The time is late at night, when most students are already asleep.
"Senpai Hikigaya, are you awake?"
A voice calling me from outside the tent. It's a whisper, quiet enough not to disturb the surrounding silence.
"It's me, Nanase."
I quickly rouse myself and peek out of the tent. In the darkness, the light from a tablet illuminates Nanase's flustered figure.
"What's wrong at this hour? Did something happen?"
"Yes, actually... There's something urgent I need to tell you. Ayanokouji-senpai asked me to relay a message."
"From Ayanokouji?"
Judging by Nanase's demeanor, it seems she came straight here after hearing this so-called message.
"About three hours ago, Ayanokouji-senpai told me to pass this on to you, so I hurried over..."
Perhaps due to rushing, beads of sweat trickle down Nanase's forehead and neck. Her breathing is slightly ragged, making it clear she pushed herself to get here.
"First, we can talk about the message later. For now, drink some water and rest."
I take out a water bottle and hand it to her. Nanase hesitates at first, but complies after I insist it's an order from her senpai.
"So, what was Ayanokouji's message?"
If it's a message for me, it's most likely related to the White Room. Though, of course, he wouldn't say anything explicit in front of Nanase—it's probably coded in some way.
Nanase screws the cap back on the bottle, sits down, and straightens her posture into a formal seiza.
"'Stay out of my way on the final day.' That's what Ayanokouji-senpai told me to tell you."
"...Stay out of my way, huh."
"Forgive my rudeness, but... I don't quite understand the meaning behind this message. Judging by Ayanokouji-senpai's situation, wouldn't it be safer for him to rely on you, Senpai?"
"Your reasoning makes sense, but Ayanokouji must have his own reasons."
The final day is tomorrow. If he went out of his way to send Nanase to deliver this, there must be some purpose behind it.
"Sorry, Nanase. Feels like I just made you run an errand for nothing."
"N-No! I'm more than happy to help you both, Senpai!"
Nanase quietly protests, her tone implying she doesn't mind at all. Then, her gaze shifts downward toward my stomach.
"Um... This might be overstepping, but... Is your stomach okay?"
"My... stomach?"
She looks at my abdomen with a guilty expression.
"Y-Yes. On the seventh day, when you hugged me to calm me down... I ended up striking your stomach..."
Nanase lowers her eyes, as if ashamed of her actions.
During our scuffle on the seventh day, I had dodged all of Nanase's attacks—but when I hugged her to settle her down, she struggled and landed a few blows.
"Don't worry. It doesn't hurt, and there's no swelling."
"A-Are you sure? I don't think I could've seriously injured you, but I couldn't stop worrying about it..."
She really is a kind-hearted person.
Most people wouldn't give a second thought to something that's already over.
"Here, take a look. I'm not just toughing it out—it really is fine."
To dispel her concerns, I lift my jacket to expose my stomach.
"...Wow."
Nanase stares at my abdomen as if fascinated.
"...Nanase, done yet?"
"Ah! S-Sorry. It seems I was just overthinking things."
"Something wrong? You've been glancing at me strangely since earlier."
"W-Well... This is hard to say, but... I haven't really seen a man's abs or muscles up close before, and yours are so... well-defined, Senpai. I couldn't help but stare..."
So she was looking at my abs.
Nanase confesses this with visible embarrassment, then quietly averts her gaze.
"Anyway, thanks for delivering the message. Make sure you get some rest too."
After I say this, Nanase smiles, bows, and quickly leaves the tent, disappearing into the darkness at a half-run. Once she's out of sight, I take out my tablet and think for a moment.
"Stay out of my way on the final day."
The true meaning is unclear, but the phrasing suggests something happened a few days ago—something related to the final day.
"I'll need to be extra cautious tomorrow."
......
Final Day, 2:00 PM.
The designated area period had come to an end, leaving only the remaining tasks to earn points. In this situation, two female students were heading toward I2.
One was Horikita Suzune from Class 2-D, and the other was Ibuki Mio from Class 2-B.
Naturally, these two had no reason to be working together—they were both moving for their own separate purposes.
"(What exactly is waiting at I2...?)"
Horikita's reason for heading to I2 lay in a small, folded piece of paper she had found when she woke up in her tent that morning.
Unfolding it, she saw four seemingly random words written on it:
"2:00 PM"
"K·A"
"Expulsion"
"I2"
She couldn't dismiss it as a mere prank. These four words fit too perfectly with someone she knew.
And so, to uncover the truth, Horikita was now making her way to I2.
"If I take this at face value… it means Ayanokōji-kun will be expelled at 2:00 PM today..."
"Hey, what're you muttering about?"
Ibuki's voice cut through Horikita's thoughts from behind.
"You're being noisy. I'm thinking right now, so could you stay quiet?"
"Forget that—just tell me the points! Give me the points!"
Horikita sighed at Ibuki's persistence.
The reason Ibuki was following her—no, the reason she was even at I2—was to confirm the results of their competition. For Ibuki, who saw Horikita as a rival, this was the most crucial moment of the exam.
"Got it. You're scared of losing, aren't you? That's why you won't tell me."
"Whether I'm winning or losing, I have no intention of answering."
Horikita repeated her stance, refusing to give any information, but Ibuki kept pushing.
"You're pissing me off. Just show me the real numbers!"
"How many times do I have to say it? I'm in a hurry."
"Then I'll just follow you!"
Now stubbornly determined, Ibuki quickened her pace and overtook Horikita.
"——Fine."
Realizing further conversation was pointless, Horikita sighed and started to take off her backpack to retrieve her tablet.
But at that moment—
Both Horikita and Ibuki simultaneously sensed an overwhelming presence ahead.
"Found you~!"
A playful, almost childlike voice rang out.
"Hellooo, Horikita-senpai!"
A female student had appeared out of nowhere. Ibuki didn't bother hiding her irritation.
"...Who are you?"
"Ichika Amasawa, from Class 1-A."
Horikita considered the possibility that this was just a coincidence, but she didn't let her guard down.
"You're in the way."
"Huh~? Why're you saying that, Ibuki-senpai?"
"I said you're in the way. We've got business here. Get lost."
"Business? Didn't you just invite yourself along, Ibuki-senpai?"
Amasawa grinned, as if she had been listening to their conversation from the start.
"Do you have some kind of business here, Amasawa-san?"
Horikita pushed past Ibuki, focusing on Amasawa.
"Just one question—where are you heading, Horikita-senpai?"
"Right now, I'm just chatting with Ibuki-san. Once we're done, I'll be heading to F3."
"Liar~! This isn't even your designated area, is it, Senpai?"
Horikita's eyes narrowed slightly—she had been caught in her lie.
"So where are you going? Don't tell me… I2?"
For the first time, Horikita realized her intentions had been completely seen through.
"You've got me all figured out, huh? Have you been keeping tabs on me—or all the students around here?"
"Who knows~?"
Amasawa gave a vague reply before carelessly tossing her backpack to the ground.
Horikita tensed. The look in Amasawa's eyes had changed.
"Mind letting me pass? I have business at I2."
As Horikita tried to move forward, Amasawa raised her right hand, blocking the way.
"I see now. Something is going to happen at I2. That's why you're trying so hard to stop me."
"Don't jump to conclusions."
"Then why stop me?"
"Why, you ask? Maybe you'll find out if we keep talking~?"
Amasawa suddenly grabbed Horikita's wrist, making it clear she had no intention of letting go.
Horikita could feel the strength in that grip—Amasawa was prepared to physically restrain her if necessary.
"Just so you know, I do have martial arts experience."
"Oh? And you're sure you're okay, Senpai? 'Cause I should warn you—I'm way stronger than you think."
Amasawa's ever-present smile faded, her eyes darkening.
"Y'know… I'm actually kinda pissed right now."
"——!?"
The grip on Horikita's wrist tightened beyond expectation, forcing her to step back to protect herself.
"Horikita-senpai. Who did you have breakfast with yesterday?"
The sudden question made Horikita narrow her eyes.
Yesterday—the morning of the 13th day of the exam.
"...Hikigaya-kun."
At that moment, Ryūen's face didn't even cross her mind.
"Hah!? What the hell? You never told me that!"
"It was just a coincidence. A lot happened."
"A lot what!?"
Ibuki snapped, but Horikita was more focused on the unnatural shift in Amasawa's expression.
"Ugh, flies just keep buzzing around, don't they? Just 'cause Hikigaya-senpai's amazing doesn't mean you can all swarm around him like little gnats——so how about you back off?"
Amasawa's polite facade crumbled, her voice dripping with disdain.
"...And why should I have to listen to you?"
"He's mine. It pisses me off when some random girl who's only known him for a year tries to butt in."
"Yours? Hikigaya-kun is yours?"
"Yeah. I'm the only one who really understands him. Someone like you, Horikita-senpai, could never match him."
Amasawa giggled mockingly—and that was the last straw for Ibuki.
"Quit talking out of your ass."
"Huh? What's it to you, Ibuki-senpai?"
"I just don't like your attitude."
"Hehe~ Well, I was trying to provoke you. But to sum it up—I'm not letting you pass, and I'm not letting you have Hikigaya-senpai. Oh, but if you promise to stay away from him, I might let you through~?"
""Out of the question.""
Horikita and Ibuki's voices overlapped.
"Too bad~. Since you two won't back down… guess I'll just have to play with you a little!"
...
The Final Day of the Exam Has Arrived.
Since points are doubled on the last day, every group is scrambling to snatch up as many as they can.
After stepping into my third and final designated area of the day, my watch displays a notification: +20 points for arriving first.
There are only about two hours left until the exam ends.
"Ryūen."
I call out to him as he checks the next task on his tablet.
His gaze remains fixed downward, but he seems to be listening.
"If I were to go off on my own now, would you stop me?"
His fingers, which had been tapping on the tablet, freeze. Then, he slowly lifts his head to look at me.
Even though we've completed all our designated areas, there are still a few tasks left. Going solo now would be a bad move.
And on top of that—we still have one last "adjustment" to make.
"Heh. What, got something you wanna do?"
"Maybe. But I'm still hesitating."
After a brief glance at my expression, Ryūen stands up and steps closer.
"I see. So what you're really asking is—'Can you handle the final adjustment without me?'"
Instead of getting angry or blaming me, Ryūen just laughs, amused.
But that only lasts for a second.
"——Don't get cocky."
His sharp gaze locks onto mine from point-blank range.
"So what if you're not here? I can handle the final adjustments just fine on my own."
He grabs me by the collar and says it like it's the most obvious thing in the world.
"Or did you forget? I agreed to team up with you knowing you'd go off on your own eventually. Quit asking stupid questions—it's disgusting."
With a rough shove, he releases me and picks up his tablet again, his attention already back on the screen.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"Tch. Fine, I'll take care of it. Now get lost."
I turn my back on Ryūen and break into a run without looking back.
I don't glance behind me—because that's my way of showing trust. If Ryūen says he can do it, then I'll believe him.
........
"Senpais~, why don't you just give up already?"
Amasawa Ichika, standing before them, waved both hands dismissively as she took in Horikita and Ibuki's fighting stances.
"What the hell is up with this first-year...?!"
"Seriously..."
Even though Horikita and Ibuki had joined forces, Amasawa was effortlessly handling them like a child twisting an adult's wrist.
Despite being an impromptu duo, both Horikita and Ibuki had martial arts experience—their physical abilities far surpassed those of the average student. Yet, against the two of them, Amasawa was fighting with minimal movement, as if playing.
"If we don't coordinate our attacks, we won't even graze her. Can't you at least try to sync up?"
"Shut up! Quit ordering me around! I know that!"
Though they were clashing, Horikita and Ibuki shared a strange sense of camaraderie—after all, their enemy was the same.
But just as they were about to kick off the ground for another attack, Amasawa suddenly raised a hand, signaling them to stop.
The unexpected gesture made Horikita instinctively freeze.
"What is it, Amasawa-san? Have you finally decided to let us through?"
"..."
"Hey, say something already!"
Amasawa remained silent, only intensifying the two girls' wariness.
Then—after a brief pause—Amasawa's expression shifted dramatically.
"Ahaha~, you decided to move after all, didn't you? Senpai~."
Her face lit up with a dazzling smile, oozing charm as she turned her gaze away from Horikita and Ibuki.
Following her line of sight, Horikita finally noticed the sound of footsteps rustling through the underbrush.
"Well, this is an unexpected situation."
"Wha—?! Why the hell are you here?!"
Ibuki, finally noticing the figure behind them, spun around and shouted.
Standing there was someone all three of them knew—a person who, by sheer coincidence, tied them all together.
And as Amasawa's eyes locked onto him, they practically turned into heart symbols.
"Hikigayaaaaa senpaaaaai~ ♡"
In a sickeningly sweet voice, she called out the name of the person who had just arrived.
........
An undeniably strange trio had gathered in one place.
Ibuki, Horikita, and Amasawa—hardly a group that could be described as friendly.
"Why are you here...?"
Horikita couldn't hide her surprise at my sudden appearance. Well, neither could Ibuki.
...But that didn't matter right now.
I stepped closer to Amasawa, who stood blocking the path ahead. Her eyes sparkled as if she'd been waiting for this moment, her lips curling into an unrestrained smile as she stared at me with burning intensity.
"I know what's up ahead. Amasawa—are you going to stop me?"
"Nope! For you, Senpai, anything goes~ ♡"
She smoothly sidestepped to the left, clearing the way for me.
"Wha—Huh!?"
Just as the path opened up, Ibuki's shriek rang out from behind. Glancing back, I saw her pointing at us in disbelief.
"Y-You were the one who wouldn't let us through! Why are you just stepping aside for him like it's nothing?!"
"You're so slow, Ibuki-senpai. Let me ask you this—why shouldn't I let Hikigaya-senpai pass?"
Clutching my left arm tightly, Amasawa scoffed at her.
"...Amasawa."
"Hm? What is it, Senpai~?"
She responded with a radiant smile—but it was painfully forced.
"I don't know what orders Tsukishiro gave you, but... don't push yourself too hard."
"Eh? What are you talking about~?"
"There are multiple bruises on your abdomen. ...Punishment, right?"
A flicker of surprise crossed her face—I'd caught her off guard. I'd suspected something since the first time I saw her, but when she clung to my arm earlier, it became undeniable.
In this special exam, Amasawa must have been given some role by Tsukishiro. The fact that she was even here might be part of it. And if she failed to carry out his orders, it wouldn't be strange if she faced consequences.
"Most people wouldn't even be able to move from the pain. I know it's not my place to say anything, but... don't overdo it."
"Fufu~ See, this is why you're the best, Senpai. So kind, so cool, such a gentleman, so perfect in every way... really, really..."
Her gaze burned into me as she suddenly yanked me down by the collar, bringing me to her eye level.
"The absolute best in the whole wide world—I love you~ ♡"
Just like on the seventh day, she pressed her lips against mine. Behind me, I could hear someone shouting, but I didn't have time to care.
"Satisfied?"
"Mhm! Completely satisfied! Ichika-chan's energy is fully recharged now~!"
A kiss wouldn't actually restore her stamina, but she looked more energized than ever.
Finally, I patted her head once and sprinted deeper into the forest.
.......
"Ehehe~ My second kiss with Senpai ♡ This exam is totally the best~♪"
Amasawa, looking utterly pleased with herself, suddenly had to dodge a vicious kick aimed straight at her.
"Whoa there, Ibuki-senpai. That was kinda dangerous, don't you think~?"
"I'll kill you. Absolutely, positively kill you."
Ibuki, who had witnessed the entire scene, was glaring at Amasawa with murderous intensity.
"Ibuki-san, don't lose your composure. That's exactly what she wants."
Horikita tried to reason with her, but...
"...You're clenching your fists way harder than I am, you know?"
"It's your imagination."
"No, you're glaring at Amasawa even more than I am."
"...It's your imagination."
"..."
"Aww~? Could it be you're jealous because you found out Hikigaya-senpai is mine? How pathetic. You never stood a chance~. Jealousy just makes you look ugly, you know~♪"
Her taunting words—like oil poured onto the silent fire—ignited something inside Horikita and Ibuki.
"...I really didn't want to team up with you, but now? I'll do whatever it takes."
"...What a coincidence. I was just thinking the same thing."
With a shared resolve to crush her, the two kicked off the ground simultaneously and charged forward.
......
"You've chosen quite the forceful approach, Acting Director Tsukishiro."
Standing on the sandy shore of Area I2, I addressed the two adults before me.
One was a familiar face—Acting Director Tsukishiro.
The other was Shiba-sensei, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-D.
An odd pairing, but it seemed this was how things were meant to be.
"Things simply haven't gone as planned. This is the last resort available to me."
Tsukishiro smiled, his expression as composed as ever.
"And what happens to me after this?"
At the edge of my vision, a small boat rocked gently in the waves, its engine idling.
In other words, it was ready to depart at any moment.
"Ideally, you'll come quietly and board the ship with us."
"If it's framed as Ayanokouji Kiyotaka voluntarily withdrawing, everything can be resolved neatly."
Shiba-sensei added this as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Do you really think I'd choose to board that ship willingly?"
"True. If you were the type to comply obediently, we wouldn't have needed to come all the way to this deserted island."
I studied Tsukishiro and Shiba-sensei carefully.
They didn't appear to be carrying any obvious weapons, but they were undoubtedly professionals. Underestimating them would be a mistake.
"Using weapons would make subduing you here trivial, but unfortunately, you're a valuable asset. My duty is to retrieve you unharmed—so I've decided that my own fists will suffice."
Tsukishiro spread his arms slightly, his smile unwavering.
So, at this critical moment, it would come down to a brawl on the sand.
"Meaning the only way to avoid expulsion is to fight back."
"That's correct."
"Couldn't you just let this go? I won't say violence is inherently wrong, but I am a student at this school. By normal rules, this would be considered cheating."
"Perhaps. But Ayanokouji-kun, you're a special case—one of the White Room's greatest successes. Fighting you within limited rules would be pointless. Frankly, the only one who can match you is Hikigaya-kun."
They knew Hikigaya was the only one who could stop me—which was precisely why they'd gone to such lengths to set this up.
"Fine."
As if signaling the end of small talk, Tsukishiro took a step forward.
Neither of us could afford to waste time.
Slowly, we closed the distance between us.
"You won't complain about two against one, will you? You're the White Room's masterpiece. If anything, we're the ones at a disadvantage."
Despite his words, Tsukishiro radiated absolute confidence.
He was certain he could handle me one-on-one—yet he'd still chosen to fight with Shiba-sensei.
A flawless strategy, devoid of pride.
"You don't look like someone who even considers the possibility of losing. Just like Hikigaya."
"Do I really look that way to you?"
There was no visible outcome yet.
The only future I could grasp was the one I seized for myself.
Surrounded from the front and back, my opponents were still biding their time.
"Well then—let's not waste any more time. Shiba-sensei."
The moment Tsukishiro spoke, both adults advanced toward me in perfect sync.
At the same time, Shiba-sensei's presence and footsteps vanished as he circled behind me. As expected of someone Tsukishiro would hire—his skills were formidable.
I ducked slightly, evading Shiba's attempt to grab my head from behind.
The first strike would come from the rear.
Mid-dodge, Tsukishiro lunged forward, mirroring Shiba's move. I rolled across the sand, combining the motion of rising with a sprint to escape their pursuit.
"You're quite good at running away."
Their movements accelerated, rapidly closing off my avenues of escape.
I'd thought I was keeping the sea at my back, but I'd been pushed so far that the waves now lapped at my ankles.
"Using the ocean as cover was a smart move, but your foresight was lacking."
Without giving me a moment to breathe, Shiba and Tsukishiro kicked off the sand and charged.
In a two-on-one, if either of them got a firm hold on me, it would be game over.
Running indefinitely was an option, but on this uneven sand under the scorching sun, my stamina would drain quickly.
I aborted my retreat, using the full spring of my body to pivot and counterattack Shiba, who had slipped behind me.
"Hmph!?"
My unexpected movement made Shiba falter for a split second.
Feinting with my left fist, I aimed a right strike at his head—but Shiba, sensing the danger, calmly retreated.
"My, my—you're holding your own remarkably well against the two of us, Ayanokouji-kun."
I'd managed to evade their attacks and retaliate, but I hadn't landed a clean hit.
"But human stamina is finite. Aren't you starting to tire?"
"You're difficult opponents. Especially you, Acting Director Tsukishiro."
"It's my job to do what others find unpleasant."
There was no distinction between fair and dirty—their sole objective was to take me back.
"How long can you hold out? Where are your limits, I wonder?"
Either way, I needed to move faster—or I'd be overwhelmed.
Tsukishiro closed in to grab my arm, while Shiba's low kick grazed the back of my neck from behind. I barely managed to stay on my feet, but fending off both of them was no easy task.
I blocked Shiba's right straight, pivoting to brace for Tsukishiro's follow-up. But he'd anticipated that—his fist shot toward my face.
"...I really can't let my guard down around you."
I barely managed to block with my forearm, but the pain told me his strength was on par with mine.
"You blocked that? I struck with the intent to finish you. Your reaction speed is beyond human."
The difficulty lay in their cautious, risk-averse approach—yet they never hesitated to take risks when the opportunity arose.
The situation was slightly unfavorable for me—
"If this were a child's brawl—pure strength against strength—it'd be easier. But we adults don't hesitate to employ the optimal strategy to ensure victory. Even if it's unsightly."
As if embodying those words, Tsukishiro reset his stance.
Faced with this disadvantage, I felt cold sweat for the first time in years. If things continued like this, I'd be ground down—so I had no choice but to take risks of my own.
"Acting Director Tsukishiro."
It was Shiba-sensei—who had remained mostly silent until now—who broke the stalemate.
The moment his name was called, Tsukishiro seemed to notice the anomaly.
Something even I hadn't anticipated.
"...Well, this is unexpected."
A shadow flickered across Tsukishiro's expression.
Area I2 was supposed to be my designated zone. No other students should have been able to reach it.
That was how it was meant to be.
"Acting Director Tsukishiro, is he the other target we're meant to retrieve?"
"Yes. He's the other masterpiece—the one and only Yagami Yahiko."
"Here, I go by Hikigaya. Acting Director Tsukishiro."
Shiba and Tsukishiro confirmed the situation.
Of course, they must have checked the GPS signals beforehand.
"The reason you couldn't track me was this. My watch broke in an accident."
Hikigaya held up his wrist, showing the shattered remains of his device.
"I admit, I didn't foresee this. I never imagined Hikigaya-kun would come to your aid."
Despite calling it unexpected, Tsukishiro showed no signs of panic.
To him, this simply meant the number of targets had increased from one to two. If anything, he might have considered it a stroke of luck.
"Confused, Ayanokouji? Wondering why I'm here?"
Hikigaya stepped beside me, positioning himself between me and Tsukishiro.
"Yeah. There's no benefit for you in helping me. In fact, I warned you to stay out of this."
"I didn't come for you. Even if helping you is the end result."
Whatever Hikigaya's motives were, now that he was here, I might as well drag him all the way in.
"So, can I assume you're lending me a hand?"
"The moment I showed up, that was the only option left. Seems like these two are a handful on your own."
Tsukishiro and Shiba were formidable. Their combat style, honed through years of experience and skill, placed them among the strongest opponents I'd ever faced.
"I never thought I'd end up fighting alongside you, Hikigaya."
"Same here. Life's full of surprises."
That we stood side by side now was the result of countless coincidences.
Raised in the White Room.
Meeting the first person who could match me.
Enrolling in the same school.
And now, sharing a common enemy—fighting together.
In terms of allies, there was no one I trusted more at my back than Hikigaya.
"Let's do this, Ayanokouji."
"Right."
We turned our gazes forward in unison.
Tsukishiro, however, didn't show a hint of panic.
If anything, he seemed pleased as he glanced between us.
"Heh. What a sight. The two greatest masterpieces, standing together against me."
We adjusted our positions, shifting into clear one-on-one matchups.
"Let's settle this, Acting Director Tsukishiro."
"You think you can win if it's one-on-one?"
His usual smile never wavered—no tension, no urgency.
"Then show me. Your true strength in a fair fight."
The final battle of this exam had begun.
=================================
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