Translation: botman

Edit/TLC: d3nj4l/Silent Death

Soon, it was July 16th, the deadline for the formation of small groups.

As I was doing my morning routine, I received a phone call from Ishizaki.

Yo, Ayanokouji. Morning.

It sure is rare for you to call me.

Todays the last day for forming small groups, right? I have something important to talk to you about.

Is it about Nishino? Last I checked, she hadnt formed a group.

I hadnt checked the OAA this morning though. Did the situation change?

In the end, she couldnt find anyone in her class to team up with, so she asked Ichinose to help her. Now, Tsube from Class C will help her out.

Ah, Hitomi Tsube from Class 2-C. She was an excellent student with more than a B in both Academic and Physical Ability.

Thats great.

Yeah. That means almost all of us have formed a group of 2 or more people. Except

There was a student in Class B who hadnt formed a group yet.

Ibuki, right?

Yeah. Ibukis on her own. Is there anyone who would group up with her?

Its risky to take the special exam by yourself. I understand how you feel.

I could tell from the way Ishizaki spoke that he had tried to persuade her many times, but had failed.

Give me some time. I think I have an idea.

Seriously? Sorry about dumping this on you so early in the morning!

I told Ishizaki that I would call him later, and then hung up.

Then I decided to try and contact someone who might group up with Ibuki.

Fortunately, that person hadnt left the dormitory yet, so I decided to meet her in the lobby.

In the elevator after mine was Horikita, the person I was waiting to meet.

Horikita was also one of the few students who, even now, didnt seem like they were about to group.

What are you going to do about your group?

Its too late to bring that up. Anyway, Im not going to group up with anyone this time. If you consider that the maximum number of people in a group is 6, its not a bad idea to go alone.

I know youre doing that so you can act as the situation demands. But what if you get sick and are eliminated? If you cant pay the incredibly high penalty, youll be expelled.

I know I dont need to go out of my way to remind her of that, but.

I am aware that Ill have to bear that amount of risk. Isnt that why youre not in a group as well?

But, my risks and your risks are different.

Whats the difference?

You had a problem with your health during the uninhabited island exam last year.

I cant believe youre bringing up something which happened a year ago. Anyone can get sick.

Yeah. However, you also took a break in the winter due to a fever. That makes it twice in one year.

You just happened to spend the year without taking a leave of absence. Do you think that means you wont get sick this time?

In terms of taking care of myself, Im more confident than you are.

When faced with the fact that I had perfect attendance, she had to accept this.

I see. Its true that Im not as good as you at taking care of myself. I admit that. But even if thats the case, making it out as something to be worried about

Horikita looked into my eyes. Her tone had started to heat up earlier, so she calmed herself down.

Its enough that you know. I had no intention of opposing you.

One must thoroughly take care of their health.

If she was strongly aware of that, then it was fine.

But even so, its dangerous to go alone.

Yeah.

In our class, only you, I, and Koenji havent formed a group yet, us three. The rest of our classmates have formed a small group of at least two people. Its safer to form a group of two, if possible.

You and Koenji are the only ones left in the class. That means theres no way to form a group anymore.

Thats only in our class.

Are there any girls left who havent formed a group?

Ah, theres one person I can think of.

Who are you talking about?

Ibuki from Class 2-B. Didnt you check the OAA?

Well, last I checked I did notice that she was alone.

Ishizaki is worried because Ibuki doesnt have anyone to group up with. How about grouping up with her for the special exam, Horikita?

Me and Ibuki?

If its two girls, you can merge with any other small group later. Why dont we just hear them out?

Thats true, having some kind of insurance would be better All right, Ill hear her out.

Maybe she just couldnt ignore this, and so, promised to meet with Ibuki.

I contacted Ishizaki and asked him to meet me during the lunch break.