For modern kids accustomed to paved asphalt roads, moving through a lush, overgrown forest inevitably brings discomfort.
The humid heat, unstable footings, poor visibility that throws off your sense of direction, and countless natural obstacles…
every single one erodes an explorer’s mind and body.
In this grueling environment, there was no way a complete amateur could track me down.
“HYAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOO!
YEEEEEEEAAAAAH!” Having quickly shaken off Machida, I was running through the forest at full speed, so hyper that even I was weirded out by myself.
To an onlooker, I probably looked completely insane, but I couldn’t help getting hyped up.
As someone who deeply loves nature and plants, I had always been dissatisfied that there wasn’t at least a botanical garden on school grounds.
I had been telling myself that I just had to endure it until graduation, but I never dreamed I would be able to enjoy mother nature to the fullest in an actual exam.
…Could it be that the reason Arisu refused to let me skip this exam under the guise of fake illness—even after I threw a massive fit—was for this?
If so, I’m sorry for thinking you were cold-hearted; I really do love you.
“Whoops, close one.” While occupied with stupid thoughts, a massive tree suddenly loomed right in front of me.
Relying on my leg strength, I leaped high toward the tree, grabbed a branch, flipped once, and landed smoothly.
Continuing like a ninja across several trees, I collected what I needed before dropping back down to the ground.
Sprinting at full speed through a forest is a suicidal act for ordinary people.
Beyond draining stamina excessively, it carries a constant risk of major injury…
but for me, having trained countless times, running through without dropping my condition was child’s play.
…This is one of Kiriha Honjo 684’s special skills: “Freerunning”!
“…Now then, guess I should regroup for a bit.” I had collected most of the noteworthy items for now, and Katsuragi and the others had probably secured the cave by now…
Hm?
That blonde hair I just caught a glimpse of over there…
Dashing in the direction I spotted, I found a familiar friend strolling through the forest, intoxicated with himself as usual.
“Yo, Mr.
Six.” “My, if it isn’t Queen Boy.
What a coincidence.” “Exploring?
Walking around the forest alone is dangerous, you know~” “It is hardly a problem for me.
Though might I return that exact statement to you?” “No problem for me either.
Besides, whoever accompanies me is basically dead weight, so I’d rather be alone anyway.” “I quite agree.” Brushing back his hair elegantly, Mr.
Six—also known as Koenji—smirked fearlessly.
While most of our school year seems to view him as an oddball and dislikes him, he and I get along relatively well.
Part of it might be his plan to make me his subordinate in the future, but even setting that aside, we just happen to be on the same wavelength in many ways.
“By the way, Queen Boy.
Would you mind telling me how this place looks through your eyes?” “To be blunt, it’s a fashionably artificial deserted island.
Yep.” As if a forest so thoroughly managed by human hands could exist in the wild.
Anyone with a modicum of plant knowledge would notice that species naturally unable to grow in this soil and climate were mixed in.
In fact, there were tons of clearly artificially cultivated plants, and the fruit growing on the trees didn’t have a single bug bite…
Rather than a jungle, this was practically a botanical garden.
“Gooood.
As expected of you, unlike the commoners around us, you know where to look.
…Now then, if you will excuse me, Queen Boy.
Do your best over the next seven days.” “Ah, you’re retiring already?” Knowing Mr.
Six personality, I knew there was no way he’d see this through to the end, but to think it’d be on the very first day…
Poor Class D.
“It cannot be helped, as I have already grown bored of it.
…Why not you as well, Queen Boy?
It is hardly admirable for the man who will eventually become my right hand to fuss over commoners.” “I have no such plans at the moment, and while I do whatever I want, doing things that poison the class rubs me the wrong way, so I’ll pass.
…And above all, cutting short this precious forest bathing time is completely out of the question.” “I see, then it cannot be helped.
…See you, Queen Boy.
I wish you good luck.” “See you, Mr.
Six.
See you in seven days.” Still, incurring a 30-point penalty for retiring without caring in the slightest…
I’m pretty wild myself, but I guess I lose to him on that front, yep.
“Hmm, hmm…
Half expected, half unexpected.” As anticipated, the spot Katsuragi picked for our base camp was indeed the cave.
On top of that, he had students posted at the entrance as guards, with plastic sheets pieced together into a barricade so no one could see inside.
Katsuragi’s resolute determination of “I will never let anyone see through our leader!” was clearly on display.
Up to this point, it was pretty much as expected, but the two sets of portable showers and temporary toilets installed near the entrance were unexpected.
One each would make sense, but two…
I hadn’t checked how much they cost to install, but I couldn’t imagine Katsuragi allowing expenses that could be reduced with a little ingenuity.
Something must have happened while I was away.
As I walked toward the entrance, the student guarding it happened to be from the Katsuragi Faction, so hostility was immediately directed my way.
But upon noticing what I was carrying in both arms, he bitter-facedly stepped aside.
I don’t dislike people who understand the situation—though I don’t particularly like them either.
“Oiii, Katsuragi~.
Kiriha-kun has returned~” “Honjo!
How dare you show your face back here so brazenly!
…Huh?
What is this?” As I entered the cave, Totsuka predictably snapped at me, so I tossed him one of the bags packed with my loot.
“You can tell just by looking, right?
It’s food I gathered while exploring the forest.
From unfamiliar ones like bog bilberries and akebi, to vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers that were clearly artificially grown, there’s a whole lot.” It was enough to last a day even if shared among the whole class.
Thinking we could cut point consumption significantly if food was secured through foraging, I gathered it all while enjoying mother nature to the fullest.
“And Katsuragi, here.” “These are…
thin tree branches…?” Following Totsuka, Katsuragi walked over with a stern look on his face, so I tossed him the remaining bag as well.
“You’ll need them when lighting a fire, right?
I gathered a bunch that were scattered around unnaturally, as if begging to be used for campfires.” “…What are you planning, Honjo?
Didn’t you say you wouldn’t cooperate in this exam?” “Nobody said anything like that.
I hate following your orders, but I’m not cold-hearted enough to abandon the class.” “So you’re acting purely on your own judgment.
…Can I trust that you won’t become a detriment to the class?” “Of course.
You have my word.” Katsuragi let out a tired sigh.
Combined with his middle-aged appearance, he looked just like an overworked corporate drone after working overtime.
“…Fine.
Do as you like, then.
As long as you contribute to the class, I won’t say anything further.” “K-Katsuragi-san?!
Are you sure about this?!” “Regrettably, Yahiko, I cannot hold his reins as I am now.” “As I am now” meant he hadn’t given up on the class leader position.
…Which implied he hadn’t abandoned hope or acted out of self-despair for this exam either.
“By the way, Katsuragi, it’s rare for you to go on such a shopping spree.
How much did you spend right from day one?” The inside of the cave had transformed into a comfortable living space hard to reconcile with a survival setting.
Aside from extra tents added so everyone in class could sleep, there were floor mats to cushion the hard ground, outdoor pillows, several cordless fans, and multiple cooler boxes acting as refrigerators…
It was such a lavish display that I wanted to ask if he actually intended to win.
“No, we in Class A have not spent a single point.
It remains at 270 points.” “Hmm…
Did you strike a deal with Class C?” “Gh…
Yes.
How did you know?” “How else?
Ryunkel is the only one who would execute something so insane.” The deal Ryunkel offered was likely taking on Class A’s point consumption in exchange for some form of compensation.
What caught his eye in this exam was the rule that class points could never go into the negative.
Taken to the extreme, even if they spent all 300 points on the first day and everyone retired under fake illnesses, the class wouldn’t take any damage.
“So what did he demand?
Ryunkel isn’t the type of generous soul to support Class A out of pure volunteer spirit.” “…This is the contract signed with him.
By the way, this contract was officially executed under the presence of both homeroom teachers, so breaking it incurs a heavy penalty.” With that, Katsuragi handed me the contract.
Summarizing its contents: * Class C will purchase and transfer 200 points worth of supplies to Class A (the purchased supplies will be chosen by Class A).
If Class C identifies the leaders of Class B and Class D, all acquired information will be shared with Class A as well.
* Class A students (excluding Arisu Sakayanagi) will transfer 20,000 Private Points each to Kakeru Ryuuen every month.
This agreement will continue until Kakeru Ryuuen graduates or is expelled from this school.
…I see.
On the surface, it looks like a mutually beneficial contract.
Private Points don’t directly affect class standings, but depending on how they’re used, they can become a shield to protect oneself or a sword to strike down enemies.
With a steady stream of 780,000 points flowing to Ryuuen as class leader every month, he could adapt them to various tactics.
On the flip side, for Class A, which had plenty of Private Points to spare, Class Points were far more crucial for solidifying their position.
If they consumed zero points while adding bonuses from spot claims and leader guessing, they could pull far ahead of Class B.
…However, my honest impression was that he really blew it.
There was no way Ryunkel would sign such a mild contract.
As I involuntarily let out a sigh, Katsuragi glared at me with a stern expression.
“Are you dissatisfied that I executed this contract on my own?
However, I am commanding the class for this exam.
You, who refuse to fall in line for an exam where the class should act as one, have no right to complain about my policy.” “I’m not complaining; 20,000 a month isn’t a big expense anyway.
…I just thought you made a pretty bold move for someone like you.
Are you really that terrified of being backed into a corner by Arisu?” Once again, hostility flared from the Katsuragi Faction students, but seeing Katsuragi’s own bitter expression, it seemed I hit the nail on the head.
He held the advantage during the midterms, but was rejected in the Student Council interview, while I achieved results in club activities, and then during the finals…
Katsuragi must have been consumed by anxiety lately.
And when this once-in-a-lifetime golden opportunity rolled in with Arisu’s absence for this special exam, it was no wonder he jumped at Ryunkel’s contract.
…Under the terms of that contract, even if Ryunkel guessed Class A’s leader, there was no penalty specified for him.
Ordinarily, Katsuragi would never have overlooked such a vital detail.
“Well, whatever.
Like you said, you’re the top guy for this exam.
I don’t intend to meddle here and there.
…Is there anything else you need to tell me?
Like who was chosen as leader, for instance?” “Gh…
Who would tell someone like you?!” “I will be frank.
As Yahiko says, we do not trust you…
or more accurately, your Sakayanagi Faction.
That woman wouldn’t hesitate to instruct you to frame me, even at the cost of the class’s victory.” Yep, spot on.
“I see.
So without telling us, you guys plan to protect the leader’s identity from other classes by yourselves.” “Correct…
But I will share one piece of good information with you instead.
As you have likely already noticed, there are several spots near this cave.
In one of them—a hut located under a ladder hidden in a blind spot along the cliff—there is a fishing rod that only the class occupying the spot can use.
If you feel like fishing, feel free to use it as you like.” In short, he was indirectly telling me to go catch fish during my spare time to contribute to the class.
You’ve gotten a bit smarter, haven’t you, Katsuragi?
“Heh, sounds pretty fun.
…Alright, got my stuff…
Hashimoto, grab a cooler box and follow me.” “I don’t mind following you, but you almost called me a luggage carrier just now, didn’t you?” “Well, I can’t carry anything heavier than chopsticks~” “What about that bag packed with food you just hauled all the way here?!” Exchanging nonsense banter, we left the cave.
After confirming that no one from the Katsuragi Faction was following us, Hashimoto whispered to me: “By the way, Honjo…
Who do you think the leader of this class is?
It’s definitely someone from the Katsuragi Faction, though.” “Totsuka, yep.” “…Your basis?” “First, rule out Katsuragi, whose name is well-known to other classes.
And knowing him, he must vaguely realize that Arisu’s people are mixed into the faction.
If he had to pick a leader in a situation where he doesn’t know who to trust, it would be Totsuka, who is 100% not on Arisu’s side.” That was about the logic that would convince Hashimoto.
In reality, that guy is so easy to read that one glance was all it took…
though I haven’t taught Hashimoto this special skill yet.
“May I ask why you told me so openly?” “Because you probably received orders from Arisu, right?
To make Class A lose and bring down Katsuragi.
…Plus, for you, who wants to score favors with Ryunkel, isn’t that a convenient souvenir?
I promised Katsuragi I wouldn’t be a detriment to the class, but all I did just now was share a speculation with a classmate.” “First on the ship, and now this…
Guess my intentions really are see-through to you.
Good grief, this is why geniuses are terrifying…” Shrugging as if surrendering, Hashimoto gave a sigh.
He was completely irrelevant to me, but as someone who could betray the class without hesitation if necessary, he was undoubtedly a valuable piece for Arisu.
“By the way, Honjo.
Since it’ll probably boost credibility, can I use your name when telling Ryuuen about the leader?” “Hmm, I don’t really mind.
…Oh, that must be the ladder.
Alright, time to fish, time to fish!
I’ll catch ’em like Taikoubou!” “You have zero intention of actually catching fish, do you?!” Incidentally, while Hashimoto caught fish like crazy, not a single fish bit my hook, leaving me completely empty-handed.
Curse you, Taikoubou!
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Author’s Note: Honjo: “Doing things that poison the class rubs me the wrong way.” (While telling Hashimoto who the leader is) I thought a bit about why Katsuragi trusts someone like Totsuka, and it’s probably because he’s the one person he can definitively guarantee isn’t one of Arisu-chan’s minions.