"There's fruit everywhere in the forest, and we should be able to catch fish in the sea. With a waterfall nearby, drinking water won't be a problem either."
Up ahead, Ichinose Honami was leading them toward the center of Class B's camp, explaining how things were going as they walked.
She really was just as you'd expect from Ichinose. She had that angelic air about her no matter who she was talking to. Especially in a school like this, where she'd managed to stay that way even after learning the rules—calling her an angel wasn't an exaggeration.
Class B's base was near a river, and everything from the way they assigned tasks to how they coordinated was handled with impressive order. If Class D was currently doing reasonably well, then Class B was like an upgraded version of Class D.
They were already losing by a mile in terms of appearances... Chiba Yu thought ruefully.
After explaining how things were going in her class, Ichinose turned to the two of them with a smile. "Come to think of it, it's strange. I didn't realize you and Karuizawa would come to investigate too, Chiba, apart from Horikita and the others."
Then Ichinose's gaze shifted from Chiba Yu to Karuizawa, and she smiled at them both. "I just didn't expect Karuizawa to come with you. Actually, given your usual attitude, Chiba, the fact that you'd come scout things out at all is pretty surprising."
"I think you've got the wrong idea about me," Chiba Yu replied casually.
"I just wanted to do something for the class. This guy happened to be heading out, so I figured I'd have someone to look out for me."
"Hehe~ Then I'll take your word for it."
"Ichinose, we're just about done getting the fire going. We can start soon."
An old acquaintance walked toward them, though Chiba Yu wouldn't have called the two of them friends.
"Long time no see. This is a surprise. I didn't think you'd actually go out and about. Maybe I only know you on the surface after all." The moment Kanzaki Ryuji saw Chiba Yu, his tongue turned poisonous. It was as if he couldn't keep the conversation going without taking a jab at him.
As soon as he finished speaking, Kanzaki noticed Karuizawa Kei standing beside Chiba Yu. "I didn't think you'd already learned how to get a girlfriend. The guys from middle school would probably be surprised if they saw this."
"Why does everyone keep thinking she's my girlfriend? I've explained this so many times. And seriously, would a girl really like someone with my personality?" Chiba Yu rubbed his forehead in exasperation.
"I was joking," Kanzaki added.
After Ichinose's teasing just now, Karuizawa was already immune to remarks like that. Besides, she knew Kanzaki and Chiba had known each other before. She didn't know exactly what their relationship was like, but she took it as friends joking around.
"I heard your class took in a student from Class C too, right?"
"Yeah. Apparently he was fed up with Ryuen's tyranny, and Ryuen kicked him out after they got into an argument."
"That's Kaneda. He looks a little reserved, but he's actually a very nice person."
Following Ichinose's gesture, Chiba Yu and Karuizawa spotted a boy with blond hair and glasses. He looked so ordinary that he could easily disappear into a crowd. Someone like that had actually dared to stand up to Ryuen in front of everyone? You really couldn't judge a book by its cover.
"We just came back from Class C too. Ryuen really is as disgusting as the rumors say," Karuizawa added. It seemed she held a surprising amount of resentment toward him.
"I heard Class C started spending points right away. Can they really make it through this exam if they keep going like that?"
Ichinose asked in confusion. This exam seemed even harder than she'd expected, and if Ryuen kept doing things this way, what would they do in the last few days?
"Who knows? Maybe they've got a strategy we don't know about." Chiba Yu shook his head. Even though he already had a certain theory, at this point it was best to keep quiet if he could.
"Honami-chan, it's time to eat!"
"Coming!" Ichinose called back over her shoulder.
"As you can see, we're about to eat. You're welcome to stay and join us if you'd like."
Karuizawa was a little surprised to hear that. Food was an important resource at a time like this, yet Ichinose had invited them even though they weren't in Class B. Karuizawa couldn't help but think more highly of her.
"We'd better not. Even if you don't mind, we'd feel a little awkward, wouldn't we? Especially at such a sensitive time."
He knew it was just a polite invitation, but Chiba Yu declined tactfully. It was better for both sides that way.
"Sure. Then we won't see you off."
"Let's have a meal together sometime when we're back at school."
Chiba Yu nodded and didn't linger. They'd already started seeing them off, after all. Staying any longer would be rude.
"Remember to treat her to a meal when we get back. You seemed pretty keen on it. Well, she is Ichinose, after all." Karuizawa smiled, though her tone carried a hint of something off that even she hadn't noticed.
"It's getting late. We should head back." Chiba Yu didn't answer her and changed the subject instead.
Looking at the sun, which was nearly at its highest point, and the twelve o'clock displayed on his watch, Chiba Yu figured they'd better hurry back. Otherwise, not only would his stomach start protesting, but he'd burn through the energy he needed for the next few days right here.
"...You're right. We should head back for lunch."
Karuizawa pursed her lips. Since Chiba Yu hadn't taken the bait, she didn't press the matter. She'd only been joking anyway.
"Let's go. If we head back now, we can make it in time for lunch."
"Hey, hey! Don't walk so fast. Wait up—ah!"
Seeing Chiba Yu start walking off without even looking back, Karuizawa immediately stood up from the rock where she'd been resting. But she got up in such a hurry that she didn't notice the tiny hole in the path in front of her, so small it was hard to see unless you looked closely.
Her foot suddenly caught, and Karuizawa pitched forward.
When Chiba Yu turned around, he saw her sprawled on the ground, both hands braced against it and her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Ow..."
Chiba Yu turned and hurried back to her, moving even faster than before.
"Can you get up?"
He held her by the arm and gently pulled her to her feet.
There was a lot of dirt on her right knee, and her left track pants were visibly torn. He could already see a trace of blood seeping through.
"Ahh..." Karuizawa winced in pain, tears seeming to well up in the corners of her eyes.
With no other choice, Chiba Yu helped her sit down so she could catch her breath first. As for leaving Karuizawa behind and going back to eat?
Chiba Yu: Come on, don't make your big brother Yu laugh.