July 1st.

In the original world... this was the day when representatives from each first-year class gathered for a meeting regarding the Uninhabited Island Survival Exam...

And of course, it was held in this world as well, but...

"Amasawa, thanks for coming."

"Amasawa-san, thank you for taking the time to be here."

No seriously! Why am I the one attending this meeting~?

Even if I’m basically the leader of Class A, Ishigami-kun, who’s also a leader figure, or even Takahashi-kun like in the original world, could’ve come instead!

Because of this... my precious after-school time that I planned to spend with Kiyotaka-senpai is completely ruined~!

"Hey there! Yagami-kun and Utomiya-kun! Hope this turns into a good discussion~!"

Of course, I didn’t show any of that and greeted them casually.

"Huh? I don’t see Hōsen-kun anywhere~?"

"Seriously! Making us wait... who does he think he is!?"

Showing up late to a meeting really is just like Hōsen-kun...

"Before anything, I want to ask~? What’s the reason for holding this meeting? Is it about forming groups for the Uninhabited Island Survival Exam?"

"Yes, just as you said, Amasawa-san. Actually... Utomiya-kun and I have a proposal regarding group formation..."

With that, Takuya began explaining things to me.

Well... to put it simply, Utomiya-kun and Takuya want to form the strongest possible group among the four first-year classes...

And they’re considering forming a group of four consisting of me, Takuya, Utomiya-kun and Hōsen-kun.

"I do think your strategy of forming a four-person group has some merit... but there’s a flaw in it. You’ve noticed that, right?"

"What... there’s a flaw in forming a four-person group? I would very much like you to explain it to us..."

While feeling a bit awkward talking to Takuya, who was using polite speech in front of Utomiya-kun, I began explaining.

"No, no! With a four-person group, your options for forming a larger group become limited! Didn’t you think about that?"

In this exam... you can form small groups like this up until three days before it starts, but once the exam begins, small groups can combine into larger groups to reduce the risk of ranking low.

So considering the formation of large groups, making a four-person small group is problematic... because it makes it extremely difficult to form your desired large group.

"That risk... we are fully aware of it."

Instead of Takuya, Utomiya-kun responded to my question.

"Then why? What if a first-year group ends up in the bottom five groups?"

"Amasawa... you can rest assured about that. We have a plan."

Then... Utomiya-kun began explaining.

Apparently, for this exam... they intend for the first-years to target Kiyotaka-senpai, who has 20 million points at stake, while also scheming to drag down groups from other years into the lower rankings...

"If you do that... then yeah, it seems like no first-year group would end up at the bottom and face penalties..."

"Right? So join our group, Amasawa-san!"

Takuya really wants me in the group, huh~?

But unfortunately... for this special exam, I’ve already decided to cooperate with Tsubasa-chan to protect Kiyotaka-senpai...

"Hmm? I’ll put it on hold for now? I want to hear Hōsen-kun’s opinion too... and knowing his personality, he’ll definitely demand something in return!"

"I see... then let’s continue waiting for Hōsen-kun to arrive."

"Seriously... how long is Hōsen going to make us wait?"

After this... when Hōsen-kun finally showed up late, acted arrogantly and demanded outrageous compensation for forming the four-person group, things escalated into a near confrontation with Utomiya-kun, who got angry... but that’s another story…

* * *

"That watch of yours... it’s been ticking nonstop, it’s so annoying~!"

"Tch! You don’t even understand the value of this watch, huh?"

"Is it some kind of luxury brand? Doesn’t really suit you, though~?"

"This is why women are such a pain..."

The next day... at a certain café, Ichika-chan was talking with Hōsen-kun.

"So? You want to form a group with me, Tsubasa-chan and you... what brought this on?"

"Because you’ve got what it takes to expel Ayanokōji..."

"Oh my~? Did you finally throw away that oversized pride of yours~?"

"Say whatever you want... compared to Utomiya, who I don’t get along with, Ishigami who’s hopeless at sports, Yagami who looks like he’s hiding something and that annoying girl named Tsubaki... you’re the most decent option."

Hmm... his way of saying it is annoying, but since Kiyotaka-senpai also told me to form a group with Hōsen-kun and Tsubasa-chan, I guess it’s fine~

"I don’t mind forming a group~? But there’s obviously something in return, right?"

"There is... the 20 million points awarded to whoever expels Ayanokōji... I’ll give all of it to you. What do you say?"

"Wha... Hōsen-kun!?"

Just like Tsubasa-chan... I was surprised by what Hōsen-kun said. I thought negotiations would drag on like in the original world...

"And then... use those 20 million points to transfer to Class D."

"Transfer to Class D? Me?"

No way... this offer has even less benefit for me than when Tsubaki-chan invited me...

"Ichika-san! I’m asking too! I also want to be in the same class as you!"

"Even you too, Tsubasa-chan..."

In the end, I had them change it to a condition: [If Hōsen-kun successfully expels Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, then I will transfer to Class D], and used that to indirectly refuse...