Today's second area became H8, and at 2:15 PM, we arrived at the designated area while replenishing our fluids. Initially, there was 3.5 liters of water, but it was almost depleted. It would be bad if we didn't go searching for more. Just as I thought that, I found out that a "History" test would be conducted nearby, so we headed to the area.
Upon arrival, there were quite a few people gathered, and there was an adult holding a tablet, so I approached and asked,
"Can I enter?"
"Yes, you can. You're the 7th group."
Just as we finished entering, two groups dashed over from behind. Oh, it's Kamuro and Hashimoto.
"Where's the reception!?"
Hashimoto, drenched in sweat, shouted, having probably run quite a distance.
"You're the last one, but..."
The gaze is fixed on Hashimoto, the group that is chasing after him. From the third to the fifth position, all are first-year groups, and this task can be participated in by groups, but if the members are not present, of course, they cannot register. There's no excuse for coming later, even if it's just 30 seconds later. If a group of three first-year students slides in during that time, they will snatch the entry away.
"Me and her will participate."
They decided to discard one person and enter as two. The first-year students standing there looked frustrated. Poor you guys. That pervert with the creepy grin is just awful.
"But damn, you're really going for it, Masumi-chan."
"Geez! Don't talk to me, it's hot and sweaty, and it's the worst..."
"Masumi-chan!"
"What?!"
Kamuro, annoyed by Hashimoto's approach, glares at him. Hashimoto waves her off with his hand.
"Are you okay with showing off that pouty expression to Horagasaki?"
Hashimoto smirked and turned his head towards me, inevitably catching Kamuro and me exchanging glances. She then awkwardly turned away.
"It's the first time I've seen you since the exam started,Horagasaki . Were you also here? But going solo is pretty impressive. You must be quite confident?"
"I don't know. Aren't you in the lower 10 groups?"
"Quit joking. Someone without confidence wouldn't go solo. But how's your performance with Kamuro?"
Hashimoto grinned.
"Hey, Long-Hair, shut up unless you want to fight?"
"I'm scared, scared, but well, if you manage to get into the top 10, what then?"
He asked as if testing something, but there's no such development. Well, I could, but I don't want to. I just want to go home for now.
"Well then, let's start the exam now."
Since the last group had arrived, the task began immediately. The questions were distributed, a total of 20. They were multiple-choice questions, so it was easy, whether I was good at them or not. After a while, the scores were tallied, and the results for all eight groups were announced.
I scored first with 100 points, followed by a third-year group with 80 points, and Hashimoto and Kamuro with 70 points. As we received our scores and water, I headed towards the next designated area.
"You're impressive. With such a flawless performance, I'm losing my confidence."
"It's just luck. Anyway, I'm going."
"It doesn't seem like luck. So, what's next for you?"
"Maybe physics. How about you?"
"Too bad, it's a different choice from ours."
Hashimoto is smart. He wouldn't bother competing against someone he knows he'll lose to. Then Kamuro approached me. Come to think of it, we haven't talked much lately.
"Horagasaki, you're too smart..."
"I don't really care about that, I just have plenty to do on my own."
I glanced toward Hashimoto and saw him grinning as usual. Seriously, I wanted to smack that face.
"Well, I've got places to go. See ya."
As I said this, Kamuro stopped me.
"What's up?" I wondered, so I stopped and decided to listen.
"Well... you're on your own, but do your best."
I never expected those words to come from Kamuro. She looked embarrassed, fidgeting nervously, which was incredibly cute, so I just patted her head lightly.
"Hehe, you do your best too."
With a smile, I said that, and she responded with a shy "Yeah" and a nod. How cute.
"See you, Kamuro."
"Yeah, bye-bye, Horagasaki."
The two of them left with Hashimoto, likely forming a group of six with Ichinose for the Sakayanagi Group.
After steadily clearing more exams, I scored 7 points in Physics, placing first. At this point, my total confirmed points were 79, and while I didn't know my rank, I knew this was the crucial moment.
Continuing to walk along the river, I eventually set up a tent a little away from the water. We spent the night there and the next day, we were assigned a task in the designated area, D6. The task was karaoke. Hmm, whether to go or not was a dilemma, but I decided to head there.
The rules were simple: you'd earn points based on how high your score was. First place got 6 points, second got 4, and third got 3.
Up to five groups could participate, so when it came to choosing a song, I picked one that I thought I could sing somewhat decently.
🎼.•*¨*•.•*¨*•.¸¸🎶
After finishing my song, I scored 99.872 points.
"There's no way you could win when he's that good, both his voice and singing style are cool!"
"Damn, he's a perfect handsome guy!"
"...Cool/////"
Various thoughts from the students who participated were intense, but I decided not to dwell on it. At least for today, I managed to earn quite a few points.
I thought about steadily accumulating more points as I continued to walk, heading towards the third designated area of the day, C6. There, unexpectedly, I encountered someone.
"Well, well, if it isn't the rich boy."
Starting from the fourth day, we could view the top ten participants, and among them was Koenji Rokusuke, a classmate who was currently in second place. He spoke to me.
He didn't seem tired at all; in fact, he seemed lively, giving off an aura that he was no ordinary person.
"Aren't you tired?" I asked.
"Tired? Haha, that word isn't in my dictionary."
It seemed Koenji possessed physical abilities far beyond those of an average person. Not that it was news to me.
"Are you about to start the task?"
"Great, there's a tug-of-war at C5, and I plan to participate in that. Are you going to be my opponent, rich boy? If so, it looks like it'll be a fun battle."
He seemed to think I was going to join the tug-of-war at C5, but I had no intention of doing so.
"Too bad, I'm not your opponent."
"I see. I've always wanted to fight you seriously once."
"Well, I'd lose, and besides, it's already time. Let's both do our best as solo players, Koenji ."
"Yes, I'm perfect, so the word 'do our best' isn't in my dictionary either. But this is my way of cheering you on. Make sure you come back safely, rich boy."
I was more surprised by Koenji's unexpectedly warm encouragement than anything else. But hearing that made me happy.
"Thanks, see you later."
"Hehe, see you."
Koenji laughed loudly as he energetically climbed the mountain. That guy really was something else.
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