After completing the Challenge in 1D, the group headed to 4C, their designated area for this round. Once they had earned the four points for arriving, Shiraishi Makoto gave most of the supplies in his backpack to Kanzaki and the other two. Taking only his personal belongings and a little food and water, he set off for 9D.
Besides contacting Ichinose Honami, he needed to return to the Starting Port to replenish essential supplies. There was no need to carry much on this trip south.
It was ten in the morning, and the school's next movement instruction would not come until one in the afternoon. Along the way, Shiraishi Makoto passed plenty of students resting at their campsites. Some were already boiling water for lunch.
He also ran into students from Class 2-B, but he did not ask to borrow a walkie-talkie. After all, Sakayanagi Arisu had only agreed to help with Shinohara Satsuki's situation. His group and Sakayanagi's were competitors in this exam. Asking Class B for help contacting Ichinose Honami as well did not sit right with him.
When Shiraishi Makoto reached 9D, he was surprised to see Kouenji Rokusuke.
"Oh, Shiraishi Boy." Kouenji spotted him too, wearing his usual confident smile. "It's been a few days. You look a little worse for wear."
Traveling back and forth across the Uninhabited Island was bound to leave his clothes dirty. Shiraishi Makoto knew Kouenji Rokusuke always said whatever came to mind, so he took no offense. He was curious, though, about what Kouenji had been doing these past few days and why he was here now.
"Yes, I'm here to withdraw from the exam," Kouenji Rokusuke admitted readily. "This Uninhabited Island is quite a bit larger than the last one. It has certainly been a different experience."
"And I've