"Really."
"Teacher Hoshinomiya is just like a child. I'll go call the teacher, so everyone, please wait a moment."
Ichinose smiled before quickly walking away, leaving everyone with helpless expressions.
Hikigaya took note of their reactions.
That smile—filled with exasperation, yet tinged with affection—was something he had only ever seen on elders dealing with an unruly child.
This relationship wasn't quite right.
Even in compulsory education, which only lasted up until high school, the power dynamics were typically clear. Yet here, it seemed reversed—almost as if the students were the ones looking after Teacher Hoshinomiya.
Soon.
Ichinose returned, leading Hoshinomiya Chie.
"Sorry, sorry~"
Hoshinomiya clasped her hands together, blinking innocently. She had a rather charming face, and despite their exasperation, Class B had no choice but to forgive her. After all, there was little they could do about this scatterbrained teacher.
"Everyone."
Ichinose tilted her head back slightly, glancing at the scorching sky before smiling.
"How about we find a shady spot first? We can talk there."
The sun was blazing, and standing under it for too long was unbearable. Everyone nodded in agreement and followed Ichinose into the woods.
Before leaving.
Hikigaya glanced toward Class D. The group was still standing in the sun, loudly arguing amongst themselves.
His gaze landed on Sae Chabashira, their teacher, and then on Tomoe Hoshinomiya, the teacher of another class.
Both were… not exactly the most reliable.
There wasn't enough information to make a firm judgment, but still—
Would Teacher Hoshinomiya betray her own class?
If she were that incompetent, she might as well surrender outright.
As a natural skeptic, Hikigaya didn't trust anyone, not even teachers.
Soon.
Class B found a spacious clearing within the woods.
Ichinose and the others gathered in a group, discussing their plans. Meanwhile, Hikigaya sat on a large rock three steps away, resting.
"Teacher."
Ichinose flipped through the manual and asked, "Can you explain how the possession rights and leader cards work?"
"Ah, let me see~"
Hoshinomiya moved beside her like an excited child, clinging to Ichinose's wrist as she read the manual.
"Oh, right! I remember now. There are several strongholds on the island. Once a class occupies one, they gain exclusive usage rights. You also get special points for capturing a stronghold. Just scan the leader's key card, and it registers your claim."
"But," Ichinose raised an eyebrow, "doesn't that mean you can farm unlimited points just by repeatedly occupying strongholds?"
Kanzaki and the others exchanged skeptical looks.
"Uh… let me see again."
Hoshinomiya's delicate fingers traced the text in the manual. A moment later, she tilted her head in confusion.
"Huh? It's not written here… Oh, wait! I remember now. The possession rights only last eight hours. Once time's up, the claim is automatically revoked. So be careful!"
…Really?
Hikigaya couldn't help but question whether this person was actually a teacher.
Seriously, Teacher Hoshinomiya, maybe you should go back to school yourself.
He sighed, glancing around. The surrounding bushes had clear signs of being trampled, proving that this wasn't a truly deserted island.
Recalling the rules he had read earlier:
A key card is required to claim a stronghold.
Occupying a stronghold grants one point and allows exclusive use.
Using another class's stronghold without permission results in a fifty-point deduction.
Only the leader can use the key card.
The leader cannot be replaced without a valid reason.
On the seventh day, there will be an exam to guess the leaders of the other classes.
Guess correctly? Steal 50 points from the other class.
Guess wrong? Lose 50 points and have all bonus points reset.
This exam wasn't just about survival—it was a battle of deception and strategy.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei."
Ichinose continued, "Where do we check in for roll call each day?"
"Don't worry!" Hoshinomiya puffed out her chest proudly. "The teacher will follow you all closely and make sure we don't get lost again—unlike last time..."
Hikigaya sighed. With her track record, he doubted that promise.
"Alright."
Ichinose nodded before addressing the class.
"Let's start by choosing a leader. Does anyone want to volunteer?"
"It has to be Honami-chan, right?"
"Yeah, she's the best choice."
A chorus of voices immediately echoed in agreement.
"Hmm, I'm not so sure."
Kanzaki shook his head. "Ichinose is too conspicuous. Other classes might guess she's our leader too easily."
"That's true."
Ichinose nodded apologetically.
"I'd prefer someone else to take the role. Anyone want to volunteer?"
Hikigaya's thoughts?
Who in their right mind would want to be leader?
It was a thankless job.
If you're exposed, you become the class's scapegoat.
You have to constantly check in at strongholds every eight hours—even at midnight.
There were zero benefits to taking this role.
Only a complete idiot would do it.
"I'll do it!"
Shibata Maosui immediately volunteered.
"No," Watanabe frowned, shaking his head. "Shibata and Kanzaki stand out too much—like Ichinose. If we have no other option, I'll do it instead."
Idiots.
Hikigaya stared blankly as several people signed up voluntarily.
He then noticed Himenoyuki silently taking a step back.
Their eyes met.
Her sharp glare made it clear—they were the only two normal people here.
"Wait, everyone, hold on."
Ichinose sighed, stopping the chaotic self-nominations. Her gaze swept over the group before landing on a certain individual.
Don't choose me. Don't choose me. Don't choose me.
Hikigaya quickly looked away, feeling like an elementary schooler trying to avoid the teacher's gaze.
Luckily—
"How about you, Juke? Would you like to be the leader?"
"Eh?"
Juke—who had been zoning out—suddenly tensed. Her voice came out in a near-whisper.
"But… I… I…"
"It's okay."
Ichinose stepped forward, gently placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Juke-chan, you might not talk much, but I know you're smart. And we'll all support you. Do you want to give it a try?"
"Um…"
After a moment's hesitation, Juke nodded.
Good choice.
Hikigaya agreed.
She was low-profile and unlikely to be suspected.
"To help conceal our leader, we'll need decoys when capturing strongholds."
Ichinose looked around.
"Let's do this—I, Kanzaki, and Hikigaya will be the cover. Any objections?"
"None." Kanzaki nodded.
"Wait—"
Hikigaya stood up in panic.
"Why me?!"
"I'll explain~" Ichinose smiled.
"The best decoy team needs a variety of personalities and skills. Someone popular like me, someone normal like Kanzaki, and someone observant and inconspicuous… like you, Hikigaya."
"And let's be honest—your observation skills are top-notch. That's been clear since day one."
"…That makes sense."
Hikigaya fell silent.
He'd been checkmated by Ichinose's flawless logic.
Lady Luck truly wasn't on his side today.
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