The next day.
July 20th, 8:40 AM.
Hikigaya and the others stood on the deck waiting, watching the first-years walk off the cruise ship first, then it was them, and finally the third-years.
A moment later.
With the assistance of the school staff.
Hikigaya and the others put on the watches used for scoring and walked off the cruise ship; the first target area was already displayed on the tablet.
D8.
Just one square above the starting point D9.
The people of Class B split into several small groups and dispersed in different directions. Amikura Mako turned back and said:
"Since it's starting, we don't need to be too anxious, right?"
"Yeah, there's no point in rushing over now."
Hikigaya couldn't help but nod.
There were only twelve routes in total, and there were only twenty minutes left until the area refreshed at nine o'clock.
The initial target areas.
Were likely distributed around the starting point in locations that could be easily reached. The first-years who moved earlier had already taken the arrival order rewards.
Chasing after them now would only yield arrival rewards.
There was no need to be too anxious.
Amikura Mako and Shirami Chihiro clearly understood this too.
"Then let's go."
Shirami Chihiro tightened the backpack on her body and said in a weak voice.
The supplies for the three of them.
Were all tailored for them by Ichinose's mother.
Need not say more about the rest; the main items were a two-person tent and a single 02-person tent.
Among them.
Hikigaya mainly carried the two-person tent and water, while the single-person tent was carried by Amikura Mako, and Shirami Chihiro only carried some lighter items.
Long before the exam started.
Hikigaya had confirmed their results. Shirami Chihiro's physical ability in the OAA was only D-.
She was indeed not very good at sports.
It was just that Hikigaya couldn't judge exactly how her stamina was, so he could only try to lighten Shirami Chihiro's burden as much as possible.
But after all, it was supplies for three people.
Plus having to carry a large amount of drinking water, it must be quite heavy to carry.
...
--- PAGE 13 ---
The three of them walked off the cruise ship.
The golden beach quickly came to an end, and a lush forest appeared before them. Many fellow travelers could still be seen around at the moment.
They hadn't walked more than a few steps.
The figures of Sakura Airi, Hasebe Haruka, and a boy appeared in the sight of Hikigaya and the others.
The two sides accidentally locked eyes.
Feeling Hikigaya's gaze, Sakura Airi's face flushed slightly and she quickly lowered her gaze. Hasebe, who was beside her, hurriedly whispered:
"Airi, let's hurry up, shall we?"
"..."
Miyake Akito looked back at Hikigaya, then at Sakura Airi, and couldn't help but nod. The few of them slightly quickened their pace, turned, and left.
"Should we walk a bit slower?"
Amikura Mako looked at the departing group and asked somewhat hesitantly.
"No."
Hikigaya shook his head.
He didn't expect to run into Sakura and the others here. It seemed that besides strength, feelings might also influence this exam.
If it were because of him.
That Sakura Airi and the others kept choosing to avoid them, thereby affecting this exam, it would really be a bit regrettable.
Should I find an opportunity to talk to them?
However.
He felt they might not necessarily meet again, so it was better to wait until they did.
"That..."
Shirami Chihiro's face flushed slightly as she spoke in a weak voice: "Hikki, did something happen between you and that Sakura-san?"
"..."
Amikura Mako, who was beside her, did not speak, but her eyes seemed somewhat concerned.
After all.
As early as when the sports festival ended.
They had already seen that Sakura Airi clearly liked Hikigaya. Now that she was somewhat distant, something had obviously happened in between.
Although it wasn't good to inquire about others' private matters.
The two truly couldn't restrain their inner souls for gossip.
"Hmm..."
Thinking it over.
Hikigaya still felt that using Sakura Airi's feelings as conversation fodder wasn't quite right.
"It's nothing... perhaps she's a bit disappointed to see me turn out like this."
Hikigaya looked at Sakura Airi's departing back.
This was for the best.
Not just Hasebe Haruka, but others as well; Sakura Airi had clearly made trusted companions.
While grateful for Sakura Airi's feelings, she also deserved someone who could make her happier.
She no longer needed help from others.
From now on.
It was better not to get involved with Sakura Airi and the others.
Whether for him, for Sakura Airi, or for Ichinose and the others, this should be the best choice.
...
Approaching 3:00 PM.
There was no random designation on the first day.
Therefore.
Hikigaya and the others easily obtained the arrival rewards for two areas, and incidentally took third place in the math exam.
Clearly.
This pairing was not something Ichinose had thought up randomly.
Long before the exam started.
Hoshinomiya Chie had indicated that all abilities were needed for this special exam.
Hikigaya would be responsible for liberal arts, Amikura Mako for science, and then the two would assist the physically weaker Shirami Chihiro.
However.
Although today's itinerary had ended.
But in just less than half a day, Shirami Chihiro was already breathing heavily and sweating profusely, clearly already somewhat exhausted.
Suddenly.
This made Hikigaya and Amikura Mako somewhat worried.
He remembered during the last uninhabited island exam, Shirami Chihiro had always been at the camp responsible for handling cooking and making meals, and had never been active outside.
Likely.
Such an exam was quite strenuous for her.
As the few of them were heading toward today's last target area, Hikigaya looked at the somewhat distressed Shirami Chihiro and really couldn't feel at ease.
"Give it to me."
Hikigaya stretched out his palm.
Although there had been an allocation at the beginning, these supplies were clearly still too heavy for Shirami Chihiro.
"Eh?"
Shirami Chihiro steadied her breathing, clutching her backpack and lowering her head in embarrassment:
"It's fine. Today's itinerary ends once we reach the next designated area, and I'll just rest then."
"That's true for today."
Hikigaya said somewhat helplessly: "But what about tomorrow? There are still more than ten days; you might not be able to last if you go on like this."
"Yeah."
Amikura Mako also hurriedly chimed in: "Chihiro-chan, we don't need to consider too high a rank. If we withdraw from the exam because you forced yourself, that would be putting the cart before the horse. Better leave it to Hikki and me."
"All right."
Shirami Chihiro hesitated for a moment before taking off her backpack and handing it to Hikigaya.
"Let's go."
"Wait a second?"
Watching this scene.
Amikura Mako was suddenly somewhat confused, hurriedly grabbing the backpack and looking at Hikigaya with a somewhat resentful gaze:
"No way, are you planning to carry everything for Chihiro?"
"Hmm? Is there a problem?"
Hikigaya asked in a somewhat confused manner, and Shirami Chihiro beside him was also equally puzzled.
"No..."
Amikura Mako was somewhat wordless:
"Fatigue will accumulate. If all the burden is placed on you, Hikki, you might not be able to hold out either. Better let me do it."
Saying so.
Amikura Mako opened the backpack.
She handed part of Shirami Chihiro's supplies to Hikigaya, put another part into her own bag, and left a little bit for Shirami Chihiro to continue carrying.
Hikigaya was not suitable for being a leader.
No wonder Ichinose would say that.
Although he usually looked very rational, Hikigaya was truly too gentle. He couldn't just stand by when a companion was in a crisis and liked to endure everything alone.
He would wear himself out sooner or later.
Since they were a three-person team.
Naturally, the three of them should assist each other and share the burden together.