"First, let's decide what to buy. What should we get?"

Ichinose held out the manual and asked the entire Class B gathered there.

However there were still very few people who could speak their opinion directly to Ichinose, who remained at the top of the class hierarchy.

As expected there were disadvantages to being so united.

"We don't need to decide on food or water yet. Since the spots mention 'unauthorized use', there's still a possibility those can also be obtained by occupying them."

Kanzaki offered his opinion so time wouldn't be wasted.

Certainly we wouldn't want other classes to steal such valuable lifelines.

In that case his prediction wasn't unreasonable.

"First we should consider how long we can sustain ourselves without using points. For example Hoshinomiya said we could take as many plastic sheets as we wanted. If we lay down a large number of them they could act as cushioning beneath the tents. Also if we're talking about usage, simply picking up wood shouldn't count as 'using' anything, so..."

I casually shared the advice that came to mind.

It might deprive the class of their own thinking process, but this exam required moving quickly.

Otherwise nearby or advantageous spots would quickly be taken by other classes.

To put it in terms everyone understands, it's a Real Time Attack.

In other words an RTA like in games.

"Then first we should secure a spot. Decide on our base camp. When I was looking at the island from the ship earlier, I saw what looked like a high vantage point that might be a spot. I remember its location. Shall we go?"

There he is again, the capable Kanzaki.

At this point you could almost say one person is enough.

That's how efficient he is.

If anything, aside from summarizing opinions he might even be more useful than Ichinose.

"That sounds great. Thanks, Kanzaki-kun."

"It's nothing."

While listening to their conversation I raised my hand toward the sky.

The blazing summer sunlight hit my skin and felt painful.

* * *

"This place is great!"

The spot Kanzaki discovered had a good view and excellent airflow.

The only downside was that the forest probably counted as part of the spot as well, making it difficult to find space for the tents.

Beyond a rocky ledge a few meters high the forest continued and further past that the beautiful ocean reflected the sunlight and sparkled.

"It's beautiful... as expected of Kanzaki-kun."

"I just got lucky."

With that our base camp location was decided.

The only issue now was whether there were water sources or food nearby, but that wasn't a major problem.

Even if they were far away we could wait there, predict the timing and identify other classes' leaders, or simply occupy the spot.

Either way it would be killing two birds with one stone.

As expected, some problems can simply be overcome through stamina and determination.

"Then for now let's only buy what we absolutely need first. So first..."

After that it was decided we would purchase temporary toilets, water showers, additional beds so everyone could sleep and enough food and water for the first day.

When Ichinose told Hoshinomiya she said everything would be prepared immediately.

At the same time my earlier suggestion was adopted and an amount of plastic sheets so large it almost made me feel guilty was transported to the base camp.

Even Hoshinomiya had a wry smile on her face.

* * *

Night.

I was alone looking at the stars.

Sitting on the edge of a rocky cliff I gazed up at the sky.

The sky tonight seemed to have a different kind of beauty compared to yesterday.

After deciding on the base camp we set out to explore other spots.

About ten minutes from the base camp we discovered a water source spot and occupied it.

That was the only major result, but discovering seven spots individually in one day was still significant.

I forgot to mention earlier, but Amikura Mako was chosen as the leader since she was physically capable and trustworthy.

I was a little worried, but it was interesting that Watanabe unusually insisted on accompanying her.

Perhaps Watanabe feels the same way toward Amikura that Shibata feels toward Ichinose.

Youth.

I believe I am experiencing what people call that.

Surrounded by good friends like Ichinose and Kanzaki and going out to play almost every day.

Sometimes we even gather together like proper students and hold study sessions.

I am truly satisfied with that kind of life.

Or at least I should be.

Yet something still feels missing.

That is probably because I still don't fully understand emotions.

"Sigh... this is such a pain, seriously."

While lost in thought I suddenly heard a voice.

It came from directly behind me, from the direction of the girls' tents.

"..."

It was unlikely to be someone from another class, but the negative tone made me turn around.

When it happened with Kushida before it was out of curiosity, but it hadn't felt great.

If someone started insulting my friends here I would leave immediately.

"My head hurts... seriously..."

"..."

"Ah."

When I stood up and walked a little closer our eyes met.

And our voices overlapped.

"What do you want?"

"No, that's my line."

Standing in front of me was a girl I had seen in class before.

The moonlight illuminated her beautiful dark blue hair.

And whether it was natural or dyed I didn't know, but the light blue streaks in it were also beautiful.

"Sigh... what a pain."

"Sighing after seeing someone's face is pretty harsh. I'm hurt."

Perhaps because of curiosity about the unknown, I ended up talking to her.

Trying to speak the same way I did with my friends.

After all that's the only way I know how to communicate.

"Shut up. Seriously, I have the worst luck. Can you just leave?"

Apparently she had no interest in talking to me.

Unfortunately for her, I wanted to talk.

On this boring night she would have to keep me company.

"I was here first. Logically the one who should leave is you."

"Ugh, gross. Whatever. This is annoying anyway."

"By the way Himeno, what's making you so irritated?"

That's right.

Her name was Himeno Yuki.

Among the boys in class she was known as 'cute but unfriendly'.

Rumors like 'if you talk to her she'll kill you' or 'if your eyes meet you'll turn to stone' were whispered around.

"Why should I tell you?"

"Just because. I've never talked to you before, but I didn't expect someone like you to be in Class B. It surprised me."

"Sigh... if I refuse you'll probably follow me until I talk anyway judging from how you usually act. Fine. But once I tell you, go away."

"You figured that out well. If you refused I was planning to chase you tomorrow."

"That's stalking. Gross."

"Please stop. That hurts."

"Yeah right."

Himeno was unexpectedly easy to talk with.

She even played along with my boring conversation.

"Since you don't seem like the type to tell anyone, I'll say it. The atmosphere in Class B is kind of annoying. Everything is 'doing things together is justice' and 'being alone is bad'."

"That's true. Since Ichinose is that type of person it's inevitable the class atmosphere reflects it."

"Oh? She's your friend, right? I thought you'd defend her more."

"Your opinion is correct. Denying it would only worsen our relationship. I'd like to talk with you more, so I'd rather avoid that."

Himeno was interesting.

Her reactions were different from Amikura or Shibata.

And she had an atmosphere that Ichinose and Kanzaki didn't.

"So that's how you trick girls like Ichinose, huh? Sorry but that doesn't work on me."

"I'm sorry. I'm not tricking anyone and I don't think I said anything strange to you."

I didn't think I said anything rude...

Maybe I revealed my ignorance again.

"If that's all an act it's impressive, but since you listened to me I'll believe you for now. But seriously don't tell anyone, okay? My only strength is keeping pace with everyone."

"I have no intention of telling anyone. It's late anyway. I suggest you return to the tent and sleep."

"Shut up. Are you a kid or a parent? Make up your mind."

"I don't understand what that means..."

Having discovered a new person I could talk to, my first day on the deserted island came to an end.