"If we don't have a second toilet, it'll be really inconvenient for us!"
I really need to go now.
"One toilet should be enough if we manage it properly!"
I need to go, I need to go.
"Absolutely not!"
I'm going right now!
'Then go already!'
Saiki turned and glared at the source of the voice—Sudō Ken. At that moment, Sudō wasn't paying attention to Saiki's stare. His focus was entirely on the newly built toilet nearby, and he hadn't joined the class argument at all.
...
Other classes had already set off, but Class C's debate was still unresolved. However, to secure a base quickly, they decided to head deeper into the island. Soon, they entered the forest, and as they went further, a sense of unease grew among them.
What if there are tigers, bears, or wolves here?
'Don't worry, I've checked. There are no such animals on this island. After all, it's an island built by the school, so it's mostly harmless creatures.'
Saiki replied in his mind.
I wonder what we'll eat these days... Do we have to hunt?
'It won't come to that, but fishing might be necessary. With psychics around, it'll be easy.'
I need to go, I need to go.
'.....'
"Everyone, let's take a break here."
After reaching a spot in the forest, Hirata Yōsuke stopped the group.
"This place seems nice, and there's shade from the sun. Let's rest here for now—and we can set up the toilet here temporarily."
'Please stop mentioning the toilet.'
Saiki felt helpless. That word was all he'd been hearing lately.
Fortunately, the argument about buying a second toilet was finally settled, and the opposition agreed.
"Now, let's focus on the remaining tasks. We need to find a base to set up camp. Does anyone here know wilderness survival?"
Hirata asked immediately, and everyone's eyes turned to him.
'Seriously? Does any high schooler really know wilderness survival?'
Saiki was at a loss for words, shifting his gaze to the others.
Wilderness survival? Who knows that?
It's so hot, I don't want to run around!
Only idiots would want to do such tiring work.
'Yare yare, I guess that's true.'
Saiki wasn't surprised by the class's thoughts. In this situation, such reactions were normal.
Saiki had no intention of joining either. Most people would stay, and being in the minority would only cause trouble and draw attention, raising expectations.
'I'll just rest here like everyone else.' Saiki thought, looking for a place to sit.
But then, a startling voice spoke up.
"If no one minds, I'll go!"
It was Kushida Kikyō.
The boys who'd been unwilling to join suddenly changed their minds.
"I'm in!"
"Count me in too!"
"Me too, me too!"
'Wait, didn't someone just say only idiots would join? Kushida, you're the psychic here.'
Saiki muttered.
'Oh well, if they want to go, it's not my problem. Most will stay, so no big deal.'
"We five will go too!"
At that moment, Ike Kanji raised his hand, drawing everyone's attention.
The five were the Idiot Trio, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka, and Saiki.
'?????? Why include me? You guys don't want to go either!'
Saiki immediately focused on the others.
This seems fun, let's join!
'Fun? How?'
If I join, the girls might see me differently!
'No chance.'
Joining or not doesn't matter, but we can check out the base we saw earlier.
'You're usually so avoidant.'
Saiki glanced at Ike, whose attention was on Kushida.
'Damn, if I refuse now, I'll be hated. I might end up in the top three most disliked, like Takatouji. Can't let that happen!'
Saiki had no choice but to nod and stand up.
'At least the others are normal, except the Idiot Trio...'
"The sun feels refreshing! My body needs this energy—I'm in too!"
Just then, Kōenji Rokusuke stepped forward, joining the exploration team.
'Why are you so eager today?'
Saiki felt a bad premonition.
"We're twelve now, so we can split into four teams!"
Hirata smiled and let the twelve form groups.
'Anyone, please team up with me. Ike, you're no longer a monkey, you're human now...'
Saiki thought, keeping an eye on the others. His only wish was to avoid Kōenji.
But within seconds, everyone else had formed teams.
Only three remained: Saiki, Ayanokōji, and Kōenji.
'Great, just the two of them...'
Saiki joined... I wanted to... but we're already twelve... If I join, it'll be thirteen... that's awkward...
At that moment, Sakura Airi looked at Saiki, hesitating.
'Please join me, please!'
Saiki desperately hoped Airi would switch with him.
.....
Soon, the teams set off, leaving Saiki with Ayanokōji and Kōenji.
My perfect body needs this sunshine!
Ah, so beautiful! Me, standing in nature... ultimate beauty!
So beautiful, I'm just too beautiful!
Kōenji's thoughts were deafening in Saiki's ears as he raced through the forest like a wild man.
'He belongs in a zoo, not here.'
'No, he's like the Golden Lion monster from that game...'
'They're eerily similar.'
Saiki thought, following Kōenji.
'He seems headed somewhere specific—a base, I think. If he finds one, it'll save me trouble...'
But after a long walk, Kōenji stopped and turned to Saiki, smiling.
"Glasses Boy."
'What?'
"You're more beautiful than I thought. For a human, not bad."
'What are you talking about?'
"Didn't expect you to keep up with my perfect pace."
'???'
Saiki realized the issue then.
Kōenji was incredibly fast, and most couldn't keep up—but Saiki, lacking a reference, had followed effortlessly.
He turned and saw Ayanokōji right behind him.
The two locked eyes in silence.
Kōenji has superhuman stamina and reflexes. Most can't keep up, but Saiki did, without looking tired. I'm sure Saiki is like me, maybe even better physically.
'This is troublesome, but at least they're not thinking about psychics. Should I erase this memory? No, the replacement might be worse. Too late to pretend to be tired now.'
Saiki sighed, knowing he was in trouble. Fortunately, the others—Kōenji and Ayanokōji—were also hiding their strengths, so his secret was safe for now.
"I have a question for you ordinary folks. How do you see this place?"
Kōenji asked suddenly.
'What's he up to?'
These two are different. Let's test if they've noticed the island's artificial nature.
'He seems like a golden ape, but he's sharp. I underestimated him.'
'He's testing if I know the island is artificial...'
'Too bad, Kōenji. I know your plan!'
Saiki's mind raced, and he replied:
"This island seems normal, right?"
"Good, I see. You're just ordinary folks."
Kōenji didn't press further and continued walking.
'I got away with it.'
Kōenji's thoughts were now filled with self-praise, leaving Saiki no choice but to keep going.
As they walked, the trees thinned, and the path widened—
A massive cave appeared ahead.
"Saiki, is this the base?"
Ayanokōji turned to Saiki.
This is it. I saw it from the boat, and Saiki probably did too.
'Why ask if you know?'
Saiki felt helpless but played along.
"Not sure, probably."
"I think so too."
Saiki's still pretending.
'What's the point of asking?'
Just then, two figures emerged from the cave—Katsuragi Kōhei and Totsuka Yahiko.
'It's Katsuragi. They got here first.'
Saiki wasn't surprised. He'd heard Katsuragi's thoughts earlier—this was his target.
Katsuragi looked around, unaware of Ayanokōji and Saiki. He held the key card to claim the area, acting like a leader.
But Saiki knew it was an act.
He'd read Katsuragi's mind instantly.
No one's around, but I'll hold the key card and pretend to be the leader, just in case.
Katsuragi's thoughts were loud and clear.