"Hikigaya-kun... Hurry and gather all the students' belongings that might get soaked and put them inside the tents. Also, cover the firewood so it doesn't get wet," Yukinoshita said as she headed toward the girls' side to give them the same instructions.
Why do I have to collect their bags and stuff...? Let them get soaked. That's their problem.
"Yukinoshita, there isn't any firewood left," I said, standing in the middle of the camp with my hands in my pockets.
"Then, after you're done, gather as much dry wood as you can. We'll need the fire to keep warm and dry our wet clothes."
"Got it."
I hurried toward the boys' tents. Most of them had left their jackets and bags outside. I picked them up one by one and carried them inside before the rain could completely soak them.
"Welcome back!"
I heard Yukinoshita greeting someone.
I looked up to see Class D returning to camp, led by Hirata after their beach trip had been ruined.
"Yukinoshita-san, Hirata-kun brought us back after the weather changed. What should we do?" Kushida asked as she stepped forward from the group.
"Try to cover the supplies we already have so they won't be ruined. If possible, gather more as well," Yukinoshita replied while trying to put on her jacket.
"Okay... Everyone, let's get started!" Hirata called out, and the others immediately got to work.
My hair was already soaked, and even my white shirt was becoming almost transparent.
"Ah... my jacket."
I looked toward my hammock where I had left it that morning. It was completely drenched.
I picked it up. It felt heavy with water.
After shaking it a few times, I gave up and put it on anyway.
Now... I need to gather firewood.
I ran into the forest. Most of the wood was already wet, but a few dry branches remained untouched by the rain.
I began collecting them one after another.
"Hikigaya-kun, what are you doing?"
Suddenly, Kushida appeared beside another girl slightly shorter than her, with twin ponytails tied on both sides of her head. The two of them were carrying baskets full of fruit.
Why is she asking? Isn't it obvious?
"I'm gathering firewood so we can stay warm," I answered without stopping.
"Really? Then I'll help!"
She sounded just as cheerful as ever, completely unaffected by the gloomy weather.
"It's fine. I can do it myself."
Ignoring my answer entirely, she set down the fruit.
"Mii-chan, go on ahead. I'll catch up."
"Okay," the girl answered quietly.
For some reason, I could feel her cautious gaze on my back.
Kushida began collecting branches beside me, carefully picking them up one by one as if she were afraid the sticks might feel pain.
"The exam is almost over, isn't it?" she asked while searching the ground.
"Yeah."
Can't she just work in silence?
"I really hope it ends peacefully. Everyone worked hard."
Everyone... huh?
She's just another version of those overly social students.
Well... let's try something.
"Yeah. We never would've made it this far without Yukinoshita's efforts."
Kushida's hand froze in midair before reaching another branch.
"Y-You're right..."
For a brief moment, her voice trembled.
She didn't sound like herself anymore.
Good...
"Even... Horikita contributed a lot."
I watched her carefully from the corner of my eye.
Kushida completely stopped moving.
Her shoulders trembled slightly.
She looked... angry.
Does she have a problem with praising other people?
She reminds me of little kids who get jealous whenever someone else receives attention.
Maybe that's why she's always trying to stay on everyone's good side behind that perfect social mask.
Maybe she just wants to be the center of attention.
"Y-Yeah... everyone had their own role," she answered.
For the first time, her voice wasn't sweet.
It was dark.
I shouldn't push any further.
She might hit me over the head with one of these branches.
"That should be enough. Let's head back."
I started walking toward camp.
This time, unlike usual, Kushida didn't try to start a conversation.
Fine.
I'll be the one to do it.
"Kushida, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
At least she sounded normal again.
"There's a boy in Class A with short green hair. Do you know his name?"
I tried to sound casual.
Even I knew that question wasn't casual at all.
"Hmmm... let's see..."
She walked beside me while thinking.
"To be honest... I don't really know many of the boys from Class A."
"Hm..."
Even Miss Friends-With-Everyone didn't know.
That made things even harder.
Tomorrow morning we'd have to submit the leaders' names.
"Why are you asking about him? Is something wrong?"
So my question really was suspicious...
"Haha... I think I've seen him around the neighborhood where I live."
"Really? Where are you from?"
Why does this girl ask so many questions?
"Chiba."
No matter where you're from, you should be proud of it.
But if you're from Chiba, your pride should be twice as great.
I puffed out my chest while looking proudly at the sky.
"Hmmm... Yukinoshita-san is from Chiba too."
"Huh? Who told you that?"
I turned toward her in surprise.
Does she work for intelligence or something?
"Yukinoshita-san told us that you two attended the same middle school before coming here."
"Huh..."
Since when has Yukinoshita been telling the girls things like that?
I need to keep her away from them before they corrupt her even more.
"Kushida-san... Hikigaya-kun... You're back," Hirata greeted us at the camp entrance.
"Yeah. Is something wrong?" Kushida asked.
"No, I just wanted to check that everyone was alright."
That's Hirata.
Even during a crisis, he's still thinking about everyone else.
I placed the firewood on the ground.
Kushida added hers on top, forming a pile that should be enough.
After making sure the rain couldn't reach it, I headed toward my hammock.
It looked completely soaked.
There was no way it would support me tonight.
"Uh... Hikigaya-kun, you'll sleep inside the tent tonight, right? That thing won't do anymore," Hirata said while touching the hammock.
"Yeah..."
I looked at the hammock where I'd peacefully spent the previous nights, far away from the noisy group.
I never imagined we'd part like this...
But I guess this is the end.
"Yeah."
I reluctantly agreed while trying to hold back a tear.
"Great. I'll make room for you in the tent I'm sleeping in."
Then he turned toward another troublesome person.
I tried to ignore the sight of Koenji standing shirtless in the rain.
"Koenji-kun... you're not planning to sleep out here, are you?"
"Hahaha... Why would I run from the rain? Doesn't this beautiful rain perfectly suit my beautiful body?"
Koenji spread his arms dramatically beneath the rain like an idiot.
"But—"
Hirata tried to argue, but I placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hirata... it's useless."
After spending several days with Koenji, I'd learned something.
Convincing him was harder than the special exam itself.
No matter how reasonable your argument was, he'd always do whatever he wanted.
"I see... Well, Koenji-kun, if you change your mind, I'll save a place for you too."
Hirata bowed sadly before walking away.
Koenji simply burst into loud laughter.
Somehow, that felt unsettling.
Even though he was built like a bodybuilder.
"Hirata, I want to ask you something."
I caught up with him.
This was another chance.
Hirata was popular.
Maybe he'd know.
"What is it, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Do you know a Class A boy with short green hair?"
I tried to keep my tone natural this time.
"A boy with green hair... I remember seeing him with Katsuragi-kun, but I don't know his name."
Damn...
That was close.
"Is there some kind of problem?"
"No... I was just asking."
No need to tell everyone yet.
We should handle this quietly.
"Then... let me ask you something too."
Hirata chuckled.
"Go ahead."
It wasn't like him to ask me questions, so I stayed cautious.
"I saw you occupying the area alone this morning... Are you the leader?"
"Ah..."
He was the one who'd originally suggested Yukinoshita handle that responsibility on the first day.
Because of that, the class had never been involved in choosing or protecting the leader.
It was only fair for them to know.
The results would affect everyone.
"No... I'm not the leader."
I stood facing Hirata directly.
"Really? But if someone other than the leader occupies the area, there should be a penalty."
"No... not always."
I walked toward the tents.
Ayanokoji and the others were standing nearby.
"Man, I think even my underwear got soaked," Yamauchi shouted.
Doesn't this idiot have any shame?
"Why don't we light a fire?" Sudou suggested while wringing out his jacket.
"Kanji's not here yet. Let's wait until he gets back," Yamauchi replied.
"Let's try lighting it first," Hirata said.
"Does anyone know how?"
Silence.
"Hikigaya-kun... what about you?"
"I'll try."
I knelt down and arranged the branches the same way I'd seen Yukinoshita do that morning.
Hirata handed me the matchbox with a smile.
I struck a match and shielded it with my hand before placing it beneath the branches.
I gently blew on it.
The flames gradually spread until the fire was burning brightly.
"Oh! Hikigaya, that's amazing! Finally, we'll warm up!" Sudou shouted as he stretched his hands toward the fire.
"Thank you, Hikigaya-kun."
Hirata smiled while adding more wood to the flames.
I simply shrugged.
It wasn't anything special.
I had only copied what I'd watched Yukinoshita do that morning.
Warmth slowly spread through the camp, driving away the cold and dampness left by the heavy rain.
"Where's Ibuki? I haven't seen her all day."
The students began looking around for her.
I guess her mission was over.
There was no reason for her to return anymore...
Right?
I looked toward the tent where Sudou, Ike, Yamauchi, and Ayanokoji were heading.
That had to be the noisiest group possible.
"Hikigaya-kun, let's go inside too," Hirata said as he approached the tent entrance.
Huh...
So this is where I'll be sleeping tonight...
"O-Okay..."
I reluctantly agreed, clenching my teeth.
It's only one night.
No problem...
No problem.
As soon as I entered the tent, the boys stared at me suspiciously.
What?
Am I really that unwelcome?
Whatever.
It's bedtime anyway.
Just go to sleep.
I glanced at everyone.
They were sitting quietly, staring at each other.
I'll just ignore them and sleep...
Just as I was about to lie down, someone grabbed my jacket and pulled me back.
"Huh? What is it?"
I turned around.
Ayanokoji was standing beside me.
"The first person to fall asleep gets pranked," he whispered.
"Huh...? Did they do something to you?"
"Almost."
He answered with his usual blank expression.
Those damn idiots...
Why do they enjoy doing things like that?
...This might be a long night.