Volume 13, Epilogue: The calm before the storm

The end of the first semester had come much sooner than I had anticipated.

We had to move on to our next objective as soon as possible.

Its been a year since we last left school and headed for the port, where we boarded a large passenger ship to some unknown deserted island. This time not even a moment of respite was given, and tomorrow morning, the special exams would be announced to start. The students, who were told to gather in the classroom for a brief explanation, went to their classes, waiting for their homeroom teacher to show up. Meanwhile, there was a brief checklist on the screen with reminders like, Is there anything you have forgotten?

You were allowed to bring a change of underwear for up to a week, which was necessary to maintain hygiene. Cell phones were required, but theyd probably be confiscated at the start of the exam. Even if you were allowed to bring one, there wouldnt be a signal on the island, so itd just be extra baggage. They were probably there for paying your penalty or buying items on the ship.

While waiting for the sound of the bell to signify the start, Keisei, who seemed to be once again checking to make sure he hadnt forgotten anything, came to my seat with a grim expression on his face.

Honestly, surviving on an uninhabited island isnt something very good at. You might as well ask me to catch a cloud.

Its no wonder, given its so far from the norm.

But its even harder on the girls, so I cant really complain.

Unlike boys, there are some predicaments unique to girls, so this kind of exam would be even more difficult for them.

Of course, the school had done their best to take it into account but that didnt make the hard part of the exam any easier.

Although were competing in different groups, I still want to do what I can to help out.

Although it was a special exam he wasnt comfortable with, Keisei was determined to do everything he could to protect his comrades.

Yeah. There should be some way we can cooperate, so Ill lend a hand when the time comes.

I promised to help them as much as I could.

But, are you alright going alone? If you get sick, its over. If by any chance you receive the penalty, youd have to pay 6 million points Itd all be over in an instant.

My perfect attendance record at least until now is one of the few things that Im proud of.

Youre starting to sound a bit sarcastic lately, you know?

Keisei, who was laughing, returned to his seat. Shortly after, the bell rang to announce a new battle, and the 39 members of Class 2-D took their seats.

As she entered the classroom, Chabashiras natural expression turned serious, and the atmosphere grew heavy.

Its the start of summer vacation today, but you guys look like youre having a tough time. Well, I suppose that cant be helped.

Chabashira activated the screen and her tablet.

Then well start with the final check. If youre not feeling well now, you have to report it.

Confirmation of personal belongings and physical condition. After that, the schedule and necessary items were displayed again. Fortunately, there were no sick students in Class 2-D, so everything went by smoothly. Koeunji was obedient, which was to be expected of a student who chose to fight alone instead of in a group.

No problems, thats great.

Chabashira turned off the monitor a few minutes later, after confirming all the necessary things before leaving for the exam.

Then, to get everyones attention, she gently tapped her hand once on the lectern.

This is not your first time taking a special exam. You have been fighting in this school for more than a year, and have overcome all manner of hardships. Nonetheless, this special exam will not be easy to pass.

It was advice from Chabashira, or you could say it was a sort of warning.

The teachers advice to our Class 2-D is that we should never get complacent.

Its inevitable that this exam will be harder than anything else youve faced before.

Chabashira intently looked at the students, as if she were trying to imprint each students face onto her mind.

Ive only got one wish for all of you. If you can, dont let a single one of your classmates disappear, and return to this classroom once again.

Chabashira hoped that this exam wouldnt be a one way ticket for us.

Well gather in the court in 10 minutes for a roll call. Remember to go to the bathroom first, if you need to.

Since we didnt have much time, the students left in a hurry.

When Akito and the group gathered around my seat near the entrance, I stood up with my luggage.

Almost at the same time, Kouenji stood up and spoke to one of the students instead of the hallway.

Can I talk to you for a minute, okay? Horikita girl.

It was a rare behavior that attracted not only mine, but also the attention of the students who remained in the classroom.

Its rare for you to come to talk to me of your own volition.

It seems Horikita felt the same.

Theres something Id like to talk about regarding the special exam thats about to begin.

Oh my, you finally feel like helping us, right?

Lets just say that youre half right.

Horikita looked suspicious upon hearing Kouenjis unexpected words.

I knew very well that Kouenji wasnt the type to help others that easily.

Whats your objective? Can you tell me the other half of what you mean to say?

The class points for the top three groups. You have an EXTREME DESIRE for them, right?

Of course. Depending on how many points we can get, the order of the classes could change by a great magnitude.

Then let me make a suggestion, alright? If I get a good result on the uninhabited island exam, I want you to promise me full FREEDOM.

The class went silent for a moment, due to Kouenjis inconceivable statement.

Although it had a condition, he expressed his intention to seriously participate in the special exam.

Promise you full freedom Thats an unexpected proposal. Allowing you to continue and do as you please, as you did before, right?

Exactement! Not only should I be allowed that, but you should also work hard to remove every obstacle in my way like a dray horse, you know?

So hes saying, for example, like last years Class Vote, if a special exam was held in the future to expel students not needed in the class, shed have to protect Kouenji unconditionally.

Thats not something I can easily agree to. Everyone else in the class probably feels the same

If you were in this class, helping out was the minimum obligation..

It wouldnt be easy to obtain permission to simply watch on like a spectator.

Consider it to be an advance payment before graduation.

Hed make a contribution to the class for the next special exam, and from there on hed do whatever he wanted, this was the sort of deal he wanted.

Looks like you too can feel the crisis looming over your head. Your classmates wont just forgive your carefree speech and antics forever. If a special exam like the class vote is held again, youd be made into their scapegoat.

Even for the weirdo Kouenji, avoiding a crisis would be difficult depending upon the exams contents.

Theres no need for such drastic proposals. Cant you just be like everyone else?

Naturally, Horikita kicked away and rejected Kouenjis proposal.

But even if she rejected it now, Kouenji wouldnt have helped us in the future special exams anyway.

If he does, itd only be when he was cornered.

If that was the case right now, getting him to give his all only on this exam was certainly an option, but

Sorry Kouenji-kun, I put too much value on your talent to let you do just alright on this exam and be a spectator later on. It just doesnt sit right with me.

After taking various factors into account, Horikita came to this decision.

I see. In other words, negotiations have broken down, right?

-Not exactly. If I can add some conditions to it, itd be an acceptable proposal.

Although she might have rejected it, Horikita seemed to have other ideas.

A vague answer like getting a good result wont do. The school has prepared a reward for the group that finishes in 1st place in this exam. If you get first place on your own, that might be reason enough for us to consider this an advance payment till graduation.

If Kouenji, who wasnt in a group with anyone, won alone, hed receive 300 class points. It was probably enough to pay for the total contribution he would have been expected to make before graduation. Nonetheless, taking 1st place among over 100 groups wouldnt be easy, even for Kouenji.

I see, I see. Certainly, you seem like you will be satisfied if I get 1st place by myself, riiight?

Kouenji laughed loudly at this good deal.

No problem, lets consider this a done deal!

No, thats not enough.

Kouenji made a gesture as if he was going to accept this ridiculous proposal, but Horikita immediately added that it wasnt enough yet.

I havent finished telling you my conditions yet. Ill have to work with you because of your big talk, but if we dont get first place in the end, its a problem for us too.

In other words?

If you dont get first place, then you will have to help the class in the future, such as the next special exam, and get results. You have to make this promise to me.

At this moment, I could clearly hear Keiseis breathing next to me, as he watched the entire spectacle unfold. You could call this a beautifully added condition. If by any chance Kouenji came in first place, it would be fine. Even if he didnt come in first, hed have to contribute to the next special exam as an additional condition. No matter what happened, Class D had nothing to lose.

Now it was up to Kouenji to decide if hed accept the additional condition

I see that youve given a confident ORDER, Horikita girl.

If you agree to the aforementioned conditions, Ill accept your proposal.

Then its a deal. Horikita girl, please dont forget the conditions I mentioned.

Even if there was an additional condition, Kouenji expressed that he wouldnt refuse them.

Do you really plan to win first place by yourself?

After all, there is nothing I cant doooo.

Even though Horikita had such an insane condition, Kouenji confidently accepted it, which surprised her.

Then, since weve finished talking. Ill be taking my leave.

Kouenji seemed to be satisfied with the agreement reached in the negotiation and left the classroom.

No one spoke to Kouenji, and only watched him leave.

I have no idea how serious Kouenji will get this time

Well, thats true.

But this is a rare opportunity. I have managed to get him to promise us his future commitment in the end.

Although I honestly didnt think you could trust him, this was an unprecedented development.

In order for him to live a carefree school life, Kouenji needed corresponding backup. If he continued to do whatever he wanted like before, he would fall down in priority of the students that should be protected. Even if he didnt say anything this time, hed be forced to take countermeasures at some point down the line.

However, if Horikita, the leader of Class D, acknowledged his plan, it would be a different story.

If he actually could get a rank in the top spots, it would be great, we could surpass the other classes like that.

Horikita said, turning her attention to me.

We come in first, and Kouenji comes in 2nd or 3rd. If we can do that, our class will gain a huge advantage, and well be able to redeem ourselves after falling behind up to now.

If you did some simple calculations, if Class 2-D gained 400, or 500 Class Points, the total Class Points we have would reach 700-800 in total, and that would be enough to take us to Class B in one go.

And on top of that, Kouenji would have to leave his mark in the next special exam as well

Well, theres one part that Im uncomfortable with. I can never anticipate what Kouenji is going to do.

Whether it be academic or physical ability, if you talk about whether he is fulfilling his true potential or not, he probably isnt. The only thing thats certain is that hes extraordinarily talented.

Thats true, but to easily take the top spot is a completely different matter altogether.

The fierce competitors and representatives of the other classes, Sakayanagi, Ichinose, and Ryuuen, were also aiming for that very same goal.

Of course, that wasnt all. From what Ive gathered till now, there was the up and coming group of the first years consisting of Housen and Amasawa. Then there were the elites of the 3rd year- Nagumo, Kiriyama and Kiryuuin. All of whom were aiming for first place.

Although I havent actually said it aloud till now, Im going in this exam with the goal of getting a high spot for myself.

Who was going to make their throne on top of the hill in 2 weeks time?

And who would be leaving the school?

Our long summer was about to begin.

***

Were in late July already. Its certainly getting hotter, right?

Tsukishiro mumbled as he looked down at the numerous large busses entering the school.

Yes, you are right.

A first year student replied back without any emotions behind those words.

Tsukishiro didnt face them and continued talking.

Please, are you done with your analysis yet? Prolonging it anymore wont help you.

Youre saying I should expel Ayanokouji Kiyotaka?

Is that too much for you?

Its confirmed that he isnt an easy opponent to beat. No, its something weve known from the very beginning.

Ill cooperate as much as I can. That being said, I cant possibly provide any more support than this.

Hearing this, the student remembered how Tsukishiro was pressuring them forward with this plan.

You mean youve been forced to be unreasonable?

Yes. Ive been quite unreasonable with pressuring for an increase in the budget for this special exam. More importantly, Ive also been forced to silence the school authorities about the strict rules I placed for the exam, after all.

So it will be difficult to continue as the temporary chairman?

Probably. The allegations against Chairman Sakayanagi should have cleared by now. I can see my role here ending soon. Thats why Ive prepared some splendid fireworks for the end. I want you to expel Ayanokouji Kiyotaka by any means necessary, is that clear?

Yes. I wont hesitate anymore.

Thats good to hear. In that case, youre free to go berserk during thisspecial exam. Once everything is taken care of, you will also return to your previous life. We will both return to the place we are supposed to be.

A girls left hand was tightly clenched upon hearing this as if it were brimming with natural power. Tsukishiro gently smiled upon seeing that from his side view.

Im expecting great things from you Nanase Tsubasa-san.