August 8th.
Inside a cruise ship bedroom.
This uninhabited island summer vacation.
Hikigaya still lived in the same bedroom as Kanzaki and the others.
Watching Kanzaki and the others leave the bedroom, Hikigaya sat by the bed feeling a bit nervous.
That's right.
Today was his birthday.
Just having a birthday didn't matter, it didn't matter to Hikigaya whether he celebrated it or not.
But at this time last year.
Under Ichinose's proposal, Class B seemed to prepare to celebrate his birthday this year.
He didn't know if they were serious, or just saying it casually.
If they forgot, it wouldn't be a problem.
If they didn't forget—
People whose names he couldn't even call out giving him birthday gifts.
It felt truly too embarrassing.
It was.
It probably wouldn't go that far; perhaps it's more normal that they've already forgotten.
The only person who would care so much about these things is likely him.
"Disgusting."
Hikigaya shook his head.
He decided not to take it to heart, acting as if nothing had happened.
"If one avoids great joy and great sorrow, then bone-deep sadness will not come; as expected of a great writer."
Hikigaya couldn't help but nod.
Only then did he get up and leave the room, preparing to head to the restaurant.
It was breakfast time, and the restaurant was crowded with students.
It wasn't that there weren't other restaurants, it's just that this Restaurant No. 1 was the most popular among students.
From a distance.
One could see the striking figures of Ichinose and Sakayanagi Arisu, with Himeno Yuki, Kamuro Masumi, and Tsubaki Sakurako sitting beside them.
Ichinose and Sakayanagi Arisu had unique auras, easily attracting the gaze of those around them.
Moreover.
With so many beautiful girls sitting together, it would be abnormal if no one noticed.
Hikigaya also spotted Karuizawa and her companions not far from the group.
In order to maintain her status in the class.
As long as it was a public place, Karuizawa would not approach.
"Good morning."
Hikigaya walked up to Ichinose and the others, pulled out a chair, and sat down.
He had already grown accustomed to this during this period of time.
"Good morning."
Everyone greeted him, and Ichinose smiled full of energy:
"hikki, what would you like to eat?"
"Whatever."
"Really, it's the 'whatever' that makes it difficult."
"Sorry..."
Hikigaya couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.
Ichinose and the others had mentioned this to him many times before.
It's just that long-standing habits are indeed difficult to change; he accidentally said it out of habit.
"I'll just have the same thing as you."
"Alright then."
**"hikki~."**
Kamuro Masumi looked around and lowered her voice:
"After breakfast, let's go do a SPA together."
"I'm fine with anything."
Hikigaya nodded indifferently.
Actually, he wasn't very interested and preferred quieter entertainment activities.
Compared to a SPA, he wanted to go to the entertainment hall on the cruise ship or watch a movie, mainly just to accompany them.
Women devour pleasure more greedily than men.
"I agree too."
Himeno Yuki nodded in agreement.
He didn't know if it was an illusion, but it felt like the relationship between Himeno Yuki and Kamuro Masumi had improved a lot.
"Sorry."
Ichinose said somewhat apologetically:
"I can't go today?"
"Then I won't go either."
Tsubaki Sakurako added flatly.
During this time on the cruise ship, Ichinose had been taking Tsubaki Sakurako around to play; it felt like this person was almost becoming Ichinose's tag-along.
Although it was difficult to notice.
But Tsubaki Sakurako's attitude also seemed to be slowly changing.
Only when she was alone with Ichinose.
Tsubaki Sakurako would occasionally say a few more words, such as which brand of lollipop tasted better.
"Eh?"
Himeno Yuki suddenly asked with some confusion:
"Why? Is there something wrong with Honami?"
"Um..."
Ichinose hesitated for a moment before explaining:
"It's about the Student Council; you'll find out in a moment."
"Hmm?"
At this time, Sakayanagi Arisu and the others also turned their gazes and squinted their eyes:
"I remember the school guaranteed that there would be no special exams during this time on the cruise ship. What exactly is it?"
"Don't worry."
Feeling the slightly heavy gazes of Himeno Yuki and the others, Ichinose smiled and comforted them:
"It's not a special exam. It's just that due to Student Council rules, I can't tell you. Anyway, you'll know soon."
"It's fine, as long as it's not a special exam."
Hikigaya couldn't help but nod.
After all.
Since Ichinose was a member of the Student Council.
She could more or less obtain some information in advance.
After eating breakfast.
Ichinose left first because she had things to do, and Tsubaki Sakurako followed closely behind to take her leave.
Hearing from Ichinose that something might happen, the group did not go to the SPA again, but simply took Sakayanagi shopping on the cruise ship.
Near ten o'clock.
Everyone's phone rang at the same time.
"Treasure Hunt game? What is this?"
Looking at the email on the phone, Himeno Yuki was somewhat confused.
"A game in the literal sense, I suppose."
Speaking of games, Hikigaya said with some excitement:
"I wonder what the rewards will be. Should we go try it?"
[Treasure Hunt Game]
A reward game open for free participation.
Conditions: Regardless of gender, one or more people can participate. A participation fee of 10,000 Private Points must be paid.
Implementation Date: Today, August 8th.
For detailed instructions, please go to the venue (must arrive at the 5th floor before 10:00 AM).
After listening to the explanation, you can also choose not to participate.
"Of course we're going!"
With only a few people present, Himeno Yuki suppressed her excited voice and said:
"This is what Ichinose was talking about. It actually requires a 10,000-point participation fee. I wonder what the rewards will be!"
"Then let's go have a look."
Sakayanagi Arisu and the others also nodded in agreement.
5th Floor Venue.
By the time Hikigaya arrived with Sakayanagi and the others, many people had already gathered in the venue.
Ryuuen, Katsuragi, Ayanokouji, Sudou, Horikita Suzune, and first-year Nanase Tsubasa were all there.
After all.
Even though one could choose not to participate after hearing the explanation.
Most people would probably come to join the fun before making a decision.
"Good morning, fellow students."
PAGE 2
"Because it is now 10:00 AM, registration is closed. We only accept students currently gathered here."
Soon.
A teacher walked onto the stage, with Nagumo Miyabi following half a step behind. The figures of the Student Council members could also be seen behind them.
"Before the opening explanation, I will first explain the reason for deciding to hold this Treasure Hunt game. This Treasure Hunt game originated from a proposal by Student Council President Nagumo-kun."
"While living through the harsh uninhabited island life and competing against each other by school year, in order to enhance feelings, we should also conduct a fun leisure activity that everyone can enjoy."
"Nagumo-kun, please come forward to give a speech."
Upon hearing this.
Hikigaya was suddenly a bit startled.
Does the Student Council have the power to hold such a large-scale event?
Isn't this power a bit too large?
"Well then."
"Next, I will explain the outline of the Treasure Hunt game."
"There are no complicated rules; it's very simple content."
Nagumo Miyabi picked up the microphone and made some small talk, then held his right hand high, showing a piece of paper and smiling:
"We have hidden a total of 100 stickers printed with this QR code in various places on the ship. Participants are asked to find these stickers in a treasure hunt."
"By scanning this QR code with a dedicated APP, reward Private Points will be issued. However, one phone can only scan once! Naturally, a scanned QR code will become invalid and cannot be used by other phones to continue obtaining rewards."
"The minimum Private Points you can get is 5,000."
"We have prepared fifty stickers worth 5,000 points, exactly half of the total number."
"Then there are thirty 10,000-point stickers, ten 50,000-point stickers, five 100,000-point stickers, and three 300,000-point stickers. Finally, there is one 500,000-point and one 1,000,000-point sticker."
"Of course, you can assume that the higher the difficulty of finding them, the more Private Points you will receive."
"However, most of this still depends on luck!"
"As long as you pay a 10,000-point registration fee, you have a chance to get 1,000,000 Private Points!"
Hearing Nagumo Miyabi finish his grand speech.
Hikigaya was a bit speechless.
To be able to hold such an event.
It must be said that Nagumo Miyabi is doing quite well as the Student Council President.
However.
Private Points really didn't have much attraction for him; he'd rather the prizes be replaced with some kind of souvenir...