Having changed into their sports uniforms, Hikigaya and his two companions followed Hirata to the deck. The four classes had already begun lining up, waiting for the ship to dock at the island.
It was a secluded island in the Pacific Ocean.
Rumor had it that the school had leased the island from the government. With an area of about half a square kilometer and the highest point reaching 230 meters, it was a considerable size for a hundred students.
Basking in the sunlight, the island—with its lush green forest and golden beaches—was undeniably a perfect vacation spot.
As the island grew closer, the students' excitement peaked.
However, not everyone shared that enthusiasm.
Hikigaya glanced around. Class A's Katsuragi was accompanied by Yahiko, as usual. While those around them were lost in excitement, Katsuragi remained calm, his eyes fixed intently on the island ahead.
On the other side of the deck, Ichinose from Class B was standing with a purple-haired boy Hikigaya didn't recognize. They were pointing toward the island, seemingly discussing something.
Hikigaya did recall the boy, though—his name was Kanzaki Ryuji, one of Class B's elite members, likely Ichinose's right-hand man.
As for Class C, Ryuuen stood at the front of the group, flanked by his bodyguards, Ishizaki and Albert. His sharp gaze was locked onto the approaching island, a confident smirk playing on his lips.
Suddenly, Ryuuen noticed Hikigaya watching him and flashed a wink in his direction.
[T/N: Gayyyyyyyy.]
"...Disgusting."
Hikigaya couldn't help but mutter under his breath.
Why the hell is a guy winking at me? If anyone should be smiling... Huh? Shiina? Why are you waving so cheerfully at me?
Hachiman's mental endurance is going to crumble at this rate!
He decided it was best to shift his focus to Class D to alleviate the awkwardness.
Hmm... Nothing much to see there. They all looked like fools, eagerly anticipating their island vacation.
Hikigaya withdrew his gaze and patiently waited.
Soon enough, the cruise ship came to a stop.
"Next, please disembark in an orderly fashion, starting with the students from Class A. Also, note that mobile phones are not allowed on the island. Please hand them over to your homeroom teacher before disembarking."
Class A's homeroom teacher, Mashima-sensei, stood with a megaphone in hand, directing the students as they began descending the ship's stairs.
He was a tall, imposing figure known for teaching English with a strict and impartial approach. He never showed favoritism, not even to his class, which earned him respect among the students.
After all four classes had undergone a thorough inspection and roll call, Mashima-sensei stepped forward to a prepared podium.
"First, I'm glad you all arrived safely. However, it's unfortunate that one student was unable to join us due to illness."
He must be talking about Sakayanagi, but Hikigaya had his doubts about the situation.
Did she not get the school's permission, or did she request to be excused?
As Hikigaya pondered this, workers began setting up tents nearby, and he noticed tables with computers and other equipment.
The other students soon realized something was off, their previously joyous expressions replaced with confusion and tension.
It was as if Mashima-sensei had been waiting for this moment when he delivered the news with chilling precision.
"Now, we will commence the first special exam of the year."
"Huh? Special exam?"
Most of the students voiced their surprise, though the reactions from Classes A and B were more subdued.
It seemed Ichinose had only discussed the uninhabited island with a select few, likely to avoid leaks.
A smart move, considering the risks of sharing too much with the whole class.
Ignoring the students' protests, Mashima-sensei continued, "The exam will last one week, starting now and ending at noon on August 8th. During this time, you will live together on this uninhabited island. That is the content of the exam."
...Wait, August 8th?
Hikigaya suddenly remembered—that was his birthday!
In the past, Komachi always celebrated it with him. Sadly, that wouldn't be possible for the next three years. All he could do was sigh.
"To clarify, this exam is modeled after real corporate training programs. It is highly practical and realistic."
From the podium, Mashima-sensei continued his explanation.
"During the exam, you will not be allowed to return to the ship without a valid reason. You must secure your food, water, and shelter. The school will provide each class with two tents, two flashlights, and a box of matches. Sunscreen is unlimited, each person will receive a toothbrush, and as a special provision, feminine hygiene products will be unlimited. Please request them from your homeroom teacher. That is all."
Mashima-sensei paused, and for a moment, silence reigned. Then, the students erupted in a cacophony of disbelief.
"What the hell! Is this some kind of survival challenge? I didn't sign up for this! This isn't an anime or a manga! And how are we supposed to sleep with only two tents? And what about food?"
Ike shouted, and other students joined in, voicing their complaints.
While Hikigaya understood their frustration, he wished they'd lower their volume a bit—it was starting to get annoying.
As the students protested, Mashima-sensei and Chabashira-sensei calmly countered each argument.
In essence, they were telling the students not to dismiss the exam as unreasonable. After all, many top companies used similar training programs, and as mere students, they had no right to criticize.
The logic was sound, so the students fell silent.
"But, Sensei, it's summer vacation. We were brought here under the guise of a trip. If this were corporate training, I doubt they'd deceive us like this."
—Good point! Well said!
Hikigaya silently applauded the anonymous student. This damn school was always pulling tricks, preying on the students' inability to fight back.
The supplies were just too meager. Sure, they could figure out the food situation, and unlimited sunscreen and feminine products were fine, but finding space for forty people to sleep without tools? That was insane.
Even for corporate training, the conditions were absurd. And these were high school students, not adults.
"I see. You're correct on that point. I can understand why you'd be upset."
Until now, Mashima-sensei had refuted every student complaint with logic, but this time, he seemed to acknowledge the validity of their concerns.
"But there's no need to worry. Even though this is a special exam, you have complete freedom over the next week. You can swim in the sea, have barbecues, or chat around a campfire. The theme of this special exam is 'freedom.'"
"Huh? We can have barbecues during an exam? Wait, can this even be called an exam? My brain can't keep up with this..."
Naturally, the students became even more confused.
"As the main premise of this uninhabited island special exam, we will allocate 300 points to each class. By wisely using these points, you can enjoy the week as if you were on vacation. We've even prepared a guidebook for you."
As he spoke, Mashima-sensei held up a thick booklet handed to him by another teacher.
"This guidebook lists all the items you can purchase with your points. Not only food and water but also barbecue equipment and countless beach toys."
Hearing this, the students began to calm down.
Even though it was an exam, they could use points to choose fun activities, which sounded pretty enjoyable.
However, Hikigaya knew the school wouldn't be that kind.
"But, Sensei, if this is an exam, there must be some sort of challenge, right?"
"No, there are no difficult challenges. I assure you there will be no negative consequences for the second semester."
Hikigaya immediately understood—this exam revolved around those 300 points.
If Mashima-sensei said there were no negative consequences, it implied there would be positive ones. Otherwise, there'd be no point in holding the exam.
All that talk about having fun was just a distraction.
It was just like when Chabashira-sensei told them at the start of the year that they could spend their points however they wanted. This damn school loved to play these mind games.
"So, does that mean we can just have fun for the whole week?"
Some students still weren't convinced and kept asking, the situation sounding too good to be true.
"Yes, it's entirely up to you. Of course, there are minimal rules to follow during the exam, but nothing difficult to comply with."
Mashima-sensei nodded before revealing the full scope of the special exam.
"At the end of this exam, the points remaining in each class will be added to your class points. The results will be reflected at the end of summer vacation."
The silence that followed was deafening.
The students were undoubtedly shocked, many of them wearing dumbfounded expressions.
Up until now, the exams had been about academic performance. But this time, the difference between Class A and Class D wouldn't be based on intelligence but on survival skills and teamwork on the island.
How each class chose to use those 300 points—whether to indulge in fun or endure for the sake of the second semester—was indeed a matter of "freedom."
But if it were Class D, there'd be no need to worry, right?
Come to think of it, the exam would end on August 8th… Maybe that wasn't so bad after all.
Hikigaya had a gut feeling—this year, he might receive the best birthday present ever.
[A/N: With this, I have reached the 100th chapter, from now on the update speed will be slowed, I will update 2 chapters per day.]