I jump from tree to tree.

You’d think moving at this speed would stand out but the forest is so densely overgrown that it’s surprisingly hard to notice.

More importantly, no student walks around looking up into the trees.

Still the sound seems to give it away.

“What the!? A monkey!?” confused voices shout from behind.

Sorry for scaring them.

The teachers refused to answer whether wild animals like bears or boars exist on the island since it would affect the exam.

Managing an island this large would be difficult.

It wouldn’t be strange if monkeys were here.

Wild monkeys are dangerous.

If you encounter one don’t make eye contact and calmly back away.

After all, it's a monkey.

“…It’s cold.”

“Really? I feel like it’s hot.”

Amasawa, trailing behind me, responds to my muttering as I arrive at the task location and take a breath.

So she can keep up with this much easily.

I held back earlier thinking she might push herself too hard and get injured but that concern was unnecessary.

Now then, the task here is the ‘100-meter dash.’

The reward for first place is only points.

Judging by the participants I could win but—

The third-years who noticed me hurriedly applied to participate.

They’re monopolizing the slots.

There’s a limit on participants.

By filling them with third-years under Nagumo’s control they prevent others from scoring.

They left one slot open for Nagumo but when I appeared they quickly filled it.

I couldn’t participate but that’s fine.

It cancels out the points Nagumo would’ve gained.

The second-year alliance is using similar tactics.

Since the third-years don’t fully control Class B led by Kiriyama we have the numbers advantage.

Also there are individuals like me Koenji and Kiryūin who disrupt tasks with high mobility.

For now we have the edge.

Still Nagumo must understand this.

“Sakayanagi. The 100-meter dash at F7 has been monopolized by third-years for the boys. For the girls, Amasawa from first-year is participating. She’ll likely win.”

“Understood. There’s time before the next area so head to F8.”

“F8… history quiz. Got it.”

A quiz not a test.

That means more niche knowledge and trick questions.

“Sennpaaai! Watch me!”

Amasawa calls out.

Some tasks separate male and female slots.

She took a female slot.

While she participates I’ll move—

…but she finishes first by a landslide and runs straight toward me.

“Nope. You’re not getting away.”

“You should rest after running.”

“I didn’t even try.”

True.

But I intend to increase speed from here.

I still need to gauge her limits.

“Fine. Let’s head to F8.”

“Okaaay.”

We reach F8.

First-years are trying to monopolize the history quiz.

It’s becoming a year battle.

“Amasawa, go.”

“You sure? There’s one slot left.”

“I don’t need points badly. Better to show cooperation.”

“I don’t think that matters. Compared to there, everyone here is low level.”

“Maybe. But this place has more than just white. It has many colors. That’s why it’s more interesting.”

“…Yeah, I agree.”

Unexpected.

She shares that view.

She’s different from the White Room children.

“So enjoy your time here. Start by getting along with classmates.”

“Doesn’t suit you.”

“Just go.”

“Okaaay.”

She joins the first-years.

Maybe this is just me being overly considerate.

I watch the quiz.

But this time she doesn’t dominate.

“Next question. ‘I am the state’—”

beep

Ishigami from Class 1-A answers mid-question.

Long hair tied back sharp eyes.

A handsome boy.

His OAA:

Academic A (95)

Physical D- (25)

Thinking B+ (77)

Social D (31)

Overall B- (61)

He answers smoothly.

“Louis XIV.”

“Correct.”

He overtakes Amasawa.

He predicts answers mid-question.

Quiz technique.

Even White Room students can’t beat that.

Amasawa adapts but can’t catch up.

First place goes to Ishigami.

“I lost.”

“Your responses improved quickly.”

“Tests are enough.”

“Special exams matter most. Help us maintain Class A.”

“Hmm…”

She glances at me and smiles mischievously.

Bad feeling.

“If I beat Ayanokōji-senpai I’ll consider it.”

Troublesome.

And Ishigami seems interested.

“Using him as a shield… impressive. I wanted to face you anyway.”

He looks at me.

“In quiz format you would’ve won.”

“That was before I learned.”

“…The task is over. Maybe another time.”

“Yes. I’d like to see the ability of Ayanokōji-sensei’s son.”

He leaves.

Now then—

“Next area… I7.”

Troublesome.

From F7 this is more than two spaces so it’s the daily random assignment.

It’s far.

The shortest route requires crossing a mountain.

Otherwise it’s a long detour.

Most will skip it.

Which means a chance for placement.

I don’t need points badly but for Nagumo—

I’ll cross.

“Amasawa. I’m taking the shortest route. We split here.”

“I’m going too.”

“You’ll slow me down.”

“…If you can keep up fine. But I won’t help if you get hurt.”

“You think I can’t?”

“As a White Room student you can. But keeping up with me will push you too far.”

“…Fine. See you.”

She accepts.

Good judgment.

I head for I7.

The mountain is steep but alone it’s no issue.

I prepared trekking shoes and gear.

No problems crossing.

* * *

I arrive at I7.

No one from my table is here yet.

I get the 11-point placement bonus.

53 points total.

Few students are on this side.

Tasks especially ‘Race’ are wide open.

But—

“Oh? Ayanokōji-boy. What a coincidence.”

Koenji stands there shirtless pouring water over himself.

“Koenji, you crossed too?”

“Mountain climbing was enjoyable.”

“Impressive. You’re the only one using water like that.”

“It’s unpleasant to stay sweaty. Besides, if you reach the teachers quickly you can get as much water as you want.”

His backpack is full of supplies.

“Can you win solo?”

“I know you’ve been scheming. But it’s irrelevant.”

“How many points?”

“Curious? I thought you weren’t serious this time.”

…Sharp.

We haven’t interacted much.

Yet he sees through me.

“Fine. 64 points.”

“I have 71.”

A lie.

To test him.

But—

“Don’t try that on me.”

He sees through it instantly.

He disappears into the trees.

An incredible man.

Interesting.

But not now.

I head the opposite direction.

Stopping him is Nagumo’s job.

If Nagumo fails then I’ll step in.

I keep earning points.

After two hours more students arrive.

“Ah, Kiyotaka-kun!”

By coincidence… truly coincidence, I meet Chiaki and the others.

“Chiaki. Kei and Mori too.”

“Hey.”

“Hi.”

They sit and cool off by the river.

“How’s the exam?”

“So-so. You?”

“I met Amasawa Ishigami and Koenji. Koenji has 64 points.”

“Seriously!?”

“That’s insane.”

“He might win solo.”

I give them supplies.

“Are you sure?”

“It’s extra.”

“As expected… we’ll leave you two alone.”

Kei and Mori move away.

Good.

“Chiaki, it’s been since the day before yesterday.”

“Yeah. Feels strange.”

“You missed me?”

“Maybe. But if you thought that… you did too, right?”

…She got me.

“Yeah.”

“I was happy you tried to meet yesterday.”

“You noticed.”

“Of course.”

She pokes my cheek.

“Can I come see you during the exam?”

“…Of course. You can manage it without affecting the exam, right?”

“Leave it to me.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

She stretches then rolls up her sleeves and removes her shoes.

“It’s hot. Let’s go in the river.”

“Not a bad idea.”

“Too bad I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”

“That is unfortunate.”

…Maybe this is my first regret.

Last year Kushida said I’d feel regret someday.

I didn’t expect it to be this.

Life is unpredictable.