Chapter 087 Dating Different Girls Doesn't Make You a Scumbag
"The theme of this special exam is 'Freedom.' For detailed rules, please consult your respective homeroom teachers.
...That is all. Aside from the exam itself, I hope you all enjoy this precious opportunity for communal living."
Mashima-sensei's speech concluded, and the students of the four classes dispersed in a tacit understanding.
"As long as we endure for seven days, we'll get 30,000 private points starting next month, right?"
"Easier said than done! How can we survive seven days with just these supplies!"
"We finally get a trip, I want to enjoy myself..."
"Who doesn't? The problem is what to do about next month's points."
"We'll worry about next month when it gets here."
"And then you'll go be another class's dog just to trade for points again, right?"
Arguments broke out immediately due to differing opinions—standard operating procedure for Class D. Chabashira Sae watched with a massive headache. With a group of "eccentrics" like this, how was she ever supposed to reach Class A?
"Everyone, please calm down. Let's first ask Chabashira-sensei for the specific details of the exam," Hirata Yousuke stepped in to maintain order. When no decisions were being made, Hirata the class rep was still very effective.
Chabashira Sae sighed helplessly and began her explanation.
"First, everyone will receive a digital wristwatch equipped with GPS and a heart rate monitor. In an emergency, you can send a distress signal with one button. However, once pressed, you will be forced to withdraw from the exam. Please use it with caution...
During the exam, no one is allowed to remove the watch, or it will be treated as an automatic withdrawal!"
This move was clearly for the students' safety. Unlike the school, this artificial island had no surveillance cameras; accidents were entirely possible.
"But if we wear the watch into the river to catch fish, won't it break?" Ike Kanji surprisingly raised a constructive question.
"Rest assured, the watch is waterproof. Even if a malfunction occurs, the school will send someone to replace it immediately."
Considering they had thought of everything, it seemed this island exam had been held many times before.
"Chabashira-sensei, we have to live on this island for seven days. If we don't spend our points, does that mean we have to solve all our problems ourselves?" Yamauchi Haruki asked with a straight face.
'Look at the nonsense this guy is asking. If we don't spend points, of course we solve it ourselves. You think you can get a free ride?'
Hikigaya didn't believe for a second that this school would give them something for nothing.
"That is correct. Aside from the initial supplies, everything else—including food, water, and shelter—must be resolved by yourselves. Thinking of solutions is also part of the exam... Alright, stop asking me such stupid questions!" Chabashira Sae's face flashed with impatience.
Class D finally quieted down as everyone flipped through their manuals.
"Chabashira-sensei, what is the specific rule regarding 'capturing spots' mentioned here?" Hirata Yousuke asked.
"Each class can choose a spot as their base camp. However, you have to find the specific locations yourselves. A spot can only be occupied by the leader swiping their card. The leader must refresh the occupation status every eight hours. Speaking of which, shouldn't you decide who the leader is now?"
Chabashira Sae scanned the group with a scrutinizing gaze.
'Even if you stare at me, I'm not coming forward to be the leader...' Hikigaya pretended not to notice. The students of Class D looked at each other, none of them speaking up. No one wanted a thankless job like that.
"If no one else is willing, I'll do it," Hirata Yousuke, the perennial nice guy, took the initiative to shoulder the responsibility no one else wanted.
"Wait a moment. Hirata-kun's leadership ability is unquestionable, but everyone, please look at this rule..." Kushida Kikyo pointed to a key tip in the manual.
"On the final day of the exam, there will be a 'Guess the Leader' segment. A class whose leader's identity is correctly guessed will be penalized 50 points. To be honest, Hirata-kun is famous not just in Class D but in other classes too. The risk of him being guessed is very high."
Kushida's argument was well-reasoned. Simultaneously, she subtly removed herself from the running—the "Little Angel Kushida" was no less famous than Hirata.
"I see, Kushida-san has a point. But then, who should we choose?"
'This girl... is she planning to...' Hikigaya immediately guessed Kushida's true intention.
"The leader needs to have a strong sense of responsibility. I suggest Horikita-san!"
The dagger was finally revealed. Kushida intended to pin the leader role on Horikita Suzune. If the exam failed, Horikita would become the target for everyone's blame.
"Horikita-san is indeed very reliable. I agree!"
"I agree too!"
Since Horikita had taken the initiative to participate in study groups during the finals, Class D's opinion of her had improved greatly. Even those who still held a grudge couldn't deny her individual ability.
Hikigaya frowned, about to speak up in opposition. But Horikita Suzune herself didn't even think twice and directly agreed.
"I accept. I'll be the leader for Class D." Horikita took a deep breath. She still harbored hope of reaching Class A, so she wouldn't refuse the responsibility.
'Being sick and still so stubborn, I should just call you 'Stubborn-kita'...' Hikigaya was speechless. Since it was Horikita's own choice, he had no right to interfere.
"Very well. If no one has any objections, I will hand the leader's keycard to Horikita." Chabashira Sae showed a satisfied smile; she clearly approved of Horikita as the leader.
After a final reminder, Chabashira exited, leaving the bewildered students of Class D behind.
"Leader, what is our next move?" Hirata was the first to speak, signaling the others to follow the leader's orders.
"..." Horikita Suzune stared at the manual in silence. The others thought she was deep in thought and didn't disturb her. Only as her daily seatmate could Hikigaya tell that Horikita was actually dazing out.
Wait a few more minutes, and with still no reaction, Hirata couldn't help but call out again. "Horikita."
Hikigaya reached out and placed a hand on Horikita's shoulder, pressing down slightly with his fingers.
"!!!" Horikita finally snapped back to reality, a flash of confusion on her face. She clearly hadn't noticed Hirata's question.
Seeing this, Hikigaya spoke up to remind her: "There's no rush to think of a perfect strategy. Why not think while we move? Setting up camp takes quite a bit of time..."
Horikita's eyes moved, immediately understanding his intent. She quickly issued orders: "Starting now, split into groups of three to search for spots we can capture."
Splitting up to find spots... The command was too vague. She hadn't explained what kind of spots to look for. This didn't match Horikita's usual sharp and cautious style. It seemed the illness was affecting her ability to think.
"Hachi~ let's the three of us move together." Hasabe Haruka and Sakura Airi took the initiative to invite him.
Hikigaya naturally wouldn't refuse. Around them, gazes of intense envy and jealousy immediately gathered, along with teeth-grinding sounds like "Damn it," "Why him," and "I want to have a girl on each arm too."
'Honestly, getting excited just because you're moving with girls is so stupid. If you let your head get hot and confess, 99% of the time you'll just get a 'Nice Guy' card.' Hikigaya knew this from experience.
"Hachiman-kun."
"Hmm, what is it?"
"Heehee~ nothing, I just wanted to call your name."
"Ooh~ Airi is going on the offensive! Go for it!"
"Ah~ Haruka, I hate you~~"
Sakura Airi gave Haruka a light punch with her small fist, then looked at Hikigaya with sparkling eyes. "An unsociable girl like me didn't have any expectations for a trip. I'm lucky I met Hachiman-kun and Haruka."
"Yeah, me too." Hikigaya's gaze paused as he recalled his middle school trips. Sitting alone on the bus, playing alone, and even being forgotten by the teacher during roll call at the end, having to take another class's bus back...
Compared to then, moving with two cute girls felt like a dream. Well, calling it a dream is a bit much—let's not compare it to reality.
"Hey~ you guys are being too sentimental." Hasabe Haruka chose to take direct action. She draped an arm over each of them, pressing their heads onto her shoulders. "Long live friendship!!"
'Eh?... Does this girl have no awareness of her own "weight"? They're touching, okay! What if I have dreams again tonight?' Hikigaya looked helpless.
Sakura Airi's eyes flickered slightly as she whispered in her heart: 'Sorry, Haruka... I might be a little greedy.'
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The three headed into the forest, chatting and laughing along the way.
"Oh~ there's a river ahead. We're really lucky~" Sakura Airi said with surprise.
"It's not just luck, right?" Hasabe Haruka hinted. "When we approached the shore, the ship purposefully circled the island."
"Yes, that was a hint from the school. By observing the favorable terrain, we can be more efficient when looking for spots." Although Hikigaya didn't want to work for the class, where Class D set up camp would affect his life for the next week. If he had a choice, he'd pick a more livable place.
"Can we drink the water here?" Hasabe fanned herself with her hand, feeling thirsty.
"Hold on a bit longer. We're downstream. The water quality upstream will be better," Hikigaya said.
The three continued upstream along the river. Before long, they found a flat clearing perfect for camping. On a large tree nearby hung an electronic scanner marking it as a capturable spot.
"I'll go back and inform the class. Airi, Haruka, you guys stay here and rest." Hikigaya headed back alone; he could move faster that way.
On the way, he heard a sound of something moving quickly through the forest. If it weren't for the accompanying loud human laughter, Hikigaya would have thought he'd encountered a wild beast!
"Hahahaha! I am too beautiful! Conquering the forest, I am simply too beautiful!"
Looking up, he saw a blond youth swinging through the trees with his hands. His movements were so agile it left one speechless!
'Is this guy cosplaying Tarzan?' Hikigaya couldn't even be bothered to roast him.
The other party seemed to notice him as well. His jumping movement paused, and he hung from a branch with one hand, looking down from above.
"Yo~ isn't it Fish-Eye Boy? Finding your way here, it seems you aren't moving blindly." Koenji Rokusuke looked at him with interest.
"To be so familiar with the terrain without even going to the deck to observe... is this what you call a genius?" Hikigaya gave him a rare compliment.
"Why would I need to scout a mere small island in advance?" Koenji looked arrogant, clearly extremely confident in his physical abilities. Then his gaze shifted, staring at him meaningfully. "And? I don't believe you would praise me for no reason."
"You caught me. You're amazing, Koenji." Having his intention seen through, Hikigaya didn't deny it. "I want to ask a favor of you."
"Interesting~ has Fish-Eye Boy finally found some motivation?" Koenji looked surprised.
"It's just a spur-of-the-moment idea... I want to ask you to run to the western side of the island as fast as possible. There's a wooden hut below a cliff. See if that spot has been occupied." This was a hidden spot Hikigaya had spotted from the deck. Of course, since he saw it, people from other classes might have found it too. That's why he asked the fast-moving Koenji.
"Oh? Such clear coordinates. It seems Fish-Eye Boy's observation skills are indeed strong." Koenji let go, dropping from the tree and landing steadily on the ground. "Then here is the question: why should I follow your request and change my travel route?"
"How about 50,000 points?" Hikigaya held up five fingers, using his "money power."
"Do you think I'm the type of person who lacks money?" Koenji remained unmoved. Anyone could see this blond master was a super rich second-generation.
"In this school, cash can't be converted into points at will, right? There might be some underground channels, but it's always a hassle to operate." Although the school technically banned cash transactions, money wasn't something a mere school rule could stop. If you had enough, even changing the principal was just a matter of a single sentence.
"Speaking of which, it doesn't feel very gentlemanly to let girls pay every time you go on a date." Hikigaya had seen Koenji on dates with senpai more than once, and it was always the girl who paid.
"Haha~ dating someone as beautiful as me, isn't it only reasonable to pay some points?" Koenji brushed his hair, acting as if it were a matter of course.
"At the very least, when buying 'Barrier Spirits' (condoms), you should use your own points, right?" Hikigaya frowned with a serious expression.
"What 'Barrier Spirits'..." Koenji's eyes widened, a rare flash of confusion appearing on his confident face.
"Barrier Spirits are 'Infant-Extinguishers'... uh, you know what I mean, right?" Hikigaya gestured with his hands. Then, he suddenly remembered that these fancy names were things he had heard in his dreams. In reality, these terms didn't exist yet!
"That is the first time I have heard such alternative names for that." Koenji's mouth twitched, his expression incredibly strange. "I have to admit, those names aren't just novel, they're quite fitting."
"Huh? You actually understood?" Hikigaya was surprised. Someone actually understood the nonsense words from his dreams?
"Hmph! Are you looking down on me?" Koenji's eyelids flickered, seemingly a bit annoyed.
'Is his competitive streak really that strong?' Hikigaya couldn't understand it.
"I'll admit you have a point. If I let the girl buy the... Barrier Spirits, it would indeed carry the suspicion of being a scumbag." After serious thought, Koenji accepted his opinion for once.
"Ah? So you're not a scumbag?" Hikigaya was shocked. He clearly dated different girls all the time...
"Shallow. It's a matter of mutual consent; how can that be called a scumbag? Besides, I have never deceived them!" Koenji folded his arms across his chest, acting completely righteous.
"...That makes sense." Hikigaya looked like he had learned something.
"A teachable student." Koenji was very pleased. He patted Hikigaya's shoulder hard and guided him earnestly: "Beautiful men like us inevitably attract many beautiful women. How to treat them fairly is a profound science... Hikigaya Hachiman, you possess the immense potential to become a beautiful man yourself!"
'What is this guy even talking about?' Hikigaya was baffled.
"Haha! Such maxims—are they so easily comprehended? Do more and think less. You must learn to use your body to slowly savor the pleasure within!"
'Damn it, can you riddlers just go away?' Hikigaya felt it sounded impressive but was actually nonsense. He couldn't be bothered to argue further. "So, are you doing this job or not?"
"I accept!" This time Koenji didn't stall. He agreed readily and dashed out with a rocket-start, shouting things like "I'm going to buy Barrier Spirits!"...
At that moment, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, who happened to be passing by, showed a rare hint of confusion on his expressionless face.
"What is a 'Barrier Spirit'?"
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