The boats from the cruise ship pulled up to the shore of the uninhabited island in groups. The salty sea breeze carried the fresh, green scent of the trees and grass, while rough reefs pressed against their soles. Dense woodland stretched deep into the island, its canopy breaking the afternoon sunlight into scattered fragments.
According to the areas designated by the school, Class D had been assigned a clearing at the edge of the coastal woods. The moment everyone had landed, before they even had a chance to sort out their belongings, conflict erupted within the class without warning. But the ones arguing weren't Ken Sudō and Kikyo Kushida. They were Kei Karuizawa and Teruhiko Yukimura.
The rule that "any member may privately spend Class Points on supplies" struck a nerve with the girls' concerns about privacy and hygiene, and sparked a divide between the boys and girls.
"We have to trade for a portable toilet, and it can't be one of those flimsy models with no cover!" Kei Karuizawa said with a frown, her voice firm and her eyes betraying unmistakable reluctance. "It's already hard enough for us girls out here. If we can't even guarantee basic privacy and hygiene, we won't be able to properly cooperate with the class later. This isn't wasting points; it's a necessary expense."
Standing opposite her, Teruhiko Yukimura looked practical and composed, though his voice carried a hint of helplessness. "Karuizawa, I understand your concerns, but our 300 Exam Points have to last us seven days. We can't waste a single one. A basic portable toilet may be crude, but it meets our needs. We can use the points we save to get more food, water, and first-aid supplies. Survival has to come first."
"Survival matters, but privacy doesn't?" Kei's voice rose sharply, hurt and anger spreading across her face. "You boys can just find a corner and take care of it. You have no idea what it's like for us girls! If you won't get a suitable portable toilet, I'd rather not take part in any of the activities afterward. I'm not going to put myself through that."
The two stood their ground, and the argument grew more heated. The girls gathered around Kei, agreeing with her and insisting that they trade for a portable toilet that offered privacy. Most of the boys sided with Teruhiko Yukimura, arguing that survival supplies should come first and that a basic toilet would do. There was no need to waste extra points.
Class D was suddenly plunged into a small-scale uproar. The class's already fragile unity seemed weaker than ever. Suzune Horikita stood off to one side, brows knitted and cool eyes full of impatience. She had intended to coordinate how the points were spent, but this sudden dispute had thrown off her plans.
Ken Sudō was quick-tempered, and he couldn't help snapping at them. "Will you all stop arguing? It's just a toilet! Either make do with it or buy one. Wasting time on something this trivial is pointless!" His words did nothing to calm things down. If anything, they only made Kei feel more aggrieved, and the argument grew even louder.
Just as the situation was about to spiral out of control, Yosuke Hirata stepped forward. He took a deep breath and raised a hand to quiet everyone. His tone was gentle, yet sincere and persuasive. "Everyone, please calm down and hear me out. The school is only giving us one basic toilet for free, and it's not very practical. Spending points in some areas will actually be more efficient. Enduring too much can build up stress and stir up anxiety. We also have to consider personal hygiene. This way, the girls can feel more at ease taking on the exam."
Yosuke Hirata spoke with sincerity and good sense. His reasoning was clear, took survival needs into account, and showed consideration for the girls' feelings. It was hard to argue with. Teruhiko Yukimura thought for a moment, then nodded, his tone softening. "That's true."
Looking at Yosuke Hirata's earnest expression, Kei felt her frustration fade completely. She nodded. "As long as we can ensure basic privacy and hygiene, it's fine to spend some points. We don't want this to disrupt the class, either."
Once the two had reached an agreement, the other students also voiced their support, and the disorder quickly settled. Yosuke Hirata seized the moment to continue organizing things. "Since everyone agrees, I'll contact our homeroom teacher now and arrange for this portable toilet. We can also get a small amount of emergency food and water. Also, according to the exam rules, there are ten bases on the island, and we'll need to reclaim them at regular intervals. Each time we occupy one, we earn one bonus point. That could add up to quite a few Exam Points for the class, so it's important. I suggest splitting into three groups of three and searching in different directions for bases we can claim."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Yosuke Hirata quickly divided them into groups. Considering Suzune Horikita's keen eye and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's calmness, he placed the two together with a careful female student to form one search team. The other two groups were also assigned their members, each preparing to head out and do their part.
Suzune Horikita didn't object to Yosuke Hirata's arrangements. She glanced at Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, who had remained silent beside her, and spoke in an even tone. "Let's go. We need to find a base quickly. There's no point wasting time." Ayanokoji gave a slight nod without saying anything, then quietly followed Horikita into the island's interior.
They hadn't been in the woods long when they came across a languid figure: Rokusuke Koenji. He wore the school's uniform, his posture straight and his hands hanging loosely at his sides. He strolled along, eyes full of curiosity about his surroundings, seemingly untouched by the pressure of the uninhabited island exam.
"Oh? If it isn't Horikita and Ayanokoji," Rokusuke Koenji said, raising an eyebrow. "Are you heading out to search for bases? How dull. Rather than those wretched places you can trade for points, I'd rather see if this island has any beautiful scenery."
Suzune Horikita frowned, her tone cool. "Koenji, we have a task to do. We don't have time to chat." She turned to go around him with Ayanokoji and continue on.
Koenji didn't move aside. Instead, he suddenly sprang upward, caught a branch overhead with both hands, and began swinging between the branches with remarkable athleticism. His movements were smooth and effortless, as though he were simply strolling through the woods. "Don't rush off," he said with a laugh as he swung. "I'm heading farther in, too. Why not come along? I might even help you find a base."
Suzune Horikita remained wary. She could sense the strength hidden beneath Koenji's frame, but she couldn't read his intentions and didn't want to get involved with him. "There's no need. We can find a base ourselves. We won't trouble you."
Rokusuke Koenji smiled but didn't insist. He swung up to a tall tree and looked down over the island's interior, his eyes bright with interest. "If that's what you want, I won't bother you. I'm going to seek out the true beauty of this island. As for bases and the like, they mean nothing to me."
With that, he launched himself forward again, darting swiftly through the branches. His movements were far too agile for an ordinary person. In a flash, he vanished into the dense woods, leaving only the faint rustle of swaying leaves.
Kiyotaka Ayanokoji watched the direction Koenji had disappeared in and spoke evenly. "He's very athletic. He isn't ordinary."
Suzune Horikita gave a slight nod, her expression still serious. "Whoever he is, it has nothing to do with us. Let's continue searching. We need to find a suitable location before the other classes do."
The two didn't linger. They quickened their pace deeper into the island, carefully observing the terrain and looking for signs of the bases the school had mentioned. The other two search teams had also set off in different directions. Class D's search for bases had officially begun.
In the distant shade of the trees, Rokusuke Koenji's figure occasionally flashed between the branches. He paid no further attention to Class D and made no effort to search for bases. He simply roamed the woods as he pleased, taking in the island's wild atmosphere and seeking the "true beauty" he had spoken of. It was as though this Special Exam, which concerned the class's points, had nothing to do with him at all.
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