The strong had always been born to be alone.
The clamor of the crowd and the false sense of belonging had never been for those who stood above others. The weak were used to clinging to their companions, hiding their own ineptitude by banding together; the mediocre went with the flow, using the bustle to fill the emptiness inside.
The truly strong never needed anyone else's understanding or approval. They bore the cold stares and criticism alone, growing in the unseen corners, biding their time and honing their edge. They neither sought kindred spirits nor expected others to share their feelings. They carved their own path forward and, in silence, rose above all.
Loneliness was never a shackle for the weak. It was a medal the strong were born with.
Koenji was the sort of person who, as far as I could remember, always did things I couldn't understand.
He didn't care what the class thought of him, firmly believed he was the most perfect man alive, and did whatever he pleased without the slightest concern for what others thought. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him Class D's biggest problem child at the moment.
And now, thanks to Koenji leaving without permission, Class D had lost thirty personal points right at the start. Everyone was stewing over it, especially those who had already been unhappy with Koenji. They were openly cursing him out.
Even so, the exam had to proceed as planned.
With the arrival of the exam's second day, everyone in Class D got to work after morning roll call at eight.
Some went to look for food, while others explored the area to see if there were any suitable locations they could claim as bases. After all, every additional base earned them bonus points.
To be fair, if this had been a normal school, Class D's performance so far might not have been outstanding, but it would at least have been passing.
Watching everyone bustle about, Chiba Yu sat in the hammock he had just set up, gazed vacantly into the distance, and began an activity known as "contemplating the meaning of life"—commonly called daydreaming.
As if he had deliberately made himself less noticeable, everyone busy with their tasks unconsciously ignored him. Or perhaps they all knew what he was doing, but for some reason, no one went over to bother him.
High EQ: Chiba must have his reasons for doing this.
Low EQ: A lazy bum is probably still a lazy bum even when he gets up. Better not call him over.
Just as Chiba Yu was immersed in this deeply "philosophical" atmosphere, a push from behind and a sigh interrupted his thoughts.
"Sigh~ How much longer are you going to sit here?"
Chiba Yu turned around. When he saw that familiar golden high ponytail, he guessed who it was.
"Why don't you go help Hirata instead of coming over to bother me all the time?"
Karuizawa Kei half narrowed her eyes and leaned forward with her hands on her hips. Their gazes met in midair. "So you do know you're supposed to help? Everyone else is busy with their own work, while you're hiding here slacking off."
Chiba Yu defended himself without changing his expression. "I'm not slacking off. I'm carefully observing each of our classmates' work to make sure I can step in if anything goes wrong."
Karuizawa listened, looking utterly incredulous. She thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a rebuttal. In the end, all she could do was wear an expression that said, "I give up."
Karuizawa Kei: I've never seen anyone make slacking off sound so righteous. Incredible.
Under Karuizawa's look of utter defeat, Chiba Yu slowly stood and brushed the few leaves off his pants and clothes.
Seeing Chiba Yu suddenly get up, looking ready to leave at any moment, Karuizawa asked curiously, "Are you heading out?"
Chiba Yu looked resigned. "Since you all think I've got nothing to do here, I might as well go for a walk. I can scout the area while I'm at it. I'm just sitting around anyway."
"...You know, you suddenly acting like you're eager to contribute to the class is so unlike you."
"No, it's just that you don't know me."
No one understands me, not before and not now...
Closing his eyes, Chiba Yu took a deep breath and headed toward Hirata.
After Chiba Yu explained that he was going out for a walk, Hirata handed him a small notebook with a simple map drawn inside, looking relieved.
"Be careful. If you run into any trouble, come back first. We'll figure it out together."
"..."
Chiba Yu really wanted to ask why Hirata had suddenly started radiating the aura of a motherly man. Could he please stop looking at him with that proud, relieved expression, as if he were watching his own child finally grow up?
Chiba Yu avoided Hirata's gaze, said he would, and hurried off.
There was no helping it. Hirata's gaze had seemed way too weird. No wonder he was known as Class D's resident father figure...
After making sure he hadn't forgotten anything, Chiba Yu prepared to leave.
"W-wait a second!"
Hearing that familiar voice, Chiba Yu turned around with a helpless sigh. "What is it this time?"
"...What's with that attitude?" Karuizawa puffed out her cheeks.
"H-Hirata said it'd be a pain if you went out alone and got into danger, so you should have someone go with you." Karuizawa turned her head away with a haughty air.
Chiba Yu looked a little surprised. "If you leave, what if something comes up in the class that you need to handle—"
"Hehe~ Chiba, don't worry. We've already finished everything that needs doing, so Karuizawa doesn't have anything to do right now. And if something happens, Hirata's still here, isn't he?"
"That's right, that's right. Besides, it's not safe for you to be out there alone. If you have someone with you, you won't need to worry about all that."
"Exactly, you two just go have fun."
Watching them chime in one after another, Chiba Yu was dumbfounded. Where had you all come from?!
Seeing her friends pop up one by one, their words clearly implying something else, Karuizawa couldn't help turning red and shouting, "Y-You guys have to stop already!"
"Come on, Karuizawa's getting embarrassed."
"Exactly. If you keep pushing her, who's going to make up for the candy I'll be missing out on later?"
While Karuizawa wore an utterly helpless, almost "desperate" expression, Chiba Yu turned and walked away.
"Hey?! Honestly, at least wait for me!"
As the others watched with teasing expressions, the two of them gradually disappeared into the distance.
"Hey, hey! Do you think those two could actually get together?"
"I think it's totally possible. Didn't you see how red Karuizawa's face just got?"
Hearing Mori Nene and the others discussing it beside her, Matsushita said nothing. She simply watched the direction the two had gone, a smile slowly appearing at the corners of her mouth—a smile completely unlike before, one that was impossible to read...