The uninhabited island survival test finally reaches a turning point—the fourth day.

We wake up early in the morning and check the tablet to confirm the rankings of the top and bottom groups.

Ryūen and Katsuragi’s group are in first place.

They’ve been monopolizing tasks among the second-years, and both of them have strong stamina.

Ryūen, in particular, is a man who survived an entire week in last year’s island exam through literal survival.

With abundant water and supplies this time, it might actually be easier for him physically compared to last year.

Ichinose, Kanzaki and Sakayanagi’s group are in fourth place.

However, the gap with Nagumo’s group in third is minimal.

If the task monopolization continues smoothly, they should overtake them before long.

Second and fifth place are occupied by the main first-year groups.

They are also monopolizing tasks and competing for points just like us.

However, due to the difference in physical ability, the second-years seem to hold a slight advantage.

On the other hand, Nagumo’s group, which was considered a top contender, is in third place, while the other major group is in seventh.

From third-year Class B, Kiryūin is alone in tenth place.

Since they effectively have one less class worth of manpower, that ranking is understandable.

Kiriyama and the rest of Class B’s core members are in ninth.

As for solo participants, I’m in eighth place, and Koenji is somehow in sixth.

Koenji has earned the most points among solo participants.

Moreover, he doesn’t even appear to be tired.

His stamina seems practically inexhaustible.

The lower-ranked students are grouped with those who were given private points and “Invalid” or “Half-Off” cards in advance, so they can afford to drop out if necessary.

The same likely applies to other years.

So far, no group has retired, and things are proceeding as planned.

We will merge Ryūen’s group, Ichinose’s group and the Shiina-Kamuro group using the “Additional Member” card and secure first place.

If things go as planned, the second-year alliance should firmly take first.

Today as well, we continue accumulating points through tasks and arrival rewards while supplying other groups with materials.

Today, I made contact with Morishita, Sanada and Tamiya from Sakayanagi’s class.

“Ayanokōji Kiyotaka. Working like a packhorse in this heat, how admirable. Now hurry and fulfill your duty and give us water.”

“Morishita-san, that’s rude. I’m sorry, Ayanokōji-kun. Even though you came all this way.”

Morishita Ai speaks in a condescending tone without changing her expression, while Sanada Kōsei admonishes her.

Even though both use polite language, they give completely different impressions.

They’re well-balanced and capable students even within Class A.

Their academics are B+ and A, and their physical ability is C+.

Sanada in particular, despite being shaken mentally, has the academic ability to tie with Mii-chan in a Chinese test.

He was probably trained by Sakayanagi specifically to counter her, but being able to execute that still deserves recognition.

“No, it’s fine. Like Morishita said, this is my job. Use me as you like.”

“Thank you, Ayanokōji-kun. Our group was running low on supplies, so this helps. The supply depot is quite far.”

By the fourth day, most groups are running out of supplies.

So naturally, many welcome me when I bring materials.

It’s not a bad feeling.

Of course, I’m not the only one handling supply transfers.

Some groups collect supplies using the “Priority” card or hold cooking tools and lend them to others.

They don’t earn much in arrival rewards, but by attaching one member to a strong group, they prevent being skipped and still secure arrival rewards.

Even so, they inevitably fall to lower ranks, so they are given private points in advance to cancel expulsion.

Groups low on supplies can stop by and receive canned food, rations and water.

However, Ryūen personally forbade me from using this supply depot.

He said, “You don’t need it.”

Still, there’s a limit to what tasks alone can provide.

So I ignore him and use it when necessary to distribute supplies.

“Hey, Ayanokōji-kun. What’s Matsushita-san up to?”

Tamiya timidly asks about Chiaki.

“Are you interested in her? I don’t recall seeing you talk to her.”

“No, we’ve never spoken directly. But during the March Selection Event Exam, I lost because of the difference between Matsushita-san and me in flash mental arithmetic. So I just ended up being conscious of her.”

I see.

He views her as a rival.

That’s quite perceptive.

“She hasn’t been getting many arrival rewards, but she’s steadily earning points through tasks. She even got first place in beach flags against third-years.”

“I see… I’ll have to try harder too.”

Tamiya clenches his fist.

It’s nice, even as her boyfriend, to see someone view her as a proper rival.

“You’re bragging about your girlfriend, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka? It’s already hot enough, so keep the heat down.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Yes. You’re always sticking close together, and there are many reports of you flirting with Matsushita Chiaki even during this exam.”

Hearing “flirting” said in such a flat tone is oddly amusing.

Still, even students I barely interact with are pointing it out… I thought we’d been relatively discreet.

“You’ve been dating Matsushita-san since enrollment, right? I’ve heard rumors. How did it start?”

“Thankfully, Chiaki approached me. I was holding back academically and physically at first, but she noticed during swimming class that I was trained. That piqued her interest.”

“So Matsushita-san confessed first?”

“That’s right.”

Even these serious Class A students lean in at that.

“Interesting. You seem uninterested in romance, but when you talk about Matsushita Chiaki, you look happy. Even though your expression doesn’t change.”

“Your expression doesn’t change either.”

“That’s fine. I brand myself as expressionless. But if anything, it’s a problem that I overlap with you, the top academic performer.”

“We don’t overlap.”

“Well… you’re both expressionless.”

Morishita and I get into a pointless exchange while the girls chat.

Sanada speaks to me.

“Ayanokōji-kun, if possible, please continue getting along with Morishita-san even after this exam.”

“…Are you her mother or something?”

“N-no, but she speaks very bluntly, so her position in class is a bit… unique.”

So she stands out.

“I don’t often see her enjoy talking like this. You’re rivals, but if you don’t mind…”

“I wouldn’t say we’re close, but casual conversation like this is fine.”

“Thank you.”

Sanada looks relieved.

He reminds me of Hirata or Hamaguchi.

A kind of lubricant within the class.

After parting with them, I reconsider today’s strategy.

The fourth day is critical.

Large groups are now allowed.

Task monopolization becomes even more important.

But then, the situation changes.

“…I see.”

I receive a report from Sakayanagi via transceiver.

I immediately head to the nearest task offering a group expansion reward.

But it’s already closed.

By first-years and third-years.

“You’re late, Ayanokōji.”

“Nagumo-senpai.”

Nagumo approaches with a smug look and places a hand on my shoulder.

“So you teamed up with first-years.”

“I only control Classes C and D among third-years. So I made up for that disadvantage by teaming up with first-years.”

So that’s why he seemed so confident.

Still, he couldn’t hold back.

By day four, he couldn’t stand not being in first.

“It’s a smart move. Early large groups and preventing second-years from forming theirs.”

“Exactly. We secure first, and first-years get second. No conflict.”

“I didn’t detect any negotiations. Impressive.”

“It feels good hearing that from someone like you.”

They must have only formed the alliance after arriving on the island.

“We won’t let you monopolize group-expansion tasks. With first-years, we have double the manpower.”

“So even with 5 vs 7, monopolization is impossible.”

“True, but we still have the advantage. I’ll drag you into the student council and make you work like a horse.”

“I don’t mind, but…”

“What, already conceding?”

This guy…

He hasn’t learned.

“Then I’ll do what I can.”

“Try your best. Even third place will be tough.”

Nagumo leaves confidently.

From this day onward, the island becomes a divided war between factions.

Nagumo surges ahead with first-years and takes first by day five.

Second-years form large groups and hold second.

First-years sit in third.

Nagumo will likely begin interfering with second-years to maintain the deal.

Now then, if Chiaki might be targeted, I need to act.

I pick up the transceiver and contact my loyal dog.

* * *

Day six.

A new feature unlocks: GPS Search.

By spending one point, you can view all students’ positions.

I try it once.

The map fills with nearly 400 pins.

It’s overwhelming.

This feature is useful for me, since I’m contractually unable to place in the top three.

If I accidentally enter top three, I can adjust my score.

Otherwise, I’d have to pay penalties.

“Now then…”

I head north.

But something feels off.

The designated areas keep shifting north.

Almost no students are there.

…The areas must be manipulated.

Chiaki and the others are safe in groups.

I calmly proceed to I2.

A quiet beach.

White sand.

Blue sea.

Nothing like the White Room.

I wish Chiaki were here.

“…You look quite relaxed, Ayanokōji-kun.”

Tsukishiro stands ahead.

Beside him is a stern man.

“Who’s that?”

“Class 1-D homeroom teacher, Shiba.”

“…So he’s on your side?”

“Yes. Two against one. Unfair?”

“No. Just obvious.”

The moment I say that—

Two figures attack from behind.

I evade, grab their arms and throw them toward Tsukishiro.

They quickly recover.

“Well done noticing them.”

“You destroyed your GPS watch too. Impressive.”

“…Amasawa and Yagami. White Room students?”

“Hey, senpai. Sorry.”

“Ayanokōji… today you die.”

“Four against one now.”

“Perhaps. But…”

I say something I don’t believe.