Chapter 028 Kiryuin: I Am Inexperienced / Hoshinomiya-sensei's Request
The tablet showed that the destination was still 2 kilometers away.
However, as he actually walked the path, Shimizu Akira realized the terrain was far more difficult than he had imagined. There was almost no level ground; it was all undeveloped wilderness. Potholes in the dirt and tangled tree roots were everywhere—one lapse in concentration and you'd likely trip.
He had to stay alert for spider webs and beehives overhead while being careful not to step on ant nests below. Checking the time, he saw he had only a third of the way left, yet it had already taken him half an hour. This was despite his superior physical fitness and the fact that he was walking at a near-jogging pace the entire time.
It was easy to imagine how difficult this would be for other groups.
"As expected, moving alone is more efficient," Shimizu Akira muttered to himself.
If he had brought Karuizawa Kei and Horikita Suzune along, he would have had to slow down to look after them. That said, three minutes ago, a message came from Horikita saying they had finished half of their journey. He immediately warned them about the poor road conditions here and told them to find an alternate route.
There shouldn't be much to worry about on that front.
Shimizu Akira hadn't gone much further after stowing his tablet when voices faintly echoed from ahead.
"Hey, Kito! Why are you rushing so much? The first-years are ahead of us!"
"Sakayanagi's instructions were to reach the first destination as early as possible. Just keep up with me."
"This path is so hard to walk, can't you slow down?"
"Exactly, Kito. I think you should slow down too; don't wear Kamuro out."
"Hashimoto, why do you sound so disgusting? Let me tell you, I have a boyfriend."
"Rest assured, Kamuro-san, I have absolutely no interest in you. I know your boyfriend is Shimizu Akira."
Shimizu Akira pushed aside a large leaf. Not far ahead were Hashimoto Masayoshi, Kamuro Masumi, and Kito Hayato. Kito was in the lead, using a branch to scout the path.
"Someone's there?!"
Hashimoto Masayoshi turned back alertly, letting out a sigh of relief once he saw who it was. Kamuro Masumi's expression also visibly softened.
"If it isn't Shimizu!" Hashimoto smiled and waved. "Why are you alone? Where are your two teammates?"
"Split up," Shimizu Akira walked forward. "I'm scouting ahead."
Kito Hayato stopped and nodded at him as a greeting.
Kamuro Masumi walked directly to Shimizu's side, looking him up and down. "Where is your group's destination? Is it D9?"
"D7." Shimizu Akira glanced at her. "Looks like our routes are different. But looking at your lineup—two guys and one girl—Hashimoto, did you use the 'Additional Member' card right from the start?"
"Exactly," Hashimoto nodded with a smile. "The Princess's logic is that grouping up splits the points, so it's definitely better to group up as early as possible."
Shimizu Akira became pensive.
That day Hashimoto had left looking troubled, and Shimizu had thought the guy might have some issues with Sakayanagi Arisu. Now it seemed he was still obediently following orders and had successfully formed a four-person group.
He suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Hashimoto, I heard your conversation just now. How did you know Masumi is my girlfriend?"
Hashimoto waved it off with a laugh. "I have a bit of experience in the romance department. I've had quite a few girlfriends, so I can basically tell at a glance who is a couple with whom."
He lowered his voice and added, "But don't worry, Shimizu. Given our relationship, I definitely won't go around spreading rumors. Kito isn't the gossiping type either. Besides, Kamuro has a single-person tent; Kito and I will keep the proper distance from her."
Shimizu Akira felt that this guy was almost too tactful. He couldn't help but smile.
"Fine, I get it."
"So... do you need me to give you two some time alone?" Hashimoto asked tentatively.
Shimizu looked around. There were massive trees everywhere, and mosquitoes buzzed around the moment they stopped. He shook his head. "No need. Since our routes are different, let's part ways here."
Shimizu Akira looked at Kamuro Masumi. "Masumi, I'll come find you in a few days. Good luck with the exam. We'll stay in touch via walkie-talkie."
He had noticed earlier that Hashimoto had a walkie-talkie clipped to his waist, likely for contacting Sakayanagi Arisu. As long as they were on the same channel, they could communicate anytime.
"Okay," Kamuro Masumi nodded bluntly. "See you later, then."
With that, she followed Hashimoto and Kito toward the small path to the right.
To Masumi, this wasn't a big deal. Right now, both she and Shimizu were fighting for their respective classes. It would be stranger if they wasted time standing around due to personal feelings. Just as Shimizu said, once 6:00 PM rolled around and there were no more tasks or spot missions, it wouldn't be too late to meet.
Shimizu Akira watched the three walk away and turned to continue forward.
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After about ten minutes of walking, he finally reached the coordinates designated on the tablet—D7. The watch on his wrist vibrated slightly. He pulled out the tablet; sure enough, his group had gained a point.
Ahead was an open area where many students were sitting on the ground resting. They were all first-year kouhais. Someone noticed him and looked surprised.
"A second-year senior is already here?"
"That's way too fast. Didn't they say the seniors only started at nine?"
"And he's not from Class A, who left first... it looks like Shimizu-senpai from Class B!"
Shimizu Akira, aware that he was something of a celebrity, gave a casual wave. "Hello, everyone."
In response, the group of first-years greeted him respectfully. They held a high level of respect for Shimizu Akira—partly because he was a second-year senior, and partly because his stats were right there for everyone to see. People naturally feel a degree of reverence toward the strong.
Shimizu scanned the area and noticed most were in groups of four. The initial setup for the first-years had already reached the level of the second and third-years after using their "Additional Member" cards. These kouhais definitely had a significant initial advantage.
However, by the fourth day when the grouping restrictions were lifted, things might change.
He figured there was a three-hour gap until the next check-in and no new tasks had refreshed on the tablet, so he opened his backpack, unscrewed a bottle of water, and sat down to take a short break.
At that moment, a voice called out from behind.
"Yo, isn't this Shimizu-senpai? Good morning."
Shimizu turned around. A petite redhead kouhai was walking toward him with a grin. Wasn't this his own manager, Amasawa Ichika?
"Good morning, Amasawa," he greeted with a wave.
After their last conversation, Shimizu knew she didn't harbor any real malice, so his attitude was naturally more relaxed.
Amasawa Ichika hurried to his side, speaking with some admiration: "Shimizu-senpai is so fast! We first-years started half an hour early, but you still caught up."
Shimizu waved it off. "It's alright. I see you first-years have been resting here for quite a while."
Amasawa Ichika's eyes curved into crescents. "From the looks of it, is Shimizu-senpai also acting alone? I don't see the other senpais."
She gave a self-deprecating laugh. "As for me, I'm basically someone abandoned by my class. No one wanted to form a group of four with me, so I was forced into a trio with Hosen Kazuomi and Nanase Tsubasa from Class 1-D. As a result, those two classmates are off in the distance somewhere, leaving me here all alone."
She said playfully, "Senpai has to take good care of your manager later!"
Shimizu Akira didn't take the bait. The data from this morning showed thirty-six groups of four, totaling 144 people. The total number of first-years was 159. This meant Amasawa Ichika was indeed among the remaining 159.
But to say she was abandoned by her class? Shimizu didn't believe it for a second. Amasawa Ichika had a cheerful personality, was well-liked in the first year, and had many friends. Being "abandoned" was clearly a lie; she had obviously chosen to group with Hosen and Nanase on purpose.
Amasawa Ichika laughed again and said, "By the way, can Shimizu-senpai cook for me?"
"Why are you bringing that up again all of a sudden?"
"Because I simply like it when people cook for me!" Amasawa Ichika said righteously. "Look how hard I've been working at the club lately, recruiting so many freshmen! I even brought in three people last month. Shouldn't you reward me a little?"
As a manager, Amasawa Ichika had indeed been working hard lately; even Kei had praised her during their casual chats. But Shimizu Akira still shook his head. "You should talk to the Boxing Club President for that. I'm just a member. Besides, hasn't the President rewarded you enough lately? You've gotten tens of thousands of private points already; you've asked for plenty."
Amasawa Ichika instantly put on a pitiful expression. "Points are points, rewards are rewards. How can they be the same? Points can't serve as a meal... wait, points can buy food, but
that's a cold transaction! Food made by senpai's own hands—that's what you call the human touch!"
Shimizu Akira was somewhat speechless at her twisted logic. "You sure talk a lot."
"Of course!" Amasawa Ichika tilted her chin up proudly. "We White Room people don't talk much usually, so I have to make up for all those lost ten-plus years all at once! Oh, right, I heard from Karuizawa-senpai that your brown sugar ginger tea is delicious! I want to try it too."
"I only make it for my girlfriend." Shimizu Akira felt this was coming out of nowhere. "Besides, didn't Ayanokoji cook for you last time? Just ask him."
Amasawa Ichika's face immediately fell into a mourning expression.
"Ayanokoji just bought ready-made food to deal with me that day! Honestly, I used to see him as an idol, but after meeting him, my illusions were completely shattered. Setting aside his bad personality, he can't cook at all!"
That wasn't a lie. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka truly couldn't cook. However, as for having a "bad personality"? He was actually quite decent to Shimizu.
"Don't always expect others to cook for you; can't you learn yourself? As the saying goes, 'with one's own hands, one finds food and clothing.'"
As he spoke, he glanced at the tablet and noticed several tasks had refreshed nearby. He lost interest in continued idle chatter. "Alright, Amasawa, I'm going to participate in a task. See you later."
"Oh, I see! See you later, senpai!"
Amasawa Ichika didn't pester him further, waving as she departed.
As Shimizu Akira packed his things and stood up, he carefully examined the three newly refreshed tasks on the tablet.
(Male/Female) Grip Strength Measurement: 1st place 5 points, 2nd place 3 points, 3rd place 1 point. No reward below 2nd place. English Exam: Participation by a pair from the same group. Scoring is the same as Grip Strength. Water Supply Task: 1st place 2 liters of water, 2nd place 1.5 liters, 3rd place 1 liter. 4th to 30th to arrive can collect 500ml of water.
Shimizu Akira obviously couldn't participate in the English exam. The grip strength and water supply tasks, however, were worth considering. He realized that water supply wasn't as simple as just going to the spot; it was distributed based on arrival order. Fortunately, it was only the first day, so water wasn't scarce yet.
After a bit of thought, he ultimately chose the grip strength measurement which had appeared first.
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It took Shimizu Akira about half an hour to reach the site of the grip strength task. Coincidentally, the teacher in charge was Hoshinomiya Chie. She was wearing a sun hat, waving a small fan, and sitting near a tent.
The moment she saw Shimizu Akira, she stood up and greeted him with a laugh: "Shimizu! You've come at the perfect time! We're still missing two people. Hurry over and sign up!"
Shimizu stepped forward and successfully registered with his tablet under Hoshinomiya's guidance. The total preparation time was one hour, with half an hour remaining before it started.
He scanned his surroundings; about a dozen people were present. Because the competition was divided by gender, Shimizu was able to sign up successfully. The exam had been open for over two hours, and there were students from both the second and third years on the field.
Hm? There was a familiar face. Kiriyama Ikuto, the Vice President of the Student Council from Class 3-B whom he hadn't seen in a long time, was also among them.
The other man clearly saw him as well, his face looking oddly awkward. After hesitating for a few seconds, likely feeling he couldn't avoid it, he finally took the initiative to walk over.
"Shimizu," he greeted.
"Vice President Kiriyama," Shimizu Akira nodded.
Coming to stand before him, Kiriyama Ikuto spoke heavily: "I haven't proactively contacted you for several months. Including this uninhabited island exam, I didn't discuss any plans to deal with Nagumo Miyabi with you in advance. To tell you the truth, I have already joined Nagumo Miyabi's camp.
Even though Horikita-senpai entrusted me with the task of opposing Nagumo before he left, I ignored his request for my own desire to reach Class A. I've also let down your expectations as an assistant.
This is my fault. Whatever compensation you want, I will do my best to provide it."
Shimizu thought for a moment and simply shook his head. "No need for compensation. This was your own choice, Vice President. I only hope that you can follow our previous agreement and continue to protect Horikita Suzune, Kushida Kikyo, and Ichinose Honami within the Student Council."
"Naturally, I will do that." Kiriyama Ikuto nodded seriously, then added, "Oh, right, I've thought about it and decided to return those one million private points to you. It's at least one form of compensation I can provide."
He continued with some resentment: "Actually, thinking about it, if the gap between our Class B and Class A wasn't so huge, with zero possibility of reaching Class A, I wouldn't have had to follow Nagumo Miyabi's orders. In the end, it's all Kiryuin Fuuka's fault. Her selfish actions lost so many class points. I was forced into this; I didn't want to betray Horikita-senpai..."
"Kiriyama, you're the same as always—only capable of finding excuses."
A bored voice suddenly came from behind the two, cutting through Kiriyama Ikuto's complaining.
The two spun around to see Kiryuin Fuuka lightly brushing her hair, walking toward them with a gallant posture. "I did indeed act on my own, but the class points lost amounted to 200 at most, right? Furthermore, in several of my solo actions, I earned quite a few points for the class. Factoring that in, the net loss is 100 points at most. On the other hand, the current point gap between Class 3-B and Class 3-A is a full 600 points. In the end, isn't it because you defected to Nagumo Miyabi too early, causing Class B to be useless in several special exams, that we completely lost the chance to overtake Class A?"
"That..." Kiriyama Ikuto was instantly speechless. After freezing for a moment, he retorted with exasperation, "Stop talking nonsense here! My defection to Nagumo wasn't that early! Conversely, those times you gained points were just based on your own whims. You are the one who holds the class back the most! Don't slander my reputation in front of Shimizu-kouhai!"
Kiryuin Fuuka didn't bother to look at him again, turning directly to Shimizu Akira. "Kiriyama, I have no interest in talking to a boring person like you. I want to chat with my cute kouhai. You're in the way—can you leave?"
Kiriyama Ikuto wanted to say more, but thinking of the fact that he had betrayed Horikita-senpai, he felt he had no face left. He could only give a heavy huff and turn to walk away quickly.
Watching this, Shimizu Akira looked at Kiryuin Fuuka with some surprise. "Kiryuin-senpai, you went out of your way to explain this time. I thought you would just ignore him."
"Hehe, there are indeed some things I'm too lazy to explain." Kiryuin Fuuka smiled dashingly. "But you were present. If I was misunderstood by my cute kouhai as some kind of terrible woman, how could I chat with you in the future?"
I see. This reason was quite consistent with her personality.
"So, what did you want to say to me, Senpai?" Shimizu Akira asked directly.
"Me?" She tilted her head slightly. "I'm actually not that interested in this school's rules regarding aiming for Class A. Choosing this place for further education was just a whim. I'm more curious about what your goal is in this school. Why did you choose to come here in the first place?"
A very direct question.
Shimizu thought about it and answered truthfully, "Joining this place was purely accidental. As for my goal, as long as I can graduate, it's fine."
"Graduate?" She was slightly taken aback. "In other words, your goal isn't Class A? Any class is fine?"
"Right. Whether it's A or D, I can accept it."
"Interesting." Kiryuin Fuuka laughed. "Then let me change the question. What is your goal for this exam?"
"Dealing with trouble and getting a high rank," Shimizu said. "What about you, Senpai?"
"I'm also aiming for a high rank," she said with a bit of a complaint. "Though I have no interest in class points, my private points are running a bit low. It's true I'm naturally beautiful, but my desire to buy pretty clothes and cute things isn't small at all. The private points the school issues are just too few."
Shimizu Akira couldn't help but laugh. So Kiryuin-senpai could also rarely show a girlish side!
At that moment, Hoshinomiya-sensei's call came from not far away, and the participants began to gather.
"Senpai, I have to go over." Shimizu glanced in that direction. "Since this is a gender-separated grip strength test, let's say goodbye here."
"Okay," Kiryuin Fuuka nodded, then suddenly called out to him as if remembering something. "Oh, right, Kouhai, there's one more thing I need to explain."
Shimizu immediately put on a serious listening expression.
Kiryuin Fuuka said straightforwardly: "Some people might say I'm like Koenji Rokusuke from your year. But I am not interested in matters of men and women like that man is. Up until now, I am still an inexperienced maiden. You should know that."
Shimizu's footsteps faltered, and he nearly tripped over himself.
"Uh... I see."
No, Senpai, why would you suddenly say that out of the blue?!
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The male grip strength competition concluded half an hour later. Shimizu Akira undoubtedly took first place, with Kiriyama Ikuto taking second. As for the other students he didn't know, he didn't care about their rankings.
In the female grip strength competition next door, Kiryuin-senpai took first place without any suspense. Shimizu's group gained five points as a result.
Adding in the check-ins completed by Horikita Suzune and Karuizawa Kei, their group now had a total of eight points.
He was just about to go to the nearby water supply point to collect water when he was stopped by Hoshinomiya Chie.
"Shimizu! Don't be in such a hurry to leave. Stay and talk with your cute Hoshinomiya-sensei for a bit!"
Shimizu thought about it; this teacher was indeed good to his Honami, and she was likely stopping him for Honami's sake, so he paused.
"Last year's Class 1-D has turned into Class 2-B," Hoshinomiya asked with a smile while waving her fan. "With your strong overall abilities, Shimizu-kun, are you aiming for first place in this island exam?"
"It doesn't necessarily have to be first place; a high rank is fine," Shimizu Akira said truthfully.
If he really wanted to aim for first, he could have grouped with Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and Hirata Yosuke. The purpose of this exam was, on one hand, to deal with the White Room assassins and Tsukishiro, and on the other, to protect his girlfriends and earn some points along the way. Pursuing a high rank was his lowest priority.
"Hmph hmph..." Hoshinomiya puffed out her cheeks. "Shimizu-chan says that, but you always perform exceptionally well at the end of every special exam! What is that? You must be playing the pig to eat the tiger! Still being so low-key with your cute teacher."
She was in her thirties, but because she was cute and had a great figure, her acting spoiled actually gave off the vibe of a college student. However, after a few seconds, she suddenly put away the joking and looked at him seriously.
"Say, now that Honami has been completely captured by you... can you promise me that your class will absolutely not rise to Class A in the future?"
Shimizu Akira shook his head directly.
"Sorry, Hoshinomiya-sensei. I can't promise you that."
Honami being with him was a matter of mutual consent. Regarding rising to Class A—while he didn't have a personal obsession with it—Suzune, Kikyo, Hirata Yosuke, and everyone else in the class were working hard for it.
From the sounds of it, she wanted him to secretly hold back or even proactively interfere. That just wasn't realistic.
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