As long as I'm the one who wins in the end, then there's no problem

The softness pressing against his back did not cease; if anything, it only grew more insistent.

Karuizawa Kei remained quiet against Chiba Yu's back, her steady, rhythmic breathing brushing lightly against his cheek, causing his thoughts to falter.

Although Chiba Yu had tried his best to maintain a respectable distance, his efforts proved woefully inadequate in the face of her actions.

For some reason, Chiba Yu's heart was hammering against his ribs. He tried to suppress this sudden physiological shift, but it felt laughable in the face of his body's own instincts.

Karuizawa Kei simply leaned against him in silence, the steady sound of her breathing a testament to the fact that she was truly resting.

Chiba Yu couldn't fathom how she managed to doze off so peacefully in such an environment, right on his back. Was she really not afraid that he might suddenly do something untoward?

He was, after all, a normal high school boy; it wouldn't be strange for him to do something in a moment like this.

Perhaps Karuizawa herself knew that he was all bark and no bite, which was why she felt safe enough to rest.

Sigh, in the end, I'm being 'underestimated.' One day, I'll show them... never mind, forget it. Just thinking about it is exhausting.

Soon, when they were only a short distance from the camp, Chiba Yu slowly set Karuizawa down.

After confirming that her injury showed no signs of worsening, Karuizawa slowly stood up.

She moved her foot slightly, and upon confirming that the pain had subsided, her complexion finally improved.

"Looks like my physical fitness is still pretty good. I'm already fine," Karuizawa said, sounding playful and slightly smug.

"Yes, yes. If we hadn't hurried, the wound would have practically healed on its own."

"Still, don't get careless. You should wash the wound with clean water when we get back to prevent infection."

"I know, I know. I didn't realize you were so concerned about me. You act like you don't care about anything, but it turns out you're just a cold-faced tsundere."

"Ugh, I should have just left you there and come back by myself."

"I worked myself to the bone carrying you back, only to get nothing out of it." Recalling the sensation against his back earlier, Chiba Yu shook his head, casting those unrealistic thoughts aside.

"Why do I get the feeling you're thinking about something inappropriate?" Karuizawa looked at him suspiciously, trying to find a crack in his expression.

"Stop being so paranoid and narcissistic all the time."

"..."

"...Forget it, I won't argue with you. Let's just get back."

As soon as the two reached the base, Hirata, who was busy handling affairs, spotted them and immediately dropped his work to run over.

"You're back!"

Hirata patted Chiba Yu on the shoulder with a hint of excitement, though Chiba Yu could clearly see a trace of lingering worry on his face.

After taking the island map Chiba Yu handed him, Hirata turned back and returned with two meal boxes.

"I was actually planning to go out and look for you two. It was already past the time we agreed on. If Ayanokoji hadn't told me you were almost back, I really wouldn't have been able to stay calm."

"Thank you for your hard work, Karuizawa-san."

The gentle, sun-drenched smile on Hirata's face vanished, replaced by concern the moment he saw the mud staining Karuizawa's clothes.

"Are you hurt?"

"It's nothing. I just tripped by accident, that's why I was a little late," Karuizawa said with a carefree, confident smile that made it seem like there was truly nothing wrong.

"Are you sure you're okay? If there's a problem, you have to say something. Everyone in the class will help." As expected of the 'class mom,' Hirata's level of concern was worlds apart from Chiba Yu's.

"I'm working hard too, why doesn't anyone come to comfort me?"

Hirata offered a gentle smile. "Yes, I know. Chiba-kun is working very hard as well."

"...Ugh, never mind. There's something indescribably weird about that."

Hearing Chiba Yu's grumbling, Hirata continued with a smile, "Chiba-kun is also an important member of our class. As long as you contribute to the class, no matter how big or small, it's worth praising. So, please keep it up."

"I didn't realize you were still just a little kid. There, there, you're the best."

Having watched the entire exchange from the side, Karuizawa couldn't help but tease him, followed by a burst of laughter.

Chiba Yu: "..."

After briefing Hirata on the reconnaissance findings, Chiba Yu went off to eat his lunch alone.

He cherished this rare moment of rest, not wanting to waste a single second.

Once the precious lunch break ended, Chiba Yu was tasked with gathering firewood again.

This time, he had no one to help him; he went out alone.

On a small scale, this trivial task didn't require assistance, and he could easily handle it himself. What truly occupied his mind was something else entirely.

Looking at the deserted surroundings, Chiba Yu didn't hesitate and headed straight toward the place where they had discovered Ibuki last time.

Dark clouds were gathering on the horizon and moving toward the island. It wouldn't be long before a heavy downpour arrived; he hoped Hirata and the others were prepared for it.

However, while a heavy rain seemed like a miserable prospect, it might also be the very thing that would reveal the true colors of certain people.

After all, while rain might wash away tracks, it couldn't do so perfectly—much like what he was doing right now.

Arriving under that large tree, Chiba Yu scanned his surroundings. Once he was certain no one was watching, he slowly crouched down and began digging through the soil with his hands.

Although he had already suspected as much, seeing the sliver of a walkie-talkie and the corner of a camera buried there cleared away the last of his doubts.

He made no sound and took no further action; Chiba Yu simply shoveled the dirt back into place, smoothing it over until it looked almost exactly as it had before.

Once he finished, Chiba Yu gathered some firewood he had picked up from the ground and calmly headed back toward the campsite.

It really did ring true—as long as one could emerge victorious in the end, there would always be someone willing to pay any price.

After this day, this special exam would finally undergo a true "metamorphosis."