"Shiraishi, is that you? Need to buy something?" No groups seemed to be staying near the Starting Port, so there were no other students at the shop.
Mashima had spotted Shiraishi Makoto some time ago and greeted him as he approached.
"Yes, Mashima." Shiraishi Makoto nodded.
"Take a look around. There are a few things I want to tell you."
Shiraishi Makoto took the revised shopping catalog from Mashima. Prices on the island were double what they had been before the exam, and the selection was smaller.
Mashima looked around. Once he was sure no one else was nearby, he lowered his voice. "We've been watching Acting Chairman Tsukishiro since the exam began, but he hasn't made any obvious moves. We can't tell what he's planning."
"But he won't give up that easily," Shiraishi Makoto said evenly.
"No. I did notice something unusual." Mashima Tomoya nodded. "For a Special Exam held in unpredictable wilderness, the school needs emergency plans. If a student gets hurt, it has a helicopter and speedboats ready to reach the site quickly."
The speedboats Mashima meant were different from the boats used to set up Challenges. They were reserved for getting medical staff to an incident quickly and normally never went out. If the weather was bad, or it was still too dark for a helicopter to fly safely, as it had been for Shinohara Satsuki's group, the speedboats would be used.
"Normally, the helicopter would handle most rescues. One speedboat would be enough as a backup," Mashima said. "But there are two on standby. I asked about it, and Acting Chairman Tsukishiro specifically arranged it. Officially, it's for safety."
Shiraishi Makoto understood his concern. "Does Acting Chairman Tsukishiro patrol the island too?"
"Yes. He usually stays in his tent monitoring every student's watch data, but