Three months have passed since the entrance, and by the time the new students had grasped the workings of this school, it was time for representatives from the four classes to gather to devise a strategy for the survival exam.
Yagami proposed a simple gathering to maintain confidentiality, and it was agreed that the leaders or those closest to it from each class would attend. However, crucially, there was no response from Class D, and the end of the school day approached.
In the hallway lined with first-year classrooms, the first to appear was Takuya Hagami from Class B, perhaps feeling the need to be seen first as the originator of the idea.
Shortly after, Riku Utomiya from Class C showed up.
"It seems it's just Yagami for now."
"Hey, Utomiya -kun. Somehow, I thought you'd join in."
"I'm not the leader type, but since other students didn't want to go..."
"It means they trust you. I saw the OAA, and the social contribution aspect has risen to B, you know."
Yagami smiled as he said this.
"We lost a comrade. Frankly, I think that loss is quite significant."
"I didn't expect Hatano-kun to drop out. It was very disappointing."
Hayano was a valuable student from Class C with an academic ability of A. But he got involved in a penalty action that led to immediate expulsion, and that was the fatal blow. The first-year students, who had been somewhat relaxed, were reminded once again of the severity of this school.
As the two discussed, the third person to appear was...
"Oh! Riku and Takuya, of course it's you guys!"
Approaching with a loud voice and waving to the two, was Osamu Takahashi from Class A. Though his academic ability was on the lower side, at C+, he was skilled at befriending anyone and was often called upon for discussions.
"If Osamu-kun is here, does that mean we're being burdened with another problem?"
"Our leader hates troublesome things, so it's up to me in these situations."
"Well, if Osamu's here, the discussion should go smoothly."
As Utomiya suggested, it wasn't necessary for leaders to attend these discussions. Conversely, it was more appreciated to have someone skilled in conversation present.
"Now, it's just Kazuomi left?"
There were about three minutes left until the meeting time. If he didn't show up, the three would proceed with the discussion without hesitation.
"Maybe we should just form alliances at this stage? My true intention is to isolate Class D and crush them as soon as possible."
"I understand what Riku means. Our class is quite frustrated with this situation too. But isn't it still too early to give up on them?"
"On a deserted island, you need more than just academic ability. While they may be at the bottom academically, they might excel in other important areas."
In the midst of discussions where Yagami follows up on proposals to dismiss the D-class in Utomiya, Takahashi occupies an intermediate position. Amidst such deliberations, the man who was being discussed calmly reveals himself.
"What perfect timing, Kazuomi."
Takahashi spoke to him in a friendly manner without hesitation.
"Don't address me so familiarly, or I'll kill you."
Takahashi's intimidating remark made Yagami and Utomiya turn their eyes back to him.
"Have you decided to cough up the money?"
"That's not a funny joke. I don't have a single point to give you."
"Now, now, let's calm down. If we start off confrontational, we won't get anywhere with the discussion."
"Then let's all get together and start the discussion. Regarding the group—"
"Don't just start things on your own."
Hōsen shoved Takahashi's shoulder, causing Takahashi to stumble backwards. Utomiya, who didn't like this act, glared strongly at Hōsen.
"Let's not bring your violence into this."
"Oh? Are you trying to stop me?"
"If necessary, I will."
"Hah, interesting. Give it a try."
Takahashi, who had stumbled and fallen on his buttocks after raising his left hand, hurriedly shouts.
"Wait, wait, wait! I just slipped and fell, so calm down, Riku."
"Is that what happened?"
"Unfortunately, I'm not as kind as Takahashi."
"In that case, why don't you show me?"
As Hosen clenched his fist, Utomiya grabbed his arm.
"Oh...?"
Hosen grinned happily at the strength of Utomiya's grip. It seemed that Utomiya was prepared to fight if necessary, not just putting on a show.
"It seems like I can have some fun with you. I'll save the excitement for later."
"Are you considering violence as fun?"
"Yeah, it's fun."
"Ridiculous. But if you want it, I can give it to you right here, right now. But only if you agree not to lay a hand on any of our classmates again."
"Hey hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
"I suspect you for Hatano's expulsion. He wasn't the type to resort to cheating so easily."
"And you think it's me?"
"Who else could it be?"
"Both of you, calm down. If Riku takes the bait, it's exactly what Kazuomi wants."
"That's right, that's right. We need to focus on survival now."
"Oh right, I remember now. For the next exam, we can team up with students from other classes, can't we?"
"What about it?"
"If you're really desperate, you can beg me to team up with you, Utomiya."
"Don't joke. Even if you're the only one left, I won't team up with you."
"That's cold."
Observing their interaction, Yagami chose his moment to speak.
"The exam might seem absurd, but first-year students have to face it in a significantly disadvantaged position. If we can't cooperate, we might become easy prey for upperclassmen."
"Don't underestimate us, Yagami. Whether it's second-years or third-years, I'm confident I can take them down. It doesn't matter if it's Ryuen or Aynoakoji... and especially Horagasaki, I really want to crush him."
"I teamed up with Horagasaki-senpai for the last exam! He's so cool, isn't he?"
Takahashi said so, followed by Yagami, looking puzzled.
"Why Horagasaki-senpai? Certainly, his OAA is generally high, but there's nothing particularly outstanding about him."
"What? He's not outstanding? He's quite formidable. That's why I want to crush him myself."
"Hmph, he should've given up when his spirit was broken."
"Not like I lost, though."
"True, that's how it sounds."
As what Utomiya said wasn't wrong, there seemed to be no room for argument from Hosen.
"There are certainly students who surpass us individually in talent, but it's a fact that first-year students are inferior in terms of overall ability. So, we thought as first-year groups, we need to form at least one 'Four-Person Group'. We gather students who can confidently say they won't lose against upperclassmen, just as you think, Hosen."
"So, we're not competing for class points in this exam?"
Utomiya expressed discomfort with Yagami's proposal to discard class points. But it was only because of Yagami's opinion that they could avoid being defeated by upperclassmen.
"I want you to lend a hand, Hosen-kun, understanding that you alone are enough to fight against the seniors."
"Alright, I'll cooperate."
"What's your intention, Hosen?"
"What do you mean? You think I'll just humor your cute request and help out?"
"Then let's hear your conditions."
"The absolute condition is to place D-class students in the two vacant slots."
"What?"
Expressing displeasure with Hosen's proposal, which only benefited their class, Utomiya spoke up.
"I see. So, if we can't accommodate the two D-class students, then the four of us must clear it together, right?"
"We'll prepare the strongest four. It won't matter who wins or loses, right?"
"Don't mess around, Hosen."
"I'm not messing around. If you don't like it, then you leave."
"You...!"
As Utomiya approached Hosen aggressively, Yagami intervened between them.
"Let's calm down. Our top priority is to unite ourselves. Also, another reward items, to prevent disputes, let's adjust it slightly during the entire year so that we can maximize its effect. It's also important to gather students with insufficient abilities in groups that seem likely to sink and give them Half Reduction Cards. Can we agree on that, Hosen-kun?"
"Do as you like."
...…
I stopped by the convenience store, and a drawn-out voice was directed at me as I was paying.
"Um..."
In her hands were two stick candies.
"Do you need something?"
Because there's a bounty on Kiyotaka among the first-year students, I'm a bit cautious. Wait, is this girl Tsubaki?
"I have something I want to talk about, so could you wait outside for a bit?"
With a somewhat absent-minded demeanor, Tsubaki finishes paying for the candy. I waited for a while, but since there was no sign of them coming out, I turned around. Tsubaki was looking in my direction and seemed to be talking to someone on the phone.
"Sorry for the wait~."
"You made me wait too long."
"Don't say that~ Here, take this~"
Saying so, She gave me one of the candies. Hey, why don't you try working as a mascot? You could attract little kids with candies instead of balloons.
"Thank you..."
"No problem~"
While giving an absent-minded reply, Tsubaki starts walking, peeling off the candy wrapper with slender fingers.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
"I have something to convey~"
Even though I thought about the contents, there was no sign of them starting to speak. Seriously, what's up with this girl? So, I decided to stay quiet and focus on licking the candy. In terms of composition, Tsubaki and I were silently facing each other while licking candies. What's with this surreal situation?
"Tsubaki, I'm bored, Can I go back?"
" Please wait~"
Shortly after, Riku Utomiya with blue wolf hair walks over. He nods lightly and joins us.
"Sorry for having you hear me out like this."
"It's fine, but what's the matter?"
First-years rarely talk to me. Is it about the special exam, or something about Kiyotaka?
"It's about Kazuomi Hōsen."
It was unexpected for him to bring this up. Why Kazuomi? But it starts to make sense.
"Horagasaki-senpai, you defeated Hōsen through violence, right?"
Why is he asking me about that...? Probably because it's Hōsen. He'd be like, "I'll crush that Horagasaki guy!"
"Hōsen is showing a non-cooperative attitude, even in this exam."
I see, even after I beat him up, that Rajang still keeps his arrogant attitude.
"So, there's something, right?"
"We're thinking of giving him a surprise in the deserted island survival."
His polite tone turns rough, and he clenches his lips.
"But you don't know the rules or details, right?"
"Well... It's true that we can't guarantee that we can set up something against the other groups. But since competition is inevitable, I assume there will be some involvement."
That prediction is undoubtedly correct, considering it's a group versus group scenario.
"Hōsen doesn't have many private points now. So, even if he retires early, the penalty won't be light. Despite being first-years, he won't be able to afford Hōsen's retaliation."
I see, so if things go that way, Hōsen will be forced to drop out.
"So, you want to make Hōsen drop out?"
"Yes... That's right."
Oops, Utomiya-kun's politeness seems to have slipped. But without hesitation, he asserts it. I ask just to be sure.
"Why do you want that?"
"A male student named Hatano from our class was forced to drop out. I suspect Hōsen's involvement in this matter."
They must have gathered some clues to name him directly.
"Revenge, huh?"
"Of course, saying that we don't hold any grudges would be a lie. But what's important is not to have any more unnecessary dropouts."
"Yeah, thanks to that, our class points are -100."
Tsubaki mumbles with boredom while licking the candy. Now that I think about it, I remember you.
"I get the reason, but why does this concern me?"
"Hōsen is strong. There aren't many in the first-year who can beat him in combat. That's why it's you who defeated him instantly."
As Utsunomiya says this, I notice Tsubaki's eyebrows twitching slightly, seeming disinterested. Well, judging by Utomiya's attitude, he seems serious about pushing Hōsen. Tsubaki, I don't really understand, but it seems like you're willing to cooperate with Utomiya.
"Please lend us your hand."
"I can't just say 'YES' without knowing anything."
"Then, could you keep cooperation in mind? If we could make Hōsen retire early and drop out, we will offer a corresponding reward at that time."
A reward, huh? But frankly, I'm not in need of points.
"I don't need it."
"Huh?"
As I say that, Utomiya looks at me with a puzzled expression.
"I've been saving points since my first year to live comfortably. Well, if I feel like it, I might help. Depending on the situation."
As I say that, he wears a troubled expression. He probably didn't expect my response to be this casual. Well, I have no intention of helping.
"But remember this. I want to defeat Hōsen."
Emphasizing that point, the two of them leave. Even though there was contact, the Kiyotaka-related matter remains a mystery. Well, for now, I'll just watch from the sidelines. Unless he comes after me.
=================================
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Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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Creation is hard, cheer me up!