The work groups started moving smoothly. The boys began setting up the tents while the girls headed into different parts of the forest to gather fruits and anything edible they could find. The whole situation felt like one of those survival games.
The only difference was that games usually had a single-player option, while here you were forced to play with a group.
I let out a tired sigh as I dragged my feet through the camp to do my assigned role before Yukinoshita returned. She had left with Horikita to buy the things we needed and decide the leader whose name would be written on the card.
So far, things were going smoothly.
I stopped between the bushes, searching for fallen branches on the ground to use as firewood. I had no idea how much they would need, but at the very least I had to gather enough for cooking, boiling water, and starting a fire tonight.
We would probably need a lot.
Would I have to do this same job every single day?
What a pain.
Eventually, I found a few branches scattered on the ground. The important thing was that they were dry enough to burn. I started collecting as many as I could carry in one trip before returning them to camp.
At this rate, ten trips a day should be enough.
What if I gathered enough wood for the entire week now? Then I would be free afterward.
No, that was a terrible idea.
What if they wasted it all and forced me to work again?
I moved from tree to tree collecting firewood from the ground until I suddenly sensed movement above the trees.
Were there monkeys here too?
The school never told us anything.
Actually, they never told us anything at all.
I raised my head to investigate and found Kōenji sitting on top of a tree branch with his eyes closed.
Couldn't he find anywhere else to sit?
Or was he trying to escape work?
What a bastard.
I clenched my teeth in annoyance. I hated people who avoided work. It only meant more work for me.
Just look at him. He clearly had the physical strength and athletic ability to climb up there so easily. On top of that, he was weird enough that nobody approached him.
...Hah.
He might actually be suitable.
I usually hated talking to Kōenji, but this opportunity was too valuable to waste. Since he clearly had no intention of participating properly, and I wouldn't even be surprised if he returned to the ship and cost us thirty points, it would be better to use his weirdness for the class's benefit.
"Hey, Kōenji!"
I shouted loudly enough for him to hear me.
Maybe the signal was weak up there.
"Hm? What do you want?" he replied without even opening his eyes.
"You don't plan on participating in this exam, do you?"
"So you've been observing everyone, hm? Well, you're correct. I'll disappear soon and return to the ship, so keep that a secret between us," he said after opening one eye to look down at me.
Damn it, why doesn't he come down already? My neck was starting to hurt.
"Why won't you participate?"
"There's nothing in this tiny exam that interests me," he answered while brushing his blond hair back with one hand.
What an arrogant jerk.
Then what exactly would interest him?
I lowered my head and looked at the firewood that had fallen to the ground while thinking about what might change his mind.
Then I remembered what the chairman had said during summer vacation. Kōenji was searching for a way to reach Class A. Maybe he was also looking for ways to earn points.
I didn't have much to offer, but at least I could make him an offer.
I raised three fingers — my thumb, index finger, and middle finger — and held my hand upward.
"Thirty. Does that interest you?" I asked while staring at him, waiting for his response.
"Fufufufu… I knew you were different from the others. You understand how to play the game well."
Kōenji raised his hand and spread all five fingers.
"I'll accept fifty."
"Tch…"
Why was that so expensive?
"On one condition. You'll do a single task," I said after spreading all five of my fingers as well.
"Hm… Very well then. The deal is accepted."
Without any warning, Kōenji jumped directly from the tree to the ground. The impact sent dust flying everywhere.
"Payment upon delivery."
"Hah…?"
What was he talking about? Was I receiving a package or something?
"When we return to the ship, we'll receive our phones back," Kōenji said arrogantly.
"Oh… right. Fine."
"So, what exactly do you want me to do?" Kōenji asked while leaning against the tree.
"Almost nothing."
I explained the task he would be doing throughout the week. Other than that, he was free to wander around, sleep, or do whatever he wanted.
"Fufufufu… Normally I would never accept such a cheap price for my first-class services. But for such a trivial task, I shall make an exception. I'll spend the coming week here, Eighth Boy," Kōenji declared while laughing loudly like an idiot.
I finally understood.
...Eighth Boy?
Was he talking about me?
That was bullying, you know.
"Guys! Yukinoshita-san is back!"
One of the girls shouted loudly, immediately drawing everyone's attention toward her.
Yukinoshita had returned alongside several staff members carrying the supplies the class had purchased. The students quickly gathered around to inspect the items while Yukinoshita started scanning the area as if searching for someone.
"It's time to work," I said to Kōenji before walking toward Yukinoshita.
"Oh… Hikigaya-kun," Yukinoshita said after noticing me. Horikita was standing beside her as well.
"So you bought the supplies?" I asked while glancing toward the crowd.
"Yes. A proper toilet, fishing nets, additional tents, and cooking utensils. For now, that should be enough."
I supposed those were the essentials that would reduce the exam's difficulty for us.
But there was still one more thing.
"The card," I said flatly to Yukinoshita.
She nodded and slipped her hand into her pocket before pulling out a green card identical to the one Chabashira-sensei had shown us earlier.
Except this one had the name of Class D's leader written on it.
"Let's claim the area first," I said while walking toward the device.
Chabashira-sensei was standing beside it to guide us the first time.
Though honestly, her presence wasn't really necessary. All we had to do was scan the card, right?
"Kōenji, please stand here."
I turned toward him and spoke as politely as possible.
That arrogant bastard looked like the type who might change his mind at any second.
Kōenji slowly stood where I pointed. Even the girls and the teacher were staring at him with half-open mouths.
Nobody ever saw Kōenji working seriously like this.
Still, he was actually useful.
The moment he stood in front of us, he completely blocked the sunlight overhead. At this rate, even if someone tried spying on us, they probably wouldn't succeed.
The three of us stood in front of the device.
This was obvious.
Two decoys and one real leader.
The number of people standing there for misdirection didn't matter as much as the quality of the deception itself.
The area was officially claimed by Class D, and a timer immediately appeared on the device counting down from eight hours.
I handed the card to Kōenji, who was standing behind us.
"Here. Do whatever you want now, but come back after eight hours…"
Kōenji grabbed the card, shoved it into his pocket, and disappeared into the forest like a wild animal.
"Farewell, Eighth Boy!"
Was he really going to keep calling me by that stupid nickname?
"Are you really sure about this, Hikigaya-kun?" Yukinoshita asked while watching Kōenji disappear into the forest.
"I think this works well. We won't lose thirty points from his withdrawal, and we can make use of both his strength and his weird personality."
"What if he gives the card to another class?" Yukinoshita muttered.
"No. He won't."
"You trust him?" Horikita asked.
"No. But I trust my judgment," I replied while staring at the black device behind us, specifically the camera attached to it.
"I wonder how the Eighth Boy managed to convince Kōenji," Horikita said while placing a hand on her chin.
"Hey… enough already," I immediately turned toward her to stop her.
I refused to let my classmates start calling me by some weird nickname again.
"Even if he is strange, his taste in nicknames might not be that bad," Yukinoshita said while raising an eyebrow.
"Hey!"
I absolutely would not tolerate anyone calling me that.
Kōenji was weird, so he could do whatever he wanted.
But everyone else?
"Yukinoshita-san! We need firewood over here!" one of the girls shouted loudly.
"Alright," Yukinoshita replied before pushing me forward from behind.
"Go do your job, lumberjack," Yukinoshita said in a playful tone she normally never used.
A muffled laugh came from behind us.
I quickly turned around and found Chabashira-sensei holding a folder over her face to hide her expression.
Was she laughing at me?
Damn Class D.