."

After a considerable amount of time, two large multi-person camping tents were set up.

Before Takahashi could even wipe the sweat off his forehead, he heard Shinohara arguing with Yukimura from their class.

"Why should both tents go to you girls? It was us boys who set them up."

"Shouldn't boys help girls? Besides, it's summer—you guys have strong constitutions, sleeping outside won't give you a cold."

"Help your mom..." Before Yukimura could finish, the boy next to him grabbed his arm and said:

"Forget it, Yukimura. If we don't give them the tent, they'll probably spend points to buy one anyway. We can find some dry grass and leaves to sleep on."

Wait—your big bro Takahashi worked so hard to set this up, and now I look like a clown? Just watch me shut you down.

"Oh, looks like Little Kan will be camping out in the wild!" Before Takahashi could retort to Shinohara, Hasebe came up with a grin on her face. "Even though it's summer, it'll probably get a little cold at night. Want me to come out and keep you company?"

"Huh? In the... wild? That actually sounds better than sleeping in a tent."

Takahashi's words instantly made Hasebe's face flush red. She gave a soft "Pervert!" and hurried away.