After the recent karaoke competition, while I was diligently attending to student council work, Manabu came to speak with me.

Manabu: "Ayanokoji, are you looking forward to the summer vacation?"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah, I'd like to 'take it on' and enjoy it with the class."

Manabu: "If you've caught on, then this will be quick. Produce results there. If you can do that, I'll give you the vice president's seat."

Kiyotaka: "It's surprisingly easy to get that position, huh."

Manabu: "Hearing those words puts me at ease. I have high expectations."

Just as my conversation with Manabu ended, this time Nagumo started bothering me.

Nagumo: "Hey, let's chat for a bit, Ayanokoji."

Kiyotaka: "Sorry, I'm busy with work right now."

Nagumo: "Don't be so cold. You can talk while you work, can't you?"

Kiyotaka: "I'll have to decline, as multitasking tends to cause mental fatigue."

Thinking he was a pain, I refused, but Nagumo opened his mouth regardless.

Nagumo: "I'll give you one million points if you take first place. Conversely, if you come in last, you give me one million."

Kiyotaka: "That's a boring proposition. Anyone can avoid last place. So instead, if I get first place, you pay me three million points. Any other result, I'll pay you one million. First place or anything else—you prefer it that way too, don't you, Nagumo-senpai?"

Nagumo: "Fine, I'll take you up on that. Horikita-senpai, I'll ask you to be the witness."

Manabu: "It seems you're prepared to pay out three million points."

Nagumo: "What are you talking about? There's no need for me to pay. This is just getting back what I lost at karaoke the other day."

Kiyotaka: "I have no intention of returning that, so please don't count on it."

Nagumo: "Still a cheeky underclassman as ever."

With that, my conversation with the Nagumo Wallet concluded, and I returned to my work.

* * *

After that, summer vacation began without any particular incident, and finally, we found ourselves aboard a cruise ship heading for our vacation—or rather, the uninhabited island.

'Honestly, if you just look at this ship, it's a proper vacation.'

And then, I was having a private talk with Hiyori, who knew what was about to happen.

Hiyori: "Kiyotaka-kun, how do you intend to move this time?"

Kiyotaka: "I'll become the leader myself and monopolize as many spots as possible."

Hiyori: "Oh my, is it alright for you to tell me that?"

Kiyotaka: "You wouldn't go telling Ryuuen, would you, Hiyori?"

Hiyori: "I wouldn't, but it bothered me that you, Kiyotaka-kun, who never shows an opening, purposely said it out loud."

Kiyotaka: "Moving alone is the most efficient way to monopolize. But if I do that, word that I'm the leader will spread."

Hiyori: "Therefore, telling me now doesn't change anything... is what you're saying."

Announcement: "...Please enjoy this incredibly significant scenery."

Kiyotaka: "I want to cross-reference with the map in my memory. We'll compare notes once we're back on the ship."

Once that announcement was made, I cut the conversation short, and we went to observe the island.

* * *

Mashima: "We will now commence the first special exam of this school year."

With the usual preamble, the start of the exam was announced, and each homeroom teacher began their explanation.

Afterward, as always, Hoshinomiya started bothering Chabashira, so I decided to chase her off.

Kiyotaka: "Hoshinomiya-sensei, you're in the way."

Hoshinomiya: "Is it okay to say something like that to a teacher?"

Kiyotaka: "The exam has already started. This is a clear act of obstruction, stealing time from an opposing class. Please hurry back to Class B's area."

Hoshinomiya: "Tch, fine, got it."

After eliminating the nuisance that was Hoshinomiya, I checked with my classmates.

Kiyotaka: "Everyone, is it alright if I become the leader?"

Hirata: "I think everyone can trust Ayanokoji-kun, but won't you stand out?"

Kiyotaka: "The people leading each class are forced to choose between taking responsibility as leader themselves or entrusting it to someone else with a sense of responsibility. If that's the case, I thought it better to actively take on the role."

Hirata: "If you've thought that far ahead, I'll leave it to you. That's okay with everyone, right?"

No one objected to Hirata's question.

It seemed there was indeed no one who would volunteer over me.

Kiyotaka: "Then I'll get a keycard right away and go secure some spots. I have a few areas in mind."

Hirata: "Got it. Would it be okay if a few of us go out to search for food?"

Kiyotaka: "Please do. However, half the group should remain here and return within two hours. We haven't decided on a base camp yet. And make sure Horikita is included in the exploration team."

Hirata: "Horikita-san? Understood. I'll gather the members."

Kiyotaka: "I'm counting on you. Shiro, let's head to the spot."

Shiro: "I see, understood."

After that, before departing, I spoke to Koenji and headed toward the cave spot.

'If Totsuka is a hindrance, then even starting now, if Shiro and I run at full speed, we'll arrive first.'

Kiyotaka: "Alright, successful occupation."

Shiro: "Yeah, let's hurry and secure the other spots we don't want other classes to get occupation rights for."

There, just as expected, Katsuragi and Totsuka arrived late.

Kiyotaka: "You're late. This spot is already occupied."

Katsuragi: "I see. But that's essentially the same as saying one of you is the leader."

Kiyotaka: "But you're not the kind of man who would take a fifty-fifty gamble. That's why I brought Shiro, who has athletic abilities close to mine."

Totsuka: "You bastard, talking to Katsuragi-san like that!"

Katsuragi: "Yahiko, be quiet. So there was a hidden card like that after all."

Kiyotaka: "Your right-hand man there seems to be pretty hot-headed. Won't he be a hindrance?"

Totsuka: "You bastard, that's enough!"

Katsuragi: "Yahiko, if you get angry here, it'll be just as Ayanokoji says. Control yourself."

Totsuka: "Y-yes..."

'As I thought, Totsuka, you're definitely the weakness of Class A.'

Kiyotaka: "Let's go, Shiro. I want to secure the other spots quickly."

Shiro: "Yeah."

After that, Shiro and I ran and ran, securing the spots around the cave and the river spot.

Returning to the meeting point, we waited for the exploration members who had found food and headed toward the cave.

And now, I was explaining the situation to my classmates.

Kiyotaka: "Currently, in addition to this cave, this class is in a state where it occupies multiple spots in the surrounding area, as well as the river spot."

Ike: "Awesome, if there's a river, we won't have trouble with drinking water!"

Shinohara: "Drinking river water directly is absolutely out of the question."

Ike: "It's actually pretty okay. I was in Boy Scouts, so I can guarantee that."

Shinohara: "That doesn't make it trustworthy!"

Kiyotaka: "Shinohara, I understand your concern. But I have grounds to say it's okay, so please hear me out."

Shinohara: "What grounds?"

Ike: "Hey! You won't listen to me, but you'll listen to Ayanokoji?"

Shinohara: "Don't you get it? It's a matter of credibility."

Ken: "Now, now, fighting won't get us anywhere. Right now, it's easier for everyone to stick together by following someone, right?"

The two, who were like cats and dogs, started fighting, but Ken stopped them and averted trouble.

Kiyotaka: "First, even though it's called an uninhabited island, this island is under the school's supervision. That means we can assume they've taken precautions so students don't get infectious diseases. And then, if we boil the water just in case, we can manage without spending points on water. For anyone still reluctant, I will drink it first to prove it, so please decide after that."

Even the students who looked skeptical after just the explanation were convinced when I said I would stake my own safety to verify it.

In reality, even if something were to happen, it would be after time had passed, but anyone perceptive enough to realize that had already been convinced during the explanation, so they said nothing.

After that, we set up base camp in the cave, put down our luggage, and went out to explore again.

But sure enough, on the way back, that idiot Yamauchi brought Ibuki back with him.

Kiyotaka: "What happened, Ibuki?"

Ibuki: "Ryuuen kicked me out."

Kiyotaka: "I see. You can enter the cave after undergoing a body check and baggage inspection."

Ibuki: "Are you planning to touch me?"

Kiyotaka: "I'll ask one of the girls to do it. Yuki, come here."

Yuki: "Okaay."

Kiyotaka: "Handle her body check and baggage inspection."

Yuki: "Got it. Okay, this is fine. She's not carrying anything suspicious."

Kiyotaka: "I see. Then let her in and treat her well. Ibuki, wake up tomorrow at 4 AM. I have something to discuss with you alone."

Ibuki: "Why do I have to do that?"

Kiyotaka: "It's a talk that will benefit you. Consider the wake-up time as payment for one night's lodging."

Ibuki: "Is there a reason it has to be that time?"

Kiyotaka: "Simply because I'm busy."

Ibuki: "Haa, fine."

Later, while we were preparing dinner, Koenji returned carrying a massive amount of food, and everyone rejoiced.

Ken: "Not bad, Koenji!"

Ike: "But why did you suddenly decide to cooperate?"

Koenji: "Hmph, I was told to by Ayanokoji-boy! Now then, I shall go outside! Adieu!"

Koenji said that and went outside, but he'll undoubtedly just retire from the exam.

Ken: "What did you say to that guy Koenji?"

Kiyotaka: "Well, it was…

* * *

~Just before becoming leader and going to occupy the cave~

Kiyotaka: "Koenji."

Koenji: "What is it, Ayanokoji-boy?"

Kiyotaka: "Hearing the nature of this exam confirmed it. You plan to satisfy yourself and then retire immediately, don't you?"

Koenji: "You understand well. It seems you're watching over people to some extent as a leader."

Kiyotaka: "I can't claim to grasp everything about you, though."

Koenji: "That's right. I do not approve of being measured by others. More importantly, you didn't come all this way just to say that, did you?"

Kiyotaka: "It's a simple matter. Before you retire, I want you to do work worth 30 exam points."

Koenji: "Consider it a reward for guessing my actions correctly. Besides, I don't want to see a lady's sad face."

Kiyotaka: "Then bring back an amount of food that can be purchased with 30 exam points. That will be a visible result that's easy for everyone to accept."

Koenji: "It's a deal. Look forward to it."

* * *

Ken: "That bastard, he's got no motivation!"

When I finished speaking, Ken and several other students got indignant, so I offered a follow-up.

Kiyotaka: "Calm down, Ken. It's less damaging for someone uncooperative who might disrupt the group to do a net-zero amount of work and then leave, rather than sticking around doing nothing."

Horikita: "!"

Ken: "But still..."

That seemed to strike a chord with Horikita, who was listening from afar, but I continued regardless.

'This time, I intend for Horikita to experience her own powerlessness.'

Kiyotaka: "Besides, the amount he actually brought back is more than what 30 points could buy. Knowing his personality, he probably wasn't satisfied with just meeting the request."

By the time I said this much, the rising criticism had mostly subsided.

The underlying fear that they themselves couldn't confidently be a net positive presence likely played a large psychological role.

Kiyotaka: "However, to prevent similar situations, we must be stricter regarding points from now on. If anyone wants to use points, be sure to consult me first."

Everyone nodded at my words and braced themselves.

Kiyotaka: "Let's leave the serious talk there and have dinner before going to sleep."

After that, everyone ate dinner with their close friends and went to sleep.

And so, the first day of the uninhabited island exam came to an end.