People always talk arrogantly about the importance of helping others and asking for help, along with all those flashy words whose only purpose is to create cooperation.
I hated those things from the start, but after asking Class B students for help and ending up as a laughingstock among them, I hated them even more.
I would never ask for help again, even if I stayed lost in the forest for the rest of my life.
I won't deny that they helped me and showed me the correct path so I could easily return to Class D's camp.
Still, I wouldn't forget how they burst out laughing in my face.
"I see, Hikigaya-kun… you finally came back."
The moment I entered the camp, drenched in sweat, Yukinoshita spotted me from afar and approached me.
Alright… I have to act natural.
"Oh, Yukinoshita-san, how are you?" I said while scratching the back of my head.
"Hm… what's wrong with you? You don't seem normal."
What the hell? I tried to look normal, so why would she say that?
"Hahaha…"
A dry laugh escaped my lips while I avoided looking at her.
"Hikigaya-kun, you were gone for a very long time… don't tell me you got lost?" Yukinoshita said while placing a hand under her chin.
Why would you think of that right now…
"Hahahaha… yes, definitely."
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
Class B already knew about it, so there was no point hiding it from her.
"Mmm… just as I expected. You really can't do anything properly, can you, Hikigaya-kun? How do you even get lost on an island smaller than a park?" Yukinoshita began rubbing her forehead while scolding me.
Do you think wandering around this island is that easy…
"It was a difficult life. Being lost in the forest for almost a year until rescue planes finally found you… it was terrifying."
"Hikigaya-kun, stop exaggerating. It was only a few hours, yet it perfectly demonstrated your incompetence. I wouldn't be surprised if your trip to Class A accomplished nothing."
How could this girl be this sharp…
"Hahaha… well, I couldn't figure out anything."
Class A had completely shut themselves off. Nobody could approach them, and waiting for them to make a mistake would probably be pointless.
Even if she went personally, she wouldn't get any results.
"Well… it's fine. Let's focus on what's in front of us first."
Yukinoshita was right. We should finish what we started.
It was time to give them undeniable proof.
The final scene…
"Yukinoshita, there's something I want to do tomorrow," I said while taking my jacket out of my bag.
"I'm listening."
Yukinoshita closed the distance between us so she could hear me without anyone else overhearing.
After I finished explaining, Yukinoshita paused for a moment to think carefully about what I said before giving her judgment.
"This sounds… illegal," Yukinoshita said while stroking her chin.
"Hmmm… no. I read the rules carefully. They never mentioned anything like this."
The handbook clearly listed the forbidden actions and the punishments for them.
If the school didn't think of this possibility, then that was their problem.
"You're right… I also read the guide thoroughly. There wasn't anything like this in it. But still…"
Yukinoshita expressed her concerns toward my idea. We had no idea how the school would react to it.
"I understand what you're thinking… but it's a loophole, and we should exploit it."
This exam wasn't about survival.
It was about trapping the other classes and exposing their leaders using loopholes like these.
"A loophole, huh… you really can't think of anything legal, can you?"
"Leave me alone…"
This was simply my style. No need to discuss it further.
"You had this idea from the beginning, didn't you? But you never told us," Yukinoshita said while narrowing her blue eyes at me.
"Well… it would've been hard to convince her," I said while glancing toward Horikita.
Even Yukinoshita wouldn't accept this easily, though she could at least understand it if I explained it properly.
As for Horikita, it would be better to deal with her when the time came.
"So you don't intend to tell her yet…"
"Yeah. We'll tell her tomorrow," I said while kicking a pebble ahead of me.
Yukinoshita sighed helplessly.
"Fine… I trust you. We'll follow your plan until the end," Yukinoshita said before walking back toward the camp.
"Ah… that…"
Why did I suddenly feel like I was supposed to do something right now?
Ah right—collect firewood.
Even though I already gathered enough for today.
---
Evening arrived on our fifth day on the island.
There wasn't much time left before everything ended.
Most students had begun feeling exhausted from the daily labor, so the usual noise had decreased.
However, this evening was especially lively because Class D students were preparing for their day off tomorrow after working extra hard today to earn their break.
Thanks to Yukinoshita's guidance, everything had gone smoothly and the necessary resources had been gathered.
That was why the students planned to prepare everything they needed tonight after dinner, causing the noise level to rise once we started eating.
Why can't they just eat with their mouths closed…
They should focus on the number of chews. Those are important health matters.
"It's decided, everyone! Tomorrow we're going to the beach and enjoying ourselves!" Kushida stood up to announce the final decision agreed upon by the majority.
"YEAHHHH!"
"Hahaha, let's have fun!"
The idiots started cheering excitedly as if they had won some sausage-eating contest.
Honestly, the beach was nothing special. There was no need for all this screaming and excitement.
"Make sure to bring your swimsuits! The weather's perfect for swimming!" Kushida continued enthusiastically guiding her classmates toward their fun day.
"Why don't we get a ball to play with on the beach?" Yamauchi shouted from the crowd.
"Yeah, you're right!" Sudou also stood up, clenching his fist before his chest.
"I don't know if we can afford one… Yukinoshita-san, what do you think?" Hirata turned toward the group's leader to decide whether to spend the points.
"A ball?… I think I saw something like that in the guide. It isn't very expensive," Yukinoshita said calmly from where she sat.
"Hah? Why should we spend points on th—"
Yukimura tried to protest again, but Yukinoshita didn't give him the chance and continued speaking naturally.
"But a few points could make the difference in our final results. You can either buy a ball to enjoy for one day at the beach… or save those points so they become class points later. The choice is yours."
Yukinoshita finished her words elegantly.
Meanwhile, Yukimura froze awkwardly in place, embarrassed by his impulsive reaction.
The students exchanged looks with one another as though discussing the decision silently.
"I think we can enjoy ourselves without one," Kushida said with an awkward smile.
"It's fine, guys. The important thing is that we enjoy our time together," Hirata said as if comforting everyone.
"We can still play without one. What matters is getting our day off," Karuizawa agreed as well.
One by one, students openly agreed with the final decision.
They wouldn't buy the ball.
Yukinoshita's method worked once again.
She never forced her opinion on anyone because that would only increase resistance and dissatisfaction toward her decisions.
It was better to leave the final choice in their hands.
"Ibuki-san, would you like to come with us too?" Kushida approached the girl sitting at the edge of the group and invited her.
But she received nothing but a firm rejection through complete silence.
Kushida lowered her head sadly, but quickly lifted it again with a cheerful smile.
"What about you, Yukinoshita-san? You'll definitely come with us, right?" She hurried toward Yukinoshita.
After all, she was the only one who hadn't expressed whether she wanted to go or stay behind.
Unlike Horikita, who had openly refused in front of everyone until Yukinoshita stepped in and asked her to come along just to supervise them.
"Thank you for the invitation, but I'll pass."
"Huh? Why?" Kushida placed both hands before her chest, her eyes like a puppy's.
"Someone needs to stay behind and guard the camp."
"Ah… you're right." Hirata lowered his head as if feeling guilty.
Well, I doubt she'd be able to relax even if she went.
So…
When are they going to invite me too, so I can reject them mercilessly?