The next designated area selected was H5.

After parting ways with Chiaki and the others, I headed toward the designated area, but this time it overlapped with Ichinose’s group, so I made my way slowly while clearing tasks along the route.

Even if tables differ, the same designated area can still be selected.

In that case, if it overlaps with the Ichinose, Sakayanagi and Kanzaki groups, as well as the Ryūen and Katsuragi groups, and even the incoming Shiina and Kamuro groups, then I prioritize tasks over arrival-order rewards.

There is a risk of other years taking the arrival reward, but I’ll just have to trust in their ability.

We can transfer supplies from our side, and we’ve also adopted the strategy of monopolizing tasks.

Now then, after confirming that Ichinose and the others successfully secured the arrival reward, I also reached H5.

Unfortunately, I didn’t obtain the arrival reward, but there are still tasks around here.

I’ll act together with Ichinose’s group and contribute to monopolizing the tasks.

Climbing a tree, I spot Ichinose’s distinctive strawberry-blonde hair within the forest.

“Ichinose, Kanzaki.”

I call out and drop down from the tree.

The two of them look extremely surprised.

…Right, unlike our class that’s used to Koenji, other classes aren’t used to people dropping down from trees.

“Ayanokōji… are you moving by jumping between trees?”

“Yeah. I’m copying Koenji.”

“A-Ahaha… amazing, Ayanokōji-kun and Koenji-kun…”

“Putting that aside, since we have the same designated area, I came to act together until the next area announcement, for supply transfer and task monopolization. Is that alright?”

“Yeah, of course. That’s reassuring, Kanzaki-kun.”

“…Yeah.”

Kanzaki looks somewhat down.

His walking pace also seems slightly slower.

I quietly whisper to Ichinose.

“Is Kanzaki not feeling well?”

“He was fine just a moment ago… ah, no, I don’t think he dislikes you or anything!”

“…I see…”

Disliked… that stings a bit.

No, I can’t conclude that yet.

Maybe Kanzaki likes Ichinose and is just upset that I interrupted them.

…Either way, that still sounds like I’m disliked.

Right, speaking of Kanzaki—

“Kanzaki. I spoke with Ishigami. He was exactly as you described.”

“…Did he come at you about the teacher?”

“Something like that. It seems true he respects my father. Like you, I don’t understand what there is to respect about that man… but maybe he shows a different side to others.”

In truth, I’m not even treated as family.

We’re just blood-related strangers.

I’ve met him fewer than five times in my life.

Perhaps feeling something from my words, Kanzaki begins speaking about that man.

“He… he gave me direction. He said having power and not using it is foolish. Since childhood I attended cram school and karate dojo, so I was superior to most in both academics and strength.”

“But you let that go to waste?”

“Yeah. Even when I saw children arguing at a party, I didn’t intervene. I just watched, thinking it was trivial. I was a terrible kid… Ayanokōji-sensei corrected that.”

“That’s hard to imagine. It feels like a completely different person from the one I know.”

“…I doubt that. If you’re his son, a lot of things make sense. Ishigami showing interest in you too. He usually ignores anyone who isn’t enemy or ally. If you’re that man’s son, it’s natural he’d lean one way or the other.”

So his interest isn’t necessarily hostility.

“I attended the same cram school as him, but he never showed interest in me.”

Kanzaki mutters self-deprecatingly.

He’s quite capable himself, yet that means Ishigami’s threshold for interest must be high.

After that, Kanzaki falls silent.

He seems to have his own burdens—class issues, maybe even a complex toward me.

Ichinose and Kanzaki both seem down, but as representatives of the second-year group, they need to keep scoring.

I have them clear the monopolized tasks one after another.

Their group accumulates both supplies and points.

They can only merge with Ryūen’s group from day six onward, but at this rate, they should still place high.

Using the additional member card could push them even higher.

For now, tomorrow—the fourth day—is a key turning point.

The reveal of group rankings.

How other years move after that will matter.

“…Ayanokōji-kun, you’re not even out of breath.”

Ichinose says that as we walk.

Looking over, both she and Kanzaki have light sweat and are breathing slightly heavier.

We’ve been walking constantly outside of tasks… I lacked consideration.

“Sorry, let’s take a break.”

“No, that’s not what I meant. I already knew from first year and OAA, but… your stamina really is on another level.”

“What kind of training gives that kind of stamina…”

Kanzaki mutters.

Ichinose picks it up.

“I’m curious too. Any secrets?”

“…I’ve always trained. Not just karate or judo—swimming, long-distance running, strength training. At the place my father put me in.”

“Yikes… that sounds strict.”

“A school designated by your father… interesting. If I’d gone there, maybe I could’ve gotten closer to you.”

That’s doubtful.

He wouldn’t survive the White Room’s beta curriculum.

“Not somewhere I’d recommend.”

“But that place made you who you are.”

“That’s true. I hate my father, but I don’t think that place was bad.”

Though now, I feel more strongly that I don’t want to return.

* * *

After some time, the next designated area is announced.

I part ways with Ichinose and head to H4.

Moving quickly through the trees, I spot familiar students and stop.

“Like I said, I’ve got a girlfriend too.”

“You? Who?”

“Th-that’s… secret. She’s shy. Anyway, Ike—you started dating Shinohara, right? Traitor!”

“Ow ow ow! What do you mean traitor!? You said you have a girlfriend!”

“Shut up! Even if I have one, you getting one is betrayal! Right, Sudo?”

“Y-yeah… sure.”

Yamauchi has Ike in a headlock, clearly jealous.

Sudo looks half-dead.

The three idiots have really diverged since enrollment.

…Time to go.

“Hey! Traitor number one! Get down here!”

Yamauchi spots me.

I drop down.

“Yo.”

“You moving through trees? What are you, Tarzan?”

“Who?”

“You don’t know? Whatever. Hey Ayanokōji, tell him something. He’s jealous I got a girlfriend.”

“I’m not jealous! I’ve got a cute girlfriend!”

That’s a lie.

No sign of one at all.

“Man… everyone’s betraying me. Right, Sudo!?”

“Y-yeah…”

Ike grins, Yamauchi clings to Sudo, and Sudo looks dead inside.

Total chaos.

…If anything, Sudo is the bigger traitor.

He’s secretly dating Onodera.

“Where’s your designated area?”

“I4.”

“Ours is H4. Close. Let’s meet after.”

“Sure.”

After finishing a task, I join them.

They’ve already set up a tent and are preparing to fish.

“Come fish.”

“My first time.”

“Then I might win.”

They prepare rods.

Yamauchi proposes a bet.

“If I win, introduce me to a girl.”

“What about your girlfriend?”

“She’s… understanding!”

That’s not what that means.

We fish together.

“…Ayanokōji-sensei.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Then master. Teach me dating tips.”

“Didn’t you look online?”

“Of course! But they don’t tell you what to say or how to make her happy.”

“That depends on the person.”

“…You’re killing me here.”

He slumps.

“Think about what she likes. You’ve spent a year together.”

“…Hmm…”

“For example, movies. She likes romance.”

“I mostly watch anime…”

“Then match her. Agree with her opinions.”

“Got it…”

“Also, you argued a lot.”

“Don’t remind me…”

“Then try relying on her. She’s in the cooking club, right?”

“…Oh yeah.”

“Ask to eat her cooking.”

“Huh?”

“Even saying it makes her happy.”

“…Then what?”

“On your first date, eat chocolate sweets together and say: ‘This is good, but I want your chocolate again.’”

“…Whoa.”

He starts taking notes.

Sudo pretends to fish but is clearly listening.

And so, chatting about romance, the night passes with the three idiots.