He set down the menu, raised his hand, and called out loudly:
"Excuse me, could we order?"
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
Before he could finish speaking, Totsuka interrupted him:
"You're from Class D, right?"
"So what?" Sudo replied, looking at him.
After hearing his answer, Totsuka, still angry from what had happened with Kitahara, sneered, "Listen, a garbage class like yours doesn't belong here. Garbage should go eat garbage food."
Before he could finish, Sudo grabbed him by the tie and said, "Say that again, I dare you." Sudo's fist was already raised high, his eyes burning with fury.
Watching this, Kitahara thought the gesture looked familiar. After all, he'd experienced it twice back in Class D.
"Yahiko... don't go picking fights with people for no reason."
"And even though we're on vacation, you could still lose points for your conduct. You should act like a Class A student," Katsuragi said from beside them.
"Y-yes..."
Then Katsuragi turned to Yamauchi and the others and said, "You should learn some manners too. Don't cause trouble for the people around you."
"We didn't even..." Before Sudo could respond, the people around them began to murmur.
Kitahara knew what would happen next, so he had no interest in watching. He turned to Ichinose and Kanzaki and asked:
"Want to come to the deck with me and walk off our meal?"
At Kitahara's invitation, Ichinose and Kanzaki exchanged a glance, then nodded in understanding.
The three of them went to the deck. Looking at the uninhabited island in the distance, Kitahara said without warning, "Twice."
"Hm?" Ichinose and Kanzaki turned to him at the same time, puzzled.
"Twice? What do you mean?"
Kitahara lightly tapped the railing with his fingers, his gaze still fixed on the island. "Our ship was here an hour and a half ago, and even after all this time sailing, we're still here. So..."
"So we've been going around in circles," Kanzaki and Ichinose said at the same time.
Kitahara seemed quite pleased with their answer and continued, "Then why do you think the ship keeps circling in the same place?"
The sea breeze suddenly picked up, making Kitahara's uniform flap in the wind.
"Could it be that they're going to make us take an exam on the island?" Ichinose slowly offered, looking at Kitahara.
After a long silence, Kanzaki shared his thoughts too:
"From what we can see, that uninhabited island is very likely where we'll be tested."
At their words, Kitahara's lips curled into a meaningful smile. "You're only half right. The school said that spending a week enjoying ourselves on the island could count as an exam. Do you think they might have another exam planned for the week that was originally left?"
"You mean there'll be two exams?" Kanzaki and Ichinose looked shocked, with a hint of worry.
After all, they'd expected there to be an exam during the trip, but they hadn't thought there would be two in a row.
That meant there could be far more uncertainties than they'd anticipated.
"What should we do next?" Ichinose asked, realizing how serious the situation was.
Kitahara checked the time. "First, let's get all the Class B students up on deck. Then we can decide what to do."
At Kitahara's suggestion, Ichinose sent a message to the class group chat.
The Class B students soon began gathering on the deck, their faces filled with confusion and unease.
Seeing their puzzled expressions, Ichinose and Kanzaki explained their analysis. After hearing them out, the Class B students understood why they'd all been called together.
After all, when facing an unknown exam, working together was the best option.
"Everyone, there's no need to worry too much. I've already surveyed the general terrain of the uninhabited island," Kitahara said, reassuring them as he saw how tense they were.
His words put everyone somewhat at ease, and they asked:
"Then what can we do?"
"Hmm... Does anyone here have experience living in the wilderness that they could share, so we can prepare in advance?" Kitahara said after thinking it over.
The Class B students looked at one another. Soon, several voices spoke up—
1. Shiranami Chihiro (raising her hand timidly)
"I joined a wilderness survival club in middle school. I can put up a simple tent and identify some edible plants... though I might not be very good at it."
2. Shibata So (laughing cheerfully)
"My family's from the mountains! I used to go camping with my grandpa all the time. I know a little about starting fires and fishing and stuff."
3. Kanzaki Ryuji (pushing up nonexistent glasses)
"I don't have any hands-on experience, but I've read a lot about wilderness survival. I know a thing or two about finding our bearings and avoiding danger."
4. Amikura Mako (adding quietly)
"I... I watch wilderness survival shows a lot. I know a few tricks for collecting water..."
Kitahara was a little surprised by their answers. He hadn't realized his class had so many capable people.
He turned to Ichinose, and after picking up on what he meant, she began organizing their strengths so she could coordinate everyone more effectively.
While they were discussing things, the school's broadcast began to play.
[Hello, students. We will soon be arriving at the island. Please gather on the deck within the next thirty minutes.]
[Please leave all personal belongings, except for your phones, in your rooms.]
After receiving the announcement, students from the other classes also began making their way to the deck.
Looking down at the students from each class, Chabashira spoke:
"Before you go ashore, there are a few things I need to explain. For now, please wait here."
Then a person dressed in white and holding a megaphone stepped forward and said:
"I'm Mashima, the homeroom teacher for Class 1-A. First, I'm glad everyone arrived safely. On the other hand, it's unfortunate that one student can't participate because of illness."
"Now, we'll begin this year's first Special Exam."
"The exam will last one week. You'll be living together on this uninhabited island, so from today on, you'll have to make all your own decisions."
"All right, the survival game officially begins now. Next, the homeroom teachers will explain the rules to their classes."