"Tachibana-senpai, I forgot to ask—where exactly is your school's pirate-themed vacation spot?"
Chen Yao turned his head and asked.
"Eh? Um… I think it's an island a little to the south."
Tachibana Akane's cheeks flushed slightly; after a moment's thought she answered.
"Are there beaches, hotels, anything like that?"
Chen Yao pressed, sounding concerned.
"There's a beach, but no hotel. Don't worry, your lodging is still guaranteed."
Tachibana Akane smiled.
Chen Yao blinked. No hotel? Yet he'd seen travel shows—Japanese islands usually relied on guesthouses, so it wasn't that odd.
"What about food? Ahem… actually, I didn't bring much cash. Does the school cover meals?"
Chen Yao asked the key question—resort-area food is pricey.
"You don't need to worry about that either. Meals are completely free, caught and cooked fresh on the spot," Tachibana replied, still smiling.
That put Chen Yao completely at ease: island lodging, free fresh food—no field trip could be more comfortable. He settled back in his seat and waited to arrive.
After about an hour the bus rolled onto a wharf. Tachibana stepped off and said, "Classmate Chen Yao, we're here."
It was a huge port. When Chen Yao disembarked he saw no students anywhere. "Tachibana-senpai, where are your Classmates?"
"They should be arriving soon… ah, here they come. Get ready to board, Chen Yao."
Tachibana glanced around, pointed to an approaching tanker, and spoke.
Chen Yao followed her gaze and saw a white luxury cruise ship gliding in, mountain-huge, leaving him dumbstruck.
Koudo Ikusei High's summer trip… the transport is this luxurious?
Chapter 48 – Horikita Suzune & Sakayanagi Arisu's Lottery
WHOO—OOON!
The tanker sounded a long whistle as it docked.
On board, students were already arguing over the assignment titled "Deserted-Island Survival." The trio of Yukinoshita Yukino, Hachiman Hikigaya, and Yui Yuigahama—who'd boarded early—were observing under the Student Council's invitation. Then the ship suddenly berthed, piquing everyone's curiosity.
"Strange, why are we stopping?"
Katsuragi Kohei, leader of Class A, glanced shore-ward and asked.
"Hmph, probably resupplying. We're stuck on that island for a week," Ryuuen Kakeru drawled from his deck-chair.
Among those present—Horikita Suzune of Class D, a brown-haired boy, Yukinoshita, and a girl who'd stayed in her cabin—something felt imminent.
All eyes turned as Student Council clerk Tachibana Akane stepped onto the deck, hugging a stack of documents.
"Everyone, thanks for arriving early. I'll now hand out the exam contents and rules. From this moment the 'Deserted-Island Survival' assessment officially begins. Be careful—if your score drops too low you may be expelled."
Tachibana smiled at the hundred-plus students; the deck fell silent, most intimidated by the clerk's words.
"Also, one more collaborator will join you. The Council and Student Council have settled the plan. Good luck, all."
After speaking she distributed packets to each class officer. Yet no one saw the final helper; all eyes stayed on the gangway.
Someone finished boarding and stepped onto the deck.
"!"
Horikita Suzune and Katsuragi Kohei paled; even the lounging Ryuuen Kakeru glowered. Chen Yao, backpack slung like a tourist, strode aboard.
"Chen Yao… why is he here?"
Horikita Suzune frowned.
Katsuragi Kohei, who'd once lost to him and Sakayanagi Arisu, watched gravely.
Yukinoshita, Hachiman, and Yui quickly guessed, yet it surprised them that this guy—who'd vanish after summer—would join something he found troublesome.
Ryuuen Kakeru reacted most violently; his cheek twitched as he snarled, "It's you, Chen Yao—!"
Chen Yao felt the collective stare press on him—especially with Yukinoshita present—and that muscle-head's drawn-out yell sounded like Kaiba summoning Yugi in Yu-Gi-Oh. He wondered if he'd wandered into a Shadow Game. "I knew the side-job wouldn't be simple. Should I resign right now?"
Yukinoshita stepped closer and whispered, "Were you invited by the Student Council too?"
"Yeah. Did they invite you guys for vacation as well?"
Chen Yao asked, puzzled.
"Vacation? What are you talking about… President Horikita didn't explain?"
Yukinoshita frowned, realizing he had no idea what exam awaited aboard.
"Heh-heh-heh, how interesting. I thought this test would bore me, but you're here, Chen Yao—!"
Ryuuen Kakeru rose, fists clenched, lips pouting with rage.
"This exam isn't some Shadow Game, right?" Chen Yao muttered, eyeing him.
"It's an exam."
A girl's voice cut in; Chen Yao, Katsuragi and the others turned.
Sakayanagi Arisu—long absent—appeared on deck with half of Class A, beaming. "My, you really came. Now I'll enjoy this island exam. Gopher-kun, entertain me properly."
Realizing he'd boarded a pirate ship, Chen Yao spun to disembark—only to find Tachibana gone, the gangway retracted, the luxury liner already leaving port.
"Heh-heh."
Delighted by his reaction, Sakayanagi laughed.
"You're joining, but will your body hold up? Don't push yourself."
Katsuragi Kohei regarded her with concern.
She answered, "No need to worry, Katsuragi-kun. I know my limits."
Other classes, hearing the rumored absent Sakayanagi had appeared, turned grim.
Just then supervising teachers shouted, "Quiet! We'll now explain the test."
"This exam gauges every ability, including crisis response. Site is a private uninhabited island—but no dangerous animals. Note: the content was designed by the Board and Student Council; rules differ greatly from previous ones. Don't assume prior knowledge and try to cheat."
The teacher's tone was icy.
"!"
Katsuragi and Ryuuen paled.
"Each class starts with 300 points, usable to buy supplies. Roll call at 6 a.m.; absence costs 10 points. Environmental damage costs 10. The island has bases; occupying one earns 1 point per day. Each leader receives a key-card; satellites track base locations. If another class guesses which student carries a rival's key-card, correct guess steals 30 points, wrong guess gives 30. After the exam all points convert into class S-Points and are distributed evenly."
Those in the know realized the key-card value had been lowered.
The new rule states: every day on the island each class must gather resources and turn them into daily necessities for evaluation—furniture, hunting and gathering tools, gourmet food. First place earns 30 points, second 20, third 10; last place loses 60. Any class may issue a Duel Invitation to snatch a specific resource from another. The challenged side must accept. Duels fall under Sports or Culture; the exact event is chosen at random. Remember, any resource can be contested this way, but each class may declare only one war per day.
The teacher read out the Student Council's new event: resource raiding and daily handicraft scoring, piling pressure on every class; it sounded brutal.
Next item: the school has invited four outstanding students to assist you. Each class will draw lots for its helper. You must not insult or mistreat these guests; violations mean point deductions or disqualification. Class representatives, step forward and draw a name tag.
When the proctor finished, Chen Yao and Yukinoshita Yukino were startled: this was the "assistance" they'd been volunteered for.
The four of them would be split up, which meant… "…"
Yukinoshita instinctively looked at Chen Yao—this might be her chance to compete against him.
Hachiman Hikigaya found it all a pain; Yui Yuigahama fretted that she wasn't good at any of it and would only drag them down.
The drawing began. Each class sent a non-leader to pick. Result: Hachiman Hikigaya to Class C, Yui Yuigahama to Class A, Yukinoshita Yukino to Class B, and Chen Yao to Class D.
Reactions varied. Class C felt okay about Hachiman; only Ryuuen Kakeru glared hatred at Chen Yao, ignoring Hachiman altogether. Class B cheered at getting Yukinoshita, whose competence was obvious. Class A's Katsuragi Kohei shrugged, while Sakayanagi Arisu looked vaguely disappointed and went back to her room. Class D figured luck was on their side—they'd landed the boy the President seemed to value.
Excellent. With him on our side this exam should go much more smoothly.
Leader Horikita Suzune, pleased, offered Chen Yao her hand. "Chen Yao… senpai, it's been a month. On behalf of Class D, welcome."
Chen Yao had thought the pay for this Koudo Ikusei High School gig poor, but since he'd accepted and it was an acquaintance who needed help, he obliged, shaking her hand. "Horikita-san, long time no see. I'll be in your care."
He realized he was now pitted against Yukinoshita, Hachiman, and Yui—an odd feeling. Why the Service Club was even here still eluded him.
"With Senpai aboard we've gained serious strength. Let me introduce you to the rest of the class…"
After her earnest welcome, Horikita turned to lead him off—only for Chen Yao to feel a gaze latch onto him. A brown-haired boy stood in silence, studying him.
The two boys sensed opposite auras at once.
The sullen-faced newcomer instantly recognized the Sobu ace as his polar opposite—someone to watch.
While the deck bustled with last-minute prep, a student shouted, "Land ho!"
Everyone stared at the modest island ahead. Sobu High and Koudo Ikusei's island trial was about to begin…
Author's Note: After a long hiatus, another book is finally going premium—thank you all.
At 160 k words, this moment matters. Whatever praise or criticism, subscriptions are the only proof of life. I'm aiming for 2 k first-day subs; after that I'll sprint.
Seven years of writing, many ups and downs, but the itch remained. I've found my rhythm again and will see this story through. On Ciercat, where spring titles fade, I hope you'll enjoy this one.
New chapters drop at 5 p.m.
Chapter 49 – Leader Horikita Suzune's Resolve (please subscribe)
The island rose in hills and forest, huge beside the lone luxury cruiser anchored a few hundred meters out. Once every class landed by raft, the students gathered on the beach.
—All headcounts complete. Every student is ashore.—
—Medical kits and essentials are stored in the shoreside warehouse; we can begin at any time…—
Staff made final preparations for the survival exercise.
Chen Yao shivered in the morning chill. Glancing toward Class A, he spotted the purple-haired girl at their fore, eyes closed, looking frail.
"…"
Feeling his gaze, Sakayanagi turned and, after a blink, gave him a sweet smile.
What's she thinking? In that condition and still taking a risky test…
All students wore insulated tracksuits and carried one day's rations, spare clothes, and basics, raring to start.
"Any idea where the base is, senpai?"
Horikita was still scouting for the island's sole base. Finding it with just one class would be tough; the first hurdle was guessing where settlers would camp.
"Per the briefing, only one base exists; other classes must spend S-points on tents and bedding. Leaders with key-cards will sprint to claim it. Likeliest spot? Those distant rock formations."
Chen Yao pointed; the brown-haired boy beside them listened. Both fixed on the same place: the rocky ridge ahead.
Early humans used caves—warm, dry, better than tents.
"Leaders race ahead with the key-card…"
Horikita paled as the implication hit.
"Exactly. Holding the base needs numbers; arrive alone and rivals will guess the card's on one of a few bodies—odds shrink fast."
The taciturn brown-haired boy voiced the first real stake: risk 30 points to maybe gain 7—bad math for the careless.