The fishing task ended with Ishizaki's group taking first place. A third-year group came in second, while I narrowly secured third.
With the task over, I headed south alongside Ishizaki and the others.
My designated area was F7, and since theirs was in the same general direction, we decided to travel together for a while.
"Still, damn! You and Ryuuen are killin' it, Hikigaya! Fifth place?!"
Ishizaki turned around, flashing a bright grin as he walked ahead.
"Though Sakayanagi's group in sixth is right on our heels."
The gap was a mere seven points—one designated area could easily flip the rankings.
"True, Sakayanagi and Ichinose's group is a seven-person team, while you and Ryuuen are just two. The fact that you're ahead at all is impressive," Katsuragi remarked.
"Katsuragi's right! You guys are totally gonna snag first!"
"That's way too optimistic," Nishino cut in. "The exam's barely started. Hikigaya and Ryuuen could easily get overtaken."
She wasn't wrong.
Even if we could stay near the top, guaranteeing a top-three finish was another matter entirely.
"Whaddya mean, Nishino? Like Ryuuen and Hikigaya would lose!"
"I never said they'd lose. Just that it's too early to tell. Right, Katsuragi-kun?"
"Hm?"
Caught off guard, Katsuragi frowned slightly.
"Back me up here, Katsuragi! Tell her there's no way they'll lose!"
"You don't have to humor him."
"The hell's that supposed to mean?!"
"Calm down, Ishizaki. Nishino."
The three bickered chaotically. It seemed Katsuragi had finally settled into the group—likely thanks to Ishizaki's efforts.
"Those three get along well, don't they?"
"You think so too? I'm glad Katsuragi's fitting in."
"Yeah. It's nice to see everyone getting along."
As we quietly shared the sentiment, Katsuragi—who had been side-eyeing us—stiffened slightly.
"I'm still new to the class, so forgive me if this is obvious, but… are you two dating?"
He glanced between me and Hiyori, who was clinging to my arm.
An awkward question to answer.
"Not exactly."
"Hehehe. That's right! Hikigaya-kun and I aren't officially together yet~"
"Wait, you're not?!"
Hiyori's cheerful reply drew Nishino's immediate disbelief faster than Katsuragi's. Her stare practically bore into us.
"You're that clingy in class and you're not dating?!"
"I never really thought about it."
"You make him homemade lunches?!"
"He always says they're delicious."
"You're this close?!"
"That's just because I don't like being apart from him."
"Then why aren't you dating?!"
Her exasperated glare shifted from Hiyori to me.
Ishizaki, meanwhile, just looked baffled.
"Huh? What's the big deal? Hikigaya and Shiina being close ain't news."
"Yeah, but that's not the point—"
"It's not about whether they're close…"
Unlike Ishizaki, who took things at face value, Nishino and Katsuragi seemed more hung up on the nature of our relationship.
"Ugh, this is giving me a headache. Drop it already!"
Nishino forcibly ended the discussion, rubbing her temples. I wasn't keen on prolonging it either, so I was grateful.
Amid the idle chatter, we pushed through the trees. Checking my tablet, I saw we were just a few dozen meters from F7.
"I'm almost at my designated area. This is where we part ways."
Ishizaki's group was headed to F9—further south than my destination.
"Time to say goodbye…"
"Don't look so sad."
Patting Hiyori's head, I earned a happy nod in return.
"...Seriously, why aren't you two dating?"
Ignoring Nishino's muttered question, I turned and walked away.
........
On the fourth day, after clearing the second designated area at E8, I headed to the starting point at D9 to participate in a task. But...
"I'm afraid the last male participant just registered."
This must be what they mean by "all that effort for nothing."
I had intended to take part in the Sea Swim task, but it was already full. The event required swimming approximately two kilometers from the starting point—far more grueling than previous tasks, but with the highest reward I'd seen yet: 20 points. The risk was substantial, but the payoff would have been worth it.
"Oh well."
No use dwelling on it. Since I was already back at the starting point, I decided to check out the harbor.
The starting point was practically an oasis for students.
Here, you could drink chilled water for free, receive medical treatment, take showers, and use well-maintained restrooms.
Naturally, the area was crowded. The busiest spot was likely the stalls selling supplies.
"..."
I was curious about the supplies, but first, I needed to address the prickly gaze I'd felt since arriving.
I turned around.
The source was sitting elegantly under a parasol on the beach, dressed in resort wear.
"Hello, Hachiman-kun. It seems you received my message from Masumi-san."
"Yeah. ...You're not mad, are you?"
"Not at all. I would never be upset that it took you so long to come see me after arriving at D9. Not one bit."
"...I came here for the task. That had to come first."
"Fufu. I'm joking."
Her "jokes" never sounded like jokes—that was the scary part.
"How's it going for you?"
"Well enough, I suppose. Ichinose-san and Shibata-kun are working hard, so I can't complain."
Arisu's group consisted of Ichinose and Shibata. Due to her leg, she was participating in a semi-retired capacity.
"One question—do you still get arrival rewards?"
"Fortunately, yes."
That made sense. Otherwise, staying in the top 10 would be tough.
"And you? Where's Ryuuen-kun?"
"We're temporarily splitting up."
With a mind like Arisu's, she'd immediately grasp the advantages. Even if she figured it out, dealing with her would be tricky, but I wasn't worried.
"We have time before the next designated area. Why don't you join me? It's cool in the shade."
Arisu gestured to the space under her parasol, inviting me to sit.
"You sure? I'm the enemy."
"Fufu. Don't hesitate. Standing out in this heat will just drain your stamina, won't it?"
I supposed she wasn't worried about information leaks.
Since I planned to rest until the next area anyway, I gratefully took a seat on the sand.
"I must say, I was surprised. I never expected you to team up with Ryuuen-kun."
"Just worked out that way."
"Do you get along?"
"Not at all. We're both grudging partners. Only teamed up to win."
My answer seemed to amuse her—she giggled softly.
"I wonder what would've happened if we had teamed up instead."
A hypothetical, but an interesting one.
"Hard to say, but it might've gone well. With you, we could've made rational decisions."
"My, you think quite highly of me."
"I respect your abilities."
It had been a while since we'd talked like this. Between everything lately, simple small talk was oddly calming.
Maybe I should invite her out sometime.
"Arisu, if you're free, want to hang out during summer break?"
"...Just the two of us?"
When I nodded, she looked genuinely stunned.
"If you don't want to—"
"I never said that. Why would I refuse such an enticing offer?"
Her rapid-fire response caught me off guard, but I was glad she hadn't declined.
"Just the two of us... It has a nice ring to it."
She seemed genuinely pleased, her mood visibly brighter.
Then, to my surprise, Arisu rose from her beach chair and sat beside me, folding her knees gracefully.
"Are you sure you should leave your chair?"
"Ichinose-san and the others are resting now. I'd much rather spend this time with you, watching the ocean. Don't you agree?"
Smiling, she leaned her head against my shoulder.
Seeing no reason to stop her, I let my gaze drift to the sea.
A gentle breeze swept across the shore, carrying a refreshing coolness. The sunlight reflecting off the water made it sparkle beautifully—something I hadn't noticed until now.
For a moment, I almost forgot about the exam entirely.
"Time with you is so comfortable, it makes me forget about the test."
"Funny. I was just thinking the same."
"We're on the same wavelength."
Whether intentional or not, her hand found mine.
"Your hands are really small."
They were about half the size of mine.
"...Are you mocking me for being petite?"
Turning toward her lowered voice, I found Arisu pouting slightly.
"I meant it's cute."
"That's borderline rude to say to a woman."
"Then how about 'beautiful'?"
"Backpedaling won't make me happy."
"Relax. I meant it either way."
"...I'll give you a passing grade."
The faint pink tinting her cheeks must have been from the sunlight.
"Time to go. Thanks for the break."
"Don't mention it, but before you leave..."
Releasing my hand, she looped her arms around my neck.
"A deserted beach, just the two of us. Don't you think this is the perfect setting?"
"...For what?"
She closed the distance, her delicate face drawing near.
"In a place with such... atmosphere, shouldn't we do something fitting?"
Her enchanting eyes held mine just as her lips brushed softly against my cheek.
A quiet mwah echoed on the tranquil shore before she pulled back.
"Arisu...?"
"Fufu. Did that make your heart race?"
"It did, but I'm more surprised than anything."
Her confident smile widened at my reply.
Feeling the need to retaliate, I slowly leaned in.
"Eh... W-Wait...?"
Caught off guard, Arisu hesitated but didn't resist. As my breath grazed her neck, I felt her body relax.
Her flawless, sun-kissed skin—
I let my lips hover just above it.
"...Ah... Nn...! Hya...!"
A soft, flustered gasp escaped her.
When I finally pulled away, her earlier composure was long gone.
"...Left a mark."
A faint red spot now adorned her neck.
Noticing it, she turned crimson to the tips of her ears.
"Gotta go. Thanks again."
She nodded rapidly, still speechless.
I might have overdone it, but letting her have the last word would've been unbearable. No regrets.
......
Having left the starting point and tackling challenges one by one, the fourth day has passed.
I arrived at the final designated area, D8, intending to reunite with Ryūen as originally planned. His figure is nowhere in sight, so he's likely being held up by some task or interference.
With some time to kill, I settle in the shade and glance down at my tablet.
What I'm checking are the scores of the top and bottom ten groups.
Earlier this morning, we were in 5th place among the top ranks—how has that changed by the end of the fourth day?
Top 10 Groups
3rd Year: Nagumo Group — 102 points (1st)
3rd Year: Kiriyama Group — 93 points (2nd)
2nd Year: Kōenji Group — 92 points (3rd)
3rd Year: Mizoe Group — 87 points (4th)
2nd Year: Sakayanagi Group — 85 points (5th)
3rd Year: Ochiai Group — 80 points (6th)
2nd Year: Ryūen Group — 78 points (7th)
1st Year: Takahashi Group — 68 points (8th)
2nd Year: Kanzaki Group — 65 points (9th)
3rd Year: Kuronaga Group — 62 points (10th)
1st and 2nd place remain dominated by third-years, but behind them, for the first time, the second-year Kōenji has entered the top three.
Our rank has also dropped from 5th to 7th. Splitting up has undoubtedly weakened our momentum somewhat, but we can still turn things around.
What about the bottom groups?
"...This is..."
When I checked this morning, the bottom ten groups only consisted of third-years and first-years. Yet, for some reason, Komiya's group has now entered the bottom seven.
Komiya's group included the highly athletic Kinoshita and D-Class's Shinohara. Even if Shinohara's abilities were lacking, with Komiya and Kinoshita there, they shouldn't have fallen to the bottom.
As I mull this over, Ryūen emerges from the forest.
"You saw the bottom ten? Komiya's group is in 7th place."
The first thing I ask is what I want to know, and Ryūen sits down, his expression turning serious.
"Just earlier, I met Ayanokōji and heard the details. Apparently, Komiya and Kinoshita dropped out."
"Dropped out? An accident?"
"According to the last remaining member of their group, Shinohara, they were attacked by someone."
"Then what happened to that 'someone'?"
"She says it happened in the dark. Shinohara's the only one claiming they were attacked. Komiya and Kinoshita don't even seem aware of whether they were actually attacked or not."
"With that kind of testimony, we can't expect any leniency from the school."
It wouldn't be surprising if Shinohara's claims were dismissed as lies to avoid expulsion.
"What's the plan, Ryūen? Even if we make it into the top three, it'll be meaningless if Komiya and the others get expelled."
There's no way Shinohara can survive this exam alone. Word is that Sudō's group's Ike is supporting her, but that won't last forever.
"Don't worry about that. Ayanokōji's got a plan to prevent their expulsion. He's already putting it into motion."
Since Shinohara is Ayanokōji's classmate, her expulsion would also damage his class, so he had no choice but to act.
"Anyway, Komiya and Kinoshita don't matter right now. What's more important is what comes next."
Ryūen shifts the topic.
The first phase of our plan has already succeeded. Now, we need to discuss the next step.
"Following the plan, our transceiver's channel has been shared with our classmates. So, when exactly are we making our move?"
We've secured our forces—now, it's about timing. We can't act recklessly. If we're going to strike—
"After the seventh day."
Ryūen voices my thoughts before I can.
"Depending on the situation, our actions might change, but the seventh day is the earliest we move."
"Then tomorrow, we're still splitting up?"
"Tomorrow, we focus on earning points. Letting the gap widen any further isn't an option. But we're not aiming for the top three yet."
"..."
"...The hell's with that look?"
His eyes narrow as if he's staring at something bizarre.
"I'm just a little surprised. You've grown more than I expected."
"Tch—quit with the creepy talk."
He smirks, as if to say it's only natural.
The situation hasn't necessarily improved, yet Ryūen exudes confidence. It's not empty bravado—he truly believes victory is within reach.
After the seventh day, the first half of the exam ends, and the true battle begins in the second half.
For Ryūen and me—two people as incompatible as oil and water—to truly cooperate is the only way to win this exam.
By the time this exam ends, what will Ryūen and I be thinking?
The ecstasy of victory?
The agony of defeat?
Or perhaps—something entirely different.
Whatever it is, our actions from here on out will shape it.
.......
"I have to go now. Thanks for letting me rest."
Hearing Hachiman say that, Arisu could only nod in confusion.
"..."
Once she confirmed Hachiman had left, Arisu quietly sat back down on the beach chair.
And then—
"~~~!!!!"
As if trying to vent her embarrassment, she flailed her legs wildly, hiding her bright-red face and teary eyes behind her arms.
"T-That was just...!"
Her usual polite speech was gone—right now, all she could feel was sheer humiliation.
"...I finally gathered my courage, too."
She had acted composed when she kissed Hachiman, but for Arisu, even that had been unbearably embarrassing.
"And besides..."
She took out a hand mirror and examined her neck.
There, a vivid red mark stood out clearly.
"(Does he... even understand what this means...?)"
Originally, a hickey was meant to mark a woman as belonging to a man—a declaration of possession.
Remembering its meaning, Arisu's face flushed even deeper.
"This... will take a while to fade."
Looking at the red mark on her neck, she came to that conclusion.
"Until it disappears... I'm his, then."
Muttering softly to herself, Arisu wore an expression she would never show to anyone else.
=================================
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