Chapter 62: Class B's Exam Situation
On the deserted island in midsummer, the Class B class representative, Ichinose Honami—the widely recognized archangel among the first-year students—turned to her classmates, who were surrounding her with trusting gazes, after listening to Hoshinomiya-sensei explain the rules.
"Everyone..." Ichinose looked up at the scorching sun overhead and said with a sweet smile: "It's too hot here. How about we first find a shaded spot and then discuss the rest of the plan?"
"Ichinose-san has a point. Let's leave the beach first," the other Class B representative, Kanzaki Ryuji, nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing the words of their two class representatives, the Class B students immediately started moving. After assigning a few boys to carry the supplies, they followed Ichinose into the forest.
Before leaving the beach, Ichinose looked back. A purple-haired girl had, for some reason, left the Class A group and was walking straight toward the Class D students.
As they went deeper into the forest, the vibrant, lush greenery became denser. The forest offered a respite from direct sunlight, which was better than the beach, but the humid, hot air constantly blew in from the sea, making the students walking through the bushes feel as if they had entered a sauna. Several boys gripped the round collars around their necks, fanning themselves back and forth, while the girls' faces were flushed, constantly wiping sweat with their handkerchiefs.
"Honami-chan..." Shiranami Chihiro, her face slightly red, ran with quick, small steps to Ichinose's side and started a conversation.
Since personally witnessing Hikitani's confession to Ichinose and learning Ichinose's view on romance, Shiranami Chihiro had not given up. Instead, she intended to make Ichinose change her mind before graduation. Due to spending months together, her relationship with Ichinose had become very close, and she could now address her directly by name.
In Shiranami Chihiro's view, this deserted island exam was a perfect opportunity to get closer to Honami-chan. To leave a deep impression on the person she liked, Shiranami was determined to contribute her share of effort.
However, just then, Shiranami, whose eyes were focused on Ichinose, suddenly stumbled. She tripped on a thick tree root covered with fallen leaves, losing her balance and falling backward.
"Ah, Chihiro! Watch out—" Ichinose quickly reached out but was too late to catch her.
"Whoops!"
"Are you okay?"
"Ugh—that's so embarrassing..." Shiranami squatted down, clutching her head, letting out a cute sound of dismay. It seemed her hands and rear hit the ground first, so she only had a slight scrape on her palm, nothing serious.
"You need to watch your step when walking in the forest. Here, let me help you up."
Seeing Ichinose's outstretched hand, Shiranami's face blushed slightly. Just as she was about to take it, she immediately realized her palm was covered in dirt and retracted her hand as if she'd been electrocuted. Ichinose smiled without a care, took Shiranami's hand, and gently pulled her up.
"...Th-Thank you."
"Wipe it off first. We can buy something to treat the wound with Material Points later," Ichinose took a handkerchief from her uniform pocket and handed it to Shiranami, while also gently patting the dust off her clothes.
"I-I'm sorry, Honami-chan," Shiranami's face showed an apologetic expression, and she lowered her head with some self-reproach.
"You don't need to apologize. Chihiro, let's do our best together."
"...Yes, I will do my best."
Soon after, the Class B students found a relatively spacious grassy area within the dense forest.
The Class B students put down their supplies and sat in a circle to rest, waiting for the arrangements from their two class representatives.
Ichinose looked through the guidebook for a while, then turned to her classmates around her. She gently clapped her hands to draw their attention, then asked: "Let's start by deciding on the leader. Who would like to be the leader?"
"For the leader, I think Ichinose-san should do it."
"It's probably best for Honami-san to be it, right?"
"Yeah, I agree too."
Compared to the other classes, the Class B students were very much in agreement.
"That won't work," Kanzaki slowly shook his head and offered his opinion: "Ichinose-san's abilities are indeed excellent, but her reputation is too high among the first-year students, making it too easy for other classes to guess."
"Exactly. That's why I hope another student will take on the role of the leader. Does anyone want to become the leader?"
"Th-That..." Shiranami summoned her courage, raising her hand to volunteer, but her voice was very soft. "M-Maybe I can do it."
"Chihiro, you're willing to be the leader? That's wonderful!" Ichinose looked at Shiranami with gentle eyes, lightly patted her shoulder: "Then I'll leave it to you. Don't worry, all of us will help you as much as possible."
"Yes!" Shiranami nodded with determination.
"Then, let's go find Hoshinomiya-sensei now to get the key card made. Also, to hide the leader's identity, I think it's best if someone acts as a decoy when we occupy a base," Ichinose suggested, clapping her hands together.
"Mmm, I'll take care of those arrangements," Kanzaki said seriously.
After deciding on the leader and receiving the key card with the name "Shiranami Chihiro" from the school staff, the Class B students decided to move on to the next stage and began discussing purchasing supplies with points.
However, just then, a crackling sound of dry branches breaking came from the bushes nearby. As the sound got closer, a conversation drifted into the ears of the Class B group.
"Ibuki-san, are you sure it's this way?"
"I saw them heading in this direction earlier, and there are quite a few footprints here too."
Under the wary gaze of the Class B students, a few students emerged from the woods.
Ichinose recognized them after a few glances, smiling as she spoke to the silver-haired girl leading them: "Shiina-san, long time no see."
"I'm Kanzaki Ryuji. May I ask why some students from Class C have come to see us?"
"Hello, Class B students. I am Shiina Hiyori from Year 1, Class C. I apologize for the sudden intrusion, but we've come to seek cooperation." Shiina stated the purpose of their visit frankly.
"Cooperation?" A Class B boy named Shibata frowned, his tone slightly aggressive: "Class C was harassing our classmates not long ago, and now you come to us asking for cooperation?"
"That's because Ryuen ordered us to..." A boy standing behind Shiina suddenly started to say, but saw Shiina wave her hand, and reluctantly closed his mouth.
Shiina showed an apologetic expression, looking earnestly at the two Class B representatives: "I am very sorry about that, but I hope Class B will seriously consider our proposal. Class C genuinely wants to cooperate with Class B this time."
"Hmph, we won't believe your nonsense. Who knows what Ryuen is plotting this time?" A Class B girl glared angrily at the Class C group and said loudly.
"Kobashi-san, let's hear Shiina-san out first," Ichinose frowned, signaling Shiina to continue.
"Well... How should I put this?"
Shiina tilted her head, then calmly delivered an explosive piece of news—
"Actually, Ryuen-kun has already withdrawn from this deserted island exam."
"Huh?"
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