Chapter 2.1

As we got off the boat, chatting amiably with one another, our homeroom teacher greeted us with some harsh words.

“I will now start roll call for Class D. When you hear your name, please respond loud and clear.”

Our homeroom teacher started taking attendance, clipboard in hand, while simultaneously instructing us to form a line. Chabashira-sensei wore the same kind of jersey as her students. This atmosphere was more akin to training camp than summer vacation. Still, not many of the students seemed tense at all.

“Oh, come on! I want my free time already! The sea is right in front of me!” Ike muttered, standing directly behind me.

Most of the students wanted to run off onto the sandy beach. Soon enough, a tall teacher stepped onto a prepared white platform. It was Mashima-sensei, Class A’s homeroom teacher. He normally taught English, and was well-known for having a stubborn disposition. At first glance, he could easily be mistaken for one of those bodybuilder types. He was built like a professional wrestler, but was actually quite intelligent. He’d even taught special courses in the past.

“First, I would like to say that I’m happy you’ve arrived safely. However, it’s unfortunate that one of you was unable to participate due to illness.”

“Oh wow, someone couldn’t come on the trip because he was sick? Poor guy,” said Ike quietly, so the teachers wouldn’t hear. He certainly had a point.

If this were some kind of dinky field trip, that’d be one thing, but such a luxurious vacation was another story altogether. I wondered if that kid would regret not coming after hearing friends talk about it. Even in poor health, I think he should’ve pushed himself and participated. Oddly enough, the teachers themselves looked rather grim. Well, while this was a vacation for us students, maybe the teachers supervising us had to think of it as a job.

No. Somehow, it seemed more than that. While Mashima-sensei surveyed the students in silence, I could see that adults in uniform had started setting up some kind of special tent nearby. I also saw a computer and other equipment on a long table. This increasingly business-like setup didn’t match the natural splendor around us at all, and many of the students looked perplexed.

Mashima-sensei uttered a few cruel words, as if waiting for the atmosphere to change. “Well then. We shall commence the current academic year’s first special test.”

“Huh? Special test? What do you mean?”

Almost everyone in our class asked some variation on that question. We’d all thought this was just a class trip, only to be hit by this surprise attack. Our summer vacation was a product of the school’s goodwill, but that had been an illusion. We plummeted from relief into stark tension.

“The test commences now and lasts for one week, concluding on August 7th at the year’s end. This test will determine if you can live on a deserted island together as a group. In addition, I should warn you that this special test is both practical and realistic, designed based on real-world corporate training.”

“Living on a deserted island. Does that mean we’re not staying on the boat, but the island?”

Some students from Class B and C voiced their obvious concerns.

“You are correct. During the test, you will not be allowed to board the ship without a suitably justifiable reason. It will be necessary for you to fend for yourselves on this island while you are here, from creating a place to sleep to preparing food to eat. Once the test starts, each class will receive two tents, and two flashlights. You will be provided with one box of matches. There is no limit to the amount of sunscreen you can have. Each student will be provided with one toothbrush. As a special case, girls will be allowed to have as many feminine sanitary products as they’d like, without any restrictions. Please ask your respective homeroom teachers for those. That is all.”

With that, the teachers began distributing the items.

“Huh?! So we have to live like survivors on a deserted island?! I don’t want to hear this kind of insanity! This isn’t an anime or a manga or something! We can’t all sleep together in just two tents! And what are we supposed to do about food in the first place? This is unbelievable!”

Ike fussed loud enough for everyone to hear. Developing skills of self-sufficiency on a deserted island—hunting wild animals, washing in the river, building bedding from tree branches—it certainly was like something you’d see in a movie or read about in a book. No one could’ve imagined that the school would put us through a test like this. Mashima-sensei gave no sign that this was some kind of joke. If anything, he appeared surprised by what Ike had said.

“You may say this is unbelievable, but that’s because you’ve lived a short, superficial life. There is an actual, prominent company that holds training sessions on uninhabited islands.”

“Huh? B-but this…this isn’t special at all. Is it? Isn’t it too much to ask for us to start living on a deserted island with no warning? No way! This is unreal!”

“Keeping on like that would be shameful, Ike, so stop talking. What Mashima-sensei just said is only part of it. There are many companies in the world with many different training activities. There are workplaces where there aren’t any chairs in the office, and companies that decide salaries with dice rolls. The world is wider and deeper than you even know.”

Chabashira-sensei, as if unable to overlook Ike running his mouth, chided him. She continued, “In other words, you are ill-equipped to distinguish between what is reality and what isn’t.”

Many of the students appeared unconvinced and wore dissatisfied looks.

“I assume you’re all thinking something like, ‘What does this test mean?’ Or perhaps some of you doubt the existence of such training programs. However, students who remain at such a base level of thought are unlikely to become anyone promising in the future. What is your basis for determining this to be ‘unbelievable’ or ‘ridiculous’? You’re just students. In my opinion, you’re all equally worthless. What kind of insignificant person determines that they can criticize a leading company? That’s bizarre. Were you a president in charge of one such notable business, then you might have some right to deny our claims. However, there shouldn’t be any grounds for someone of your station to be able to do that.”

As we listened, we did certainly determine that parts sounded unreasonable or unrealistic. But, just like Mashima-sensei said, we had no basis to oppose their claims. Those who found this beyond the realm of their understanding could call it “bizarre” or “unbelievable,” but for someone who did understand the point, well, it would be absurd to think otherwise.

“But, teacher, isn’t this supposed to be our summer vacation? We were brought here under the pretext of going on a relaxing trip. Don’t you think that bringing us here and then springing this corporate training on us could be considered unfair?”

Some of the students in our class began to protest along these lines.

“I see. I suppose that you’re not wrong about that. I can understand why you would be discontented.”

Mashima-sensei’s response showed that he recognized the soundness of such an argument, unlike Ike’s complaints. There were students who were dissatisfied with the current situation, and those who were dissatisfied with the process as a whole.

“However, please do not worry. It would make sense for you to have complaints if you were being forced into a harsh situation. However, even though we’re calling it a special test, there’s no need to think about it in such unhappy terms. In the coming week, you can go swimming, or hold a barbecue. It wouldn’t be a bad time for you to occasionally have a campfire and chat with friends, either. The theme of this special exam is ‘freedom’, after all.”

“Huh? Huh? The theme is freedom? We can have a barbecue? Hmm? And this is still called a test? I’m so confused…”

Even though this was a test, we were free to play. The contradiction confused the students, and our doubts only increased.

“As a major part of this special test, we’ve decided to distribute 300 points to each class. By using your points well, you might be able to enjoy this week’s special test just as you would a normal trip. We’ve also prepared a manual just for that purpose.”

Mashima-sensei received a booklet that looked to be a few dozen pages thick from another teacher.

“This manual lists all of the ways you can obtain points. It also explains where to get drinking water and food, as well as essential necessities. If you wanted to have a barbecue, it explains how to prepare the equipment and ingredients. We also have numerous tools for you to be able to enjoy playing in the ocean to the fullest.”

Gradually, the students’ grim expressions grew calmer.

“So, we can do whatever we want with the 300 points?”

“That’s right. It’s possible to arrange for anything using your points. Of course, it’s necessary for you to use them in a systematic way, but with a solid plan, you can spend your week without any difficulties.”

If we could really get through the week by using the points we had, then this would be more like a vacation than a test. It might end up feeling like a real summer vacation.

“B-but, teacher. You said this was a test, right? So shouldn’t there be some kind of difficulty to it?”

“No, there’s nothing difficult. It won’t even have any adverse effects on your second semester. I guarantee it.”

“So it’s really okay for us to just have fun for one week?”

“That’s right. You’re all free to do what you want. Of course, there are some bare minimum rules that you need to abide by as a group, but there shouldn’t be anything difficult about that.”

If that were true, then did that mean there really was no risk? In that case, we should ask if he could explain the purpose of this test. Was it linked to some kind of exchange between grade levels? I couldn’t understand the school’s true intentions, but Mashima-sensei’s next statement clarified everything.

“When this special test period is over, each class’ remaining points will be added to their total class points. Your point totals will reflect this change once summer vacation is over.”

As he spoke, a gust of wind blew across the beach and kicked up a cloud of dust.

Mashima-sensei’s words were the greatest shock of the day. In previous examinations, they’d measured things like our academic abilities. Naturally, this was advantageous for students with a fundamentally high level of academic ability. Each time, we in Class D were forced into situations where we’d lose class points. However, the rules were completely different this time. This test was designed in a way that didn’t create too much of a gap between Classes A and D.

“So if we can endure this for one week, then starting next month we could see a huge increase in our allowance?!” Ike asked.

That’s right… This wasn’t a competition to test our scholarly abilities, but our endurance. If we managed to curb our basic desires, we might get closer to being the top class.

“Each class will receive one copy of the manual. If the manual is lost, you may have another copy. However, it will consume points, so please be very careful. Also, the student who was marked absent from this trip was from Class A. According to the rules of this special test, should any student have to leave due to illness, there will be a thirty-point penalty to the class as a whole. Therefore, Class A will be starting with 270 points.”

Even though it didn’t affect our class, the penalty was still merciless.The students from Class A were visibly trembling. The other classes also appeared shocked. As soon as Mashima-sensei had finished speaking, he told us to disperse. Another teacher’s voice came over the loudspeaker, telling us that each class would receive supplementary instructions from our respective homeroom teachers. We then gathered around Chabashira-sensei. The four classes had congregated in order to keep some distance from each other.

“Thirty thousand points next month, thirty thousand points next month, thirty thousand points next month. Let’s do it!”

Ike and the others struck victorious poses. The girls happily discussed what things they would buy. Class D’s dearest wish was to increase our points. We just had to spend one week without any luxuries. It certainly sounded simple.

“I will now hand out wristwatches to every one of you. You are not to take them off until the end of the test. If you remove your wristwatch without permission, you will be punished. This watch doesn’t just tell time. Its sensors also check your body temperature, your pulse, and even your movements. It’s equipped with a GPS. Also, in the off chance something bad does happen, this watch comes equipped with the means to notify the school. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, please do not hesitate to push that button.”

The vendor who supplied the watches had stacked them next to Chabashira-sensei. The time had come for Class D to collect our supplies. We were instructed to take the watches out of their boxes and put them on.

“When you say an emergency, do you mean, like, if a bear shows up?”

“Even if that was a joke, the test has already begun. I cannot answer any questions that might possibly influence your results.”

“Uh…that’s a kinda freaky answer.”

“I don’t think there are any wild animals here. If one of the students were injured, that would be a big problem. They probably gave us these watches solely to manage our well-being. Don’t you agree? We’re on an uninhabited island, after all, and the school has to ensure our safety,” Hirata said.

Indeed, the school had gifted us these watches to keep us safe. If we were roaming freely about the island, the teachers wouldn’t be able to monitor our condition with their eyes alone. Plus, it would be difficult to install cameras here, like inside of the school. They most likely intended to monitor our physical condition so they could respond to any unforeseen circumstances. The helicopter back on the ship was probably there in case of just such an emergency. As people received their watches, they placed them on either their right or left arm, according to their preferences.

“Is it okay for us to get in the water wearing these?”

“There shouldn’t be any problem. They’re waterproof. However, should they malfunction, immediately report to a test administrator and exchange it for a replacement.”

This special test was somewhat eccentric in its design, so it likely wasn’t the first time that the school had run it. Clearly, they had planned for various situations. However, there might have been some oversights.

“Chabashira-sensei. I understand that we’re going to be spending one week on this island, but is it possible to get by without using any points?”

“Hmm. Well, the school isn’t involved in the test process at all. That means that you must prepare your own food and water. Thinking of solutions to resolve the issue is part of the test. I don’t know of any way of doing so without points.”

The girls looked visibly more perplexed than the boys. The fact that a bed wasn’t guaranteed probably made them feel uneasy.

“Don’t worry. If we can catch fish and pick fruit in the forest, then we’ll be fine. We can also use leaves and trees to make tents and stuff. And even if you start not feeling great, do your best!” Ike said, seemingly without any worry at all. He was determined to preserve the 300 points.

Even if Ike would be fine living like that, our class comprised more than thirty students. Obtaining what everyone needed probably wouldn’t that easy.

“I’m sorry, Ike, but I don’t think things will go as you’ve planned. Open your manual.”

Hirata did as Chabashira-sensei instructed.

“First, I’d like you to read the last page, where the penalties are listed. This is very important information that encapsulates the difficulties of this special test. It will determine whether you live or die.”

On the last page, a line read, “These penalties will be applied to anyone who falls under the following conditions.”

“Anyone deemed unable to continue the test due to significant deterioration in health or serious injury will be penalized by thirty points. That student will then retire.”

“In the event a student has polluted the environment, he or she will be penalized twenty points.”

“In the event students are absent during the 8 AM or 8 PM roll call, five points will be taken for each student absent.”

However, the most serious punishment was detailed in the fourth entry on the list. “In the event a student is found guilty of an act of violence toward another class, robbing another class, or causing damage to another class’ property, etc., the offending student’s class will immediately be disqualified, and the individual will forfeit all of his or her private points.”

It looked like Class A was subject to these same penalties. The fourth rule was totally reasonable, written to prevent students from engaging in harmful behavior, while the other three rules were clearly there so individual students wouldn’t behave carelessly. Because we had roll call in the morning and at night, it was impossible to sleep your time away at camp. It was also meant to suppress rather barbaric behavior, like a student littering everywhere.

Essentially, it was a contest of restraint.

“You are free to behave as you wish. However, if ten students fall into poor health, then all your efforts will be for nothing. Once a student has retired from the test, he or she cannot come back.”

The students who had thought it possible to get through the test by relying on their own endurance now looked perplexed. It would be impossible not to spend a single point, but that was true of every class. However, whether you actively participated or resigned yourself to your fate in this test, endurance alone would not win the day here.

How would we use our points effectively, save them, and get through the week?

Gradually, the shape of this very literal “special test” became clearer.

“In other words, using at least some points is unavoidable?” asked a girl named Shinohara, who’d been following along in the conversation.

“I disagree with the idea of compromising right away. I think that we ought to persevere for as long as we can.”

“I understand how you feel, but it’ll be bad if our health suffers.”

“Come on, Hirata, don’t be so discouraging! This is a test of our patience, right?”

The more we understood the rules, the less we could agree on a course of action. Our opinions were divided. At any rate, there were a wide variety of items for purchase in the manual: essential equipment for surviving, like tents and cookware; machines and tools, like digital cameras and wireless transceivers/walkie-talkies; items for amusement, like umbrellas, floaties, stuff for a barbecue, and fireworks; and food and water, the bare essentials.

We could prepare for anything with our points. Apparently anyone could request something, and just report to their homeroom teacher in order to use points to purchase it.

“Chabashira-sensei, can I ask you something? In the event that someone were to retire after we had already used all 300 points, what would happen?” asked Horikita, her hand raised.

“In that case, all that would increase is the number of people forced to retire. Your points can’t be changed any more after reaching zero.”

“So, in other words, we can’t get into negative points during the test?”

Chabashira-sensei answered in the affirmative. Mashima-sensei had said that there wouldn’t be any negative effects from this test. It looked like that was true. Chabashira-sensei continued talking, occasionally glancing at her wristwatch to check the time.

“Each one of the supplied tents is large enough to accommodate eight people. The tents weigh close to fifteen kilos, so please be careful when carrying them. Also, the school will not step in to help should your supplied items become lost or damaged. In the event that you need a new tent, remember to use your points.”

“May I ask something? Where will roll call be held?”

“Each class will be accompanied by their respective homeroom teachers until the test is over. If you’ve decided where you want your base camp to be, report it. Once the base is set up, I will hold roll call there. Make sure that you think long and hard about it, because you can’t change your base camp location without a justifiable reason once you’ve decided. The other classes are subject to the same conditions. There are no exceptions.”

Did that mean that Chabashira-sensei was going to spend a week together with Class D, as our supervisor? Of course, she probably wasn’t going to help us.

“Hey, teacher. I’m sorry to interrupt you when you’re talking, but that juice from earlier went right through me. Where’s the toilet?”

Sudou appeared before us, like he hadn’t heard the announcement.

“The toilet, huh? I was about to get to that point. If you want to use the bathroom, use this.”

Chabashira-sensei grabbed one of the cardboard boxes from the stacked pile. She peeled off the packing tape and took out some collapsed cardboard.

“Huh? What’s that?” Sudou asked.

“It’s a basic toilet. Each class will be supplied with one. Please handle it carefully.”

Sudou wasn’t the only one perplexed by this. The girls were shocked.

“Don’t tell me we have to use that?!” Shinohara, from Karuizawa’s group, raised her voice in horrified surprise. The girl seemed like an extension of Karuizawa herself, rather than a simple group member.

“Both the boys and girls will use it. But do not worry, it comes with a single button tent that you can use when you want to change. That way, no one will be able to see you.”

“That’s not the problem! Th-that’s just a cardboard box! This is absolutely impossible!”

“It might be a cardboard box, but it’s an especially well-made one. It can even be used in a disaster. I’ll show you how to use it, so please commit this to memory.”

While the girls booed her, Chabashira-sensei assembled the toilet. It seemed she was familiar with setting it up. Then she put a blue vinyl bag on it, and placed what looked to be a white sheet inside.

“This sheet is made of water-absorbing polymer. It covers and solidifies waste. It’ll make the waste invisible, and also suppress the smell. After you finish using it, stack another sheet on top. By repeating this process, it’s possible to get around five uses with one vinyl bag. These vinyl bags and sheets will be supplied to you in unlimited amounts. You can even change them after every use, if you want.”

The girls listened silently to Chabashira-sensei’s explanation. If a disaster did occur, it wouldn’t matter whether you were a boy or a girl, or if it was just a cardboard box. But it was probably pretty difficult to imagine this idyllic island as a disaster area.

“There’s just no way I can do this! Absolutely no way!”

Starting with Shinohara, nearly all of the girls rejected the idea.

Ike, who’d been silent, pouted and said, “Come on, just deal with it. This isn’t the time to fight, Shinohara.”

“Don’t screw around! It probably doesn’t matter to you boys. There’s no way I can go to the bathroom in a cardboard box.”

“The decision is yours. However, you are not permitted to relieve yourselves in the forest, the sea, or rivers. Do not forget that.”

Even when giving that warning, our teacher sounded uninterested.

“But, but I definitely can’t do it in a cardboard box! Besides, the guys are going to be close, right? That’s gross!”

Shinohara, still unaccepting of the situation, directed her anger at the boys, especially Ike.

“What the heck? I don’t get why you’re treating us like perverts,” Ike said.

“It’s true though, isn’t it? You do seem to be really perverted.”

“Huh? Jeez, that hurts! I’m a super gentleman!”

“Don’t make me laugh. A gentleman? Get real. You’re by far the top contender for biggest pervert.”

Sparks flew as Ike and Shinohara got into a heated argument.

“Anyway, it’s impossible for me,” she said.

Shinohara and half of the girls seemed like unwilling to listen to reason.

“Well then, what are you going to do? It’d be impossible for you to not use the bathroom for one whole week, right?”

“That’s—”

Our teacher, who had calmly watched Ike and Shinohara argue like it wasn’t her problem, suddenly looked behind us with a disgusted expression.

“Yoo-hoo!”

We heard a piercing voice. Its owner rushed at her target, capturing our homeroom teacher and hugging her tightly from behind.

“What are you doing?” Chabashira-sensei grunted.

“What, I can’t be friendly? I honestly wanted to see what you’d do,” said Hoshinomiya-sensei, Class B’s homeroom instructor. She gently caressed Chabashira-sensei’s arms. “Whenever I touch your hair, Sae-chan, it’s always so smooth!”

“Don’t you understand the school’s rules at all? Eavesdropping on other classes when they are giving information is inexcusable.”

“Aw, I’m just an unimportant teacher, though. Even if I did hear something, I’d never tell. But doesn’t this feel like fate? I can’t believe that we both came to this island together.”

Fate? Chabashira-sensei ignored the hidden meaning in Hoshinomiya-sensei’s words.

“Shut up. Just hurry on back to Class B.”

“Ah! Isn’t that Ayanokouji-kun? It’s been so long!”

Unlike the other teachers, who occasionally popped into class, I didn’t normally get many opportunities to interact with Hoshinomiya-sensei. I gave her a slight bow.

“Summer is the season of love. If you want to confess your feelings to a girl you like, perhaps it’d be more effective while standing before the beautiful ocean?”

“The ocean may be beautiful, but I can’t afford to do that during class.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Since everyone was staring at us, I really wished she’d disentangle herself from my romantic life.

“You need to be more carefree!”

“Hey. Should I report you to the school authorities for behavioral problems? Besides, I don’t have any more time.” Chabashira-sensei said.

“Ooh, don’t glare at me like that. Fine, fine, I get it. See you later!”

Hoshinomiya-sensei walked away with a sad look on her face. Chabashira-sensei immediately started on a new topic.

“Well then, allow me to explain some additional rules.”

“A-additional rules? There’s more?”

“Soon you will be permitted to roam about freely, but there are several designated ‘spots’ on the island. In these spots, there is what’s referred to as right of exclusive possession, and only the class that occupies that spot may exercise those rights. The class that obtains those rights is entirely free to determine how they wish to exercise them. However, rights of exclusive possession are only valid for a period of eight hours after being invoked, after which they are automatically revoked. That means that another class can acquire those rights at that time. Also, you gain one bonus point if you occupy a spot once. However, that point is provisional, and cannot be used during the testing period. Therefore, bonus points are calculated and added to your total after the test has ended. Because the school is constantly monitoring you, there is no room for fraud. Please be aware of that fact.”

“Huh? Huh? Well…wait, isn’t that super important, though?! Getting to add a point is awesome! Leave everything to us!”

“Let’s go looking right away!” Ike said to Yamauchi and the others, his eyes shining.

The manual went into the bonus point in great detail. Apparently, there was some kind of apparatus installed near each spot, one which showed rights of exclusive possession. It was unclear how many spots were on the island, but they were clearly important. However…

“I can understand your impatience, but be aware of the risks. After you take those risks into account, then you have to consider what to do. Everything is written in the manual.”

A specialized key card is required to occupy a spot. You can earn one point by occupying a spot each time. Occupied spots can be used freely.

You will receive a fifty-point penalty if you use a spot occupied by another class without permission.

Only a designated leader can use the key card.

It is impossible to change the leader without suitable justification. The manual outlined those rules. While Chabashira-sensei explained, I noticed details such as how the rights of exclusive possession were reset every eight hours; how if a space wasn’t occupied, you could take it immediately; how it was okay for the same class to occupy the same space repeatedly, etc. So if one class successfully managed to repeatedly hold onto three spots for eight hours at a time, that class could obtain fifty points or more by the end of the test. However, there were big risks associated.

With the rules established thus far, it looked like a simple matter of the early bird getting the worm. It seemed like a good system, if you were able to forcibly occupy spots over and over again.

But that was impossible. The final rule detailed why. On the seventh day, the last day of the test, you had the right to guess at the identity of the other class’ leader during roll call. If you managed to get it right, then you could obtain fifty points for each correct guess. Conversely, the other class would have to pay fifty points as compensation. If you moved to acquire a spot without caution, and your leader was discovered, then you could lose a great number of points. So, high risk, high reward.

However, the guesses couldn’t be hazarded without risk. If you happened to be mistaken, you would suffer a fifty-point penalty for being incorrect. In addition, a class whose leader had been found out would lose all of the bonus points they’d saved up until then. This rule made it so if you didn’t have much confidence, you would be hesitant to join the battle to occupy spots.

“One person must be chosen as the leader, no exceptions. However, you are free not to participate. Please tell me once you’ve selected someone. At that time, I will provide you with a key card stamped with the leader’s name. You have until roll call today. In the event that you do not decide by then, we will decide for you. That is all.”

In other words, the leader’s identity would be discovered if you only managed to glance at the card. With that, Chabashira-sensei seemingly finished with her explanation. The die was cast. Hirata immediately started taking action.

“We’ll have time later to think about who should be the leader. First, where will our base camp be? Do we camp somewhere around here, on the beach? Or do we go into the forest? We need to think carefully about our spot.”

The manual included a simple map of the island, with only its size and the shape drawn. Things like the total area of the forest and the topography were completely unknown. It was more like a blank sheet of paper.

“It looks like we need to fill in the necessary parts ourselves.” A ballpoint pen had been given to us as well, for that exact purpose.

“It’s good to have a spot near the boat where lots of teachers are, right?”

“No, I’m not too sure. There may not be anything here.”

If there was no water, then there was no food. Building a base in this location could possibly mean being as far away as possible from convenient resources. On top of that, the sunlight would be intense during the day, making the environment harsh. On the other hand, there would also be risks if we went too far into the forest.

“More importantly, I need to use the bathroom. I can’t hold it anymore.”

Sudou grabbed the simple toilet that Chabashira-sensei had made. We assembled the one-button tent and set it up a short distance away. Shinohara and the others observed the situation while huddled tightly together. Chabashira-sensei retreated. She probably meant to imply, “I’m not getting involved anymore. Do whatever you want.”

“Hey, Hirata-kun. Isn’t it better to decide ahead of time what we should do about the toilet?”

The toilet was definitely going to become an issue before long. The girls’ opinions were reasonable.

“Well, we can talk about a decision, but in the end don’t we just have to grin and bear it?”

“No, there could be another way.”

Hirata looked at the manual, and then looked back up.

“It says that temporary toilets can be purchased and installed using our points.”

Shinohara and the other immediately gathered around the manual. The functions of the temporary toilets appeared impeccable. The reference pictures made it look like a flushable toilet you’d see at home. If that were the case, then the girls would be well on board with it. However, the problem was that we needed to spend twenty points per toilet. It was difficult to judge whether that was expensive or cheap.

“We absolutely need it! I mean, I really don’t like that we have to spend points… But if we don’t, it’s just impossible!”

A lot of girls, triggered by Shinohara’s remarks, agreed. For the girls, having a toilet might outweigh having food or water. They didn’t intend to budge on this issue.

“W-wait a minute here, you guys! Twenty points?! Just for a toilet?!”

Ike reacted with horror. His desire to be economical and save points was all-consuming. Also, some of the guys could put up with using a cardboard toilet. They probably wanted to refrain from making unnecessary purchases as much as possible.

“Yes, as a toilet, that one’s good. But we already have this one! Right? We still have a lot of time left to use our points. It’s bad for us to splurge now!”

“You don’t get to decide that. Hirata-kun is going to consider all of our opinions and decide. Right, Hirata-kun?” Shinohara ignored Ike and pleaded with Hirata to buy a temporary toilet.

“I see. At the very least, having a toilet for the girls would be—”

“You’re free to consider everyone’s opinions, but that doesn’t mean you get to make decisions,” said Ike, frantically trying to stop Hirata, who appeared to be about to buy the toilet.

“Ah, shut up already! Karuizawa-san, say something, will you? We need a toilet!” Shinohara begged Karuizawa, the girls’ representative.

“Really? Well, I suppose it’ll be tough, but I really want class points. I guess I’ll just grin and bear it.” An unexpected response from Karuizawa, who seemed like she would’ve been first to complain. “The school has already prepared for our needs. I can endure it. If we take baths in the river and use what we have here, don’t you think everything will be fine?”

“But…Karuizawa-san!”

If Karuizawa said as much, then even the strong-willed Shinohara couldn’t oppose her openly. Many of the girls followed Karuizawa, after all. However, Yukimura suddenly joined the fight.

“It’s not as though I don’t understand the girls’ desire to have a temporary toilet. However, I’m not convinced that we ought to arbitrarily spend our points, whether it’s for boys or girls. I suppose if you want the toilet, then I’d like to at least make a decision after collecting a majority vote.”

He slid his glasses up his nose, voicing his disagreement in a rather aggressive tone.

“I’m just making a natural request for a girl, that’s all. It doesn’t involve boys at all.”

“A natural request? Doesn’t involve boys? I can’t understand that. Isn’t that simply a form of discrimination?”

“Discrimination? Ah, this is giving me a headache. Hirata-kun, please make them leave me alone.” Shinohara, unable to give up on the toilet matter, frantically pleaded for help.

“This test is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bridge our point gap with the other classes. We can’t use valuable points on things like temporary toilets. I have no intention of being in Class D forever. I don’t agree with Shinohara-san, who’s making arbitrary requests based on her personal wishes. I would like for us to uniformly decide upon a clear policy.”

“Huh? Are you trying to say that I’m not considering anything?” she asked.

“Even money can move based purely on instinct. I hate that women argue so emotionally.”

“Huh? That doesn’t mean that I want to use our points indiscriminately. What I’m saying is that we should have at least the bare minimum. Do you not understand that?”

“Both of you calm down. Yukimura-kun, I understand what you mean to say, but if you speak so belligerently we’re not going to resolve anything, are we? Let’s do this calmly.”

“Calmly? Don’t you agree that we should, under no circumstances, use our points arbitrarily?” Yukimura asked.

“Well…”

Hirata was caught in an increasingly fraught situation. He didn’t know what to do, yet frantically tried to mediate while doing his best not to show mounting concern.

“Class D has no leadership, which worries me. Besides, Hirata’s a pushover. He can’t even make one decision, can he?”

I stood a short distance away, watching the situation unfold. Horikita stood next to me. After realizing that it was unlikely any progress would be made, she sighed heavily.

“It looks like this test is going to be more complex and challenging than we thought…”

Horikita, oddly enough, looked perplexed.

“It’s a chance for us to get a lot of points. Are you okay, Horikita?”

When I looked at her in profile, she appeared a little annoyed rather than conflicted.

“I wonder. At this stage, I’m not optimistic enough to say it’ll be easy. I’m the same as the others. I’ve never lived in such an environment before, so I can’t really make any predictions. I realize now that this test is more complicated than we thought, and our position more precarious. I do want to increase our points, but I can’t come up with a good solution. What an unpleasant test.”

One group wanted to use points, one group didn’t want to use points, and one group wanted to use points only when necessary. Those were three fully split groups right there. Furthermore, there were some minor differences even within those separate factions.

This week would not be easy in a class of more than thirty people. The manual seemed to represent every difficulty we would face in uniting as a class, while simultaneously laying out our freedom. From a little further away, Chabashira-sensei watched our confrontation with cold eyes. She wasn’t going to appraise her students, though. After all, Class D was a collection of failures; we existed solely to fail. Was that the focus of this exercise?

“Horikita, what do you think?”

“Like Yukimura-kun says, I would like to get by without using unnecessary points. However, I’m not confident that I can make it through the week without satisfactory equipment. That’s just my honest opinion. However, I think that we ought to challenge ourselves, see how much we can endure. What do you say?”

“I think the same. There’s too much we don’t know,” I replied.

“Hey, look. Did Class A and Class B perhaps already decide what they’re doing?”

We turned toward a girl’s flustered voice. Although only a few minutes had passed, several students had gathered together and were heading into the forest. They were probably looking for the best place to set up base camp. It was almost symbolic of their superiority. Meanwhile, Classes C and D still lacked cohesion. We couldn’t even get off to a satisfactory start.

“Ah, damn it! This isn’t the time for a long, leisurely chat about toilets! I intend to do anything to protect our points. I’ll go look for camp areas and spots. Yukimura, Shinohara, and the rest of you, don’t start spending any points.”

“Got it. We don’t intend to.”

You couldn’t call Ike and Yukimura the best of friends, but apparently they could cooperate with a shared goal.

“Wait a minute, Ike-kun. It’s dangerous to go into the forest without a plan.”

“Will staying here and worrying solve anything? It won’t.”

The desire to go and the desire to stay clashed. However, Hirata wasn’t persuasive enough to stop Ike and the others.

“I’ll come back once I find a spot we can use. Then, after everyone moves there, we can talk. A simple plan, right?”

Did Sudou and Yamauchi also intend to search for spots? They gathered around an impatient Ike.

“Are you going too, Ayanokouji?” Sudou asked looking me in the eye. I casually shook my head.

“I don’t want you three to ever do anything alone. If you get lost, it’ll be trouble.” Hirata seemed to realize that he couldn’t stop this.

“We get it. All right, we’ll look for lots of stuff!”

Just as I’d thought, with no shade to block out the sunlight, it got really hot. While we’d spent time sitting here discussing things, we had all grown dehydrated.

“It’d be really tough to try building our campsite here.”

The intense heat made some of our classmates started whining. Hirata also seemed to realize just how difficult camping on the beach would be. If this were a genuine camp with an umbrella, a beach tent, and plenty of options for swimming in the ocean and protecting ourselves from the sun, that’d be one thing. But our current situation made that difficult.

“For the time being, how about we find a place in the shade? We can talk while we move.” Hirata took the initiative and started carrying the tent. The other guys followed suit.

“By the way. Did Sudou-kun tidy up the toilet properly?”

One of the girls looked anxious as she pointed to the toilet. It was true that Sudou had been empty-handed when he exited after going in to do his business. So at the very least, the inside was…

We left the toilet under the scorching sun. The inside of the tent would’ve been like a steam bath.

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