(Aoi 's perspective)
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It was 4 a.m. The sea stretched endlessly before me, dark and quiet, the breeze carrying a slight chill. I stood alone on the deck of the ship, hands in my pockets, eyes locked on the faint line of the horizon. But I wasn't truly alone.
"I know you're there, Ichika Renji," I said flatly, not turning around.
From the shadows behind me, Ichika emerged with his usual smug aura, like a cat playing with a mouse. "So you still remember my name, huh?" he said, voice laced with amusement.
Of course I did. I don't forget insects who buzz around my brother.
"When I volunteered to assist with this year's survival gauntlet, I reviewed the security footage," I said. "I saw what you've been doing—playing games with Kei. Toying with him like he's your personal entertainment."
Ichika didn't deny it. He never does. "Well, yes. But I was under the impression he lost the strategy role-playing game, didn't he?"
I turned to face him now, letting my gaze pierce into him. "No. He won."
That wiped the smirk off his face for a second. "Oh? Then has he finally abandoned his mediocrity?"
I scoffed. "Hardly. Kei's still pretending to be lazy. When he led those two deadweights to victory, that bastard Kaito took all the credit like the pathetic little parasite he is."
Ichika tilted his head. "So… does that mean you're proud of your little brother now?"
I narrowed my eyes. "I don't have time for your games, Ichika. In a few hours, we'll reach the island. Go get some sleep."
But he didn't move. Of course not. "One question, Aoi," he said, leaning forward slightly. "When you were still at NIFL… were you in Class 1-A?"
"Yes," I said without hesitation. "Naturally."
"Was there anyone who matched your intellect? Anyone who caught your interest?"
I shook my head. "Across all three years at NIFL, there was no one even close. I carried Class A on my back. Everyone else? Just numbers."
Ichika's tone grew more curious. "So what happened to your old classmates?"
I stared out at the sea again. "Some became members of the House of Representatives. Others turned into corporate suits. One even joined the FBI. All of them… successful in their own right."
Ichika gave a low whistle. "Impressive. So they made it, huh?"
I let the silence answer him before snapping, "Enough. Go to bed."
He finally turned to leave, but I stopped him with one last thing. "Ichika."
He looked back over his shoulder. "Yes?"
"You're going to lose to my brother."
He smirked again. "Oh? And why's that?"
"Because," I said, with calm certainty, "he has the blood of the Fushimiya family."
Ichika chuckled as he walked away, that smug grin never leaving his face. "You really are an egoist, Aoi."
But I didn't respond.
I just kept staring out at the sea, the storm clouds beginning to form in the distance—both in the sky and in the game about to begin.
---
(Kei perspective)
It was finally time.
We made it to the island.
Everyone had changed into their survival gear—standard issue: durable black track suits with each class's symbol stitched into the arm. The nerves in Class D were practically visible. They fidgeted, whispered, glanced around like cornered prey. Understandable. They were the lowest-ranked class, and they knew it. No one expected them to last.
Class B, on the other hand, radiated confidence. Kaito and his little circle of "clever kids" were riding high after the last exam. I could already see it in Kaito's eyes—he wasn't just aiming for victory. He wanted domination. The kind that leaves scars.
Class A was the opposite. Cold. Silent. Focused. Like wolves waiting for the first sign of weakness. Reika met my gaze and smirked. I didn't return it. I didn't need to. I already knew what she was thinking. Once they crushed Class B, Class C was next. And I wasn't going to let that happen.
Still... Kaito wouldn't go down without a fight. His ego wouldn't allow it. And ego can be useful in the right hands.
Aoi stood at the front of the gathered students. His posture was perfect, his tone clinical.
"Hello, NIFL students. I will now explain the rules of this survival exam and things to note down."
Here we go.
"One: Everything you do will be monitored. There are five drones across this island tracking activity from all classes."
So every move we make could be watched. Good to know.
"Two: You can still earn points here by hunting animals, collecting berries, and creating meals using gathered resources. And—"
Aoi was cut off by Daiko, loud as ever.
"Wait—wait, go back. Animals? Like, tigers?!"
Aoi rolled his eyes, adjusted his glasses. "No, I mean chickens, rabbits, and fish. Now be quiet, you brat."
Daiko clenched his fists, ready to snap. Before he could take a step, Haruto barked out sharply, "If you even think about it."
Daiko froze. I said nothing. Just observed.
"Three," Aoi continued. "A student can forfeit this special exam. But remember: the prize for winning is 5,000 class points. Each forfeiting student subtracts 500 points from that total."
The class murmured around me. I didn't bother reacting.
"Four: You can claim territory using the provided spray paint. One claim per day. Violating this rule results in disqualification. Trespassing into another class's territory also leads to disqualification."
Interesting. That meant territory wars were a given.
"And five: Violence is allowed—so long as it doesn't land anyone in the hospital."
I felt my eyes widen slightly.
So… it was open season. Class A was bound to exploit that. Kaito would too. And Daiko? He didn't need permission to be reckless—just an excuse.
Aoi paused, scanning us all. Then his eyes locked on me.
"I recommend each and every one of you stop holding back," he said, "or those around you will pay the price."
That was for me. I knew it. And so did Ichika—he was smirking from the far side of the field like he heard every unspoken word.
Aoi finished with one final announcement. "Every class will be given a cardboard bathroom and a trash bag for disposal. Dump it in the sea after use."
Groans rippled through the girls. A few quiet protests. No one cared.
Then the helicopters arrived. Four of them. Each one assigned to a class. We were being dropped at different corners of the island. Smart.
Class A went first. They jumped without hesitation, skydiving down like professionals. Show-offs.
Class B scoffed—but I noticed some of them mentally tracking the direction Class A went. Strategic, I'll give them that. They jumped next.
Class D screamed the whole way down. I always hated how loud they were. They were supposed to be students, not kindergarteners.
Then it was our turn.
Daiko looked like he'd seen death. His knees wobbled. One of the girls was shaking. Mei looked like she was going to faint.
"Do we really have to skydive?" Daiko asked, his voice cracking.
Haruto stepped in, calm as always. "Don't worry. You'll be fine."
"You sure—" Before Daiko could finish, Haruto shoved him out of the helicopter.
Daiko's scream echoed. "HARUTOOOOO!"
Haruto laughed. That bastard.
I looked at Mei. She was frozen, hugging herself.
"I can't do it," she whispered. "I just can't."
I sighed. Typical.
"Let's jump at the same time," I said, keeping my voice even.
She hesitated. "You think it'll help?"
"It will."
"No... I'm sorry, Kei. I just—" She fell to her knees.
I rolled my eyes and crouched down. "Look over there."
She turned.
And I shoved her out.
"I never thought she'd actually leave," I muttered.
One of her friends turned to me, furious. "What the hell is your problem—?!"
Before she could finish, Haruto gave her and the other girl a gentle push.
"Are you gonna stare at me like I'm crazy?" he said. "Let's go."
We jumped. No screaming. No hesitation.
The wind roared past me. The ground rushed up to meet us.
And as we descended into the chaos of the island, I couldn't help but think:
Let the game begin.
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