Once the dinner service ended, the students aboard the cruise ship gradually filtered out of the buffet hall.
Shikime Natsu parted ways with Kamuro Masumi and the others for the time being. Couples or not, the school still enforced strict regulations when it came to group activities — especially sleeping arrangements.
Class A students had been assigned to the lower-deck cabin block. The luxury liner's facilities were undeniably opulent, but with four classes of students plus staff — a total headcount north of 160 — the school hadn't gone so far as to give everyone a private room. Instead, they'd opted for the standard configuration: four-person quarters.
Even so, the rooms were far more spacious and comfortable than anyone had expected. Soft carpet underfoot, an en-suite bathroom, and even a small porthole window looking out onto the vivid blue expanse of the sea.
It was in one of those corridors, on his way back to his cabin, that Shikime Natsu caught sight of a familiar figure.
Horikita Suzune.
She was walking alone up ahead, a book in hand — something called For Whom the Bell Tolls, not Crime and Punishment this time. Natsu had half-assumed Horikita was the type to read the same book dozens of times over, but apparently she did branch out after all.
"Hey there, Horikita-san."
Natsu walked up naturally, greeting her with an easy smile.
At the sound of his voice, Horikita Suzune stopped and turned. Those wine-red eyes swept over him with a calm, level gaze — no particular warmth, but no hostility either.
"Good evening, Shiki-san."
That was all. Without another word, she produced her keycard, swiped open the door beside her, walked through it, and pulled it shut behind her with a soft click.
Staring at that firmly closed door, Natsu raised an eyebrow. It had only been a fleeting glance, but with his photographic memory, he'd already catalogued what he'd seen — and something about Horikita Suzune had been off.
That beautiful, refined face of hers had carried an expression that was subtly strained. Was she coming down with something?
Well... the ship would have medication on board. It wouldn't clear up overnight, but a pill or two ought to make things more bearable. Natsu decided not to dwell on it.
Of course, if he hadn't noticed that she seemed physically unwell, he'd have had a bone to pick with her. However you looked at it, Horikita Suzune had become something of an ally — a friend, even, in the context of the mission involving Horikita-senpai. The way she'd just said hello and walked straight into her room without so much as a second glance? That was genuinely rude. Something wasn't adding up.
After that brief, inconclusive encounter, Natsu returned to his own cabin. He pushed the door open to find that his three roommates had already settled in.
Katsuragi Kouhei. Totsuka Yahiko. And Hashimoto Masayoshi.
"Oh, Shiki-san's back."
Totsuka Yahiko was the first to greet him, his voice warm and enthusiastic. Katsuragi Kouhei gave a measured nod in acknowledgment.
The three of them were seated around the small round table in the centre of the room, a cruise ship guidebook spread open between them. Whatever they'd been discussing, it clearly had some weight to it.
"What's all this? You look busy."
Natsu shut the door behind him and pulled up a chair, settling in with an air of relaxed curiosity.
Hashimoto Masayoshi shrugged, tapping the booklet on the table with a grin. "As you can see, Leader — Katsuragi was just speculating about what kind of trial the school might have lined up for us."
"And everyone's been wondering the same thing," Totsuka Yahiko chimed in. "When exactly is this so-called 'special exam' going to kick off?"
"My guess?" Natsu leaned back in his chair, a faint, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Probably tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!"
The word landed like a stone. Everyone stared at him.
"Isn't that a little... rushed?" Katsuragi Kouhei frowned, his voice measured and analytical. "We only boarded today. Surely the school would give us at least a day or two to settle in?"
"Settle in?"
Natsu let out a quiet laugh. "Katsuragi — do you remember when we first enrolled?"
"Did the school give us any settling-in time back then?"
"That so-called 'one-month assessment period' — didn't it start the very moment we stepped through the school gates, without anyone telling us?"
A beat of silence. Then, one by one, the expressions around the table shifted into understanding.
Right.
That was just how this school operated. It had never been the soft, hand-holding type. From the 100,000-point trap at the very start, to the parade of hidden rules that followed — the school had always communicated its survival-of-the-fittest philosophy through the harshest means possible. The fact that they'd been allowed to enjoy even half a day of cruise life was, by this institution's standards, practically an act of generosity.
"In that case..." Hashimoto Masayoshi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "What does Leader think the exam will actually involve?"
"Physical training, most likely." Natsu glanced over at the bag sitting beside him. "The school specifically told us to bring sportswear. If it were a mental aptitude test, there'd be no need for that."
Hearing that, the normally composed Katsuragi Kouhei let out a quiet sigh, a flicker of concern crossing his face.
"If it's physical... I'm not exactly in my element."
He was, through and through, a strategist. His physical condition wasn't poor by any measure — but it was nowhere near exceptional. The thought of dragging the class down because of his fitness in an upcoming exam was something his deeply ingrained sense of responsibility simply could not stomach.
Watching that all-too-earnest expression, Natsu gave an easy wave of his hand.
"Relax, Katsuragi."
"Every test this school has run so far — from the conduct assessment at the start to the midterms and finals — has basically been a team event, fought at the class level."
"And in a team event, the whole class fights together."
"If one person's a little weaker in one area, the others cover for them. Simple as that."
"When the time comes — we'll just make sure we score enough to cover it." He said it lightly, almost offhandedly — but coming from him, the words carried a quiet, unshakeable conviction.
Totsuka Yahiko and the others nodded along readily.
"Exactly! As long as we stick with Shiki-san, we'll be fine!"
Just as the conversation was hitting its stride —
Ping. Ping. Ping.
All at once, every phone in the room buzzed.
A new email notification.
Natsu pulled out his phone and opened it.
As expected.
The contents confirmed everything he'd suspected.
[Notice: During the first scheduled week, all students will be spending their time on an island owned by the school. Estimated arrival time is tomorrow morning. The second week will be spent aboard the cruise ship to enjoy the remainder of your vacation.]
Everyone exchanged glances. The picture was becoming clear.
"So... the venue for the first exam is that so-called uninhabited island."
Hashimoto Masayoshi let out a low whistle. "Geez... this school really does have money to burn."
"They actually own a private uninhabited island. That's on another level entirely."
Lights out. An uneventful night.
The next morning.
As the first light of dawn pierced through the thin mist above the water, the ship's intercom crackled to life, shattering the quiet of early morning.
[Attention, all students. If you have a moment, we strongly encourage you to make your way to the deck. We are approaching the island, and you will soon be treated to a very meaningful view.]
The announcement repeated twice.
Back in their cabin, Natsu and the others immediately looked at one another.
On a normal tour group, an announcement like that would just be a guide reminding people to look at the scenery.
But here...
In this particular school, every word could carry hidden meaning.
Getting a look at the island might offer some advantage in the exam ahead — none of them hesitated. They were up, presentable, and moving within minutes, joining the stream of students drawn by the same announcement as they made their way to the wide open deck.
A considerable crowd had already gathered.
Students lined the railings, gazing out into the distance.
At the edge of the horizon, a lush, verdant island sat in quiet stillness upon the deep blue sea. Dense forest blanketed most of its surface, the perimeter ringed by white sand beaches and jagged outcroppings of rock.
The moment that island came into view —
A keen light flickered through Shikime Natsu's eyes. In the span of a few seconds, he committed it all to memory: the terrain, the distribution of vegetation, even the direction of the coastline, etched permanently into his mind. No dangerous wildlife was apparent on the island — nothing like bears or other large predators. From what the environment suggested, there were no immediate threats either.
The cruise ship did not sail directly for a dock.
Instead, it began a slow, deliberate circuit around the island at a comfortable distance.
The island wasn't especially large — roughly 0.5 square kilometres in area, with its highest point sitting at approximately 230 metres above sea level.
The ship completed one full loop around the island.
The intent was obvious — this was an opportunity for the students to observe the full lay of the land. It was further confirmation of what Natsu had already concluded: this was the exam venue.
When the circuit was complete, the intercom came on again.
[We will shortly be landing on the island owned by our school. All students are requested to change into their sportswear within 30 minutes and, after confirming that you have your designated bags and luggage, to assemble on deck with your mobile phone only. All other personal belongings are to be left in your cabins.]
[As facilities on the island will be limited, the ship's restrooms are still available for use at this time. Please be sure to take care of any personal needs before disembarking.]
For Class A, the announcement came without much surprise — though there was still a sting of reluctance. A "vacation," they'd been promised, and the only real taste of it had been that half-day or so after they'd first boarded.
They returned to their cabins, changed into their uniform sportswear as instructed, and headed back to the designated deck — phones and regulation bags in hand, nothing more.
By the time they arrived, their homeroom teacher Mashima Tomoya was already waiting.
He stood with a bullhorn in hand, his immaculate suit rippling faintly in the sea breeze.
As the Class A students trickled in and he began the roll call, his gaze swept the assembled group — and paused when it landed on Sakayanagi Arisu, standing among the others in her sportswear.
Even for him, a flicker of surprise crossed that typically stoic face.
He was well aware that Sakayanagi had a congenital heart condition, and that she rarely participated in PE class under normal circumstances.
And yet —
Right now, Sakayanagi Arisu looked the picture of health. Her colour was good, her bearing alert and full of energy — nothing at all like a girl of frail constitution.
"Is her condition... cyclical, perhaps?"
Mashima mused quietly to himself. In the month since school had started, there had indeed been one stretch where Sakayanagi had appeared completely healthy — though she'd spent the bulk of the time with her cane, as usual.
Still, since Sakayanagi herself had raised no objection, and her father Chairman Sakayanagi hadn't sent him any particular signals, and she was clearly in fine form right now — as her homeroom teacher, he had no grounds to say anything about it.
Roll call complete, Mashima waved the Class A students into an orderly disembarkation, collecting all mobile phones before they stepped off.
Once every class had filed down in turn and assembled on the rough, makeshift jetty —
Mashima Tomoya raised the bullhorn once more, addressing the assembled first-year students, many of whom still wore expressions of vague bewilderment.
"First of all — congratulations on making it here safely."
"Now then... we will be commencing the first, and most important, special exam of this academic year."
At those words, from somewhere in the Class D contingent not far away, an explosion of disbelief rang out.
"Hah?! A special exam?!"
"You've got to be kidding me!!"
Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji stared with eyes wide enough to fall out of their heads, the dopey grins that had been plastered on their faces freezing solid in an instant.
They had genuinely believed — truly, sincerely believed — that this trip was just a leisurely getaway to a scenic uninhabited island. Sun, sand, fresh air. A holiday.
They'd even spent last night fantasising about whether there'd be girls in bikinis.
And now...
This was a special exam?!
It hadn't been that long since the two of them — bottom-of-the-barrel students, both — had barely scraped through hell week finals with Hirata Yousuke and the others dragging them across the finish line, saving them from expulsion by the skin of their teeth.
They'd thought they could finally breathe. Finally enjoy summer vacation.
And instead —
They hadn't even caught their breath, and here came another special exam. On a godforsaken uninhabited island, no less.
Who could possibly put up with this?!
"I'm done! I want to go back to the ship!"
"We were lied to! This school is nothing but a con!"
The Class D corner erupted into a torrent of aggrieved complaints.
Mashima Tomoya didn't so much as glance in their direction. He continued reading the rules at an even, unhurried pace.
"The duration of this special exam is one week from this moment, concluding at noon on August 7th."
"During that week, you will live as a self-sufficient group on this uninhabited island."
"That is the content of the exam."
A fresh wave of murmuring rippled through the crowd.
Group living? Surviving on an uninhabited island?
"Furthermore —"
Mashima added:
"During the exam period, returning to the cruise ship is strictly prohibited except in cases of legitimate necessity — severe illness or injury, for instance."
"Every aspect of life on this island — finding somewhere to sleep, securing daily food and fresh water — is entirely the students' responsibility to think through and resolve."
"The school will provide only the most basic supplies at the outset: two tents, each capable of accommodating eight people; two torches; and one box of matches."
"In addition, sunscreen will be available without restriction, and each student will be issued a toothbrush."
"As a special consideration for the female students' circumstances, feminine hygiene products may be requisitioned without limit."
Mashima paused, sweeping a look across the assembly.
"That is the full extent of what the school will provide free of charge."
The moment those words landed, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki promptly lost their minds again.
"Are you serious?! Two tents?! There are forty of us!"
"What about food?! Water?! Are we supposed to eat grass and drink seawater?!"
"I protest! This is cruel and unusual punishment!"
Right as the two of them hit peak hysteria —
An icy voice cut through their noise like a blade:
"Shut up. It's not your turn to speak. If you don't like it, write up your withdrawal papers right now — I'll personally see you back to the ship."
"Your behaviour is an embarrassment. You should know that the world is full of all kinds of companies and workplaces: bizarre training regimens, offices with no chairs, firms that determine your salary by throwing dice. The world is considerably wider and stranger than anything you've imagined. Though I suppose there's no point telling you two — you wouldn't understand regardless."
Chabashira Sae stood with her arms folded, regarding the two of them with an expression of undisguised impatience.
Her words made both boys' moods plummet even further — though it did, at least, stop them from saying anything more.
"My, my — Sae-chan, that was rather harsh, wasn't it? Everyone, please don't let Sae-chan's little speech get you down. She only said it because she doesn't want any of you losing confidence."
At that moment, Hoshinomiya Chie stepped over with a bright smile and addressed the group.
At the sight of her, Chabashira Sae's brow furrowed. This woman — once her closest friend, now someone she'd had a falling-out with — what exactly was she playing at, stepping in now with a line like that?
"Relax, Sae-chan. Don't make that scary face. I'm not going to do anything~"
Catching Chabashira's expression, Hoshinomiya Chie laughed softly — though the eyes behind that smile held not a trace of warmth.
With the disruption settled, Mashima Tomoya pressed on, adding further details to the exam's framework.
"Now then — the theme of this exam is freedom."
"At the start of the exam, each class will be issued 300 exam-exclusive points."
"These points can be used to exchange for various supplies and recreational equipment at the temporary island store."
He held up a thick, well-produced booklet.
"Food, fresh water, camping tools — even barbecue grills and leisure equipment. Anything listed in this Guide Handbook can be freely exchanged."
At that, more than a few eyes lit up.
If that was the case... maybe it wasn't going to be quite so dire after all?
With 300 points available, it actually seemed like they could live fairly comfortably.
But then Mashima's next words made every heart in the crowd jolt.
"Of course."
"These 300 exam-exclusive points — any amount remaining when the exam concludes..."
"Will be converted directly into... class points."
"!!"
300 class points.
What did that mean?
It meant every student in the class could earn an extra 30,000 private points per month.
For Class A, this was nothing short of critical. The gap between Class A and Classes B and C hadn't been stretched all that wide yet — if Class A ended this exam empty-handed while B and C walked away with 300 class points each, the standings could flip in an instant, sending Class A tumbling down to C's position.
Standing within the Class C ranks, Ryuuen Kakeru felt a predatory gleam flash through those sharp, dangerous eyes.
This was Class C's golden opportunity — not just to claw back from the brink, but to leapfrog Class A entirely in a single stroke.
And for Class D's Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki, those 300 points were nothing less than a lifeline.
With that kind of money... the debts they'd racked up, the hand-to-mouth existence they scraped through every month — all of it might finally have a solution. No more choking down the free wild-greens meal set.
Of course, neither of them had any intention of paying back the personal points Hirata Yousuke had lent them. Hirata was a good person. And besides — once the class points went up, Hirata would be getting more personal points anyway, and since they hadn't dragged the class down, that basically rounded out to the same thing as paying him back. Roughly speaking.
In an instant, the Class D contingent — until moments ago a swamp of complaints — ignited with fierce, burning motivation.
Watching that sudden surge of fighting spirit, Mashima Tomoya gave a satisfied nod.
"Finally, two additional points."
"First — each class will be issued one Guide Handbook. If it is lost, replacement will cost points, so please guard it carefully."
"Second —"
His expression turned grave.
"Any student who withdraws mid-exam and returns to the cruise ship — whether due to illness, injury, or any other reason..."
"Their class will face a severe penalty: 30 exam-exclusive points deducted per withdrawal."
"Dismissed. Further rules will be explained by each class's homeroom teacher."
____
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